Old Woman

Old Woman of the Surface Cave

An old woman who lives in a cave on the surface, sells certain items, provides hints, and helps Link on his adventure.

Quotes

  • It's a secret to everybody

Trivia

  • Has a special setting where she is silent at the start and does not sell items.
  • A classic example of the early form of NPCs that provide hints in exchange for Rupees.
  • One of the important NPCs who sells items necessary for game progression.
  • The items sold by the old woman cannot be purchased at the beginning of the game.
  • The 'Old Woman' character has influenced subsequent Legend of Zelda series works.

Alternate names

Old Woman Old Woman in the Cave

Tags

The Legend of Zelda Cave Item Sales Hint Provision NPC Famicom Retro Game Adventure RPG Nintendo

Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Female

Appearance

Overall appearance
An elderly woman with a gentle facial expression. She wears simple clothes and lives inside a cave. She has no flashy decorations and gives a modest impression.
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Silver
Distinguishing features
  • Elderly
  • Slightly Hunchbacked
  • Soft Smile
Iconic items
  • Props for Item Sales
  • Words that Convey Hints
  • Hut Inside the Cave

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Kind
Detailed personality
Reserved and warm personality. Basically taciturn and often silent, but quietly provides important hints when necessary.
Keywords
  • Kind
  • Quiet
  • Cautious
  • Insightful
  • Wise Person
Talents
  • Insight
  • Wisdom Transmission
  • Negotiation
  • Survival Skills
Skills
  • Item Handling
  • Secret Knowledge
  • Information Provision
Motivation
Indirectly support Link's adventure and contribute to the peace of Hyrule.
Habits
Initially silent, receives money (Rupees) in exchange for hints or selling items.
Favorite foods
Unknown Specifically
Hobbies
Living Inside the Cave
Favorite places
The Cave She Lives In
Favorite colors
Unknown
Disliked situations
Dangerous Situations, Rude Behavior

History

Backstory
An old woman who lives in a surface cave and sells items and provides hints to adventurers. At the start of the game, she is silent and sells nothing, but begins selling items and providing hints once certain conditions are met.
Debut date
February 21, 1986
Work title
The Legend of Zelda
Media type
Game

First Appearance

Significant event
First Appearance
Description
Appears inside the cave at the start of the game, sells certain items to Link, and provides hints once conditions are met.

Hint Provision

Significant event
Hint Provision
Description
By paying Rupees, the player receives secret information useful for game progression.

Relationships

Link

Supporter

Provides hints and items as support for the adventure

Media appearances

The Legend of Zelda

Game / Supporting

1986 Famicom Disk System version

The Legend of Zelda

Game / Supporting

Remakes and ports on multiple platforms

Voice cast and creators

Shigeru Miyamoto

Creator name
Shigeru Miyamoto
Role
Original author

Takashi Tezuka

Creator name
Takashi Tezuka
Role
Character designer

Keiji Terui

Creator name
Keiji Terui
Role
Writer

Nintendo

Creator name
Nintendo
Role
Publisher

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