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Poppen, the Korok Treasure Hunter

This little korok is a big character, having left his home of Forest Haven to search for treasure across the Great Sea. During his adventures, he became quick friends with the Manfish and heard their tales of a legendary treasure known as the Triumph Forks, which is what he’s currently trying to find. He’s incredibly knowledgeable in wayfinding and deciphering charts, but has interesting views on what the uses are for the treasure he finds. 

Poppen’s name and leaf mask are based on the aspen/poplar tree, which has been a symbol for messages in the wind and endurance.

Another Person’s Treasure

The sea shimmers in the sun and waves on the winds, promising a beautiful day for sailing. 

Or it would be, Link supposes, if he could just figure out this stupid map. 

Picked up from an evidently overlooked area in a dungeon, the chart looked promising at first glance, and he was never one to turn down a puzzle. But now, sitting on an island shore surrounded by sea charts, tongue between his teeth, he realizes that old, interesting-looking charts may be more than he bargained for. Both he and the King of Red Lions are torn between their want to learn the chart’s secret and wanting to give up completely in order to continue their journey, but if this chart could lead them to a Triforce shard they didn’t want to miss their chance.

“Hoy, traveler!” A little voice cuts through from the far end of the shore, shaking them from the task. Looking in the sound’s direction, the boy and his boat see quite a sight: a small korok, wrapped in a sash adorned with baubles, bounding down the beach encumbered with some sort of little make-shift raft, haphazardly strung together and covered in trinkets. Link had only learned of and met koroks recently, but even among koroks, he figures this one is peculiar.

So taken aback at the apparent break from reality, Link and the King forget to greet him back.

“The name’s Poppen, and I couldn’t help but notice your charts there,” the korok says quickly. “Might you be a fellow treasure hunter?”

Link shares a look with the boat, making sure they’re experiencing the same scenario.

“Er, well, we’re looking for something,” Link says, allowing room for Poppen to look curiously at his current project, the objects on the raft making soft tink tink sounds as they move around. “We’ve got treasure to look for, and this chart might be a key to it, but it’s really old.”

“We might need to take it to the one who deciphered our other charts,” the King says, not missing the grimace on Link’s face. “But, it looks like we’re a little short on funds after the last time we visited him.”

Link watches as the little creature considers the map and charts, trying to avoid the gear on his back. It’s a nice break to look at something other than the lines and islands that were beginning to blur together. The busy raft is especially fun to observe; it’s covered in practical netting and cork, decorated with assorted knick-knacks and sailing tools alike, and came complete with an interesting spade-shaped oar.

After a moment, Poppen taps his little limb, pap pap, on the chart. “Aha, here’s the problem!” he explains, as he takes the chart and goes to work deciphering before Link could stop him. A shared horror resonates from the King of Red Lions, unable to speak as they both watch. When the korok is finished, he hands the amended chart back to Link, who’s astonished to find that he can finally read it. He shows it to the King, who shares in his amazement.

“Who are you, little one, that you have such knowledge?” the boat asks.

“Well, I’m Poppen,” he answers plainly. “I left my forest long ago to travel the seas, searching for only the rarest of treasures! The Manfish have helped me, too, and with their guidance I’m currently searching for the Legendary Triumph Forks! You know the Manfish, so that must be what you’re looking for too, right?” Before Link or the King can respond, Poppen continues: “So, the winds of fate must have brought us together to search for this! I know where this is, we can go find it!”

While they shared another look between them, Link and the King both decide it would be alright to find the treasure with Poppen. “You did decipher the chart, and you know where the location is. It’s only fair that you join us,” the King agrees.

“Yaha! Then there’s no time to delay! Let’s set sail!” Poppen cries with glee. Link helps him into the hull of the boat, making sure he and his luggage are secure, while he takes out his compass and gives instructions. Poppen watches in fascination as Link takes command of the wind to control their direction - “That’s amazing! Are you a wizard? A maestro? Sailing must be so fun for you!” - and in little time, the unlikely crew make it to the area marked on the chart.

“This is the place, I’m certain,” Poppen asserts when Link takes down the sail. “The treasure should be right around here!”

Link looks around as well, making sure the landmarks match his sea chart and the newly deciphered map. Sure enough, everything looks in order, and he can’t help but admire Poppen’s skill as he gets to salvaging. The lad, the boat, and the korok all watch the arm intently as it dips below the waves, and as it grabs hold of something beneath them they all share a silent excitement. The arm eventually brings up an old, seaworn chest and Poppen hollers happily while Link and the King stare in amazement at the little guy’s skill and knowledge to find this treasure that had eluded them before.

“Oh, open it, open it, open it!” Poppen’s bouncing in excitement as Link pries the chest open to reveal…

A broken wood parasol.

He’s almost afraid to show it to the King, ashamed that he had spent so much time trying to solve the ancient chart’s riddle when they could have been out searching for Triforce shards that had their proper locations revealed already. He pulls it out with shaking hands and it’s a shame it’s already broken because he feels frustrated enough to smash it into splinters. The King’s jaw drops at the very sight.

But: “Boy, what a find! How lucky you are!” the little korok cries. Before Link can ask if he’s joking, Poppen takes the broken ‘treasure’ and stares at it in awe. “It’s no Triumph Fork, but it’s definitely something! A sail! An ancient sail, it must be! Why else would such an old chart lead us here?”

Link’s too stunned to speak, and absentmindedly takes the parasol when Poppen proudly hands it back to him. However, looking upon the korok again, he realizes that a lot of his baubles and trinkets that he displays are mostly things people wouldn’t consider keeping: a monocle, worn and scratched, is adorned on his little sash; an old fishing lure hangs off a branch above his leaf mask; the raft on his back, while practically fashioned with a lodestone compass and bits of cork to float, is covered in broken gadgets and pieces of broken pottery. While his expertise in charts seemed unmatched, his knowledge in actual treasure appeared to be lacking.

“To find such an ancient artifact,” he continues wistfully. “I could only wish for something that great!”

Brought back to reality, Link considers Poppen’s admiration of the parasol, and it’s not a hard decision on what to do with it.

“Well, you’re the one who helped us find it. Why don't you take it?” he suggests, and Poppen doesn't need convincing: he makes a fully delighted sound, but hesitates.

“Are you sure?” he asks, as if being offered something so very precious. At Link's nod, he grabs the parasol with reverence and disbelief and holds it close. “Oh, you are truly kind! A good soul whose name shall go down in history!”

Poppen takes his raft and lays it upon the ocean, and installs the parasol as if it were an odd mast. Link looks on with a little bit of a smile while he hears the King snort as he holds back a laugh. It’s not mean-spirited, Link knows; it’s just a funny sight.

“Yaha! Perfect!” Poppen says when he’s done, and the raft starts moving as the wind fills what’s left of the parasol as a sail. Looking back at his two temporary companions, he takes out his oar and waves it happily before dipping it into the ocean to paddle. “Farewell, fellow treasure hunters! May we meet again someday!”

As their new friend sails out of sight, Link and the King of Red Lions are quiet for a moment, not entirely sure how to take in their day’s events. 

“So, no more old, unreadable treasure charts then?” Link asks carefully.

“No more,” the King agrees.