Dragon Roost Cavern

Dragon Roost Cavern is the second Dungeon in The Wind Waker.^[1]

Entrance to the Cavern[]

Located on Dragon Roost Island, the Dragon Roost Cavern is a volcanic cavern that is traversed regularly by children of the Rito tribe in order to meet with the Sky Spirit, Valoo, and obtain one of his scales, which allow them to grow their wings once they are of age. Link first learns of the cavern from Medli, a Rito and Valoo's attendant. Valoo grew unexpectingly enraged, which prevented the Rito children from receiving their scales to grow their wings. In light of the dragon's recent outbursts, Medli requests Link's help in reaching the Dragon Roost Cavern's entrance on a high ledge, so that she can journey to the peak in order to appease Valoo.^[2] After tossing her up to the ledge, Medli gives Link a Bottle which he must use to revitalize a cluster of withered Bomb Flowers in the area. These can then be used to destroy the boulder plugging the spring, filling the pond and allowing Link to swim across to the entrance. The final obstacle Link must overcome before proceeding into the Dragon Roost Cavern is a small pool of lava, which Link cannot jump across. He must use nearby Bomb Flowers to knock over the statues standing in the walls nearby, which Link can use as a platform to traverse the lava.

Themes and Navigation[]

The dungeon is reminiscent of Dodongo's Cavern from Ocarina of Time, in that Link must use Bomb Flowers to clear away boulders and clear a path. The lighting of Torches is required in certain rooms, as is the use of enemy weapons to smash or burn through wooden barricades. At some points, Link is required to use Water Pots to cool and solidify lava, allowing him to safely pass over it or ride volcanic geysers and reach higher floors. Brief portions of the dungeon are also set outside, where great care must be taken to avoid falling down from the cliffs in the mountainside.

The main item of the dungeon, the Grappling Hook, is obtained from Medli after defeating two Bokoblins and a Moblin at the mountain's peak, where Valoo roosts. After using this item to obtain the Big Key, Link encounters the boss of the dungeon, Gohma, in the chamber beneath Valoo; it was this creature that had been agitating the Sky Spirit by attacking his tail, leaving the Rito unable to approach him.^[3] Defeating Gohma calms Valoo and helps restore the confidence of the Rito Prince Komali, who bequeaths Din's Pearl to Link in gratitude before departing to receive his own scale from the dragon.

Small Keys[]

There are four small keys.

Minor Enemies and Traps[]

Trivia[]

Portions of Dodongo's Cavern and Death Mountain Crater's theme were remixed as the music for Dragon Roost Cavern.
At the entrance of Dragon Roost Cavern there is a mural on the wall of two green dragons that look like Volvagia.
Along the wall of the volcano crater is a statue-like structure that resembles the giant Dodongo skull found in Dodongo's Cavern.

Nomenclature[]

Names in Other Regions
Language		Name	Meaning
	Japanese	竜の��のほこら (Ryū no Yama no Hokora)	Dragon Mountain Shrine
	French^EU	Caverne du Dragon	Dragon's Cave
	German	Drako-Sanktuarium	Dragon Sanctuary
	Italian	Caverna del Drago	Dragon's Cave
	Korean	용의 산 제단 (Yong-ui San Jedan)	Dragon's Mountain Shrine
	Spanish^LA	Cueva del Dragón	Dragon's Cave

Gallery[]

The top exterior level of Dragon Roost Cavern during the daytime
The top exterior level of Dragon Roost Cavern at night time
Link jumping over Lava inside
Link climbing the stairs in the top exterior level of Dragon Roost Cavern at night

References

↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 152
↑ "I want to go to the small shrine that's near the peak of Dragon Roost, but that ledge over there is so high..." — Medli (The Wind Waker)
↑ "I have to tell you what I found out! This is terrible!...Some creature is doing awful things to the great Valoo's tail! That's why he's so angry! The great Valoo's tail hangs down into the room right below here." — Medli (The Wind Waker)