WHY Draconification is FORBIDDEN! - Tears of the Kingdom: Art Theory

[@chrisshorten4406]

Your designs for their Zonai forms look so cool! Also, i like your theory of why Draconification is forbidden, as it's quite unique. If Mineru became draconified, would she be purple?

[@Splatakv]

Thanks! Just want to throw some other ideas out there! And mineru would probably look very similar to the dragons we know, with purple undertones yes! Might be worth exploring for a future vid ☺️ ty for watching

[@chrisshorten4406]

@@Splatakv an interesting idea. Thanks for making the video!

[@spacejay2677]

perhaps mineru would resemble naydra in botw before we cleanse her of the malice plaguing her!

[@chrisshorten4406]

@@spacejay2677 except less evil looking.

[@spacejay2677]

@@chrisshorten4406 yeah lol, no malice or eyes of ~~sauron~~ ganondorf

[@Nerd2Ninja]

I believe each dragon holds a piece of the tri-force and draconification was a means to eternally hide away each piece inside of the dragon's bodies.

[@Splatakv]

That’s an awesome theory!! Since we’ve seen Zelda’s hand glow with the triforce a couple times now, I always assumed it was within her- but that’s never necessarily confirmed, and I like this idea!

[@Nerd2Ninja]

@@Splatakv I just remember from skyward sword the characters had the triforce symbols appear on their hands in spite of not having the triforce. They're just blessings from the goddesses, but the triforce itself was in a- well I guess I shouldn't spoil skyward sword.

[@Splatakv]

@@Nerd2Ninja haha i think skyward sword has been out long enough to be fair game! but very true, I hadn't thought about that! youre definitely on to something!

[@spicysquire3521]

​​​@@Splatakvif it was with the dragons, it might make sense why she has to visit the springs in order to use its power. Maybe she's channeling its power through her connection to the dragons through prayer at the springs rather than it being inside of her

[@Splatakv]

@@spicysquire3521 True! maybe all the praying was actually working. I'll have to revisit some past theories i had about botw!

[@TimeCircleBlue]

A proposition: There are DRAGON skeletons in the depths. The game called them DARK Skeletons and they are beneath the ancient leviathan skeletons present on the surface. These dark skeletons also appear to be similar in size to the Ganon-dragon. I think that maybe these three shrine maidens may have swallowed theirs stones in response to a rogue element of Zonai that did so, subsequently unsubscribing them from life them and/or sealed them in the depths.

[@margaretpatel3339]

BEAUTIFUL art. Looks canon

[@Splatakv]

Thanks so much! haha head cannons are always welcome here! totk had some interesting changes from botw, and a lot of them involved darker themes. So i felt a darker, more sinister theory going against the gods, felt fitting. But I do love this as well, thank you so much for watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@Fros.7y]

I love the format of this video, the way you drew the zoni “regular forms” is breathtaking im honestly so stunned how on point you got the artwork to look like the games. I also agree and love the way you put your art and description into the purrah pad it really makes the thing full circle!! Keep up the amazing work!

[@Splatakv]

Thank you so much! I’m trying to improve my video making format, so I’m glad to hear you liked it!! And yay 😀 I was trying to mimic the promotional art and am relieved that came through! Thanks so much for watching!!

[@Fros.7y]

@@Splatakv looking forward to seeing more!

[@Splatakv]

@@Fros.7y definitely working on it! 😁

[@rubixcube9132]

I have a theory that the Zonai may have pieced together the idea that stone = dragon, but didn’t know they would lose their mind. Perhaps they all did it at once as a part of the ritual, and the Zonai, once realizing they couldn’t do anything because they lost their sense of self, forbid it.

[@RylixBlizzai]

it's a shame we'll probably never get to actually know what the spring servant dragons were like as mortal zonai the moment in the game that i realized that they had more to their history made me desperately want to know it, even had the idea that maybe we would've gotten a dlc somehow featuring them

[@A_keo]

