Faron is a mess. If you’ve spent any time in the lush, oversized woods of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, you know exactly what I mean. It’s beautiful, sure. But at the center of all that greenery sits Faron, the Skyward Sword water dragon, and honestly? She’s kind of a lot to handle. Most players remember her for the hoops she makes Link jump through, literally and figuratively. She isn’t some benevolent, soft-spoken deity like the spirits in Twilight Princess. No, Faron is prickly. She’s demanding. She’s also one of the most interesting characters in the game because she actually has a personality beyond "helpful guide."
Most Zelda games treat dragons as distant, god-like figures. They fly around in the background or give you a quest item and vanish. Skyward Sword changed that. It gave us a water dragon with a massive ego and a bit of a temper.
Meeting the Skyward Sword Water Dragon for the First Time
You don't just walk up and chat with Faron. When Link first needs her help to find the Sacred Flame, she’s recovering from a battle with Ghirahim’s forces. She’s healing in a massive basin of sacred water, and she isn’t exactly thrilled to see a kid in a green hat. This is where the gameplay loop of Skyward Sword often gets a bad rap, but it’s also where the character development happens.
Faron doesn't trust you. Why should she? You're just a human from the sky. To prove your worth, she sends you on a scavenger hunt for "Tadtones." If you ask fans about the Tadtones, you’ll get a wide range of reactions. Some people love the musical swimming mechanics; others find it a tedious roadblock. But from a narrative perspective, it’s a power move. The Skyward Sword water dragon is testing Link's resolve and his ability to navigate her element. It’s her way of saying that the power of the goddess isn't just handed out—it’s earned through labor.
The Design of a Deity
Visually, Faron is a striking departure from the traditional serpentine dragons we see later in the series. She has a refined, almost regal look, with flowing fins and a sharp, discerning gaze. Her design reflects her personality: elegant but dangerous. If you look at the concept art in Hyrule Historia, the developers clearly wanted her to feel ancient and somewhat alien. She’s a remnant of a different era, a time when the world was raw and the servants of the goddess Hylia had to be tough to survive.
She lives in Lake Floria, a subterranean paradise hidden behind a massive waterfall. It’s one of the most vibrant areas in the game. The contrast between the dark, cramped tunnels and the bright, open cavern where she resides is a classic Zelda "wow" moment. But that beauty comes with a price. To even see her, you have to prove you can handle the scale of a Parella, the squid-like creatures that serve her.
Why Does Faron Flood the Woods?
Later in the game, things get weird. Faron decides to flood the entirety of Faron Woods. Like, completely submerged. If you were used to running around the Forest Temple or the Sealed Grounds, suddenly everything is different.
This is the "Song of the Hero" questline.
A lot of players find this section frustrating. You have to swim through the treetops you used to walk on. But think about the lore for a second. The Skyward Sword water dragon isn't just doing this for fun. She claims it’s to keep the forest safe from the monsters that are invading. It’s an extreme measure. It’s the "scorched earth" policy of the water world. It shows her absolute authority over the region. She doesn't ask the Kikwis for permission. She just turns the sink on.
The Gameplay Shift
Swimming in Skyward Sword (especially the HD version on Switch) is much smoother than it was on the Wii. When Faron floods the woods, the game turns into a 3D platformer where the "platforms" are air bubbles and schools of fish.
- Verticality: You’re no longer stuck on the ground.
- The Tadtones: Collecting these notes while dodging underwater mines is a test of the Spin Swim mechanic.
- Atmosphere: The muffled music and blue tint transform a familiar area into something haunting.
Honestly, it's a bold choice. Most games wouldn't dare to take their first level and completely submerge it 30 hours in. But Faron doesn't care about your convenience. She’s a dragon. She has a forest to protect and a hero to test.
Comparing Faron to the Other Dragons
Skyward Sword features three main dragons: Faron (Water), Eldin (Fire), and Lanayru (Thunder). If you compare them, Faron is easily the most "present" in the story.
