You're riding through a thunderstorm in Hyrule, and suddenly, some NPC at a stable starts whispering about a "beast" and a "princess." If you've spent more than five minutes in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The Beast and the Princess TotK quest is one of those early-game hurdles that feels like it should be a massive boss fight, but ends up being a test of your patience and your ability to actually listen to what the NPCs are saying.
Most players get it wrong.
They go looking for a dragon. Or a Gleeok. Or maybe some secret cavern where Zelda is hiding a pet Lynel. Honestly, the game leads you on a wild goose chase by design. It's brilliant, but it’s also incredibly frustrating if you're just trying to get your hands on the Froggy Armor set.
The Penn Problem and Why You Can’t Find the Beast
Let’s talk about Penn. He’s that giant Rito journalist who works for the Lucky Clover Gazette. He’s everywhere. He’s loud. And he’s the one who kicks off this specific rumor. When you head over to New Serenne Stable, the whole vibe is tense. Everyone is talking about a sighting. A woman—presumably Princess Zelda—riding a massive, terrifying creature with long horns.
Here’s the thing: Zelda isn’t riding a monster.
The rumor mill in Hyrule is just as bad as a modern-day tabloid. People see something they don't understand, they panic, and suddenly a peaceful herbivore becomes a "beast" from the depths of the Depths. To move forward with the Beast and the Princess TotK quest, you have to stop looking for a fight and start looking for a sanctuary.
The quest is actually part of the "Potential Princess Sightings!" side adventure, which is the gateway to the most useful armor in the game. If you want to climb walls in the rain without sliding back down like a wet noodle, you need to solve this.
Where the Dondon Lives
The actual "beast" isn't at the stable. It’s not in the immediate vicinity of the quest giver. To find it, you have to head across the gorge to the subtropical region of Faron. Specifically, you’re looking for a spot across from the Lakeside Stable.
Wait. Why is it there?
Because the creatures, known as Dondons, are a brand-new species in the Zelda lore. They aren't enemies. They don't have health bars that appear at the top of the screen. They’re just big, glowing-horned buffalo-things that Zelda discovered and decided to protect. It’s a classic subversion of expectations. You go in expecting a combat encounter, and you leave with a biology lesson.
The Dondons are situated on a plateau overlooking the Floria River. When you arrive, you’ll find an NPC named Cado. He’s just hanging out, watching them. Talk to him. He’ll explain that Zelda found these creatures, thought they were fascinating, and tasked him with looking after them.
Why Dondons are Actually Useful
Don't just snap a picture for Penn and leave. That’s a rookie mistake.
Dondons have a specific mechanic that the game never explicitly explains to you in a tutorial box. If you feed them Luminous Stones, they eat them. Simple enough, right? Come back about 15 to 20 real-time minutes later (or after some adventuring elsewhere), and you’ll find that the Dondons have... well, they've "processed" the stones.
You’ll find gems on the ground. Rubies, Sapphires, even Diamonds.
It is one of the most consistent ways to farm high-value ores in the game without having to hunt Taluses or pray for good RNG while smashing rocks in a cave. It turns the Beast and the Princess TotK from a one-off rumor into a permanent resource hub on your map.
Crossing the Quest Off Your List
Once you’ve stood there and stared at the Dondons, your job isn't quite done. You have to report back. Penn is usually waiting for you back at the stable or nearby. When you tell him the "beast" is actually just a big, friendly cow that eats rocks, he gets that classic Rito "Aha!" moment.
The reward for this specific branch of the questline is usually some Rupees and progress toward the Froggy Sleeve or Leggings. If this is your first "Potential Princess Sighting" quest, you’ll get the first piece of the set. If it’s your last, you’re looking at the full suit.
Common Misconceptions About the Questline
I've seen people spend hours in the Faron jungle thinking they missed a trigger because the Dondons didn't spawn.
Check your quest log.
If "Potential Princess Sightings!" isn't active in your Adventure Log, the NPCs at the stable might not give you the specific dialogue needed to trigger Penn’s appearance. You have to visit the Lucky Clover Gazette near Rito Village first. Talk to Traysi. Get the job. Only then does the world start populating with these specific rumors.
Another thing: people think they need to bring Zelda to the Dondons. You don't. You’re just a reporter. Your job is to verify the rumor and debunk the "beast" part of the story.
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Actionable Steps for Completion
To wrap this up efficiently, follow these steps:
- Go to the Lucky Clover Gazette first. If you haven't started your career as a journalist, the quest won't exist.
- Fast travel to the Joju-u-u Shrine near Lakeside Stable. It’s the quickest way to get to the Faron region.
- Glide across the ravine to the north/northwest side of the Floria River. Look for the campfire and the large, glowing animals.
- Speak with Cado. He is the key NPC standing right next to the Dondons.
- Keep your Luminous Stones. Don't sell them all to the Gerudo merchant. Keep a stack of 20 or 30 just for feeding these guys. It’s the best return on investment you’ll find in Hyrule.
- Wait for the sparkle. After feeding them, leave the area. Do a shrine. Kill a Hinox. When you return, the gems will be waiting in the Dondon pen.
The Beast and the Princess TotK quest serves as a perfect example of how Nintendo uses world-building to teach you about new mechanics. It takes a terrifying rumor and turns it into a peaceful sanctuary. It's a reminder that not everything in Hyrule is trying to kill you—sometimes, the "beast" is just a friend you haven't fed yet.
Get your Froggy Armor. Farm your diamonds. Stop worrying about the "beast" and start using it to fund your adventures.