Embarking on Your Hyrule Adventure: The Quest for the Paraglider
Welcome, adventurer, to the sprawling and breathtaking world of Hyrule! If you've just kicked off your journey in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, one of your very first, and arguably most crucial, objectives will be acquiring the Paraglider. This iconic piece of equipment allows you to soar through the skies, opening up a whole new dimension of exploration and offering vital escape routes. But where, oh where, do you find the old man who holds the key to this aerial freedom?
The First Steps: The Great Plateau
Your adventure begins on the Great Plateau, a tutorial area designed to get you acquainted with the game's mechanics. You'll wake up in a mysterious shrine, and after a brief exploration and interaction with a disembodied voice, you'll be tasked with finding the Old Man. He's your gateway to the Paraglider, and thankfully, he's not too difficult to locate if you know where to look.
The Shrine of Resurrection and Beyond
After you emerge from the Shrine of Resurrection, you'll find yourself in a relatively open environment. The game gently guides you through a series of early objectives. The Old Man is your primary contact for a significant chunk of these initial quests. You'll see him from a distance, often near a cooking pot or by a campfire.
Specifically, you'll need to follow these steps to meet the Old Man:
- Exit the Shrine of Resurrection: Once you've got your bearings inside the shrine, head outside.
- Follow the Initial Guidance: The game will likely point you towards a distant object – a Sheikah Tower. Before you head directly for it, you'll want to interact with the environment and potentially pick up some basic supplies.
- Locate the Old Man's Campsite: The Old Man typically sets up camp near the center of the Great Plateau. He's usually visible from a good distance, often marked by a campfire or his distinct, hooded appearance. If you're looking at the Sheikah Tower, he's usually somewhere to the *left* or *front* of your starting position, in a more open area.
- Speak to the Old Man: Approach him, and he'll initiate a conversation. He's a friendly, albeit somewhat cryptic, character who will guide you through the next steps of your journey on the Great Plateau.
What Happens When You Meet Him?
When you finally converse with the Old Man, he’ll reveal that he’s been watching you and has a task for you. He’ll explain the importance of the Sheikah Slate (which you receive early on) and give you the objective of activating the Magnesis Rune and the Remote Bomb Rune. These are found in the Magnesis Trial and the Remote Bomb Trial, respectively, both located within Sheikah Shrines on the Great Plateau.
After you’ve successfully completed these shrine challenges and obtained the runes, you’ll need to return to the Old Man. He’ll then instruct you to head to the Oman Lake area. Here, you’ll have a more substantial conversation with him, and he’ll reveal his true identity and the critical role he plays in your quest to regain your memories and defeat Calamity Ganon.
The culmination of your interactions with him on the Great Plateau involves reaching the Shrine of Resurrection again to speak with him, where he will finally bestow upon you the coveted Paraglider. This is a pivotal moment, allowing you to finally leap from high places and glide gracefully across Hyrule.
Tips for Finding Him Quickly:
- Keep an Eye on Your Mini-Map: As you explore the Great Plateau, keep an eye on your mini-map. You'll often see points of interest, and the Old Man's campsite might be subtly indicated.
- Listen for Sounds: Sometimes, you can hear the crackling of a campfire before you see it.
- Look for Smoke: A campfire will produce a plume of smoke, which is easily visible against the sky.
- Follow the Main Quest Markers: The game is designed to guide you. If you're following the primary objectives, you'll naturally encounter him.
The Old Man is the key to your early progression and the acquisition of the Paraglider. Don't be discouraged if you don't find him immediately; his presence is a significant part of the initial learning curve in Breath of the Wild. Once you have that Paraglider, the world truly opens up!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get the Paraglider in Breath of the Wild?
You receive the Paraglider from the Old Man after completing several initial objectives on the Great Plateau, including activating specific Sheikah Runes in shrines and returning to him at Oman Lake. It's a key reward for your early efforts.
Why is the Old Man important for the Paraglider?
The Old Man is the sole NPC who can grant you the Paraglider. He acts as a mentor figure in the early stages of the game, guiding Link through the basics of survival and exploration before Link fully regains his memories.
Where can I find the Old Man if I get lost on the Great Plateau?
The Old Man typically camps near the center of the Great Plateau, often by a campfire or cooking pot, in a relatively open area. Look for smoke or listen for fire sounds. The game's main quest markers will also guide you towards him.
What do I need to do before the Old Man gives me the Paraglider?
Before receiving the Paraglider, you'll need to explore the Great Plateau, find and activate the Magnesis Rune and Remote Bomb Rune within their respective Sheikah Shrines, and then speak with the Old Man again, usually near Oman Lake.
