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[wysiwyg-wizards]

Halfling Dale Guide – Secret Records

When you finish a game of Halfling Dale you are given a character record. This record will always include the route you’ve chosen, your halfling’s profession, their closest relationship(s), and their Respectability. However there are many more things that can appear in the records of halflings willing to find them - and these secrets are what the following guide is for.

Some of these secrets have multiple ways of achieving them – I’ve marked which very clearly. In order to be as succinct as possible I have given at least one method to find every secret, but you may find yourself able to acquire these Secret Records by different methods as well.

Records for Exceptional Stats:

If any of your character stats are at max (or very close to max) then they will be included in your record – up to a maximum of 2. For more information on the stats and how to influence them, check out this Guide to Stats.

Route Specific Secrets:

                -“Sharpshooting archer” – is found on the Garrance Route, if you agree to an archery lesson in Act 3.

                -“Bambi’s Saviour” – is found on the Garrance Route, if you choose to take in and look after the baby deer in Act 6.

                -“Founder of ‘PC Named Group” – is found on the Mum Route, if you decide to make your own charity group in Act 3.

                -“Inherited a family heirloom” – is found on the Mum Route, by choosing to have a quite Yule with just Mum and Ida.

                -“Elf friend” – is found on the Patty Route.

                -“ Vanished into thin air” – is found on the Benny Route, if you get his True Ending.

                -“Hedgehog hater” – is found on the Goldworthy Route, if you suggest setting off the fireworks before finding the hedgehog at the end of Act 2.

                -”Master of Go” – is found on the Wilibald Route, if you invite him to join you in your home hole on Yule Night. Then you need to be a ‘Go Player’ and have a very high wise stat.

                -“Maker of Special Lemon Buns” – is found on the Miller Route, by choosing to have a quite Yule with just Mum and Ida.

Festival Secrets:

                -“Pie Contest Winner” – is achieved by placing in the top three or winning any special award in the pie contest at the Harvest Festival. For more info on this see the Pie Contest Guide.

                -“Pie pilferer” – is found by choosing to mess with Cousin Sissy’s pie, and successfully swapping your entry with hers.

                -“Odd tastes” – is found by making a Steak and Parsnip Pie seasoned with caraway seeds for the Harvest Festival. (This combination will also win the “Unique Flavour” award at the festival.)

                -“Yule Night Thespian”  - is found by successfully participating in any performance in the Town Hall on Yule Night. There are several ways to achieve this, but the easiest is to either join the group performance (this only works if you placed in the Pie Contest), or to give your character the ‘Story Teller’ hobby and make up a new fictional story.

                -“ Billy's saviour” – is found by going to the Town Hall on Yule Night and succeeding when you choose to help look for Billy. There are several ways to achieve this, one way is to have your character be either: mischievous, sensible, imaginative or an indoorsy sort, and then make the choice: I bet he snuck back into the town hall - only a lunatic would go out in this!

                -“Exemplary Springtide volunteer” – is achieved by volunteering to help with the dancing at the Springtide Fair and successfully resolving your chosen problem. There are several ways to achieve this, one way is to make your character a ‘Tailor’ and then help find the Spring Queen. Note: if you are on the Benny Route you will get a unique scene here, and won’t be able to choose this problem.

                -“Strength of a Scot” – win the caber toss at the Springtide Fair. There are several ways to achieve this, but one way is to make your character a ‘Brewer’ and then choose: The caber toss is all about strength, I put my back into it.

                -“ Three-legged race winner” – win the three-legged race at the Springtide Fair. Make sure to partner Mum because you can’t win with Sissy. There are several ways to achieve this, one way is to make your character a ‘Dancer’ then you can leap over the pile up, and trip the Spring Queen at the finish line.

                -“ Tug o'war winner” – win the tug o’war at the Springtide Fair. There are several ways to achieve this, one way is to make your character a ‘Brewer’ or ‘Goldsmith’ and then choose: Put all your strength into pulling and win this!

General Secrets:

                -“Made a Mortal Enemy” – is found by inviting Cousin Sissy to the Yule Night festivities at your home hole. Towards the end of the night when Sissy attempts to apologise you must throw the apology back in her face. (Note: there are several ways to lock yourself off from this record, check the Sissy Route Guide for more details.)

                -‘Slap fight with Sissy” – is found by joining Sissy for the three-legged race at the Springtide Fair (note: you can’t do this if you made Sissy your mortal enemy in Act 4). Race with your cousin, and then try and talk some sense into her (note: you can’t do this if you’re on the Sissy Route).

                -"Strongest halfling in the Dale" – is found by ringing the bell on the strength tester at the Springtide Fair. This is done by having the outdoorsy sort or industrious stats maxed out when trying to hit the bell.

                -“Found the secret gnome” – is found by entering the raffle at the Springtide Fair. You must be honest or well-meaning, then plunge your hand into the bottom of the barrel. There you will find the secret gnome.

                -“Friend of Teacake” – is found by choosing to relax on the picnic blanket with Ida in the afternoon at the Harvest Festival. Then a halfling who is a ‘Knitter’ will be able to make a basket for Teacake.

                -“Has a sweet tooth” – is found by choosing two out of these three options: peppermint sweets at Yule Night in the Town Hall, strawberries and cream at the Springtide Fair, or chocolate with chunks at the Springtide Fair.

                -“True connoisseur of pipe weed” – is found by choosing to light up a pipe in Act 1, then at the Springtide Fair choosing to find a bit of quiet in the evening, then light up a pipe there too.

                -“Keeper of Promises” – can be  found by sitting with Ida and Mum to watch the dancing at the Springtide festival. While there ask Ida to dance, then ask her to dance again in the evening.

                 -“Fisherbear Winner” – is found by trying to hook a duck at the Springtide fair. You must be a ‘Fisher’ and then try to use a proper cast to catch a duck.

                -“Righter of wrongs” – is found by starting the Wilibald route and helping him repair the Mathom House (Note: if you choose to work in the Mathom House you will not then be able to get this record) then inviting Sissy over for Yule Night and mending your fences with her.

Thanks for keeping up with this walkthrough series! Happy gaming.

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Halfling Dale Guide – Route 9, Cousin Sissy

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Sissy Route. This is one of the harder routes: there are no hard stat requirements, but it is a very funky because it doesn’t follow the same structure as the others, and it's possible to lock yourself out of it early on. This is also the only route that can be combined with another. There are no romance options available on this route.

Act 2- The Harvest Festival

When taking part in the pie contest, if you choose to meddle with the other entries make sure you don’t choose the Character Choice:

#Take Sissy's pie out of the running altogether.- this will lock you out of Route 9 later on.

After the pie contest we come to the bonfire. You can speak with Sissy here, but this will not begin route 9. If you choose not to speak with Sissy then make sure to avoid: Route 3 (Tom and Ida) or Route 6 (Filibert and Lily Goldworthy) as these routes will not allow you to switch over later. You can choose Route 1 (Mum) or 4 (Wilibald) as long as you don’t begin a charity in Route 1, or take a job in the Mathom House  in Route 4. As long as you remember these exceptions then you will have the chance to start Route 9 later.

However, if you want to get as much of your Cousin as possible here is what will happen If you speak to her at the bonfire event:

Stat-dependent Split:

                *if PC took Sissy’s pie out the running and knocked over the table, then it leads to this Character Choice: #Admit to falling on purpose. – minor boost to honest and Sissy relationship. #Deny any knowledge of sabotage. – minor boost to wise.

                *if PC didn’t win anything in the Pie contest but Sissy did, you will come to another Stat-dependent split: *if PC swapped their own and Sissy’s pie then you will get this Character Choice: #Reveal to Sissy she won with your pie. – minor boost to honest. Choosing this option will also lock you out of Route 9 later on. #Take the secret to your grave. – minor boost to sophisticated and Sissy relationship. *otherwise #Tell Sissy exactly where she can put her pie; you're sick of her. – minor boost to imaginative. #Stay silent, this gloating says a lot more about her than you. – minor boost to sophisticated and Sissy relationship. #Take a deep breath and earnestly congratulate her. – minor boost to honest, moderate boost to Sissy relationship.

                *if PC won something but Sissy didn’t, you will come to this Character Choice: #Accept her compliment with grace. – minor boost to sophisticated and Sissy relationship. #Rub my victory in her face. – minor boost to imaginative.

                *otherwise, if both PC and Sissy won something then you will come to this Character Choice: #As far as I'm concerned, we both got what we wanted, we should both be happy. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky. #I know how Sissy feels, sharing my win with her makes it feel cheap. – minor boost to industrious and Sissy relationship.

Act 3 - Autumn turns to Winter

Route 9 doesn’t have an Act 3 event, however if you have chosen to follow another path before switching to Act 9 you will get that event here (you can see my other guides for details on these).

Act 4 – Yule Night

The starting point to Route 9 is hidden in this act. You must make the Character Choice:

                #I'll celebrate at home with family, and maybe a few close friends.

And then:

                #Maybe we could invite Cousin Sissy. – minor boost to well-meaning and Sissy relationship.

Character Choice:

                #Yes, that's what Sissy will think. Then, when she lets her guard down. Boom! I'll strike. – minor boost to mischievous.

                #Yes, Mum's right, we're getting older now. It's about time we put all this competitiveness behind us. – minor boost to sensible and well-meaning.

Stat-dependent Split:

                *if PC took out Sissy’s pie, or admitted to stealing her pie then she will refuse your invitation and start an argument.

                *if PC is on Route 3 Sissy won’t be rude, but she won’t attend Yule Night.

                *otherwise Sissy won’t accept your invitation but when Yule Night comes she will attend.

Once you have enjoyed a family Yule Night if Sissy is in attendance you will come to this Stat-dependent Split:

                *if PC won anything in the pie contest then you will get this Character Choice: #This is my chance! Take both money and spoon, then spurn Sissy and cement her embarrassment (and our rivalry) forever more! – moderate boost to mischievous. Will set Sissy relationship to zero, get you the Secret Record “Made a mortal enemy”, and take you off Route 9. #This is ridiculous. It was silly of Sissy to steal my pie idea, but she doesn't owe me any money! – moderate boost to frolicsome and Sissy relationship. #Now that Sissy has sincerely apologised I almost respect her. This is the perfect time to put our past behind us. – moderate boost to sophisticated, minor boost to Sissy relationship.

                *otherwise you will get this Character Choice: #This is my chance! Take the money, then spurn Sissy and cement her embarrassment, and our rivalry, forever more! – moderate boost to mischievous. Will set Sissy relationship to zero, get you the Secret Record “Made a mortal enemy”, and take you off Route 9. #This is ridiculous; it's time to put our past behind us. – moderate boost to happy-go-lucky, minor boost to Sissy relationship.

Stat-dependent split:

                *if PC is leading a charity (route 1) or working at the Mathom House (route 4) will show some text in which the PC decides they don’t have time to build a friendship with Sissy, and they will stay on the route they started with.

