The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom side quest "Message From An Ancient Era" presents a one-of-a-kind challenging adventure wherein Link embarks on a remarkable journey across the many sky islands scattered throughout Hyrule. To aid an archaeologist named Wortsworth, players must skillfully employ their fusing, gliding, and general navigation skills to locate ancient stone tablets hidden on these islands. Unfortunately, Link is unfamiliar with the language of ancient Hyrule; thus, his mission involves photographing each tablet, using the Purah Pad, and returning to Wortsworth with his discoveries.
A total of 12 tablets are waiting to be discovered and photographed, each perched atop a floating island in the skies above Hyrule. Through taking these photographs and returning to Wortsworth, the player will not only learn intriguing details about Hyrule's history once Wortsworth has translated the texts. They will also be rewarded with a significant amount of rupees. Wortsworth will compensate Link with 100 rupees for each tablet photo delivered, allowing him to earn a total of 1200 rupees from collecting them all. Additionally, Link will be honored for his assistance in the Zonai Survey Team’s research with an exclusive paraglider fabric, which can be applied at the Hateno Dye Shop.
Here is everything players need to know to complete the “Message From An Ancient Era” Side Adventure, including stone tablet locations and details on how to reach their respective sky islands in Tears of the Kingdom.
How to Start the “Message From an Ancient Era” Side Adventure in Tears of the Kingdom
To start this lengthy side adventure, the player must first have completed any one of Tears of the Kingdom’s four Regional Phenomena main quest series. These quests task Link with visiting the regions of Hebra, Eldin, Gerudo, and Lanayru to address the challenges that have afflicted these regions since the Uprising.
While there is no requirement for which of these main quests should be completed, it is recommended to help the Rito in Hebra in order to receive the Vow of Tulin Sage ability, which will prove extremely beneficial in quickly navigating the sky islands to reach the tablets. However, it is not required to have Tulin’s aid to reach the islands.
Once the player has completed one of the Regional Phenomena main quests, they should head to Lookout Landing, where they’ll notice some curious changes have befallen the settlement. Most significantly, a large stone pillar has crashed to the surface, landing in a small pond in the southwest corner of the town.
This has, expectedly, attracted the attention of many residents, including Wortsworth, an archaeologist with the Zonai Survey Team. He recognizes the text carved into a stone tablet embedded in the side of the fallen pillar as ancient Hyrulean, a language he has dedicated his entire life to researching. Naturally, he is extremely excited about this discovery, and the side adventure “Message From An Ancient Era" begins.
Wortsworth will then depart from Lookout Landing and head home to Kakariko Village to work on translating the first tablet. Link should follow, locating him in Kakariko Village at coordinates 1836, -0956, 0116, inside the Zonai Survey Team Base. Wortsworth will inform Link about the translation progress he has made on a particular tablet and assign him the task of capturing photographs of any other tablets he comes across.
How to Complete Message From an Ancient Era in Tears of the Kingdom
In the Hyrule Sky region, there exist 12 stone tablets concealed within monuments spread across various islands. These islands are shaped like stars, making them significantly easier to spot while gliding. Link has the freedom to photograph and deliver these tablets to Wortsworth in any sequence. The player can visit Wortsworth again to check which tablet photographs have already been turned in and had their texts translated. The tablet discovered in Lookout Landing makes 13 tablets total, though Link will not need to photograph this one.
To turn in the photographs, Link needs to travel back to Kakariko Village. For efficiency's sake, players might prefer to collect all the photos before making the trip back to Wortsworth. The player can quickly return to Kakariko Village by utilizing the fast travel option to Makasura Shrine at coordinates 1770, -1051, 0166 and heading just up the road. Each time a new tablet is presented, Wortsworth will translate the text, hang the translation on a nearby wall, and will generously reward Link with 100 rupees for his efforts.
How to Find and Photograph All Stone Tablets in Tears of the Kingdom.
Below are the locations, maps with coordinates, and directions to reach all twelve stone tablets on the sky islands. It is sufficient to have only the paraglider and at least 2½ Stamina Wheels to reach eleven of the twelve islands. It is also recommended to have unlocked all Skyview Towers.
