In my desperation to complete Tears of the Kingdom without seeing any spoilers, I tried to stick to the path the developers were trying to lead me along until I’d completed the main quest. Because of this, I found what I believe is the first well you’re supposed to find on your journey: the Carok Bridge Well.
I knew that there were caves that I was going to find and explore, but jumping down the well was a pleasant surprise. It’s one of those gameplay things that you always do without a second thought; checking behind a waterfall, bombing a cracked wall, and looking in a well. My sheer, childlike delight was doubled when I dropped down into what I can only describe as a hideyhole.
Inside this mostly dry well was a little camp. There was a pot for cooking in, no need to set up a Zonai pot or throw apples at a fire. There was a brightbloom seed in a pot, serving as a lamp. There were barrels and crates of supplies to be broken in to. There was even a tiny vegetable patch, growing more brightbloom seeds and fortified pumpkins.
But what really made me smile was the little detail of the straw and blankets on the rough floor, and the diary left behind to give us guidance.
The ‘Note on the Table’ reads:
“This well proved more comfortable than I expected. Not too hot, not too cold… Cozy, really. For a well.
I had no need for the heat-resistant chilly ingredients or col-resistant warm ones. I cooked for pleasure instead of survival.
For a time, I considered tilling the soil in here, living off the land until the end of my days. But times have changed.
The Upheaval formed a myriad of new caves. Consider my curiosity piqued.
Unexplored lands are a veritable buffet of cooking materials, and I, Aurie Taamu, intend to dig in!
If you seek fortune, keep moving.”
– Chef Aurie Taamu, Master of Cuisine
These instructions really set me up for success, and had me keeping an eye out for other wells that might hold secrets or tips.
The homely feeling of this well, coupled with it’s convenience to a Shrine of Light, made this my go-to location for a long time during my playthrough. Sometimes when you’re adventuring, you don’t want to muddle around in a town or be offered a new quest. Sometimes, you just want to sit quietly with Link, cook something restorative, and wait out a storm. The Carok Well became my favourite place to just be.