I thought the same! I was really excited that the game gave some lore on the dragons from botw, and given how important the act of draconification is to the story I thought there’d be some further information on these three or that they’d play a part in the story somehow. I was really hoping they would show up for the demon dragon fight. The spirits of power, wisdom and courage coming to aid both Link and the light dragon would have been really powerful, both because of the symbolism of the whole triforce fighting against this evil, but also because Zelda used to pray so long at the springs they watch over that she would pass out hoping her sealing power would awaken; it would have been like the dragons were saying they didn’t abandon her, they heard her prayers and her efforts weren’t in vain. I also thought that if they didn’t make it into the main story they’d maybe release some dlc about them, like how the botw dlc gave more info on the champions. I was thinking it’d be cool if they each had a dragon tear or two, showing who they were, why they underwent draconification, maybe if they were around from before Rauru’s time they’d give some info on Hyrule when more Zonai lived there other than just Rauru and Mineru. But now they aren’t releasing any dlc for the game, so I think the dragons are gonna remain a mystery unfortunately 😭😭

[@pearlfan23]

I wonder what other races would look like draconified… or at least what other main characters would look like

[@1000-THR]

we have gerudo and hylian but what about the others

[@carlianarojas1437]

I think i saw some fanart addressing this, unfortunately I don’t remember who the artist was 🥲

[@Anyone.but.you.]

In one of totk's memories, you can see the dueling peaks and it is in fact one mountain. In botw, there are rumors that it was split in two by a dragon in ancient times. This may be part of the reason draconification was banned; not exactly sure.

[@maggienoel4581]

Something that I noticed is that the designs of the Zonai and Zonai architecture is that they take inspiration from many real world things, but what really stands out to me, especially with Mineru is that the Zonai’s designs sort of resemble Egyptian gods or deities like Anubis, especially with the dog-like faces.

[@Sanjesh_P]

A very well put together and convincing theory - I love your depiction of the 3 dragons as zonai and your colour palette is so amazing faithful to the source material. I really like the nice touch at the end where you added your art to the menu UI and gave them each some flavour text

[@Splatakv]

Glad you enjoyed!! Haha I always try to make my art work as cannonly un-cannon as I can! 😋

[@mctab3079]

You have such a lovely style, I love the theory you put together. My favorite is Farosh, both Zonai and dragon form!

[@Splatakv]

Aw thank you! I'm a naydra person myself, but thats probably because i enjoyed the freeing of malice naydra from botw so much! Thank you for watching!

[@Wildicon19]

Your illustrations of the three Zonai characters are amazing! Your theory is sound and the lore in the Zelda universe deepens. It will be interesting to see where Zelda in going in the future. There is so much to cover.

[@Splatakv]

agreed! I cant wait to see (and theorize) about what will happen next!!

[@Wildicon19]

@@Splatakv I can't wait to see what theories you come up with next.

[@Splatakv]

@@Wildicon19 stay tuned! 😁

[@Wildicon19]

@@Splatakv Thank you, I will!

[@thezonaiarchitect]

ooooh I love this!!!! I've had my own silly ideas about the dragons' identities and although mine might be different I do still love these ideas. The act of draconification being forbidden could've been that it wasn't done often in the times of the 3 Zonai we're focusing on, in fact maybe it wasn't even done before, but when the three finally risked it, it was banned due to how unsafe it is? I mean when we see Zelda undergo it we can truly see how much pain she's in from the process. Just a thought though 6:28 also this guy in the artbook looks like PeanutButterGamer which never fails to make me laugh a little whenever I see the artwork

[@Splatakv]

Haha it totally does look like him! And there is definitely so many ways to interpret their identities based on what little information they gave us. I figured there would be a lot of disagreement, but it’s nice to have a jumping off point for discussions! Thank you so much for watching!!

[@neo_b]

a zelda youtuber/artist?! i have to sub! this was so amazing, the art & theory… you’ve scratched an itch i wasn’t able to scratch for the longest time basically! the art concept research and the theorization after it was perfect… you pulled it all off 110% you went above and beyond!

[@Splatakv]

Yes! That is the goal! So so glad you enjoyed! It’s a weird (but in my opinion, needed!) combo for sure!

[@greenhat8978]

You're artwork and theory are both amazing. If you would be willing to could you perhaps design a dragon form for Raoul and mineru as well. I know I'm asking quite a lot but your artwork is just so good.

[@Splatakv]

Aw thank you! I’ve got a long list of requests but I promise if I have time one day I’ll get to them! Ty for watching!

[@ArtemisWasHere]

Your sketches of their plain bodies really made them seem alien, which reminded me of the ancient alien parallels many draw with the zonai

[@williamwalkup988]

Not only are the designs amazing, the theory about the dragons path is the best I have ever heard. Truly outstanding in ever aspect. Your channel is a highlight to your creativity and skills that I for one enjoy in so many ways. Bravo.

