BOTW #22 – 100th Shrine

When I resumed my game of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, I decided to take a break from mindless exploring. Instead, I made an effort to complete some of the many shrine quests I had on my list.

So I found the one in the shadow of Gerudo Tower, the one near Jeddo Bridge where you have to shoot an arrow through two rings, the one where you have to ride a buck onto the altar on Rabia Plain, and the one in Horon Lagoon where you have to break rocks and sail on gusts of wind onto the altar. I also found a shrine based on some markings on a mountain up in the Gerudo Highlands.

I later took the path up to Goron City, and I found a shrine along the way. It was my 100th shrine completed. Only 20 more to go!

My 100th shrine in Breath of the Wild.

I met up with Picasso Pikango the artist in Goron City, and he gave me a hint as to where to find one of my remaining memories. I started climbing Death Mountain and began searching. It took me a while to find the right spot, but eventually, I found the spot and recovered the memory. I still have three more memories to go, though.

After that, I took a break from shrine-and-memory-hunting for a little “maintenance.” I added another weapon slot at Korok Forest, I bought an ancient bow at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab (mainly for the Compendium), I enhanced a ton of clothing items at the Great Fairy Fountain, and I redeemed 12 spirit orbs for two heart containers and a stamina vessel.

After defeating some enemies near Aris Beach for a side quest, I then stopped to admire another beautiful sunrise.

The sunrise from Aris Beach.

I then went back to work on completing more shrine quests. I found the one where the sun shines through the heart of the Rito pillar to show the way. Then I went up to the Hebra Mountains to look around by the lone cedar tree. I’ve been there before, but never saw the huge bird I was supposed to see. But this time…I saw it. What a clever clue that was. 😉 It was quite satisfying to figure that one out.

After completing the shrine there, I decided to return to the Mirro Shaz shrine that I mentioned last month. I had a few sledgehammers (and similar weapons) on hand, so I gave that bonus puzzle another try. After several tries, I got it…but perhaps not the way it was intended. It ended up looking like a trick shot. I bounced the ball off of the blocks, then off a pillar, and it rolled into the altar.

The path of the ball.

My reward was a giant ancient core.

In the Faron Grasslands, I was able to track down a Moblin club. I needed it for Nebb, the weapon connoisseur. I took it to Hateno Village and beat him with it showed it to him.  He gave me 50 rupees for letting him see it.

Link beats the kid with a club?
You should have given me more rupees, you little brat.

I later showed him a duplex bow, a windcleaver, an ancient battle axe+, a frostspear, and an ancient short sword. (That last one had to be made at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab). Nebb gave me some money for each one, and a diamond for the last one. Finally, that side quest was complete.

Next, I went to Gerudo Town. I learned that Barta was missing. She’s the one who was held prisoner in the Yiga Clan hideout before, and she was missing again. I was told she was in the desert to the southwest, so I headed that way.

But before I found Barta, I found something else much bigger: The Great Fairy Tera! I had to pay 10,000 rupees to get her to…bloom. I’ve now unlocked all four of the great fairies. It’s about time! 😛

The Great Fairy Tera in Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

After she upgraded some of my clothing, I completed a nearby shrine. I then found Barta, and gave her a hearty durian. It rejuvenated her, and she headed back to town. I completed the side quest, and that also allowed me to get the thunder helm from Riju.

Since I was in the area, I also completed the sand seal racing quest, which opened up another shrine.

After that, I took a break from shrine quests (or so I thought) to just explore. But as I explored near Taran Pass, I just happened to find three altars…belonging to three giants who each wore an orb around their neck. This was part of the “Three Giant Brothers” shrine quest. I gave them all a wake-up call.

A sleeping Hinox in Zelda BOTW.

In nearby Lurelin Village, I went out to sea to find some sunken buried gems. It was an experience I’ll always treasure. Okay, not really. But it completed a side quest, and that works for me.

I wrapped up my session, and here are my latest stats:

Completion percentage: 37.79%
Photo memories: 9/12
Shrines: 106/120
Korok seeds: 203/900
Shrine quests: 33/42
Side quests: 55/77
Hyrule Compendium: 344/385

Even though I still have nine more shrine quests to complete, there are only two on my list. I guess there are some people I still need to talk to. Somewhere.

If you haven’t seen my latest Breath of the Wild video, Messing Around #3, here it is!

See you next time!