                *otherwise you will be given this World Splitting Choice: #Shift my focus to Sissy. – minor boost to well-meaning and Sissy relationship. Will begin Route 9 and end any romances you might have started. #Build on my focus of last year. – minor boost to industrious, and PC remains on original route.

Act 5 – The Springtide Fair

There are no requirements for Route 9 in this act. However if you want to see your cousin as much as possible then you should: volunteer to help with the dancing in the morning, play ring toss at the fair, and join the three legged race.

If you choose to join the three legged race and partner Cousin Sissy you will find a unique scene with these Character Choices:

                #Good grief, winners don't have time for this nonsense! – minor boost to industrious.

                #How sweet, I'll leave them to it - maybe Sissy will partner with Mattock. – minor boost to imaginative and Sissy relationship.

                #I wonder what's going on there? I didn't know Sissy had a boyfriend. – minor boost to sophisticated and Sissy relationship.

Character Choice:

                #Pull her along - whether she likes it or not! – minor boost to bold. Leads to stat-dependent split: *if PC has a good outdoorsy sort, industrious, bold, or is a Brewer or Goldsmith, then minor boost to Sissy relationship and tiny boost to respectability. *otherwise no stat effect.

                #Talk some sense into her. – Leads to a stat dependent split: *if PC is on route 9 then, minor boost to wise, tiny boost to respectability and moderate boost to Sissy relationship. *otherwise minor boost to well-meaning, minor decrease to Sissy relationship, tiny decrease to respectability and you will get the Secret Record “Slap fight with Sissy”.

                #Let her keep her pace, I'm just happy to take part. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky.

Act 6 - Summer begins to Bloom

Character Choice:

                #What a great idea Sissy, you're so right. – moderate boost to Sissy relationship, and unlocks Sissy’s True Ending.

                #Although we get on now Sissy, I think that might change if we start working together. I think best to keep family and business separate. – End Sissy’s Act 6 event here.

Character Choice:

                #At least it's all behind us now. – minor boost to practical-minded.

                #Cheers to breaking the family tradition of not getting on! – minor boost to happy-go-lucky and moderate boost to Sissy relationship.

                #I don't think you're silly at all Sissy. – minor boost to well-meaning and Sissy relationship.

Act 7 – Another Birthday Arrives

Stat-dependent Split:

               *If you have chosen to work with Sissy you will get her True Ending here.

*Otherwise you will experience one of the general endings.

Keep an eye out for next week's guide: Secret Records.

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Halfling Dale Guide – Route 8, Patty Appleton

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Patty route. This a nice and easy route: there are no hard stat requirements, no failure state, and no opportunities to leave the route once you’re on it. This route also offers the opportunity to romance Patty.

Act 2 – The Harvest Festival

Like most of the other routes you join the Patty Route in Act 2.  After the festival is over and the bonfire has begun there will be a World Splitting choice where you must choose:

                #A friend. One who doesn't mind if I'm respectable or not.

And then:

                #Patty Appleton; she's the only other halfling standing alone, maybe we could stand alone together?

Character Choice:

                #My job doesn't go to sleep in winter like yours does, so I still have plenty to do. (only available if PC job is Tailor or Goldsmith) – minor boost to industrious.

                #Nothing really; I rest, and wait for spring. – minor boost to frolicsome.

                #Astronomy sounds interesting, maybe I should learn some too. – minor boost to wise and Patty relationship.

                #I haven't had much time for my hobby recently. I think I'd like to indulge it. (only available is PC hobby is Gourmet, Story Teller, Whittler, Knitter, Connoisseur of pipe weed, or Go Player) – minor boost to industrious and Patty relationship

Act 3 - Autumn turns to Winter

Character Choice:

                #Introduce yourself in proper halfling fashion. – minor boost to sophisticated and Patty relationship.

                #Let Patty introduce you. – minor boost to sensible.

Character Choice:

                #I want to try the food! – minor boost to sensible.

                #I want to try the drink. – minor boost to mischievous.

                #I want to talk to them and see what they're like. – minor boost to imaginative and Patty relationship.

Act 4 – Yule Night

There are no hard requirements for route 8 in this Act. You can see Patty at the Town Hall or spend the evening at your home hole and invite Patty. Either way you will exchange gifts.

Act 5 – The Springtide Fair

Again there are no requirements for Route 7 here. However if you want to spend as much time with Patty as possible then you should: hook a duck at the fair, and join the caber toss in the afternoon.

When it’s time for the dance in the evening you will get a unique scene with this Character Choice:

                #We aren't a couple right now, but I'd like us to be. – minor boost to honest and Patty relationship. Will start the Patty romance.

                #Does Patty want us to be together? – minor boost to practical-minded. Leads to Character Choice: #I like Patty, but I'm too embarrassed to admit it. What if she doesn't feel the same way? – minor boost to sensible, and will start the Patty romance. #I think if Patty wanted romance she would know; we're obviously not right for each other. – minor boost to wise. #We're just friends who spend a lot of time together - that's all. – minor boost to honest and Patty relationship.

Act 6 - Summer begins to Bloom

Character Choice:

                #Weigh in on the argument - of course witches exist. – minor boost to mischievous and Patty relationship.

                #Of course fairies are real, even babies know that. – minor boost to imaginative and Patty relationship.

                #Stay quiet, and see where this is going. – minor boost to practical-minded.

Character Choice:

                #I'm not letting these little goblins bother Patty, I send them away with a good ticking off. – minor boost to practical-minded.

                #Ask Patty what to do about this, it is her home after all. – minor boost to sophisticated and Patty relationship.

                #Offer to help the children discover the truth of Patty Appleton. – minor boost to mischievous, moderate boost to Patty relationship.

Character Choice:

                #I'm not taking part in this silliness, I'll watch. – minor boost to sophisticated.

                #I'll be a fellow witch, I have an excellent cackle. -minor boost to frolicsome and Patty relationship.

                #I'll be a bound and gagged victim! – minor boost to imaginative, moderate boost to Patty relationship.

                #I'll be Patty's servile and terrified lackey. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky and Patty relationship.

Character Choice:

                #I haven't asked because it doesn't matter to me. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky, moderate to Patty relationship.

                #Yes, I would hate to hurt your feelings. – minor boost to sensible and Patty relationship.

                #Yes, it would have been unforgivably rude. – minor boost to sophisticated.

                #I haven't asked because it hasn't come up. – minor boost to well-meaning and Patty relationship.

Character Choice:

                #Do you still want to find your family? – minor boost to bold and Patty relationship.

                #I'm a bit suspicious of Amirië, I think the elves have something to do with this. – minor boost to wise and Patty relationship.

                #Wow, what a romantic story! – minor boost to imaginative.

                #Thanks for telling me, Patty. – minor boost to honest, moderate boost to Patty relationship.

Act 7 - Another Birthday Arrives

Character Choice:

                #I'm so happy, what a wonderful gift! – minor boost to happy-go-lucky. Leads to stat-dependent split: *if Patty is a friend then no effect. *otherwise if you are romancing Patty it leads to this Character Choice: #That I'm going to marry you one day. – minor boost to honest. #About our fun sleepovers. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky.

                #It's a lovely thought, but I can't accept this. – minor boost to sophisticated.

Keep an eye out for next week's guide: Route 9 - Cousin Sissy.

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Halfling Dale Guide – Route 7, Benny Brownfoot

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Benny Route. This is a medium difficulty route: it’s not difficult to get on and stay on it, but if you want to see Benny’s true ending in Act 7 there is a hard stat requirement near the end.

This route will allow you to romance Benny.

Requirement: At least a good mischievous stat.

Act 2 – The Harvest Festival

Like most of the other routes you join the Benny Route in Act 2.  After the festival is over and the bonfire has begun there will be a World Splitting choice where you must choose:

                #A friend. One who doesn't mind if I'm respectable or not.

And then:

                #Benny Brownfoot; he's always good for a laugh.

World Splitting Choice:

                #Laugh along and sit down. – minor boost to mischievous and Benny relationship.

                #Tell Benny off. – minor boost to honest. Locks off the rest of route 7.

                #Roll your eyes. Typical Benny, always causing trouble! – minor boost to well-meaning.

Act 3 - Autumn turns to Winter

Character Choice:

                #I think three verses is enough, short and sweet. – minor boost to frolicsome and Benny relationship.

                #Maybe think of something to rhyme with pompous? – minor boost to well-meaning.

                #Dumb rhymes with bum, maybe you can do something with that? – minor boost to mischievous and Benny relationship.

Character Choice:

                #Rescue Benny from the hands of the barman. – minor boost to bold and Benny relationship.

                #Meet Benny outside. – minor boost to wise.

                #Take up the tune of the song. – minor boost to mischievous, moderate boost to Benny relationship.

Character Choice:

                #We could busk in the market. – minor boost to mischievous, moderate boost to Benny relationship, minor reduction to respectability.

                #We could sing it outside Mayor Goldworthy's hole in the middle of the night. – minor boost to bold and Benny relationship. Minor reduction to respectability.

                #We could do nothing, let it spread by itself. – minor boost to wise.

Act 4 – Yule Night

There are no hard requirements for route 7 in this Act. However, if you want to see Benny you need to spend it at home - as Benny is banned from the Town Hall.

Act 5 – The Springtide Fair

Again there are no hard requirements for Route 7 here. However if make the Character Choice: #I can't, I've volunteered to help supervise the dancing. – then you will get a unique scene with Benny with the following Character Choice:

                #Poor Benny; he takes so much pride in his playing. I'll see if I can get the Mayor to apologise. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky and Benny relationship. Also leads to a stat dependent split: *if mischievous is good then +2 Dance Score. *if well-meaning or bold is good then +1 Dance Score. *otherwise no effect.

                #After the song we wrote about Mayor Goldworthy it's not surprising he's so upset, maybe if we apologised for that, we could patch this up. – minor boost to honest and Goldworthy relationship. Also leads to a stat dependent split: *if honest or sensible is good then +2 Dance Score. *otherwise no effect.

                #Both sides have done wrong here, but I think everyone wants to smooth this over and move on. – minor boost to wise, tiny boost to Benny relationship. Also leads to a stat dependent split: *if practical-minded or wise is good then +2 Dance Score. *if sophisticated is good then +1 Dance Score. *otherwise no effect.

The Dance Score doesn't matter to the Benny Route, it only helps decide how well your volunteering goes. Later on this will translate into a respectability boost, depending on how high your Dance Score is.

After the dancing If you want to spend as much of the day with Benny as possible the best way to do that is: try the strength tester at the fair, join in with the tug ‘o war, and watch the dancing in the evening.

Act 6 - Summer begins to Bloom

Character Choice:

                #I'm sure there's a trail to follow. – minor boost to outdoorsy sort and Benny relationship.

                #Pigs are quite clever, she probably ran home. We should check there. – minor boost to wise.

