The Duchess Who Disappeared quest guide Tears of the Kingdom (TotK)

Become the next legendary shield surfer

There are an unbelievable number of side quests in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom that it is a challenge to even keep up with some of them. Thankfully, you don’t have to miss out on one of the coolest (literally) side quests with everything you need to know about The Duchess Who Disappeared.

Where to start The Duchess Who Disappeared

The Duchess Who Disappeared is a side quest that is somewhat hidden in the game. There is a requirement for starting this quest, and it appears to be completing the Wind Temple section of the Regional Phenomena quest line.

If you stumble upon Selmie and her two shield-surfing students in the Hebra region near Rito Village, she will note that the blizzard in the region is stopping her from accepting new students. But if you come back here to this cabin known as Selmie’s Spot at the coordinates (-2954, 3140, 0572), you’ll be able to start this side quest.

It just so happens that Selmie goes missing after the blizzard subsides following the Wind Temple completion, and her student, Russ, wants you to find her.

However, you don’t even have to start this quest by talking to Russ, if you don’t want to. If you happen to know where Selmie is already — check that out below — then you can go straight to her and progress in the quest.

Where to find Selmie in Tears of the Kingdom

Russ will ask you to locate his missing teacher who may be in East Biron Snowshelf Cave. You can find this cave in the Hebra region not too far from where you start the quest with Russ. Head directly west from the cabin to the coordinates (-3555, 3089, 0274).

There is a ravine here, which you should glide down to and there is a hidden cave entrance right by a Blupee and sleeping Bokoblin. When you enter this cave, you’ll find a stone wall soon in front of you. You’ll have to break down this wall to enter inside.

Here, you’ll find Selmie at the end of a linear path through the cave. She’ll let you know that she is stuck here and you’ll have to find a new way out. Just to the west of her fire is another wall of rocks for you to break down. Once you do that, she can leave.

Meet back up with her at Selmie’s Spot, which is the cabin where you started the quest. Here, you’ll complete The Duchess Who Disappeared quest and earn yourself a Strong Zonaite Shield and the ability to take on shield surfing time trials now as her third student.