Southern Bree-Fields Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth The current year for our Middle-Earth campaign is set during the year of 2946 of the Third Age. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien

The Southern Bree-fields is a region of rolling hills and lowlands located in the south-central part of the wider Bree-land area. Once a rich and flourishing agricultural area with numerous farmsteads, the land now bears many signs of neglect and conflict. The primary natural boundaries are the ominous Old Forest to the south and the rising land of the Barrow-downs to the southeast. The landscape is marked by open areas of tall grass, some active fields near isolated farms like Dogwood's or Old Sweetgrass, and rocky outcrops that hint at ancient geological shifts.

This region serves as a major intersection for travel routes. The significant East-West Road cuts directly through the Southern Bree-fields, connecting areas further west (like the Shire and Buckland) with the eastern wilderness and the town of Bree. Furthermore, the crucial North-South Road intersects the East-West Road near the town of Bree, with a section of its southern stretch running through these fields. This crossroads location made the Southern Bree-fields historically a central hub for commerce and travel, which is still evident by the presence of numerous ruins along the roads.

Settlement in the Southern Bree-fields is sparse and focused primarily on agriculture or utility. The main hub of activity is Bree town itself, which sits on Bree-hill on the northern edge of this area. The fields themselves contain isolated farms and temporary encampments. One such encampment is Adso's Camp, a modest but important stop for travelers offering basic services like vendors and a stable-master. Player housing areas known as the Bree-land Homesteads are also situated near the southern borders of the region.

The environment is currently fraught with peril, making travel a hazardous endeavor. While the fields were once peaceful, wildlife such as bears and wolves have become increasingly agitated and aggressive, attacking travelers on sight. The land, once tamed, is now a frontier where nature is reclaiming its dominance in many places, and the general atmosphere is one of unease due to the prevailing dangers.

Organized threats are a significant feature of the Southern Bree-fields. The area is heavily infested with brigands and highwaymen who set up camps, such as Outlaw's Haven and Brigand's Watch, to waylay merchants and travelers along the Great East Road. These bandit groups appear unusually organized, leading to speculation that a darker force is manipulating them from behind the scenes. The presence of these criminals transforms the seemingly pastoral fields into an active danger zone.

Echoes of ancient history are visible across the landscape in the form of numerous ruins. These stone remnants are all that remain of settlements and fortifications from the ancient North Kingdom that once flourished here many ages ago. These ruins now serve as shelter for the brigands and dangerous animals that roam the fields, adding a layer of historical melancholy to the region's current state of disarray and conflict.

Eastern Bree-Fields Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth The current year for our Middle-Earth campaign is set during the year of 2946 of the Third Age. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien

The Eastern Bree-fields is a vast expanse of largely untamed wilderness located in the northeastern quadrant of the broader Bree-land region. This area acts as a geographic buffer between the settled lands around the town of Bree and the more hostile territories to the east, such as the Midgewater Marshes and the Weather Hills. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and meadows, which quickly transition from open fields to rougher, less hospitable ground as one moves further east, lacking the neat cultivation found near the central settlements.

The region is notably devoid of permanent civilization, a stark contrast to the nearby villages of Combe and Archet. There are no major towns or persistent hubs of population within the fields themselves, giving the area a desolate and isolated feel. Instead of bustling farmsteads, one finds only remnants of ancient history: scattered ruins and crumbling stone structures that serve as silent reminders of the kingdoms that once existed in Eriador before their fall.

A significant natural boundary to the east is the deep chasm or trench that connects the large body of water known as Nen Harn with the lower reaches of the Brandywine River. This trench and its steep ridges form a natural barrier, further isolating the Eastern Bree-fields from the far east. The rugged topography of the area also includes Starmere Lake, an inland body of water nestled among the hills that adds a touch of natural beauty to the otherwise somber landscape.

The environment is a dangerous and untamed place, primarily populated by aggressive wildlife. Travelers navigating the rolling hills and meadows must contend with various natural predators, including bears and wolves, whose numbers and hostility are a constant threat to those passing through. The lack of civilization means these animal populations can thrive relatively unchecked, contributing to the overall peril of the region.

The primary threat to safety, however, stems from organized hostile forces. The ruins scattered throughout the Eastern Bree-fields have been occupied by vicious orcs and other hostile humanoids who have invaded south from the North Downs. These camps of enemies make the area an active skirmish zone, where the forces of darkness press close against the borders of the peaceful Bree-land, requiring constant vigilance from the Rangers who patrol the wilderness.

Historically, the Eastern Bree-fields are rich with the remnants of the past. The numerous ruins date back to the time of the North Kingdom of Arnor and its successor states, specifically the contested land of Cardolan. These dilapidated stone structures provide cover for the current hostile inhabitants and serve as focal points for exploration and conflict, offering glimpses into a lost age of kings and war that continues to shape the present dangers of the region.

Brandy Hills Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth The current year for our Middle-Earth campaign is set during the year of 2946 of the Third Age. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien

The Brandy Hills are an area of rolling terrain and low hills in the wider Bree-land region, located along the eastern shores of the Brandywine River, north of the densely populated area of Buckland. This region serves as a crucial geographical link, bordered by the river to the west and the heavily wooded area known as the Brandywood to the east. The terrain is a mix of open land and light forests, providing a transitional landscape between the managed fields of the south and the wilder northern reaches.

The appearance of the Brandy Hills is primarily pastoral yet rugged. The hillsides are covered in grass and scattered trees, maintaining a natural, untamed look rather than the manicured farmlands seen in other parts of Bree-land or the Shire. The lack of extensive modern cultivation gives the area a wilder feel. The presence of Girdley Island, a single named point of interest within the river near the hills, adds a minor distinctive feature to the local geography.

Settlement in the Brandy Hills is virtually non-existent, further contributing to its wild character. There are no towns or villages, and permanent residences are rare. This isolation means the area remains largely quiet and remote, primarily utilized by those passing through or local hunters. The only signs of past habitation are ancient stone ruins, remnants of the forgotten kingdom of Arnor that once thrived in this land many ages ago.

The environment here is considered a frontier area, meaning it is exposed to the dangers of the surrounding wilderness. The woods and fields are home to various forms of aggressive wildlife, including boars and bears, whose presence is a constant concern for anyone traveling through the region. Historically, the numerous scattered ruins dotting the hillsides are the most significant aspect of the region.

These crumbling structures represent a bygone era of human civilization and serve as shelter for the wildlife and occasional vagabonds or darker forces that move through the area. The past conflict and eventual abandonment of these settlements underscore the transient and often dangerous nature of the Northern Eriador landscape.

For travelers, the Brandy Hills act mainly as a transitional area connecting the northern part of Buckland and the Shire with the rest of Bree-land. The main travel route here is the segment of the Great East Road and the North-South Road near their intersection, but the hills themselves are off the beaten path. The region is largely defined by its function as a natural boundary and a quiet, albeit perilous, wilderness area adjacent to more populated and famous locales.