Robin’s Lost Axe quest is one of the earliest side quests that players encounter in Stardew Valley. This straightforward task serves as a perfect introduction to the game’s quest system while helping players explore Cindersap Forest, an important area in the game. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every aspect of finding Robin’s lost axe, from triggering the quest to locating the axe and claiming your reward.
How to Trigger Robin’s Lost Axe Quest
Like many quests in Stardew Valley, the Robin’s Lost Axe quest becomes available automatically through the in-game mail system.
The Quest Timeline
| Day | Season | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11th | Spring | Mail delivery | Check your mailbox for a letter from Robin |
| Any | Any | Quest acceptance | The quest is automatically added to your journal when you read the letter |
| Any | Any | Quest completion | No time limit, can be completed whenever convenient |
On the 11th day of Spring (which is the 11th day of your game since you start in Spring), you’ll receive a letter from Robin explaining that she has lost her favorite axe. According to The Gamer, “On the 11th day of Spring, you will receive mail from Robin asking you to find her lost axe. She will mention that the last time she used it, she was south of Marnie’s ranch.”
Robin’s Letter Content
When you check your mailbox on Spring 11, you’ll find a letter that reads:
“MISSING: I lost my favorite Axe! If you find it, please return ASAP. I’m having a tough time without it. There’s 250 gold in it for whoever finds the thing.”
This letter provides a small but useful clue about where to search – somewhere south of Marnie’s Ranch. The quest will automatically be added to your journal once you’ve read the letter, requiring no additional steps to accept.
Finding Robin’s Axe: Step-by-Step Guide
The axe is located in a specific spot in Cindersap Forest. Follow these detailed directions to find it without getting lost.
Starting from Your Farm
- Exit your farm heading south
- Enter Cindersap Forest, the large area south of your farm
- Identify Marnie’s Ranch (the building in the eastern part of Cindersap Forest)
- Head south from Marnie’s Ranch toward the lake/river
According to GameRant, you should “head directly south from your farm. From here, keep heading south until you hit a body of water where you will need to cross a bridge to an island with a tree on it and then over another bridge to the other side of the area.”
Navigating through Cindersap Forest
Once you’re in Cindersap Forest:
- Locate the wooden bridges crossing the river/lake
- Cross the first thin bridge to a small island
- Cross the second, thicker bridge to the other side
- Continue south until you reach the area near the sewer entrance
- Head east along the cliff edge
- Look for the axe in the southeastern corner of the forest
Exact Location Coordinates
To be extremely precise, the axe is located:
- In the southeastern corner of Cindersap Forest
- Near the edge of a cliff
- Just east of where spring onions can be found during springtime
- Near the sewer drain entrance
Visual Guide to Locating Robin’s Axe
The search for Robin’s axe can be broken down into sections for easier navigation.
Key Landmarks on Your Path
| Landmark | Description | Direction to Head |
|---|---|---|
| Marnie’s Ranch | Building with animals in the eastern part of Cindersap Forest | Start here, head south |
| Leah’s Cottage | Small cabin near the river | Pass by heading southeast |
| Wooden Bridges | Two bridges crossing the river/lake | Cross both heading south |
| Sewer Drain | Large pipe entrance in southern part of forest | Find this, then head east |
| Cliff Edge | Eastern boundary of the forest | Follow this south |
| Spring Onion Area | Patches where spring onions grow | Axe is just east of here |
Potential Obstacles and Challenges
While the journey to find Robin’s axe is relatively straightforward, some players may encounter challenges:
- Getting lost in the forest – Cindersap Forest is quite large and can be confusing for new players
- Difficulty spotting the axe – The axe is relatively small and can blend in with the ground
- Confusion about bridges – There are multiple paths through the forest
- Seasonal differences – The area looks different depending on the season
Returning Robin’s Axe
Once you’ve found the axe, you need to return it to Robin to complete the quest and claim your reward.
