Woodfall

Woodfall is an extinct volcano^{[citation needed]} in the center of the swamps in southern Termina, though the game's use of the term ranges from referring to the entire swamp (i.e. "the swamp at Woodfall") to specifically the water-filled crater at the summit of the mountain. Though it is not the only source of the swamp's waters, it constantly spews water down its sides, and the state of Woodfall directly effects the environmental health of the jungle surrounding it. In Majora's Mask, Woodfall plays a key role in the southern arc of the game as the home of the first temple, the submerged Woodfall Temple.

Woodfall is one of the more-prominent landmarks in Termina, and like the Stone Tower it is both characteristic and visible from most parts of the country.

Geography

Woodfall vaguely resembles Death Mountain in that it is surrounded by a ring of clouds.

The bog at Woodfall's summit is at first a deep magenta hue and is full of poisonous water too deep for Link to stand in when not in Zora form. The bog contains a large circle of tall tree stumps, some of which are connected by wooden catwalks. When a catwalk is not provided, the only way to cross to the next tree stump is by Deku Flower. Across from the entrance to the bog is a tall wooden platform held above the water by stilts. The platform carries both an Owl Statue and an altar once used by the Deku as means of worship. Not too far from the platform is a Great Fairy Fountain nestled in the inner wall of the mountain. Submerged in both the water and underlying ground at the center of the bog is the Woodfall Temple.

Following Odolwa's defeat, the waters atop Woodfall become shallower and blue. From there-on after (until the Song of Time is played), Woodfall remains a shade of yellow-green.

Woodfall is notable for containing a large quantity of treasure chests, one of which holding a Piece of Heart.

History

Pre-Majora's Mask

Woodfall was once used as a center of worship by the Deku, but was abandoned at some unspecified point in Termina's history, assumably after their guardian deity left them. When Majora began wreaking havoc in Termina, Woodfall began to churn lethal, poisoned water out of the Woodfall Temple and into the swamps below. This caused an influx in hostile wildlife, the population of which peaked in the bog on the mountain summit. This was viewed by the Deku as an omen that their doom was quickly approaching, and irrational panic quickly broke out across the jungle the swamps resided in.

Believing the source of the swamp's problems to be the Woodfall Temple, a Monkey convinced the Deku Princess to join him in ridding Woodfall of its curse. However, upon entering the temple the princess was captured by Odolwa and the Monkey was intercepted by the angry Deku Royal Family while escaping.

Majora's Mask

When Link arrives in the swamp, Woodfall's cursed waters have already infected the entire swamp and its wildlife. To access the top of the volcano, he must at first use the "shortcut" used by members of the Deku Palace. This later becomes unnecessary, thanks to the Owl Statue in the bog. He learns the Song of Soaring on the way to the volcano summit.

The bog itself must be crossed via lilypads, catwalks, and tree stumps. The only way to access any of the Deku Flowers is for Link to first slay the Mad Scrubs occupying them, and he must also spar with Hiploops that patrol the planks. Dragonflies are present, but are not in the direction of the Deku Shrine.

After crossing Woodfall to the platform, Link can raise the Woodfall Temple by playing the Sonata of Awakening while standing on the Deku Altar.

The Great Fairy living in Woodfall grants Link an improved "orange" Spin Attack, which was previously automatically available in Ocarina of Time.

After Odolwa has been defeated, the waters of Woodfall and the rest of Southern Swamp are cleansed, allowing access to a hidden chamber within Woodfall that houses the imprisoned Deku Princess.