A Critical Strike

Bestowal dialogue

'If I'm to help ye, then ye've got to trust me. We need to deal with the wolves and their keeper, Jagger Jack. Jack spends his time talking to those strange, dark-skinned Men within the ruins occupied by the Blackwolds.

'Find him and kill him, else he'll keep breeding his wolves with the Warg. While ye search for Jack at the camp, look for corpses o' dead beasts: sheep, cattle, even deer. It's likely the poor creatures are the food for the wolves. Use the poison on the corpses, and we may well kill off a good number of Jack's beasts.

'While you deal with Jack and the wolves, I'll talk to Skunkwood and others about a "new recruit" I've found. I might be able to get you into Skunkwood's hideout.'

Background

Ellie believes that you can score a telling blow against the Blackwolds and their masters in the northern Chetwood. Armed with a poison provided by Leecher Cartwell, she sends you to the Blackwold camp in the Chetwood to deal with their wolf-keeper, Jagger Jack, and the fell offspring of the Warg.

Objective 1

• Defeat Jagger Jack
• Poison wolf food-sources (0/6)

Jagger Jack and the animal corpses will be in the Blackwold ruins in the north Chetwood, north of the guard-house, east of Combe.

Ellie told you to find Jagger Jack and poison the wolves' food source, while she tries to arrange a meeting with Skunkwood, the Blackwolds' leader, for you.

Ellie Cutleaf: 'Quickly now, head into the Chetwood and find the Blackwold's encampment within the ruins inthe north-west Chetwood. Be careful…there is evil brewing there that may shake your very bones.

'While you are dealing with Jagger Jack and the wolves, I'll talk to Skunkwood and find a way to get you into their hideout.'

Constable Underhill: 'If Ellie is right and this wolf-keeper will continue to breed wolves and Wargs, then we should do everything we can to put a stop to it.

'Do as she asks and seek out this Jagger jack at the Blackwold encampment in the north-west Chetwood.'

Defeated Jagger Jack

Objective 2

• Speak with Ellie Cutleaf in Combe

Ellie Cutleaf's house is in the north-west corner of Combe, on the banks of the pond.

You should return to Ellie Cutleaf with word of your victory against Jagger Jack and to learn if she has arranged a meeting with Skunkwood at the Blackwold hideout.

Ellie Cutleaf: 'If ye've been to those ruins, then ye know now about the evil spreading through the Blackwolds. I was able to meet with Skunkwood, though he was talking to one o' them strange men. He mentioned someone named Amdir.

'Skunkwood said that he would meet with ye, but you'll need to be quick. Once Jagger's death is discovered, Skunkwood will become suspicious.'

Lily's Secret

Bestowal dialogue

'If Lily knows something, we can likely get her to talk. She'll be coy, as most hobbit-lasses her age are, but if you ask nicely, I am certain that she'll tell you what we need to help poor Falco.

'We need to band together and make certain that Falco gets all the help he needs to get through this time.

'Go back to Lily at her farm beneath the hill -- it isn't far down the road to the east -- and speak with her about what she saw.'

Background

Gammy Boggs is certain that Falco Greenhand has gotten into some kind of trouble that he cannot get out of, and the cryptic message you received from Lily is not helping to ease her mind.

Objective 1

• Talk to Lily Underhill at her house

Lily Underhill can be found outside her home east of Gammy Boggs' home, at the foot of the hill, north of the road.

Gammy Boggs believes that with the proper coaxing Lily will tell all that she knows about Falco's plight.

Gammy Boggs: 'Hurry along now! I'll not see a hobbit suffer while I can still be of assistance.'

Lily Underhill: 'I told Falco I wouldn't say anything about what I know...but I might be able to tell you without saying anything, then I wouldn't be telling, would I?.

'I like flowers, <name>, but not just any flowers, I like flowers that are my namesake. South of my house, down beyond the Yellow Tree, you'll find lilies, red ones!

'Get me a bundle of the lilies and keep your eyes open. If you look where you are, you'll notice the big problem facing poor Falco.'

Objective 2

• Collect red lilies (0/6)

Lilies can be found in the forested area south of the Yellow Tree, well to the south of Lily Underhill's house.

Lily Underhill said she could not say specifically what Falco Greenhand's trouble was, but she could show you, if you looked at the right things. As a hint, she sent you to gather lilies.