[@Splatakv]

This is one of the kindest comments ever! Thank you so much for watching, and I'm so glad you enjoyed! Hope to make more soon!

[@gregorygan2077]

Dragons in this iteration of hyrule show to have profound spiritual strengths. I'd say these three may be upholding elemental magic itself in hyrule.

[@koifishkidd]

Those designs are AMAZING!! Your art style is so majestic and fun to witness

[@Splatakv]

Thank you!!!! 😊😊😊

[@OniForYou]

Great video love your illustrations, I never considered that the dragons could have been Zonia while making my theory. Always thought they were ancient champions of the Goron, Gerudo and Zora that ate their stones.

[@anthares96]

your style is amazing, it looks like official art also great theory, i love the detail of then number of tears under the eyes representing rank, that's such a cool detail that flew completely over my head

[@Splatakv]

Thank you! it was also one of my favorite discoveries!

[@malecee]

i can't believe someone can collect so many details and pull a bomb ass theory out of their brain while doing perfect concept art to visualize their thoughts so perfectly

[@eduardopacheco923]

I really like this theory!! These priestesses very well may have been the masters of owls, boars and dragons mentioned when solving the great zonai mazes

[@katzuckett7903]

I love the designs you did for the zone forms! They are so well thought out as well!

[@The-Astro-steller]

wow i love these designs for naydra farosh and dinral i wish we got dlc 🙁 but these desings are amazing

[@Splatakv]

I know!! That would have been SUCH a great DLC, to see all their memories, and who they were 😔 thank you though!

[@The-Astro-steller]

@@Splatakv yeah no problem i love totk it is my favorite game of all time if we got dlc for the game and more story thats going to make me have so much joy 😢

[@Splatakv]

@@The-Astro-steller I know! There’s so much more to explore!

[@The-Astro-steller]

@@Splatakv who knows nintendo might change there minds but honestly i dont think so

[@Splatakv]

@@The-Astro-steller yeah, the business part of them might want to, but generally, the Zelda team doesn’t just make stuff for money. Which is good- if their heart isn’t in it, it won’t be as good!

[@shadowgamer-vq8fc]

i was thinking they were the ancient kings of the lomai labyrinths since they are ancient castles when translated from japanese

[@Splatakv]

Oh that’s an interesting theory! They’re in game descriptions definitely mention the goddess springs, but maybe I should skulk around the labyrinth, some more and see what I can find 😊 ty for watching!

[@shadowgamer-vq8fc]

@@Splatakv and it could be possible that the voices for the trials involving the labyrinths in tears of the Kingdom may have in fact some kind of ancient magical recordings or something left by those kings for the trials that people will take

[@Splatakv]

@@shadowgamer-vq8fc ah now that would be cool! the labyrinths have so much added depth to them now (pun fully intended) so theres much more to think about now, and they were already complex and interesting to begin with!

[@ehsteve23]

Incredible artwork and great theory! I have a similar theory that they were oracles guarding their springs, though in my version there are ancient temples below the springs which are the resting places of the Triforce, that have become dormant in the however many millennia it’s been

[@Kayco-0]

I am actually in love with this art style, idk how you did it!

[@sarahespino2872]

Wowwww the concepts are amazing. I really wish they could give more background on the zonai, like a DLC on the zonai culture or going in the past 🙏🏼

[@RainblazeMedcat]

Gorgeous designs. I am wondering if the dragons were sisters before they turned like you would typically imagine the 3 goddesses being sisters, or if it was the individual springs that brought them together to have a shared destiny.

[@Deckofmanycards]

This is the first I've seen that was made by you and now I'm SUBSCRIBED!!!

[@Splatakv]

Yay!! Glad you found our little corner of KZbin 😊 ty for watching!

[@Deckofmanycards]

😁@@Splatakv

[@Sand-Walker13]

Wonderful theory and absolutely gorgeous art! 😍

[@Splatakv]

Thank you so much!!

[@viperhalfdragon]

Just found you, I have to say your theory and, even more so, your art, are both incredibly breath taking. I shall be eager to see more

[@Splatakv]

Welcome aboard!! So glad you enjoyed!

[@DrummClem]

First time viewer. I love the way you managed to emulate the official artworks. Plus the nice element of theory, consider me subscribed ! :)

[@tubetoc9626]

Chalk up another win for the algorithm. By far the best lore and overall Zelda video I've ever seen.

[@Splatakv]

Now THAT is high praise!! thank so so much!

