What is the solution to the "The Ancient Rito Song" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The "The Ancient Rito Song" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a unique and engaging side quest that requires players to decipher a cryptic song to locate a hidden shrine. This quest is found in the Rito Village, a settlement located in the Tabantha region, and is given by Bedoli, a Rito woman standing near the village's central area. The quest revolves around interpreting the lyrics of an ancient Rito song to find the hidden shrine, known as the Bareeda Naag Shrine. Here is a detailed guide to completing this quest.

To begin the quest, speak to Bedoli in Rito Village. She will recite the ancient Rito song, which contains clues about the location of the hidden shrine. The song mentions a "pillar in the sky" and a "pillar of light," which are key to solving the puzzle. The first step is to understand that the "pillar in the sky" refers to the large rock spire located just east of Rito Village. This spire is easily visible from the village and serves as a landmark for the quest.

The next step is to position yourself correctly to align the "pillar in the sky" with the "pillar of light." The "pillar of light" refers to the sunlight that shines through a specific point on the spire at a particular time of day. To achieve this alignment, you need to stand at a specific location near the spire. Head to the base of the spire and look for a small wooden platform with a pedestal. This is the spot where you need to stand to see the sunlight pass through the spire.

The key to solving this puzzle is timing. The sunlight only aligns with the spire at a specific time of day, which is around noon. To ensure you are there at the right time, you can use a campfire to pass time until noon. Once you are at the correct location and the time is right, you will see the sunlight shine through the spire, creating the "pillar of light" mentioned in the song. This alignment will reveal the hidden Bareeda Naag Shrine, which will emerge from the ground nearby.

One important tip is to ensure you have a clear view of the spire and the sunlight. If the weather is cloudy or rainy, the sunlight may not be visible, making it difficult to complete the quest. In such cases, you can wait for the weather to clear or use a campfire to pass time until the weather improves. Additionally, make sure you are standing on the wooden platform with the pedestal, as this is the exact spot where the alignment occurs.

A common mistake players make is not paying attention to the time of day. The alignment only works around noon, so arriving at the spire at any other time will not reveal the shrine. Another mistake is not standing in the correct location. The wooden platform with the pedestal is crucial, and standing anywhere else will not trigger the shrine's appearance.

For advanced players, you can optimize this quest by using the Sheikah Sensor to detect the shrine once you are close to the correct location. This can help confirm that you are in the right spot before waiting for the sunlight alignment. Additionally, if you have the Paraglider, you can quickly travel to the spire from Rito Village, saving time and resources.

In terms of preparation, you do not need any special items to complete this quest. However, having a few arrows and a bow can be useful for hunting or defending against any nearby enemies. It is also a good idea to have some food or elixirs to restore health or stamina if needed.

An alternative approach to this quest is to use the Stasis Rune to highlight the spire and make it easier to see the alignment. This can be particularly helpful if you are having trouble spotting the sunlight. Additionally, if you have already completed the Vah Medoh Divine Beast quest, you can use Revali's Gale to quickly reach the spire from Rito Village.

In summary, the "The Ancient Rito Song" shrine quest requires careful attention to the song's clues, precise timing, and correct positioning. By standing on the wooden platform near the spire at noon, you can align the sunlight with the spire and reveal the hidden Bareeda Naag Shrine. Pay attention to the weather and time of day, and use the Sheikah Sensor or Stasis Rune if needed. With these strategies, you can successfully complete this quest and uncover the hidden shrine.