How do I solve the "The Ceremonial Song" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The "The Ceremonial Song" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the more intricate shrine quests in the game, requiring players to solve a puzzle involving music and environmental clues. This quest is located in the Zora's Domain region and is tied to the discovery of the Dagah Keek Shrine. Here is a detailed guide on how to complete this quest, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.

To begin the quest, you must first speak to Laflat, a Zora who can be found near the throne room in Zora's Domain. She will tell you about a ceremonial song that is used to reveal a hidden shrine. The song mentions a "blue light" and a "stone monument," which are key to solving the puzzle. The quest revolves around interpreting the lyrics of the song and using them to locate the shrine.

The first step is to find the stone monument mentioned in the song. This monument is located on a small island in the middle of Ruto Lake, just southeast of Zora's Domain. To reach the island, you can either swim or use Cryonis to create ice pillars and cross the water. Once you arrive at the island, you will see a stone monument with Zora writing on it. Reading the monument will provide you with the lyrics of the ceremonial song, which are essential for solving the puzzle.

The song mentions a "blue light" that shines from the east when the sun sets. This is a clue that you need to wait until sunset and look for a blue light coming from the east. The blue light refers to the glowing pedestal that is part of the shrine puzzle. The pedestal is located on a small platform near the waterfall east of Zora's Domain. To reach it, you can either climb the cliffs or use the nearby Zora armor to swim up the waterfall.

Once you are at the pedestal, you need to wait until sunset. As the sun sets, the pedestal will begin to glow with a blue light. This is your cue to place a luminous stone on the pedestal. Luminous stones are a type of mineral that can be found throughout the game, often in caves or near bodies of water. If you do not have a luminous stone, you can find some in the nearby area or purchase one from a merchant in Zora's Domain.

Placing the luminous stone on the pedestal will trigger the appearance of the Dagah Keek Shrine. The shrine will rise from the ground, and you can now enter it to complete the challenge inside. The shrine itself contains a relatively simple puzzle involving moving platforms and switches, but the real challenge of this quest lies in interpreting the song and finding the correct location.

One common mistake players make is not waiting until sunset to see the blue light. The pedestal will only glow at this specific time, so it is important to be patient and wait for the right moment. Another mistake is not having a luminous stone ready. Make sure to gather one before attempting to complete the quest, as it is required to activate the pedestal.

For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can make to speed up the process. If you have the Sheikah Sensor upgraded to detect shrines, you can use it to locate the pedestal more easily. Additionally, if you have the Zora armor, you can quickly swim up the waterfall to reach the pedestal without having to climb the cliffs.

In terms of alternative approaches, some players have found that using a campfire to pass the time until sunset can be more efficient than waiting in real time. Simply place a campfire near the pedestal and sit by it until the sun sets. This can save you a lot of time, especially if you arrive at the location early in the day.

Overall, "The Ceremonial Song" shrine quest is a great example of the environmental storytelling and puzzle-solving that Breath of the Wild is known for. By carefully interpreting the clues and being prepared with the necessary items, you can successfully complete the quest and uncover the hidden shrine.