how to get four candles stardew

In the charming world of Stardew Valley, where players cultivate crops, raise animals, and build relationships, a unique and poignant quest stands apart for its emotional depth and narrative significance: "How to Get Four Candles." This quest, formally titled "A Soldier's Star," is not about material gain or farm expansion, but about healing, remembrance, and connecting with the past. It represents one of the game's most touching storylines, requiring empathy, patience, and a keen understanding of Pelican Town's residents.

Table of Contents

1. The Heart of the Quest: A Soldier's Star
2. Meeting Kent: The Key to Unlocking the Quest
3. The Four Candles: Locations and Acquisition Methods
4. The Emotional Payoff: Completion and Meaning
5. Strategic Tips for a Smooth Journey

The Heart of the Quest: A Soldier's Star

The quest "How to Get Four Candles" is initiated by Kent, the returned soldier who rejoins his family in Pelican Town at the start of Year 2. Kent's return is shadowed by the unseen wounds of war, manifesting as anxiety, distance, and difficulty adjusting to peaceful farm life. The quest he offers is a direct window into his struggle. He asks the farmer to retrieve four specific candles, items that hold profound symbolic weight. These are not ordinary crafting materials; they are mementos of a lost comrade, a soldier named "The Star." By gathering these candles, the player assists Kent in creating a memorial, a quiet act of mourning and tribute that he cannot fully articulate in words. This transforms a simple fetch quest into a narrative-driven mission about processing grief and honoring sacrifice.

Meeting Kent: The Key to Unlocking the Quest

Before the quest can begin, a relationship with Kent must be established. He arrives via a letter in the mail on Spring 1 of Year 2, moving back into the home with his wife Jodi and sons Sam and Vincent. The quest itself, "A Soldier's Star," has a random chance of appearing in the player's journal after reaching at least a 3-heart friendship level with Kent. Building this friendship requires consistent effort. Speaking to him daily, giving gifts he likes (such as Roasted Hazelnuts, Fiddlehead Risotto, or his loved gift, Fiddlehead Fern), and completing any help wanted requests he may post on the bulletin board are essential. The quest is a testament to the game's design, where meaningful stories are locked behind genuine relationship-building, making the eventual request feel earned and significant.

The Four Candles: Locations and Acquisition Methods

Once the quest is active, the player must locate four distinct candles scattered across Stardew Valley. Each candle must be found in a specific location, and they cannot be crafted or purchased. The quest provides cryptic clues, but their locations are fixed. The first candle is found in the Saloon. It is situated on the shelf behind the counter, to the right of the kitchen entrance. The player can simply walk behind the counter and pick it up. The second candle is located in the General Store, Pierre's. It rests on the fireplace mantel on the right side of the main shop area. The third candle requires a trip to the Museum. It is placed on the desk where Gunther usually stands, on the left side. The final candle is the most secluded, found in the Mayor's Manor. This candle is on the fireplace mantel in Lewis's living room. It is crucial to note that these candles are only visible and obtainable while the quest is active. They appear as interactive, sparkling items, distinct from regular background decor.

The Emotional Payoff: Completion and Meaning

After collecting all four candles, the player returns to Kent to complete the quest. The reward is not monetary wealth or powerful tools, but something far more valuable: narrative closure and deepened friendship. Kent expresses his gratitude, explaining that the candles will help him honor his friend. The player receives a modest sum of 100g and a significant boost of 150 friendship points with Kent. The true reward, however, is the emotional resonance. This quest allows the player to participate in a veteran's healing process. It acknowledges the silent battles soldiers face long after the war ends, a theme rarely explored in such a gentle, interactive manner within the farming sim genre. The act of gathering these simple objects becomes a shared ritual of remembrance, strengthening the bond between the farmer and a character grappling with his past.

Strategic Tips for a Smooth Journey

While the quest is straightforward, a few strategic considerations can ensure efficient completion. Prioritize building friendship with Kent as early as possible in Year 2 by keeping his loved and liked gifts on hand. When the quest activates, plan a single efficient route to collect all candles in one day to avoid forgetting a location. A logical path could start at Pierre's (General Store) in the morning, then head to the Museum (which opens at 8 AM), proceed to the Saloon (which opens at 12 PM), and finish at the Mayor's house, which is accessible at any time. Ensure your inventory has space for the candles. Most importantly, approach the quest with the right mindset. This is not a chore but a story moment. Read the quest description and Kent's dialogue carefully to fully appreciate the context. The "Four Candles" quest exemplifies how Stardew Valley uses its mechanics—exploration, item collection, and friendship—to tell small, powerful human stories that linger long after the game is turned off.

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