Lily Underhill: 'Look for my namesake down by the ruins, and you'll find the answer to Falco's problems….'

Objective 3

• Deliver the red lilies to Lily Underhill

Lily Underhill can be found outside her home, east of Gammy Boggs' farm.

Lily Underhill said she could not say specifically what Falco Greenhand's trouble was, but she could show you, if you looked at the right things. As a hint, she sent you to gather red lilies. Upon finding the lilies, you also noticed the large encampment of brigands at Ost Baranor.

Lily Underhill: 'If you were looking around yourself down in the south Chetwood you likely noticed all the Big Folk there. Now you know my secret, and I never said a word!

'Oh, thank you for the flowers, <name>. They are lovely.

'Now you can tell Gammy Boggs that you know what I know. I hope you can find a way to help poor Falco.'

Objective 4

• Talk to Gammy Boggs at her farm

Return to Gammy Boggs at her farm west of Lily Underhill.

Lily told you -- without telling you -- that the Big Folk camped at the ruins in the south Chetwood are the reason that Falco Greenhand's farm is suffering.

Lily Underhill: 'I hope that you can find a way to help Falco, <name>.'

Gammy Boggs: 'Big Folk! Bad enough the Men in Archet burned their town, then ran into the Chetwood. I didn't know that there were some near here.

'Oh, Falco...whatever are we to do with you.'

Mutual Dislike

Bestowal dialogue

For Elves

'Your people wouldn't understand the difference between Durin's Folk and the Dourhands. If my dwarves attempt to rescue the Elf-prince and fail, you Elves might assume that we and the Dourhands are in league. Then what? War between the dwarves and the Elves? No, that cannot be allowed to happen.

'What we need is someone trusted by Elves and dwarves alike to this attempt. There is a Man, a Ranger out of the Wilds in the east, who has assisted both of our kindreds at sundry times. He is masterful in the art of hunting and stealth.

'Seek the Ranger Langlas at the hunter's lodge to the east of here. I only hope he will accept this responsibility.'

For Dwarves

'That Elf-woman is stiff-necked and suspicious. She does not recognize the difference between Durin's Folk and the Dourhands. If my dwarves attempt to rescue her Elf-prince and fail, she will assume that we are in league with the Dourhands and call for war upon my people.

'What we need is someone trusted by Elves and dwarves alike to this attempt. There is a Man, a Ranger out of the Wilds in the east, who has assisted both of our kindreds at sundry times. He is masterful in the art of hunting and stealth.

'Seek the Ranger Langlas at the hunter's lodge to the east of here. I only hope he will accept this responsibility.'

Background

Tensions between the Elves of Duillond and the Dwarves of Gondamon are escalating because of Avorthal's abduction. Mathi Stouthand is afraid that there will be war if his people try to rescue the Elf-prince and fail.

Objective 1

• Talk to Langlas

The Ranger Langlas is at the hunter's lodge, east of Gondamon.

To avoid the appearance of allegiance between the Longbeards and the Dourhands, Mathi Stouthand has suggested recruiting a neutral party to conduct the rescue of Avorthal. He has asked you to seek out a Ranger by the name of Langlas and enlist his aid.

Mathi: 'Will Langlas help us? It would be a tragedy if this incident should bring my people into conflict with the Elves of Duillond. There is little love lost between our kindreds as it is.'

Dorongúr Whitethorn: 'So, Avorthal was captured by dwarves descended from Skorgrím Dourhand? It is well that Mathi encouraged you to seek the aid of Langlas…no tmany of my people would trust the Dwarves of Gondamon to the task.'

Langlas: 'Elves and dwarves living as neighbours in Ered Luin is worse than keeping a lynx kitten and a wolf pup in the same house, and I hope you don't take offence at my saying so.

'In the interest of maintaining peace in Ered Luin, I will respect Mathi Stouthand's wishes and arrange for the rescue of Avorthal. I do not want to bear the burden of our rescue ending in failure, but a Ranger does not have the luxury of refusing charges such as this one.

'If I were to refuse, Avorthal's life would be forfeit and so too would be peace in Ered Luin. I will organize the attempt, if you will help me.'

Reluctant Allies

Bestowal dialogue

'Mathi looked me in the eye this very morning and swore that the dwarves were proud to have the Elves of Duillond as neighbours. Such dishonesty, and right to my face! I thought he was truer than that, but I should have known better. No dwarf can be trusted, when you have works of art or history that he desires to possess!

