Lokomo
Lokomo
Main appearance(s)
Habitat(s)
TheLokomo are a tribe fromSpirit Tracks.[1] They are servants to theSpirits of Good, with their sole role being to protect the land, theSpirit Tracks, and the temples scattered throughoutHyrule.[3] Most importantly, however, the Lokomo protect the land from the Demon King,Malladus, by making sure that his prison and locks, theTower of Spirits and theSpirit Tracks respectively, stay intact at all times to prevent the Demon King's escape. They were originally sent by theSpirits toHyrule to continue their work of watching over the land for them, and as such, they are considered to be the guardians of the five realms.[4]
The Lokomo play a vital role inSpirit Tracks since they are the only ones who can help restore both the Spirit Tracks and the Tower of Spirits.
Characteristics and attributes
All members of the Lokomo have pointy ears, a characteristic they share withHylians. The Lokomo, with the exception ofByrne, are usually seen riding a sort of small vehicle that bears theSymbol of the Spirits.
When a Lokomo dies, they do not disappear entirely. Instead, they take on the shape of a small ball of light that represents their spirit. After this, it will take several years for the Lokomo to return to life in a new form; however, once they are reborn with a new body, they will have no memory of past events.[5] This is similar to the concept ofreincarnation.
One Lokomo resides in each of the five realms in the land, and they can always be found in their respective sanctuaries. They are:
- Gage, Guardian of theForest Realm
- Steem, Guardian of theSnow Realm[6]
- Carben, Guardian of theOcean Realm[7]
- Embrose, Guardian of theFire Realm[8]
- Rael, Guardian of theSand Realm[9]
Anjean, one of the two members of the Lokomo who does not reside in a sanctuary, is the guardian of the Tower of Spirits and is thus in charge of making sure Malladus does not escape from his prison.[10]
Most Lokomo possess sacred instruments that, when played, have the ability to generate enough energy to power the Spirit Tracks; however, to do this, special melodies known as theSongs of Restoration must first be performed.[11] These songs areduets that require two sacred instruments to function properly and, once the Song of Restoration is performed, it will help restore theRail Map's energy, which in turn also restores the missing Spirit Tracks that lead to each realm's temple.[12]
The Lokomo also seem to have longer life spans than normal humans, as Anjean was already the guardian of the Tower of Spirits by the timeTetra and herpirate crew arrived inHyrule 100 years prior to the events ofSpirit Tracks,[13] and Byrne, who had "a century to train", maintains the appearance of a young man despite his apparent age.[14]
History
Prior to the events inSpirit Tracks, theSpirits of Good bestowed upon the Lokomo a weapon known as theLokomo Sword, which is a sword filled with sacred energy used by the Spirits.[15] Moreover, they entrusted the Lokomo with taking care of theSpirit Train, which was to be kept in the center of theTower of Spirits.[16]
By the time the events of the game start to take place, the Spirit Tracks have begun to disappear due toChancellor Cole's plan to freeMalladus from his prison. He succeeds in stealingPrincess Zelda's body, which is to be used as a vessel for the Demon King. Zelda, with the help ofLink, travels to the Tower of Spirits to meetAnjean, who is the one that can help give Zelda clues on how to retrieve her body. After Anjean explains to them the current situation of the Spirit Tracks, she charges Link and Zelda with the task of restoring the Spirit Tracks to the Tower of Spirits to fortify Malladus's prison. As such, Link and Zelda travel acrossHyrule with theSpirit Train that was lent to them by Anjean, meeting the Lokomo guardians of each realm in order to restore the Spirit Tracks, the chains that bind Malladus. With Anjean'sSpirit Flute, Link performs a number of duets with the Lokomo and their sacred instruments as it is the only way to restore the tracks to the temples.[17] Link must continue to repeat this process until all the five temples' rails are restored to the Tower of Spirits.