[@Vipanen03]

Your channel is so underrated

[@Splatakv]

I’m sure you say that to all the channels with under 1k subs 🥹 haha kidding, thank you for watching!

[@Webshadow]

It's true, your theories and art are really something and i just had to subscribe, could not believe my eyes when i saw your sub count 😂

[@Splatakv]

@@Webshadow haha that’s a huge compliment thank you! We’re working on it, appreciate the sub!! 😊

[@goddess.reborn]

I love this theory especially the art! Well done!! I can't imagine how much time you took to do this! I LOVED it!!

[@Splatakv]

awww this literally makes me so happy to hear! so glad you enjoyed it so much!!

[@d00p58]

awesome video! also those stickers on etsy look sick i’m very close to buying one or both!

[@Splatakv]

If you do I hope you love them! Thanks so much ☺️

[@kevz13]

Im really impressed by how you made the video, with a interesting theory and beautiful drawings!! Also the storytelling tho

[@Splatakv]

Thank you 😊😊

[@myleswelnetz6700]

Your body won’t die, but your mind will.

[@Serennekin]

this is absolutely amazing. i love these designs and totally could imagine the three dragons looking like this. such great attention to detail and a fun and compelling theory 👌

[@josephasbury4492]

Check out the triangle marks on the Zonai dragons near their last set of limbs. If this Hyrule was a new rendition built after an unprecedented catastrophe (the timelines merging), perhaps these Zonai took on draconification in order to safeguard the Triforce pieces. It's easy to be fooled into thinking that Zelda has the full Triforce due to displaying its mark, but perhaps she only has access to its essence. We see this in Twilight Princess where its powers can be clearly seen wielded by Chosen Three, and yet the Triforce doesn't attempt to manifest when they're all within proximity of each other. Link being sent back to the Child Timeline seems to have shattered the physical triforce in the Adult timeline yet left behind its powers, perhaps meaning that in order to fully tap into its power the Chosen Three would have had to accessed the Sacred Realm again. Maybe praying at the Spring works in the same manner: the dragons grant some portion of its power in order for the Maiden to fulfill their desire to seal Evil.

[@Dalen_Crocker]

I think these designs would be great for a TOTK DLC, regardless of Nintendo's decision to deny any DLC thoughts. This is because they have a lengthy track record of denying and then acting upon the things they denied and sharing these things when they feel like they have the resources necessary Maybe we could have three DLCs connected to these three deities, before draconififcation and where we come across three new Dungeons hidden deep within their corresponding springs of Power, Wisdom and Courage. also tying into some races of the modern Hyrule. Beginning with a DLC for Farosh/Faroe, exploring the Faron region. exploring unearthed ruins and unearthing an entire ancient Zonai settlement around the waterfalls within the Faron region. connecting to the Thunderhead Islands. and ultimately to some boss fight. The same would be the case for the other two conceptual DLCs of which I am creating. by myself.... so if you have any ideas that would relate to this conceptual DLC ideas, please reply to this comment and tell me more

[@Splatakv]

WOAH THATS SO COOL! (Sorry I’m just seeing this) that sounds like an amazing dlc, and it would be a great way to add some lore to the zonai/draconification process. How’s your dlc going?? That’s such a impressive personal project!

[@edwardcosio]

i love your designs! so fun!

[@HotIceyoutube]

video idea: what would link look like if he turning into a dracon

[@Purah_The_Shieka]

i cant disagree with any of this, but i think since they already had sacred stones, and we saw Ganon transform when he obtained it, they could have had some of their respective elements in their horns and/or designs

[@Splatakv]

For sure! The horns I really grappled with. But ultimately- the zonai horns look like regular human horns, and the ones on the armor sets don’t glow… so I decided against it. 100% possible though, and would look awesome!

[@sipsfactsandtea5535]

I also love the idea that the dragons are guiding Poes, defying benevolent gods, and swallowed the stones to defend the people. I personally hope that if they do ever feel ambitious and try to make Hylia actually appear as her own deity form that she is slightly if not clearly antagonistic. The cycle she has made with her natural opposite has brought so much devastation, and I've noticed that all the regions that don't worship Hylia as avidly tend to have evil festering there as if she abandoned them. Ie: Gerudo, the Twili, etc. I always thought it was outrageous that she insisted on having a 17 yr old Zelda fight the calamity, and probably other even younger Zeldas in the past. I assumed that it's probably because Hylia didn't want to vanquish or be vanquished by her natural opposite, that being Demise. One probably can't exist without the other, especially because without suffering Hylia probably would have been forgotten or minimized like how she was in some other Zelda games

