The Sages (originally called Wise Men) are a chosen group of people who are summoned to aid the chosen hero in times of crisis.

They are first mentioned in A Link to the Past as the ones who sealed Ganon into the Dark World (formerly the Sacred Realm) long ago, but the Sages's descendants (including Princess Zelda) are captured by Aghanim and banished to the Dark World to undo the seal and release Ganon. After being rescued from the Dark World, the Sages's descendants combine their power to grant Link access to Ganon's Tower, the final dungeon of the game.