Stardew Valley is different from other relaxation sims because of its in-depth character list. Each NPC is fleshed out - many with romance options for the player - with unique personalities and relationships that unfold as fans earn more friendship levels with them.
With so many marriage options in Stardew Valley, it can be hard to decide between them. Even if the player is only interested in one gender, there are still a plethora of options -- all with unique baggage alongside. This guide will help introduce new fans to the intricacies of the game's villagers and help old fans on their second playthrough chose a new set of friends.
Updated July 25, 2023, by Gabrielle Huston: Getting to know the local villagers and befriending your favorites is part of what makes Stardew Valley so special to its fans. It is an ever-popular game as its developer, Concerned Ape, continues to release content. New NPCs are added all the time — some that fans love and some that fans love to hate! This guide has been updated so that new fans can easily browse and old fans have a reliable reference for each of their favorite characters.
Day-to-day life in Stardew Valley turns to year-to-year life, as seasons change and crops come and go. To simulate long seasons on a small scale, the game uses a 112-day year. Fall, Winter, Summer, and Spring all take up 28 days each. The birthdays of the characters in-game are clearly stated, based on this calendar. A birthday on "3 Winter" means that that person was born on the third day of the 28 days of Winter.
37 Alex - The Jock
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be age 18-20, based on the letterman jacket he wears
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 6'0" based on sprite comparisons
- Birthday: 13 Summer
Alex is the town's jock. Though he's aged out of school by now, he's held on to his letterman jacket and is often spotted outside his home tossing a football. He can be a bit sensitive about his dreams to make it big as an athlete, but by encouraging his protein needs, desire to play catch, and love of the beach, he'll become a fast friend.
36 Elliott - The Writer
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be between 25-28 years old, given his independent nature and Hemmingway-esque writer lifestyle
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 6'1" based on sprite comparisons
- Birthday: 5 Fall
Elliott lives alone on the beach and he much prefers that quiet to the busy town streets. His only friends are Leah, the nearby artist, and Willy, the fisherman. All the better, since too many social engagements would distract from his writing. Though he may seem uppity and arrogant at first, Elliott is actually a sweet gentleman who encourages the player's farming dreams, placing him among the best romanceable options in Stardew Valley.
35 Harvey - The Medic
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be in his early 30s since he seems young but has had enough time for medical school
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 6'2" based on sprite comparisons
- Birthday: 14 Winter
Harvey is Pelican Town's resident doctor and, as the only doctor, he spends most of his time keeping up with the health of the other residents. When he's not in the clinic, the player can spot him exercising around town — he's incredibly healthy for his age. A quick chat with Harvey is bound to lead to some unnecessary medical advice, but at least he means well.
34 Sam - The Musician
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be age 20, since he still lives with his parents and works a part-time job
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5'11" based on sprite comparisons
- Birthday: 17 Summer
Sam is a musician who excels at drums and guitar. He has dreams of starting a band with his best friend, Sebastian, once he's written enough songs. In the meantime, he lives with his parents, Jodi and Kent. Vincent, his younger brother, adores Sam and wants to be just like him when he's that age. Working at the JojaMart part-time pays for his music equipment.
33 Sebastian - The Loner
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be age 25 or so, considering the age of his parents and sister
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5'8" based on sprite comparisons
- Birthday: 10 Winter
Sebastian is a bit tough to get to know at first; he certainly doesn't make it easy on the player. He's Robin's son and Demetrius' step-son, making Maru his half-sister. Ever since Maru was born Sebastian has felt ignored and dejected. Thus, he mostly spends his time on the computer in his basement bedroom or playing pool with Sam at The Stardrop Saloon. However, he's still an excellent candidate for the player's romance.
32 Shane - The Down-On-His-Luck Sweetheart
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be in his late 20s, probably looking more advanced in age than he actually is due to his lifestyle choices
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5'7"
- Birthday: 20 Spring
Suffering from severe depression and alcoholism, Shane's story is one of the saddest from Stardew Valley. He spends most of his time at The Stardrop Saloon, drinking his troubles away. His work at the JojaMart is the classic 9-5, Monday to Friday job which chips away at his energy and patience. Marnie, Shane's aunt, is letting him stay with her while he picks himself up and dusts himself off.
31 Abigail - The Rebel
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be age 20 or so, since she is independent but still lives with her parents
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5'0" based on sprite comparisons
- Birthday: 13 Fall
Abigail is a young woman still in her rebellious phase — or at least her mother Caroline thinks it's a phase. She frets about the "occult nonsense" that Abigail is interested in and wishes Abigail would let her natural hair color grow out. Unconcerned, Abigail pursues her hobbies vehemently. She's the drummer for Sam and Sebastian's band and plays other instruments, too — like the flute!
30 Emily - The Tailor
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be age 25 or so, considering her sister's relative immaturity
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5'9"
- Birthday: 27 Spring
Emily might work at The Stardrop Saloon most nights, but don't be fooled: her real passion is tailoring. She makes all her own clothes and loves to get cloth and wool as gifts since they can be tough to get in town. She and her sister, Haley, live in and tend to their parents' home while they're away traveling the world!
29 Haley - The Beauty
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be around the age of 23, perhaps just out of finishing her post-secondary studies
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5'5" based on sprite comparisons
- Birthday: 14 Spring
Haley lives with her sister, Emily, in their family home while their parents are traveling. She grew up wealthy and adored by her family, so she can come off conceited at first glance. Hobbies like makeup and fashion take up most of her attention. However, she has a sweet side if the player has the drive to bring it out.
