Old Forest
The Old Forest is an area within Bree-land in the southern region.
This famous, untamed forest, with its narrow mazes, lies just east of Buckland across the High Hay, south of Southern Bree-fields, and west of Barrow-downs. Entrances are, from the west via the Old Forest Tunnel, from the east via the Old Barrows Road, or from the north via openings or paths such as East Forest Road. For a traveller's essay we recommend A Pleasant Guide to the Old Forest.
The Old Forest provides lower level characters with adventures and challenging explorations of the realms depicted in Tolkien's fictional realm. Try following the path that Frodo and his fellowship might endured not long ago, about September 26, III 3018, from Crickhollow to Tom Bombadil's House:
- Getting lost in the Shifting Wood, eating one's lunch-repast at the Bald Hill and taking a short nap under the sun, getting lost down the Withywindle and resting, completely exhausted, by the trunk of the Old Man Willow, to finally escaping uphill to Tom's place.
The southern section rather invites for lots of creature hunting. Or picking flowers hidden at the most difficult locations.
No services are provided within the Old Forest, the closest being within Buckland and at Adso's Camp, both with vendors and stable-masters. There are also quests givers located, mainly at Buckland and Adso's Camp, and mainly for the levels 16 to 21.
Locations
Deeds
These deeds can be advanced by exploring the Old Forest.
NPCs
See "list of NPCs" within the Old Forest
Gillemin Brandybuck [33.8S, 59.3W]
Marigold Boffin - (various locations)
Quests
See "starting quests" and the landmarks for more quests
Starting:
- [16] Evil on Eight Legs
- [16] A Matron in the Hollow
- [16] Haunted Forest
Involving:
- [15] The Wood-cutter's Tale
- [15] Old Forest Investigation
- [15] Instance: The Hunter's Path
- [16] New Trouble in the Old Forest
- [17] Wolf-pelts
- [17] In the Shadow of Giants
- [18] Marigold
- [19] Defying Description
- [22] Synonyms for Spooky
- [20] Root and Rot
- [20] The Seed of Rot
Creatures
The following creatures are found within the area:
Lore
- "A remnant of the great forests of Middle-earth in the Second Age; most of these forests were felled by the Númenóreans, but two isolated woodlands remained. The Old Forest was the northern of these two (the other being Fangorn in the south)." — [lorebook]
- "Throughout the ages of Middle-earth the Old Forest has remained an ominous region. Dark tales abound of trees coming to life and misleading those who tread harshly upon their roots. The most sinister of stories is often told to young Hobbits to keep them out of the Old Forest; it speaks of a monstrous tree called Old Man Willow, whose tremendous claw-like branches snatch up unwary travelers. The tales work to keep most folks at bay, coupled with the fact that many who have ventured into the Old Forest—either alone or with companions—have never been heard from again. — These precarious and ancient woods are thought to be the northern remnants of the great forests harvested by the Men of Númenor who ruled during the Second Age." — Hero's Guide
- Read also
Old Forest Guide
Maps
Detailed Maps
Gallery
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Bear dens in the Old Forest
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Brandybuck's Camp along the Withywindle
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Bridge near Tom Bombadil's House
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View of the central Old forest
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Lumber pile east of Bonfire Glade
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Border to the Southern Bree-fields
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The northern parts of the forest
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Pond south of the Weeping Water
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Southern sections overrun by spiders
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Withywindle
