Fixing Falco's Folly

Bestowal dialogue

'Now that Constable Bolger is safe, I can tell you more of the story. Jasper Mudbottom is the Blackwold that came to me and got me to help them. Since then, I've felt terrible and the farm has suffered as my guilt grew within me.

'Jasper used to live here in Staddle, but joined with the Blackwolds, returning shortly before Archet burned. When he came back he was changed. Something very different about him...stronger and mean-spirited.

'If you stopped him, I might be able to get back to growing the best pipeweed in all of Bree-land! Jasper lives in that fort south of here beyond Yellow Tree. He'll be too strong for you to face alone.'

Background

Falco confided that he was originally pressured by a man named Jasper Mudbottom. Mudbottom is a powerful brigand located at the Yellow Tree ruins, south beyond the Staddle farms.

Objective 1

• Defeat Jasper Mudbottom

Jasper Mudbottom is at the Yellow Tree Ruins, south of the Staddle farms.

Falco Greenhand has asked you to put a stop to the Blackwold brigand, Jasper Mudbottom. He suggested you take friends.

Objective 2

• Talk to Falco Greenhand at his farm

Falco Greenhand is at his farm in Staddle, north of the Yellow Tree Ruins.

You should return to Falco Greenhand with news of your victory over Jasper Mudbottom.

Falco Greenhand: 'I cannot thank you enough, <name>. I had thought Gammy Boggs' nosey ways would just bring more trouble on me, not fix them!

'I owe so many people here in Staddle apologies, it will take me a while to draft enough letters saying so, but I will see it done.'

Falco's Garden

Bestowal dialogue

'I think you should speak with Falco again. Maybe those mysterious trespassers are responsible for ruining his poor garden!

'His farm is south-west of here. Quickly, return to him and tell him what you learned.

'I hope the old fool will be more helpful to you this time.'

Background

Falco's garden is failing for an unknown reason, distressing the people of Staddle.

Objective 1

• Talk to Falco Greenhand at his farm

Falco's farm lies south-west of Gammy Boggs' farm.

Gammy Boggs has suggested you speak with Falco Greenhand again and tell him of the mysterious trespassers that were seen near his garden.

Gammy Boggs: 'You should speak to Falco again and tell him what you've found. It could be those mysterious trespassers are responsible for ruining his beautiful garden!'

Falco Greenhand: 'Misery me, you've found me out! I made a deal with those wicked ruffians. They promised not to ruin my crops if I paid them. I did for a while, but when I stopped, they were true to their word, such as it is, and they ruined my lovely garden!

'They said their leader would be very unhappy with me if I didn't pay them, and not just that! They say he'd burn down the whole town! I heard that happened up Archet way, and now I'm worried it'll happen to Staddle too!

'I know I should have said something sooner, but I was so afraid -- this Sharkey they're trying to impress sounds fearsome. Perhaps Constable Bolger can help you stop them? Please go tell him at once! His house is south-east of here!'

Objective 2

• Talk to Constable Bolger at his farm

Constable Bolger's house is located south-east of Falco Greenhand's farm.

Confronted with the truth, Falco Greenhand has confessed that he made an underhanded bargain with ruffians. He has asked you to speak with Constable Bolger and warn him that the brigands are coming to burn the town.

Falco Greenhand: 'I'm so sorry about all this! Please hurry and tell Constable Bolger…I'm sure those ruffians are on their way here!'

Gammy Boggs: 'Brigands and ruffians? Oh dear, what's old Falco gotten himself into? I'm sure he meant no harm! You'd best hurry along to Constable Bolger. His home is east of here.'

Constable Bolger: 'Old Falco has put us in a tough place, sure enough. The Blackwolds have been lurking about the Chetwood for a while now, but they seem to be getting a little bolder since this Sharkey's showed up. They've started pushing folks like Falco about. Perhaps we can put an end to that here!

'All we can do now is wait...'

Objective 3

• Protect Constable Bolger, while repelling the brigand attack

Constable Bolger says, "Back, Ruffians! You will not get through me!"

Blackwold Knave says, "Traitor! Your life will end here!"

Blackwold Marksman says, "This does not look good!"

Constable Bolger says, "Well done! Go tell Falco he is safe!"

Objective 3

• Talk to Falco Greenhand at his farm

Falco Greenhand's farm lies north-west of Constable Bolger's home.

You and Constable Bolger have defeated the Blackwold brigands who had planned to burn the town of Staddle. Falco will be glad that you have succeeded.