Where to Find Robin
Robin can typically be found:
| Location | Time | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter’s Shop | 9am-5pm | Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday | Best place to find her |
| Her Home (above shop) | After 5pm | Most days | After business hours |
| Pierre’s General Store | 9am-5pm | Tuesday | During her exercise class day |
| Various Locations | Various | Festival days | Check festival grounds |
According to DualShockers, “Robin spends most of her time in the Carpenter’s Shop in the Mountain map (north of the Farm), but keep in mind that the store closes every Tuesday.”
How to Give the Axe to Robin
To return the axe:
- Make sure the axe is in your inventory
- Place it in your hotbar
- Select the axe so you’re holding it
- Talk to Robin with the axe selected
- A dialogue will trigger automatically
- Robin will thank you and the axe will be removed from your inventory
Robin will respond with something like: “Hey, you found my axe! What a relief… I almost chopped my toe off with the other one I was using. Thank you!”
Checking Your Journal for Rewards
After returning the axe to Robin:
- Open your journal (press ‘J’ or click the exclamation mark below your gold count)
- Find “Robin’s Lost Axe” in your completed quests
- Click on the reward button at the bottom of the quest description
- Collect your rewards
Rewards for Completing Robin’s Lost Axe Quest
Completing this quest provides both immediate and long-term benefits.
Immediate Rewards
| Reward Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 250g | A decent sum in early game |
| Friendship | 1 heart with Robin | Improves your relationship |
Value of Rewards in Early Game
The 250g reward may seem small, but in the early stages of the game, this can be quite valuable:
- Can purchase 25 parsnip seeds (10g each)
- Can buy basic cooking ingredients from Pierre’s
- Contributes toward early tool upgrades
- Helps with purchasing your first animal
The friendship heart with Robin is particularly valuable as she is the town’s carpenter and is responsible for all farm building and house upgrades. Building a good relationship with her early can be beneficial in the long run.
Robin as a Character in Stardew Valley
Understanding who Robin is adds context to why helping her find her axe is important.
Robin’s Role in the Game
Robin is the town carpenter who lives at 24 Mountain Road with her family. She runs the Carpenter’s Shop and is responsible for:
- Building farm structures like barns, coops, and sheds
- Upgrading your farmhouse
- Selling various furniture items
- Providing resources like wood and stone
According to the Stardew Valley Wiki, “Robin is the town carpenter and runs her own Carpenter’s Shop, at her home, from 9am to 5pm every day except Tuesday and part of Friday (closes early).”
Robin’s Family
Robin lives with her family:
- Demetrius – Her husband, a scientist
- Maru – Her daughter with Demetrius, works at the clinic
- Sebastian – Her son from a previous relationship, works as a programmer
Other Quests from Robin
The Lost Axe quest is just one of several quests that Robin may give you throughout the game:
- Robin’s Request – On the 21st of Winter, Robin requests 10 Hardwood pieces for a reward of 500g and 1 Friendship heart
- Robin’s Project – A Special Order where Robin requests 80 Hardwood (reward: 2,000g, 250 friendship points, and the Deluxe Red Double Bed becomes available in her shop)
- Robin’s Resource Rush – A Special Order to collect either 1,000 Wood or 1,000 Stone (reward: 2,500g and the Stone Chest recipe)
Tips for Efficient Quest Completion
Completing Robin’s Lost Axe quest can be more efficient with these tips.
Timing Your Quest Completion
For maximum efficiency:
- Combine with exploration – Search for the axe while also collecting forage items in Cindersap Forest
- Check for spring onions – The area near the axe often has spring onions during spring, which can be harvested for energy or profit
- Time your return – Return the axe to Robin when you’re already heading to the Carpenter’s Shop for other business
- Complete early – Finish this quest early to get the friendship heart with Robin sooner
Using the Quest for Map Exploration
The Robin’s Lost Axe quest serves as a great introduction to exploring beyond your farm. While searching for the axe, take the opportunity to:
- Meet forest residents – Leah, Marnie, and Jas all live in this area
- Discover the Wizard’s Tower – Located in the western part of Cindersap Forest
- Find the Secret Woods entrance – Hidden in the northern part of the forest
- Locate the Sewer entrance – Which becomes important later in the game
- Identify good fishing spots – The lake and river in the forest offer fishing opportunities
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Some players may encounter issues when trying to complete this quest.
