Okay, so I've officially done it. I've scoured every corner, every chasm, and every single one of the 147 caves in Hyrule to collect every last Bubbul Gem for Koltin. And let me tell you, the payoff was... something else entirely. This wasn't just a fetch quest; it was a whole emotional arc wrapped in a glowing paraglider fabric. If you're still on the fence about whether hunting down all those shimmering gems is worth it, let me walk you through my experience—the grind, the payoff, and that utterly wild finale.

The Bubbul Gem Hunt: A Completionist's Dream (or Nightmare)

First things first: what are we even collecting? After the Upheaval, caves popped up all over Hyrule, and inside each one lurks a Bubbulfrog. A single, well-placed arrow (or any attack, really) will make it drop a Bubbul Gem. It sounds simple, but with 147 caves, it becomes a monumental task.

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I spent hours just exploring. Unlike Korok seeds, you can't just stumble upon these gems randomly. You have to:

  • Actively seek out cave entrances, often hidden behind waterfalls, in cliffsides, or under ruins.

  • Mark them on your map religiously so you don't revisit the same spot.

  • Be prepared for some tricky platforming and combat to reach the Bubbulfrog inside.

Koltin, the brother of everyone's favorite monster-part salesman Kilton, is your go-to guy. He's set up shop in various locations, and for the first 46 gems you bring him, he'll hook you up with rewards. We're talking about some pretty useful stuff:

  • Hinox Toenails and other monster parts.

  • Pieces of the super-cool Mystic Armor set.

  • A set of monster masks that let you blend in with Bokoblins and other baddies. Super handy for stealth missions!

But here's the kicker: after 46 gems, he tells you he has no more rewards. Most players would (understandably) stop right there. But the completionist voice in my head was screaming, "There are 101 more gems out there! There has to be a secret!"

The Final 101: When the Real Quest Begins

So, I kept going. No more in-game rewards, just my own stubborn determination and a growing list of checked-off caves. This phase was pure exploration. I relied heavily on:

  • The Sensor+ set to detect caves.

  • Paying attention to Blupee sightings near cave entrances (they often hint at one nearby!).

  • Just good old-fashioned climbing every suspicious rock formation I saw.

It was tedious, sometimes frustrating, but also weirdly peaceful. I saw parts of Hyrule I'd never bothered with before. But the whole time, I was wondering... what's at the end of this rainbow?

The Grand Finale: A Transformation Worth the Grind?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I brought Koltin that 147th and final Bubbul Gem. The cutscene that played was... not what I expected.

  1. The Reward: He gives you Koltin's Fabric, a paraglider skin that glows with a beautiful, ethereal light in the dark. It's genuinely stunning and feels like a trophy for your dedication.

  2. The Transformation: Then, he consumes the gem... and Koltin himself transforms into a Blupee! He literally achieves his dream of becoming a Satori (the Lord of the Mountain). He hops around for a moment before scampering off into the night. My jaw was on the floor.

  3. The Epilogue: The story doesn't end there! I went and found his brother, Kilton, and told him what happened. Kilton, in a surprisingly sweet move, relocates Koltin's shop to the very top of Satori Mountain. Now, whenever I visit, the shop is surrounded by a gathering of peaceful Blupees. It's one of the most serene and magical spots in the entire game.

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Was It Worth It? My Honest Verdict

Let's break this down, because 147 caves is a serious commitment.

The Case FOR Completing It:

✅ Koltin's Fabric is a unique, gorgeous cosmetic reward that you can't get anywhere else.

✅ The transformation cutscene is a genuinely heartwarming and funny narrative payoff to a side character's arc.

✅ Unlocking the Blupee sanctuary on Satori Mountain is a special, peaceful endgame location.

✅ The sheer satisfaction of checking off that final cave is a completionist's high.

✅ It forces you to explore every biome and find secrets you'd otherwise miss.

The Case AGAINST Completing It:

❌ It is extremely time-consuming and can feel repetitive.

❌ The main functional rewards (armor, masks) stop at 46 gems.

❌ The paraglider fabric, while pretty, offers no gameplay advantage.

❌ It can be frustrating without a guide for the last few elusive caves.

My Personal Take: If you're a casual player just wanting to experience the main story and major side adventures, you can safely stop at 46 gems and get all the useful loot. But if you, like me, love seeing every secret a game has to offer and getting emotionally invested in its world, the full quest is unforgettable. Helping Koltin realize his absurd, beautiful dream is a unique piece of storytelling you won't find in a main quest log.

It's a better reward than, say, Hestu's "gift" for all the Korok seeds, that's for sure! This one has heart. So, grab your bow, light up a Brightbloom Seed, and happy cave hunting! 🩵✨