28 Leah - The Artist
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be in her mid-to-late 20s since she was in a long term relationship before moving to Stardew Valley
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5'3" based on sprite comparisons
- Birthday: 23 Winter
Leah is quiet (if not as reserved as her friend Elliot). She's a talented artist with a large portfolio but is too shy to show it off. Each morning she can be found in her cottage, sculpting away. After that, the player can probably spy her in the forest nearby picking mushrooms or wild plants. Leah's confidence may be low, but she's overflowing with warmth for her friends.
27 Maru - The Tinkerer
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be in her early-to-mid 20s, since she's a fully qualified nurse
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5'4" based on sprite comparisons
- Birthday: 10 Summer
Maru works as a nurse at the Pelican Town clinic, making her one of Harvey's few close friends. She's the daughter of Robin and Demetrius and, while Sebastian is her half-brother, the two don't usually get along. Maru developed a passion for creating gadgets at a young age, encouraged by her carpenter mother and scientist father.
26 Penny - The Reader
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be in her early 20s, since she still lives with her mother, but probably has not left due to financial difficulties
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5'1" based on sprite comparisons
- Birthday: 2 Fall
Penny is the ultimate bookworm — she can often be found at the library or museum with her nose in a novel. She teaches the town's two children, Vincent and Jas, since Pelican Town has no school. Penny lives in a trailer in town with her mother, Pam, and only entertains modest dreams of settling down and starting a family — perhaps with the player?
25 Pam - The Barfly
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be in her mid-40s
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5' (with her hair adding a little height)
- Birthday: 18 Spring
Pam is Penny's mother, but the two of them couldn't be more different. Pam loves to spend her nights in the bar, surrounded by other people. Penny is much happier in the quiet with a good book. Regardless, they both care dearly for one another. Pam also feels very strongly about her religion, hoping that it will give her the strength she needs to stop drinking... one day.
24 Caroline - The Gardener
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be in her early-to-mid-forties, since she's Abigail's mother
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5'5"
- Birthday: 7 Winter
Caroline lives at the general store with her husband, Pierre, and daughter, Abigail. Jodi is her best friend and they're often spotted together around town. The pair of them attend an aerobics class with some other ladies: Marnie, Emily, and Robin. To fill her extra time, she says she likes to help Evelyn maintain the town's public gardens.
23 Pierre - The Shopkeeper
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be in his early 40s, since he's Abigail's father
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 6'0"
- Birthday: 26 Spring
Pierre is Abigail's father, Caroline's husband, and the owner of Pelican Town's general store. He's very proud of his locally-run business despite the misery that the local JojaMart has caused him. To relax in the evenings, Pierre loves to go to the Stardrop Saloon and chat with his neighbors. Abigail would love to adopt a cat, but to her dismay, her father (or not...?) is allergic.
22 Morris - The Capitalist
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be in his 30s
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 6'
- Birthday: Never stated
The point of Stardew Valley is to move out of the city and live a peaceful, wholesome life in the countryside. Morris is the devil meant to tempt you back into the mega-corporation, Joja. He runs the local supermarket - the JojaMart - and competes with Pierre for business. Thankfully, it's possible to run him out of town if you complete the Community Centre with the help of the Junimos.
21 Robin - The Woodworker
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be in her late 30s or early 40s
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5'7"
- Birthday: 21 Fall
Robin is one of the first villagers that the player meets in Stardew Valley since she's the town carpenter. Throughout the game, fans have to keep returning to Robin to move, build, and destroy the buildings on their property. She has two children, Maru and Sebastian, and is married to Demetrius. Robin's cheerful demeanor makes her a treat to talk to, even if her children occasionally disagree.
20 Demetrius - The Scientist
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be aged 40-45
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 6'2"
- Birthday: 19 Summer
Demetrius is a scientist who lives in the Mountains with his wife, Robin, and their two children. That suits Demetrius just fine since he's eager to research the local wildlife. He can be spotted in a wide range of locations, often taking notes in the outdoors. When you bump into him, he'll often comment on his studies. It doesn't keep Demetrius from being a loving and dedicated father, though; he's shown to love Maru very much and actively works on his relationship with his step-son, Sebastian, by reading books like "Practical Tips For First-Time Step-Dads."
19 Willy - The Fisherman
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be in his mid-to-late 40s
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 5'10"
- Birthday: 24 Summer
Willy is a dedicated fisherman that lives on the beach outside of the town. He only has one friend, Elliott — and that's out of convenience since they both live on the beach. The strange schedule of a fisherman (early to rise and early to bed) doesn't make socializing easy. He does appear at the saloon before night-time fishing sometimes, though.
18 Wizard - The Magician
-(right---textbox-of-character-talking).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
- Age: Never stated, but assumed to be in his late 40s to early 50s
- Height: Never stated, but assumed to be 6'1"
- Birthday: 17 Winter
The Wizard (or M. Rasmodius) is a magician living in a tower to the west of Cindersap Forest. His quiet demeanor is made for a life of study, but he doesn't seem to hate the villagers. Indeed, like his friend Linus, the Wizard seems to stay away because the villagers are afraid of him. The fact that fans suspect he is Abigail's real father is among Stardew Valley's most interesting unsolved mysteries.