[@Myrnstaa]

Wow. This is my first video I’ve come across by you and my oh my… your art is a delicacy to the LoZ community. 👏🏼⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ !!! Brb, gonna watch some more vids! 🥰

[@jailymartinez3825]

This channel is so underrated. I love this well put video and the designs of the dragons. ❤

[@Splatakv]

Aw thank you! Glad you enjoyed 😊

[@Marginallyflailing]

Wow I am SO glad that your research pulled in so many sources that I too had been pulling on. My only disagreement on the theory is this- what if the original Oracles from the oracle games WERE also in fact the three goddesses. Why not? Hylia very definitively proved that a god becoming mortal was possible. What if Hylia got the idea in the first place from them? My theory is that the three goddesses made the world and departed... not to some nebulous distant 'heaven' or outer plane. But, instead, they shed their godhood and joined the world they created leaving the triforce as a relic of their abandoned power. Hylia put her power into her bloodline, while the goddesses made it external into the relic of the triforce. (That makes the fierce deity mask VERY interesting...) After shedding their power Nayru became Hylian, Din became a Gerudo, and Farore became Kokiri. As for the TOTK timeline- it is a separate timeline that directly mirrors OOT in a different continuity of history. You can tell because Ganondorf, Koume/Kotake, Ruto, Nabooru, and Darunia all exist in BOTW/TOTK along with the echoed story of OOT in the past that Zelda experiences. Vah Nabooris is explicitly named after Nabooru according to Urbosa- the ancient gerudo sage we meet in TOTK was her because she HAD to exist in the same time frame as mortal Ganondorf and his mothers, same as usual. Which says a lot about who the zora and goron ancient sages were vs Vah Rudania and Vah Ruta. Unlike the main timeline we've known all these years, TOTK timeline is the version where the goddesses instead all chose to shed their godhood and become Zonai instead of hylian/gerudo/kokiri, a choice which hugely changed everything in history. In doing so, they created the demigod race of Zonai which also explains WHY they're demigods... and then the goddesses as Zonai each ATE their pieces of the triforce at some point. You can tell the triforce existed by looking at Hyrule castle, but worship of it seems mostly symbolic, and the goddesses are mysteriously gone and no longer worshipped. That's because the triforce ceased to exist- it, too, was used in an act of draconification. It would have probably been an act to, instead of joining and playing in the sandbox the Goddesses made, instead becoming stewards of that power through all their eternal lives. Likely to explicitly prevent the shenanigans and pain we see in other timelines. Certainly, it's a less horrible choice than what Lorule made. But it's still the ultimate sacrifice to lose oneself and disappear from all records, hence why it's forbidden. It's tragic- the benevolent GODS that created the world chose to disappear and unmake themselves permanently. Mineru explicitly says it's forbidden because it's a tragedy and a sacrifice that nobody should do again. IT's forbidden BECAUSE of what is given up in exchange, not because it's an evil thing. On that note, I think the tears were perhaps not pieces of the triforce... but the grief and hope of gods shed as tears that, while not as powerful as the triforce, still packs a serious punch. Just like Zelda's tears in TOTK have power... can you imagine how much power the tears of sadness and love from creator gods that ate the triforce would have? So in summary, I think all of the humanoid ish depictions of the goddesses in previous games were simply because that was the timeline where they became humanoid. By contrast in TOTK, they simply didn't become humanoid. As for the lesser tears decorations on the cheeks in the costumes that link wears: you said it yourself- those were costumes worn by Hylians worshiping the dragons presumably. So the *Hylians* wearing those costumes rated three tears... but the goddesses themselves were far, far higher ranked than three tears worth.

[@monsterrrra]

Your art is AMAZING❤

[@Splatakv]

thank you so much! ❤️

[@davidjaramillocaro5910]

Your art is absolutely outstanding! Congratulations

[@Splatakv]

Thank you!! 🥰😊

[@aetherial87]

Your designs are epic!

[@Splatakv]

Thanks!! 😁😁

[@ThunderhawkVeronicaLazerwolf]

Your theory totally makes sense to me!! And you're an amazing artist! Thank you! Bad Ass!

[@shahzadm5]

Have you posted the artwork for these three characters? They look so cool and I couldn’t find them on your insta or twitter

[@Splatakv]

Yes! They’re on my Instagram and Twitter! Just updated them. Please like comment and share!

