Linus never visits the Beach Resort on Ginger Island.
Shown below are Linus' schedules prioritized highest to lowest within each season. For example, if it is raining, that schedule overrides all others below it.
Linus generally considers himself an outcast of the town who feels unwelcome and misunderstood, but wishes to be accepted. He does not trust strangers or seem to socialize with many villagers. He tells the Player of incidents in which his tent was vandalized or destroyed. During festivals, he is usually alone and away from the main festivities.
Linus and the Wizard stand next to each other at the Spirit's Eve festival.
Robin mentions that she does not mind Linus living behind their house as long as he does not bother them.
In Winter, Penny asks the player if they know Linus and expresses sympathy for him because "everyone ignores him". Emily expresses sympathy for Linus on Tuesdays in Summer, saying, "I wish everyone could learn to be accepting of others."
During Leo's six heart event, Linus, Willy, and the Player succeed in inviting Leo to live on the mainland, where he becomes neighbors with Linus. Linus and Leo bond over their love of nature, with Linus teaching him everything he knows and Leo occasionally referring to him as "Uncle Linus". They stand together at the Feast of the Winter Star.
You can give Linus up to two gifts per week (plus one on
his
birthday), which will raise or lower
his
friendship with you. Gifts on
his
birthday ( 3 Winter) will have 8× effect and show a unique dialogue.
For loved or liked gifts, Linus responds
“
“A birthday gift? That's very kind of you! I love it.”
“
“You remembered my birthday! Thank you. This is great.”
For neutral gifts, Linus responds
“
“Oh, a birthday gift! Thank you.”
For disliked or hated gifts, Linus responds
“
“Oh... It's for my birthday? ... Thanks.”
Love
“
“This is wonderful! You've really made my day special.”
Stardrop Tea
“
“This means a lot to me, (Name). I'll save it for a quiet day in the tent. Thank you!”
The Alleyway Buffet
“
“I don't usually read books... But this one is right up my 'alley'... Thank you!”
At any friendship level greater than zero friendship points, you may receive a gift in the mail from Linus. The chance of receiving a gift in the mail increases as your friendship with Linus increases.
The mountain lake has been kind to me lately. I'd like to share my good fortune with you.
-Linus
Zero Hearts
After you have 50 Friendship points with Linus, enter the town between 8pm - 12am on a day that's not raining. (This event cannot trigger before Spring 7, Year 1)
Details
George will ask you to scare off some raccoons who are stealing from his trash cans. Instead, you discover Linus, who is extremely embarrassed, but explains that if he didn't eat the food, it would go to waste. You then get the option to tell him what you think about his actions. Note that none of the choices will affect friendship with Linus.
After you leave, he proceeds to try to steal from the Saloon's trash can, where he is caught by Gus, who gives him a basket of zucchini fritters saying that he doesn't want any villager to go hungry.
Three Hearts
After reaching 3 hearts with Linus he will send you a recipe in the mail.
how are you doing? I've enclosed some instructions on how to make one of my favorite fish recipes.
-Linus
Four Hearts
Enter the mountain area near his tent between 8pm - 12am on a day that's not raining.
Details
Linus will invite you over to his camp site. He will apologize for not trusting you when you first met, and thanks you for being a good friend. He invites you into his tent, where he shows you how to craft Wild Bait for use in fishing.
Seven Hearts
After reaching seven hearts with Linus, he will send you a recipe in the mail.
how are you doing? I've enclosed some instructions on how to make one of my favorite fish recipes.
-Linus
Eight Hearts
Exit Robin's house on a day that's not raining between 9am and 5pm.
Details
Robin, Linus, and the player appear in front of Robin's house. Robin offers to make Linus lunch, but he refuses, saying "I've had great luck foraging today." Robin turns toward the player and asks if they have something to say.
I'm just pleased that Linus is doing well...(+250 friendship with Linus.) Linus thanks the player and adds that he was worried the player would ask him to move on to the Farm. He says that he appreciates the player's respect for his chosen way of life.
I'd like to invite Linus to live on the farm with me...(No effect on friendship.) Robin becomes excited and offers to build "a real cozy house" for Linus. Linus refuses, saying that he appreciates the kindness, but he lives the way he does by choice. He prefers to live alone, in harmony with nature. He adds that he values his friendship with the player.
The cutscene ends as Linus runs off to pick berries.
Quotes
Regular
First Meeting
“
“A stranger?... Hello. Don't mind me. I just live out here alone.”
Regular
“
“The crisp air of the wilderness is all I care to know. I live out here by choice.”
“
“...Have you come to ridicule me? I'm just minding my own business.”
“
“I don't know you well enough to trust you. Sorry.”
“
“...Hmm? Do you want something from me?”
“
“Please don't destroy my tent. It's happened before.”
“
“I'm happy by myself, you know. I don't need new friends.”
“
“I have to be wary of strangers. Most people don't like a 'wild man'.”
“
“Someone was throwing rocks at my tent last night... I just had to wait it out.”
“
“I don't like to stay in one place for too long. There's just too much to experience in the world.”