'Go to Mathi Stouthand and demand that he order his dwarves to release Avorthal. If he wants war, he shall have it. You must tell him this: I do not trust myself to speak to one so dishonest without striking him.

'You will find Mathi on the upper levels of Gondamon. Make haste! We may have need to return at once to Duillond to prepare for war.'

Background

You discovered that Avorthal is indeed being held captive by dwarves, which seems to confirm that they have turned against the Elves of Duillond.

Objective 1

• Talk to Mathi

Mathi Stouthand is on the upper levels of Gondamon.

Gailthin, angered by Mathi Stouthand's apparent duplicity, has instructed you to confront the Lord of Gondamon with the evidence of Avorthal's captivity and demand the release of the Elf-prince.

Mathi: 'Hold your accusations, [race]! My people are not responsible for your missing prince! I am offended both by the accusation and by your tone!

'Your Elf-prince is being held in the encampment to the north? Ah, yes, that explains a great deal. You see, my people are Longbeards, an honourable family descended from Durin, the first Father of the Dwarves. The dwarf-camp to the north has been a constant annoyance to me and my folk. It was established by Dourhands, a thoroughly unwholesome family of dwarves who trace their ancestry to the evil Skorgrím Dourhand.

'Dwarves may have taken Avorthal, true...but not my dwarves. The Dourhands are to blame, and they are as much a thorn in my side as they are in yours.'

Suspicious Encampment

Bestowal dialogue

'I will see if I can learn anything from the dwarves here. Mathi Stouthand is the Lord of Gondamon, and he has spoken openly to me in the past. I will judge his conversation to see if he is hiding something.

'Do not betray what we have learned to anyone but an Elf. The dwarves will surely raise their guard if they gain any suspicion of what we know. This I do know: there is an encampment of strange dwarves to the north of Gondamon. You should go there and seek out Aglarchen, he went in search of Avorthal there and has yet to return.

'Find Aglarchen there, learn if the dwarves of the low lands, at least, have turned against us. Be cautious for the dwarves may be hostile.'

Background

Gailthin has learned that a group of dwarves have established an encampment in the low-lands of Ered Luin, north of Gondamon.

Objective 1

• Find Aglarchen
• Defend Aglarchen

The suspicious encampment is in the low-lands of Ered Luin, north of Gondamon.

While Gailthin tries to learn the truth of Avorthal's whereabouts from Mathi Stouthand, the Lord of Gondamon, she has asked you to investigate a suspicious encampment of dwarves.

Gailthin: 'There is an encampment of dwarves to the north of Gondamon. Search it for signs of Avorthal, but do not attempt to rescue him if you find him there! We must regroup and form a plan that is assured of freeing him safely. Larning if he is there will be enough.

'I will investigate Gondamon and learn what I may.'

Aglarchen: 'Are you here to help me? My friend Avorthal was taken by goblins, and I followed them to this encampment of dwarves. They are holding him high up in the cliffs that divide the low-lands from western Haudh Lin. I tried to free him, but there were too many.

'The dwarves pursued me here, and I doubt not...It is too late! They have come!'

Aglarchen says, "Prepare yourself, they are almost upon us!"

Aglarchen says, "There are more dwarves on the way! Be ready!"

You successfully defended Aglarchen

Aglarchen says, "I can make it out from here! Remember what I told you!"

Objective 2

• Talk to Gailthin

Gailthin is in Gondamon, south of the suspicious dwarf-encampment.

While investigating the dwarf encampment, you found Aglarchen, a friend of Avorthal, who revealed where Avorthal is being held. You should return to Gailthin with this news at once.

Gailthin: 'Avorthal is being held in that encampment after all? You have done well, <name>, but this confirms the fears of Master Dorongúr. The dwarves are indeed behind the capture of Avorthal.

'The time has come to confront Mathi Stouthand, the Lord of Gondamon, with this news. If he will not command his dwarves to release Avorthal, then my time as emissary is over. There will be war.'

The Emissary

Bestowal dialogue

'I have dispatched an emissary to the dwarf-city of Gondamon to relax the growing tensions between Elves and dwarves, but I fear rumour of Avorthal's captivity may prove too great a strain for her to ease.

'Journey north and west along the road to Gondamon and tell Gailthin what has transpired here. Together, you and she must learn the truth of Avorthal's whereabouts and rescue him, if indeed he is a prisoner of the dwarves. I do not wish for war until we are certain of his fate.

