Throughout the entire Zelda fan base, there has echoed a hobby of much serious business. The fans that delve into game plot and construct theories over continuity between storylines are known as Zelda Theorists.

From the first implication of a Zelda Timeline, to the first complications surrounding developer intent, Zelda Theorizing has gradually become more popular, as well complicated with each new installment to the series. Without a doubt, this hobby requires an immense amount of memorization and tools necessary to construct sound theories. It's also up to one to decide what is canonical, then what is subjective and objective, and how to develop a sense of ethics in his or her approaches within debate.

A theorist is nothing without resources. For over a decade, the website known as Zelda Legends has provided textual resources and other storyline guides which have helped fans delve deeper into the lore by said characters. Thus they deserve respect for what they have done in the past - and should be credited for being the first to do so. Given the circumstances of our growing franchise, now is the time to revolutionize the system of obtaining and attaining canon resources. Theorists have spent countless of hours reading through text to find pieces of evidence to support their theories... For a newbie it's quite impossible to memorize the rapid rhetoric over a short period of time. Any Zelda Theorist can attest to the aggravation felt when another is ignorant of factors which have not been considered before reaching conclusions. However it's true with any interpretation of 'evidence' that there will always be bias. Therefore numerous perspectives must be seen, met, and collaborated to attain true accountability and objectivity in the end.




Zelda Informer is proud to host Zelda Historians - a peer to peer review group aimed at extracting and outlining data from the Zelda Universe. This group is entirely based on the need to condense all canonical data consistently used by theorists. What makes our group unique is that we're not interpreting canon, we are throwing different people into the same task to extract what others may have missed. In good discussion, we ensure to extract everything which is relevant to understanding the core storyline, internal and external elements, of the games' content.


Below is an outline of the projected projects which we have deemed necessary to help the hobby of Zelda Theorizing.


Priority Projects:

- Excerpts of Mudora Project
Complete reform of textual resources, labeled by canonical category and following re-translations and their notations
- Japanese Re-Translations Guide
Generally explains why theorists should consider these localizations having more clarity than NoA - in specific regards to understanding Japanese Culture

Side Projects

- Developer Interviews/Quotes on the Timeline and other Storyline Factors
A complete list of developers quotes upon the topic of the timeline and other storyline specifics of the games
- Internal Image Resources
(Re)Translate (Hylian) Text; in-game screens only
- External Image Resources
(Re)Translate (Hylian) Text; non-in-game screens only
- Removed Beta Image Resources
A compilation of any obscure objects left over behind the programing of the games

Secondary Projects:

- Bestiary Guides
A complete archive of all the beast variations and state of beings from title to title within the series
- Cutscene Library
A complete archive of all the cutscenes within the series

Future Projects:

- Storyline Guides
Complete Summary of the storyline progression of each game within the series
- Timeline Principles Guide
A list of things to consider before constructing a timeline theory
- Theorists' Guides: Beginner and Advanced
Condense guides integrating completed works of Zelda Historians and other outside resources

Special Projects:

Spin-off titles and AST will be applied towards all the following sections once the main titles have been covered to their fullest current potential within Excerpts of Mudora; but before constructing the Storyline, Timeline, and Theorists' Guides.


Why join Zelda Historians?


First and foremost, if you're still reading, chances are that you're a Zelda Theorist. Whether you think you're savvy in lore or not, being a part of this unit ultimately works towards your benefit - as well as others in the long run. You never know what you or someone else might run across in a search and extraction process: it might be something you could use to create or strengthen that theory of yours!


Below are general descriptions of the following positions/duties within Zelda Historians.


Collaborators
Requirements: At least two years of experience in Zelda Theorizing
Member Cap: Two to Three Individuals

Collaborators are responsible for organizing and reviewing all finished material the group has compiled before updating to the main site. Collaborators maintain the objectivity of the group.

Historians
Requirements: Currently active in Zelda Theorizing activities - At least one year of experience
Member Cap: Tentative - Unlimited

Historians are generally fluent in their knowledge of lore within the series; to include those versed in special extra-topical areas of study, like spin off titles. They are responsible for digging through text dumps and any other sources of storyline relevancy (manuals, players' guides, collecting screen shots, etc.) and laying them out on the table for canonical determination.

Historian Leaders
Requirements: Currently active in Zelda Theorizing activities - At least one year of experience
Member Cap: Dependent upon Duration of a Project

Historian Leaders are a sub unit. People in this position help find relevant material which was over looked in a particular finished area. They are also responsible for assisting in organizing material while heading a project. It is imperative that these members are able to separate their bias when directing others to collect data relevant to storyline.

Commentators
Requirements: Relatively long participation within Zelda Theorizing activities
Member Cap: Six Individuals - Dependent upon Duration of Excerpts of Mudora Project

Commentators are a specialty sub-unit. They are responsible for determining the differences between the contextual meanings between original NoA translations and Japanese fan re-translations. These people provide a balance of notations reflected upon what is or isn't said, when comparing and contrasting contexts. Objectivity is crucial because theory cannot bleed through the varying perspectives here.


Some may be asking themselves why there are member caps and years of experience requirements. In order for this group to function it needs people familiar with the tools Zelda Theorists use. And as far as member caps goes, certain things need to be contained for management and consistent productivity reasons. But for now the doors are wide open until further notice!


Applying for Zelda Historians


Applying is relatively simple. All you have to do is contact one of the Collaborators with some sort of validation showing you're a well-rounded and currently active Zelda Theorist. Linking your best articles/theories is a tip for starters! You can also make your way over to our forums and make yourself known too! Please check out the Zelda Historians' Handbook for more details.


Zelda Historians welcomes you and every other inspiring theorist wanting to help build universal resources. You can find out more by checking out our current resources in the groups' forums! Be sure to make your way over to our gallery, as we have added over 1000 images which should be very useful to theorists. If you are confused as to why they are important, the titled description listings are located HERE.

We're open to your input and constructive ideas and criticisms in the forums - because review is what Zelda Historians is all about!