Haunted Forest

Bestowal dialogue

'You are one for a good tale I see. Well then, a good tale I shall tell, I hope. The tree did not look alive, rotten to the core I think and seeking only vengeance. Mayhaps it was one of the tenders of the past spooked by some feeling of dread that washed over it or some such. I know only that it lay beyond the spiders that took my pack.

'It was foul and terrible to see, a great blight in the forest. If something in these woods has stirred them to something greater than mischief, I would first look there.

'You will need to cross the river here and search within the hollow where the spiders make their nest. That was the last spot I saw the tree.'

Background

Gillemin Brandybuck believes the great tree he found is at the centre of the stirring of the Old Forest.

Objective 1

• Discover the source of the Forest's unrest

The spider nest lies near the Willow Glade, to the south of Gillemin's old camp. Search there for signs of the angered tree.

Gillemin told you that the source of the forest's unrest likely lay within the spider hollow beyond the Withywindle River to the south, within the Old Forest.

Gillemin Brandybuck: 'I'd wager that spider nest has become a suitable home for that frightening tree. You might want to take some friends and have a look!'

Haunted Barren-Oak says, "Death! The Iron Crown brings death to ye all!"

Haunted Barren-Oak says, "Thou will be dragged down into darkness!"

Haunted Barren-Oak says, "To darkness I return...."

Defeated the Haunted Barren-Oak

Objective 2

• Talk to Toly Brockhouse

Return to Toly Brockhouse near the Gate that borders the Old Forest and Buckland.

The dead tree has been slain, and though there is still great evil stirring within the wood, the borders of Buckland should see some manner of ease. You should return to Gillemin Brandybuck (sic .. it should read Toly Brockhouse) with the news.

Gillemin Brandybuck: 'My word! This is worse than I thought! I've seen the trees move, but never a tree that talks. I don't know anything about witches, but they say those Barrow-downs beyond the Old Forest are haunted…perhaps ghosts haunt the wood now too!

'I've heard rumours that there are -- or were -- great ones even among trees, wicked and bent, who ruled the Old Forest like kings. If it's one of these that haunted that old oak, it's no wonder the forest was disturbed!

'Maybe now that you've put the spirit to rest, the trees will go back to sleep and the animals will calm. Well, done…well done, I say! You should go speak with Toly and tell him the good news.'

Toly Brockhouse: 'I have always thought that Old Gilly was touched when he talked about the trees moving of their own accord, but now you tell me the same thing -- worse, that one talked! We should keep this to ourselves so as not to sow fear among the quieter folk here in Buckland.

'If you have dealt with the threat, then all should be well, and I will do my best to keep a look over my shoulder for any trees closing in upon me as I make my rounds in the Old Forest.

'I am ever...no, we are ever in your debt for stopping this threat from becoming too great a risk. Thank you, <name>.'

New Trouble in the Old Forest

Bestowal dialogue

'All the things you've gathered for me are useless, rotten and ruined. Something queer is going on, what with the animals all upset and the Forest seeming, well, more awake than usual.

'There's a wise, old hobbit, a forester, who oft camps a ways into the Old Forest. Look for him beyond Old Muddyfoot's Hill, which you can find south-east of the Bonfire Glade. Maybe Gilly knows what's going on. I'd appreciate it if you'd talk to him...Gillemin Brandybuck, that's his name.

'I'm worried! We had to burn part of the forest when it got too uppity years back, but this is far worse than it was before. If the Bounders have to start another fire, they might destroy the whole Forest, and then where would we be?'

Background

Toly Brockhouse is disturbed by the fact that everything you brought him was spoiled. This, as well as the stirring of the forest creatures has upset him.

Objective 1

• Talk to Gillemin Brandybuck

Gillemin Brandybuck's camp is a distance to the south-east in the Old Forest, beyond Old Muddyfoot's Hill.

Toly Brockhouse asked you to seek the counsel of an old forester named Gillemin Brandybuck.

Toly Brockhouse: 'Please, talk to Gilly Brandybuck for me.'

Gillemin Brandybuck: 'Ah, so Toly Brockhouse sent you? Good. I've discovered something very odd happening here in the Old Forest, and you may be able to help! I found a strange glade to the south-east, infested with monstrous spiders. I've never seen the like before...almost makes me believe those stories about old Mad Baggins down Hobbiton way! They made me drop my pack!

'Even that is not the worst of it yet! I saw a tree walking about, covered in scars and looking like every leaf had fallen off like it were the dead of winter. Now, I see some strange things, being here in the Old Forest, but I never seen a tree like this moving through the wood killing every manner of life in its path.

'I tell ya, if it were the Old Man Willow himself come to stalk the Old Forest he would not be so cruel. Something has the forest in a dire state.'

The Wood-cutter's Tale

Bestowal dialogue

'These are strange days! Most hobbits stay away from the Old Forest, but my living depends on it, and I've never had any problems...till now. The forest creatures have all gone strange. I swear the tree-roots themselves moved to trip me up, and now I've sprained my ankle!

'I still need to collect some mushrooms -- they grow in the west part of the forest, between the Bonfire Glade and Bald Hill. Also, please bring in some lumber from my seasoning pile. The pile is to the east past the Bonfire Glade and a little south. And I need some sap from the old maple on Bald Hill, east of the Bonfire Glade.

'I'll gladly split my fee with you! Here, take my bucket for the sap, and thank you kindly!'

Background

The wood-cutter has sprained his ankle and is unable to finish his chores for the day. He swears that the Old Forest intentionally tripped him.

Objective 1

• Collect seasoned lumber
• Collect Savoury Mushrooms (0/8)
• Collect a bucket of maple sap

The mushrooms can be found in the western part of Old Forest, between the Bonfire Glade and Bald Hill. The wood can be collected from the wood-cutter's seasoning pile east of the Bonfire Glade and a little south. The sap can be collected from the old maple growing on Bald Hill, east of the Bonfire Glade.

Because Toly Brockhouse, the wood-cutter, has sprained his ankle, he has asked you to gather mushrooms, wood, and maple sap for him.

Toly Brockhouse: 'Have you found everything yet?'

Objective 2

• Bring the mushrooms, sap, and wood to Toly Brockhouse

Deliver the sap, wood and mushrooms to Toly Brockhouse near the stables outside of Brandy Hall.

The Old Forest surrendered its bounty to you, now you must return to Toly Brockhouse.

Toly Brockhouse: 'My thanks, friend, for all your...what's this? This sap, it's already gone bad! And my seasoned wood...it's rotted! And these mushrooms...they're poisonous! Friend, you can't be blamed, but all this...it's useless to me!'