'If Avorthal has been harmed or we are unable to free him, I will call our warriors to arms; but not before.'

Background

Dorongúr Whitethorn is willing to go to war for Avorthal, but only as a last resort. Suspicious that Pampraush's news of Avorthal's captivity may be a goblin-ruse, he wishes to first use diplomatic means to learn the truth.

Objective 1

• Bring Dorongúr's letter to Gailthin

Gailthin is in Gondamon, north and west of Duillond, in the low-lands of Ered Luin.

In the spirit of diplomacy, Dorongúr has asked you to carry a letter to Gailthin, his emissary to the dwarves of Gondamon, and bids you aid her in finding and rescuing Avorthal.

Dorongúr Whitethorn: 'Gailthin is my emissary to the dwarf-city of Gondamon. Follow the road north and west to reach the city and tell her what has transpired. Together, you must work to find Avorthal and rescue him.'

Gailthin: 'Is this true? Cardavor's son has been taken by the dwarves? This is grievous news, if it can be believed. Goblins are fell creatures that rely on treachery and deceit, and the dwarves have ever coveted the precious things of the Elves. Capturing Avorthal might be the first step in some dwarf-scheme to seize some of the relics we keep at Duillond and Celondim.

'I thought the dwarves had put their envy of our people behind them, but if this is true...it seems they may still begrudge us our relics and things of beauty.'

Clear the Way

Bestowal dialogue

'The goblins in these hills are causing us no end of grief. They've blocked off the river with debris and slowed the flow to a trickle, and what water exists is fouled by their presence.

'I can send a crew to remove the debris, but I need someone with a stout heart and a strong sword-arm to clear out some of the goblins. I can't afford to lose any workers, what with the Dourhands to contend with.

'You can find the canal west of here, just past the hills. The goblins have a camp west of their make-shift dam.'

Background

The water supply coming into Gondamon is still interrupted, despite your efforts to clear the canal.

Objective 1

• Defeat the Blue-crag Spoiler (0/3)
• Defeat the Blue-crag Novice (0/3)
• Defeat the Blue-crag Trapper

The canal near Gondamon is to the west, past the hills.

Otkell, the Chief Builder of Gondamon, informed you that goblins are responsible for the lack of fresh water. He asked you to go to the area west of the canal and remove the goblin threat.

Otkell: 'No luck with the goblins? Well keep at it. My crew can clear away the blockage just as soon as your part is done. The goblin camp is west of here.'

Objective 2

• Talk to Otkell

Otkell is at Gondamon to the east of the canal, beyond the hills.

You should return to Otkell and tell him about the goblins you defeated.

Otkell: 'Is it safe for my work crews? Excellent. I wouldn't send my lads out with all those goblins around. We need all the guards here to protect us from the cursed Dourhands in case they attack.'

A Remarkable Bow

Bestowal dialogue

'An Elf named Penglir gave me this beautiful bow but I've gone and lost it! Or more to the point, it was stolen from me. The Rangers make a point to stay out of the feud between the Longbeards and the Dourhands, so I was not expecting to be waylaid by brigands out of Kheledûl!'

'They overpowered me as I was looking for a good place to practice outside the town and stole Penglir's bow! The dwarves and Starkath, their leader, skulk near the walls of Kheledûl.

'I knew I wasn't worthy to deserve such a rich gift. I'm a failure...an embarassment to Langlas and to the Rangers. So hapless am I that I dare not fight Starkath. Can you go forth and take the bow back from him?'

Background

While on his way to Duillond, an Elf named Penglir stopped at the hunters' lodge and gave his bow to the young Ranger Celairant. Celairant accepted the gift, but feels unworthy to own such a thing of beauty.

Objective 1

• Collect the stolen bow
• Bring the bow to Celairant

Starkath can be found outside the walls of Kheledûl. Celairant is at Thrasi's lodge, west of Kheledûl.

Celairant told you that his bow was stolen at sword-point by a Dourhand named Starkath and his minions. He has asked you to hunt down Starkath and recover the bow.

Celairant: 'Please, recover Penglir's ow from Starkath!'

Penglir: 'The bow must be returned to Celairant.'

You have recovered the stolen bow

Celairant: 'You recovered the bow from Starkath? You have my thanks, <name>! I have not much but my name, so my name is precious to me. I could not have lived with the shame of dishonouring Penglir's princely gift.'