                #She's probably somewhere nearby, still scared, we should look for good hiding spots. – minor boost to practical-minded and Benny relationship.

Character Choice:

                #We don't know Patricia is lost yet - don't give up. – minor boost to industrious, moderate boost to Benny relationship.

                #Maybe next time you'll think before you take a joke this far. – minor boost to honest.

                #You didn't mean to lose Patricia, don't be so hard on yourself. – minor boost to well-meaning and Benny relationship.

Character Choice:

                #I think Benny fits into the Dale just right, it wouldn't be the same without him. – minor boost to frolicsome, moderate boost to Benny relationship. Also leads to the choice to begin the Benny romance.

                #It's natural to test the boundaries when you're young, in a few years Benny will find his place. – minor boost to wise.

                #Benny's Mum has told him he has to fit in, but Benny was made to stand out. – minor boost to bold and Benny relationship. Also leads to the choice to begin the Benny romance.

Character Choice:

                #I think it's great! I'm glad they're happy. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky and Mum relationship.

                #I'm with Benny, this is weird. – minor boost to sensible and Benny relationship.

                #I knew something was going on, and Mum lied to me about it! (only available is PC danced with Mum and guessed Rufus Brownfoot at the end of Act 6) – minor boost to honest, moderate boost to Mum relationship.

#So, if they're dating, and we're dating... what does that make us? (only available if PC is in a romance with Benny) – minor boost to well-meaning and Benny relationship.

Act 7 – Another Birthday Arrives

At the very beginning of this act there will be a Stat-dependent Split.

*If PC’s mischievous stat is good or above then you will get the true Benny ending and the Secret Record “Vanished into thin air”,

*Otherwise you will experience the general endings instead.

Keep an eye out for next week's guide: Route 8 - Patty Appleton.

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Halfling Dale Guide – Route 6, Filibert & Lily Goldworthy

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Goldworthy Route. This is one of the harder routes: there are no hard stat requirements, but there is a failure state. It is also possible to miss the Act 6 event and the official ending.

This route will allow you to romance the lovely Lily Goldworthy.

Act 2 – The Harvest Festival

Like most of the other routes you join the Goldworthy Route in Act 2.  After the festival is over and the bonfire has begun there will be a World Splitting choice where you must choose:

                #The Goldworthys. Just because the contest is over doesn't mean I've stopped trying to reclaim my reputation! I'll ask the Mayor if there's anything I can do to help the night run smoothly.

Character Choice:

                #It's probably waddled off somewhere. – minor boost to practical-minded, and Goldworthy relationship.

                #Oh no, the poor little hedgehog! – minor boost to outdoorsy sort.

                #This is a disaster, we may not have a fireworks display! – minor boost to indoorsy sort, and moderate boost to Goldworthy relationship.

                #It's just a hedgehog, we should go ahead with the fireworks. – minor boost to bold, minor decrease to Goldworthy relationship. Will unlock the Secret Record “Hedgehog hater”.

Stat-dependent Split:

                *if job is Gardener, hobby is Rambler, or outdoorsy sort stat is good, then you will get a moderate boost to Goldworthy relationship

                *if bold is high, well-meaning is high, or happy-go-lucky is high, then you will get a minor boost to Goldworthy relationship.

                *otherwise there is no effect.

Act 3 - Autumn turns to Winter

Character Choice:

                #I like the same stories as the Mayor: allegorical animal tales full of morals, and beautiful imagery. We should have more of those. – minor boost to sensible and Goldworthy relationship.

                #I'm more in line with Lily's tastes: exciting adventures with drama, full of fun, and romance. – minor boost to imaginative and Goldworthy relationship.

                #With these two in charge we've never had many historical stories, we should focus on that this year. – minor boost to wise, moderate boost to Goldworthy relationship.

                #We should make it fair and have a mix of everything. – minor boost to well-meaning.

Character Choice:

                #I'll help Lily with her baking. – minor boost to indoorsy sort. Will lead to more character choices I will outline below. If you want to romance Lily you must make this choice.

                #I'll help the Mayor with the candle situation. - minor boost to practical-minded. Will lead to more character choices I will outline farther down. Making this choice will lock you off from romancing Lily.

If you chose to help Lily with baking it will lead to this World Splitting Choice:

                #I want to be closer to Lily. – Will lead to another World Splitting Choice: #Because I think we could be friends. – gives moderate boost to frolicsome, and Goldworthy relationship. #Because you're the most beautiful halfling in the Dale. – minor boost to bold and leads to a stat-dependent split:

                                *if PC won any award or placed in the pie contest then you will get a moderate boost to Goldworthy relationship, and you will begin your romance with Lily. Those who want to run for town council as well, don’t worry, you’ll get that choice later.

                                *otherwise it will lead to this Character Choice: #I'm sad for Lily, it seems a silly reason to pass on something that could have been really wonderful. – minor boost to wise. #Just another reason to be angry at my brother, if it hadn't been for him this could have worked out. – minor boost to honest and Goldworthy relationship. #I feel a little down, but this is just how life is sometimes. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky, and moderate boost to Goldworthy relationship. After that you will get another World Splitting Choice: #I'm not a political sort, and I won't pretend to be a halfling I'm not - even for Lily. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky. #On second thought, I've changed my mind about Lily. – minor boost to honest. #I'll run for town council! – minor boost to industrious. Opens up the Town Council event in Act 6,  the Goldworthy Route 4 true ending, and the chance to romance Lily again later.

                #I want to make up for my brother's mistakes. – moderate boost to well-meaning, and minor boost to respectability.

                #I want to improve my respectability enough that my business doesn't flounder. (only available if PC didn’t win anything in the pie contest) – minor boost to industrious, and Goldworthy relationship. Large boost to respectability.

                #I want to become important in the Dale. – gives moderate boost to sophisticated. Opens up the Town Council event in Act 6,  and the Goldworthy Route 4 true ending.

If you chose to help the Mayor with candles it will lead to this stat-dependent split:

                *if PC is an Apiarist, then moderate boost to respectability and Goldworthy relationship.

                *otherwise no stat change.

You will then get this World Splitting Choice:

                #There's no need, I'm happy to have had the chance to help my community. – moderate boost to well-meaning and Goldworthy relationship.

                #I'd like the Mayor to use his influence to try and clear up my reputation. – moderate boost to respectability.

                #I don't know what the Mayor can do, but my business is floundering. Is there any way he can help? (only available if PC didn’t win anything in the pie contest) – moderate boost to industrious and respectability, minor boost to Goldworthy relationship.

                #I'd like a more permanent position of importance... perhaps on the town council? – gives moderate boost to sophisticated, and minor boost to Goldworthy relationship. Opens up the Town Council event in Act 6,  and the Goldworthy Route 4 true ending.

Act 4 – Yule Night

Coming into Act 4 you get an automatic moderate boost to your respectability for all your hard volunteering work.

Character Choice:

                #Sample the refreshments with Mayor Goldworthy. – minor boost to mischievous, and will lead to another Character Choice: #A cup of mulled wine. – minor boost to mischievous. #A cup of spiced apple juice. – minor boost to sensible. #A handful of roasted chestnuts. – minor boost to outdoorsy sort. #A mince pie. – minor boost to indoorsy sort. #A slice of ginger cake. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky. #A handful of peppermint sweets. – minor boost to frolicsome, and half the requirement for the Secret Record “Has a sweet tooth”. – minor boost to imaginative. There will then be a stat-dependent split where you are caught red handed or not – but there's no stat effect for that.

                #I'm not letting Mayor Goldworthy get me into trouble with Lily, I make myself scarce. – moderate boost to wise.

Character Choice:

                #Follow Lily. – moderate boost to well-meaning and Goldworthy relationship.

                #Help Mayor Goldworthy keep the event running smoothly. – moderate boost to Sophisticated.

Character Choice:

                #Make it for her. (only available if PC is Brewer, Tailor, or Jeweller, or has the hobby Whittler or Knitter.) – moderate boost to Goldworthy relationship, minor boost to one other stat that will change depending on which job or hobby the PC has.

                #Find the perfect gift. – This will lead to another Character Choice: #A bread pan moulded into the shape of a flower. – minor boost to sensible. #A green apron personalised with gold embroidery. – minor boost to sophisticated and Goldworthy relationship. #A blown glass vase coloured with marbled blues and pinks. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky. #A pair of elvish pearl earrings. – minor boost to wise and Goldworthy relationship. #A set of wooden serving platters. – minor boost to practical-minded and Goldworthy relationship.

Act 5 – The Springtide Fair

There is nothing you have to do in this act to remain on the Goldworthy Route, however if you want to spend as much time as possible with Filibert and Lily then you will want to: volunteer to help with the dancing, enter the raffle, and join in the tug of war.

If you are romancing Lily you will get a unique scene here with these  choices:

Character Choice:

                #Compliment her. – minor boost to well-meaning.

                #Make sure you're a dance partner to be proud of. – minor boost to sophisticated. *if the PC has the hobby Dancer then moderate boost to Goldworthy relationship. *otherwise minor boost to  Goldworthy relationship.

                #Kiss her. – minor boost to bold

Character Choice:

                #I would love to attend events with Lily. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky and Goldworthy relationship.

                #Why so official? – minor boost to wise.

World Splitting Choice:

                #I don't think I'm cut out to be a councilperson. – minor boost to frolicsome.

                #Councilperson PC… I like the sound of that. – minor boost to industrious and Goldworthy relationship. Opens up the Town Council event in Act 6,  and the Goldworthy Route 4 true ending.

Act 6 - Summer begins to Bloom

You will only see this scene if you have chosen to run for Town Council at some point. If you want to win a seat on the town council you will need a  Vote Score of three or more from this chapter.

Stat-dependent split:

                *if PC has a very high respectability they will receive a +2 to Vote Score.

                *if PC has a good respectability they will receive a +1 to Vote Score.

                *if PC has a fair respectability their Vote Score will begin at 0.

                *otherwise they will have a Vote Score of -1.

Character Choice:

                #"Protect the beauty of our Dale", I'll stand for the Dale itself, and be the voice for keeping it unblemished and beautiful. – will lead to a stat-dependent split: *if outdoorsy sort is good, or well-meaning is good or hobby is Rambler then +2 Vote Score. *if practical-minded is good or happy-go-lucky is good then +1 Vote Score. *otherwise no stat effect.

                #"Many Meetings", I'll stand for welcoming peaceful visitors to the Dale. The dwarves bring good custom, and news, and we should make them our friends. - will lead to a stat-dependent split: *if imaginative is good, or wise is good then +2 Vote Score. *if bold is good or sophisticated is good then +1 Vote Score. *otherwise no stat effect.

                #"A safe Dale is a happy Dale", I'll be the voice of the wardens. We should support our protectors, even in times of peace. - will lead to a stat-dependent split: *if honest is good, or sensible is good then +2 Vote Score. *if indoorsy sort is good or sophisticated is good then +1 Vote Score. *otherwise no stat effect.