[@irys8941]

YOU ATE THIS UP!!!

[@Splatakv]

THANK YOU! 😁😁😁

[@fisch37]

This video is very interesting and I like your concept art (and the reasoning behind it). I might use them as reference for one of my writing projects, if I may?

[@Splatakv]

Sounds awesome! Go for it 😁

[@fisch37]

​@@SplatakvNice! Might still be a while 'til it's done though

[@elliotmarston7190]

You art is incredible, awesome video :)

[@Splatakv]

Yay! So glad you enjoyed!

[@emmachambers664]

Absolutely amazing video and art 😍 I love your theory and the sages are gorgeous!

[@Tac0B0y]

I haven’t even started the video yet but just looking at the title they explained that in a memory in the game that you lose what makes you “you”

[@Tac0B0y]

ok this is way better then I thought nvm

[@Splatakv]

This made me cackle laugh 😭 I appreciate the follow up

[@sakuralol715]

Ur a pretty cool yt creator! Could you do a theory on how malice evolved into gloom? ( or vice versa where malice devolved in to gloom)

[@Splatakv]

I've always wondered the main differences! i'll definitely look into it! thanks so much for watching!

[@salty_beckett]

I love the amazing designs and the well explained theory, you definitly deserve more subs. Keep up the good work! +1 sub

[@Splatakv]

So happy you enjoyed! we reached 1k tonight so pretty pumped already! :D

[@leahhooper6790]

wow, amazing! Love the designs. Do you have tips for how to replicate the character portraits like you did?

[@Splatakv]

Glad you enjoyed! Limit your shading colors, use a textured brush and be confident with your brush strokes! Honestly it could be it’s own video, but just start by studying their artwork! 😊

[@thegreatmajora5089]

Your artwork is excellent ! Really solid imitation of the official style. As for your theory, while it definitely works, I'm not sure it's the one I subscribe to ? My mind keeps drawing back to the serpentine leviathans littering the Depths, and I wonder if they were other divine dragons long ago. Maybe draconification was much more widespread, and became forbidden to preserve the remaining Zonai ? We see so few of them in the past, after all.

[@jordanruiz626]

Wow this art is amazing. Would have loved to meet more zonai people. It’s sad they’re all gone

[@Ventis_right_ball]

Poor link. He's saved Hyrule, but hasn't found the one thing he needs. Great designs though!

[@Moon-Vixen]

this is almost exactly my theory, and I just ADORE that you've put it to shape in such amazingly beautiful artwork. I fully believe the 3 were the head priestesses of their respective springs, but I don't think they swallowed their stones in an act of defiance. I think they didn't know, and it became forbidden *because* of them, to protect others from their fate. there's not a lot of evidence that says that the Zonai were actual gods or demi-gods, just another normal race but seen as godly by the Hylians (and not for no reason, if we today suddenly saw furries descend to the surface from the sky, one we believe to be empty, we too would think them gods) nor is there much evidence to say they were in proper communication with the actual 3 Goddesses. the statues that speak to Link seem to be something akin to the bargainer statues. each is its own entity and can communicate to other statues, which is how the 3 realize they've lost their connection to the big "Mother Statue" which was the one that held the triforce in the era of Skyward Sword. as well, the statues who more or less pretend to be Hylia when speaking to Link, speak highly of their respective dragons and how they fly so beautifully in the sky. if this were an act forbidden by the Goddesses, I doubt they'd speak of them that way. if that were the case they would likely refer to them in a way that indicated sadness or regret, not the pure reverence we see. so I don't think they were told eating their stones would make them dragons and that's forbidden, I think they didn't know, had a reason to try eating their stones (be it to ensure the stones could not be taken from them, or wanting to see if eating it would increase the effectiveness of its boost to their power, or simply as a ritual to show their devotion to their statues, possibly even as a suggestion BY the statues. personally, I think it's something akin to doing this so they could forever bound themselves to their springs in eternal servitude, hence the way the statues speak of them as revered servants) but when they transformed, and no one could figure out how to communicate with them nor turn them back, forbid the act so that no one else would be "lost". if you look at them simply flying around they do seem kind of "mindless", yet it's clear it's not if you're just willing to pay enough attention. as well, watching Zelda and Ganondorf's actions and reactions while dragons it's very clear they're very aware of what's going on, who people are, and what their goals are. Zelda alone tracks Link on the great sky island so she can wait until the sword has moved to the past before opening up the path for Link by breaking the sky barrier, tracks him on the surface enough to wait to show him her final memory, and then comes running the moment she notices Ganondorf and tracks Link in the sky well enough to catch him repeatedly and dodge Ganondorf's attacks in order to help take him down. she 1000000% remembers everything and has full control over her mind and awareness, and if she does, there's no reason to think she's so Super Special as to be the only one who retained her mind. I think the Zonai simply did not have enough data to know the truth, and forbid it just to be safe. but I also think their misunderstanding of draconification is also a narrative hint that TOTK is trying to tell the player, that the past games aren't 1:1 accurate. they're *legends* and some details are lost to time, or altered. I mean, think about it. are we really going to say that 10000% of what happens in these games has to be completely accurate? how do you account for different art styles, loading zones, hardware limitations, or determine the line where we decide what's part of the story and what's just the vehicle in which we experience it? in SS alone there's clearly more land on the surface than Link is able to explore. they simply weren't relevant to that Link's journey. and most importantly, when we look at the springs in SS and what remains of them in BOTW/TOTK, two of them are switched. that's a pretty damn big oopsie if you ask me, and while I'm willing to bet it IS an oopsie, it could also be intentional. trying to tell us that what we knew before isn't accurate. that BOTW's map is the first time we've ever seen the REAL Hyrule. they have technology that got them accurate maps for the first time, unlike the past with a dude floating on a balloon or a sentient fish. just like how our past maps before space imaging were hilariously wrong. everything we see in TOTK keeps saying the same thing: what we think we know about history has truth to it, but is inaccurate. reevaluate based on the evidence before you. and that I think, is the most fun thing nintendo could have given us.

