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[edit] Western Continent

Go east from Hyrule Castle to the town of Parapa. The wise man there will teach you the Shield spell. Pass through the cave to the northeast to enter Parapa Desert. Along the southern coast here is a heart piece, and Parapa Palace lies to the north. Within you will find the magic candle, a must have for any spelunker.

After retrieving the candle from Parapa Palace, head back through the now-lit cavern. A cave southwest of Hyrule Castle contains a magic vial. A cavern along the northern coast contains a statue. With statue in hand, head west to Ruto town. Therein, a lady has lost the statue and if you return it to her, she will invite you to meet the village wise man. He will teach you the Jump spell, allowing you to pass through the southern cave to Middle Hyrule.

After passing through the cave you may want to visit the fairy forest immediately to the east. Trudge through the swamp and search the forest north of the road for a man named Bagu. He will give you a note allowing you passage across the bridge in Saria town. Head there but be careful when talking to the roaming townsfolk; Ganon's servants have infiltrated this town and may attack you. Some crazy lady in a blue dress has lost her mirror. You will find it under a table(press "B") in an otherwise empty house. Return it to access the old man and learn the Life spell.

If you like, you can head northeast now through Midoro Swamp to Midoro Palace and get the Handy Glove, allowing you to destroy bricks with your sword.

Otherwise, continue through the town and show the bridge attendant Bagu's note to cross the river. Welcome to Death Mountain. You can find your own path through the myriad catacombs by looking at the overworld map. Alternatively, just keep heading east, and you will eventually exit to a desert. To the west is a pit containing the hammer. Use it to smash any boulders which block your path. Under the boulder next to the pit you will find another magic vial.

The cavern on the northeast coast is a shortcut to the next town. Continue on that way, cross the bridge, and head northeast past the absurdly oversized graveyard to get to Mido Port. When you come to Mido's church cast the Jump spell and jump up onto the second floor. Inside you will find a knight who will teach you the Downward Sword Thrust. The crazy blue lady in this town wants the sacred water. To find this, head west through the boulder to a cave in the swamp west of where you found Bagu. You can now smash the boulder which blocks the entrance and retrieve the sacred water. Return to Mido and deliver it to gain access to the wise man who will teach you the Fairy spell.

The third palace lies on an island to the southeast of Mido. To get there head directly south from the King's tomb, and you will fall down a pit. You must cast the fairy spell to fly over the right wall. You will come out on next to the Island Palace. The raft found therein will allow you to travel from the harbor next to Mido to the eastern continent.

[edit] Eastern Continent