                #"Looking to the future", I'll stand for the young adults of the Dale. Give them a voice and focus on events to get them involved in our community. - will lead to a stat-dependent split: *if frolicsome is good, or happy-go-lucky is good then +2 Vote Score. *if mischievous is good or imaginative is good, or hobby is Story Teller then +1 Vote Score. *otherwise no stat effect.

Character Choice:

                #I won't take part in any 'shenanigans', may the best candidate win! – minor boost to honest. Leads to stat-dependent split: *if honest is good then +2 Vote Score and large boost to respectability. *if well-meaning is high then +1 Vote Score and minor boost to respectability. *otherwise no effect.

                #I'll spread a questionable rumour about Mattock Chundle. – minor boost to sophisticated and Goldworthy relationship. Leads to stat-dependent split: *if sophisticated is good then +2 Vote Score and moderate boost to respectability. *if imaginative is high then +1 Vote Score and minor respectability boost. *otherwise minor respectability reduction.

                #Fluster the other candidates right before it's their turn to speak. – minor boost to bold. Leads to stat-dependent split: *if bold is good then +2 Vote Score and moderate respectability boost. *if mischievous is high then +1 Vote Score and minor respectability increase. *otherwise minor respectability reduction.

                #I'll oversell what I'm really capable of doing (don't all politicians do that?) – minor boost to wise. Leads to stat-dependent split: *if wise is good then +2 Vote Score and moderate respectability boost. *if sophisticated is high then +1 Vote Score and minor respectability boost. *otherwise minor respectability reduction.

                #I'll wear an outrageous outfit, and make myself the talk of the event. – minor boost to imaginative and Goldworthy relationship. Leads to stat-dependent split: *if imaginative is good then +2 Vote Score and moderate respectability boost. *if frolicsome is high then +1 Vote Score and minor respectability boost. *otherwise minor respectability reduction.

                #I'll hand out biscuits with "Vote for PC” iced on top. It's the perfect way to deliver a message to any halfling. – minor boost to indoorsy sort and moderate boost to Goldworthy relationship. Leads to stat-dependent split: *if indoorsy sort is good or PC won the pie contest then +2 Vote Score and moderate respectability boost. *if sensible is high or PC is a Baker then +1 Vote Score and minor respectability boost. *otherwise tiny respectability reduction.

Act 7 - Another Birthday Arrives

Stat-dependent Split:

                *if you chose to run for Town Council at any point you will experience the true ending to Route 6 here. That is the one I will be covering here.

                *otherwise you will experience the general endings. Please see the Endings Walkthrough for more details.

Stat-dependent Split:

                *if you achieved a Vote Score of 3 or high – Well Done –  You’ll receive a huge boost to your respectability and you can enjoy your Town Councilperson ending. If you are already in a romance with Lily or are just the Goldworthy’s friend the ending will be different. If you were rejected by Lily in act 3 then you will get the chance to resolve that now in a unique scene.

                *otherwise you will not get a position on the Town Council. If you are already in a romance with Lily or are just the Goldworthy’s friend the ending will be different. If you were rejected by Lily in act 3 then you will get the chance to resolve that now in a unique scene..

Keep an eye out for next week's guide: Route 7 - Benny Brownfoot.

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Award Ceremony Tonight!

Greetings, Authors & Judges!

The end of the 2023 Interactive Fiction Competition is nearly upon us! We will announce the top 20 results via live stream at 4:00 PM Eastern on Today! Saturday, October 19th.

The stream will be held on Twitch. To confirm what time the awards stream will be for you in your time zone, visit this website.

Hope to see you there!

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Halfling Dale Guide – Route 5, Garrance Prosper

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Garrance Route. This is a medium difficulty route: there are no hard stat requirements or failure state, but there are several opportunities to leave it or miss the true ending. You can romance Garrance on this route.

Act 2 – The Harvest Festival

Like most of the other routes you join the Garrance Route in Act 2.  After the festival is over and the bonfire has begun there will be a World Splitting choice where you must choose:

                #Nobody. I feel very outside this celebration, I don't think anyone will notice if I'm missing. I'll go to the next hill and watch the fireworks from there.

World Splitting Choice:

                #Follow Garrance. – minor boost to Garrance relationship.

                #Remain by yourself. – This choice will direct you to Route 2, which is the Hugo Route.

Character Choice:

                #Stay silent to watch. – minor boost to wise and Garrance relationship.

                #Thank Garrance. – minor boost to honest and Garrance relationship.

                #Strike up a conversation with Garrance. – minor boost to well-meaning.

World Splitting Choice:

                #Yes, the wardens are decent folk. I'm not nervous about them anymore. In fact, I think Garrance and I could even be friends. – minor boost to practical-minded, moderate boost to Garrance relationship. Will set you on the Route 5 path.

                #Now I know the wardens better I'm not nervous... except around Garrance. It used to be because he looks a little brutish, but now I know he's quite thoughtful (not to mention handsome), I'm nervous for an entirely different reason... – minor boost to bold, moderate boost to Garrance relationship. Will set you on the Route 5 path. Begins the Garrance romance.

                #I know they have good hearts, but I can't help it; the wardens silence and stern attitudes make me nervous! – gives moderate boost to sensible and locks you off the rest of Route 5.

Act 3 - Autumn turns to Winter

Character Choice:

                #Tie your basket to the end of the rope, you're not leaving food down here! – moderate boost to indoorsy sort.

                #Ask Garrance to secure the end a little better. – moderate boost to practical-minded, minor boost to Garrance relationship.

                #Try and climb the rope. – moderate boost to happy-go-lucky and Garrance relationship.

                #I can't climb this, I'm a respectable halfling not a clambering squirrel! – moderate boost to sensible, minor boost to respectability.

World Splitting Choice:

                #It's improper to shoot a bow! – large boost to sophisticated, huge boost to sensible, minor boost to respectability. Also locks you off from the rest of Route 5 and ends your romance with Garrance (if you have one).

                #Maybe a little lesson would be interesting... – moderate boost to well-meaning, and tiny boost to Garrance relationship. Tiny reduction to respectability.

                #Yes! That sounds like fun. – moderate boost to bold, minor boost to Garrance relationship. Minor reduction to respectability.

Character Choice:

#How exciting! – minor boost to bold and Garrance relationship.

#It doesn't look all that different really. – minor boost to wise and Garrance relationship.

#We should wrap up quickly, no good comes from being outside the Dale. – minor boost to sensible.

Stat-dependent Split:

                *if PC is romancing Garrance then you will get a minor boost to Garrance relationship.

                *if PC has good outdoorsy sort, industrious, or bold, or if they are a Brewer or Goldsmith then moderate boost to Garrance relationship.

                *otherwise no stat change.

Act 4 – Yule Night

There is nothing specific you need to do for this route. You can try and invite Garrance to spend Yule with your family, but he won’t come. Whether you chose to spend Yule Night at home or the Town Hall, Garrance will come find you in the New Year for a unique scene. If you are trying to romance him you will get a choice to either continue your relationship or remain friends.

Act 5 – The Springtide Fair

There is nothing you must do in this act either – Garrance isn’t really a festival sort of guy. However you can spend a little time with him if you choose to do the caber toss. If you win the caber toss and are romancing Garrance you will get a short but very flirty scene.

In addition if you are romancing Garrance he will come find you in the evening for a unique scene with this Character Choice:

                #That's okay, as long as we're together I don't mind what we do. – minor boost to imaginative and Garrance relationship.

                #We don't need to do everything together. I'm happy to dance with my friends. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky and Garrance relationship.

                #Please, just one dance. – minor boost to well-meaning.

Act 6 - Summer begins to Bloom

Character Choice:

                #I'd love to. – minor boost to outdoorsy sort and Garrance relationship.

                #I don't know how! – minor boost to wise, moderate boost to Garrance relationship.

                #No thanks, I'm not enthusiastic about touching wild animals. – minor boost to indoorsy sort.

Character Choice:

                #I could take the deer. – large boost to outdoorsy sort, moderate boost to Garrance relationship, moderate reduction to respectability. Leads to another Character Choice: #I want to help the deer, she deserves a chance! – moderate boost to outdoorsy sort and Garrance relationship. #Garrance needs help, and I'm supposed to be his friend. – large boost to well-meaning, minor boost to Garrance relationship. Leads to another Character Choice: #No name. It'll break my heart too much when it's time for her to go. – minor boost to practical-minded and Garrance relationship. #A name? Maybe something like... – minor boost to imaginative, and allows you to name the deer whatever you want. Leads to a stat-dependent split that will show a different scene depending on if your Garrance’s friend or romantic partner.

                #It's hard, but Garrance is going to have to cope. – minor boost to industrious and Garrance relationship.

                #It's one deer, and not worth this much trouble; he's best leaving it to fend for itself. – large boost to indoorsy sort.

Act 7 – Another Birthday Arrives

Character Choice:

                #Shoot a warning at their feet. – minor boost to well-meaning and mischievous.

                #Shoot one of the Big Folk. – minor boost to bold, practical-minded and Garrance relationship.

Character Choice:

                #I feel dreadful. As bad as the bandits are... How will I ever forgive myself? – minor boost to well-meaning.

                #I can't stop shaking, but I did what I had to do, and I need to keep telling myself that. – minor boost to wise and Garrance relationship.

                #I don't feel sorry for defending my home, I'd do it again in a heartbeat! – minor boost to wise, moderate boost to Garrance relationship.

You will get an automatic large boost to your respectability here for saving the day.

Stat-dependent Split:

                *if you helped to rescue the deer in Act 6 then Garrance will want you to join him as a warden, and you will be given this Character Choice: #Yes, becoming a warden is the right path for me. – moderate boost to outdoorsy sort, minor boost to bold. This choice will also make your PC a Warden. This ending will change depending on if you are romancing Garrance or not. #No, I've had my share of danger! – moderate boost to indoorsy sort, minor boost to sensible. This ending will change depending on if you are romancing Garrance or not.

                *otherwise Garrance will advise you against becoming a warden and you will get this Character Choice: #What does Garrance know? I want to be a warden, and I will be! – moderate boost to bold. This choice will reduce your friendship with Garrance to 0 and end your romance, however it will also make your character a warden.  #Garrance has never given me reason to doubt he has my best interest at heart, I'll follow his advice. – moderate boost to honest. This ending will change depending on if you are romancing Garrance or not.

Keep an eye out for next week's guide: Route 6 - Filibert & Lily Goldworthy

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Halfling Dale Guide – Route 4, Wilibald Fairburrow

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Wilibald Route. This is a medium difficulty route: there are no hard stat checks or requirements, but there are a few opportunities to leave the route and not get the official ending.

There is no romance available on this route.