“
“It would be nice if the townspeople could accept me for who I am. I like living out here in the open air. That's what they don't understand.”
“
“You can learn to survive in the wild. I have. I think we all have a hidden urge to return to nature. It's just a little scary to make the leap.”
“
“The people here seem nice, but they avoid me. People are afraid of the unknown.”
“
“You can learn a lot from trees. Spend time with them and they might tell you their secrets. Go in peace, young one.”
“
“I have everything I need to survive, and more. Nature plays a wonderful tune if you can only learn to listen. I also spend a lot of time reading. One of the reasons I stopped in the valley was for the great library.”
“...I found you unconscious in the mines. You're lucky I happened to pass by! Be a little more careful next time, okay?”
Rainy Day
“
“A warm rain is a pleasant way to get clean.”
6+ Hearts
“
“I spend a lot of time thinking. If you can fully understand the reasons behind your thoughts, you'll have reached a new level of being.”
Summer
“
“I saw a heron wading gracefully through the morning mist. Such are the treasures of a quiet life.”
“
“It's so easy to get caught up in the noise of modern life. Your best years will pass you by in a formless blur. That's why you've got to learn to slow down.”
“
“This is an easier time of year for me. I don't have to worry about staying warm. Plus, the fruits of the wild are growing everywhere.”
“
“During all these years I've discovered a few secrets about life. You'll have to find out for yourself.”
“
“How have you been, my young friend?”
“
“I have my own reasons for living alone like this. Some things are best left unsaid... I should do some foraging.”
“
“Whenever you catch a fish, take a moment to thank it for its sacrifice. Even if you don't believe in the spirit of the fish, it's a good mental exercise. We need to be aware of our effect on the environment”
“
“You can find rainbow trout in streams right now.”
6+ Hearts
“
“... summer. The warm sun heats up the cans for me. Then at night I've got a warm meal to look forward to.”
Green RainYear 1
“
“All these strange trees will be gone tomorrow... it's one of the mysteries of nature.”
Year 2+
“
“I've already gathered enough moss for the entire year. How about you?”
Green rain finished (next day)
“
“How did the moss harvest go? Hehe... My bed is a lot softer now.”
Fall
“
“I've explored deep into the caves. They hold some hidden secrets. Just be cautious if you go in there.”
“
“I don't like to stay in one place for too long.”
“
“Some joker sprayed paint all over my home during the night... It took hours to scrub it off this morning.”
“
“I need to start gathering lumber for the winter. Do you have enough lumber to keep your house warm?”
“
“I don't have many responsiblities, so I spend my time thinking. You have to understand your thoughts before you can control them.”
6+ Hearts
“
“There's nothing quite like a feast of wild mushrooms in the fall.”
Winter
“
“It can get really cold if you live in a tent.”
“
“Sleeping on the ground is good for my back. It's best to look at the positive side of things.”
“
“Thanks for not shunning me, [Player]. It takes a lot of wisdom to override your base instincts. I'm a human like everyone else. I just have a different lifestyle.”
“
“I'm sure you understand why I'm cautious of strangers. But let's put that in the past, okay? You and I are friends now, I think.”
“
“Winter is tough, but you can still fish and forage to get by. If you have any animals you should keep them inside.”
“
“The trees go to sleep during the winter. It makes it a bit lonely out here. But I wouldn't deny them their beauty sleep.”
“
“Thanks for stopping by. I was actually feeling a little lonely this morning. So, have you discovered anything interesting in the mines?”
“Igloo-building's an art I picked up from the tundra dwellers who live beyond the frozen sea. That was many years ago. An Igloo makes a nice home, but it's easier to just stay in my tent year-round.”
“My old friend, the glimmering boulder, has moved on. It may not seem like an important event, but to me its a big change. I'm happy for the old rock to see more of the world, though.”
Quests
"Blackberry Basket": Linus sends the player a letter on Fall 8 that says he lost his blackberry basket. The reward for returning it to him is one heart of friendship (250 friendship points).
If the player speaks to Linus, he occasionally mentions he has ventured deep into the Mines.
The campfire in front of Linus' tent can be toggled on or off by the player. This seems to have no impact on the game, such as special dialogues or an effect on friendship. Linus does not re-light or put out the fire.
Linus is one of the villagers who may find the player if they pass out at 2:00am.
If he catches the player rummaging in a Garbage Can, Linus' friendship with the player increases by 5 points, unlike when the player is caught by other villagers, whose friendship decreases by 25 points.
Prior to v1.6, this was only possible on Winter 15 while Linus was on his way to or from the Night Market, as those were the only times he was close enough to a garbage can for this interaction to occur.
It is also possible on Spring 16, when he stands by a trash can at the Desert Festival.
If Linus sends the player a Catfish as a gift in the mail, he will say the mountain lake has been kind to him. However, Catfish cannot be caught in the mountain lake.
While Linus and the Wizard are unreachable by the player at the Spirit's Eve festival, they both have dialogue in the game's data files. In Linus', he calls the Wizard an "old friend."
If the Treasure Chest is gifted to Linus, he will not accept the gift and will give it back to the player.