Fields of Mistria, which recently launched its 1.0 version, offers players a farming and life simulation experience akin to Stardew Valley with quality-of-life improvements and mechanics borrowed from titles like Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon. A key feature of the genre is the ability to form relationships with townsfolk, and Mistria allows players to choose between developing friendships or romances.
One player has embraced this flexibility by aiming to befriend all the villagers, regardless of romantic interest. This includes characters like Juniper, whose appeal lies in her golden retriever, and Adeline, who is described as beautiful but too career-focused for romance. However, the player has declared a firm stance against romancing the local blacksmith, March.
March is depicted as a red-haired blacksmith with a perpetually displeased expression. He is the younger brother of Olric, a character described as a kind and supportive figure who frequently praises March. March, however, is characterized by a cocky demeanor, stemming from his acknowledged skill in his craft. He tends to look down on others, with his brother being a notable exception.
The player finds March to be snobby, curt, and rude, often becoming angered when spoken to. He reportedly rejects common gifts like flowers, preferring valuable materials such as ore. His resentment is apparently directed at the player for arriving in town, receiving positive attention, and being granted the farm by Adeline. He is further annoyed when the player proves competent in their tasks.
March's only discernible softening occurs when the topic of craftsmanship arises. As an acclaimed blacksmith, he shows grudging respect for the player's interest in the trade, though he maintains that they will never match his own skill. He also appears to respect other villagers who excel in their own crafts, such as Hemlock for his brewing or Juniper for her bathhouse management.
Despite his abrasive personality, March's brother Olric has asked the player to give him a chance. While Olric is portrayed as an exceptionally kind and saintly character, the player finds it a chore to interact with March. The player attempts to engage March through dialogue options that employ fake cheerfulness and snark, which only seem to provoke him further. The player believes that a more direct, neighborly approach focusing on March's interests, such as blacksmithing, might be more effective than engaging with his rudeness.
Even with gifts and persistent interaction, the player expresses strong dislike for March, likening him to insufferable or borderline abusive individuals in real life. While acknowledging that such characters often have tragic backstories designed to elicit sympathy, the player remains resolute in their refusal to pursue a romance with him, preferring to focus on other potential romantic interests like Celine, Valen, or Ryis. Despite this animosity, the player occasionally finds themselves giving March gifts, such as a copper bar, partly to keep him occupied and partly to please his brother Olric, while maintaining a strong conviction never to marry him.