Great Plateau

The Great Plateau is the starting region in.

Features and Overview
The Great Plateau is a large region of land that is secluded from other parts of Hyrule, as its steep slopes prevent anyone from traveling to and from it without special equipment, such as the Paraglider. The only active inhabitant is the Old Man, a mysterious elderly fellow with a deep knowledge of the Sheikah.

According to the Old Man, the Great Plateau is the location where the Kingdom of Hyrule was founded. As such, it is a sacred place where no monsters are meant to roam. However, due to the Calamity Ganon's growing influence, it has been corrupted.

Eastern Abbey
The Eastern Abbey is a ruin surrounding Ja Baij Shrine on the eastern edge of the Great Plateau. The Eastern Abbey contains several broken down Guardians, two of which are still active and will come alive to attack Link if he comes within range of them. The formal entryway to the Ja Baij Shrine is blocked by a bombable wall, which can be broken after retrieving the Remote Bomb Rune inside the Shrine.

Forest of Spirits
The Forest of Spirits is a heavily-wooded area in the north of the Great Plateau. It is lush with wildlife, inhabited by Boars and birds as well as a plethora of organic plant-based Materials. An uninhabited camp containing a campfire and a Cooking Pot can be found in the eastern reaches of the Forest of Spirits, allowing Link to cook various Foods with the Materials littered across the Forest floor. This camp also contains basic weaponry, such as the Traveler's Bow and a Torch.

The Steppe Talus, a gigantic golem-like enemy, can be found in a clearing of the Forest.

Great Plateau Tower


The Great Plateau Tower is a Sheikah Tower situated in the northeastern region of the Great Plateau. Initially, it is buried beneath the surface of the Great Plateau, requiring Link to use his Sheikah Slate to reactivate it. Upon reactivation, it causes a chain reaction across Hyrule, raising Sheikah Towers across all of Hyrule and activating all Shrines of Trials atop the Great Plateau.

Hopper Pond
The Hopper Pond is a small body of water found west of the Forest of Spirits. A group of Bokoblins have established an encampment beside the Pond, guarding their treasure. Due west of Hopper Pond is another Bokoblin encampment which guards the Fire Rod.

Mount Hylia
Mount Hylia is a cold and snowy region in the Great Plateau, based beside the River of the Dead. It is dotted with several Bokoblin camps, and is inhabited with ice-themed enemies. Ke Numut Shrine lays near a frigid pond in northwestern region, and Owa Daim Shrine rests on the far eastern border of the mountain. At its peak in the center, Link is greeted by the Old Man, who teaches him about the Scope ability on Link's Sheikah Slate. Impressed by Link's ability to travel so far in the cold without proper attire, he gives Link the Quilted Shirt as well.

The peak contains a cairn from which Link may find minerals and similar Materials through searching.

River of the Dead
The River of the Dead is a frigid body of water fed by Mount Hylia. The air temperature surrounding the River of the Dead is cold enough to damage Link if he remains in the vicinity without special cold-resistant items, such as the Quilted Shirt. Spicy Peppers grow near the gateway to the River of the Dead leading from the Temple of Time, giving Link temporary cold resistance when consumed. A Raft is docked in the River of the Dead, which can be propelled with a Korok Leaf. On the bank of the River are the remains of a house, which contains a generous supply of Wood.

The River of the Dead leads off of the Great Plateau, ending in a waterfall leading to an unknown location at the base of the Plateau. Near this waterfall is a Bokoblin encampment marked by a platform built around trees. In order to defeat the Bokoblins in this elevated location, he must sever ropes suspending a ramp on the northern side.

Shrine of Resurrection
The Shrine of Resurrection is where Link first awakens, upon hearing a voice pleading for his return to save Hyrule. It is situated in the center of the Great Plateau.

Shrines of Trials
The Great Plateau bears four Shrines of Trials: Ja Baij Shrine, Ke Numut Shrine, Oman Au Shrine and Owa Daim Shrine. Link is tasked with the responsibility of clearing each of these Shrines in order to retrieve the treasure, the Spirit Orbs, granted by the eponymous Monks residing in each Shrine. In exchange for this treasure, the Old Man offers his Paraglider, the only tool capable of allowing Link to leave the Great Plateau.

Temple of Time


The Temple of Time is situated near the center of the Great Plateau, at the foot of the River of the Dead. With the decay of the Kingdom of Hyrule, it has fallen into disrepair, but it was once used frequently for sacred rites. Inside rests a Statue of the Goddess, Hylia, which Link can pray to in order to receive her blessing.

Woodcutter's House
The Woodcutter's House is a small building based in the southwestern region of the Great Plateau. Inside, a Woodcutter's Axe can be found, as well as several Materials. Outside sits a Cooking Pot, joined by a Pot Lid and a Torch. Resting on the Cabin itself is a Farmer's Pitchfork, a spear-like weapon. Atop the roof, Olivio the Korok can be found. In return for finding him, Olivio will gift Link a Korok Seed.