Act 2 – The Harvest Festival

Like most of the other routes you join the Wilibald Route in Act 2.  After the festival is over and the bonfire has begun there will be a World Splitting choice where you must choose:

                #Wilibald Fairburrow. Though it wasn't me who stole his sword, an apology from my family would probably mean a lot to him.

World splitting choice:

                #Stand up and leave. There's nothing I can do here; this relationship is beyond repair. – moderate boost to happy-go-lucky, and reduced Wilibald relationship to 0. Choosing this option will also lock you out of the rest of Route 4.

                #Offer to help with the repairs. – minor boost to honest, industrious and Wilibald relationship. It also opens up Route 4 to you.

Character Choice:

                #The thought of dragons makes me feel faint. – minor boost to sensible and respectability.

                #I'd be very interested in seeing those diagrams. – minor boost to wise, moderate boost to Wilibald relationship.

                #This is nonsense, dragons aren't real. – minor boost to practical, and tiny boost to respectability.

#Dragons? How do you know what dragon wings look like? Wilibald is cooler than I thought! – minor boost to bold, and Wilibald relationship.

Act 3 - Autumn turns to Winter

Stat-dependent split:

                *if practical-minded or industrious is good then receive a minor boost to both these stats.

                *otherwise receive no boost.

Character Choice:

                #I'm in no mood for grumpy conversation, silence is fine by me. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky.

                #Strike up a conversation about books. – minor boost to wise, and Wilibald relationship. Also leads to an additional Character Choice: #A history of the Dale. – minor boost to wise, and Wilibald relationship. #A history book written by the Big Folk. – minor boost to bold, and Wilibald relationship. #A classic novel. – minor boost to imaginative. #A wildlife encyclopaedia. – minor boost to outdoorsy sort, and Wilibald relationship. #An ancient cook book. – minor boost to indoorsy sort. #A famous book of poetry. – minor boost to sophisticated.

                #Ask what "mathom" actually means. – minor boost to well-meaning, and Wilibald relationship.

                #Ask Wilibald why he's so grumpy all the time. – minor boost to mischievous, and Wilibald relationship.

Character Choice:

                #Now I know what the kerfuffle is about I can go back to work. I don't have time for maps. – minor boost to industrious.

                #Wilibald's right, there's nothing more interesting than mystery maps! – minor boost to imaginative, and Wilibald relationship.

                #This is much more interesting than refitting a window, let's have a look at that map. – minor boost to frolicsome, and tiny boost to Wilibald relationship.

Character Choice:

                #Relieved, I hate handywork; I've done enough to last a lifetime. – moderate boost to frolicsome.

                #A little disappointed; I liked learning about all the mathoms, and talking to Wilibald. – moderate boost to wise.

                #Pleased, I feel like I've righted my brothers wrong. – moderate boost to honest.

World Splitting Choice:

                #It was rather fun, I'd love to help more! – moderate boost to wise, and Wilibald relationship. This choice will also open up  Wilibald’s Route 4 true ending for you later.

                #I'm afraid I don't have time, it's been fun but I have a business to run! (only available if PC won any award in the pie contest) – moderate boost to industrious, minor boost to Wilibald relationship.

                #It might be fun for Wilibald to gripe at me till the cows come home, but it's not fun for me. No, I'm free now, and I'm never coming back! – moderate boost to frolicsome. This choice will mean you are no longer on Route 4.

Act 4 – Yule Night

You can choose to go to the town hall or remain home, either way you will remain on Route 4.

If you choose to go to the town hall you will automatically exchange gifts with Wilibald.

If you choose to stay home and want to spend the festive season with him then you can make Character Choice: #Actually, there's a particular friend I have in mind... - when asked if there is someone you want to invite. This will give you the opportunity to exchange gifts. If you invite him, your hobby is Go, and you have a very high wise stat you will find the Secret Record “Master of Go” here.

Act 5 – The Springtide Fair

There are no requirements in this act to stay on Route 4. However if you want to spend more time with Wilibald and get some minor relationship boosts into the bargain then you will want to: bat the rat at the fair, join in the tug of war in the afternoon, and find yourself a bit of quiet when it’s time to dance in the evening.

Act 6 – Summer begins to Bloom

Stat-dependent split:

                *if PC works in the Mathom House then you have no choice but to go on Wilibald’s adventure. You also get the Character Choice: #A real discovery! Wow - just let me grab my hat! – minor outdoorsy sort, and moderate Wilibald relationship boost. #I'm not sure Wilibald should be walking that far, he must be at least a hundred. – minor honest and Wilibald relationship boost. #I'm quite happy with living my adventures vicariously through books, thank you very much. – minor indoorsy sort boost.

                *otherwise you will come to the Character Choice: #We're going to follow a treasure map?! Let me get my hat! – minor boost to outdoorsy sort, moderate boost to Wilibald relationship. #I don't make discoveries, they bring nothing but trouble. Wilibald will have to go by himself. – moderate boost to indoorsy sort, and you will not go on the act 6 adventure.  #I'm not sure it's a good idea for someone of Wilibald's years to be gallivanting off like this. – minor boost to well-meaning, and takes you to another Character Choice where you can decide if you want to go on the act 6 adventure or not

Character Choice:

                #Let Wilibald finish his rant. – minor boost to honest.

                #Shush Wilibald. – minor boost to well-meaning and Wilibald relationship.

                #Drag Wilibald back into the undergrowth. – minor boost to outdoorsy sort, moderate boost to Wilibald relationship.

Character Choice:

                #An ancient book. – minor boost to wise, and moderate boost to Wilibald relationship.

                #A chest full of gold. – minor boost to mischievous.

                #A jewelled crown. – minor boost to imaginative.

                #A lost sword. – minor boost to bold, and Wilibald relationship.

Character Choice:

                #I'm not going to lecture Wilibald on the advisability of eating strange ground roots, but I'm not about to do it myself. – minor boost to indoorsy sort, and Wilibald relationship.

                #The root could be poisonous for all we know. It was extremely foolish to eat it. – minor boost to wise.

                #Try some of the aurus root. If Wilibald says it's safe, I trust him. – minor boost to honest, and moderate boost to Wilibald relationship.

Act 7 - Another Birthday Arrives

Stat-dependent Split:

                *if you chose to work for the Mathom House at the end of act 3 you will experience the True Ending to Route 4 here. That is the one I will be covering here.

                *otherwise you will experience the general endings. Please see the Endings Walkthrough for more details.

Stat-dependent Split:

                *if PC has an extremely high wisdom they will discover the true culprit of the mystery, and get a moderate boost to Wilibald relationship.

                *otherwise there is a Character Choice: #Benny; I think his pranks have gone too far at last! – minor boost to honest. #Ida; I don't believe for a second she didn't know she was Wilibald's second cousin once removed! – minor boost to sophisticated. #Rufus; he's desperate to open up his franchise, and he needs the Mathom House's land to do it! – minor boost to industrious.

Character Choice:

                #I would be honoured. – minor boost to wise and gives you the job title "Mathom Hunter" in the Character Record.

                #I'm not sure... it's such a big responsibility. - minor boost to frolicsome and gives you the job title " Assistant Mathom Hunter" in the Character Record.

Keep an eye out for next week's guide: Route 5 - Garrance Prosper.

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Halfling Dale Guide – Route 3, Tom and Ida Miller

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Tom and Ida Miller Route. This is a nice gentle route: there are no hard stat requirements, no failure state, and no way to drop off it by accident. You will find the option to romance Tom in this route.

Act 2 – The Harvest Festival

Like most of the other routes, you join the Miller Route in Act 2.  After the festival is over and the bonfire has begun there will be a World Splitting Choice where you must choose:

                #Mum and Ida. I know they're embarrassed, but they can't miss the fireworks! I go back home to fetch them.

Character Choice:

                #Mum's right, we should give Ida space. – minor boost to wise and Mum relationship.

                #Knock a few more times, Ida shouldn't be alone. – minor boost to well-meaning and Miller relationship.

World Splitting Choice:

                #I admired Hugo a lot. – This choice will take you down Route 1, please see that guide for more details.

                #Hugo was my brother, that's how siblings are. –This choice will take you down Route 1, please see that guide for more details.

                #Tom was always kind to me, he was my friend. – minor boost to sensible and Miller relationship. This choice will take you down Route 3.

Character Choice:

                #I thought we might... – This option will set you on the path to romance Tom.

                #No; Tom isn't like a brother to me, he is a brother to me. – This option will lock off the possibility of romance with Tom.

Act 3 – Autumn turns to Winter

Character Choice:

                #I'll have another go at conversation, about something nice and cheerful. – give minor boost to sophisticated.

                #I'll clean and light the fire, there's nothing like a cup of tea to perk up an unhappy soul. – gives minor boost to practical-minded, and Miller relationship.

                #It's rude to start organising another halfling's kitchen without invitation, but I'm going to do it anyway. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky, and Miller relationship.

                #It's very rude, but this is an emergency; I'll treat this kitchen like it's my own, and fill it with food. – minor boost to well-meaning, and moderate boost to Miller relationship.

Character Choice:

                #Swinging off the axel of the mill and falling into the soft sacks of flour below. – minor boost to frolicsome, and Hugo relationship.

#Using the empty flour bags to hide when we were in trouble. – minor boost to mischievous, and moderate boost to Hugo relationship.

#Pretending that we were working the mill. – minor boost to sensible, and Miller relationship.

#Drawing pictures in the dusty white flour. – minor boost to imaginative, and Miller relationship.

#Stealing grain to feed the ducks. – minor boost to well-meaning, and moderate boost to Miller relationship.

#Splashing in the little rapid pool made by the mill wheel. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky.

#Climbing up onto the roof to see out over the Dale. – minor boost to bold, and Hugo relationship.

Character Choice:

                #Promise you're in this together. – moderate boost to wise and Miller relationship.

                #Reassure her Tom will be back, one day. – moderate boost to well-meaning, and minor boost to Miller relationship.

                #Thinking about Tom too much is a bad idea; try to distract her. – moderate boost to mischievous.

Act 4 – Yule Night

There is nothing you have to do on Yule Night for this route. However if you choose to remain at home with Mum and Ida you will unlock the Secret Record “Maker of Special Lemon Buns”.

Act 5 – The Springtide Fair

There are no requirements in this act to stay on Route 3. However if you want to spend more time with Ida and get some minor relationship boosts into the bargain then you will want to: watch the dancing, go to the coconut shy, join Ida for a picnic in the afternoon, and ask her to dance in the evening.

Those who ask Ida to dance in the morning and then again in the evening will unlock the Secret Record “Keeper of promises”.

Act 6 - Summer begins to Bloom

Character Choice:

                #But I wanted to be alone. – moderate boost to bold.

                #There were no words that could describe half of what I was feeling; so I said nothing. – minor boost to practical-minded, and Miller relationship.

                #I was glad there was someone I could talk to; someone who had gone through the same thing. – minor boost to wise, and Miller relationship.

