Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Entry 2: A Home in Hateno
As I continue my journey, I pass a shrine and a tower similar to those on the Great Plateau, but I do not linger. Eventually, I arrive at Dueling Peaks Stable, where I hear that Hateno Village was largely untouched by the Calamity. Seizing an opportunity for easier travel, I tame a horse—Samwise—and ride eastward, hoping to find refuge in Hateno Village, far from the burden of prophecy. Maybe there, I can escape the legend of a warrior I do not remember being. Maybe I can find a place to rest that isn't just a campfire beneath the stars.
Upon arriving in Hateno Village, I sell what few treasures I gathered from the Great Plateau and indulge in the luxury of a soft bed at Ton Pu Inn. I speak with villagers and travelers passing through, embracing the peace, prosperity, and hospitality of this place. For the first time since awakening, I feel a sense of belonging. This is a place I could call home.
By some stroke of luck, I learn that Bolson Construction is set to demolish a vacant house. After some negotiation, I convince them to sell it to me instead. As a good faith down payment, they accept wood to halt the demolition while I work toward gathering 3,000 rupees to make the home my own.
I begin to realize the lucrative potential of my Sheikah Slate. With access to shrines, I can collect and sell ancient treasures and artifacts, earning enough rupees to sustain a quiet, simple life. As I search for shrines, I can also hunt, gather, and mine ore to sell to merchants. However, I must be cautious—travelers I’ve encountered are intrigued by the sudden rise of towers and the glow of shrines, and I fear that revealing my Slate too openly might draw unwanted attention. The Hateno Village Tech Lab, rumored to be run by the Sheikah, is of particular concern. If they discover my Slate, they may seek answers I am not ready to give.
I spend a few days in Hateno Village to rest, gather supplies, and make plans. Before setting out for Dueling Peaks, I purchase practical traveler’s clothing—not only for protection against the elements but also to help conceal my identity and the Slate. My strategy is simple:
- Activate Sheikah Towers to extract maps.
- Spot shrines from high vantage points.
- Stick to roads and stables to avoid unnecessary fights.
- Keep to myself, speaking only to travelers for information and trade.
- Avoid towns to escape stories of the Calamity and the legendary warrior I want no part of.
After completing six shrines, my efforts pay off. Thanks to valuable gems and successful hunting around Dueling Peaks, I finally gather the 3,000 rupees needed to purchase my house in Hateno Village. I return to Bolson Construction to seal the deal—plus a little extra for home improvements like a door and a bed.
After a brief stay in Hateno, I resume my shrine quest, having spent nearly all my earnings on the house. With leads on shrines spotted from Dueling Peaks Mountain and Hateno Tower, I set out once more, determined to build my strength, wealth, and independence.
