Okay, I think if we're having spirits agitated about needing things done, then we should carry that over to Tilo, where she berates and gives Link trouble because she wants something specific in the temple done, then calms down once Link has done that thing (defeated the boss, presumably.)
Niek, I was thinking that the introduction of the Hero should be before the spirits because in his introduction, he tells Maple (and Link, overhearing it) where they're headed: toward the Deku tree. This will give the player a sense of direction, I know I want to go this way but it's blocked. Instead of, hmm, there's a blocked road here. I should unblock it to advance the plot... and then find out the motivation for overcoming the obstacle AFTER overcoming it.
1. Return the Kokori sword (we could have the spirit allude to the fact that somebody took it out to fend of Ganon, inspired by the Hero of Time. Obviously just a vague allusion, though.)
2. I was thinking have a spirit want the rocks of grass cleared out from in front of Mido's house, just like how the Kokori in OoT was tasked. Like they never got all the rocks cleared so they're anal about it in death.
3. Maybe include a reference to how OoT Link needed a shield to get in to see the Deku Tree also? Like, KoT Link would need to find a shield in the rubble of the shop or something?
4. There's also the simple, defeat all these enemies that are inhabiting my old house. You don't want Deku Baba slobbering all over where your bed used to be before your village was destroyed.
I was also thinking that with returning the sword, it would be fun to do an OoT/Indiana Jones reference, where you've gotta pick up this sword (like the fake master swords in ALTTP) and carry it to the chest in the woods. Then after you replace it, that bolder from OoT comes crashing through and you've gotta outrun it! Failure would result in getting smashed would result in having to restart and carry the sword to the chest again.