Accessing the star island situated south of the Necluda Sky Archipelago, where tablet #7 is located, poses a unique challenge. There are two islands, a lower one which features a waterfall and a large pool in its center. The second island, located higher in the sky, is the star-shaped island that contains the tablet. This guide proposes some options but there are many possible methods through creative use of Zonai devices.
Acquiring all three pieces of the Glide Armor set, obtained through trials on three separate sky islands, will make the journey substantially easier. Additionally, Link will want to bring suitable cold resistance gear or consumables to handle harsh weather when necessary. Bringing Tulin along for her Gust ability will speed things up a bit but is not at all required.
The tablets are listed below in the order that tells their translated tale. Again, they can be photographed and turned in to Wortsworth in any order. Once a tablet is discovered, Link needs to use the Purah Pad's Camera function to focus and capture a photograph of the tablet and its engravings.
All Stone Tablet Locations for Message From An Ancient Era
Here are the locations of each of the 12 stone tablets required for completing the "Message From An Ancient Era" side adventure in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Account of a Celebration (Tablet #1)
- Location: South Eldin Sky Archipelago
- Coordinates: 2207, 0091, 1145
- Directions: Launch into the air from the Eldin Canyon Skyview Tower and glide to the island located at 1781, 1012, 1239. The player will likely have to climb up the side of the island to reach the surface. Once on the top of the island, head to the edge at 1864, 0989, 1241, jump off and glide to the star-shaped island. Again, climb up the side of the island. Alternatively, players can use the Zonai devices on the island to assemble a mine cart that can stop at a small island. From there, the player can jump down to the star-shaped island. Another option is to teleport to Kadaunar Shrine (1882, 1202, 1251) and then use the launcher on that island to propel and glide toward the star-shaped island.
The Strong King And Receptive Queen (Tablet #2)
- Location: Lanayru Sky Archipelago
- Coordinates: 2915, 0205, 0793
- Directions: Launch into the air from the Upland Zorana Skyview Tower and glide to the star-shaped island. Upon reaching the monument, the center of the island will fall to the ground, where the tablet can be photographed upon landing.
The Harmonious Couple (Tablet #3)
- Location: Hebra Mountains Sky
- Coordinates: -4045, 3205, 0444
- Directions: Launch into the air from the Pikida Stonegrove Skyview Tower and glide southwest toward the Rising Island Chain. Alternatively, fast travel to the Kahatanaum Shrine (-3295, 3430, 1347) or Wind Temple. Once on the Rising Island Chain, use the jump pad to glide southwest to the star-shaped island. Cold resistance is required.
A Pilgrimage Of Light (Tablet #4)
- Location: East Hebra Sky Archipelago
- Coordinates: -1371, 3580, 0907
- Directions: Launch into the air from the Pikida Stonegrove Skyview Tower and glide northeast, stopping on any islands on the way as needed to recover stamina. Alternatively, fast travel to the Taninoud Shrine (-3295, 3430, 1347). Upon reaching the cross-shaped island featuring a Zonai Device Dispenser, use the nearby launcher to propel and glide northeast to the star-shaped island. Cold resistance is required.
The Researcher Mineru (Tablet #5)
- Location: North Faron Sky
- Coordinates: 0483, -2248, 0394
- Directions: Launch into the air from the Popla Foothills Skyview Tower and glide straight down to the star-shaped island.
The Foreign Princess (Tablet #6)
- Location: East Gerudo Sky Archipelago
- Coordinates: -2448, -3255, 0992
- Directions: Launch into the air from the Gerudo Canyon Skyview Tower and glide southwest to the star-shaped island. Upon reaching the monument, the center of the island will fall to the ground, where the tablet can be photographed upon landing. Requires high stamina and may require cold/heat resistance.