Another Brother's Sorrow

Bestowal dialogue

'Though my brother is avenged, I fear that in my sorrow I spoke too plainly to a younger dwarf who now risks his own life to avenge his own brother, a member of Gellir's company.

'The dwarf, Sigurdór, went towards Kheledûl to avenge his brother, but likely is at a tower on the outskirts of the port with the deposed dockmaster, Svarnr. Follow the road east beyond Thrasi's cabin, towards the shore, and keep an eye out for Sigurdór.

'I pray you are not too late to stop his folly.'

Background

Áskell, at Gondamon, told you that one of Gellir's company left a brother of his own behind. Sigurdór, the brother left behind, has gone to Kheledúl seeking his own vengeance. Áskell asked that you seek him out as the port has been overrun and it's dockmaster deposed to a tower on the outskirts of the port.

Objective 1

• Talk to Sigurdór near Kheledûl

Áskell directed you to find and stop a hot-headed young dwarf from committing a terrible folly.

Seek out Sigurdór at a tower along the road to Kheledúl east of Gondamon. Stop the youth before he tries something terribly foolish and dangerous.

Áskell: 'You must hurry to Kheledûl to stop Sigurdór from doing something rash. Kheledûl lies to the east of here.'

Sigurdór: 'Áskell told me not to go, but I would hear nothing of his warning. My brother Arndór was not much older than myself, and I felt I must avenge him. I failed.

'The Dourhands are too rooted within that port for one dwarf, more miner than warrior, to dislodge. You, though, you are a hale and hearty warrior, else you would not be here....'

Now is Found

Bestowal dialogue

'I did not think that the sight of this blade would move me so.

'This belonged to a friend of ours, a Dúnadan named Thoram. He died helping us to defend Dol Ringwest many long years ago. We buried him and built a cairn where he fell in honour of his sacrifice. Perhaps Toronn is right; there are many harsh memories here. In the West, we would be free of such pain.

'His sword deserves a better home, away from the goblins that loot the dead. Bring it to Langlas at Thrasi's Lodge, north of here, along the road, and west of Kheledûl. He is a Ranger of the North and will keep well the history of his kinsman.

'I will send word to my brother.'

Background

Toronn desires to leave Middle-earth, while Bregar, his brother, believes they should remain.

Objective 1

• Bring Thoram's sword to Langlas

Langlas is at the Thrasi's Lodge west of Kheledûl.

Swayed by Toronn's reminder of their lost friend Thoram, Bregar asks you to bring the broken sword to Langlas, a Ranger of the North who will honour the sword and Thoram's memory.

Bregar: 'Take Thoram's sword to Langlas at Thrasi's Lodge, north and west of here.'

Langlas: 'Greetings, good <race>! Bregar sent this, did he? I have heard the story of Thoram and will honour his memory.

'The recovery of Thoram's sword must have arisen from Toronn and Bregar's debate. It has long been a concern of mine that they might leave Middle-earth during these dangerous times.

'Give this to Bregar with my thanks. It may prove useful in convincing his brother to remain.'

Objective 2

• Bring the scroll to Bregar at Duillond

Bregar is at Duillond, along the road east and south of the Thrasi's Lodge.

Langlas gratefully accepted Thoram's sword, promising to honour it, then gave you a scroll to deliver to Bregar.

Langlas: 'Take this to Bregar...it may serve Toronn's cause.'

Bregar: 'What is this? A gift from Langlas?'

Bregar unrolls the scroll. '"The Lay of Nimrodel?"

'How could Langlas see this, while my eyes remained blind? This is the Lay of Nimrodel and Amroth who loved her. A storm took Amroth's ship out to sea before Nimrodel could join him, and Nimrodel herself was lost in the mountains to the south upon her journey to the haven of Edhellond in the Bay of Belfalas. Neither were seen again.'

Pansy Tunnelly's Tale

Bestowal dialogue

'My sister Pansy is a good sort, but she can be rather excitable. When she gets an idea in her head, it stays there, no matter how silly it might be, and before you know it, she's convinced half the Shire that it's true.

'She saw something out on the Greenfields the other day, and she thinks...well, maybe you'd better talk to her about it. Folk have seen goblins on the edges of the Shire, but this...try and talk some sense into her for me, will you?

