After purchasing a magnifying glass, the player can find and inspect secret banknotes, which are hidden bits of information written down by mostly mysterious sources that will reveal new and interesting bits of data to players who find them in the surprisingly complex world ofStardew Valley.
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It contains 25 secret notesStardew Valley, all of which tell the player the villagers' favorite items, contain small illustrations, give a fun little puzzle to do, and some even start mysterious quests.There are a number of ways to force secret notes to spawn, although most are luck-based.
Updated on September 14, 2021 by Reyadh Rahaman:Quite a few of the quests in Stardew Valley are unclear and don't often give a clear indication of what needs to be done to complete them. Fortunately, none of the quests available through Secret Notes have a time limit or expiration date, so players can rest easy knowing they won't be time-consuming.
But even with all the time you could want in picturesque Pelican Town, it will still take some digging, exploration and guesswork to unravel the mysteries behind the most cryptic secret notes.
How to find secret notes
- Chopping trees (each ax blow) - 0.5%
- Weeding - 0.9%
- Collecting stones - 0.75%
- Killing Monsters - 3.3%
- Collect resource chunks (large stump, large tree trunk, meteorite or boulder) - 5%
- Fisheries - 8% (replaces waste)
- Artifact stain - 11% (after artifact check and winter feeding check)
- Harvest Giant Crops - 100%
All secret notes and what's inside
Secret note #1
This note contains a page from Abigail's diary.
"Things I love: the smell of carved pumpkin, keeping an amethyst under the pillow, chocolate cake, the sensation of spicy eel and the comfort of mom's blackberry buns (I like to eat!)".
Secret note #2
This is Sam's Christmas shopping list, and it has a lot of favorites on it.
“Sebastian: Frozen tear, sashimi
Penny: Emerald, Poppy
Vincent: Grape, cranberry like that
Mother: Crispy bass, pancakes
Father: Risotto, roasted hazelnuts
Mig: Cactus, Maple Bar, Pizza"
Secret note #3
The handwriting on this page indicates that Lea wrote this note.
"My idea of a perfect dinner would be salad, goat cheese, truffle and wine. For dessert I would have a poppy seed muffin. Yum! If someone gave me one of those, I would melt."
Secret note #4
This page contains a list of what Maru still needs.
“Parts are still missing for my greatest invention yet!
*Gold bar
*Iridiumreep
*Battery pack
*Diamond
*Strawberry"
Secret note #5
Here's a note from Penny revealing several people's favorites.
“I want to give everyone something they love!
Mother: Parsnips, glazed yams, NO BEER!
Jas: Fairy Rose, Pruimenpudding
Vincent: Pink cake, grape
Mr. Mullner: Leek, fried mushrooms
Grandma Mullner: Bidding, Tulips"
Secret note #6
This note is actually a list of what many people prefer to order from Stardrop Saloon, although it is unknown who wrote this.
“Stardrop Saloon special order
Borgmester Lewis: Autumn bounty
(Add double order of fiber-rich bread)
Marnie: Pumpkin pie
(extra whipped cream!)
Demetrius: Bonenhotpot
(Make it spicy)
Caroline: Vistaco's
(she wants the triple sauce! Just throw in a few extra napkins...)"
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Secret note #7
Another mysterious written secret that tells about the favorites of some bachelors in town.
“It's a page from someone's diary...
...There are only a few "older" singles in town, and none of them are perfect! Harvey is very anxious and weak, but I know he would be a loyal and devoted husband. He likes coffee and pickles.
Elliott is a bit goofy and melodramatic, but he has a nice chin. He likes crab cakes and pomegranates.
Shane is messy and antisocial. But I think his gruff exterior is a defense mechanism that isolates his gentleness from the world. He likes beer, pizza and gingerbread cookies.”
Secret note #8
Here's a note from Haley and Emily's parents about their favorite gifts.
“To Haley and Emily
I hope you two are doing well! We sent you your favorite gifts: pink cake and sunflowers for Haley, gemstones and wool for Emily!
-I love mom and dad"
Secret note #9
This note provides insight into why Alex likes the things they do.
“Alex's Strength Training Diet:
* Complete breakfast
*Salmon dinner
(I've learned to love this food...I can feel the protein!!)"
Secret note #10
Secret Note #10 is a bit of an anomaly as it can only be obtained after completing the quest "Qi's Challenge".It also starts the quest "Cryptic Note" which can be completed after reaching level 100 in the Skull Cavern.
'There is somebody
I am waiting for you
at level 100
i
of
cranial cavity..."
Secret note #11
This note contains no text, hints, tips or quests; just a nice photo.
Secret note #12
Unlike revealing favorites, this note gives the player some tips on where to find specific items.
“I've discovered some good things by looking in the bins on lucky days.
Sometimes you can find the 'dish of the day' behind the salon... usually fresh!
For dessert I look at the Mullners' tin of cookies.
Look for treasures in the cans at the blacksmith and the museum."
Secret note #13
The first of the secret note puzzle, this one is relatively easy to solveand gives the player a Junimo hug.
"12:00 SHARP. Last day of the season. Check the bush above the playground."
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Secret note #14
In the next Secret Note puzzle, players can use the hint in this one to get a Junimo stone statue, although players must use a pickaxe or pickaxe to collect these.