The Free-Spirited Zelda (Tablet #7)
- Location: Necluda Sky
- Coordinates: 2084, -2722, 1342
- Directions: The player will need to bring Zonai devices to build and power a flying machine for either one or two trips, depending on their strategy. The first flight can be skipped if the player has the Zora Armor. Players have various strategies at their disposal to reach the waterfall island; two of which are proposed in this guide. Upon reaching the monument, the center of the island will fall to the ground, where the tablet can be photographed upon landing. For the first method, the player must equip the Zora Armor, launch into the air from the Rabella Wetlands Skyview Tower, then glide northeast toward the large island at 2130, -2636, 1300. When they reach the island, glide to the waterfall and use the Zora Armor’s ability to swim up the waterfall and onto the island. Once they are on the waterfall island, they will need to construct a flying vehicle from Zonai devices they have brought with them. The waterfall island does not have any Zonai devices on it, though there is a chest that contains an Old Map. Construct a suitable vehicle and fly up to the star-shaped island to reach the tablet. For the second method, the player must launch into the air from the Rabella Wetlands Skyview Tower, then glide east to any of the nearby islands. Once on this island, the player needs to construct a flying vehicle from Zonai devices they have brought with them. Utilize the flying machine to reach either the waterfall island or fly directly to the star-shaped island, depending on the battery power available and being mindful of the vehicle duration. If landing on the large island, use a flying vehicle once the battery power is available to fly up to the star-shaped island.
Be extremely mindful of the distance between the islands. Be sure to construct a flying vehicle that is capable of appropriately reaching either island before despawning or running out of battery power. Consider using a Zonai Balloon device to require less battery usage.
The Latest Trend (Tablet #8)
- Location: Necluda Sky
- Coordinates: 3918, -2463, 1197
- Directions: Launch into the air from Mount Lanayru Skyview Tower and glide south to the star-shaped island. Upon reaching the monument, the center of the island will fall to the ground, where the tablet can be photographed upon landing. Requires cold resistance.
An Ancient Ghost Story (Tablet #9)
- Location: North Gerudo Sky Archipelago
- Coordinates: -3603, -0932, 1122
- Directions: Launch into the air from the Gerudo Highlands Sky Tower and glide northeast to the star-shaped island. Upon reaching the monument, the center of the island will fall to the ground, where the tablet can be photographed upon landing. Requires cold resistance.
For The Hero's Sake (Tablet #10)
- Location: North Hyrule Sky Archipelago
- Coordinates: -0048, 2983, 1497
- Directions: Launch into the air from the Typhlo Ruins Sky Tower and glide south to the cross-shaped island. Alternatively, fast travel to the Mayam Shrine (0341, 2814, 1821). Once on the cross-shaped island, use the nearby launcher to propel and glide northwest to the star-shaped island. Upon reaching the monument, the center of the island will fall to the ground into the Drenan Highlands Chasm, where the tablet can be photographed upon landing.
The Day The Land Rose (Tablet #11)
- Location: South Hyrule Sky Archipelago
- Coordinates: -1240, -1936, 0979
- Directions: Launch into the air from the Gerudo Canyon Skyview Tower and glide northeast toward the large island at -1818, -2074, 1153. Alternatively, fast travel to Rakashog Shrine (-1716, -2118, 1149). On this island, rotate the launcher using the wheel in the center to face the Zonai Device Dispenser, then use the launcher to propel and glide to the star-shaped island.
A Parting Resolve (Tablet #12)
- Location: Sokkala Sky Archipelago
- Coordinates: 3578, 1749, 1354
- Directions: Launch into the air from the Ulri Mountain Skyview Tower and glide southeast toward the large island at 3753, 1876, 0992. Land on the eastern side of the island, avoiding the larger platform unless planning to fight the Flux Construct. On this smaller part of the island, there is an already assembled Zonai flying machine. Attach only the remaining nearby batteries to the flying machine. For an easy flight, use the Ultrahand to carry the flying machine back to the larger area, traveling clockwise around the large circular island opposite the Flux Construct to avoid aggro. Upon reaching the opposite end of the island at 3608, 1767, 0989, hop onto the flying machine. The island is extremely high up, and players will need to constantly ascend until they reach the star-shaped island at coordinates 3578, 1749, 1354.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available for Nintendo Switch.