Champion's Order

Lore & Background

Centuries before the events of Breath of the Wild, the prophecy of Calamity Ganon's return loomed over Hyrule. King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule, seeking to secure the kingdom's future, selected four exceptional warriors from the allied races: Mipha of the Zora, Daruk of the Gorons, Revali of the Rito, and Urbosa of the Gerudo. These individuals were not merely soldiers; they were spiritual anchors capable of synchronizing with the ancient Sheikah technology known as Divine Beasts. Each Champion was tasked with mastering one of these massive mechanical constructs to suppress Ganon's malice should he ever return.

The bond between the Champions and Princess Zelda was central to their mission, yet it was fraught with tension. While the Champions held unwavering faith in her abilities to awaken the Sacred Power, Zelda struggled with self-doubt as she failed to manifest this power repeatedly. Despite Revali's arrogance or Urbosa's protective nature, all four shared a deep camaraderie forged through years of training and battle. They were the shield that would hold back the storm until the princess could become the sword.

When Calamity Ganon finally emerged from his thousand-year slumber, the Champions rushed to their respective Divine Beasts. In a desperate gambit, they attempted to contain the beast's power within the machines themselves rather than letting it roam free. This act of supreme sacrifice allowed them to stall Ganon for over a century, though at the cost of their lives and the corruption of their minds by Malice. Their spirits remained trapped in stasis, waiting for a new hero to arrive and break their chains.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled through the peak of Hebra, carrying the scent of ozone and ancient dust. Revali stood atop Vah Medoh, his bow drawn not against an enemy, but toward the sky where the storm clouds swirled with unnatural green light. Below him, the other three champions were already engaged in their own battles across the land; he could feel the tremors of Daruk's fire and the shockwaves of Urbosa's lightning through the very air.

"Hold fast," Revali whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the roar of the Divine Beast. "We are the wall. She is the dawn." He remembered the Princess's desperate struggle to awaken her power, a burden he had once doubted she could bear. But as Malice surged toward Vah Medoh, doubt vanished. The Champions made their choice: they would pilot their machines into the heart of the Calamity itself, drawing its power inside to trap it for a century. It was not a victory of survival, but an act of will that defied death. Their bodies fell, consumed by Malice, yet their spirits waited in the silence, bound to the steel giants until the Hero returned.

Reader's Guide

The Champions' Order represents the most critical defensive strategy employed by Hyrule prior to its fall. Their primary goal was to utilize the Divine Beasts as mobile fortresses to neutralize Calamity Ganon's influence and create a window for Princess Zelda to awaken her sealing power. The group consisted of Mipha, whose healing abilities and control over water made her vital for sustaining allies; Daruk, whose strength and protective barrier could withstand immense physical damage; Revali, who provided aerial superiority and wind manipulation; and Urbosa, whose mastery of lightning offered devastating offensive capabilities.

In the narrative conflict, these four serve as both a tragic backstory element and the central mechanic of the game's progression. Their deaths left Hyrule vulnerable for a century, resulting in the kingdom being overrun by Malice and monsters. The player's journey involves locating their shrines to free their spirits from the corrupted Divine Beasts. Once liberated, each Champion grants Link a unique ability that mimics their signature power, effectively allowing him to wield their legacy directly.

The faction is defined by its deep emotional resonance with the protagonist, Link, who was their comrade and fellow knight before his injury. Their story arc explores themes of sacrifice, duty, and the burden of expectation. While they failed to prevent the initial catastrophe, their enduring spirit provides the necessary tools for Link to restore balance to the world a hundred years later.

Did You Know?

• Color Coding: Each Champion's name corresponds to the element and color of their Divine Beast—Mipha (Blue/Water), Daruk (Red/Fire), Revali (Green/Storm), Urbosa (Yellow/Lightning).
• Unique Pilots: The Champions were the only individuals in history confirmed to successfully pilot a Divine Beast prior to Link's awakening.
• Personal Ties: Urbosa held a deep, personal bond with Link, having known him since he was a small child long before his appointment as Champion.
• Revali's Rivalry: Revali initially resented Link's inclusion in the Champions' Order, believing his own mastery of flight and archery made him more worthy of piloting Vah Medoh.