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Tales of the Shiretakes place sometime between the end of the events ofThe Hobbit, after Bilbo’s return to the Shire, and the beginning ofTheLord of the Rings, before Frodo and company set out to Rivendell. This was a relatively quiet period in the history of the Shire, and but you can find plenty of references to events before and afterthis time period in theLOTRtimeline.
Many familiar characters, iconic locations, and important aspects of the lore of the Shire are referenced throughout this cozy life-sim, but you might not catch all of them at first. This list compiles the bestLord of the Ringsreferences inTales of the Shire, and explains the significance of each of theseLOTReaster eggs inTales of the Shire.
1Hobbit Meal Schedules
A core part of the gameplay ofTales of the Shireis theCooking system and Shared Meals feature. Hobbits traditionally have up to seven meals every day – breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper. InTales of the Shire, different parts of the day correspond with each of these five meals.
Depending on what time of the day you initiate a Shared Meal, you’re able to have breakfast at Dawn, second breakfast in the Morning, luncheon at Noon, afternoon tea in the Afternoon, and dinner at Dusk.
You do not need to set the time of a shared meal ahead of time, just show up at the venue when the day has progressed to the slice you want to see!
2The King of Arnor
A King Of Old Who Gave The Shire To The Hobbits
As you continue through the main story ofTales of the Shire, you will learn that Bywater residents don’t know what it means to be a village, and it’s up to you to find the Book of Rules that lays out the requirements. During these initial dialogues, Nora Burrows (the clothing cosmetics shopkeeper) will comment, “Hobbits have lived here ever since the old King gave us the Shire to live in.”
Indeed, thislines up with existingLord of the Ringslore. This is a direct reference to the King of Arnor, a title given to a line of ancient kings who granted the Shire to the Hobbits, and unofficially protected it from surrounding threats, which allowed the residents of the Shire to live in relative peace.
3"I am Gandalf. And Gandalf means me."
One Of The First Things Gandalf Says To Bilbo In The Hobbit
At the beginning ofThe Hobbit,Bilbo Baggins is swiftly introduced to Gandalf, a mysterious wizard traveling with a troupe of Dwarves who are in search of a burglar. One of the first things he says to Bilbo makes for an intimidating first impression but conveys everything you need to know about this Maiar: “I am Gandalf. And Gandalf means me.”
This line has been used inseveral differentLord of the Ringsadaptations, including both the original Rankin-Bass production ofThe Hobbitfrom 1977 and 2012’sThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.This iconic line is brought toTales of the Shireas Gandalf introduces himself to you.
4The Prancing Pony & Bree
What’s A Hobbit Doing In Bree, Anyway?
At the very start of the game, your character is awoken from a peaceful nap on a log by none other than Gandalf the Grey, traveling through Hobbiton on secretive business. After you finishcustomizing your character inTales of the Shire, Gandalf will remark that you traveled, “all the way from the Prancing Pony, and you’ve fallen asleep in a glade!”
Soon after, he will drop you off at your house and you will meet Orlo Proudfoot, your unofficial introductory guide to Bywater. Indeed, your character will confirm to Orlo that they have traveled from the Prancing Pony in Bree – the very same inn that Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin stayed at as they traveled to Rivendell.
5Bilbo Baggins' Map Annotations
Look For Bilbo’s Notes All Over The Bywater Map
When Gandalf drops you off at your new home in Bywater, he gives your character a map of the surrounding area, and says, “it was made by a very old friend of mine. From Hobbiton, in fact.” There’s only one master map-maker in Hobbiton who fits the description, and if you open up the map and scroll over a landmark, our suspicions are confirmed: none other than Bilbo Baggins made this map of Bywater.
The map is full ofreferences to Bilbo’s adventures inThe Hobbitand the surrounding lore of the Shire, all signed “–B.B.” Longtime fans ofLOTRand Tolkien should be sure to check out the description for The Great East Road, which Bilbo followed as he left The Shire toward Rivendell during the events ofLord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.
6Bilbo’s Stories & Mithril Shirt
Bywater Hobbits Think Highly Of The Bagginses
Tales of the Shiretakes place betweenThe HobbitandThe Lord of the Rings, and one would presume that Bilbo kept all of the spoils of his adventure close by at his home in Hobbiton. As it turns out, your character has seen Bilbo’s Mithril ringmail shirt at a Mathom House in Hobbiton.
What this priceless piece of ultra-defensive armor is doing in a hobbit curio shop, anyone could say. But presumably, Bilbo went to Michael Delving’s Mathom House before the events ofLOTRto get his shirt back and eventually bequeath it to Frodo.
7Rosie Cotton
“If I ever was to marry someone, it would’ve been ‘er”
There aren’t many characters fromThe Lord of the Ringsand related Tolkien works inTales of the Shire. Gandalf is the most overt, presenting himself at the very start of the game. But do a little exploring and talk to townsfolk, and you will eventually run intoanother familiar face from the books and films: Rosie Cotton.
The game takes place between the events ofThe HobbitandThe Lord of the Rings, and in-game, Rosie brings up Samwise a handful of times as you progress your friendship with her. You can invite her for meals and complete Tales for her like any other NPC – but she’s far from the only familiar name you’ll encounter inTales of the Shire.
8Familiar Hobbit Family Names
Gamgees, Brandybucks, Tooks, Proudfoots… Or Is It Proudfeet?
The Shire is a large place, but a lot of the old Hobbit families have spread out far and wide, which makes the idyllic rolling green hills of the countryside feel a little smaller. ThroughoutTales of the Shire, you will meet characters who share the same last names as some of the most famous hobbits of the Shire – or, rather, the family names of hobbits whowillbe famous, as the game takes place beforeLord of the Rings.
Several residents of Bywater are directly related to the four hobbits fromLOTR: Gaffer Gamgee is referenced by several members of the Cotton family, Willow and Daisy Took are related to Pippin, and Delphinium Brandybuck shares the same last name as Merry.
Though the original four hobbits don’t make a physical appearance inTales of the Shire, the small references to them throughout make onefeel more connected to theLOTRworld.
9The Bucklebury Ferry
Where The Hobbits Escaped The Black Rider Across The Brandywine
The Three-Farthing Stone can be found in the far northeast corner of Bywater. This stone marks the point where theEastfarthing, Westfarthing, and Southfarthing of the Shireconnect – a bit like the Four Corners monument in the U.S., which stands at the point where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah connect.
Interestingly, inReturn of the King, this is also where Sam releases the last of his gift from Galadriel to rejuvenate the Shire after its scouring, which is not depicted in the Peter Jackson films.
If you choose the Eastfarthing option when prompted to remember one of these three areas of the Shire, your character will remember riding the Bucklebury Ferry across the Brandywine. This is the same ferry that Frodo and the gang used to escape the Black Riders at the start ofFellowship of the Ring.Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about Ring Wraiths inTales of the Shire.
10The Green Dragon Inn
Depicted In Both The LOTR & The Hobbit Films
One of the central gathering hubs of the Shire, The Green Dragon Inn is brought to life inTales of the Shirejust to the northwest of the main Village Square of Bywater. Because Bywater is so close to the larger Hobbiton, residents of Hobbiton often make their way down to Bywater to get to this famous local inn.
Run byLily Cotton and the Cotton family, the Green Dragon Inn is depicted in the first movies ofbothTheHobbitandThe Lord of the Ringstrilogies, reappearing at the end ofReturn of the Kingas Sam finally gets the confidence to initiate a relationship with Rosie. The Green Dragon Inn is one of the most iconic spots in all of the Shire, and inTales of the Shire, you are often directed here to discuss village matters and complete various Tales.
