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[lilaroxa]

RF1: Year 1 - Winter 8

I have very vivid memories of playing through this part of the game for the first time as a kid. Dare I say, this moment in the game is probably what cemented me as a lifelong Rune Factory fan.

It's Winter 8, which, to be quite honest, is much earlier in the season than I traditionally would have gotten to this point as a kid. Up to this point, I had just been playing through the game like any other Harvest Moon title. I talked to the girls I liked (flopping between Felicity, Tori, and Tabatha before eventually marrying Felicity), participated in Festivals, grew some crops, and occasionally beat dungeons. When suddenly, the game reminds you that Raguna is another character in this universe, not just another self-insert farming sim protagonist.

Although Raguna doesn't get much opportunity to speak, this scene has always been an integral part of Raguna's identity to me:

Mist: Raguna, isn’t it dangerous to go to any more caves? Raguna: It’s dangerous, but if there is something going on in our world, I just can’t ignore it.

Raguna is resilient, loyal, and brave. After Misty Bloom Cave, you get this impending sense that only Raguna can be the hero of this story.

Mist: You know Raguna, you’re different than most people. Raguna: Really? Mist: Whatever you used to do before you came to our town, I bet it involved a lot of responsibility. Raguna: Well, I wish I could just remember. Mist: Do you think if your memory comes back… you’ll leave this town? Raguna: I’m not sure. But it doesn’t seem I’ll have to make that decision anytime soon.

Additionally, I love that the identity loss is addressed in this game. Mist (and Zavier, amongst others, I'm sure), notice that Raguna has qualities that suggest that he may have been someone important before. Above all, Raguna admits that he wishes he could remember -- something I would love to see be more discussed in other Rune Factory titles!

On a slightly more silly note, after beating the hardest boss up until this point, Raguna's comment is:

Mist: Are you okay, Raguna? Raguna: I’ve been through worse.

No, you haven't. I can guarantee this is the worst thing your post-amnesiac self has been through.

...unless he's recalling feelings of things he has forgotten?

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[lilaroxa]

RF1: Year 1 - Winter 7

I've mentioned this before that one thing I love about old Rune Factory games is location-specific dialogue. Taking the time to visit Bianca in her room adds a level of depth to her and Raguna's dynamic.

In my current playthrough, she is at 7LP. Obviously, she has noticed Raguna's efforts to visit her in her room, but she still holds onto her pride and crushes any hope that there might ever be something between them.

But what I find so amusing about this interaction is that if you marry anyone else, she will always say:

So you married [name]... And I thought you felt something for me... Oh well...

Even when her LP is 0! Whether that be due to old game limitations or the general farming sim ritual of having fixed dialogue for marriage scenes, it's interesting to think that Bianca may have always been interested in Raguna. She's just horrible at making friends.

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[lilaroxa]

RF1: Year 1 - Winter 6 [Winter Festival]

In the first Rune Factory game, romance events were practically non-existent, which means the Winter Festival was one of my favourite days of the year.

I love seeing how much character comes out on this day. Specifically, Bianca and Felicity's romances are especially interwoven on Festival days, although for opposite reasons. Felicity, being the mayor's daughter, feels closer to her dream of helping out the town in her own way, often checking to make sure Raguna is taking care of himself or enjoying the event. Bianca, on the other hand, recognizes that Raguna chose to spend time with her despite having an entire other town of people to hang out with. Or at least, that's my interpretation of why she gets a boost in LP/FP when you talk to her first on Festival days.

Above all, I think it's fascinating that she reveals a more honest side of herself at the only romance festival where she has to initiate the conversation.

Bianca: I heard there was a festival today. So, this is for you.

Conversely, she presents her gift in the most matter-of-fact, prideful way. This was not a gift from her to Raguna, no. It's simply a cause and effect; don't overthink it.

As an interesting side note, Tabatha is the girl who comes in after her. Aside from implying that there's an entire line of girls waiting outside of Raguna's house at 6AM to give him chocolate, it's also amusing to consider that Tabatha may have encouraged Bianca to give him the chocolate first.

Visiting Bianca later in the day shows she's back to her usual, prideful self:

It has to be expensive chocolate, right?