'You'll find her wandering around the town square here in Scary, stirring the folk, I shouldn't wonder.'

Background

Wilcome Tunnelly in Scary is concerned about something his sister Pansy saw out on the Greenfields.

Objective 1

• Talk to Pansy Tunnelly

Pansy Tunnelly is in the town square of Scary.

Wilcome Tunnelly at the quarry in Scary has asked you to talk some sense into his sister Pansy, who claims she saw something peculiar on the Greenfields.

Wilcome Tunnelly: 'My sister Pancy is right here in Scary, spreading rumours about this thing she thinks she saw. I'd appreciate if you could put an end to this nonsense.'

Pansy Tunnelly: 'Hello there! There's something terrible happening in the Shire, and you need to do something about it before it's too late.

'I was walking on the Greenfields, looking for flowers, when I saw a squat, little man off in the distance. He was carrying a spear, and believe me when I tell you that he was a goblin! All of a sudden he dropped to the ground, and it looked to me like he was reaching into a hole of some kind...a rabbit hole most likely. I was so scared I ran back here and told my brother what I saw, but I don't think he believed me.

'The Greenfields are out north-west of here. Maybe you ought go look in those rabbit holes yourself. Don't know what it was looking for, but it can't be good for the Shire.'

Objective 2

• Search a rabbit hole

There are rabbit holes on the Greenfields, north-west of Scary.

Pansy Tunnelly believes she saw a goblin rooting around in rabbit holes on the Greenfields and wants you to discover what it was looking for by searching the rabbit holes yourself.

Pansy Tunnelly: 'I know what I saw: a goblin, reaching into the rabbit holes on the Greenfields!'

Wilcome Tunnelly: 'You're actually going to go reaching into rabbit holes out on the Greenfields until you find something? It's a waste of time, <name>! Pansy didn't see anything! She always does things like this!'

You found a pointy rock

Objective 3

• Bring pointy rock to Pansy Tunnelly

Pansy Tunnelly is in the town square of Scary, south-east of the Greenfields.

Pansy Tunnelly, certain that goblins are in the Shire, sent you to search rabbit holes for evidence. You found a small, pointy stone inside one of the rabbit holes. It seems unlikely that Pansy's "goblin" was seeking it, but you should show it to her just in case.

Wilcome Tunnelly: 'You found a pointy stone inside a rabbit hole? I expect there are lots of things inside rabbitholes. What is this supposed to prove, other than that you and my sister are mad?'

Pansy Tunnelly: 'You found this inside a rabbit hole in the Greenfields? This is a goblin-tooth! This confirms my suspicions, <name>. It was a goblin I saw the other day, and not just any goblin, but old Golfimbul himself!

'You haven't put it together yet, Bounder? A long, long time ago, the goblin-king Golfimbul tried to invade the Shire, but he was defeated by Bandobras Took, the mighty Bullroarer! In one swing, Bullroarer knocked off Golfimbul's head...and it went flying through the air and landed in a rabbit hole.

'Golfimbul is back, and he's searching all the rabbit holes on the Greenfields for his missing head! This is terrible! You'd best bring this goblin tooth to Bounder Primstone at the Watch-office in Brockenborings, to the west of Scary. Hurry, <name>!'

Objective 4

• Bring pointy rock to Bounder Primstone

Bounder Primstone is at the Watch-house in Brockenborings, down the road west of Scary. The Watch-house is near the western side of Brockenborings.

Pansy Tunnelly is convinced that the pointy stone you found in the rabbit hole is really a goblin-tooth. She also believes it is proof that the long-dead goblin-king Golfimbul has returned and is searching for his head. She has asked you to show the "goblin-tooth" to Bounder Primstone in the Watch-house at Brockenborings.

Pansy Tunnelly: 'Go tell Bounder Primstone that Golfimbul has come back to life and is looking for his missing head! Brockenborings is down the road, west of Scary,and is sure to be the first place the goblins will attack! Bounder Primstone will be at the Watch-office there, on the western side of the town.'

Wilcome Tunnelly: 'Oh, don't bother Bounder Primstone with this nonsense. He's a good, solid hobbit and won't have anything to do with this talk of goblins nd missing heads.'

Bounder Primstone: 'Why are you giving me this pointy stone? What? A goblin-tooth? Is this a joke?

