Troubles in the Northfarthing

An installment of my hexmap for Middle-earth project. Follow the "Middle-earth Hexmap" tag for all entries in this series.

In this entry, trouble begets trouble as trolls (driven towards these lands by the Necromancer, no doubt) awakens an entity older than the Shire. A stalwart company may be able to unravel the mystery before things get out of hand.

Map credit: Idraluna Archive. Click for the full map.

44.51

OLD GRAVEYARD. Near the south of the hex, an old Hobbit graveyard (now unused). Names such as Gammidge, Roper, and Gamwich are commonly found on tombstones. Many graves seem freshly disturbed. To the north, unkempt heathlands of hemp and flax.

(1-3) - TROLLS: At night, the wood-trolls Ed and Ned (44.52) are here, digging through old graves for marrow bones.

45.51

TIGHFIELD. A small Hobbit village. Many local hobbits work at the ropemarker's yard (also called the "ropewalk"). The Order of the Eagle's chapterhouse is in Tighfield. The local inn is called The Tightrope Walker.

✦ - OFTEN HERE: 1. Hugo Gammidge (hobbit - long, white hair, suspicious, farmer) swears he's seen huge, lurking shadows skulking through his fields to the north of town (44.51), 2. Robin Roper (hobbit - short, cheerful, ropemaker) is looking for someone to teach him acrobatics and juggling, 3. Angelica Gamwich (hobbit - white-lock, cunning, goodwife) has heard that another member of the Order of the Eagle, Priam Cadwall of Hardbottle (51.54), has recently imported an antique from Harad.

PRESTIGIOUS ORDER OF THE EAGLE MEETING HOLE: A reserved society of intellectuals, philosophers, and debate-enthusiasts. Entry into the Order of the Eagle is predicated on being able to defeat a standing member in a riddling contest (which is a primary occupation of many meetings).

! - ROPE THIEF: Andy Roper (hobbit - flat-faced, simple, rope-maker) leads a mob of angry Tighfielders against the The Tightrope Walker, where three dwarves, led by Ergl Broadbeam (dwarf - proud, pugnacious, trader), have shut themselves in. Andy accuses them of theft from the ropewalk. The tensions between the two groups are escalating towards violence, and both sides are eager for a neutral party to resolve the situation.

The dwarves are innocent; they have been framed by Bess Muggins (hobbit - sour-faced, prejudiced, innkeeper), who erroneously blames dwarven merchants for her husband's disappearance years ago.
[Credit: TOR2E - Starter Set - Shire]

46.51

FOX DOWNS. A hilly country of the Westfarthing, approaching the bounds of the Shire. Flax, hemp, and wildflowers grow in abundance. Draw on the Wilderness Landmarks table.

(1) - FOX HUNTERS: A pack of hunting dogs precede Timothee Broadbuck (hobbit - widow's peak, braggadocious, goodman) and seven companions, all on ponies, out hunting foxes. Mr. Broadbuck is in a foul mood since one of his saddlebags has been lost ("Along with my precious horn!").

47.51

FOX DOWNS. A hilly country of the Westfarthing, approaching the bounds of the Shire. Draw on the Wilderness Landmarks table.

(3) - The burglar with the highest Understanding must make a Δ8 test. If successful, they glimpse a fox carrying something shiny disappear into a hole by a tree. Investigating the tree hole reveals a cache of 4d6 silvers and an enchanted hunting horn (screeches like a fox when blown, 5-in-6 chance of summoning one).

44.52

FOREST on the NORTH MOORS. In a fold of the land, a marshy forest of oak, beech, alder and hazel tangles itself before yielding to the vast heath of the North Moors. The forest is eerily quiet. The Water gathers into its headstream in the northeastern corner of this hex.

TROLL'S DEN. Hidden. Inside a bowl of a dead tree is a tunnel into a sandy cave. A pair of wood-trolls, Ed and Ned, sleep here during the day. The bones of sheep, deer, coneys, and foxes litter the floor.

