Mirthwood: An Immersive Experience Beyond Farming
Mirthwood isn’t just a typical farming simulator; it’s a rich RPG. Your decisions and actions impact the lives of the townsfolk, and there’s a wealth of activities available, including acting and building romantic relationships with NPCs.
When you begin your adventure, you’ll notice that many items are hidden, and quests can be behind locked doors, making it challenging to get your bearings. Here are a few important tips to help you kick off your journey in Mirthwood.
Exploration is Key
To make progress, you need to venture out and explore. Items like Fabled Feathers are often tucked away in unexpected places across the map. By exploring new areas, you’ll uncover not only hidden items but also quests, lore, and valuable loot.
As you wander, you may encounter situations that require you to make moral choices. For example, you’ll find a body hanging from a tree north of Northdell Farms, and your decision regarding what to do next will influence your morality score.
You can also visit Shrines, which are scattered throughout the game, to enhance your morality. Remember, this game blends elements of RPG and farming, so sticking strictly to the main story might lead you to overlook numerous side quests and experiences.
Quick Access to an Iron Sword
You start with basic Copper tools and either a Copper or wooden sword, and gathering materials can feel slow. Luckily, you can grab an Iron Sword early on, saving you from grinding for resources.
Just before reaching Brightoak, keep an eye out for a Rusty Iron Sword near some training grounds. To find it, simply head south from your farm and take the first right you encounter.
Although the Rusty Iron Sword deals less damage than a standard Iron Sword, it’s a solid weapon to begin with. Here’s a quick overview:
| Rusty Iron Sword | |
|---|---|
| Damage | 8 |
| Sell Price | 30 coins |
An intact Iron Sword offers 13 Damage and sells for 200 coins. While you’ll want a better weapon eventually, the Rusty sword will serve you well in the beginning.
Discovering Bramble Quillworthy’s Notes
Scattered throughout the game are pages from Bramble Quillworthy, which contain useful information about your surroundings. It’s crucial not to dismiss these pages, as they can provide insights into resources and dangers nearby.
Keep an eye out for notes, like one found on a bench in Brightoak, which reveals where to locate iron, hardwood, and limestone.
Understanding NPCs
Building relationships with NPCs is an integral part of Mirthwood, but their emotional states can fluctuate based on various factors in their lives. You’ll need to be attentive to their moods and what they enjoy.
Getting to know an NPC will help you understand their likes, and enable you to build affinity more effectively. Accessing their profile on the screen allows you to monitor their current feelings and interests.
Looting Insights
When it comes to searching for resources, crates and barrels are everywhere, filled with coins, food, or supplies. Some crates are marked as “Steal,” which you should avoid, but remember that not every container is off-limits.
Warning: Looting results in a -5 Morality hit. While it’s wise to avoid stealing in towns, remember that some crates can be looted for helpful resources early on in the game. If you do decide to steal, target larger treasures or chests for the best value.
Managing Hunger
In Mirthwood, you’ll have several options for managing your hunger. You can munch on raw food like berries and fish, or use the Cooking Pot to whip up more satisfying meals.
If you use your crops for cooking, consider selling them instead, especially at the game’s outset. Meat is readily available nearby, with deer and rabbits around your farm. A couple of hits with a Rusty Iron Sword will bring them down easily.
Each raw food item offers different benefits:
- Cooked Venison: 15 Hunger
- Cooked Rabbit: 12 Hunger and 5 Stamina
- Cooked Fish: 15 Hunger and 10 Hearts
Crafting Essentials
It’s beneficial to craft a Keg and a Cask as soon as possible. The Keg not only keeps your health up but also helps replenish your hunger easily. You can craft drinks that heal and fill your hunger using this handy device.
To build a Keg, locate a Workbench and follow the cogwheel icon. You’ll need 30 Wood and 2 Iron Bars. Here are a couple of sample recipes you can create with it:
| Keg Recipes | Price |
|---|---|
| Light Ale | 10 Hearts, 10 Coins |
| Mead | 10 Hunger, 10 Coins |
Crafting Tables Utilize Nearby Chests
In Mirthwood, crafting tables can access resources in nearby chests, so you won’t have to make endless trips back and forth. Just be sure the chests are within range of the crafting area to streamline your resource management.
Mapping Your Journey
At the start, your map will be blank until you discover various locations. Only after visiting these spots will they be marked on your map. Keep your quests active to view their locations as yellow spots, indicating where you can progress.
Fast Travel is also available but only to campsites or your farm. Be sure to unlock as many campsites as you can; they each have a bed and a workbench, providing convenient points for quick travel throughout the game.