The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild features numerous intricate shrine quests that challenge players to decipher cryptic riddle clues throughout Hyrule. Among these, the Under a Red Moon quest stands out as one of the most memorable timing-based puzzles in the entire game. Understanding how to locate the quest giver, interpret the riddle, and align with Hyrule's natural mechanics is essential for unlocking the hidden shrine.
Understanding the Meaning Behind the Ancient Song
When players encounter the Rito bard Kass at Washa's Bluff, he plays an ancient verse detailing a specific ritual. The song instructs Link to stand bare on a pedestal when the moon bleeds and monsters are reborn. This riddle directly references the periodic Blood Moon event that revives defeated enemies across Hyrule.
The requirement to stand bare simply means Link must remove all armor, weapons, and equipment before stepping onto the pedestal. The pedestal will only activate and glow orange when the Blood Moon rises on that specific night. Fulfilling these precise environmental conditions reveals the hidden Mijah Rokee Shrine beneath the ground.
Finding Washa's Bluff and the Pedestal Location
To begin this quest, travel to the Ridgeland region located south of the Ridgeland Tower. Washa's Bluff is easily identifiable by its large tree-like mushroom structures scattered across the landscape. Kass perches atop one of these massive structures, playing his accordion to guide nearby travelers.
Directly beneath Kass's roosting spot lies the ancient orange pedestal embedded in the grass. Players can set up a campfire nearby or place a Travel Medallion on the pedestal to prepare for the event. Identifying this location early allows you to return instantly whenever a Blood Moon appears in the night sky.
Step-by-Step Guide to Complete the Quest
As evening approaches, keep a close watch on the horizon starting around 9:00 PM for the distinctive red sky. Once you notice the Blood Moon rising, quickly make your way to the pedestal at Washa's Bluff. Remove all equipped armor from Link's inventory screen so that he is completely unarmored.
Step onto the center of the pedestal while stripped of gear before midnight arrives. If done correctly, the pedestal turns glowing blue, triggering a cutscene that raises the shrine from the earth. Inside, players face a Modest Test of Strength trial against a Guardian Scout to earn their Spirit Orb reward.
Pro Tips for Managing Blood Moon Timings
Blood Moons in Breath of the Wild occur after roughly three hours of active real-time gameplay. If you see a Blood Moon rising while far away, you can enter any shrine or dungeon to delay the event until the next night. Alternatively, speak with the NPC Hino at Dueling Peaks Stable to check the upcoming moon phase.
Placing a Travel Medallion directly on the pedestal makes returning to the location instant and stress-free. Active gameplay like defeating monsters and exploring Hyrule helps advance the game's internal timer naturally. Once completed, you can permanently access the shrine as a convenient fast-travel point in Hyrule Ridge.