Eldin is powerful but gets captured. Lanayru is literally a skeleton when you first find him, requiring a Timeshift Stone to even speak with. Faron is the only one who stays active and conscious throughout the entire timeline of the game. She’s the anchor. She’s also the only one who seems to have a genuine "attitude." Eldin is a warrior; Lanayru is a sage; Faron is a queen.
The Connection to Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
We see the name "Faron" again in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. There’s the Faron region, known for its tropical storms and lush jungles. And then there’s Farosh, the lightning dragon.
Wait. Why is the water dragon’s namesake region associated with lightning?
This is a point of huge debate among lore hunters. Some think the elemental associations shifted over thousands of years. Others point out that in the Japanese versions of the games, the naming conventions are slightly more fluid. But the legacy of the Skyward Sword water dragon is undeniable. The sheer scale of the Faron region in the newer games feels like a tribute to the dragon who once flooded an entire forest just to prove a point.
Technical Tips for Dealing with Faron’s Trials
If you’re playing through this right now, especially the Tadtone segment, there are a few things that make life easier. Don't fight the controls.
The Spin Swim is your best friend. In the Switch version, using the analog sticks makes this way more precise than the motion controls ever were. When you're looking for the Tadtones, look for the groups. They rarely move alone. If you miss one in a string, don't panic. Just circle back. Faron is watching, but she isn't timing you (mostly).
Also, keep an eye on your air meter. It seems obvious, but the Tadtone hunt is designed to distract you. There are plenty of bubbles scattered around the flooded woods. Use them. If you die here, you have to restart the specific "color" of notes you were collecting, which is a massive pain.
The Personality Misunderstanding
I see a lot of people calling Faron "mean" or "rude."
Is she? Maybe. But look at the context. Demise is trying to break free. The world is literally ending. Ghirahim is running around being a flamboyant nightmare. Faron has been guarding her territory for eons. She’s tired. She’s wounded when you first meet her. Her "attitude" is actually a high level of standard. She knows that if Link isn't up to the task, the entire world is doomed.
She’s a guardian who takes her job seriously. She isn't there to be Link's friend; she's there to be his mentor and his gatekeeper. When she finally grants you her part of the Song of the Hero, there’s a genuine sense of respect. You’ve earned the approval of a creature that doesn't give it easily. That feels better than just being handed a quest item because you’re the "chosen one."
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A Note on the Parella
We can't talk about the Skyward Sword water dragon without mentioning her subjects. The Parella are... weird. They are basically sentient jellyfish-squid hybrids. They don't appear in any other Zelda game.
Why?
Some fans theorize they eventually evolved into the Zora. Others think they just went extinct or stayed deep underwater. Regardless, their design is clearly influenced by Faron’s own aesthetics. They move with the same fluid, undulating grace. Their existence makes the Lake Floria region feel like a completely separate ecosystem from the rest of Hyrule. It’s Faron’s private kingdom, and we’re just visiting.
Actionable Insights for Your Playthrough
If you want to master the Faron region and handle the water dragon’s demands without losing your mind, follow these steps:
- Master the Spin Swim early: Practice in the shallow parts of Lake Floria before you head into the deep sections. It’s the only way to catch the faster Tadtones.
- Look for the "Leader" Tadtone: In the groups of notes, there's usually one that dictates the movement. Aim for the head of the line.
- Don't ignore the Kikwis: Even when the woods are flooded, the NPCs give you hints about where the dragon is hiding or what she’s thinking.
- Check your map: The flooded woods can be disorienting. The map still shows the original layout, which helps you navigate the treetops.
- Appreciate the music: The Tadtone hunt adds layers to the background track as you collect them. It’s one of the best uses of dynamic audio in the Zelda series.
Faron might be demanding, but she’s one of the few characters in Skyward Sword who feels like she has a life outside of Link's quest. She has a home, a people, and a very specific way of doing things. Whether you love or hate her trials, the Skyward Sword water dragon remains an essential part of why that game's world feels so alive and intimidating. She’s not just a dragon; she’s a force of nature.