Godwin from Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon for the collab on Bluesky!
Godwin was my first Rune Factory father-in-law, and although my favourite RF1 pairing has changed, he'll forever be my favourite Rune Factory mayor!

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Godwin from Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon for the collab on Bluesky!
Godwin was my first Rune Factory father-in-law, and although my favourite RF1 pairing has changed, he'll forever be my favourite Rune Factory mayor!
Here's a query for YOU: who do you think Lynette befriends first outside Guna and Mist in Kardia? And who does she befriend first of HER own volition?
I love this ask so much you don't even know.
For some clarity; for most Rune Factory games, when it comes to their protagonists and the possible love interests, I usually headcanon their ages as older than the game(s) hint at them being. So keep that in mind, and maybe add between 5 to 8 to even 10 years to your headcanon age. [I won't name any numbers, and that'll just lock me into my own math.] But treat these folks as their prime adult selves after the events of the first game, not ""kids""~
Mist is obviously the "friend whether (you) like it or not." Raguna is roped in by that genuine, adorable charm and Lynette would fall for it, too. Look at her, a second person so ready to extend care and forgiveness... And Lynn will just have to accept it and begin to move on into her new life. It's the easier choice. Better than feeling so goddamn sorry for herself (or worse, as we saw the lengths Ethelbard was pushing her to). Even if it feels strange being in such a tight knit and supportive environment, and even if she'll look for cracks that prove it's all a lie.
After Mist, though, once she forces herself to try and live in a new place...
Lara and Tabatha and Jasper wind up becoming nice to talk to.
[ With a bonus of Sabrina and Godwin, with the questions of Newmann and Felicity. ]
Lara likely puts up a furious air at first, How many people could have been hurt, how many HAD as those stupid things were put around town... (Not to mention those RUMORS that spread about how Raguna lost his memory....) but quickly comes to realize that Lynette was involved, but not solely, entirely responsible. Not to mention she sees Lyn as someone who is... Tired. Dragging themselves through every day. Lara gives a deep sigh. So. She aids this new member of the town under the promise that Lynette helps others as she tries to help herself. While those medical visits become less and less, both women can't help but cross the street and seek one another out to talk. They may not have much in common when it comes to interests or tastes, but. It's nice. Sometimes you don't need all that. A connection can just be there.
Tabatha and Jasper feel like easy conversation. Both are used to more sharp natured persons, so they wouldn't be offended. And both don't put stock in local prejudices, political lines, and the nonsense of governing bodies (Jasper with his ties to the Sainte-Coquille business affairs, and Tabatha connected to that+comparing to her original home). I feel like both would be very quick to see past where Lynette is from, and her previous "occupation."
Jasper is such a kind and happy fellow. I could see him just wanting to know about what it was like as a person in Sechs Aristocracy, if it's similar to what he's heard from x, y, z.... Asking Lyn about her life, not job, probably helps break some ice. Maybe Lynette gets to gossip about petty, tiny things that she hadn't gotten to enjoy before. And how about that line of meats from those critters native to the heart of the empire...? Oh Jasper NEEDS some of those cuts- marinated in a very specific way, Lynette swears on her life (and it's just a joke this time).
And Tabatha? She's so calm. So soothing. She won't force Lyn to talk, but will listen when the other dares to break the silence. She seems to know how to enter a conversation and could find the perfect, small gift to make someone's day. I've drawn Lynette before in alternate clothing before so she's not in her military gear, and I stand firm that Tabatha made that set. They're good for the local weather, they're made of comfortable, fine material... and it's got to feel better not being in something that made Lynette stand out so much.
Bonus in Sabrina and Godwin, who are names that wouldn't leave me alone when thinking about this.
Godwinnn. He's skeptical and rightfully so, but as everything calms down, he has to take a chance. It's either hold that grudge and be retaliatory forever, which would strongly influence those looking at him for his decision, or choose to trust this person and get back to some semblance of older life. He prefers the peace of the latter, and is rewarded- especially when she does find her own pattern in the town. In fact, he's able to, well, "forget" about her, in a good way. She's a face he'll greet with an "Oh-! Didn't know you were coming, how are things?" since he doesn't hear much about her. But it's a positive feeling. A hearty greeting. Not just a nod and a walk past.
(She has to be brought up in tangent given our affinity for her, as well, but Felicity was watching that decision- and she's. It's not that she didn't support the decision, and she doesn't think it was the wrong choice... but Felicity's going to need to see some effort and proof. This is a risk. Like Lara, but a deeper rooted feeling. Stronger if she's paired with Raguna, as she'd hear those rumors, and be disgusted by them. But she could be won over, if more slowly, as her patient FP/LP mechanic implies.)
I feel like, for some reason, Newmann would keep some distance, questioning Godwin's decision, while Sabrina would be able to immediately see this new townsperson means no harm. Sabrina keeps an open seat at the bar and the restaurant and could act as a conversation or a buffer- detract attention from some of those who haven't yet become comfortable with their new neighbor. Sabrina doesn't care for bullshit, and she's got a good example to set for her son. I almost wish Lynette were a jump older still, as these two could've been a fun freaking dynamic!