[@Idiot_Juice]

i ADORE the process of character design and honestly your research of the lore in designing these characters has me awestruck...💝

[@Splatakv]

The real character designers out there are doing some real heavy thought lifting for sure! Haha, so glad you enjoyed!! 😊

[@flyingmango9]

i didn't know mineru was wearing a suit 💀

[@BenthovenMusic]

Great video! PHENOMENAL ARTWORK! See, Nintendo? This could’ve been DLC!

[@Splatakv]

Oh thank you!! I’m a HUGE fan of your work!

[@sladlover]

I think that they are not zonai because in the cutsenes rauru and mineru say that they are the only zonai left and the dragons are not there jet. But maybe I'm wrong idk love your art Btw

[@keiroty7187]

Good intentions can backfire greatly

[@tanandalynch9441]

The three main dragons were neber zonai. The rlemental emitters confirm theyve been around for ages and the fact that there's only 7 stones total meaning that Riju, Sidon and Yunobo wouldn't be sages. Your art is beautiful though

[@mitrimind1027]

I also wonder if there were more dragons, because there are 3 seemingly dragon skeletons in the depths.

[@gamergirlblu5278]

You think the goddesses have reincarnations like the main trio? Maybe they just put all their power into the tri force and have their spirits up to the whims of reincarnation, becoming anything that could go unnoticed while also being able to keep an eye on the world

[@AshePBlack]

Do you have more art vids or a gallery somewhere, your art is stunning

[@Splatakv]

Aw thank you so much! I have an ArtStation, Instagram, Etsy, extra- all links on my profile and in the description! ❤️

[@Arkin0316]

I'm not sure if you're assessment is right, but your designs are amazing!

[@StefawnVan]

Well done video and impressive art.

[@tyrantchimera545]

I'm a little surprised you didn't touch on the dragon skeletons in the depths. Perhaps draconification was originally a sacred act, but evil people turned into large dragons like Ganon, and had to be put down. Thus, a once sacred act becomes forbidden.

[@zephon6745]

What would like the old dragons from Zelda games look like if they transformed into a human form. Onox is a Dark Dragon that transformed into a human knight form. You got a subscription from this video. Your art is amazing.

[@kristianpoulsen9689]

It is maybe a stretch to just say "males are big, females are small" and therefore the dragons must be women besides, and it might be a little generalising. It is important to note the difference in hight and mass of fx. Gerudos vs Hylians. Though Naydra is referred to as her, and thus conformed to be a women, it is hardly an argument for assuming the other dragons are women too. Just because they share around the same size does not mean they're all either the same sex or gender - you even mention the difference in hight between link and Zelda, which shows that hight between genders can vary. I think you're right in assuming Naydras gender, but there are also a case to be made looking at the outfits, which you yourself refer to. If we assume that gender, not to be confused with sex, plays a role in Zonai culture like with other races in Hyrule it is fair to assume that the spirit of courage is male, and since there are no comparison between the spirit of power to any other "warm clothing" in Zonai culture the dragons gender might be either or something third. But anyways loved seeing the visualisation of the three spirits as zonai sages resembling the three goddesses.