                #I wanted to feel like things were normal, even if it was only for a little while. – minor boost to practical-minded, and Miller relationship.

Character Choice:

                #We lured it out the house with a trail of peanut butter. – minor boost to outdoorsy sort, moderate boost to Miller relationship.

                #We corralled it; Tom distracted it, while I put a rope on it. – minor boost to bold.

                #We put on our best gardening gloves and carried it out. – minor boost to well-meaning.

                #We opened the window and didn't use that bathroom till it moved out of its own accord. – minor boost to indoorsy sort, and Miller relationship.

Act 7 - Another Birthday Arrives

If you are romancing Tom there will be a Character Choice to make here:

                #Nothing would make me happier than to marry Tom! – minor boost to happy-go-lucky.

                #It's been so long, I need to think about this... – minor boost to wise.

Otherwise there is no choice to make in this act.

Keep an eye out for next week's guide: Route 4 - Wilibald Fairburrow.

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Halfling Dale Guide – Route 2, Hugo & Ultán Firebeard

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Hugo Route. This is a one of the harder routes as there are several opportunities to leave it, and stat requirements at the end. The hidden romance can be found in this route as you can pursue Ultán.

Requirements: A good relationship with either Hugo or Ultán at the beginning of Act 7. By Act 7 your halfling must be at least a little bold. If you are trying for the secret romance you must have at least a good honest stat and a good Ultán relationship.

Act 1 – An Ill-fated Birthday Party

There is nothing in this act that you need to do to get on Route 2, but there are some opportunities to raise your relationship with Hugo or Ultán, and a choice you MUST make if you’re pursuing the secret romance.

Character Choice:

                #had tried to join the trio for dinner. – leads to another Character Choice: #Tom is your friend too. – gives minor boost to honest and Miller relationship. #You wanted to hear Ultán's news from The Outside. – gives minor boost to bold and Ultán relationship. #You wanted your brother to include you. – gives minor boost to well-meaning and Hugo relationship.

                #had retired to the garden and heard them through the open window. – gives a minor boost to sensible.

                #were just outside the door, eavesdropping. – gives a minor boost to mischievous.

Character Choice:

                #Tell him everything you remember. – minor boost to well-meaning, moderate boost to honest and Mum relationship.

                #Tell him Ultán was looking for a "lost weapon", but lie to leave Hugo and Tom out of it. – minor boost to mischievous, moderate boost to wise and Miller relationship.

                #Tell him they were talking late into the night, but that you didn't hear anything - you had a solitary evening. – minor boost to mischievous, moderate boost to sophisticated and Hugo relationship.

                #Tell him it's none of his bloody business. – large boost to bold, and moderate boost to Ultán relationship.

Character Choice:

                #This is such typical Hugo behaviour, like a single word makes this better. – gives minor boost to practical-minded and moderate boost to Hugo relationship.

                #How unlike Tom... to leave with nothing more than a secret note. – gives minor boost to wise and moderate boost to Miller relationship.

                #Ultán... I wonder why he would leave me this? – gives minor boost to imaginative and moderate boost to Ultán relationship. Also leads to a Character Choice: #Unpleasant. – gives moderate boost to sensible. #Improper. – gives moderate boost to sophisticated. #Impressive. – gives minor boost to well-meaning and Hugo relationship. #Attractive. – gives minor boost to bold and Ultán relationship. This will also set you on the path to the secret Ultán romance.

Act 2 – The Harvest Festival

Like most of the other routes you join the Hugo Route in Act 2.  After the festival is over and the bonfire has begun there will be a World Splitting Choice where you must choose:

                #Nobody. I feel very outside this celebration, I don't think anyone will notice if I'm missing. I'll go to the next hill and watch the fireworks from there.

World Splitting Choice:

                #Follow Garrance. – This choice will direct you to Route 5 which is the Garrance Prosper Route. See that guide for further details.

                #Remain by yourself. – Gives a minor boost to Hugo and Ultán relationship.

World Splitting Choice:

                #I can hold onto hope that he'll come back, and next time he won't slip away without me. – minor boost to imaginative, Hugo, and Ultán relationship. Also sets you on Route 2.

                #I need to let Hugo go and find something else to make me happy, or I never will be. – minor boost to practical. Sets you on the Wanderlust Secret Ending– note that this is NOT Route 2.

Act 3 - Autumn turns to Winter

Character Choice:

                #Drink a cup of chamomile tea. – gives minor boost to indoorsy sort.

                #Force yourself to go to bed. – gives minor boost to bold.

                #Read a boring book. – gives minor boost to wise.

                #Take some medicine. – gives minor boost to well-meaning.

                #Try some breathing exercises. – gives minor boost to outdoorsy sort.

Character Choice:

                #Some rope. – gives minor boost to mischievous, and moderate boost to Hugo relationship.

                #A torch. – gives minor boost to practical-minded, Hugo and Ultán relationship.

                #A shield. – gives minor boost to well-meaning and moderate boost to Ultán relationship.

                #A bow. – gives minor boost to bold.

                #Somewhere to hide. – gives moderate boost to sensible.

                #A book on giants. – gives minor boost to imaginative.

Character Choice:

                #I believe I was dreaming. – moderate boost to practical-minded.

                #I think I want to follow Hugo so badly that, in my own way, I am. – minor boost to bold and moderate boost Ultán relationship.

                #I think I might have some sort of far sight. – minor boost to wise and Ultán relationship.

                #Hugo is messing with forces that are beyond him and, whether accidentally or intentionally, he's pulling me along behind. – minor boost to honest and Hugo relationship.

                #I don't know what's happening, but if it's real - that means Hugo's alive, which is all I care about. – minor boost to well-meaning and moderate boost to Hugo relationship.

Act 4 – Yule Night

There is nothing to do in this act related to Route 2, enjoy Yule Night however you like.

Act 5 – The Springtide Fair

There is nothing you must do in this act either. However if you want a unique vision at the fair you can choose to #Pin the tail on the donkey. The vision will change depending on if you’re on the secret romance or not. In the evening you can also choose #I'm not in the mood for all this rowdiness. I'll find myself a bit of quiet. – this will give you a minor boost to Hugo relationship as well as some Route 2 unique text.

Act 6  - Summer begins to Bloom

Character Choice:

                #Golly, I hate heights! – gives minor boost to sensible.

                #There's nothing for me to fear; I'm only a spectre. – gives a minor boost to wise and Ultán relationship.

                #If only I could see something this spectacular with my own eyes! – gives minor boost to bold and Hugo relationship.

Character Choice:

                #Follow Hugo. – gives minor boost to practical-minded and moderate boost to Hugo relationship. Leads to another Character Choice: #Push Hugo out the way. – gives minor boost to imaginative, moderate boost to Hugo relationship and causes PC to become injured. #Shout a warning. – gives minor boost to well-meaning and Hugo relationship. #Leap in front of the bolt. – gives minor boost to bold, moderate boost to Ultán relationship and causes PC to become injured. #There's nothing I can do! – gives moderate boost to wise.

                #Follow Ultán and Tom. -gives minor boost to bold and moderate boost to Ultán relationship. Leads to another Character Choice: #Push Ultán out the way. – gives minor boost to practical, moderate boost to Hugo relationship, and causes PC to become injured. #Shout a warning. – gives minor boost to well-meaning. #Leap in front of the javelin. – gives minor boost to bold and moderate boost to Ultán relationship. #There's nothing I can do! – gives minor boost to wise and Ultán relationship.

Act 7 - Another Birthday Arrives

At the very beginning of this act there will be a stat check. If your relationship with Hugo or Ultán is below good then you will be directed to the Wanderlust Secret Ending instead.

World Splitting Choice:

                #I've been waiting for this moment! Let me pack my things. (only selectable if character is bold) – gives moderate boost to bold.

                #I want to go, but we should say goodbye to Mum first... (only selectable if character is bold) – gives moderate boost to honest and Ultán relationship.

                #I'm not sure I'm cut out for adventure. – gives massive boost to sensible and means your character will stay in the Dale.

Stat-dependent split:

                *if you chose to find Ultán attractive in Act1, have a good Ultán relationship, and have a good honest stat then Ultán will arrive and sweep you off your feet for the secret romance ending.

                *if you chose to find Ultán attractive in Act1 but failed to meet the other requirements you will get some additional text and then get the normal ending for Route 2.

                *otherwise you will go straight to the normal ending for Route 2.

Keep an eye out for next week's guide: Route 3 - Tom & Ida Miller.

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Halfling Dale Guide – Route 1, Mum

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Mum Route. This is a nice and easy route: there are no hard stat requirements, no failure state, and only one opportunity to leave the route. There are no romance options available on this route.

Let’s dive right into it:

Act 2 – The Harvest Festival

Like most of the other routes you join the Mum Route in Act 2.  After the festival is over and the bonfire has begun there will be a World Splitting Choice where you must choose:

                #Mum and Ida. I know they're embarrassed, but they can't miss the fireworks! I go back home to fetch them.

Character Choice:

                #Mum's right, we should give Ida space. – minor boost to wise and Mum relationship.

                #Knock a few more times, Ida shouldn't be alone. – minor boost to well-meaning and Miller relationship.

World Splitting Choice:

                #I admired Hugo a lot. – minor boost to Hugo relationship, with a minor boost to one of either mischief, bold or well-meaning depending on your character’s current stats. This choice will lock you into Route 1.

                #Hugo was my brother, that's how siblings are. – minor boost to happy-go-lucky, and Mum relationship. This choice will lock you into Route 1.

                #Tom was always kind to me, he was my friend. – This choice will take you down Route 3 Tom & Ida Miller instead of Route 1. For more details on this please see the Route 3 walkthrough.

Act 3 – Autumn turns to Winter

Character Choice:

                #Baked goods. I've had lots of practice recently. – moderate boost to sensible. If PC has won the pie contest moderate boost to Mum relationship.

                #Little knitted gifts, folk love woolly things in winter. – minor boost to practical. Leads to a Stat-dependent Split: *if PC has knitting hobby then moderate boost to indoorsy sort and Mum relationship. Otherwise there will be another Character Choice about what to write on your sign: #Homemade knits here! – minor boost to indoorsy sort. #Hats for Brownbottom. – minor boost to wise and Mum relationship. #Best hats and gloves. – minor boost to honest and Mum relationship. #Maybe something like... – minor boost to imaginative and minor reduction to Mum relationship.

                #Make some wooden trinkets, Yule Night is coming and folk will need gifts. – minor boost to imaginative. Leads to a Stat-dependent Split: *if PC has whittling hobby then moderate boost to Mum relationship. Otherwise there will be another Character Choice about what to write on your sign: #Handmade trinkets here! – minor boost to indoorsy sort. #Yule gifts for Brownbottom. – minor boost to wise and Mum relationship. #Best coasters and curiosities. – minor boost to mischief and minor reduction for Mum relationship. #Maybe something like... – minor boost to imaginative.

