3 Best ‘Legend of Zelda’ Paper Sidequests in ‘Skyward Sword,’ ‘Oracle of Ages,’ and More

The Legend of Zelda series has one of the most original and extensive fantasy worlds. Part of the charm comes from just how strange Nintendo is willing to get as Link battles Ganondorf to save Princess Zelda. One of the most memorable Legend of Zelda sidequests starts when players find a hand sticking out of a hole begging for paper in Majora’s Mask. And this sidequest was not an isolated case. Nintendo has included enough Legend of Zelda ‘paper sidequests’ to consider them their own special kind of mission from Skyward Sword to the Oracle games.

#3 ‘The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask’ started the bizarre ‘paper sidequest’ trend

In the Ocarina of Time sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask has countless strange happenings. As Link falls into the bizarre another world Termina, he faces everything from a world on the brink of an apocalypse to teaching an odd dance to the Rosa Sisters.

When players found a hand named ??? sticking out of the toilet of the Stock Pot Inn, it might have felt normal. It marked one of the first Legend of Zelda ‘paper sidequests.’

Every midnight, the hand emerges and stays until 6 am. If Link talks to it, it asks for paper of any kind. Link can give it any Title Deeds from Business Scrubs, Anju’s Letter to Kafei, or Kafei’s Letter to Mama.

It disappears, and a flushing noise sounds off. The hand reemerges and gives Link a Piece of Heart, imitating Link holding it in the air.

#2 ‘The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword’ crafted a bizarre love triangle in the ‘paper sidequest’

One of the most recent ‘paper sidequests in The Legend of Zelda series, Skyward Sword, took things a few steps further.

After Link finds Kukiel in Skyloft, rumors spread around Skyloft about a strange woman’s voice in the Knight’s Academy bathroom. When Link investigates it, he hears the voice ask him for paper.

At the same time, love is in the air at the Knight’s Academy. Cawlin, a student that previously joined in bullying Link, wrote a love letter to their classmate Karane. He wants you to deliver it for him, and Link has a choice: give it to Karane or give it to the ghostly toilet hand.

If Link gives the letter to Karane, it sparks a soap opera-type encounter between Karane, Cawlin, and Pipit, another student in love with Karane. Pipit and Karane end up together, and Link receives five Gratitude Crystals.

Or Link can give the love letter as toilet paper.

Bizarrely, the ghostly hand reads the love letter and falls in love with Cawlin. Link can find the disembodied hand in Cawlin’s room during the nights with the hand stroking his face.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword dialed the ‘paper sidequests’ to 11.

#1 ‘Oracle of Ages’ establishes that Labrynna has the same tissue problems

In the often-overlooked Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, Link ventures outside of Hyrule to the countries of Labrynna and Holodrum.

In Oracle of Ages, Link again encounters a hand asking for paper in Lynna Village. Link can give the hand the stationery he received from the postman. The hand offers a trade for the letter by giving Link the Stink Bag, which Link can then use to help a reptilian Tokay.

While most of The Legend of Zelda ‘paper sidequests’ reward the player, this one might be the grossest.