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 musical puzzle to reveal a hidden shrine. This quest is located in the Zora's Domain region and is tied to the story of the Zora people. To complete this quest, you will need to interact with the environment, follow clues, and use specific items. Here is a detailed guide to help you solve this quest.

First, you need to start the quest by speaking to Laruta, a young Zora girl found near the throne room in Zora's Domain. She will tell you about a song that the Zora children sing, which is said to reveal a hidden shrine. The song mentions a "blue light" and a "ceremonial trident." This is your first clue. The blue light refers to the glowing pedestal near the throne, and the ceremonial trident is a weapon you will need to interact with the pedestal.

To proceed, you must obtain the Ceremonial Trident. This weapon is not given to you directly, so you will need to find it. The Ceremonial Trident can be found in the water near the Zora's Domain. Look for a small island with a treasure chest in the water just east of the domain. The chest contains the Ceremonial Trident. If you lose or break the trident, you can retrieve it again from the same location or have it reforged by Dento, the Zora blacksmith, for a fee of one Zora Spear and five pieces of Flint.

Once you have the Ceremonial Trident, return to Zora's Domain and head to the glowing pedestal near the throne. This pedestal is part of the puzzle. You need to perform a specific action with the trident to reveal the shrine. The song mentions "striking the blue light," which means you must use the trident to hit the pedestal. Equip the Ceremonial Trident and perform a charged spin attack near the pedestal. This will cause the pedestal to react and reveal the hidden shrine, Dagah Keek Shrine, in the water below.

It is important to note that the Ceremonial Trident is not a particularly strong weapon, so avoid using it in combat to prevent it from breaking. If it does break, you can always retrieve it again or have it reforged, but this can be time-consuming. Additionally, make sure you have enough stamina to perform the charged spin attack, as this is crucial for activating the pedestal.

A common mistake players make is using the wrong weapon or not performing the correct action with the trident. The pedestal will only react to the Ceremonial Trident, so using any other weapon will not work. Another mistake is not having enough stamina to perform the charged spin attack. If you are low on stamina, consider cooking meals that restore or increase your stamina before attempting the quest.

For advanced players, you can optimize this quest by preparing in advance. Make sure you have the Ceremonial Trident and enough stamina before starting the quest. You can also use the Zora Armor set, which allows you to swim up waterfalls, to quickly navigate the area around Zora's Domain. This can save time and make the quest more efficient.

An alternative approach to this quest is to use the Lightscale Trident, which is a stronger version of the Ceremonial Trident. The Lightscale Trident can also activate the pedestal, but it is more durable and can be used in combat if needed. However, obtaining the Lightscale Trident requires completing the main quest "Divine Beast Vah Ruta," so this approach is only viable if you have already progressed further in the game.

In summary, the "The Ceremonial Song" shrine quest involves obtaining the Ceremonial Trident, using it to perform a charged spin attack near the glowing pedestal in Zora's Domain, and revealing the hidden Dagah Keek Shrine. Make sure to avoid using the trident in combat, have enough stamina for the spin attack, and consider using the Zora Armor set for easier navigation. By following these steps and tips, you can successfully complete this quest and uncover the hidden shrine.