Falco Greenhand: 'The ruffians have been driven off? They won't be coming back?

'Oh, thank you! Thank you, friend! Please accept this small token of my gratitude.

'I will do my bet not to mess with Sharkey's Men again. Protecting my garden is not worth destroying my lovely town. Please, tell everyone how very, very sorry I am.'

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.'

Eyes of Staddle

Bestowal dialogue

'Maybe you can talk to some of the other Staddle-folk and see if they know anything about what is happening to Falco's garden? Someone surely knows something that might help!

'You can find them keeping watch over their own farms here in Staddle.

'We need to find out what is happening to Falco's garden since he will not tell us.'

Background

Falco's garden is failing for an unknown reason, causing distress among the people of Staddle.

Objective 1

• Talk to Staddle-folk

The people of Staddle can be found tending and watching over their farms or in the centre of Staddle.

Gammy Boggs has recommended that you speak to some of the Staddle-folk to learn what happened to Falco's garden.

Gammy Boggs: 'Just speak with some of the Staddle-folk mingling about town square or on their farms. One of them might know something about Falco's garden.'

Himloc Grouse: 'So Outsiders are now taking an interest in Staddle's business? Well, I did see something a bit strange a few days back. The moon was hiding behind a cloud, so I can't be sure, but I thought I saw several shadows out by the Constable's house, south-east of town. Nott sure what that would have to do with old Falco, though.'

Ferumbras Attereeve: 'Gardens? I've trouble enough with my spiders. I can't be of any help to you.'

Longo Daegmund: 'There's nothing that I can really tell you about Falco's garden, other than I would do just about anything to know his secret. Everyone else's garden got that awful mould, except his! Most beautiful garden I'd ever laid eyes on, it was.'

Ferdibrand Took: 'I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary. There are more animals around as of late, but I don't expect any of them have gotten into Falco's garden, or we'd have heard about it.'

Ethelinda Burr: 'Falco's garden? It was a special one, to be sure…seemed able to fight off that mould that showed up in the other farmers' crops. Falco always was the best gardener in Staddle. it's sad if what they say is true, and it's gone to ruin.'

Lily Underhill: 'Gammy! I wish I didn't know what I know, but I do. I promised Falco I wouldn't say anything...tell Gammy I wish I could help, but I can't.'

Objective 2

• Talk to Gammy Boggs at her farm

Gammy Boggs is on the second farm north of the road near the Staddle farms.

The knowledge you gained from the people of Staddle will be of great interest to Gammy Boggs, the town gossip.

Lily Underhill: 'No, no, I can't help you…you just tell Gammy that. I just can't….'

Gammy Boggs: 'You say Lily knows what's going on with Falco, but won't say anything? Why, shame on that girl!'

Concern for a Friend

Bestowal dialogue

'I'd wager Falco Greenhand is the best gardener in all of Staddle, and that's saying quite a lot. He's very proud of that garden of his, and not without reason -- it's quite a sight! Recently he hasn't been coming 'round to visit like he used to, though, and I'm a little worried about him.

'In fact, I heard that his garden is going through a rough spell, and it might not survive the season! Maybe you can find out what's going on, and put my mind at ease? Falco's farm is south-west of here.

'Falco's a good friend, and I'd hate to see him lose that garden!'

Background

Falco's garden is failing for an unknown reason, causing distress among the people of Staddle.

Objective 1

• Talk to Falco Greenhand at his farm

Falco Greenhand's farm lies to the south-west of Gammy Boggs' farm.

Gammy Boggs, the local town gossip, has asked you to find out why Falco's garden is failing.

Gammy Boggs: 'I'm not one to talk about friends behind their backs, but old Falco's been acting mighty quueer lately. Could you have a talk with him? His farm's to the south-west of here.'

Falco Greenhand: 'Please, leave me alone! I don't need this right now. I have too much else to worry about than some busy-body! Shoo! My problems are not yours. Go tell Gammy that she should stop nosing about!'

Objective 2

• Talk to Gammy Boggs at her farm

Gammy Boggs is at her farm, north-east of Falco Greenhand's farm.

Falco Greenhand did not want to trouble you with his problems and asked you to tell Gammy Boggs to stop nosing about.

Falco Greenhand: 'Please, my problems are my own. Just tell Gammy Boggs not to trouble about me.'

Gammy Boggs: 'Not trouble about him? Why I've known old Falco all my life, and I tell you there is naught he cares more about than his garden! I'm not going to stand around and do nothing!'