The Gorons are the hefty, rock-munching peoples of the Mountains of Hyrule. They could be most commonly found, though, in the Death Mountain Range of old Hyrule, and many, many years later seemed to fan out across the world to locales like Mount Cucco? of Holodrum in the West. The Gorons made their homes out of deeply dug caverns in the highest mountain peaks, extending ever deeper in search of the tastiest rocks. Some of the most well-known Gorons include Darunia, the Sage of Fire?, and Darmani?, the greatest hero of the Terminan Goron Tribe.

Where They Were

Prior to the Great Flood, specifically circa the days of Ocarina of Time, the Gorons were a relatively advanced race, with a large city cut into the caves of Death Mountain. They maintained a crude tribal religion focused around the Fire Temple and the worship of fire spirits. They also possessed a proud history, especially concerning the stories of the Megaton Hammer? and the destruction of the evil fire spirit, Volvagia, and the hands of their great unnamed hero? (though some postulate the hero was named "Wyrmbane," "Dragonbane," or something along those lines).

What Happened?

From what little we do know about the return of Ganon prior to the Great Flood (mainly what we can derive from engravings depicting the events), it seems that the King of Evil returned to Hyrule through Death Mountain. What one can assume is certainly that his return involved a devastating attack on Goron City, perhaps the deaths of many of their race. Furthermore, after the initial flood, what little remained of Death Mountain (namely, the summit) poked above the waves and was taken over by the Rito Tribe, who then renamed the summit to Dragon Roost Island, essentially leaving the Gorons homeless.

[ Ganon Emerges from Death Mountain ]

Where Did They Go?

In further Zelda games, it becomes apparent that the Gorons did not stick around for long in the post-deluge Hyrule. Rather, many fled the Great Sea (perhaps on rafts, since the Gorons are known to have the capacity to build them). In the land of Labrynna, far to the northwest of the Great Sea, a new Goron City was built in a large cave in the mountains. Some Gorons, however, did stay behind, as evidenced by the four or so Goron Merchants that wander the Great Sea on rickety rafts, hawking their goods to any travelers that stumble upon them.

By the time of The Minish Cap, a small group of Gorons made their way to New Hyrule where they attempted to build a new city in a cave near Lon Lon Ranch. Through the power of the Kinstone?s they were able to gather enough of their numbers reach the cave’s main interior (where all the delicious rocks were) so they could begin construction on this new home. Events seemed to finally be in the Gorons’ favor.

However, by the time of Link to the Past and subsequent games, the Gorons had disappeared from Hyrule completely, leaving nary a trace or artifacts behind. Moreover, the citizens of Hyrule mentioned nothing of a bumbling, jovial races of rock-dwelling folk, leaving many to assume that the Gorons’ flight from Hyrule was swift and unnoticed. Perhaps their new home proved unsuitable, so these Gorons returned to their new home in Labrynna? Or, more likely, they continued to dig deeper into the earth in search of the most delicious rocks, until they disappeared from Hyrule forever.