"I have something hidden behind the community center."
Secret note #15
Much more cryptically, this note guides the player through finding a gem, as well as how to extract it from some shells. During the night market, be sure to check out the boat on the far right to see the mermaid show, after which players can try their hand at the shell game; follow this note guide to get the gem.
"Mermaid Show: 1-5-4-2-3"
Secret note #16
This image, the second of its kind among secret banknotes, clearly shows the location of a buried treasure chest.
Secret note #17
Another treasure map, this one leads to an area north of JojaMart and to a strange doll (green) buried under the sand.
Secret note #18
More buried treasure, a strange doll (yellow), can be found with this map if you follow it to the Calico Desert.
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Secret note #19
This one is a little harder to understand, but solving this puzzle will make a lot of money. Starting at the house at 1 Willow Lane, start your walk directly in front of the building. Then follow the instructions (starting at the green arrow on the far left of the note and moving right as if you were reading in English). Follow each direction until you hit an object or wall, then keep following the next direction until the same thing happens. At the end of this trial, players will find a secret solid gold Lewis statue.
If you pick up the statue and place it anywhere in Pelican Town, it will disappear the next day (replaced by a rotten plant) and the player will receive an unsigned letter with passive-aggressive text and 750 G.
Secret note #20
Similar to the previous secret note, this one takes the player on a journey to find some rare items. Start from the center of the town square and follow the green arrows and roadblock obstacles until you reach a truck parked near JojaMart, where the player can talk to the driver and trade him a rabbit's foot for a special spell that your daily happiness permanently increases.
Secret note #21
Secret Note #21 reveals a creepy little secret between Lewis and Marnie, though discovering it will lead to nothing but laughs at the expense of some NPCs.To the northwest, on the bridge leaving Pelican Town towards the beach, players can see some bushes. At exactly 12:40, players can interact with the larger of the two bushes to scare Lewis and Marnie behind it.
Secret note #22
Here's a tip to find out how to start a quest called "The Mysterious Qi", although finding this secret note is not necessary to start the quest. To embark on this little adventure, players will need to bring a battery pack and place it in a box on a wall in the center of the tunnel.
"Greetings, (player's name)...
Have you found my 'secret' in the dark tunnel?
I look forward to meeting you!”
Secret note #23
Arguably one of the strangest in the game, Secret Note #23a starts the mission "Strange Note"and guides the player to The Secret Woods, indicating that you should bring some maple syrup. If the player does this between 6am and 7am they will meet a bear who will teach them some secrets about berries, giving them the chance to sell blackberries and salmonberries at three times the normal price.
'If you can read... come to the critique. Please bring May-Pal Serrup.”
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Secret note #24
While this note doesn't lead to any treasure or quest, it does reveal a new mechanic that players can use to change the color of Juminos by placing a forged mineral, gem, or geode mineral in their small huts.
"It's a page from M. Jasper's book:
...the creatures, known by some as "Forest Spirits" or "Junimos", are said to appear in abandoned buildings after "going to the seed".
As a general rule, when people leave and nature begins to reclaim its territory, Junimos will undoubtedly appear.
According to popular wisdom, the Junimos exhibit a kind of resonant affinity with the gemstones placed in their small huts...
Of course, all these claims come from dubious, unverified sources... As far as I know, the existence of these creatures has never been proven!”
Secret note #25
Even the last secret note does not lead to a quest or treasure, but to greater friendship. If you fish the waters outside the spa in the spring, summer or fall, you will come across a dainty chain. While this necklace is in your inventory, the player can talk to Caroline to get 50 Friendship Points or to Abigail to get 100 Friendship Points.
“I 'borrowed' a necklace from Mom, but I lost it somewhere near the bathhouse. She'll panic when she finds out he's gone.”
Overview of a winter mystery quest
To begin this quest, players must enter the bus stop through their farm in winter. You must arrive at the bus stop between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM to play a special cutscene that begins the search in earnest. Players will encounter Shadow Guy briefly before disappearing, forcing players to track them down if they want to learn more.
To complete this quest, players will need to go to the Pelican Town playground and search a bush to the right of it, which will lead to another scene where Shadow Guy will appear and give the player the magnifying glass.
A Winter Myster Quest text
'You came across a suspicious looking figure at the bus stop. When he saw you, he fled towards the city. Any idea where he was?'
Overview of strange note missions
This quest begins after players read Secret Note #23, where players must enter secret forests between 6 and 19 with some maple syrup in their inventory. This will start a cutscene where you literally trade a bear's maple syrup for the bear's knowledge, which yields a much higher resale value for some berries.
Fun fact: If players have a phone on their farm and complete this quest, it is possible for the same bear to call one in the future, even if there is no option for future quests through them.
Strange note Quest text
"You found a barely legible note asking you to take 'may-pal serrup' to 'seecrit wuds'."
Overview of cryptic note missions
After reading Secret Note #10, players are tasked with reaching level 100 in the Skull Cavern. Once this is done, you will be greeted by Mr. Qi, which rewards the player with Iridium Snake Milk, an item that permanently increases one's maximum health by 25 points.
Cryptic Note Quest text
"You found a note that says: 'Someone is waiting for you at level 100 in the Skull Cavern'
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