Guided Tour: The Shire

One of the most well designed starter areas in Lord of the Rings Online is the Shire. When you walk through the Shire there is a sense of living through what Tolkien described in his books. The developers took great care in capturing its essence. The look, feel, and content needed to make this an engaging and interesting area is all there.

The Shire is the home of the Hobbits race. It is located to the west of Bree-Land and is made up of several Halfling villages. The shire is a great place for lower level content and will probably last you from around level 1-15ish. This guide will provide a basic overview of the areas within the Shire.

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Michel Delving

Michel Delving is located in the southwest of the Shire and is one of the larger villages in this region. Here you can find an assortment of low level quest, merchants, class trainers, and even an auction house. There is a large statue near the center of town long with a few playful Hobbits. A little more to the north and you will find the mayor near the town hole and the local postmaster. After you have explored town head just west of the mayor’s location and have a tankard of ale at the Bird and baby Inn.

Little Delving

Just north and a little to the west of Michel Delving is a small settlement called Little Delving. This area has a few quest for the young, but not much else. There is a post master for a mail delivery quest and there are several waterfalls that are very scenic if you’re just touring the lands.

Waymeet

Northeast of Michel Delving is a small settlement called Waymeet. This area is made up of mostly Hobbits living out of caravan and tents, but they can provide local adventurers with a few tasks and a safe haven from hostile enemies.

Bywater

East of Waymeet is Bywater home of The Green Dragon Inn, one of the most famous spots in the Shire. Young adventurers can find quest here to occupy their time and the use of merchants to sell their goods. There are also many trade skill stations for craftsman to practice their trade.

Rushock Bog

North of Waymeet is Rushock Bog. This swampy land is inhabited by a hostile dwarf race known as the Dourhand. They have set up several scouts throughout the swamp and established a base in the northeast corner of Rushock. The dwarves here are around level 7-8 making it a good spot for a young adventurer to sharpen their fighting skill.

Neddlehole

Needlehole is located west of Rushock Bog and is on the border boundary between the Shire and the Elvish lands of Erud Luin. There are Hobbits and friendly dwarves here willing to offer work to a willing adventurer.

Tuckborough

Tuckborough is located east of Michel Delving and is a small village with a few quests for the young hearty adventurer Hobbit. In the south end of town you can find the Great Smials. This is a local gathering place where a young adventure can find work. Follow the road north from the Great Smials and you will reach the center of town. Here you can speak with the local post master for work or check your mail.

Hobbiton

Hobbiton is located just north of Tuckborough. This area is popular from the books and will open up many opportunities to the young explorer and even have a tankard of ale at the Ivy Bush Inn. There is a mail box and postmaster as you enter town and to the east is a fair amount of farmland. Those who practice in Farmers as a trade may find this area useful.

The Hill

North of Hobbiton you will find the Party tree, a local area for festivities. Just north of the party tree on a nearby hill you will find a famous spot from the books known as Bag End. This home is currently inhabited by the Sackville-Baggins, but you are free to look around the home. When you are done have a word with Lobelia. She just might have a way for you to earn some fireworks.

Overhill

Overhill is located in the forest north of Hobbiton. This small settlement will provide work for adventurers after they finish cutting their teeth on simpler task. You can find task suited for around level 10 here.

Binobole Wood

Binobole Wood is the forest surrounding Overhill. There are many bears and goblins about in these woods in need of slaying. Use them to sharpen your skills and aid the settlement of Overhill. In the far north of the forest you can find the bear den home of the mother bear.

Brockenborings

East of Overhill across the river is the village of Brockenborings. Here, one can find the services of many merchants and make use of the many crafting stations. Make sure to check in at the Brockenborings Watch office. The locals might be able use your help. Just to the northeast of town a ranger of the north has set up camp to keep watch over the lands.

Scary

Scary is a quarry town located east and slightly south of Brockenborings. You can delve into a small dungeon within Scary’s Quarry by aiding them with their spider problem. There are several quest and a few merchants in this small quarry village. The quarry is located to the east and the mine is at the bottom. All you have to do is get past all the spiders and find out what is causing all the trouble deep within the mine.

Budgeford

Budgeford Is located south of Scary and east of Frogmorton. This community is made up primarily of farmers, but they have been having recent problems with wolves in the area and a strange figure in a black cloak. Perhaps you can be of help in their plight. There are many quests in this area for those around level 10.

Greenfields

North of Brockenborings is the land of the Greenfields. There are several different kinds of wildlife in the area for adventurers and crafters who might be seeking hides. The goblins have set up an encampment to the northwest. At the back of that encampment is a door that leads to the instance called the Greenfield Warrens for the Beneath the Greenfields quest. The dungeon averaged goblins around level 12.

In the northern part of the fields is a Hobbit named Mungo by a watering hole tending his sheep, but he has recently encountered a problem that he can use your assistance with. To the northeast is another goblin encampment called the Scrag Dells. One just might find a Mungo’s missing sheep here.

The Marish

South of Stock is the Marish. Near the middle of this swampy area you will find a famous hobbit from the Tolkien books called Farmer Maggot. He tends his farm in Bamfurlong located in the Marish. They will have work for willing adventurers who are looking for a tougher challenge. A group of brigands have taken up residence in the area just above the waterfall to the southwest of Farmer Maggots farm. Young adventurers looking for a fight can head over and pay them a visit.

Frogmorton

Frogmorton is located east of Bywater. This small town is actually built around a small frog pond which rest at the center. Adventurers around level 10 will find work at the Floating Log inn within the town. Mind your ale when inside. The workers on the roof seem to be causing some problems.

Stock

Stock is located east of Frogmorton and is the last outlying city before you reach the border of Bree-Land. Adventurers that have cut their teeth and are ready for the more challenging road ahead should make their way here. You can find work and merchants within this village. Before you leave stop by the Golden Perch inn and have an ale and watch the local band. When you are ready to face the harsher challenges ahead make your way east out of the Shire into Bree-land.