What is the solution to the "The Crowned Beast" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
The "Crowned Beast" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the more unique and cryptic shrine quests in the game. It involves solving a riddle to uncover the location of the hidden Sho Dantu Shrine in the Gerudo Highlands region. The quest is given by Rotana, a Gerudo scholar, who can be found in Gerudo Town. She will provide you with a riddle that hints at the shrine's location. The riddle states: "The beast that wears a crown of bone, kneel before it and dig in the ground. Offer the fruit of life to the beast, and the shrine will appear."
To solve this quest, you need to interpret the riddle and follow its clues step by step. The "beast that wears a crown of bone" refers to a stalhorse, a skeletal horse that can be found in the Gerudo Highlands at night. Stalhorses are unique creatures that only appear after dark, and they resemble skeletal versions of regular horses. The "crown of bone" is a reference to the stalhorse's skeletal appearance, particularly its skull, which resembles a crown.
The first step is to locate a stalhorse. The best place to find one is in the Gerudo Highlands, specifically in the area around the Gerudo Summit. You will need to wait until nightfall, as stalhorses only appear during the night. Once you find a stalhorse, you will need to mount it. Stalhorses are skittish and will try to run away if you get too close, so approach carefully. Use stealth by crouching and moving slowly, or use a stealth-enhancing elixir or armor to make it easier to get close without being detected. Once you are close enough, press the interact button to mount the stalhorse.
After mounting the stalhorse, the next part of the riddle instructs you to "kneel before it and dig in the ground." This means you need to find a specific spot near the stalhorse where you can dig. The location is marked by a small, circular patch of soft soil that can be dug up using a shovel or by using the Magnesis rune to lift a metal object and reveal the spot. The exact location is near the Gerudo Summit, close to the edge of the cliff. Once you find the spot, dig it up to reveal a pedestal.
The final part of the riddle says to "offer the fruit of life to the beast." The "fruit of life" refers to a hearty durian, a type of fruit that can be found in the Faron region, particularly around the Faron Grasslands and the area near Lurelin Village. Hearty durians are known for their ability to restore all of Link's hearts and provide extra temporary hearts when cooked. You will need to have at least one hearty durian in your inventory to complete this quest. Place the hearty durian on the pedestal you uncovered by digging, and the Sho Dantu Shrine will rise from the ground.
Once the shrine appears, you can enter it and complete the trial inside. The shrine itself is relatively straightforward, with a focus on combat and puzzle-solving. Be prepared for a fight, as the shrine may contain enemies or traps that you will need to overcome. Make sure you have a good supply of weapons, shields, and healing items before entering.
A common mistake players make is not realizing that the stalhorse is the key to solving the riddle. Some may misinterpret the "beast" as a different creature or overlook the need to dig in a specific spot. Another mistake is not having a hearty durian in their inventory, which can delay progress until they find one. To avoid these issues, make sure to thoroughly explore the Gerudo Highlands at night and gather hearty durians in advance.
For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can use to make the quest easier. If you have the Master Cycle Zero from the Champions' Ballad DLC, you can use it to quickly travel to the Gerudo Highlands and locate the stalhorse. Additionally, using stealth-enhancing gear or elixirs can make it easier to approach and mount the stalhorse without being detected. If you are low on hearty durians, consider farming them in the Faron region or purchasing them from merchants in Gerudo Town.
In summary, the "Crowned Beast" shrine quest requires careful interpretation of the riddle, patience in locating and mounting a stalhorse, and preparation with a hearty durian. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can successfully uncover the Sho Dantu Shrine and complete the quest. This quest is a great example of the game's emphasis on exploration and creative problem-solving, rewarding players who take the time to fully engage with its world and mechanics.
To solve this quest, you need to interpret the riddle and follow its clues step by step. The "beast that wears a crown of bone" refers to a stalhorse, a skeletal horse that can be found in the Gerudo Highlands at night. Stalhorses are unique creatures that only appear after dark, and they resemble skeletal versions of regular horses. The "crown of bone" is a reference to the stalhorse's skeletal appearance, particularly its skull, which resembles a crown.
The first step is to locate a stalhorse. The best place to find one is in the Gerudo Highlands, specifically in the area around the Gerudo Summit. You will need to wait until nightfall, as stalhorses only appear during the night. Once you find a stalhorse, you will need to mount it. Stalhorses are skittish and will try to run away if you get too close, so approach carefully. Use stealth by crouching and moving slowly, or use a stealth-enhancing elixir or armor to make it easier to get close without being detected. Once you are close enough, press the interact button to mount the stalhorse.
After mounting the stalhorse, the next part of the riddle instructs you to "kneel before it and dig in the ground." This means you need to find a specific spot near the stalhorse where you can dig. The location is marked by a small, circular patch of soft soil that can be dug up using a shovel or by using the Magnesis rune to lift a metal object and reveal the spot. The exact location is near the Gerudo Summit, close to the edge of the cliff. Once you find the spot, dig it up to reveal a pedestal.
The final part of the riddle says to "offer the fruit of life to the beast." The "fruit of life" refers to a hearty durian, a type of fruit that can be found in the Faron region, particularly around the Faron Grasslands and the area near Lurelin Village. Hearty durians are known for their ability to restore all of Link's hearts and provide extra temporary hearts when cooked. You will need to have at least one hearty durian in your inventory to complete this quest. Place the hearty durian on the pedestal you uncovered by digging, and the Sho Dantu Shrine will rise from the ground.
Once the shrine appears, you can enter it and complete the trial inside. The shrine itself is relatively straightforward, with a focus on combat and puzzle-solving. Be prepared for a fight, as the shrine may contain enemies or traps that you will need to overcome. Make sure you have a good supply of weapons, shields, and healing items before entering.
A common mistake players make is not realizing that the stalhorse is the key to solving the riddle. Some may misinterpret the "beast" as a different creature or overlook the need to dig in a specific spot. Another mistake is not having a hearty durian in their inventory, which can delay progress until they find one. To avoid these issues, make sure to thoroughly explore the Gerudo Highlands at night and gather hearty durians in advance.
For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can use to make the quest easier. If you have the Master Cycle Zero from the Champions' Ballad DLC, you can use it to quickly travel to the Gerudo Highlands and locate the stalhorse. Additionally, using stealth-enhancing gear or elixirs can make it easier to approach and mount the stalhorse without being detected. If you are low on hearty durians, consider farming them in the Faron region or purchasing them from merchants in Gerudo Town.
In summary, the "Crowned Beast" shrine quest requires careful interpretation of the riddle, patience in locating and mounting a stalhorse, and preparation with a hearty durian. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can successfully uncover the Sho Dantu Shrine and complete the quest. This quest is a great example of the game's emphasis on exploration and creative problem-solving, rewarding players who take the time to fully engage with its world and mechanics.