Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Entry 6: Goron City
As I journey to the Hebra mountains, I decide to confront the Hinox on the Digdogg Suspension Bridge. After a hard-fought battle, I defeat the beast, and in the process, discover a hidden shrine tucked beneath the bridge. Motivated by the thrill of discovery, I decide to detour to Satori Mountain—a location frequently mentioned by travelers and stable workers alike. Upon reaching its peak, I immediately understand the fascination. The mountain radiates an otherworldly, magical aura, rich with unique ingredients and rare flora. I also stumble upon another shrine nestled within its enchanted landscape.
Upon arriving in Rito Village, I purchase Snowquill winter gear to prepare for the harsh conditions in Hebra. Feeling ready, I head back to visit Kaysa, the Great Fairy, to upgrade some of my equipment before venturing deeper into the wild.
Rather than retracing my steps on the road back to Rito Village, I opt for an off-road route, cutting through Nero Hill toward Strock Lake to see what I might uncover. The decision proves fruitful—I find hidden treasures and defeat another Hinox, using its materials to craft profitable elixirs that fetch a good price in the village. After selling what I can, restocking supplies, and indulging in a well-earned splurge on a down bed at the inn, I prepare to tackle the Hebra Mountains at dawn.
The snow-covered peaks and vast, icy fields of Hebra are breathtaking. However, I’m grateful I heeded the warnings from the trail lodge journal: “Never let your guard down in these mountains—they WILL kill you.” Between the treacherous weather, unforgiving terrain, and relentless monsters, survival requires constant vigilance. Thankfully, my preparation pays off. Armed with the right gear and weapons, my expedition is both productive and rewarding. I uncover several shrines and hunt down plenty of ice keese and ice lizalfos, securing the materials I need.
This journey through the frozen wilderness makes me appreciate the simple comforts of a warm fire and a stable bed more than ever. As I descend from the mountains, I realize I can’t even recall how long it’s been since I last set foot in my home in Hateno Village. There’s no better time than now to return—to rest, reflect, and prepare for whatever lies ahead.
During my time in Hateno Village, I take a slower pace, helping clear monsters from the surrounding roads, buying and selling supplies, and leisurely exploring the area to gather materials. During my wanderings, I stumble upon a shrine guarded by three Hinox brothers. After an intense battle, I manage to defeat them all, securing valuable loot. Not long after, I also come across and defeat a Stone Talus.
These encounters spark an idea for my next venture. The rare materials I’ve been collecting from these powerful monsters—Hinox parts and precious gems from Stone Taluses—hold significant value. My growing confidence in combat, combined with my fairy-enhanced gear, has reached a point where I can reliably take down these formidable foes. I also suspect that the gems from Stone Taluses would be of particular interest to the Gorons, given their affinity for mining and minerals.
With this new business opportunity in mind, I set out for Eldin. I bring Samwise along and venture north, taking my time to stop at stables and clear monster camps for valuable materials. Rather than following the main road, I choose a less-traveled back trail leading into Eldin. The path is rough—crawling with Lizalfos and Moblins—but it rewards me with access to a shrine I had previously spotted from afar. Thanks to my flame-resistant gear, I can finally get close enough to the magma pools to reach it.
After conquering the shrine, I reconnect with the main road that leads to Goron City. The journey is treacherous, with periodic magma bombs raining down from the nearby volcano, forcing me to seek cover whenever necessary. When I finally reach the city, I discover that the Gorons are dealing with their own crisis: a Divine Beast, resembling a massive lizard, is climbing around the volcano, causing chaos. Its presence has forced the Gorons to abandon some of their richest ore mines near the crater, severely impacting their mining business.
To prepare for the harsh conditions, I purchase a full set of flame-resistant armor to withstand the extreme heat. Afterward, I treat myself to a massage and a good night's rest at the local inn. The next day, I speak with more of the locals. One Goron tells me that hunting Igneo Taluses is not only lucrative but also earns great respect among the Gorons. Another Goron mentions his missing brother, who disappeared while searching for the so-called “Secret of the Hero.” Based on my past experiences, that sounds like a promising shrine lead.
I soon discover a shrine just above the city, which fuels my motivation to keep exploring. Following the missing brother’s trail, I find him collapsed from exhaustion inside Gorko Tunnel. I rush back to his brother, who prepares a rock roast, Goron-style, which I deliver to the weakened Goron. With his strength restored, he digs through a blocked passage inside the tunnel, uncovering—just as I suspected—a hidden shrine.
I spend a fair amount of time near the volcano, hunting for shrines, tracking down Igneo Taluses, and mining rich veins of ore. After defeating an Igneo Talus near Lake Darman, I discover a path that leads down the north side of the volcano. Peering over the cliffs, I spot a shrine perched atop a tall, pillar-like stone column. Seeing this as an opportunity to finally get out of my Flamebreaker gear, I begin my descent toward the shrine, eager to see what challenges—and treasures—await.
When I arrive, I find three Goron brothers engaged in endurance training. They’ve constructed a challenging climbing course up the towering rock pillar, and they won’t grant me access to the shrine unless I complete their trial. Thanks to the countless Spirit Orbs I’ve received, I scale the course with ease. Impressed by my performance, the brothers enthusiastically welcome me as an honorary Goron brother!
After completing the shrine, I realize I’m near Akkala, close to Skull Lake, so I decide to visit Tarrey Town to sell off some ore and rest. On the way to East Akkala Stable, I defeat two Hinox. Upon reaching the stable, I do some business with a fellow merchant, selling elixirs and dishes, then retrieve Samwise and ride to Tarrey Town. There, I sell my ore to Pelison, check in with Hudson, and take a well-deserved day of rest.
Feeling refreshed, I set out to explore Ulria Grotto and a chain of islands off the eastern coast. The journey proves treacherous, with long, narrow wooden bridges suspended over dizzying drops—some even patrolled by Guardian Skywatchers! Despite the dangers, the breathtaking views make the risk worthwhile. Ulria Grotto is equally stunning, with a deep canyon lake and powerful updrafts that allow me to glide effortlessly with my paraglider. During this adventure, I uncover two shrines before returning to Tarrey Town, drenched from the nearly constant rain. I sell my gathered materials, purchase all of Fyson’s arrows, and prepare to head back toward Hateno.On my return journey, I continue hunting Hinox and Stone Taluses, as well as seeking out more shrines. My merchant business is thriving—I consistently earn more rupees than I invest, and my wealth continues to grow. I spend some time at Woodland Stable, contemplating an expedition into the Great Hyrule Forest. However, something about the place unsettles me. A stable dweller’s ominous warning reinforces my hesitation, so I decide to postpone the search for the legendary sword rumored to be hidden there.
Instead, I head toward Wetland Stable, where I discover a shrine nestled in the Crenel Hills and track down a Hinox lurking in the Applean Forest. My journey continues to be filled with challenges, discoveries, and the ever-growing realization that Hyrule holds far more secrets than I could’ve ever imagined.
Once again, I decided to take the shortcut through Kakariko Village to reach Hateno more quickly. As I entered the village in the late evening, my mind drifted to what the tech lab scientist had told me about needing Impa’s permission to light their furnace. That thought sparked a flood of questions I’d been carrying: my forgotten past, the Shrine of Resurrection, the mysterious voice I’d heard, King Rhoam’s cryptic words, the Divine Beasts, and how I came to possess the Sheikah Slate. The weight of these mysteries pushed me to make a decision—I’d try to speak with Impa. Exhausted from my travels, I checked into the inn to rest before seeking her out.
