The Temple of the Gales stands as one of the most intricate and vertically challenging zones in Palia. As players progress through the "It Takes a Village" questline, they are tasked by Caleri to secure sustainable food sources from the floating islands. This specific objective requires players to locate and collect sol cesto pond items, specifically the elusive Ancient Cloud Minnows. Navigating the archipelago to find these four specific fishing spots can be daunting due to the complex wind currents and platforming required.
In this comprehensive 2026 guide, we will break down the exact locations of all sol cesto pond items, providing step-by-step instructions on how to reach each island extension. Whether you are struggling with the gliding mechanics or simply can't find that last pool of water, this walkthrough ensures you complete Caleri’s request without the frustration of getting lost in the clouds. We will also cover essential warnings regarding the handling of these items to prevent quest-breaking bugs that have historically plagued the Temple of the Gales.
The "It Takes a Village" Quest Overview
Before hunting for the sol cesto pond items, you must first activate the quest by speaking with Caleri and Elouisa at the main entrance of the Temple of the Gales. Once you have activated the Flowstone Gate to the South Island (Sol Cesto), you can begin the search for food sources. Caleri specifically requires four Ancient Cloud Minnows, which are only found in the small, circular pools scattered across the island and its floating extensions.
| Quest Objective | Required Item | Quantity | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find Food Sources | Ancient Cloud Minnow | 4 | Sol Cesto (South Island) |
| Activate Gate | Flowstone Gate | 1 | Main Island Hub |
| Talk to NPC | Caleri | N/A | Quest Starting Point |
⚠️ Warning: As of the 2026 season, each pond contains exactly one Ancient Cloud Minnow. Do not cook, eat, or discard these fish. If you lose one, you may be unable to complete the quest until the daily reset or a patch fix occurs.
Locating the Sol Cesto Pond Items
The search for the sol cesto pond items takes place primarily on the South Island and the smaller platforms orbiting it. To reach this area, you must use the wind streams and the Flowstone Gate previously activated in the main questline.
Pond 1: The Ruined Heights
The first pond is located on the main body of the South Island itself. After arriving via the portal, head toward the large vine-covered ruins.
- Jump across the initial gap and use the vines to climb the first vertical wall.
- Follow the stone ramp upward and take a sharp left through a doorway.
- Perform a double jump and climb to the very top of the ruin structure.
- Inside the small stone enclosure, you will find the first circular pool of water.
Pond 2: The Eastern Extension
To find the second of the sol cesto pond items, you must head southeast from the first pond. This location is situated on a series of floating islands that require precise gliding.
- Glide from the ruin heights toward the eastern floating platforms.
- Use the vertical wind stream located between the islands to gain significant height.
- Once at the apex of your flight, turn back toward the smaller island to land near the pool.
- Equip your fishing rod (no bait needed) and cast into the center of the pool.
Pond 3: The Southern Floating Structures
The third pond is found on the furthest southern extension of the island. This area consists of four distinct floating structures connected by small gaps.
- Glide down from the main island toward the cliff wall on the southern side.
- Climb the cliff until you reach the bridge leading to the first floating structure.
- Progress through the chain of islands by jumping and gliding.
- The pond is located on the very last platform in this chain.
Pond 4: The Western Airship Overlook
The final pool for the sol cesto pond items is located on the western side of the South Island. There are two ways to reach this, but the most direct path is via the Airship ruin.
- Return to the main island body and head toward the western edge.
- Look for the structure where the Ancient Airship treasure is hidden.
- Peer over the edge behind the structure; the pool is located on a lower ledge.
- Alternatively, you can drop down near the Flowgate and use the climbable walls near the downward wind stream to reach the ledge safely.
Fishing Mechanics and Requirements
Unlike standard fishing in Bahari Bay or Kilima Village, obtaining sol cesto pond items does not require specialized equipment or bait. The Ancient Cloud Minnow is a quest-specific catch designed to test your exploration rather than your fishing skill level.
| Feature | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rod Type | Any | Makeshift Rod or better works perfectly. |
| Bait | None | Using Glow Worms or Worms is unnecessary. |
| Difficulty | Very Low | The fish has a predictable movement pattern. |
| Respawn Rate | Unique | Only one per pond per quest instance. |
💡 Tip: If you accidentally fall into the water while fishing, the game will respawn you on the nearest solid ground. This can actually be used as a "fast travel" back to the main platform if you have already collected the minnow from a distant island.
Troubleshooting the "It Takes a Village" Quest
Many players encounter issues when collecting sol cesto pond items due to the "unique" nature of the quest inventory. In 2026, Palia's developers implemented several quality-of-life updates, but some legacy bugs remain.
- Missing Fish in Inventory: Check your "Quest Items" tab specifically. These minnows do not always appear in the standard bag slots.
- Pond is Empty: If a pond does not show the "splashing" animation, you may have already caught the fish. Double-check your quest log to see if it says "3/4" or "4/4."
- Cannot Give Fish to Caleri: Ensure you have found all four. Caleri will not accept a partial delivery of the sol cesto pond items.
- Accidental Cooking: If you have a cooking station at your home plot, be careful not to use the "Select All" feature for grilled fish, as the Ancient Cloud Minnow can occasionally be consumed by the recipe.
For more information on the latest updates and seasonal events, visit the official Palia website to stay informed on game patches.
Additional Collectibles Near Sol Cesto
While you are hunting for the sol cesto pond items, it is highly recommended to keep an eye out for other collectibles required for the "Special Donations" and "Proof of Magic" quests. The South Island is home to several Silverwing Eggs and Ancient Treasures that are often positioned just a few meters away from the fishing pools.
- Silverwing Eggs: Look for the glowing blue eggs on bird nests. One is located on a small floating island with a tree right next to the fourth pond.
- Ancient Airship Parts: Found inside the ruins near the western ledge.
- Golden Eggs: Rare variants that provide extra renown when turned into Zeki.
| Collectible | Visual Cue | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Silverwing Egg | Blue glow, nest | Quest progression (Elouisa) |
| Ancient Treasure | Metallic glint | Renown and Gold |
| Zeki's Treasures | Small boxes | Lucky Coins |
FAQ
Q: Can I use a Tuning Fork to find the sol cesto pond items?
A: No, the Tuning Fork only works for standard rare fish in the open world. The Ancient Cloud Minnows are quest items and do not appear on the map or radar. You must manually locate the pools following the coordinates provided in this guide.
Q: I caught a fish but it didn't count toward the quest. What should I do?
A: Ensure you are fishing in the circular "Ancient Pools" on the South Island and not the open clouds. If the quest counter does not update, try relogging near the pond; this often forces the game to recognize the sol cesto pond items in your quest inventory.
Q: Do I need a high fishing level to catch the Ancient Cloud Minnow?
A: Not at all. The minnows have a 0% escape rate and very low stamina drain, making them accessible even to players who have never picked up a fishing rod before reaching the Temple of the Gales.
Q: Are there any other sol cesto pond items besides the minnows?
A: Within the context of the "It Takes a Village" quest, the Ancient Cloud Minnows are the only items you need to catch from the ponds. However, some pools have hidden "Scrap" items that can be fished up for minor lore entries.