Gwen

## Mood Perks

###

Shops for fibres

###

Shops for threads
Uses the loom

###

Harvests fibre

**Gwen** is the first spirit encountered in the game. She will guide Stella in her adventures, some of them revealing Gwen's unflappable calm and others, some darker corners of her mind.

## About

### Description

Gwen is a tall, reddish-brown deer with three sets of ears. Her spirit flower is worn on her shoulders. In life, Gwen had a short bob cut as an adult

### Event

Gwen introduces the Jellyfish event, where Bright Jelly can be collected. During the event, the player attempts to catch green jellyfish, which drop Bright Jelly. The yellow jellyfish will drop Glims; 10 glims from small jellyfish, and 25 Glims from large jellyfish. After Gwen leaves through the Everdoor, the Jellyfish event can be started by interacting with the door of Gwen's Lodge.

### Life

Gwen’s parents had been friends with Stella’s family long before they moved to North America. As such, Gwen had been one of the very few constants in Stella’s life up to adulthood. Gifted with a brilliant mind and a pragmatic attitude, she had a mischievous side. Being a couple of years older than Stella, Gwen had always been a big sister figure for her; one who would always nudge her towards self-affirmation and taking the risks she otherwise wouldn’t dare to take on her own.

Heir to an aristocratic but mostly dysfunctional family, Gwen had a difficult relationship with her father. He was proud of his daughter, but would often distastefully parade her and her intelligence as a way to receive self-aggrandizement. This was exacerbated by her father leaving Gwen and her mother at a fairly young age, to live with his boyfriend. Gwen only talked to the accountant a few times, including for several hours when her father died, and then never again.

Symbolic of her rebellious nature and her opposition to a guardian she had to call “Father”, Gwen picked up smoking at a very young age. Yet, despite all her courage and bravado, she never mustered the courage to smoke publicly or in front of him. Ironically, smoking is what eventually killed Gwen, when she passed from lung cancer in her 40s. As she reached the final stage of her disease, Gwen travelled back to her parent’s manor in Northern Italy’s Alpine Lakes region, and considered attempting suicide.

Ultimately, Stella reached out to her at that moment, and succeeded in helping Gwen accept her fate rather than taking her own life.

## Mood

### Influences

* Happy to have shown me around the loom. (+2)
* Happy that the loom was upgraded. (+2)
* Has a nice house. (+2)
* Optimistic about her new journey. (+2)
* Has access to a loom (+2)
* Shopped at Raccoon Inc. (+2)
* Was recently hugged. (+2)
* Has eaten a meal she likes. (+1)
* Annoyed by the morning bell. (-1)
* Is hungry. (-2)
* Needs a home. (-2)
* Doesn't like Atul's banging. (-2)
* Visited her childhood home. (-2)

### Perks

* "Shops for fibres" works by visiting an island with Raccoon Inc., then talking to Gwen.
* "Shops for thread" works by visiting an island with Raccoon Inc., then talking to Gwen.
* "Uses the loom" works by visiting an island with Raccoon Inc., then talking to Gwen while she is using the Loom. This can provide Cloths.

## Home

Gwen's Lodge is a two-story building that has a ladder leading up to the bed.

#### Improvements

* Reading Corner: adds a blue cushioned armchair.
* Bookcase: adds a bookcase that has two drawers on the top half, then the hollow portion where the books can go.
* Wall Decorations: adds 4 frames to spruce up the home.

After Gwen is led to the Everdoor, her spirit flower grows on her bed.

## Filing Cabinet Facts

* Almost lost a finger while living on a farm in Indiana.
* Her favourite cigarette brand has always been Red Apple.
* The night her mother died, she ate five buckets of popcorn to deal with grief.

