There are six marriage candidates in Poem of the Starherd, each with unique personalities, schedules, and stories to uncover in the celestial valley of Astra Nova. Your potential partners are the studious librarian Elara, the stoic blacksmith Kael, the wandering musician Lyra, the reclusive warden Orion, the brilliant alchemist Seraphina, and the philosophical fisherman Rhys. All six are available to romance regardless of your character's gender.
How Does Romance Work in Astra Nova?
The relationship system in Poem of the Starherd is built on a foundation of friendship, which can then blossom into romance. Every potential partner has a ten-heart meter. The first eight hearts represent friendship, while the final two are for a romantic relationship. You increase your standing by talking to them daily, giving them gifts they love, and triggering special cutscenes called Heart Events.
- Gifts: You can give one gift per day. Gifts are categorized as Loved, Liked, Neutral, Disliked, and Hated, with each tier granting a different amount of relationship points. A birthday gift provides 8x the normal point value, so mark your calendar!
- The Star-Chart Locket: Once you reach eight friendship hearts with a character, you can give them a Star-Chart Locket. This item, purchasable from the traveling merchant for 5,000 G, signifies your romantic interest and unlocks the final two hearts on their meter.
- Heart Events: These are unique story moments that trigger when you reach a certain heart level and enter a specific location at the right time. They reveal more about the character's backstory and personality. You must see all of a character's events before you can propose.
- Marriage: After reaching ten hearts and viewing all events, you can propose with a Woven Nebula Ring. This is a late-game crafting recipe requiring rare materials, including a piece of the fallen star itself.
Poem of the Starherd in-game screenshot
The Village Traditionalists: Elara & Kael
These two candidates are deeply rooted in the daily life and history of Astra Nova. Their schedules are predictable, and their values are tied to the community's well-being and traditions.
Elara, the Keeper of Lore
Elara is the quiet, diligent librarian who manages Astra Nova's vast collection of historical texts. She's initially shy and reserved, preferring the company of books to people, but she has a deep passion for the valley's history and the legends of the Starherds. Winning her heart means sharing her reverence for knowledge and gently encouraging her to open up.
Typical Schedule:
- Morning (9 AM - 12 PM): At the library's main desk.
- Afternoon (1 PM - 5 PM): Re-shelving books in the library's history section.
- Evening (6 PM - 9 PM): Reading in her private room above the library.
- Day Off (Rainy Days): Spends the entire day inside the library.
| Gift Preference | Examples |
|---|---|
| Loved | Ancient Star-Chart, Glimmerleaf Tea, Starlight Lily |
| Liked | Any book, Honey, Amethyst, Sunstone |
| Neutral | Most flowers, fruits |
| Disliked | All fish, Monster Loot |
| Hated | Void Mayonnaise, Rusty Cog |
Elara's Heart Events
- Two Hearts: Enter the library on a sunny Tuesday or Thursday morning. You'll find her struggling to reach a book on a high shelf.
- Four Hearts: Visit the library's restricted archives (unlocked after the event) on a weekend afternoon. You'll discover her researching a lost poem, the very one the game is named after.
- Six Hearts: Go to the Stargazer's Ridge at night. Elara will be there, finally stepping out of the library to observe the constellations she's only read about.
- Eight Hearts: She will visit your farm on a sunny morning, bringing you a rare book that boosts your farming skill.
- Ten Hearts (After Locket): You'll receive a letter asking you to meet her at the Crystal Caves, where she shares a deeply personal secret about her family's connection to the First Starherd.
Poem of the Starherd in-game screenshot
Kael, the Star-Metal Smith
Kael is the village blacksmith, a man of few words and immense skill. He comes across as gruff and intimidating, but his tough exterior protects a dedicated and reliable heart. He takes pride in his work, forging tools and weapons from the rare star-metal that falls from the sky. He respects hard work, quality craftsmanship, and a good, strong drink after a long day at the forge.
Typical Schedule:
- All Day (9 AM - 6 PM): Working at the forge.
- Evening (7 PM - 11 PM): At the Rusty Flagon Tavern.
- Day Off (Friday): Goes fishing at the mountain lake.
| Gift Preference | Examples |
|---|---|
| Loved | Star-Metal Ingot, Magma Geode, Spicy Ember-Soup |
| Liked | Iron Ingot, Gold Ingot, Diamond, Beer |
| Neutral | Stone, Wood |
| Disliked | All flowers, foraged items |
| Hated | Pink Velvet Cake, Starfruit |
Kael's Heart Events
- Two Hearts: Enter the blacksmith shop while he's working. He'll be annoyed at the interruption but grudgingly show you a complex technique.
- Four Hearts: Find him at the Rusty Flagon Tavern on a Friday night. A group of rowdy travelers will insult his work, and you'll have the option to defend him.
- Six Hearts: He shows up at your farm with a broken tool, asking for a specific, high-quality hardwood. Bringing it to him impresses him.
- Eight Hearts: Enter the mountain area on a snowy winter day. You'll find him alone, paying respects at a small, unmarked grave.
- Ten Hearts (After Locket): Kael invites you to his forge after hours to craft something special together: a pair of matching star-metal rings.
