What Happens to the Kids if You Divorce in Stardew Valley?
So, you’re considering divorce in Stardew Valley. It’s a big decision, with significant consequences, especially if you’ve built a family on your farm. The most straightforward answer to what happens to the kids after a divorce is: they stay on the farm with you. Your ex-spouse will be gone, their room will disappear, and their outdoor area will vanish, but your children will remain. They will stay at their current stage of toddlerhood, eternally frozen in time. However, if you decide you no longer want them, there’s a dark path you can take. The game allows you to permanently remove your children from the farm by turning them into doves using the Dark Shrine of Selfishness in the Witch’s Hut. This act is irreversible and comes with its own set of consequences.
Understanding Divorce and Children in Stardew Valley
Divorce in Stardew Valley is a relatively straightforward process. You visit Mayor Lewis’ house, pay 50,000g, and file for divorce. You have until 10 PM that day to cancel the decision. If you proceed, your spouse is gone the next morning. They are erased from your life, with their friendship reset to zero. But the kids, the little bundles of joy or potential sources of guilt, remain.
The presence of children adds an interesting layer to the divorce mechanic. While your spouse’s memory can be wiped later through a Witch’s Hut ritual for 30,000g allowing you to potentially remarry them after erasing their memories, there is no such simple reset for your children. They are a constant reminder of your past marriage, unless you take the drastic step of permanently removing them from the game.
The Dark Choice: Turning Children into Doves
Stardew Valley, despite its cozy exterior, allows for some surprisingly dark choices. The Dark Shrine of Selfishness is located in the Witch’s Hut and provides a chilling option. By offering a Prismatic Shard to the shrine, you can turn your children into doves. This permanently removes them from the game. They are gone forever, a decision that cannot be undone.
This act might seem harsh, but some players find it necessary for their narrative or role-playing experience. Others might simply want to start a new family with a different spouse without the lingering presence of their previous offspring. Whatever the reason, the option exists and comes with its own set of consequences.
Dismissing children unlocks two secret events that are otherwise inaccessible, adding a unique element to your game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Divorce and Children
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide a more in-depth understanding of divorce and its impact on children in Stardew Valley:
1. Can my spouse take the children after the divorce?
No, your spouse cannot take the children after the divorce. They remain on the farm with you.
2. What happens to the children’s rooms after the divorce?
The room added to your house by your spouse will disappear, but the children will still be there.
3. Can I have more children after getting divorced?
Yes, you can have more children with a new spouse after getting divorced, assuming you haven’t used the Dark Shrine of Selfishness to remove your existing children and have room for more.
4. Do the children age up after the divorce?
No, children in Stardew Valley never age past the toddler stage, regardless of whether you are divorced or not.
5. Can I remarry my ex-spouse after divorcing them?
Yes, you can remarry your ex-spouse. You’ll need to visit the Witch’s Hut and erase their memory for 30,000g, allowing you to rebuild the relationship from scratch.
6. Is there a limit to how many times I can divorce?
No, there is no limit to how many times you can divorce in Stardew Valley. Each divorce, however, will cost you 50,000g.
7. What are the consequences of using the Dark Shrine of Selfishness?
Using the Dark Shrine of Selfishness will permanently remove your children from the game. They are gone forever. This choice also unlocks two secret events that are otherwise inaccessible.
8. Can I get my children back after turning them into doves?
No, the decision to turn your children into doves is irreversible. You cannot get them back.
9. How do I access the Witch’s Hut?
You can access the Witch’s Hut after completing the Goblin Problem quest.
10. What is a Prismatic Shard, and how do I get one?
A Prismatic Shard is a rare mineral in Stardew Valley. It can be found in mines, by breaking Omni Geodes, or as a rare drop from certain monsters. It is required to use the Dark Shrine of Selfishness.
11. Can my co-op partner and I divorce in Stardew Valley?
Yes, if you marry another player in a co-op game, you can divorce. The process is the same as divorcing an NPC.
12. What happens to items I placed in my ex-spouse’s room after the divorce?
Any items you placed in your ex-spouse’s room will be collected and placed in a chest the day after the divorce.
13. Will my friendship with other villagers be affected by my divorce?
No, your divorce will not affect your friendship levels with other villagers. Only your relationship with your ex-spouse is impacted.
14. Can my spouse divorce me?
No, your spouse cannot divorce you. The player is the only one who can initiate a divorce by paying Lewis.
15. What happens if I have a child on the way when I file for divorce?
According to the text in the original article, “If you are expecting a child while getting a divorce, they will not be born or delivered.”
Final Thoughts
Divorce is a significant decision in Stardew Valley, and understanding its impact on your children is crucial. While the game allows for the creation of a family and then its dissolution, the presence of children adds a complex layer to the experience. The choice of whether to keep them, raise them, or permanently remove them is entirely up to the player, offering a unique narrative and role-playing opportunity. Remember, the decisions you make in Stardew Valley, just like in life, have consequences. Consider all your options carefully before making a choice you might regret.
Explore more about the educational aspects of gaming and the importance of understanding the decisions you make in games at the Games Learning Society website. Games can be an incredible learning tool, and GamesLearningSociety.org is at the forefront of exploring this intersection of education and entertainment.