Old Forest Investigation

Bestowal dialogue

'It's strange you should be asking after Rollo, especially at this moment. The tweens came to see me, upset by the lack of effort the Bounders are doing here in Buckland with regard to the strange Big Folk moving about.

'I told them the Bounders were doing all they could to keep that unsavoury lot out of Buckland, but the pair were adamant about being heard and kept yammering on about the Old Forest. I warned them to stay clear of the forest because Toly, our wood-cutter, said that things there are queerer than ever.

'Tweens can be foolish, and I fear that the pair have been more foolish than normal. Doderic knows his way to Bald Hill and not much further. If you're going to be looking for Rollo, you'd best start with Doderic, and you might as well tell him that I'm waiting for him, too!'

Background

Wilmac Brandybuck, Maggot's farmhand, sent you to Brandy Hall to speak with Saradoc Brandybuck, and the Master of Brandy Hall warned you of Rollo and Doderic's musings.

Objective 1

• Find Doderic Brandybuck

Doderic Brandybuck may be at Bald Hill in the Old Forest, east of the Bonfire Glade.

Maggot's Farmhand sent you to Brandy Hall to look for Farmer Maggot's son Rollo. Saradoc Brandybuck has suggested that his nephew Doderic may have taken Rollo out to the Old Forest.

Saradoc Brandybuck: 'Those boys -- my nephew Doderic and Maggot's boy Rollo -- might have gone off into the Old Forest. They are probably poking around and getting into all manner of trouble, if I know those boys!

'You might be able to find them at Bald Hill, which lies east of the Bonfire Glade.'

Doderic Brandybuck: 'Uncle Saradoc is waiting for me? That bodes ill. I wish Rollo would hurry along. I cannot leave until he returns. We were chasing a brigand through here -- we saw him sneaking about the gate and thought we'd best do the Bounders' job for them.

'I confess that I lost my nerve as we crested this hill, and I saw the full extent of the Forest. Rollo is a different sort though, always comfortable to wander through these winding trails.

'There is an abandoned cottage along the Withywindle, south-east of here. He made mention of heading that way, but that seems like hours ago. Perhaps you could find him there and tell him to hurry on back?'

Objective 2

• Find Rollo Maggot

Rollo Maggot may be found at an abandoned cottage near the Withywindle, south-east of Bald Hill. It is reached by heading west through the Shifting Wood, then turning south and south-east.

Doderic Brandybuck is worried about his friend Rollo Maggot, who chased after a brigand into the Forest.

Doderic Brandybuck: 'Rollo told me he figured the brigand went south-east of here, towards an abandoned cottage near the Withywindle. You have to find him!'

Rollo Maggot: 'He...he tried to kill me! "I'll gut you like a fish, and then your girl," he said, "Or I'll make certain you never see your lovely again." I didn't mean for this to happen! But he threatened Celandine. I couldn't let him hurt here, could I? All I wanted was to get the notes I wrote her Celandine from him.

'You can't treat people like that. Good, honest hobbits, we are...didn't want to hurt nobody. I'm going to stay here and give him an honest burial at least. Could you tell Doderic that I'm all right? But please...don't tell him about any of this, will you? Could you take these too...show them to Doderic, he'll understand.

'I just...this doesn't feel the way I thought it would.'

Objective 3

• Talk to Doderic Brandybuck at Bald Hill

Doderic Brandybuck is waiting at Bald Hill to the north of the cottage, east of the Bonfire Glade.

You found Rollo Maggot standing over the corpse of a Man. He asked you to return to Doderic Brandybuck and tell him that he is all right, and there is no need to worry. He also asked you not to tell Doderic what happened with the brigand.

Rollo Maggot: 'I'm sorry…I'm not feeling very well. I need to bury…to bury the body. Tell Doderic that I'm fine, but…please don't tell him about this.'

Doderic Brandybuck: 'So glad to know that Rollo is all right! That's such a relief!

'What is this? Maggot's notes to Celandine, and there are some references here that make it seem...

'No wonder he wanted to recover these from that Man. Here, take them on to Celandine. She should see what Rollo thinks of her.'

Objective 4

• Deliver Rollo's notes to Celandine Brandybuck

Celandine can be found on the border of Newbury and Crickhollow in the northern part of Buckland.

You found Rollo Maggot standing in shock over the corpse of a brigand, but he seemed unharmed. He asked that you show his notes to Doderic, and Doderic suggested that you bring them to his cousin Celandine.

Doderic Brandybuck: 'So glad to know that Rollo is all right! That's such a relief!

'You should take these notes tocelandine…it will be a wondrous moment when she sees these.'

Celandine Brandybuck: 'Oh! These are the notes on the Old Forest from Rollo Maggot. Oh my, the boy is sweet on me it seems.

'He is such a wonderful lad, I had never noticed this before. Thank you, <name>. I will be certain to put these to good use.'

Objective 5

• Talk to Wilmac Brandybuck in Newbury

Wilmac Brandybuck is just inside the Hay Gate in Newbury, the northern section of Buckland.

Wilmac Brandybuck still knows nothing of Rollo's whereabouts. You should speak with him to put his mind at ease.

Celandine Brandybuck: 'You should speak to poor Wilmac, just a bit north of here, he is likely worried sick over Rollo's disappearance.'

Wilmac Brandybuck: 'You found him! He's coming back soon, and I can finish all I set out to do.

'For that, you deserve something. It may not be much, I fear. But here, please take it, if it is of use to you. You have no idea how much you have helped me.'