Can’t Find the Axe
If you’re having trouble locating the axe:
- Make sure you’re looking in the correct area (southeastern corner of Cindersap Forest)
- Check near the cliff edge east of the sewer entrance
- Look for a distinct axe icon on the ground
- Ensure you’ve actually received the quest in your journal
Unable to Return the Axe to Robin
If you’re having trouble returning the axe:
- Make sure the axe is in your inventory and selected in your hotbar
- Verify you’re speaking to Robin during her working hours
- Try finding her at her home after 5 PM if the shop is closed
- Check that you haven’t accidentally lost the axe
Quest Not Appearing in Journal
If the quest doesn’t appear in your journal:
- Make sure you’ve checked your mailbox on or after Spring 11
- Open and read Robin’s letter
- Check if you’ve already completed the quest in a previous play session
- Verify that you’re not playing with mods that might alter quest behavior
Robin’s Lost Axe in the Context of Game Progression
Understanding how this quest fits into the broader scope of Stardew Valley can help appreciate its significance.
Early Game Quests
Robin’s Lost Axe is one of several early quests designed to:
- Introduce players to the quest system
- Encourage exploration of different map areas
- Begin building relationships with villagers
- Provide early game income
- Teach the mechanics of item retrieval and delivery
Relationship to Other Early Quests
This quest is similar to other retrieval quests you may encounter early in the game:
- Mayor Lewis’ lost shorts
- Linus’ blackberry basket
- Jodi’s axe for chopping wood
FAQ About Robin’s Lost Axe Quest
Is there a time limit to find Robin’s axe?
No, there is no time limit for the Robin’s Lost Axe quest. According to The Gamer, “There’s no time limit on it either, so you can take as long as you need to finish it.” You can complete it at any point in your game after receiving the quest, even if that means waiting until later seasons or years.
What happens if I can’t find Robin to return the axe?
If you’re having trouble finding Robin, remember that she works at the Carpenter’s Shop from 9am to 5pm every day except Tuesday. On Tuesdays, she can be found at Pierre’s General Store participating in an exercise class. After work hours, she returns to her home which is attached to the Carpenter’s Shop.
Can I lose the axe after finding it?
If you somehow lose the axe after finding it (for example, by accidentally throwing it away), you can retrieve it from the Lost and Found box in Mayor Lewis’ house. The game treats quest items specially to prevent them from being permanently lost.
Does finding Robin’s axe affect any other quests?
Finding Robin’s axe doesn’t directly impact other quests, but building friendship with Robin through this quest can unlock heart events and dialogues that enrich your game experience. Having a good relationship with Robin is also beneficial for future building projects on your farm.
Is the reward for Robin’s Lost Axe quest worth the effort?
While 250g might not seem like much in the later stages of the game, in the early Spring of year 1, this amount can be quite significant. Combined with the friendship heart with Robin, who is an important NPC for farm development, completing this simple quest offers good value for the minimal effort required.
Conclusion
Finding Robin’s lost axe is a simple but rewarding early-game quest in Stardew Valley. The axe is located in the southeastern corner of Cindersap Forest, near the sewer entrance. By following this guide, you should have no trouble locating the axe and returning it to Robin for your reward of 250g and one friendship heart.
This quest serves as a great introduction to the game’s quest system and encourages exploration of an important area of the map. It also helps you begin building a relationship with Robin, a key character who provides essential services throughout your Stardew Valley journey.
As you continue your farming adventure, many more quests and challenges await, but mastering this simple task is a great first step toward becoming a successful farmer and valued member of the Pelican Town community.