## Quests

* **Personal Connection:** "*Gwen is in need of some physical contact.*"
	1. Hug Gwen.
* **Set Sail, Captain!:** "*I have the ability to travel the world now. How nice!*"
	1. Start your boat in Stella's Cabin.
	2. Go to Albert's Shipyard.
	3. Upgrade your Blueprint Station.
	4. Clear the trash off your boat through the edit mode.
	5. Build a Guest House.
* **I Get Cranky When I'm Hungry:** "*Gwen is famished. I better make her something and feed it to her.*"
	1. Go hunt down some jellyfish.
	2. Build the Kitchen.
	3. Cook something in the Kitchen.
* **Seeds for the Future:** "*Gwen would like me to buy some seeds at a shop in Hummingberg*."
	1. Go to Mosstein Cove.
	2. Cut down a Maple Tree in Mosstein Cove.
	3. Build a Field.
	4. Go to Hummingberg.
	5. Look at the shrine in the town square.
	6. Browse the shop's inventory.
	7. Buy some seeds for your Field from the merchant.
* **The More, the Merrier:** "*Gwen is convinced that other lost souls are out there. Let's go see*."
	1. Find a passenger on Barkensheim Creek.
	2. Find a passenger in Hummingberg.
* **Spring Feet:** "*I've got two Obols. Let's see what happens when I activate that shrine in Hummingberg*."
	1. Go activate the shrine in Hummingberg.
* **Usonia 1:** "*I remember Gwen's old condo. Everything looked so Nordic. It will be a blast from the past to see it on the boat.*"
	1. Build Gwen's Lodge.
* **Cut From The Same Cloth:** "*Gwen has always loved knitting and weaving. Let's make sure she can have fun with this one.*"
	1. Build the Loom.
* **Basic Moves:** "Apparently, there is a method to this weaving madness. Gwen will surely teach me."
	1. Try the Loom.
* **Back to the Past:** "Gwen wants to take a trip down memory lane, visiting her parent's house."
	1. Head over to the Villa Maggiore.
	2. Find the Loom upgrade in Villa Maggiore.
	3. Give the Music Box.
* **More Than Meets the Eye:** "*The Loom needs a bit of a makeover. Let's see what we can do!*"
	1. Improve the Loom.
	2. Try the upgraded Loom.
* **Pretty on the Inside:** "*Gwen's Lodge looks bare-bones. Maybe we could spice things up*."
	1. Improve Gwen's Lodge by fully decorating it.
* **Taking Time Off:** "*Gwen doesn't feel so good right now. I should let her breathe for awhile*."
	1. Wait for Gwen to feel better.
* **I Must Be Off:** "*Where is Gwen? I can't find her on the boat*."
	1. Find Gwen's whereabouts. *(Talking to the other passengers will reveal Gwen went to Villa Maggiore)*
	2. Talk to Gwen.
	3. Hug Gwen.
	4. Talk to Gwen on your boat.
* **One Last Time:** "*Gwen wants to go to the Everdoor. These might be our last moments together*."
	1. Bring Gwen to the Everdoor.

## Dialogue

### Food

* **Favorite dish:**  Black Coffee
	+ "... Now, this is one damn fine cup of coffee. I've had I can't tell you how many cups of coffee in my life. But this is one of the best. Thank you very, very much, Stella."
* **Likes**
	+ "Oh, thank you, Stella. I love ***comfort*** food so damn much."
	+ "Ha, this is absolutely exquisite! Worthy of the best fine dining restaurants I've been to. And I've been in those a lot. Thanks a lot!"
* **Neutral:** "Thanks, I love it."
* **Dislikes**
	+ "Is that... shellfish? Oh, no. No, no, no. Not for me. Sorry."
	+ "Mmm... No, sorry, Stella.... You know I can't eat ***fruit*** for the life of me. I've tried! But I just can't."
* **Repeated:** "Please... I can't eat the same thing twice. I don't hate myself that much."
* **Not hungry:** "Nope. Not hungry yet."
* **Hungry**
	+ "A snack would be great right about now."
	+ "I've got that weird feeling. I'm actually quite hungry now."
	+ "Hmmm... I could go for an amuse-bouche."
* **Starving**
	+ "I just couldn't explain it at first. But then it hit me: I'm starving."
	+ "I can't think about anything else but food right now."

### Favors

* **Harvesting:**
* **Weaving:**

### Hugs

* **Hugging**:
	+ "Thank you."
	+ "Thank you. I needed that."
* **Second hug**:
	+ "I'm fine, thank you."
	+ "Sorry, I'm ok now."
	+ "Thanks but that won't be necessary."

