Magic Medallions

The Magic Medallions are three objects that give Link to ability to cast destructive spells in. Each of the spell Medallions targets every enemy on screen, but each have varying effects, and some enemies are immune to the effects of certain Medallions. All three spells center around using the Master Sword, and as such, they cannot be used unless the Master Sword (or its upgraded versions) are available.

incorporates different medallion versions with only one true use: it is simply tossed onto the battlefield by the Link in possession of it to eradicate an entire area of enemies.

Ether Medallion
The Ether Medallion is the first and arguably the easiest to obtain of all three, and can be found across a bridge west of the Tower of Hera. A green tablet identical to the one found in front of Desert Palace appears here, and as before, Link requires the Book of Mudora to translate its message. It instructs Link to raise his Master Sword to the heavens. Once he does so, the lightning-based spell is cast, the tablet is destroyed as a result, and the Ether Medallion falls from the sky into the young warrior's hands.

Ether attacks through the atmosphere, as flying enemies appear to be the most affected. Most enemies who aren't destroyed by the initial pulse of lightning and pressure are frozen, as if they were struck by the Ice Rod. Ether's atmosphere-altering capabilities can be used to clear the rain in Misery Mire.

Quake Medallion
At the mouth of the river north of the Palace of Darkness, in a place known as the Lake of Ill Omen, lies a circle of stones in the water. By throwing a rock into this circle, Link will awaken the Catfish, who will offer the Quake Medallion in order to be left alone. Coincidentally, this is the only Medallion without celestial origins, and is the only one Link doesn't activate upon receiving. The oddity of this Medallion could perhaps be to represent that Quake originates from the earth instead of the heavens.



As expected, the Quake Medallion causes an earthquake, resulting from Link thrusting the Master Sword into the ground below him. It only affects ground-bound enemies, generally either destroying them or turning them into weak Slime. Using the Quake Medallion near certain trees will cause them to yield various items, as if Link ran into them with his Pegasus Shoes. The Quake Medallion is needed to open the passage to Turtle Rock.

Bombos Medallion
The Bombos Medallion can be found in the Desert of Mystery, high upon a cliff that can only be reached by traveling to the Dark World and using the Magic Mirror near the swamp. As with Ether, it is obtained via a green tablet which can only be read with the Book of Mudora. Once again, the spell is cast once Link's sword is raised, the tablet is broken afterwards, and the Medallion drops from an unknown origin in the sky.



The Bombos Medallion is the last obtained, and as such the most powerful of the set. With an enchanted Spin Attack, Link sends out a ring of fire followed by a series of small explosions in all directions. This causes all foes to become inflamed, as if they have been struck with the Fire Rod, and destroys all its targets. Additionally, fewer enemy types are immune. This is the only medallion which is not required for Link to progress through his quest.

Trivia

 * The three Goddess Spells in could have originated from these Medallions; both are trios, are obtained outside of dungeons, and use up more Magic Power than any other items or abilities in their respective game.
 * The effect of the Quake Medallion is similar to that of the Spell Spell from in that the Spell turns enemies not immune to its effects into Bots.
 * The symbol on the Bombos Medallion resembles the symbol on the Forest Medallion from Ocarina of Time.
 * In the German version of Four Swords Adventures, each medallion is associated to an element: the Ether, Quake, and Bombos Medallions are instead known as the Air, Earth, and Fire Medallions, respectively. In France and Italy, the Bombos Medallion is known as the "Flame Medallion."
 * In A Link to the Past, the colors on the Bombos Medallion's sprite are reversed compared to the other two.