Sheikah

The Sheikah are an ancient clan of ninja-like warriors sworn to protect the Royal Family of Hyrule. They first appear, although are mainly mentioned, in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Impa is both the most notable and recurring Sheikah throughout the series. Princess Zelda has a recurring Sheikah alter-ego named Sheik. It was not until The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild when the Sheikah were given a major appearance as well as their culture being greatly elaborated upon.

The Sheikah have similar characteristics to Hylians, especially their pointed ears, although they are more technologically advanced. Nearly every Sheikah has white hair, making them especially distinguishable at a younger age. Sheikah have their own symbol, which is an eye with a large tear drop running down the center.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the Sheikah are referred to as an extinct race who built the Shadow Temple. They were also the creators of the Gossip Stones, which give Link information on what he must do to progress in his journey.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
In The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, the Sheikah are servants of the goddess Hylia, whose reincarnation is Zelda.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the ancient Sheikah invented the Divine Beasts and Guardians 10,000 years before the Great Calamity to fight Ganon. The Sheikah reside primarily in Kakariko Village, but can be found elsewhere, such as the two Ancient Tech Labs or in Tarrey Town. An old painter named Pikango left Kakariko Village many years ago to search for beautiful landscapes, and uses his knowledge to help Link locate his memories. Link also possesses a Sheikah Slate, a piece of ancient technology that can be upgraded with various runes. The four primary Runes are: Magnesis, which can move metallic objects; Remote Bombs, spherical or cube-shaped bombs that can remotely detonate once thrown or dropped; Stasis, which can freeze objects and, after getting Stasis Plus from the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, monsters, in time while storing the kinetic energy it receives; and Cryonis, which can create climbable, icy blocks on watery surfaces.

There is a group of rebellious, antagonistic Sheikah known as the Yiga Clan. 10,000 years ago, after the First Great Calamity, the Sheikah split due to the king of the time exiling them out of fear of their technology. Some remained loyal, and went to live as peaceful farmers in Kakariko Village. Others felt betrayed, and turned against the kingdom, becoming a militant Sheikah group and siding with Calamity Ganon due to both now having a common enemy. They then adopted an upside-down Sheikah eye as their symbol. Just over 100 years ago, when the Calamity's return was inevitable, the militant Sheikah came out of hiding. Spearheaded by Master Kohga, whose family had lead for at least four generations, they called themselves the Yiga Clan and went on the hunt for the enemies of the Calamity, including Link and Princess Zelda, but were pushed back and forced to make a hideout in an abandoned Gerudo archaeological site. Their hideout is located in Karusa Valley in the Gerudo Highlands. They spawn throughout the world and sometimes appear as lost travelers or merchants who will attack Link if he talks to them. There are four types of Yiga Clansmen: Yiga Footsoldiers, who may ambush Link with a Duplex Bow which can fire two arrows at once, or may disguise as a Hylian, only to reveal themselves and fight with a Vicious Sickle or a Demon Carver; Yiga Blademasters, officers of the Yiga who carry around a Windcleaver; Sooga, who is Master Kohga's personal bodyguard and assistant, as well as second in command of the Clan. He wields two great blades and throws kunai; and Master Kogha, a large master of esoteric arts who waits in the Yiga Clan Hideout while his minions search for Link. He is referenced by certain disguised Yiga. One Kakariko Villager, the guard Dorian, is an ex-Yiga spy. After being stationed there, he found a wife who bore two daughters with him, Koko and Cottla, all of whom made him want to change his ways; the Yiga murdered his wife when they discovered his defection.

It is also here that the Sheikah are shown as a race with diversity, with many members sporting grey, brown or blue eyes and some having varying hair colour. Only one member, Purah, the ancient researcher and older sister of Impa, is shown to have red eyes. Jerrin, wife of elderly researcher Robbie, and her son Granté are the only two members with blonde hair, and Rola, as well as the entire Yiga Clan, exhibit black hair. Rola and as the elderly couple Steen and Trissa have brown skin; the other members have skin ranging from pale to tan.