1. its content area that is not done have to wait for future update
2. have to wait for future update.
3. have to barricade it as in a future update might have request asking you to block it or it might be a way in current build to reduce the bug monster spawn rate
4. you have to do the bandit camp quest to open up the areas leading upto the river, an then roam around for a good while an you come across him.
5. not every character has a heart earnable as they might be too new or the adorable creator of the game hasnt had time to work on them. As making a game is pretty hard an more so when you have a game like this with how your character behaves affects how others talk to them.
last update was 2 weeks ago an one before that was 44 days ago, an before that was 76 days ago. So about 2 to 3 more weeks an should have another update.
tho if your starved for content maybe try playing tavern of spear as there is a character from both games that go into the other :D so might be interesting for ya