How do I start the "The Hero's Cache" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The "The Hero's Cache" shrine quest in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the many shrine quests that players can undertake to discover hidden shrines. This quest is located in the Hebra region, specifically in the Hebra Mountains. The quest involves solving a riddle to uncover the hidden shrine, known as the Monya Toma Shrine. Here is a detailed guide on how to start and complete this quest.

To begin the quest, you need to find the NPC named Kass, a Rito bard who is often found playing his accordion near shrines or other points of interest. For "The Hero's Cache," Kass is located in the Hebra Mountains, near the Tabantha Tower. You can find him standing on a small platform overlooking a large, frozen lake. When you approach him, he will sing a riddle that provides clues about the location of the hidden shrine. The riddle goes like this: "The hero's cache holds treasure rare, but only when the cold winds blow. Stand where the light shines bright at night, and the treasure will show."

The key to solving this riddle is understanding the clues provided. The "cold winds blow" part suggests that the shrine is related to the cold environment of the Hebra Mountains. The "light shines bright at night" part indicates that you need to look for a light source that is visible during the night. The "hero's cache" refers to the hidden shrine itself.

To find the shrine, you need to head to the location where the light shines bright at night. This is a specific spot on the frozen lake where a beam of light appears during the night. The light is created by a pedestal that is part of the shrine's activation mechanism. You need to stand on this pedestal at night to reveal the shrine.

Here are the step-by-step instructions to complete the quest. First, make sure you have appropriate cold-resistant gear or food to survive the freezing temperatures of the Hebra Mountains. The Rito Village sells the Snowquill Set, which provides cold resistance, or you can cook dishes with ingredients like Spicy Peppers or Sunshrooms to gain temporary cold resistance.

Next, head to the location of the frozen lake near Kass. Wait until nightfall, as the light will only appear during the night. Once it is night, look for the beam of light shining on the ice. The light is quite bright and should be easy to spot. Stand on the pedestal where the light is shining, and the shrine will emerge from the ice.

Once the shrine is revealed, you can enter it and complete the shrine's challenge. The Monya Toma Shrine is a minor test of strength, so be prepared for combat. You will face a Guardian Scout III, which is a moderately strong enemy. Make sure you have good weapons, shields, and armor to handle the fight. After defeating the Guardian Scout, you will receive a Spirit Orb and a treasure chest containing a weapon or other valuable item.

Some important tips and considerations for this quest include making sure you have enough cold resistance to survive the Hebra Mountains. If you do not have the proper gear, you can use food or elixirs to temporarily gain cold resistance. Additionally, it is a good idea to save your game before attempting the shrine quest, in case you need to retry the combat or if you make a mistake.

Common mistakes to avoid include not waiting until nightfall to see the light, as the shrine will not appear during the day. Another mistake is not having enough cold resistance, which can lead to losing health quickly in the freezing environment. Make sure to prepare adequately before heading to the Hebra Mountains.

Advanced techniques or optimizations for this quest include using the Sheikah Sensor to detect the shrine once it is revealed. This can help you locate the shrine more easily if you have trouble finding the light. Additionally, you can use the Paraglider to quickly traverse the frozen lake and reach the pedestal.

Required items and preparation for this quest include cold-resistant gear or food, weapons and shields for the shrine's combat challenge, and possibly some healing items in case you take damage during the fight. It is also helpful to have a good supply of arrows and a bow, as the Guardian Scout can be tough to defeat with melee weapons alone.

Alternative approaches to this quest include using the Stasis rune to freeze the Guardian Scout and deal extra damage, or using bombs to create distance and deal damage from afar. You can also use the environment to your advantage by hiding behind pillars or other obstacles to avoid the Guardian Scout's attacks.

In conclusion, "The Hero's Cache" shrine quest is a fun and challenging quest that requires careful preparation and attention to detail. By following the clues provided by Kass and using the right strategies, you can successfully uncover the hidden shrine and claim your reward. Make sure to prepare adequately, avoid common mistakes, and use advanced techniques to optimize your chances of success.