Rollo and Doderic

Bestowal dialogue

'I'm worried about Rollo. After he and Doderic got back from looking for the brigands, they headed down towards Brandy Hall to speak with Saradoc, Doderic's Uncle. They were none too happy and wanted to speak their minds on the job the Bounders are doing.

'Now it's just possible he ran off with his friend Doderic on some lark. I wonder if you'd do me another favour and go over to Brandy Hall to look for Rollo? Brandy Hall is at the centre of Buckland, south of the Buckland Gate.

'Hopefully Doderic's uncle Saradoc, the Master of Brandy Hall, will likely know where those boys have run off to.'

Background

Rollo Maggot, one of Farmer Maggot's sons, has gone missing, and Wilmar Brandybuck, Maggot's farmhand is worried.

Objective 1

• Talk to Saradoc Brandybuck at Brandy Hall

Saradoc Brandybuck can be found at Brandy Hall at the centre of Buckland, south of the Buckland Gate.

Wilmac Brandybuck has asked you to find Farmer Maggot's son Rollo. He suggested that Rollo may be off gallivanting with his friend Doderic Brandybuck, and that Doderic's uncle, Saradoc, may know where they are.

Wilmac Brandybuck: 'Rollo still hasn't come back! Have you been to Brandy Hall to talk to Saradoc Brandybuck yet?'

Saradoc Brandybuck: 'Maggot's Farmhand has sent you about Rollo?

'Then the boys did not heed my advice and followed their own wills. The fools.'

Unwelcome Strangers

Bestowal dialogue

'Some man from around Bree came to Maggot's demanding food and got run off by the dogs, but as we -- Rollo, Doderic, and I -- crossed the bridge we were waylaid by Big Folk just like him on the bridge! They made us take everything from our waggon and put it on theirs, then they headed off east along the Great East Road; but not before giving a good licking to Mister Maggot's own waggon. Now look at her, all in tatters.

'I know I was lucky to get away with my hide, but...without that produce being delivered my hide will be worth nothing after Maggot gets done with it. Doderic and Rollo ran off after the waggon and found that the brigands' camp is between here and Adso's Camp on the north side of the road.

'I would appreciate it if you could get the produce back.'

Background

Farmer Maggot's produce was stolen by brigands. His farmhand, son, and his son's friend escaped, but the produce meant for Buckland was taken away by the brigands.

Objective 1

• Collect Farmer Maggot's Produce
• Deliver the Produce to Wilmac Brandybuck

The brigands' stockade is north of the road, between the Brandywine Bridge and Adso's camp. Wilmac Brandybuck awaits you inside the Hay Gate in Newbury, Buckland.

Wilmac Brandybuck has asked you to retrieve Farmer Maggot's produce from the ruffians who accosted him.

Wilmac Brandybuck: 'You'll find those ruffians north of the Great East Road, some distance east of the Brandywone Bridge. If you come to Adso's Camp, you've gone too far down the road.'

Collected Farmer Maggot's Produce

Wilmac Brandybuck: 'You found the produce? I cannot thank you enough. I had thought it lost...but now I have other concerns. Rollo and Doderic...oh no.'

Old Forestry

Bestowal dialogue

'Are you looking for work? Well, it's not much, but maybe you can do me a favour. I enquired about notes on the Old Forest from Farmer Maggot, and I still have not received them. Perhaps you would be willing to go to his farm and ask him where they may be?

'You can find Maggot's farm, Bamfurlong, in the Marish. That's the Green Hill Country in the Shire across the Brandywine River. Cross the Brandywine Bridge and turn south on the river road. His farm won't be far away. The Bucklebury Ferry would be faster but the Bounders want no one using it for the moment.

'Farmer Maggot doesn't like trespassers, but he's a good enough sort when you get to know him.'

Background

Celandine Brandybuck requested notes on the Old Forest from Farmer Maggot, but has yet to receive them. She is concerned that something may have happened.

Objective 1

• Talk to Farmer Maggot at Bamfurlong

Bamfurlong is south on the river road, on the western side of the Brandywine Bridge.

Celandine Brandybuck has asked you to enquire about notes she requested from Farmer Maggot at his farm, Bamfurlong, on her behalf.

Celandine Brandybuck: 'Please ask Farmer maggot about his notes for me.'

Farmer Maggot: 'What now? More blasted strangers? Get off my...oh, Celandine Brandybuck sent you? Well, then, I should at least speak fair to you.

'She sent you with those notes? You may as well keep it for yourself. My family's always been at home in the Old Forest, and we know its ways quite well. In fact, my son wrote those notes because so few other hobbits around here know the Forest at all, so you might as well hold onto it.

'Tell you what, though, you look like you're made of sterner stuff. I think you might be able to help me out with a little trouble I've got.'

Objective 2

• Talk to Rollo Maggot, Doderic Brandybuck, or Wilmac Brandybuck in Newbury

Rollo Maggot, Doderic Brandybuck, or Wilmac Brandybuck are in the area of Newbury just inside the Hay Gate in Buckland

Farmer Maggot sent you to find Rollo Maggot, Doderic Brandybuck, or Wilmac Brandybuck to retrieve his notes.

Farmer Maggot: 'Rollo is usually more responsible, it's those Brandybucks that get him into trouble. I bet they are still dawdling ouside an in in Newbury, fools that they are.'

Wilmac Brandybuck: 'Farmer Maggot sent you? Just what I needed on top of all else that's happened. As if it were not enough that Big Folk took everything that we had to deliver and that Rollo and Doderic went off on their own....'