Happy Mask Salesman

"You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?"

- Happy Mask Salesman

The Happy Mask Salesman, also named the mask salesman or the Mask Merchant, is a mysterious man who travels the world collecting masks. He first appears as a minor character in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and later returns in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, in which he plays a major role in the story. A notable characteristic of the Happy Mask Salesman is that he continually smiles, even when angry.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, he is named the Happy Mask Shop Owner, and is the proprietor of the Happy Mask Shop, which he runs in the Castle Town. The Happy Mask Shop lends out masks for other people to sell, in order for the potential seller to obtain "true happiness" and for the Salesman to obtain some profit. He is generally in a good mood, but if Link returns without Rupees for a sold mask, his expression changes to a demented, unnerving version of his usual self, and he kicks Link out of his shop in anger. His mood returns to normal once Link re-enters the shop.

The Happy Mask Shop opens once the Soldier guarding the gate to Death Mountain asks Link whether he can bring him a Keaton Mask for his son. Lending the Keaton Mask from the Happy Mask Salesman initiates a trading quest; once Link has sold four different mask models, the Happy Mask Salesman lends him the Mask of Truth, which allows him to read the thoughts of Gossip Stones. Furthermore, three new masks - the Gerudo, Goron and Zora Masks - are available to lend, as are the previously sold masks.

The Happy Mask Salesman does not appear during the time when Link is an adult. However, in the end credits, the Happy Mask Shop Owner is seen celebrating at Lon Lon Ranch.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Shortly before the events of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, the Happy Mask Salesman went on a travel to collect strange and powerful masks, he went to great lengths to obtain a cursed mask, Majora's Mask. The Happy Mask Salesman came to regret doing so, as he could sense "the doom of a dark omen brewing". As the Happy Mask Salesman continued his journey through the Lost Woods, he was ambushed by a mischievous imp named the Skull Kid and his two fairies, Tael and Tatl. While the Happy Mask Salesman was unconscious, the three of them stole the Majora's Mask from him.

Later, Link, who had left on a journey to find an old friend, is likewise ambushed by Tatl and Tael and knocked unconscious. The Skull Kid appears and steals the Ocarina of Time and Link's horse, Epona, from Link. Before departing, the Skull Kid transforms Link into a Deku Scrub. Tatl is left behind with Deku Link, and the two of them travel their way to the Clock Tower. There, they meet the Happy Mask Salesman, who approaches Link and reveals that he had been following him. The Happy Mask Salesman tells Link that he can return him to normal if he gets back the Ocarina of Time for the Happy Mask Salesman. In exchange for this, the Happy Mask Salesman requests Link to retrieve his stolen mask within three days, which is when he has to leave; this also coincides with when the Moon crashes into Termina, and Link embarks on an adventure to stop it from happening. The Happy Mask Salesman patiently waits inside the Clock Tower for the remainder of the game. In The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D, the Happy Mask Salesman gives like the Bombers' Notebook after their first meeting.

On the third and final day, Link manages to get back the Ocarina of Time from the Skull Kid, but fails to also retrieve Majora's Mask. Link plays the Song of Time to travel back to the first day. With the Ocarina of Time, Link returns to the Happy Mask Salesman, who has kept his promise and teaches him the Song of Healing. By playing the song, Link turns back into a Hylian, and his Deku form is reincarnated into a mask. This way, Link can wear the mask to alternate between his normal and Deku Scrub forms. The Happy Mask Salesman finds that Link did not retrieve Majora's Mask and becomes very distressed to the point of shaking Link violently. The Happy Mask Salesman reveals the true nature of Majora's Mask, and asserts that retrieving it is crucial to the survival of the world.

At the end of the game, Link defeats Majora's Wrath and saves Termina from the Moon crashing into it. The Happy Mask Salesman gets back Majora's Mask and bids farewell to Link before walking away and disappearing.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
In The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages, the Happy Mask Salesman plays a small role during the trading quest. He is the proprietor of the Mask Shop located in Nuun Highlands during the present, and is depicted as having his mood swings far more frequently. The Happy Mask Salesman is very hungry, and he "subtly" requests that Link get him some food. Link gives him a piece of Tasty Meat to satiate his hunger. While at first he acts annoyed about being given meat, once he actually tastes it, he finds it to his liking. In return, the Happy Mask Salesman gives Link a Doggie Mask, but not before angrily calling Link "greedy" for expecting repayment.