### Miscellaneous

* **With Stella interacting**
	+ **On Alt Harbor**
		- Stella! It really is you! Stand up straight and let me look at you. ... You look good! And Daffodil is here, too, I see. We'll have to find a lint roller, then. ... Ah, it might not be obvious after all. It's me. Gwen. Good thing you found me. But if you're here it means...Oh. You are the new Spiritfarer. You are the one replacing Charon. I was trying to get rid of him and only ended up here by accident. I've been stuck on this disgusting island for about a week, living off sardines and cigarettes. ... Funny how I used to be the one getting you out of trouble. I can see you have an Everlight now. Of course. See that boat over there? That's the one. It's obviously slightly shabby, but let's commandeer it. I'd wager it will work, since you're the new Spiritfarers. Ok, meet me at the deck over there. I'll explain it all
	+ **On the boat**
		- Over here! Ok, here goes. hope my fur coat won't be too damaged.
		- Wonderful. I'm not the one to jump for joy but this feels good! Much better than anticipated. So, the way I see it, this boat is yours now. Don't you think? Good. And as you're the new Spiritfarer, welcoming stray spirits is your new job. And once aboard, they will assume their true forms. Well, it's my theory anyways... Why are you looking at me like that? You need to come here and give me a HUG.
		- Much better. Come with me now. Let's take a look at this chaos.
		- Oh, no!. What a mess! Reminds me of my Aunt Petunia's old yard. A beautiful, unorganized testament to someone's laziness. or a vital impossibility to get rid of anything. At any rate, we should do something about this, or my dust allergies will be back. Let me think... There is only one way to clean this up. You have to meet Albert. He's your local shipwright. And his jokes are garbage. But he is the only one who can fix your boat. We should head to ALBERT'S SHIPYARD. You must be wondering how to make this ship move. it's really easy actually. There, let me give you this key I found on the island. it will unlock the cabin in the back. You should find a map projector in there. How do I know all this? I was planning an escape, remember? And you know me, I plan things meticulously. Very meticulously. Go, open up that cabin Stella. The map projector should be simple enough to use, and you just have to ALBERT'S SHIPYARD.
		- As I understand, the ship is powered by your Everlight. That's how it cruises the ocean and reveals the stray Spirits. It also explains why I couldn't do anything by myself. You must admit, it's quite fascinating … Look, I know you must feel overwhelmed. Charon, the Everdoor, the Spiritfarers, this place, this boat, me being here... It's a lot. You must be wondering what is going on. Truth be told, I don't really know either. But I'm here for you. I'll do my best to help you try and make sense of it all. As said earlier, I wanted to leave by myself, but somehow, I just couldn't. Now that I see you I think I know why. I'll give you some space, for now, don't hesitate to explore this ship. You can even give that fishing rod a try. The world is your oyster
		- Here we are. Now head down to ALBERT'S SHIPYARD and upgrade your BLUEPRINT STATION. It's the only way to clear this clutter. I'm curious about what it's all made of. Considering the smell, I'd say at least seven types of dirt and dust
		- Finally! Good. Albert gave it to you for free? And he said he "loaned" the ship to you? Ominous. Hard to know what he has in mind but it doesn't sound reassuring. Anyways, let's focus on the task at hand for now. Cleaning up this deck. You can go to you new BLUEPRINT TABLE above your cabin and select the MOVE option. In it, you'll be able to remove any building and get back resources. Go for it: I'll wait down here.

