Hello everyone, in this tutorial, we will continue to introduce new locations in Stardew Valley Expanded (SVE). The main locations covered in this tutorial are Highland Outpost, Highland Forest, Highland Ruins, Highland Caverns, and Highland Mountain.
To reach the Highlands, walk to the right of the Adventurer’s Guild and take a boat.
This image shows an overview of the Highlands, which is a relatively large area. Let’s dive into the details of the Highlands.
Walking up the stairs, you will reach the Highland Outpost, which is home to Lance. The outpost is small, featuring a bed with a research novel that Lance is currently writing beside it. Swords emitting powerful magic hang on the walls. The table is filled with weapons and equipment, adorned with small runes. There is a chest full of provisions and a barrel of magical potions. Despite its small appearance, the outpost provides the necessary foundation for survival in the Highlands. You can reach the rooftop via the stairs on the right, and you can sleep in the bed at the outpost. Will it be too crowded if you share the bed with Lance?
To the left of the outpost is Highland Forest, inhabited by slimes and Wilderness Golem. Defeating slimes will yield slime seeds, which can be planted in spring to harvest slime berries. Defeating Wilderness Golem will yield Stalk Seed, which can be planted in summer to harvest monster fruits.
To the right of Highland Forest is Highland Ruins, home to dust sprites. Defeating dust sprites will yield Fungus Seed, which can be planted in fall to harvest monster mushrooms. On rainy days in the Highland Ruins, you will see green dust sprites, and defeating them will yield green mushrooms. Green mushrooms are required items to complete all shipping achievements in SVE and achieve 100% progress.
In the center of Highland Ruins, there is a lake where you can fish for the Daggerfish, a new addition in SVE, throughout the year. Daggerfish is also Lance’s favorite gift. Remember to defeat nearby monsters before fishing.
In the lower right corner of the Highland Ruins, there is a fancy treasure chest that can be sold for 10,000 gold.
To the left of Highland Forest is the entrance to Highland Caverns.
This image shows the entire Highland Caverns, which is a large mining area where you can obtain a significant amount of ores.
The Highland Caverns are home to shadow brutes, shadow shamans, shadow snipers, stone golems, and rock crabs. Defeating shadow brutes will yield void seeds, which can be planted in winter to harvest void roots.
In the upper left corner of the Highland Caverns, there is a cave lake where you can fish for the Gemfish, another new addition in SVE, throughout the year. Gemfish is also one of Lance’s favorite gifts. Catching Gemfish can be challenging, so remember to defeat nearby monsters before fishing.
To the left of the cave lake, there are three mysterious stones that can only be reached by following a hidden path.
To the right of the cave lake, there is a hidden cavern where you’ll find a dwarf imprisoned by shadow people, indicating a feud between them. The dwarf asks for our help, informing us that there is a terrifying monster on top of the mountain.
The monster holds the key to the prison and many treasures, but the dwarf warns us that it is dangerous and to be fully prepared. To the left of the Highland Caverns entrance is Highland Mountain, and you will need to walk a distance to reach its peak.
At the summit, we encounter the fearsome monster Bully Rex, as mentioned by the dwarf. The Bully Rex has a high amount of health and strong attacks. Defeating it will yield a golden key that can unlock the prison door, a dinosaur egg, a treasure chest, and a fancy treasure chest. Use the golden key to enter the prison where the dwarf is being held, triggering a cutscene.
We use the golden key to open the prison door, and the dwarf tells us that he has been imprisoned for a long time. His home is gone, and he needs to find a new one. In the end, the dwarf expresses his gratitude and promises to repay us.
The next day, when we take the boat to the Highlands, another cutscene is triggered.
The dwarf tells us that he has decided to make this valley his new home. Afterward, we can buy unique decorations at his shop that are only available here. However, what about the repayment he promised? Why do we have to pay to purchase the items? Shouldn’t he give us some for free?