                #Honey, I have more honey than I know what to do with! (only available if PC is Apiarist) – gives minor boost to practical-minded and outdoorsy sort, and moderate boost to Mum relationship.

#Cider, I have lots of left over cider. (Only available if PC is Brewer) – gives minor boost to practical-minded and industrious, and moderate boost to Mum relationship.

Stat-dependent split:

                *if PC respectability is high then minor boost to respectability.

                *if PC respectability is moderate then small boost to respectability.

                *otherwise tiny boost to respectability.

World Splitting Choice:

                #I don't trust those WWA women. They want Mum back now, but what happens if another scandal hits? She should stay away, for her own peace of mind. – gives a minor boost to wise.

                #Mum doesn't need to be in the WWA to do good in the Dale. Why don't we make our own group? – gives more boost to imaginative and moderate boost to Mum relationship. Making this choice will open up the Act 6 event and Mum's true ending later on. Leads to another Character Choice: #Let Mum choose the name. – gives minor boost to well-meaning and Mum relationship. #I think we should be called... – gives minor boost to imaginative and allows you to name your own philanthropic efforts.

                #Mum should re-join the WWA; otherwise she's cutting off her own nose to spite her face. – gives a minor boost to well-meaning and Mum relationship.

Act 4 – Yule Night

You can choose to go to the Town Hall or remain at Home, either choice will keep you on this route. However if you choose to stay home and spend Yule Night with Mum and Ida then you will unlock the Secret Record “Inherited a family heirloom”.

If you choose to make amends with your Cousin Sissy here you can also switch to Route 9. For more details on this please see the Route 9 walkthrough.

Act 5 – The Springtide Fair

There are no requirements in this act to stay on Route 1. However, if you want to spend more time with Mum and get some minor relationship boosts into the bargain then you will want to: watch the dancing, look around the stalls at the fair, enter the three-legged race, and ask Mum to dance in the evening.

Act 6 – Summer begins to Bloom

Character Choice:

                #Write invitations, and deliver them personally to everyone in Tillwych. – gives minor boost to well-meaning and Mum relationship. Also means Bertrund Burdock will join your charity. Leads to a Stat-dependent split : *if good wise, good sensible or good honest stat then a lot of halflings will join your group. If good wise, good bold, or good mischief stat then plenty of halflings will join your group. Otherwise few halflings will come to your group meeting.

                #Go to the Dancing Gnome, and talk to the folk there.- gives minor boost to industrious. Also means Farmer Fothergill will join your charity. Leads to a Stat-dependent split : *if good bold, good practical-minded or good honest stat then a lot of halflings will join your group. If good frolicsome, good well-meaning, or good mischief stat then plenty of halflings will join your group. Otherwise few halflings will come to your group meeting.

#We should visit The Tea Cellar, a lot of young halflings spend time there. - gives minor boost to frolicsome and Mum relationship. Also means Marian Sable will join your charity. Leads to a Stat-dependent split : *if good mischief, good frolicsome or good happy-go-lucky stat then a lot of halflings will join your group. If good honest, good industrious, or good sophisticated stat then plenty of halflings will join your group. Otherwise few halflings will come to your group meeting.

Stat-dependent Split:

                *if a lot of halflings have joined your group then get a minor respectability and Patty relationship boost.

                *if plenty of halflings have joined your group then get a tiny respectability boost.

                *otherwise no stat changes.

Character Choice:

                #Re-roofing the Mathom House. – gives minor boost to wise and causes Wilibald Fairburrow to join your charity.

                #Reading visits to halflings with poor eyesight. – gives minor boost to indoorsy sort, Mum relationship, and causes Wilibald Fairburrow to join your charity.

                #Digging hedgehog tunnels under East Road. – gives minor boost to outdoorsy sort, Mum relationship, and causes Mayor Goldworthy to join your charity.

                #Supervised swims for young halflings. - gives minor boost to bold and causes Mayor Goldworthy to join your charity.

Act 7 - Another Birthday Arrives

There are no special or stat requirements for this ending. There is a final Character Choice here where your character makes a wish for the future, which will change the text you see at the very end.

Keep an eye out for next week's guide: Route 2 – Hugo & Ultán Firebeard.

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Halfling Dale – Pie Contest Guide

This is a guide with everything you need to know to win the various awards available in the Pie Contest in Halfling Dale.

To give a quick overview, there are several awards available to win here: Prettiest Pie; Unique Flavour; and Third, Second or First place. I’ll cover all of these in this guide. So without further ado let’s get down to it:

The short answer to “How do I win the pie contest?” is this: you want a Pie Score of 5, this will net you third place. A score of 6 will get you second place, anything higher will crown you champion. Special Awards can only be won with very specific combinations. If you mess around  with Sissy's or Lily’s pie the win thresholds will go down. I’ll go more into the edge cases and pie sabotage further down.

The pie contest begins at the very start of Act 2: Harvest Festival.

Before you even begin a halfling who is a “Baker” or a “Gourmet” will get a +1 to their Pie Score.

Your first choice will be between “Steak”, “Apples” or “Mushrooms”. Any of these primary flavours can place in the top three or win the unusual flavour award, so you can pick any that you find tasty. Each of the three offers a different story experience, so make sure to give each one a go on different run throughs.

If you picked “Steak”:

Steak & Ale Pie will give you +3 to your Pie Score. If you are a “Brewer” you will get an automatic +3 to your Pie Score here. If you aren’t, you will have to make a choice between: “soft and silky ale” (+2 Pie Score), “dark and earthy ale” (+3 Pie Score), “hoppy and spicy ale” (+1 Pie Score).

Steak & Mustard Pie will give you +2 to your Pie Score. You will then have to make a choice between: “whole grain mustard” (+3 Pie Score), “brown mustard” (+2 Pie Score), “honey mustard” (+1 Pie Score).

Steak & Parsnip Pie will give you +1 to your Pie Score. You will then have to make a choice between: “Sage” (+3 Pie Score), “Bacon” (+1 Pie Score), “Caraway Seeds” (+2 Pie Score, wins the “Unique Flavour Award”, and gives you the “Odd Tastes” Secret Record).

If you picked “Apples”:

Apple & Blackberry Pie will give you +2 to your Pie Score. If you are a “Gardener”, “Rambler”, or have a very high “Outdoorsy Sort” stat you will get an automatic +3 to your Pie Score here. If you aren’t, you will have to make a choice between: “Wonder into the woods” (+3 Pie Score), “Follow a favourite walking path” (+1 Pie Score), “Go down to the river” (+2 Pie Score).

Apple & Spice Pie will give you +1 to your Pie Score. You will then have to make a choice between: “Cinnamon” (+1 Pie Score), “Cardamom” (+3 Pie Score), “Vanilla” (+2 Pie Score).

Apple & Herby Honey Pie will give you +3 to your Pie Score. If you are an “Apiarist” you will get an automatic + 3 to your Pie Score here. If you aren’t, you will have to make a choice between: “Buckwheat Honey” (+3 Pie Score and wins the “Unique Flavour Award”), “Orange Blossom Honey” (+1 Pie Score), “Clover Honey” (+2 Pie Score).

If you picked “Mushrooms”:

Mushroom & Leek Pie will give you +1 to your Pie Score. You will then have to make a choice between: “Fennel” (+1 Pie Score), “White wine” (+2 Pie Score), “Cumin” (+3 Pie Score).

Mushroom & Cheese Pie will give you +3 to your Pie Score. If you are a “Cheesemonger” you will get an automatic + 3 to your Pie Score here. If you aren’t, you will have to make a choice between: “Goat cheese” (+3 Pie Score), “Blue cheese” (+2 Pie Score), “Cheddar” (+1 Pie Score).

Mushroom & Fish Pie will give you +2 to your Pie Score. If you are a “Fisher” you will get an automate +3 to your Pie Score here, and you will also win the “Unique Flavour Award”. If you aren’t, you will have to make a choice between: “Eel” (+3 Pie Score), “Pike” (+1 Pie Score), “Salmon” (+2 Pie Score).

Pie Toppings:

Now that you’ve made your pie it’s time to decorate it. What this choice does depends entirely on what sort of halfling you’re roleplaying: your score can go up or down by 1, or it could stay the same. What This is also your chance to win the “Prettiest Pie Award”.

#“I'll keep it simple.”

                +1 Pie Score to Industrious or Practical Minded halflings.

                -1 Pie Score to Imaginative halflings.

#“I'll make a tight lattice.”

                +1 Pie Score to Indoorsy Sort or Sensible halflings.

                -1 Pie Score to Imaginative halflings.

#“I choose a detailed and complicated topping.”

                +1 Pie Score to Sophisticated or Mischievous halflings.

                -1 Pie Score to Happy Go Lucky halflings.

#“I want a design that celebrates the beauty of the Dale.”

                +1 Pie Score to Outdoorsy Sort or Practical Minded halflings.

#“I'll try a daring design.”

                +1 Pie Score to Bold, Frolicsome, or Honest halflings.

                -1 Pie Score to Sensible halflings.

#“I'll use my artistic skill.”

                +1 Pie Score to Imaginative or Sophisticated halflings. Imaginative halflings will also win the “Prettiest Pie Award” with this option.

                -1 Pie Score to Well-meaning or Happy Go Lucky halflings.

Pie-related Mischief:

Now we know everything about baking our pies, lets look at messing with other halfling’s entries. This is done by choosing the option: #There's too much at stake to leave this contest to chance, one of the other contestant's pies is about to have an 'accident'. - at the beginning of the Harvest Festival. Choosing this option will cause a large increase to your halfling’s mischievous stat. Once that’s decided, you can choose between targeting your conniving Cousin Sissy, or the reigning champion Lily Goldworthy.

Cousin Sissy-

You can choose to either swap your entries, or take her pie out of the running altogether.

Choosing to take her pie out the running will always succeed and reduce the threshold to win third place in the contest by one point. In addition your bold stat will get a small boost. However your respectability will get a small reduction, and you will be locked out of the Route 9 Sissy route.

Choosing to swap Sissy’s pie with yours will give you a small boost to your mischievous stat and lead to another choice:

                #I'm quick enough to make the switch.

                                *if you have a good mischievous, high outdoorsy sort, or high sophisticated stat then you will succeed in swapping the pies. If your pie hasn’t placed in the contest this will steal Sissy’s third place slot and give it to you. If your original pie placed above Sissy’s then your cousin will take the credit for your pie, and you will not win with Sissy’s pie. Regardless of if you win or not, swapping the pies will give you the ‘Pie pilferer’ Secret Record.

                                *else you will fail to swap the pies and your respectability get a small reduction.

                # #I'll make sure everyone is looking the other way.

                                *if you have a high wise, a good bold, or a high frolicsome stat then you will succeed in swapping the pies. If your pie hasn’t placed in the contest this will steal Sissy’s third place slot and give it to you. If your pie has placed in the top three than Sissy will take the credit for your pie, and you will not win with Sissy’s pie. Yes, Sissy can win first place with your pie. Regardless of if you win or not, swapping the pies will give you the ‘Pie pilferer’ Secret Record.