It is with the aid ofByrne, a Lokomo who turned against his people and his beliefs because the Spirits of Good would not grant him any more power,[18] that Link and Zelda find theCompass of Light and manage to make their way into theDark Realm, where Malladus, Cole, and theDemon Train have escaped. In the final battle against Malladus, Princess Zelda sings aduet with Link and his Spirit Flute, weakening the Demon King and revealing a weak spot on his back. When Malladus is finally slain using the Lokomo Sword and theBow of Light, Anjean and the rest of the Lokomo depart towards the heavens since their protection is no longer needed, entrusting Link and Zelda to watch over the land in their stead.[19]
Trivia
- Hyrule Historia reveals designs for an unused sixth Lokomo, said to represent Shadow.[20]
Nomenclature
The name of the tribe is a pun on the word "locomotive," which is another word for "train."Lokomo was also the name of a Finnish steam locomotive and railroad equipment manufacturing company.
 Names in Other Regions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Language | Names | |
| This table was generated from Zelda Wiki'stranslation data. | ||
Gallery
Anjean, Guardian of theTower of Spirits
Gage, Guardian of theForest Realm
Steem, Guardian of theSnow Realm
Carben, Guardian of theOcean Realm
Embrose, Guardian of theFire Realm
Rael, Guardian of theSand Realm
Concept art of the Lokomo fromHyrule Historia
References
- ↑1.01.1Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 55
- ↑
We are called theLokomos.
— Anjean (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
Indeed. We are called the Lokomos. We are servants of the spirits. They have entrusted us with protecting the temples and the Spirit Tracks.
— Anjean (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
The spirits sent us here to continue their work! That you would try to resurrect the Demon King... It's unfathomable to me.
— Anjean (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
Yes, but there should be no regrets. He wouldn't have had it any other way. Besides, our kind are the servants of the spirits. We don't disappear that easily. The spirit is persistent, my dear. Byrne may not have any memory of these events, but years from now, he'll return in a new form.
— Anjean (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
My name's Steem. I am indeed the guardian of the Snow Realm.
— Steem (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
Let me reintroduce myself. I am Carben, guardian of the Ocean Realm.
— Carben (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
My name is Embrose, and I am indeed this realm's guardian.
— Embrose (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
Call me Rael; it's my name! I am the guardian of the Sand Realm!
— Rael (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
Well, I wouldn't put it exactly that way. But I do watch over the Tower of Spirits. My name is Anjean. [...] Right now, my strength maintains his shackles, but it's only a matter of time until they're broken.
— Anjean (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
By playing our sacred instruments... We generate energy that powers the Spirit Tracks.
— Anjean (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
To restore the tracks that disappeared, you need to know a special song. This Lokomo Song is a duet that requires two sacred instruments. My cello and your Spirit Flute should do the trick! With both instruments playing the song... We can restore the rail map's energy!
— Gage (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
Yes, I knew one of your ancestors. I met her when she had just arrived here.
— Anjean (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
I...I couldn't best Byrne. I have to admit, he has grown very strong. Of course, he's had a century to train. And he's always had the drive to succeed.
— Anjean (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
Before you go, please take this, [Link]. I think you're the one who is meant to use it. This Lokomo Sword was a gift from one of the spirits. As such, it is filled with sacred energy. It has felled many evil creatures in its lifetime. Until now, only the spirits have wielded this blade...
— Anjean (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
This, my dear, is the spirits' train. They entrusted us with its keeping.
— Anjean (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
Indeed. We are called the Lokomos. We are servants of the spirits. They have entrusted us with protecting the temples and the Spirit Tracks. By playing our sacred instruments... We generate energy that powers the Spirit Tracks. The Spirit Flute you hold is one of them.
— Anjean (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
Tell me, Master... When you realize that your wish will never be granted, what do you do then? The answer was clear... Become even more powerful than the spirits themselves! And the only being more powerful is Malladus!
— Byrne (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
But our protection is no longer needed. Even without the spirits' guidance, you will do well. So I think I will return to the heavens... In the company of my old friend Byrne. Please watch over this land, my dear. And, [Link]... You must help her. Good-bye... And thank you. Thank you both.
— Anjean (Spirit Tracks) - ↑
The Sage of Shadow [...] doesn't appear in the game.
(Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 212)