Stardew Valley is packed with things for players to see and do. As they live their lives in a bustling town, eager to get their farm up and running, they can get to know their neighbors, run a successful business, and even find romance among the people of the town. The game also possesses some mysteries and hidden quests.
As Stardew Valley players wander near the bus stop from the farm during winter, between 6 am and 4 pm, they might see a shadowy figure lurking around. Commonly referred to as Shadow Guy, he will get startled and run away, leaving some footprints in the snow. If players follow the footprints, they will lead to a bush near the community center. Interact with the bush, and the shadowy figure will pop out of it.
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Shadow Guy will apologize as it turns out he is a bit of a thief, and he will give players a Magnifying Glass. This is extremely useful, as it gives players the ability to find secret notes while they are doing the various tasks and chores required to progress the game. Notes can lead to interesting secrets or important pieces of information about other people in the town.
Players can find secret notes while performing several different actions in the game. Secret notes can appear while dealing with weeds, killing monsters, chopping trees, fishing, finding artifacts, and harvesting stone or other resources. The notes will drop based on random loot tables, so the only way to get them is to do as much in the game as possible and not make the classic beginner's mistake of not considering a job to be important. The more players do these tasks, the greater the chance of finding a note.
When a note drops, players can view it by clicking on the bag-shaped icon on the top row of their inventory, then the secret notes icon on the bottom left. Right-clicking on any of the notes will then allow players to read them. Some of them will be simple pieces of information about the townsfolk, while others will contain clues to finding important items. It should be noted, the relevant items will not populate in the game unless players have found the secret note in their own game, and any related quests can only be complete upon reading a secret note.
It's a page from Abigail's Diary.
'Things I love: the smell of carved pumpkin, keeping an amethyst under my pillow, chocolate cake, the thrill of spicy eel, and the comfort of Mom's blackberry cobbler (I like to eat!)'
It's Sam's holiday shopping list.
Everyone's favorites
Sebastian: Frozen Tear, SashimiPenny: Emerald, PoppyVincent: Grape, Cranberry CandyMom: Crispy Bass, PancakesDad: Risotto, Roasted HazelnutsMe: Cactus, Maple Bar, Pizza
It's written in Leah's handwriting.
My idea of a perfect dinner would be salad, goat cheese, truffle, and wine. For dessert, I'd need a poppyseed muffin. Yum! If someone gave me one of those things, I'd melt.
It's a note of Maru's
Parts still needed for my greatest invention yet! Gold Bar, Iridium Bar, Battery Pack, Diamond, Strawberries.
It's Penny's handwriting:
I want to get everyone something they love!
Mom: Parsnip, Glazed Yams, NO BEER!Jas: Fairy Rose, Plum PuddingVincent: Pink Cake, GrapeMr. Mullner: Leek, Fried MushroomGranny Mullner: Beet, Tulip
Stardrop Saloon Special Orders
Mayor Lewis: Autumn's Bounty(Double order of high-fiber bread on the side)
Marnie: Pumpkin Pie(extra whipped cream!)
Demetrius: Bean Hotpot(Make it spicy)
Caroline: Fish Taco(she wants triple the sauce! Better throw in a few extra napkins...)
It's a page from someone's diary...
...There are only a few 'older' bachelors in town, and none of them are perfect! Harvey is really anxious and weak, but I know he would make a loyal and devoted husband. He likes coffee and pickles.
Elliott is a bit foppish and melodramatic, but he does have a nice chin. He likes crab cakes and pomegranates.
Shane is messy and anti-social. But I think his gruff exterior is a defense mechanism, insulating his softness from the world. He likes Beer, Pizza, and Pepper Poppers.
To Haley and Emily
Hope you two are doing well! We've sent you your favorite gifts: Pink Cake and Sunflowers for Haley, Gemstones and Wool for Emily!
-Love Mom and Dad
Alex's Strength Training Diet! Complete Breakfast, Salmon Dinner (I've learned to love this food. I can feel the protein!)
Someone iswaiting for youon level 100intheskull cavern...
Solution: This note will give players the Cryptic Note quest. Players will need to reach level 100 of Skull Cavern. This will lead to a cutscene featuring Mr. Qi, who will give you the Iridium Snake Milk item.
This secret note is an image of a young Marnie with another character, surrounded by animals.
I've found some good things by looking in the garbage cans, on lucky days.
Sometimes you'll find the 'dish of the day' behind the saloon... usually fresh!
For dessert, I'll check the Mullners' can for cookies.
For treasures, check the cans by the blacksmith and museum.
12 o'clock noon SHARP. Last day of the season. Check the bush above the playground.
Solution: To solve this note, interact with the bush above the playground at noon on the 28th day of any season. This will reward a Junimo Plush.
I hid something behind the community center.
Solution: If players go behind the community center with a pickaxe, they can find a Stone Junimo hidden near the roof.
Mermaid Show: 1-5-4-2-3
Solution: During the Night Market, go into the boat on the right to start the Mermaid Show. When the show is complete, click on the shells in the order given on the note to receive a Pearl.
A treasure map.
Solution: Go to a large boulder north of the railroad tracks and dig one space to the right to find a treasure chest.
A treasure map.
Solution: Go to the north of the JoJo Mart near the river. Dig on the most northern tile on the right side to find a Strange Doll.
Another treasure map.
Solution: Visit the Calico Desert and use a hoe near the bench to find a yellow Strange Doll.
A picture of Willow Lane, showing some arrows.
Solution: Starting on the green square shown outside the house, walk as far as possible in each direction depicted by the arrows. When players hit an obstacle, they should start walking in the direction shown by the next arrow. Continue the cycle until it leads to a Solid Gold Lewis behind the Mayor's house.
Another treasure map.
Solution: Copy the same movement style as the previous secret note, starting in the town square center. This leads to a truck, and speaking to the driver will allow players to exchange a Rabbit's Foot for a Special Charm that increases luck.
An oddly drawn clue.
Solution: At precisely 12:40 at night, go to a large bush to the northwest of the bridge from Pelican Town to the beach. Marnie and Lewis will jump out of the bush. There is no item reward for this part.
Greetings,
Have you found my 'secret' in the dark tunnel?
I look forward to meeting you!
-Qi
Solution: Take a Battery Pack to the bus stop, then go west into the tunnel. Place the battery in the box on the wall in the middle of the tunnel to begin The Mysterious Qi quest.
If yoo can reed dis... come to seecrit wuds. Pleez bring may-pal serrup.
Solution: Adds the Strange Note quest to players' journals. Go to the Secret Woods between 6 am and 7 pm. Bring Maple Syrup to trigger a cutscene featuring a bear. This will increase the sales price of Blackberries and Salmonberries.
It's a page from M. Jasper's Book.
The creatures, known by some as "Forest Sprites" or "Junimos," are said to appear in abandoned buildings after they've "gone to seed".
As a general rule when humans leave, nature begins to reclaim her territory, the Junimos will undoubtedly appear.
Folk wisdom holds that the Junimos display some kind of resonant affinity with gemstones that are placed inside their little huts...
Of course, all these claims come from dubious, unverified sources...As far as I know, even the mere existence of these creatures has never been proven!
Solution: Place a mineral, gem, or geode in a Jumino hut to alter the color of the Juminos that harvest crops.
I 'borrowed' a necklace from Mom, but lost it somewhere near the bath house.. She’s going to freak out if she notices it’s missing.
Solution: During Spring, Summer, or Fall, players can fish in the water outside the Spa to find an Ornate Necklace. Speaking with Caroline while carrying the Necklace will give 50 Friendship points while speaking to Abigail will give 100.
Stardew Valley is available now on Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.