                                *else you will fail to swap the pies and your respectability get a small reduction.

Lily Goldworthy-

If you have made friends with Benny (by choosing Mushrooms as your primary ingredient, then helping him to steal them) you will be able to choose: “See what your trouble making friend Benny might be able to do about this.” this option will automatically take Lily’s pie out of the running without you needing to get your hands dirty, this will reduce the win threshold for third, second, and first place by one each.

If you haven’t made friends with Benny yet you will have one choice: “Sabotage Lily's pie.”

                *if you have a good mischief, good bold, very high imaginative, or very high frolicsome stat then you will succeed in sabotaging Lily’s pie, this will reduce the win threshold for third, second, and third place by one each.

                *if you have a good honest, a good well-meaning, or a good sensible stat then you halfling will lose their nerve and be unable to sabotage the pie.

                *else you will fail to sabotage the pie and your respectability will get a small reduction.

This should be everything you need to know to win the awards you want in the pie contest.

Keep an eye out for next week's guide: Route 1 – Mum.

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Halfling Dale – A Guide to Stats and Making Your Halfling Character

This post is going to be the first in a series of guides that cover the ins and outs of Halfling Dale. This guide is going to look at making a halfling character, and the hidden stats that are at work in the game.

This first guide will be a bit unusual as it won’t explain how to find any routes, or discover any secrets. However it is necessary, as all the other guides are going to reference the info here. So let’s dive straight into it.

The Stats Explained:

There are seven opposed stats that measure your halfling’s character. This means that if one stat goes down another goes up and visa versa. Here’s the list of the Halfling Dale stats:

Mischievous vs. Honest – These two are pretty self-explanatory: mischievous halflings do things like steal mushrooms and sabotage entries in the pie contest, whereas honest halflings play fair and always tell the truth (no matter how inconvenient it might be to do so).

Happy-go-lucky vs. Sophisticated – A happy-go-lucky halfling rolls with the punches and looks on the bright side of life. They shrug off problems and don’t give much thought to propriety. On the other hand, sophisticated halflings have a strong sense of decorum and manners, these halflings make excellent hosts and always put on a brave face.

Bold vs. Sensible – A bold halfling is rash and outspoken, they are the sorts of halflings most inclined to get mixed up in adventures. Sensible halflings would never entertain such wild ideas (as it might make them late for dinner) and keep their noses out of trouble at all costs.

Practical Minded vs. Imaginative – A practical-minded halfling is down-to-earth sort, and doesn’t entertain silly gossiping. Imaginative halflings live for stories and romance, they love wild tales and (though they would never admit it) a healthy dose of drama.

Outdoorsy sort vs. Indoorsy sort – Outdoorsy halflings love the great outdoors, their favourite activities include rambling, gardening, and picnicking. Their indoorsy counterparts prefer staying in their halfling holes reading and baking.

Industrious vs. Frolicsome – Industrious halflings are hard workers, they don’t like to sit idle and always have something to do. Frolicsome halflings take a more relaxed approach to life - although they can be quite active when it comes to merry-making.

Wise vs. Well-meaning. A wise halfling has an inquisitive mind and loves book learning (and learning in general), however their logical approach can sometimes make them forget to be sympathetic. A well-meaning halfling wants the best for everyone and always has good intentions, but can often be naïve in their approach.

A bit of chat about how stats effect the game:

Every choice you make in Halfling Dale will affect one of your stats. Yes – even the ones about food.

But don’t think this means you need to agonise over every choice, as most only give minor stat adjustments that build the character of your halfling over the course of many small decisions. The exception to this is in Act 1 during character creation and a couple big choices that will be flagged in their respective guides.

So you know about the stats now, but what do they actually do?

As you play Halfling Dale you will encounter checks that will change your story depending on the character of your halfling. Many of these checks are for text flavour, changing how the immediate instance plays out or how other halflings react to your character, without changing the main course of your story or the ending you’re shooting for.

However there are also some pass/fail checks that will send your character down different paths. A small number of these are instances where you need a specific stat to open a route or get a particular ending. For example: the secret romance ending requires an Honest halfling. These instances with hard pass/fail criteria will be flagged loud and clear in their respective guides.

But most of the pass/fail checks have multiple success conditions, where every choice has a possibility to ‘win’ a situation. This is where your character stats really come in, as halflings who play to their strengths will often find themselves victorious. For example: On Yule Night in the town hall when Billy goes missing he can be found in any of the possible locations, but an indoorsy halfling will struggle to locate Billy out in the snow whereas a bold halfling will be happy to brave the cold weather and do what needs to be done, on the other hand a mischievous halfling will know the hiding places inside the town hall much better than an honest halfling. A choice that works for one halfling, may not for another.

In short, the best way to play Halfling Dale is to roleplay your halfling as consistently as possible.

Character Creation Guide:

In Act 1 – An Ill Fated Birthday Party Mayor Goldworthy will give a speech about your halfling character, their childhood stories, likes and achievements. This is Halfling Dale’s character creation and the choices here will drastically affect that sort of traits your halfling will start their story with. Here is an exact guide:

Choice 1:

                #we had a real mischief maker on our hands. - +20 mischievous, +10 bold, +5 frolicsome.

                #that PC  laughed loud and often. - +20 frolicsome, +10 happy-go-lucky, +5 well-meaning

                #Ormond's young'un had an adventurous streak. - +20 bold, +10 outdoorsy sort, +5 industrious.

                #that PC had a great imagination. - +20 imaginative, +10 wise, +5 frolicsome.

                #that PC  had a true love of the Dale. +20 outdoorsy sort, +10 practical-minded, +5 happy-go-lucky

                #that PC had the most generous spirit. - +20 well-meaning, +10 sensible, +5 honest.

                #Ormond's young'un was quite refined, a real gentlehalfling in the making. - +20 sophisticated, +10 indoorsy sort, +5 sensible.

Choice 2:

                #"led our flocks to high ground." - +20 practical-minded, +10 outdoorsy sort.

                #"kept everyone's spirits high." - +20 frolicsome, +10 happy-go-lucky.

                #"helped shore up the river bank." - +20 bold, +10 industrious.

                #"helped organise the evacuation." - +20 wise, +10 industrious.

                #"donated supplies to help halflings less fortunate." + 20 honest, +10 indoorsy sort.

Choice 3:

#"in who we can all place our trust." - +10 honest.

#"who everyone looks to in a crisis." - +10 practical-minded.

#"who always keeps the good of others close to their heart." - +10 well-meaning

#"with a joyful spirit." +10 happy-go-lucky.

#"with a good head on their shoulders." - +10 sensible.

#"who we all have nothing but the highest regard for." + 10 sophisticated.

#"with a sharp mind." + 10 wise.

#"who knows the value of an honest day's work." + 10 industrious.

Choice 4:

                #Apiarist. - +15 happy-go-lucky, and gives the surname “Honeycot”.

                #Cheesemonger. - +15 sensible, and gives the surname “Cheesewright”.

                #Gardener. - +15 outdoorsy sort, and gives the surname “Greenskeeper”.

                #Baker. - +15 indoorsy sort, and gives the surname “Bakewell”.

                #Brewer. - +15 practical-minded, and gives the surname “Tapper”.

                #Tailor. - +15 sophisticated, and gives the surname “Haberdasher”.

                #Fisher. - +15 industrious, and gives the surname “Salmon”.

                #Jeweller. - +15 imaginative, and gives the surname “Goldhart”.

Choice 5:

                #Gourmet. - +10 indoorsy sort, +3 sensible.

                #Dancer. - +5 outdoorsy sort, +8 sophisticated.

                #Story Teller. - +5 indoorsy sort, + 8 imaginative.

                #Whittler. - +3 outdoorsy sort, +10 industrious.

                #Knitter. - +8 indoorsy sort, +6 practical-minded.

                #Rambler. - +10 outdoorsy sort, + 3 happy-go-lucky.

                #Connoisseur of pipe weed. - +3 outdoorsy sort, +10 frolicsome.

                #Go Player. - +5 indoorsy sort, +8 wise.

I hope you guys have found this guide helpful. I’m planning to publish one a week and build up a pretty comprehensive walkthrough of the whole game. But in the meantime, fell free to shoot me any questions.

Big thanks to everyone for supporting Halfling Dale!

Coming Next Week: Harvest Festival Pie Contest Guide

[wysiwyg-wizards]

how do you get the secret romance hidden in Hugo's route? 👀

Thanks for reaching out! This is a great question - I'm currently working on detailed run throughs for all the romances, so keep an eye out for these in the future. In the meantime I'll give you a quick rundown that I hope will be helpful. The secret romance is with Ultán, and he's quite tricky to get. Firstly in Act 1 you need to guess Ultán's left you the apologetic note, and you must then choose to find him attractive. This will open the possibility for romance.

You then need to get yourself on the Hugo Route. You do this in Act 2 by choosing to spend bonfire night alone, and wishing for Hugo to come back.

Finally (I did say it was hard!), when you get to your second birthday party there are some requirements you need to have met to get the ending you want:

You must have a decent relationship with Ultán or Hugo, which is done by making choices in the dream sequences that show your halfling's connection to them.

You need to have made bold/daring sorts of choices, or your halfling is too timid to leave for adventure.

You also must make generally honest choices throughout the story to unlock Ultán's unique ending (this is particularly prominent when deciding your halfling's backstory in act 1).

Let me know how it works out. I'm always happy to answer questions if you want some more pointers <3

[wysiwyg-wizards]

4/5 Review from Pocket Gamer

We're thrilled with Pocket Gamer's review of Halfling Dale. In short, this is what they had to say: "...the narrative is hands-down a 10!" But you can read the longer version here:

[wysiwyg-wizards]

Couch Soup has reviewed Halfling Dale!

We asked Coach Soup for an honest review...

"My first visit to Dale was wondrous! With each choice I made as Angelica the more I felt this story was written for me. " - Shana Martin for Couch Soup

You can check out the full review for all of Shana's thoughts.

[wysiwyg-wizards]

I do have a question, also slight spoilers to anyone who hasn't played through Hugo/Ultàn/Tom routes, When you do the Ultàn route it just gives you small note at the end of Hugo's ending, but if you decide to not run away, can you pursue Tom? Since he stays or does it just end since it's the last huge event, cause I really want to pursue Tom

Yes Spoilers Ahead: Absolutely happy to point you the right way here. The Tom and Hugo routes are pretty separate. If you'd like to pursue Tom you need be on the Miller route by choosing "Tom was always kind to me, he was my friend" in Chapter 2. You will then be able to decide whether he's more like family, or a romantic interest. You can't pursue Tom romantically on the Hugo route, but there is a different secret romantic interest hidden in the Hugo route...