[@Lidlman-K1ng]

Really good video!

[@ArgentuTA164-2]

I think the dragons might have actually been the Golden Goddesses, which also means the Golden Goddesses were Zonai. This actually checks out: the original Japanese version calls the Zonai “gods”. Not even descendants of them or demigods, just “gods”. You can blame Nintendo of America for this, as per usual. Another thing is that Nayru made the initial law of Hyrule. It’s very possible that Nayru made draconification illegal before they would then go through the process themselves and watch over their springs for eternity.

[@graenovember]

this was so great!

[@Splatakv]

Glad you enjoyed!!☺️

[@jacquecortez5014]

After two Epic Zelda games. They still haven't mentioned the Triforce and the Golden Goddesses.

[@AncientSkullKid]

I like the idea that the dragons are guiding lost souls to the statues to help them move to the afterlife.

[@jonathannicholes2283]

These are awesome!!!

[@metallizer3940]

Naydra must have been the sage of ice!

[@TheCommenterrr]

Well in order to be a dragon you have to have a secret stone. Who were they the sages of?

[@TabythaK]

I think we can also know that the dragons are female as they are essentially the incarnations of the three goddesses Din, Farore and Nayru (also their names are similar tying the link together more) and the fact they are connected to the springs of power, courage and wisdom Like what the goddesses embodied and created the world with.

[@Dynonuggiezzz]

9:53 did you forget about oracle of seasons/ages?

[@jelliemish]

Art AND game theory?? Count me in!!! Also your art is absolutely gorgeous! Edit: Also 1. lol to the dingle-dangle thingie 😂 and 2. Love your theory! Makes a lot of sense to me. Maybe the gods even lied about the draconification not being reversible (since it clearly is revwrsible), to further keep people from doing it.

[@Splatakv]

Oooh good point! Maybe since Sonia and rauru were effectively spirits at the point of Zelda’s reversal- they had some sort of clairvoyance and could tell they were lied to and could reverse it? Thank you so much for watching!!

[@docAvid314]

I thought I was safe. I've seen all the memories, I thought I knew all that happens with draconification in the game, I thought I probably wouldn't get spoilers from this video. I was wrong. Oops.

[@AdlerLaScola-xh4fn]

Very good video!

[@VibingVampire]

Would like to point out all three of the original dragons, despite what the goddess statue says, I don’t know if it’s really referencing the dragons. But male zonai ears are very droopy while females stands up tall. I think they’re all three male because ears big droopy

[@infiniteedge4427]

Theories about the three dragons being draconified always miss the most obvious details. We see Rauru's outfit contains elements of the charged set, we also know because of the main quest the three outfits were not worn by individuals who were draconified but for general acts of worship, we also see in the mural the zonai descended from the heavens with 7 stones already. meaning the only possible time for stones to have been consumed would be prior to their descent. but this quite simply cannot be the case because we know the three dragons serve Hylia, a goddess the Zonai do not worship, furthermore if Naydra, Dinraal, & Farosh were actually draconified individuals they would not be so openly worshipped by the zonai, but rather looked upon with disgust and scorn for undertaking such a vile act. It should also be noted the dragons being gendered in TOTK is a localization error. in the original japanese the goddess statues make no indication of the three spirits being gendered. So what are Dinraal, Farosh, & Naydra if not draconified individuals? and what is their relationship with the Zonai? Simple, they are draconic servants of the goddess Hylia, created to attend to her sacred springs, the Zonai would become enamored with these divine creatures and create the secret stones in an attempt to compare to the power of their "gods", the act of swallowing a stone being a forbidden act because of the association with the divine, and the process of becoming a dragon a consequence they're aware of with the stones themselves.

[@daverijsenbrij7228]

the dragons before draconification have 3 tears just like rauru's sister (sorry i forgot her name) meaning they are at the same rank

[@L乇の]

Could also be din nayru farore (power courage and wisdom gods I think) dragonifyed maybe 3 of the ancestors we see in a memory as a last resort after rarau sealed ganondorf

[@ozzysmith5042]

SO GOOD. THANK U