• Ed carries an enchanted skinning knife (+2 to Subtlety when stalking animals). He also wears an enchanted bangle that allows him to perceive 500' of his immediate area while in the wilderness, even through dense brush or unworked stone.
• Ned carries a shrunken orc head that can be asked questions of Orc Lore or Eryn Vorn Lore. Cursed. He also carries a shiny, lucky button. If carried by a non-troll, will heal 10d10 Endurance for its bearer at the best possible moment. The button then goes dull.
• Treasure is kept in a copper cauldron buried (obviously) in the cave. Totals: 17 gp, 110 sp, 160 cp.
• A piece of enchanted wood, vaguely face-like, is kept as a pet by the trolls. Pleasant to the touch. Can be carved into an enchanted (+1) item.

(1-3) - TROLLS: At night, the wood-trolls Ed and Ned stalk the forest in search of food. They've eaten most of the local wildlife. They're getting desperate and willing to take risks.
(6) - CHARCOAL BURNERS: Vigo Burrows (hobbit - bald-crowned, plainspoken, charcoal burner) and his son, Diggo, have set up a camp and charcoal kiln outside the forest. They swear they've seen elm trees, seventeen feet tall, walking through the forest at night.

[Credit: MERP - Realms - The Shire]

45.52

MISTYDELL. The northern slopes of the White Downs terminate in a bowl-like valley, filled with trickling streams, small waterfalls, and frequent fogs. The region has a bad reputation and is rarely visited.

GULLIONMERE. At the very center of the folds of the valley is a pond called the Gullionmere. There is a local superstition that a monster dwells in the pond, though nobody really believes it. On the banks grow croquists (small purple flowers in spring and summer) that grant water-breathing when chewed like gum.

THE GULLION: The Gullion is, however, real. A creature whose origins are lost to time (spirit? faerie?), it has dwelt in the Mistydell before the coming of the Hobbits. Recently, its only friend, a fox named Tawnwiddy, was killed and eaten by the wood-trolls in 44.52. This has enraged the Gullion, and it's venturing forth for the first time in generations.

In appearance, a drowned man the color of a starless night with hair like water weeds. Its arms can grow impossibly long, and it can reach out of its pond home and snatch creatures from the shore. It is strong enough to lift a pony.

It drinks the blood of animals (sheep, ponies, chickens), leaving them dried husks. It kidnaps those who go on two legs and takes them back to its underwater home, where they cannot escape.

He is difficult to talk to and is an incoherent speaker, often crying and blubbering about "my Friend." The Gullion is a sporting creature and loves games of all kinds.

END: 99, VAL: 7, STR: 6, SKI: 2, UND: 0, SUB: 2, BEA: -2. EP: 10,200.

GULLION'S HOME: A damp cave accessed via the Gullionmere. Crudely carved algae-covered logs serve as furniture.

• Heavy copper cooking gear: A lovely old twenty-piece set dating back to King Valandil of Arnor. The Gullion uses it to brew teas that heal his guests.
• Nine-mens Morris set: A fine board with obsidian and marble playing pieces.
• Musical instruments: A lyre made out of a turtle shell. The Gullion is a good player, but it rattles the teeth.
• Trophies: Eriadorian red brass battle axe (enchanted, +3), Arnorian shield (enchanted, +1), Arnorian carved staff (Endurance battery for magic, 5 points), and a river pike's head the size of a pig.

(1) - THE GULLION: At night, the Gullion can be found crying and seeking revenge in the hills. Those investigating his pond can be attacked even during the day.
(2-5) - MISTS: Fogs and vapors tumble down the hills and get trapped in the valleys, no matter the weather at the top.
[Credit: MERP - Realms - The Shire]

46.52

ROAD. The road between Little Delving (46.53) and Tighfield (45.51) runs through the northeast corner of this hex. To the south and north, the landscape is a patchwork of tidy farms, hedges, and low-stone walls.

(1) - Gerontius "Ron" Took (hobbit - bright-eyed, overeager, tween adventurer) has been sold a magic sword (fake) by an unscrupulous dwarf and is looking for adventure in the North Moors. He'll come to a bad end if not helped or redirected. If returned safely home, the Tooks and Gandalf will both be thankful.
(6) - A sibling trio of musicians, Sally, Terry, and Mickel Oldfield (hobbit - hazel-eyed, dreamy, musicians) are encamped on the side of the road. They're playing music to raise money to stay at an inn the next night. Listening to their songs restores 1 Endurance.