NPC schedules and daily routines

Overview

Starsand Island has at least 28 named NPCs: 15 romanceable characters and 13 or more non-romanceable residents. Each NPC has a daily routine that takes them between their shop, home, and various locations around the island. Knowing where someone is at a given hour saves time when delivering gifts, completing Bulletin Board requests, or just trying to track down a specific vendor.

Tracking NPCs

There are two ways to find any NPC:

• Map tracking: open the map (M on keyboard), click the Residents icon (third icon on the left sidebar), scroll to the character, and click "Track" in the bottom right. A pathfinding line appears on screen that updates as the NPC moves.

• Phone Social App: open the phone (Tab), navigate to the Social App to see all residents and their affection levels. You can track NPCs from here as well.

The tracking line is more useful than checking a static map position since NPCs are constantly moving. It follows them in real time and adjusts as they change direction.

Shop hours

Most shops in Starsand Town follow the same 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM schedule. The exceptions stand out:

• 24 hours: Zerine's General Store, Soluna Cafe Lodge

• 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM: Marlo's Morning Delights (breakfast only)

• 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM: Green Pasture Ranch (Pastelle)

• 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM: Happiness Seed Shop, Lex Woodworks, Ethereal Styles, Aureleaf Kitchen, Silvan Notes, G-Power Bike, AquaBlue Outpost, Bloom Atelier, Chrono Arcade, Woof & Wow Pets, Exploration Club, Starsand Port Merchant Ship

If a shop is closed, you can still buy from the NPC owner if you find them outside their store. Their personal schedule continues after closing time.

Romanceable characters (15)

All 15 characters are romanceable regardless of your character's gender. Affection is tracked in points through the Social App. Reaching Level 5 lets you ask them to move in.

Bachelors (7)

Bachelorettes (8)

Non-romanceable NPCs (13+)

These characters live on the island and can receive gifts to build friendship, but cannot be romanced or asked to move in.

Ginger, Gust, Nia, and Fang are crossover characters from Pathea's My Time at Portia and Sandrock games. Ginger and Gust arrive on Summer 23 via mail from Solara (you pick them up at the station). Nia and Fang are unlocked through separate questlines. These characters may become romanceable in future updates.

Example daily schedule: Aurelis

To illustrate how NPC routines work, here is Aurelis's schedule. He alternates between two daily patterns:

Pattern A

• 6:00 to 6:30 AM: walks near the Aureleaf Kitchen on the main road

• 6:30 to 8:00 AM: inside the kitchen

• 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM: travels to Half-Moon Bay and spends time there

• 12:30 to 2:00 PM: returns to the restaurant

• 2:00 to 10:15 PM: works at the Aureleaf Kitchen (shop is open)

• 10:15 PM to midnight: wanders the boardwalk near the beach

• Midnight to 1:30 AM: moves onto the beach near Marston's home

Pattern B

Other NPCs follow similar routines with their own locations and timing. The in-game tracking system is the most reliable way to find anyone at a specific moment.

Weather effects on NPCs

Rain changes NPC behavior. The two confirmed cases:

• Ginger stays inside her house when it rains. On sunny or snowy days she walks around town normally.

• Gust only leaves his house to visit Ginger at night during rain. On other days he moves around more freely.

The game uses a dynamic AI system where NPCs "autonomously decide their activities based on personality, mood, and current goals." Weather likely factors into all NPC decisions, but individual rain behaviors beyond Ginger and Gust have not been documented yet.

Tips

• Use the map tracking feature (M > Residents > Track) whenever you need to find someone. The on-screen pathfinding line updates in real time.

• Gift NPCs in the morning before they leave their shops. Most vendors are stationary from 8:00 AM until evening.

• If a shop is closed, track the owner down outside. You can still buy from them in person.

• Check the Bulletin Board at 6:00 AM, then deliver items to NPCs as you encounter them during your normal routine.

• Crossover characters (Ginger, Gust, Nia, Fang) do not appear until their unlock conditions are met. Do not worry about missing them early.

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