How do I unlock the "The Silent Swordswomen" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

To unlock "The Silent Swordswomen" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you need to travel to Kakariko Village, a central location in the game where many important quests and characters are found. This shrine quest is tied to the story of the Sheikah tribe and involves solving a riddle to reveal a hidden shrine. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to complete this quest, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.

First, you need to reach Kakariko Village, which is located in the eastern part of the map, near the Dueling Peaks. If you havenÔÇÖt visited this village yet, itÔÇÖs recommended to follow the main questline, as it will naturally guide you there. Once in Kakariko Village, head to the house of Impa, the village elder. Impa will give you the main quest to defeat the Divine Beasts, but she will also provide you with the "The Silent Swordswomen" shrine quest. This quest is triggered by speaking to Paya, ImpaÔÇÖs granddaughter, who is found inside ImpaÔÇÖs house. Paya will tell you about a riddle that has been passed down in her family, which hints at the location of a hidden shrine.

The riddle goes like this: "The pride of the village, the shadow of the goddess, stands tall and silent. When the sun sets, the shadow points to the shrine." This riddle is the key to finding the hidden shrine. The "pride of the village" refers to the large statue of the goddess Hylia located in the center of Kakariko Village. The "shadow of the goddess" is the shadow cast by this statue. The riddle suggests that when the sun sets, the shadow of the statue will point to the location of the shrine.

To solve this riddle, you need to wait until sunset, which occurs in-game around 6:00 PM. Stand near the statue of the goddess Hylia and observe the shadow it casts. As the sun sets, the shadow will grow longer and point in a specific direction. Follow the shadow to its tip, which will lead you to a small pond located to the northwest of the statue. This pond is the key to unlocking the shrine.

Once you reach the pond, youÔÇÖll notice a small platform in the center with a Sheikah emblem on it. To activate the shrine, you need to place an offering on this platform. The offering required is a Silent Shroom, a type of mushroom that can be found in the surrounding area. Silent Shrooms are commonly found in the forests around Kakariko Village, particularly in the nearby woods and on the cliffs. If you donÔÇÖt have any Silent Shrooms, you can gather them by exploring the area or purchasing them from the village shop.

After placing the Silent Shroom on the platform, the shrine will rise from the ground, revealing the hidden shrine known as "Tahno OÔÇÖah Shrine." This shrine is a blessing shrine, meaning there are no puzzles or enemies inside. Simply enter the shrine and interact with the altar to receive your Spirit Orb.

Some important tips and considerations for this quest include ensuring you have a Silent Shroom before attempting to solve the riddle. If you donÔÇÖt have one, you may need to spend time gathering resources, which can slow down your progress. Additionally, make sure to wait until sunset to observe the shadow of the statue accurately. If you arrive too early or too late, the shadow may not point in the correct direction, making it harder to find the shrine.

A common mistake players make is misinterpreting the riddle or not waiting for the correct time of day. The shadow of the statue only points to the shrine at sunset, so arriving at any other time will not yield the desired result. Another mistake is not having a Silent Shroom ready, which can delay the activation of the shrine.

For advanced players, you can optimize this quest by preparing in advance. Gather Silent Shrooms during your exploration of Kakariko Village and its surroundings, so you have them ready when you decide to tackle the quest. Additionally, you can use the in-game time-skip feature by sitting at a campfire to fast-forward to sunset, saving you time if you arrive during the day.

An alternative approach to this quest is to use the Sheikah Sensor+ if you have upgraded it at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. The sensor can detect shrines, making it easier to locate the hidden shrine without relying solely on the riddle. However, this method requires you to have completed the necessary upgrades, which may not be available early in the game.

In summary, "The Silent Swordswomen" shrine quest is a straightforward but rewarding challenge that involves solving a riddle and making an offering to reveal a hidden shrine. By following the shadow of the goddess statue at sunset and placing a Silent Shroom on the platform, you can unlock the Tahno OÔÇÖah Shrine and claim your Spirit Orb. Preparation, timing, and attention to detail are key to successfully completing this quest.