Double bonus; Ivan hates the living daylights out of her and there is absolutely no recovery, due to my headcanon of him having witnessed Raguna's abduction before his memory loss. Lynette also knows who Ivan really is, she'd done her research. This is a pact to act civil among civil people. That's it.
I know I've joked about not absolutely adoring RF4's characters as much as most people, but one thing it did that I appreciate was those conversations you could trigger if multiple towns people are standing near one another in a scene/on a holiday/etc. It'd be fun to get others talking not to Raguna, but to each other, to hear what they'd think. Early game, invasion time, post game...
RF1s. Please. I'm begging you.
Batober: Day 8 - Pawn
Lynette: Impossible! How could a mere human… a peasant… defeat our ultimate weapon? Mist: Could it have been a defect? Raguna: You know, Mist. You could at least pretend to think I won because of my skill…
Danaan Cave was all an act, and Raguna fell for it; hook line and sinker.
RF1: Year 1 - Fall 19
Rainy Holidays are my favourite days in Rune Factory since everyone treats themselves to doing something special (indoors) on their day off.
For Rosetta, she joins Godwin later in the afternoon to catch up on some reading. Given that the Library is closed to the general public on Holidays, it's cute that these two (and eventually Raguna) have special access to the library. They both certainly need their quiet time away from customers and townsfolk, and a rainy Holiday is the perfect time to do so.
I wonder...what's she reading? My bet's on a business-savvy book, but maybe she's also into fairy tales like Tori? It would explain why she dreams of being proposed to by the legendary White Stone!
RF1: Year 1 - Fall 7 [Harvest Festival]
We might as well rename this festival “Mist RADISH toll fee day.”
The day before, Raguna receives a mail that reads:
The Harvest Festival is on the 7th day of fall. Give people vegetables that you farmed from your field and your popularity will increase. — Mayor Godwin —
Yet, when you speak to most of the townsfolk, almost everyone talks about giving thanks to the earth and enjoying good food.
The idea that Raguna gives out his crops for free felt a bit off to me. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Support your local farmer! At least it’s a great friendship-boosting festival.
But at its core, I think Mist and Godwin are nudging Raguna to share his produce with the town to make more friends.
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RF1: Year 1 - Spring 20
Raguna finally sets foot in Toros Cave!
On his first day there, he mostly spent his time chopping the absurd amount of wood there. Though, I'm not complaining, you need so much wood to upgrade your house, and an extra 1300 wood if you want to fulfill Tabatha's marriage requirements!
But something that struck me as odd was Godwin's reaction to us completing Carmite Cave. He says:
"Is it true that a Greater Daemon was in Carmite Cave? I’m sure there wasn’t one that big in that cave? It’s a bit of a worry. Well, besides that, Raguna, you’ve plowed Carmite Cave enough for me to issue you a pass to Toros Cave. Okay, Here’s the pass. Take care entering the cave."
His wording is not that odd, there are many other villagers who had a similar reaction: "What? A Greater Daemon? You have to be careful!" or "Wow, I'm so impressed!". But Godwin was the only one who commented on it "probably not being that big".
That combined with Felicity's unique reaction:
First of all, I respect Felicity for being the only one to ask a direct question like this. The only other people who are close to feeling concerned are Mei and Tabatha who say it's "strange" for the Greater Daemon to appear here. Since Greater Daemons are not common in their homelands.
But a crazier theory came to mind.
** RUNE FACTORY ENDGAME SPOILERS BELOW **
It had me wondering, what if Godwin had something to do with the Sechs Empire?
His motives for doing so, I'll let you be the judge of that. There could be plenty of reasons such as forging a peace agreement with the Sechs Empire, or maybe he was a Sechs spy all along.
And his daughter being the closest one to the truth? That's some writing I can get behind. You often hear Godwin and Felicity talk about making Kardia the best place it can be, but I've always felt that Felicity was the one most connected with the residents whereas Godwin takes a more "logical" approach. Hence, this is why I theorize Godwin agreeing to a Sechs bribe/agreement doesn't sound too farfetched.
Regardless, I always thought it was kind of weird that Godwin made you plow a certain number of squares before issuing the next pass. He's also the one who determines the order you go to each cave, so issuing a Misty Bloom Cave pass in the middle of summer is...well, a convenient way to stall Raguna, isn't it?
I also found it kind of funny that the only caves Godwin pushes you to explore are Danaan and Greed Cave, the two most important caves for the Sechs Empire.
Throughout my playthrough, I read all of Godwin's reactions as a mayor worried for the town. And I'm sure that the logical explanation is that the developers wanted to make sure you fulfilled the requirements to feel the impact of the ending. Godwin pushing you to the last caves demonstrates urgency.
I'm also sure I'll come across one of his dialogues that fully debunks my "evil Godwin" theory. But the idea was just too fun not to share.
** RUNE FACTORY ENDGAME SPOILERS END*
Godwin, whatever motives you may have, you're still my favourite mayor.
Row 20 goes to Raguna embarking on his next adventure in Toros Cave!
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