Kokiri (Total War)



The Kokiri are a faction in Hyrule Total War, and play prominent roles during the Gerudo Wars and Return of Sulkaris arcs of Hyrule Historia.

Description
The Kokiri are among the more recent of Hyrule's races, tracing their origins to the old Akkalan holdings in the Kokiri Forest. The traditional seat of House Rhoam, the lands that once served as the border between Akkala and the Huskus and Picori had largely fallen into neglect by reign of Princess Nylin Nohansen Zelda I, circa 10 AG. Amid the turmoil of the Kingdom of Hyrule's recovery from the devastation cause by Ganon, a powerful clan of Hylian brigands known as the Kokiri Bandits emerged in the Kokiri Forests, based in old Akkalan ruins dotting throughout the woods, such as the Forest Temple. These Bandits became notorious for the ruthless raids and exploitation of the land, drawing the ire of Kasuto, Sage of Forests, also known as the Great Deku Tree. The wrath of his Forest Alliance was swift and terrible, slaughtering the Bandits to the last man and women.

They did, however, spare the children of these vile people and with them the Great Deku Tree began a great transformation. Over a century later, the Kokiri have grown and evolved into a creature slowly becoming more plant than animal. While under the influence of the Great Deku Tree they do not age, and when the time is deemed right a Kokiri can begin a metamorphosis and transform into a Korok to reproduce and spawn more Kokiri. Though they may seem like children in their appearance, the long lifespans of the Kokiri mean many of them are older than most people in Hyrule. When faced with a fight, the Kokiri are able to rally large numbers of fighters in short order. Their armies usually are not very organized, and a Kokiri is more likely to pick up the nearby kitchen knife rather than stock up on professional grade armaments. The Kokiri also tend to be very well supplied, and their troops can last much longer on the battlefield before getting tired because of this. Their small size and lack of warfare training mean that individually the Kokiri are a rather unremarkable force however. They tend to be very easy to scare, and it's not uncommon to see the Kokiri turn and run when faced with a more powerful foe. Even with these faults, a proper Kokiri army in full march is a potent force and one that should not be underestimated.

Language
The Kokiri primarily speak Deku, as taught by Kasuto, though they retain the knowledge of Hylian Dialect as well.

First Golden Age
The history of the Kokiri begins with a group of renegade Hylians known as the Kokiri Bandits. These bandits arose in the chaos that ruled the Kingdom of Hyrule following the Rise of Ganon, and occupied the abandoned outposts of the Kingdom of Hyrule's eastern expansion into the Faron Woods and Kokiri Forest as bases from which to raid the surrounding countryside. For years they pillaged the frontiers of Hyrule and slaughtered the native wildlife of the forest, until the made the mistake of attacking the Deku Trees, who, under Kasuto's leadership, united the Wolfos, Deku Scrubs, and Huskus and destroyed the bandits, slaughtering them to the last man and woman. Kasuto took pity on their children, however, and set about the experiment of evolving them past their base animal instincts- the Kokiri were born.

Shortly into the Kokiri's history, a group of Kokiri would be lured away by the Baga Tree, the cousin of Kasuto. He planned to rule over this new tribe, but the Kokiri turned out to be more than he could handle. Eventually, they'd kill him and take full control of the Bando Grove, the Baga Tree's domain. Despite this, they would never return to the Great Deku Tree, as the remaining influence of the Baga Tree would drive them to become much more feral and aggressive. This would be the beginning of the Mudmen of Faron, a tribalistic society ruled over by Mirora, their chief. They would keep their distance from the land of the Great Deku Tree, until the

There are also rumors of a kingdom of independent Kokiri outside the influence of the Great Deku Tree, stationed in the Northern Faron Woods. During its reign this Kingdom of Faron is said to have constructed the Eastern Palace, before falling to the Lizalfos who had been driven away from Death Mountain. This is merely a legend however, as the palace is actually part of the ruins of Zonai, an ancient Ikanian city. The only connection to the Kokiri that these ruins have is the fact that their outlaw ancestors used it as a base, but that is true for many of the forest ruins.

Gerudo Wars
Around 98 AG, just before the Gerudo Wars, the Kokiri Forest would also be engulfed in conflict with the return of the Gohma, ancient enemies of Hyrule, guided by what looked like the specter of the ancient sage Sulkaris. What they would never expect was the betrayal of their chieftan, Mido, leading the Gohma directly into their grove after being promised to be made king of all the forests. Dejected because of Saria's refusal to be his companion and Kasuto berating him for his prideful dreams of grandeur, he accepted the First Sage's proposal.

Despite not succeeding in defeating Kasuto, they killed many Kokiri including Saria. To let her live, the Great Deku Tree would name her the new Sage of Forests. Due to Mido's betrayal, the heartbroken father of the Kokiri gave the title to Mirora of the Mudmen. It wouldn't be long before the Gohma would strike again, so the wise tree called upon all the powers of the forest as he once did when the Kokiri Bandits terrorized their land. While the Kokiri would get the aid of the Wolfos of Shamnon and the Deku Scrubs of Princess A-Kana, Empress Tamako of the Huskus and Nardu the White of the Lizalfos would not aid them, believing the assault to be from a mere stray Gohma hive.

Just as expected, the Gohma would launch a full-scale invasion, intent on killing the Sage of Forests and let them be consumed by Sulkaris so she could regain her flesh. Mido informs her that the new sage is Mirora, a lie to keep Saria safe. This leads to Sulkaris' defeat, since although she obtained a physical form once more, her sage powers did not return to her, allowing Saria, the true sage, to seal her spirit away. Her prison is entrusted to the Huskus for safekeeping, leaving the Kokiri to recover from the assault and the loss of two chiefs, one from betrayal and another from death. With no other worthy option left, Saria is given the responsibility of chieftan.

Second Golden Age
The Order of the Wizzrobe approaches Kasuto and requests the guardian to foster Link, Hylia's chosen knight, until he comes of age. In this time, Saria befriends the Hylian boy and they become very close, all while Mido watches from afar. It's a peaceful time for the Kokiri.