The Untamed Souls: Lyra & Orion
Less concerned with village life, Lyra and Orion are drawn to the wilder, more mystical elements of Astra Nova. Their schedules are less predictable, and their trust must be earned through an appreciation for freedom and the natural world.
Lyra, the Wandering Minstrel
Lyra is a traveling bard with a silver-reed flute and a seemingly endless supply of songs. Her cheerful and whimsical nature makes her a popular figure in the village square, but there's a deep-seated sadness behind her eyes. Her past is a mystery, and she often deflects personal questions with a song or a joke. To get close to her, you must listen not just to her music, but to the silence in between.
Typical Schedule:
- Varies Wildly: She can be found playing her flute by the Celestial River, in the town square, or sometimes deep within the Whisperwood. She doesn't have a fixed home and stays at the inn.
| Gift Preference | Examples |
|---|---|
| Loved | Stardust Dahlia, Silver-Reed Flute, Honey Mead |
| Liked | Any flower, Sweet Gem Berry, Emerald |
| Neutral | Most fruits |
| Disliked | All ores and bars, vegetables |
| Hated | Bug Meat, Green Algae |
Orion, the Whisperwood Warden
Orion lives in a secluded cabin deep within the Whisperwood, acting as the unofficial guardian of the forest and its creatures. He rarely speaks, communicating more through gestures and his deep understanding of the natural world. Many villagers find him strange, but he possesses a profound wisdom and a gentle spirit. Earning his trust requires patience and a deep respect for the wild.
Typical Schedule:
- All Day: Roaming the Whisperwood forest, foraging, or tracking animals. He is very rarely seen in the main village.
| Gift Preference | Examples |
|---|---|
| Loved | Sun-Kissed Mushroom, Carved Moonwood Totem, Ancient Seed |
| Liked | Hardwood, Wild Honey, Maple Syrup, any foraged mineral |
| Neutral | Wood, Stone |
| Disliked | Artisan goods (e.g., Cheese, Mayonnaise) |
| Hated | Star-Metal Ingot, Bomb |
Ambition and Serenity: Seraphina & Rhys
This pair represents the opposite ends of the philosophical spectrum in Astra Nova: one driven to unravel the universe's secrets, the other content to simply exist within its flow.
Seraphina, the Celestial Alchemist
As the daughter of the village elder, Seraphina was raised with high expectations and has the intellect to exceed them. She is a brilliant and fiercely ambitious alchemist, singularly focused on studying the fallen star and its properties. She can be arrogant, dismissive, and sometimes careless in her pursuit of knowledge, but her drive comes from a genuine desire to improve the lives of her people. She is drawn to intelligence and those who can challenge her.
Typical Schedule:
- Most Days: Locked in her laboratory at the Elder's Manor.
- Afternoon (Occasionally): Foraging for rare reagents in the Crystal Caves or near the mountain peak.
| Gift Preference | Examples |
|---|---|
| Loved | Crystallized Aether, Void-Salt Crystal, Diamond |
| Liked | Quartz, Fire Quartz, Gold Bar, any gem |
| Neutral | Stone |
| Disliked | All fruits and vegetables, foraged flowers |
| Hated | Weeds, Sap, Clay |
Rhys, the River Philosopher
Rhys spends his days fishing in the Celestial River, a picture of perfect contentment. He's laid-back, patient, and possesses a simple, profound wisdom that he doles out between casts. He believes the river can teach you everything you need to know about life: how to be patient, how to let things go, and how to appreciate the beauty of the moment. He is drawn to those who can sit in comfortable silence and appreciate the simple things.
Typical Schedule:
- All Day, Every Day: Fishing at various spots along the Celestial River. His location changes, but he's always by the water.
| Gift Preference | Examples |
|---|---|
| Loved | Galaxy Grouper, Polished Riverstone, Pearl |
| Liked | Any fish, Dish o' the Sea, Sashimi |
| Neutral | Most foraged items |
| Disliked | All ores and bars |
| Hated | Trash, Joja-Cola |
Poem of the Starherd in-game screenshot
Frequently Asked Questions About Marriage
Are there same-sex marriage options in Poem of the Starherd? Yes. All six candidates are available to date and marry regardless of your chosen gender. The romance storylines and dialogue are the same for all players.
Can you divorce your spouse? Yes, it is possible. There is a dark shrine hidden deep within the Skull Cavern where you can offer a Prismatic Shard to erase your spouse's memory of the marriage, effectively ending the relationship. Be warned, this is permanent and will cause your ex-spouse to have negative, bitter dialogue towards you.
Do spouses help on the farm after marriage? They do! Your spouse will occasionally perform helpful tasks like watering a section of your crops, feeding your livestock, repairing broken fences, or making you breakfast or dinner. They also redecorate their personal room in your farmhouse and have a small outdoor area unique to them.
Choosing Your Partner
Ultimately, there is no "best" marriage candidate in Poem of the Starherd. Each character offers a unique and rewarding storyline that enriches the world of Astra Nova. Whether you're drawn to Elara's quiet intelligence, Kael's hidden warmth, Lyra's mysterious charm, Orion's natural wisdom, Seraphina's sharp ambition, or Rhys's peaceful contentment, the right choice is the character whose story resonates most with you.