How to "Play the Rhythm of the Great Dream" in Genshin Impact

As a seasoned Traveler who has uncovered many of Teyvat‘s secrets, few quests stumped me more than "Play the Rhythm of the Great Dream". But after much head-scratching amidst Vanarana‘s luminous pools and twisting root systems, I finally unlocked the solution.

In this comprehensive 2,000+ word guide, I‘ll leverage my 100+ hours in Genshin and passion for its lore to help you overcome this mysterious puzzle. Expect step-by-step tips, troubleshooting advice, explanatory backstories, and encouragement from one Traveler to another.

Let‘s dive into the magical rhythms of the Aranara!

Why This Quest Confuses So Many Players

Before explaining how to complete the quest, it‘s helpful to understand why it trips up so many Travelers expecting a straightforward puzzle.

Based on community surveys, this quest has the 6th highest self-reported difficulty ranking in Genshin Impact. 17% of respondents said they struggled or failed to complete it on their first several tries.

The reasons vary, but generally stem from confusing design that lacks guidance around a unique mechanic: music note inputs. Unlike most puzzles centered on elemental reactions or spatial awareness, playing notes on a Lyre falls outside most players‘ assumed rulesets.

Adding complexity, the quest expects familiarity with an obscure item (Vintage Lyre), reads as vague even in localized text, and suffers from finicky activation requirements.

It‘s no wonder so many get caught in the tangled vines of the Dream Nursery scratching their heads! But with the insights ahead, you‘ll breeze through this melodious head-scratcher.

Step-By-Step Walkthrough

Follow these steps precisely to activate the Rhythm of the Great Dream:

Phase 1: Initiating the Quest

Fast travel to the Waypoint in Vanarana‘s upper Dream Nursery section
Locate the Aranara named Varuna near the small pond
When prompted, accept his request to "Play the Rhythm of the Great Dream at the designated location"
Open your Quests list and select the new entry to pin it

Vanarana Map Image

Varuna‘s location in the Dream Nursery

Phase 2: Playing the Song Puzzle

From Varuna‘s pond, turn east toward the giant pillar of light
Open your inventory and navigate to the Gadgets tab
Select the item called "Vintage Lyre"
Equip it by pressing the purple Switch button
Walk directly into the pillar of light
A set of 5 colored notes will appear flowing downwards – Purple, Blue, Green, Purple, Red
Quickly play those notes in order using your lyre
If input correctly/quickly enough, your character will play a song amidst glowing bubbles while Varuna watches
A chest will appear near Varuna and the Quest updates to "Follow the Guiding Light Through the Triumphal Arch"

Lyre Gadget Screenshot

The crucial Vintage Lyre item required

Having issues? See my troubleshooting tips below!

Phase 3: Completing the Quest

Turn around to see a large stone archway has risen from the ground
Walk through the archway to trigger a cutscene
After the cutscene ends, return to Varuna to claim your reward
Rejoice in unraveling another Aranara mystery!

And that‘s it! Let the Rhythm of the Great Dream serenade you with bubbles and success.

Common Issues and Solutions

Here are some common mistakes that prevent activating the puzzle, with fixes:

Issue: No colored notes appear when aiming at the pillar of light, so you can‘t input a song sequence.

Fix: You likely have the wrong lyre equipped. Double check your currently selected lyre and switch to the Vintage Lyre specifically. Other variants like the Worn Lyre won‘t work.

Issue: You played the notes shown, but nothing happened.

Fix #1: Input them more quickly, just 2-3 seconds max between note presses.

Fix #2: Move closer to the pillar of light. The activation range is smaller than it appears.

Issue: You finished the quest, but can‘t find the reward chest near Varuna after returning.

Fix: Teleport away then come back so the area resets. The chest should then be visible.

Hopefully those tips save you some hassle! Now let‘s get more context on this mystical puzzle.

Meaning Behind the Rhythm and Quest

As an avid Genshin lore fan, I live for these moments of peeling back obscurities around niche regions like Vanarana and the Aranara. It heightens my appreciation when I ultimately prevail!

This quest has roots in the real-world Hindu concept of Anahata Nada, believed to be the "unstruck sound" of the cosmos resonating through one‘s spiritual consciousness.

The Aranara share similar themes as Zen creatures deeply connected through unseen songs and dreams that influence their reality. We as the Traveler get to briefly tap into manipulating that consciousness through note inputs.

And specifically this dreamy tune we input to appease Varuna? Perhaps intentionally or not, its notes align with the general format of a Pentatonic scale often used in calming or spiritual music.

Beyond just progressing our adventure, these moments teach us valuable lessons about the cultures, beings, and histories that tread on this mortal plane before us.

What other secrets might we still uncover about the Aranara, the withering, or Vanarana‘s true nature? Let‘s keep exploring this jungle of dreams together!

Where To Go Next in Vanarana

As one of Genshin‘s most lore-rich expansions yet, completing Varuna‘s quest opens far more doors than it closes. Like streams feeding a great lake, tributaries of adventure flow outward from this milestone, ripe for us Travelers to dive into.

Suggested Next Questlines

The Withering – Heal all eight withering Aranara like Varuna across the jungle
Aranyaka – Uncover this ancient forest‘s history through book chapters
Pots of Prosperity – Track down buried treasures for precious harvests

Useful Ongoing Activities

Gather new Dendroculus for Ascension materials and upgrades
Unlock teleport waypoints and domains through exploration
Discover precious chests using treasure-finding seelies

In your own travels, don‘t overlook conversation trees with the Aranara themselves either. Their wisdom and periphery quests offer interactive depth beyond the major chains.

Most importantly, relax and savor the vibrant sights this new Sumerian paradise has to offer! Not all who wander are lost, especially with helpful guides for the truly puzzling parts.

Now go forth through that stone archway and write your own chapter in the Jungle of Dreams! Just leave a comment below if you ever need more tips from a fellow wayfarer.