'Pansy Tunnelly thinks that Golfimbul is wandering around the Greenfields, reaching into rabbit holes in search of his missing head? You'd think she would have mentioned whether the goblin she saw on the Greenfields didn't have a head to begin with, wouldn't you? It does seem like a rather important detail.

'No, I'm sure her eyes were just playing a trick on her. Golfimbul is long-dead, and we've got no business upsetting people with talk that he's come back.'

Make Yourself Useful

Bestowal dialogue

'Why do we even need a Mayor, or Bounders, or Shirriffs, if they can't keep my nephew from being threatened and abducted and put through all kinds of hardship? The Sackville-Bagginses are a very important family in these parts!

'I've heard that there are goblins on the edges of the Shire. Goblins! If you ask me, you should stop running pointless errands for our fat mayor and should do something about them!

'I've heard that Wilcome Tunnelly, the quarry supervisor in Scary, has seen goblins on the Greenfields. Talk to him and get to the bottom of this, <name>. Hmmph...goblins!'

Background

Lobelia Sackville-Baggins has heard that there are goblins on the edges of the Shire and has demanded that you do something about them.

Objective 1

• Talk to Wilcome Tunnelly

Wilcome Tunnelly is outside the quarry in Scary, far to the east of Hobbiton.

Lobelia Sackville-Baggins is in a bad mood and has demanded that you prove your worth as a Bounder by talking to Wilcome Tunnelly, the quarrymaster at Scary, about the rumours of goblins on the edges of the Shire.

Lobelia Sackville-Baggins: 'Wilcome Tunnelly in the town of Scary, far to the east, has seen goblins out on the Greenfields. Go make yourself useful!'

Lotho Sackville-Baggins: 'I say we do away with the whole lot of them -- Bounders, Shirriffs, and Mayors!'

Wilcome Tunnelly: 'Lobelia Sackville-Baggins has heard tell of goblins out in these parts? There have been a few sightings, it's true. My sister is convinced that she saw...well, it's embarrassing. I suppose I can trust you though.'

The Plough and Stars

Bestowal dialogue

'Be welcome to The Plough and Stars! Stay a while and put your feet up! Try our famous Wooly-foot Stout!

'Good, isn't it? But let me tell you, I have a brewing problem you might be able to help me with. The Four Farthings Brewing-moot is coming up, and I want to make some of my best Wooly-foot Stout for the judging. But you see, I need my secret ingredient! I use powdered gypsum to take the bitter edge off the brew.

'Usually I order it from the quarry in Scary not far to the east of here, but it hasn't shown up. Can you please go to Scary and find out from old Wilcome Tunnely what happened to it? Much obliged to you!'

Background

Halson Tubwort, innkeeper of The Plough and Stars, is entering the Four Farthings Brewing-moot.

Objective 1

• Talk to Wilcome Tunnelly

Wilcome Tunnelly is in Scary, east of Brockenborings. The Plough and Stars Inn is in Brockenborings, west of Scary.

Halson Tubwort of The Plough and Stars has sent you down to Scary to fetch a shipment of gypsum that has gone astray.

Halson Tubwort: 'Could you head down to Scary to talk to Wilcome about that gypsum?'

Wilcome Tunnelly: 'You've come from Halson? It's a sad story I have to tell, so just as well it's to you!

'I sent one of my men up to the old Plough with a cart to take that gypsum up for Halson and bring a few kegs back here, but he came back in panic!

'It seems he was waylaid by goblins just as he was almost at Brockenborings! To think, goblins in the Shire! He had to leave the cart behind and barely escaped. I told one of the Bounders here, but they haven't done anything yet.

'Maybe if you can find those goblins up around Brockenborings-way, you might find the cart carrying gypsum too. My man says the goblins seemed to be coming from the north, for what that's worth.'

Objective 2

• Collect the Powdered Gypsum
• Bring the Gypsum to Halson Tubwort

The goblins who stole the gypsum cart came from the Scrag-dells north of Brockenborings.

It seems that goblins have the gypsum intended for The Plough and Stars, you should travel to their camp and search for the missing cart.

Wilcome Tunnelly: 'Did you get that gypsum from those goblins yet?'

Halson Tubwort: 'Oh, goblins got my gypsum? That's bad. Real bad. Don't suppose you can get it back from them, eh?'

Collected the powdered gypsum

Halson Tubwort: 'Oh, you had to fight goblins for this gypsum? That's above and beyond the call, my friend! You deserve some of my beer on the house for that!'