### At The Everdoor

* **Stella rowing towards the Everdoor**: "Seems I couldn't escape it, doesn't it? Me being here, now. You know me, I've never been one to dwell on the past. Mainly because it always felt overwhelming to me. Like an irrepressible wave of resentment. But even at this very moment, I still wonder. I don't know if I ever tried to connect. And I've been so sure of it. My opinion just never changed. .... You know what I've always said. That people come and go, but don't pay attention to each other. They never really did. That lives are only ever parallel. Adjacent at best. Well. That's bullshit. ... I can see that now. And you're the proof of it. And not just you, but Mum cared, as well. In her own way. And others here, even given the circumstances. I still don't know about Father. I should probably forgive him now. Find that last shred of strength left in me. Would that make me a better person? Would that make a difference? Maybe. But after all this... I don't think I care. And it doesn't matter. Because I had my best friend by my side. I had you. You are a wonderful person, Stella. My life would not have been the same without you. The light you showed me was more than a beacon. It was a guide. Only I was too blind to see it. My shades were too opaque."
* **Just before the Everdoor**: "Ok. Let's go. I can't hold it any longer."
* **At the Everdoor**: "Thank you, Stella. Thank you for bringing me here, even if you didn't want to. Thank you for kicking my butt, and shaking my ego. Don't forget that I've loved you as much as I could. Goodbye, my friend. See you there."

## Trivia

* In the Alpha Build Demo, players could meet her on the ferry, and received Corn Seed from her in the request Field of Dreams.
* Although a woman, Gwen as a spirit owns magnificent antlers, which symbolize the admiration Stella has for her friend, and how she managed to carve out a brilliant career in a male-dominated professional world.
* Gwen's spirit flower, asphodel, symbolizes mourning and remembrance of dead loved ones.
	+ In Greek mythology, asphodel flowers represent the underworld: the Asphodel Meadows are a section of Hades where ordinary souls go after death.
	+ In Victorian flower language, asphodel flowers mean "my regrets follow you to the grave", possibly reflecting Gwen's conflicting feelings about how she never reconciled with her father before his death.
* Gwen's dialogue when given her favorite dish is a reference to Twin Peaks, in which Dale Cooper says the same line.
* In her own trailer, Gwen was seen exiting Gustav's Gallery even though her lodge was shown in the trailer
* There is a small community joke on Gwen's dislike for fruits stems from her father had left her mother for a man named Doug and the slang for describing someone as gay is being fruity.

## Game Notes

* Gwen will always be the first spirit to go to the Everdoor.
	+ She can however be the last spirit to be brought to the Spiritdoor via certain means
* She is one of the easiest to get an ecstatic mood and the easiest to feed foods she likes in rotation
	+ Black Coffee
	+ Squid Skewers/Shrimp Cocktail (Fine Dining)
	+ Popcorn (Comfort Food)
* Though the first to leave, she is programmed to still able to attend even quests that involve other spirits
	+ Atul's Party
	+ Stanley's Play
	+ Interestingly, she is cannot be selected for Beverly's Gossip Quest
		- This is due to the fact that the Beverly update is meant for the game's midgame and Gwen never lasts long thus they did not code interactions for her

### Artbook Entry

Gwen’s parents had been friends with Stella’s family long before they moved to North America. As such, Gwen had been one of the very few constants in Stella’s life up to adulthood.

Gifted with a brilliant mind and a pragmatic attitude, she had a mischievous side. Being a couple of years older than Stella, Gwen had always been a big sister figure for her; one who would always nudge her towards self-affirmation and taking the risks she otherwise wouldn’t dare to take on her own.

Heir to an aristocratic but mostly dysfunctional family, Gwen had a difficult relationship with her father. He was proud of his daughter, but would often distastefully parade her and her intelligence as a way to receive self-aggrandizement.

Symbolic of her rebellious nature and her opposition to a guardian she had to call “Father”, Gwen picked up smoking at a very young age. Yet, despite all her courage and bravado, she never mustered the courage to smoke publicly or in front of him. Ironically, smoking is what eventually killed Gwen, when she passed from lung cancer in her 40s. As she reached the final stage of her disease, Gwen travelled back to her parent’s manor in Northern Italy’s Alpine Lakes region, and considered committing suicide.

Ultimately, Stella reached out to her at that moment, and succeeded in helping Gwen accept her fate rather than taking her own life.

Although a woman, Gwen as a Spirit owns magnificent antlers, which symbolise the admiration Stella has for her friend, and how she managed to carve out a brilliant career in a male-dominated professional world.

## Sources

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Spiritfarer - The Artbook