Old Wayfarer

Old Wayfarer
The Old Wayfarer
First appearance	Phantom Hourglass (2007)
Gender	Male
Homeland	World of the Ocean King
Hometown	Bannan Island
Kindred	Romanos's Mother (wife) Romanos (son)
Race	Human

"This guy lives for adventure! Having left his wife, son, and native island of Molida long ago, the man known only as the Old Wayfarer has sacrificed all in the persuit of his dream to venture forth into the thrill of his great dream: to venture forth into the thrilling unknown! After spending most of his adult life charting the northwestern portion of the Great Sea, the Wayfarer now seeks to settle down. Not with his family, mind you, but with a legendary creature known as the mermaid."

— The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass guide

The Old Wayfarer is a character from The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. He is an elderly man who is always looking for adventure and the romance of the seas.

Biography

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.

Some time before the events of the game, he left his wife and son at Molida Island to explore the World of the Ocean King. Back on Molida Island, he left four stone tablets that hold information about the fog to the north. When the four are connected in an "X", the location of the Old Wayfarer's second hideout can be found.

Inside is a Treasure Chest containing a Treasure Map, a diary, and a map on the wall, diagramming the correct path through the Foggy Passage. The Old Wayfarer's diary mentions that he wishes he could have been a better father and he hopes his son will forgive him and become an adventurer as well.

When Link meets the Old Wayfarer on Bannan Island, he speaks of the legendary mermaid, and requests that Link tell him should he encounter one. The mermaid can be found outside along the coast if the island is devoid of enemies. If Link hits her with the Boomerang, she tells Link that she is simply a Human dressed up as a mermaid. While Link tells the Old Wayfarer of the mermaid, she briefly talks to Linebeck and then stops by the Old Wayfarer's hut. The Old Wayfarer thanks Link and gives him the Fishing Rod, enabling him to fish whenever he is at sea aboard the S.S. Linebeck.

After Link catches a Loovar, Toona, and Skippyjack for the side quest Romantic Fishing, the Old Wayfarer rewards him with the Big Catch Lure, allowing him to catch larger fish. After catching a Rusty Swordfish, the Old Wayfarer tells Link of the legendary Neptoona. If Link catches one, he will be rewarded with a Heart Container. The Old Wayfarer will also reward Link for showing him a Stowfish.

On the quest for the Great Spin Attack, Link meets the Old Wayfarer out at sea on his ship, the S.S. Wayfarer. He tells Link that the mermaid eats too much, and he has gone broke from having to buy food. When Link gives the Old Wayfarer the wood heart rations he has, he thanks Link and directs him to the Treasure Chest in his house. After opening the chest in the hut, Link obtains the Swordsman's Scroll.

Spoiler warning: Spoilers end here.