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 hidden Dagah Keek Shrine. To complete this quest, you will need to interact with the Zora people, follow a series of clues, and perform a specific action at the correct location. Here is a detailed guide to help you solve this quest.

First, you need to speak with the Zora named Laruta, who is located near the throne room in Zora's Domain. She will tell you about a ceremonial song that the Zora sing to honor their fallen hero, Mipha. The song contains a clue about the location of a hidden shrine. The lyrics of the song mention a "blue light" and a "ceremonial trident," which are key to solving the quest. The blue light refers to the glowing pedestal near the throne, and the ceremonial trident is a weapon that can be found in the area.

To proceed, you need to obtain the ceremonial trident. This weapon can be found in the water near the Zora's Domain. Look for a glowing spot in the water, and use the Magnesis rune to pull the trident out. Be careful, as the trident is fragile and can break easily. If it breaks, you can find another one in the same location or repair it by speaking with Dento, the Zora blacksmith, who can craft a new one for you using Zora Spears and a diamond.

Once you have the ceremonial trident, you need to return to the glowing pedestal near the throne. Stand on the pedestal and hold the ceremonial trident. You will notice that the pedestal has a symbol that matches the trident. This is your clue that you need to perform a specific action here. To activate the shrine, you need to perform a downward thrust attack with the ceremonial trident while standing on the pedestal. This action will cause the shrine to appear.

The Dagah Keek Shrine will then rise from the water nearby. Enter the shrine to complete the quest and receive your Spirit Orb. Inside the shrine, you will face a simple puzzle involving moving platforms and switches. Use your Magnesis rune to manipulate the metal platforms and reach the end of the shrine. The shrine's treasure chest contains a Zora Spear, which can be useful if you need to repair the ceremonial trident later.

There are a few important tips to keep in mind while completing this quest. First, make sure to save your game before attempting to perform the downward thrust attack on the pedestal. If you miss or the trident breaks, you can reload your save and try again without losing the trident. Second, be mindful of the trident's durability. It is a fragile weapon, so avoid using it in combat or for other purposes. Third, if you are having trouble performing the downward thrust attack, try jumping off a nearby ledge and pressing the attack button while in mid-air to execute the move more easily.

Common mistakes to avoid include breaking the ceremonial trident before completing the quest, missing the downward thrust attack, or not standing on the pedestal correctly. If you break the trident, you will need to find another one or repair it, which can be time-consuming. Missing the attack or not standing on the pedestal will prevent the shrine from appearing, so make sure to position yourself correctly and execute the move accurately.

Advanced techniques or optimizations include using the Zora Armor set to swim faster and reach the trident more quickly. The Zora Armor can be obtained by completing the "Divine Beast Vah Ruta" main quest and speaking with King Dorephan. Additionally, if you have the Master Sword, you can use it to perform the downward thrust attack instead of the ceremonial trident, as it is more durable and will not break.

Alternative approaches to this quest include using other weapons to perform the downward thrust attack, such as the Lightscale Trident, which is a stronger version of the ceremonial trident. However, this requires completing the "Divine Beast Vah Ruta" quest and obtaining the Lightscale Trident from Dento. Another alternative is to use the Stasis rune to freeze the pedestal and then perform the attack, though this is not necessary and may complicate the process.

In summary, the "The Ceremonial Song" shrine quest involves obtaining the ceremonial trident, performing a downward thrust attack on the glowing pedestal near the throne, and solving the puzzle inside the Dagah Keek Shrine. By following these steps and keeping the tips and considerations in mind, you can successfully complete this quest and uncover the hidden shrine.