The Bree Library 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 town of Bree is known for the Prancing Pony, the convergence of the Great East Road and the Greenway, and its peculiar mix of Men and Hobbits. What few outsiders know—or perhaps even notice—is that nestled in the crook of the hill, a short walk from Butterbur's bustling inn, lies a sanctuary of quiet: the Bree Library. It is not grand, like the libraries of Gondor or the Elven repositories, but it holds a unique charm and an unexpected wealth of information for those patient enough to seek it.

The architecture is a curious blend of rustic and refined. Its main structure is built from the same sturdy stone and timber as the rest of the town, but within, it features towering shelves that reach a surprising height, built decades ago by a traveling Dwarf carpenter named Glóin, who bartered his skills for a long-term supply of Butterbur's finest ale. These shelves, though dusty and worn in places, hold thousands of volumes, their spines a rich tapestry of reds, browns, and faded gold. The air is always cool and carries the faint scent of old parchment, pipeweed smoke, and the damp earth of the Bree-hill.

Lighting the space is a challenge, one mostly solved by an assortment of low-hanging lanterns and scattered candles. This dim, warm light casts long, dancing shadows, adding an almost eerie or mysterious atmosphere to the corners of the room. There are no grand, bright windows; instead, small, leaded panes in the upper sections of the walls allow only slivers of weak sunlight to penetrate the gloom. This perpetual twilight gives the library an intimate, contemplative feel, encouraging quiet study over boisterous discussion.

The collection itself is as eclectic as Bree's inhabitants. You will find practical manuals on farming and sheep-herding alongside detailed histories of the North Kingdom, star charts, and even, it is rumored, some older, more obscure tomes left behind by a traveling wizard long ago. A well-used desk sits to the right, adorned with a large globe and a few personal items, where a rotating roster of the town's most literate elders act as unofficial librarians, always ready to point a curious reader toward a relevant text or share local gossip.

For any traveler or adventurer passing through Bree, this library offers an invaluable resource. Whether you are a Ranger seeking lost lore of the past, a scholar researching ancient texts, or simply a hobbit looking for a quiet corner to read about gardening, the Bree Library provides a unique haven. It is a testament to the enduring power of knowledge, a quiet, flickering light of learning in a world growing darker.