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[lilaroxa]

[lilaroxa]

RF1: Year 1 - Winter 5

This line always brings me back to my childhood. As a shy video game nerd, I related a lot to Tori and her admiration for fictional worlds and found it even more amusing that, as much as her world was an escape to me, she, too, preferred to dive into other fictional worlds.

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[lilaroxa]

🌼 18 Days Left 🌼

Let's get to work! Iroha's endless energy and cheer makes these long days feel shorter 🍡 Perfect for the wait!

Thank you to @lilaroxa !

[lilaroxa]

RF1: Year 1 - Winter 4

"Surely that can't be true!"

Whatever Mei lived through, imagine hearing the rumours that Kardia's Mt. Clemens has a view so vast that you can see as far as Mei's [unnamed/forgotten] homeland.

Yet here she is anyway. Every Wednesday afternoon, actually. I wonder if she still hopes it was all a nightmare, or maybe she comes here as a place to reflect?

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[lilaroxa]

I too dream of being a fish

[lilaroxa]

🎇 Sign ups are open🎇

Only one week remains to sign up! We have such an amazing line up of creators so far-- please join us in counting down the final 30 days of RF Guardians of Azuma's release! 🐉

💙/ Reblogs appreciated!

➡️ Sign up here! (closes 4/25)

[lilaroxa]

RF1: Year 1 - Winter 3

...?

Umprompted compliments + aggressive backpeddling is Rosetta's bread and butter.

Love her for it.

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[lilaroxa]

RF1: Year 1 - Winter 2

...how did she know?

After a long day of clearing and plowing the fields in Misty Bloom Cave, she says THIS to Raguna as he visits her with his daily Radish offering.

Mist sees all, she knows all. The Radishes only make her stronger.

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[lilaroxa]

RF1: Year 1 - Winter 1

This is another one of those moments where I'm going to let the dialogue speak for itself:

Raguna: Mist. Mist: I’ve never been in here before. It’s so beautiful! Look at how pristine the water is! This would be a great place to bring a date, don’t you think, Raguna? Raguna: Huh? Uh… I guess… Mist: But it would never do with all these monsters! Raguna: If you say so… Mist: You know, Raguna, sometimes I just don’t get you! Raguna: You… don’t get me? Mist: Say, this cave is called “Misty Bloom,” right? Part of it’s the same name as mine! Isn’t that kind of strange? Raguna: Do you think it might have something to do with you? Mist: Nah, I doubt it! Raguna: Okay… Mist: Well, I’m going to head back now. Watch yourself!

Sometimes I'm unsure if Raguna is in "yes dear, whatever you say dear" mode or babysitter mode with this woman. Probably a bit of both.

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Finally adding a touch of winter to the blanket!

[lilaroxa]

Draw Your OTP Challenge - Complete!

It's been 1 year 7 months and 19 days since I started streaming Rune Factory every Wednesday. With it, has come a plethora of new perspectives of the series and its characters.

Learning how to draw has been a "one day" dream of mine that I decided to turn into a reality in 2025. While I feel so far from finding my "style" I wanted to capture my starting point to look back at in the future.

Here's to the start of putting my silly little ideas on paper!

Prompt list below the cut!

[lilaroxa]

Draw Your OTP: Day 30 - Going Home

Dad! Daddy!!!

Honey...!

[lilaroxa]

Draw Your OTP: Day 29 - Admitting Their Feelings

You're here to use the YUE SWAP TICKET, are you? Go on then, Kyle, what do you want? Hmm... I want to exchange it for you, Yue. Um, Kyle, does that mean you're...pro-pro-pro...

[lilaroxa]

RF1: Year 1 - Fall 30

Oh Tabatha, if only Raguna had heeded your advice and bought the Misty Bloom Cave Fall seeds TODAY, aka a non-Holiday.

It's the last day of Fall, or as any RF1 player would say: "FINALLY, MISTY BLOOM CAVE TOMORROW"!

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[lilaroxa]

Draw Your OTP: Day 28 - Getting Help from a Healer

Heated milk. Helps relax the body. Good for sleepless nights. Sugar can be added.