Mainly, his fishing level was too low. Most of the time fish would escape the hook, making him work for nothing.
So he mostly went to the northern mines instead.
Selling dropped gems, various ancient artifacts, and random junk yielded tons of cropper coins. As for the Museum, he'd deal with that later.
While organizing supplies, Rowan suddenly remembered something.
Today was Haley's birthday!
He'd almost forgotten!
Besides farming and mining, socializing was also an extremely important mechanic in Stardew Valley.
Giving NPCs gifts they liked would increase friendship.
As Pelican Town's acknowledged beauty queen, though she had a bit of a temper and was somewhat vain, it didn't diminish Rowan's fondness for this beautiful girl one bit.
Ever since he'd accidentally passed by the riverside near Marnie's Ranch that first time, seeing that golden-haired girl taking photos by the shore...
Rowan's heart had been struck hard.
From then on, whenever he had free time, he'd run over to make his presence known.
Just sometimes it was a thankless task, and she didn't like any gifts he sent.
Two weeks had passed, and his friendship hadn't even reached one heart...
Today, he had to seize the opportunity.
But he discovered Stardew Valley's shops didn't sell cake.
The kitchen crafting menu also had no cake recipe. Right now, he only knew Haley liked daffodils.
This gifting system was such a trap.
Lots of times, if you gave NPCs gifts they disliked, friendship would actually decrease.
He hurriedly ran to 2 Willow Lane, Haley and Emily's home.
Knocked and entered, discovering Emily answered the door.
"Emily, is Haley home?"
"Oh, Rowan! Haley's not home right now. Maybe you could check by the river or the park."
Emily blinked, looking at this new farmer.
"Alright! Thanks!"
He first ran to the riverside south of Marnie's Ranch, no Haley. So he returned to town, passed through the town center to the park beside the Community Center.
An Haley was indeed here.
He hurried forward, presenting the prepared daffodil.
"Is this a birthday present for me?"
"Thank you, Rowan!"
Seeing Rowan's gift, Haley showed a happy smile.
Rowan immediately checked his interface; Their friendship had jumped straight to two hearts.
'Nice!'
As expected, NPC birthdays had bonuses.
He rambled on beside Haley for a while. Though he felt Haley's attitude wasn't as cold as before...
She was still somewhat dismissive.
He could only guess what would happen when their friendship got higher.
He was a bit excited about it.
With his gift delivered and nothing pressing now, he left directly.
Next, he planned to continue mining.
Returning to the farm, Potter was still frantically chopping trees.
Rowan thought about it, figuring two people mining together was better.
Might even speed up progress.
He called Potter over, preparing the needed equipment and supplies.
He'd now purchased the backpack upgrade, so his inventory had 24 slots, enough for mining for now.
They headed out directly and arrived mine floor 41.
Pelican Town's mines had copper before floor 40, and iron ore appeared after floor 40.
The environment had now become frozen levels. From the first forty floors' treasure chests, he'd obtained boots, a slingshot, and a sword with slightly better stats.
He tried the slingshot, andhtought it was pretty useless.
Right now, the mines spawned lots of dust sprites.
"So this is mine level 41? Feels like a completely different area!"
Potter was somewhat excited.
His progress was very lackluster, only at twenty-some floors. He spent most of his time farming and fishing, or just wandering around.
"Yeah, be careful now. Your equipment's still all starter gear. You could easily get knocked out!"
"Just follow me and mine. I'll handle the monsters."
Rowan started dividing tasks between them. Having someone help find ladders would be much faster. Today, they tried to climb to floor 60.
The two proceeded methodically through their progress.
Stardew Valley's diversity made its target audience extremely broad.
Everyone could find suitable gameplay based on their own preferences.
Like Clara, for instance.
As a girl born disabled, she'd spent her entire life in a wheelchair since birth.
She had no social life of her own.
From birth, the people she knew were limited only to the manor's butler and maids.
No matter what conditions she proposed, these people would try to satisfy her. But she knew this was merely out of fear and pity.
This often made her feel lonely.
So the Dreamscape could be said to have become her only spiritual solace.
In Stardew Valley, everyone else busied themselves farming, mining, and earning money.
Only she spent every day talking and chatting with the Pelican Town residents.
This let her hear many interesting things.
This day was another evening. She was about to head home, walking the small path back to the farm.
Passing an intersection, she suddenly saw rustling in the bushes. Then Mayor Lewis and Marnie suddenly emerged.
Clara covered her mouth, somewhat surprised.
"Mayor Lewis, Miss Marnie, what a coincidence! What are you doing here?"
She was somewhat puzzled. Why were they running out of the bushes?
"Ah..."
Lewis, seeing someone was actually there, panicked. Marnie's face also flushed slightly.
"Clara! ...Um, um... what a coincidence..."
Mayor Lewis scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.
"...Marnie said her farm's cat got lost. I'm helping to look for it!"
"Right, Clara, we're looking for my kitten."
The two seemed a bit breathless talking, probably tired, Clara thought.
"So that's it. Did you find it? Let me help you look!"
Marnie was startled...
"No need, Clara! I already spotted my cat just now. It already ran toward the ranch. It's so naughty, always running around everywhere!"
"Right, right! It's so late, Clara, you should hurry home! Hahaha!"
Mayor Lewis hastily agreed, very awkwardly.
"I see, okay then!"
"Goodbye, Mayor Lewis, Miss Marnie!"
"Mm-hmm, good child, hurry back!"
Clara was slightly puzzled, but didn't think much of it, turning and skipping toward the farm.
The evening road was somewhat quiet. Many residents wouldn't come out once home.
Passing Willow Lane, a man walked home.
Getting closer, wasn't this Shane?
"Good evening, Shane!"
Shane turned his head...
"Don't you have work to do?"
Seemed like he'd just finished drinking at the Stardrop Saloon. His expression was somewhat fierce.
Clara was speechless... What a jerk of a man.
All of Pelican Town's residents were very kind, except Shane.
But she wasn't angry. From the first day of meeting this person, nothing good ever came out of his mouth, so Clara was used to it.
She continued skipping toward the farm.