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Of the numerous collection quests in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, there are none like "Messages From An Ancient Era" in the way it gives you quite the opportunity to explore all the Sky has to offer. Asking you to put your gliding and plane-building skills to the test, you'll need to stretch your wings further than you ever have before if you want to unlock the secrets of history.
Of course, you won't be doing this for no reward. The lore might be nice, but what's nicer is the opportunity to line your pockets with bushels of rupees. As one of the highest-paying quests in the game, your exploration of the world above will be as enlightening for the academic side of your brain as it will be for your more business-oriented one.
Starting A Course In Archeology - Lookout Landing And Kakariko Village
Inside Lookout Landing, you may have noticed a gathering of people around a stone obelisk structure that has fallen from the sky and created a small pond around it in the corner of the fort. Speak with the man at the forefront of this group to learn that there's more to this pillar than just an ancient message.
The quest will begin as soon as you finish speaking with him, and he and his party will disappear from Lookout Landing.
Travel to Kakariko Village to track down this archeologist named Wortsworth. He's in a small home near the central basin of the village (not far from Paya's home) and on the same street as Enchanted, the local clothing store.
Speak with Wortsworth, and your quest will update with the goal of tracking down the remaining 12 tablets and taking a picture of their inscription.
You'll need to seek out each, take a picture, and show that picture to Wortsworth. When you do, he'll reward you for each picture with a translation and 100 rupees. You can return after each picture, if you so wish.
Although there is no specific order you must find them in, some pieces tell a story. Therefore, it is recommended to find all 12 tablets before turning them in to ensure they're in the right order and to gain the prizes all at once for a lump sum of 1,200 rupees. However, be warned that you will need to sit there and press the turn-in button 12 times in a row - a time-consuming endeavor. There is no "submit all" option.
If you feel like taking this quest in pieces but still care for their story order, these tablets will be placed in order for you.
As an added bonus for turning in all 12 tablets, you'll be given the Zonai Survey Team Fabric to decorate your paraglider with at the Hateno Dye Shop.
All Tablet Locations And How To Reach Them
All tablets can be found in the Sky on islands shaped like flowers with five petals. Some will be far harder to reach than others, and there are a few preparations you should make before attempting to find these:
- Take on the Diving Trials for the pieces of the Glide Set for extra flight mobility.
- Pack cold-resistant gear and/or food.
- Have at least two circles of Stamina and bring extra Stamina food/elixirs.
- Invest in portable Zonai devices for flight (wings, fans, rockets, steering handles, carts, etc.).
- Have Tulin equipped and active as a Sage.
- Have upgraded Battery Cells or carry Large Zonaite Charges.
Once you land on an island, you should endeavor to take a picture of the green tablet on the central pillar with your Camera.
However, be warned that some islands will fall out as soon as you step into the center of the platform. This is entirely normal, and you can dive with the pillar down to take a picture on the ground.
Order | Tablet Name | Location | Special Location Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Account Of A Celebration | South Eldin Sky Archipelago | Can be reached by gliding from the Eldin Canyon Skyview Tower to the south while using the island as a stopping point on the way. |
2 | The Strong King And Receptive Queen | Lanayru Great Spring | From the Upland Zorana Skyview Tower, you can glide to your destination. Alternatively, you may also glide from the nearby Water Temple. |
3 | The Harmonious Couple | Hebra Mountains Sky | Can be reached by gliding from Kahatanaum Shrine (alternatively: the Wind Temple) with over two circles of stamina. |
4 | A Pilgrimage Of Light | East Hebra Sky Archipelago | Can be reached by gliding from Pikida Stonegrove (Tabantha) Sky Tower. Stop midway on the archipelago with a launching mechanism and use it to launch Link toward the isle. |
5 | The Researcher Mineru | West Necluda Sky | Can be easily reached by Popla Foothills Sky Tower. |
6 | The Foreign Princess | Gerudo Desert | Can be reached by gliding from Gerudo Canyon Sky Tower with three bars of stamina. |
7 | The Free-Spirited Zelda | East Necluda | Start from Rabella Wetlands Sky Tower. Requires the Zora armor for the waterfall of the island beside your destination. Ride the waterfall up and build a Zonai flying device (balloon or otherwise) to reach the tablet. |
8 | The Latest Trend | Necluda Sea | Can be reached by gliding from Mount Lanayru Skyview Tower with three circles of stamina. |
9 | An Ancient Ghost Story | Gerudo Highlands | Can be reached by gliding from Gerudo Highlands Sky Tower with a hair more than one circle of stamina. |
10 | For The Hero's Sake | Great Hyrule Forest (above Chasm) | Can be reached from the Typhlo Ruins Sky Tower. Upon stepping onto it, it will plunge into the Depths through the Chasm below. There is a strong enemy nearby and no nearby Lightroots. |
11 | The Day the Land Rose | South Hyrule Sky Archipelago | Can be reached by gliding from Gerudo Canyon Sky Tower with two circles of stamina, using one island to rest along the way. |
12 | A Parting Resolve | Sokkala Sky Archipelago | From the Ulri Mountain Skyview Tower, head south toward the island chain with the Flux Construct. Land on the island beside the arena to find a flying device. Attach all nearby batteries onto the device and fly up to your destination. |
If you ever get lost or unsure of which tablets you've already found - or if you want to reread the texts (either in their original form or Wortsworth's translation), you can always revisit the tablet contents by looking on Wortsworth's walls.
Inside his home on the ground floor, the contents and names of each entry can be found hanging on scrolls on the wall.