For how much the game struggles to offer the same level of freedom present in other Legend of Zelda games, Skyward Sword compensates with some of the best overall game design in the series. Skyward Sword’s dungeons, combat, and difficulty curve are better than most 3D Zelda games, and that praise extends to side quests.
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Skyward Sword goes above and beyond when it comes to side quests, tying one of its main collectibles – Gratitude Crystals – to them. You’re actively rewarded for taking the time to speak with NPCs and resolve their problems. Better yet, Skyward Sword takes cues from Majora’s Mask, going so far to feature a light schedule system (split between day & night) and actual arcs for most NPCs.
Cawlin is introduced as one of Groose’s lackeys early into Skyward Sword, but he’s a romantic at heart with a crush on his fellow schoolmate, Karane. Cawlin enlists Link with setting him up with Karane, but you don’t have to play fair and Skyward Sword gives you a few ways to outright ruin Cawlin’s love life.
Getting Cawlin’s Letter
Cawlin’s Letter only becomes available as a side quest after you defeat The Imprisoned for the first time. Head on up to Skyloft, enter the Bazaar, and go to the dining area. Talk to Dovos and he’ll tell Link about a supposed crying woman who weeps through the Academy’s dorms at night.
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Once you have this information from Dovos, go to the Knight Academy Kitchen and talk to Henya. She’ll let Link know she’s been hearing voices at night through the halls. To confirm the rumor for yourself, sleep until night in your bed and then try to enter the first floor bathroom. You’ll be locked out, but a disembodied hand will ask for paper (calling back to a Majora’s Mask side quest).
Go to bed until morning and then head to the first floor to finally speak with Cawlin and begin the side quest in earnest. Cawlin will tell you about his crush on Karane and task you with delivering a love letter. That said, you don’t actually need to do what Cawlin says and there are two endings to the questline.
Toilet Ending
To get the Toilet ending for Cawlin’s side quest, go to sleep until night and then return to the first floor bathroom. Speak with the disembodied hand again and give them Cawlin’s letter to end their suffering. Go back to bed until morning and then talk to Cawlin. He’ll understandably break down and run away to Groose’s room.
Speak with Cawlin one more time and then return to your bed until nightfall. Go to Groose’s room to see Cawlin being petted by a ghostly hand while sleeping in Groose’s bed. This is the same hand from the bathroom who’s now fallen in love with Cawlin after reading his letter. Although you’ve permanently haunted a boy, you’ll get 5 Gratitude Crystals from the hand for your trouble.
Karane Ending
If you don’t feel like haunting Cawlin, you can actually give the letter to Karane. Go down to the first floor classroom to find Karane by herself. Talk to her about Cawlin’s Letter and make note of Karane muttering about Pipit. Head on up to the second floor to find Pipit roaming the halls. Talk to him to tell him about Cawlin’s Letter and then return to Karane.
Despite Cawlin’s heartfelt letter, Karane will turn him down in favor of Pipit – who shows up suddenly to ask her out on a date. Cawlin will run out crying while Pipit gives you 5 Gratitude Crystals for being a good friend and hooking him up. Cawlin suffers no matter what, but at least you get rewarded for it.
Next: Skyward Sword Complete Guide And Walkthrough
