Up the Long Ladder
When you arrive at Mountain Village, follow the Goron ghost north, heading toward a pool of icy water. Leap across the floating ice platforms to reach the north bank. If you’re having trouble getting across, put on the Deku Mask, and simply hop across the water.
The Lens of Truth reveals a ladder that runs up the north wall beyond the water. The ladder was always there, but you couldn’t have seen it before. Climb the ladder to reach a high ledge, going right, left, and then right at the three junctions you encounter on your way to the top.
Goron Graveyard
After climbing the ladder and reaching the ledge, you find the Goron ghost floating before a cave. Two living Gorons also stand nearby, but one of them is frozen solid. You can’t help these poor Gorons, but the one that isn’t frozen tells you that you’ve arrived at the grave of a great Goron hero. Follow the ghost into the cave to enter the Goron Graveyard.
Speak with the ghost inside the Goron Graveyard to learn that his name is Darmani the Third. You’ve been pursuing the ghost of a great Goron hero all along!
Having failed to defeat a powerful demon at Snowhead, Darmani has been unable to find peace. He believes he has failed his people and begs that you heal his sorrows. Don’t worry, a Red Potion isn’t required—that stuff only works on the living. Whip out your ocarina, and play the Song of Healing instead.
The Song of Healing works its magic, banishing Darmani’s woes. At last able to find peace, Darmani’s ghost fades away, leaving behind a precious gift: the Goron Mask.
Goron Mask
You got the Goron Mask! This mask contains the spirit of a proud Goron hero. Wear the mask to inhabit the body of a Goron. Remove it to return to normal.
Darmani’s Words
Darmani has asked that you read the words etched on his gravestone, but the language is foreign to Link. Put on the Goron Mask to transform into Goron Link, then inspect the gravestone once more. There! Now you can understand the words.
Read Darmani’s gravestone to learn all about Goron Link’s abilities. As Goron Link, you can now lift heavy objects with ease, and you can also curl up with
and roll around. When rolling at top speed, spikes emerge from Goron Link’s body, letting you mow down enemies. Additionally, you can make Goron Link unleash powerful punches by rapidly tapping
. Press
while Goron Link is curled up, and he’ll jump up and slam the ground with a quaking impact that can flatten enemies—a move known as a Goron Pound. It’s not all good news, however, for water is the enemy of Goron Link. Avoid it at all costs, or else he’ll sink like a stone and be rendered motionless in the deep.
All Hot and Bottled
After reading Darmani’s gravestone, circle around behind it to discover that you can grab it. Grip the gravestone from behind, using Goron Link’s great strength to pull it backward and uncork a hidden hot spring.
Once you’ve moved the gravestone, steaming water quickly fills the cave. Fill an Empty Bottle with Hot Spring Water, and then head outside.
As you exit the Goron Graveyard, the Goron outside mistakes you for Darmani. You’ll be getting a lot of that now. Stand before the Goron’s frozen brother and dump out your Hot Spring Water, which quickly thaws out the frozen Goron.
The grateful Gorons are thrilled to have their hero’s help once again. They beg you to find some way of stopping the blizzard that’s blowing in from a nearby place called Snowhead. Return to the Goron Graveyard, refill your bottle with more Hot Spring Water, and then head back outside.
Hot Spring Water won’t stay hot for long, so you must hurry. Take off the Goron Mask, and leap from the high ledge, aiming to land in the icy water below. Swim to the snowy shore and climb out, then put on the Goron Mask again and press
to roll eastward, back toward Goron Village.