Where is the starting point for 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 leads to the discovery of the hidden Bareeda Naag Shrine. This quest is tied to the Rito Village and involves deciphering a song that contains clues to the shrine's location. To begin this quest, you must first travel to Rito Village, which is located in the Tabantha region, northwest of Hyrule Castle. The village is perched on a large rock formation and is home to the bird-like Rito people. Once you arrive, you will need to speak with a Rito named Kass, who is a wandering bard and a key character in many shrine quests.

Kass can usually be found near the entrance of Rito Village, playing his accordion. When you approach him, he will sing a song that contains cryptic lyrics about the shrine's location. The song mentions a "pillar in the sky" and a "sword of darkness." These lyrics are the key to solving the quest. The "pillar in the sky" refers to the large rock spire located just east of Rito Village, known as Warbler's Nest. The "sword of darkness" is a reference to the shadow cast by this spire at a specific time of day.

To proceed, you will need to climb to the top of Warbler's Nest. This can be done by using your climbing gear or by finding a path that allows you to ascend more easily. Once at the top, you will notice a small pedestal with a glowing spot. This is where you need to stand to activate the shrine. However, the shrine will only appear if you stand on the pedestal at the exact moment when the shadow of the spire aligns with the glowing spot. This occurs during the late afternoon, around 5:00 PM in-game time.

To ensure you are at the right spot at the right time, you can use the in-game clock to track the time of day. It is recommended to arrive at the top of Warbler's Nest a little before 5:00 PM to give yourself enough time to position Link correctly. Once the shadow aligns with the glowing spot, the Bareeda Naag Shrine will emerge from the ground, and you can enter it to complete the quest.

One common mistake players make is not paying close attention to the time of day. If you arrive too early or too late, the shrine will not appear, and you will need to wait until the next day to try again. Another mistake is not climbing to the very top of Warbler's Nest, as the pedestal is located at the highest point. Make sure you have enough stamina to complete the climb, or consider using stamina-boosting food or elixirs to help you reach the top.

Advanced techniques for this quest include using the Paraglider to reach the top of Warbler's Nest more quickly. If you have the Revali's Gale ability from the Vah Medoh Divine Beast, you can use it to create an updraft and glide directly to the top, saving time and stamina. Additionally, if you have the Sheikah Sensor+ upgrade from the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, you can set it to detect shrines, which will help you confirm when the Bareeda Naag Shrine has appeared.

Preparation for this quest is relatively straightforward. You will need a good amount of stamina for climbing, so consider cooking meals that restore or increase your stamina. Ingredients like Endura Carrots, Stamella Shrooms, or Staminoka Bass can be used to create stamina-boosting dishes. It is also a good idea to have a few weapons and shields on hand, as you may encounter enemies on your way to Warbler's Nest.

An alternative approach to this quest involves using the environment to your advantage. If you have the ability to create ice blocks with Cryonis, you can use them to create stepping stones to reach higher areas more easily. Additionally, if you have the Zora Armor set, you can swim up waterfalls to reach higher ground, although this is less relevant for this specific quest.

In summary, the "The Ancient Rito Song" shrine quest is a test of observation and timing. By carefully listening to Kass's song, paying attention to the time of day, and positioning yourself correctly on Warbler's Nest, you can uncover the hidden Bareeda Naag Shrine. With proper preparation and a bit of patience, this quest can be completed efficiently, allowing you to continue your adventure in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.