Secret of the Ring Ruins

After the events at Hyrule Castle, Purah sends you to look for clues about the fifth sage. In Kakariko Village, Paya and Tauro can finally investigate the floating Ring Ruin. Their discovery leads from a Zonai inscription in Faron to the storm-covered Thunderhead Isles and the Zonai mask on Dragonhead Island.

Before you begin

This quest follows Find the Fifth Sage and requires the Camera function from Camera Work in the Depths. If you have just returned from Hyrule Castle, speak with Purah at Lookout Landing first to start the search for the fifth sage. Then go to Kakariko Village and speak with Paya and Tauro near the floating Ring Ruin.

You will need the full Charged armor set, a Zonai Charge, and at least 10 heart containers to finish the quest. Bring a weapon that can break rocks and one that can cut vines.

Walkthrough

Photograph the tablet in the Ring Ruin

Paya and Tauro are beneath the Ring Ruin at the north end of Kakariko Village. Once they let you investigate, climb the scaffolding and ladders built beside it. At the top, stand beneath the floating ring and use Ascend to pass through its floor.

Inside, take a picture of the Zonai stone tablet with the Purah Pad Camera. Use Ascend to leave, then show the photograph to Tauro and Paya. The inscription points the team toward the Zonai Ruins in Faron. Calip will meet you at Popla Foothills Skyview Tower.

Meet Calip at Popla Foothills Skyview Tower

Travel to Popla Foothills Skyview Tower and speak with Calip by the campfire. If he is asleep, rest until daytime. He says Tauro has gone ahead to the Zonai Ruins near Dracozu Lake.

If the tower is not active, its repair worker is trapped in the cave below. Drop through the well beside the tower, then find the cave entrance along the cliff and help him get out. The tower can then launch you toward Faron.

Find Tauro and read the riddle

Head southeast to the Zonai Ruins along Dracozu River. The entrance is near the northeast end of Dracozu Lake, around 0968, -2531, 0008. Read Tauro’s note by the camp, then enter the nearby ruins and speak with him.

The mural gives this riddle: “Wear the electric garb hidden at long-necked dragons along the wide-mouthed forest serpent. Offer a Zonai charge to the altar at the tail.” The “forest serpent” is Dracozu River. Follow its course south to find the three pieces of Charged armor and the altar.

Collect the Charged armor

Charged Shirt: Open the chest in the room with Tauro, around 1002, -2539, 0013.

Charged Trousers: Follow the river south to a cave entrance blocked by rocks, around 0986, -2689, 0007. Break through with a hammer, Yunobo, or an explosive, then open the chest inside.

Charged Headdress: Continue farther south to the next cave, around 0970, -2803, 0007. Cut the vines covering its entrance with a bladed weapon and take the headdress from the chest. Equip all three pieces; wearing only part of the set will not satisfy the riddle at the altar.

Offer a Zonai Charge at the altar

Keep following Dracozu River toward its southern end and enter the cave near 0707, -2757, 0010, west of Damel Forest. Equip the full Charged set, then place a Zonai Charge on the altar. To place it directly, hold a charge from your inventory and drop it in front of the altar.

The lightning rods on the nearby dragon pillars will activate, and the storm over the sky islands will clear. Calip appears back at Popla Foothills Skyview Tower. Return and speak with him before setting out for the islands.

Cross the Thunderhead Isles

Launch from Popla Foothills Skyview Tower and glide southeast toward the newly visible Thunderhead Isles. Tulin’s gust helps cover the distance. Keep metal weapons, bows and shields unequipped while crossing the islands so lightning does not target you.

Move from island to island using Ascend to get above tall structures, then glide to the next landing. When you reach the lower island shaped like a dragon’s head, head for the green glow near its eye and activate Joku-u Shrine. The shrine is a useful fast-travel point if you need to leave and return.

Open the door and take the mask

Just north of the shrine, cut through the vines and open the large stone door. The door requires 10 heart containers. It temporarily drains hearts as it opens, so heal beforehand if your current health is low.

Inside, examine the Zonai mask. It sends a beam of light down to Hyrule and starts Guidance from Ages Past. That completes Secret of the Ring Ruins.

Dragonhead Island door

The large stone door at the end costs 10 hearts of health to open, so arrive with at least 10 full hearts. If you are short, restore health with meals, rest at a bed, or trade Lights of Blessing for heart containers at an Angel Statue before you go. Storms are constant over the Thunderhead Isles; unequip metal weapons, bows and shields while you cross, and bring extra stamina food for the long glide. Where rails run, a board-and-Fan minecart helps, and the yellow egg-shaped lightning rods power launch pads when struck.

Tips

• Paya and Tauro still refuse to let you in: Continue the main story through the Hyrule Castle events, start Find the Fifth Sage with Purah, and make sure Camera Work in the Depths is complete.
• You cannot photograph the tablet: Equip the Purah Pad Camera from the ability wheel and take the picture while inside the floating ring.
• The armor caves are hard to spot: Follow Dracozu River south and check the coordinates above. One opening is blocked by rocks; another is covered in vines.
• The altar does nothing: Make sure all three Charged armor pieces are equipped and place a Zonai Charge on the altar itself.
• The door on Dragonhead Island will not open: You need 10 heart containers. Temporary bonus hearts do not count toward the requirement.