Hobbit's Hearth 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 Hobbit's Hearth is a beacon of warmth and sanctuary nestled in the quiet halfling village, a sturdy structure of dark timber, white plaster, and a thick, weather-beaten thatch roof. A cheerful sign depicting a round halfling by a roaring fire hangs above the heavy oak door, beckoning weary travelers. The building is larger than most local homes, its robust construction suggesting it has stood for many years, enduring the weather and changes in the surrounding wilderness with quiet resilience.

Smoke curls constantly from its broad stone chimney, promising warmth within, while the small, immaculately kept garden out front provides fresh herbs and vegetables for the kitchen's fare. The inn's very exterior exudes the quiet, dependable charm of the Shire transplanted to a more rugged land.

Stepping inside the common room is an assault on the senses, a delightful mix of aromas: pungent pipeweed smoke, the rich scent of roasting meat, and the sweet smell of spilled ale and seasoned timber. The low-beamed ceiling forces taller folk to stoop, and the floor is a patchwork of dark flagstones and colorful braided rag rugs. Sturdy, mismatched wooden tables and chairs, some comfortably low for halflings and others built for the "Big Folk", are scattered across the room.

A large, polished oak bar runs along one wall, serving as the command center for the inn's operations, behind which shelves are packed with an assortment of local ales, imported wines, and potent spirits. Even when busy, the atmosphere is generally one of contented camaraderie and quiet chatter. The kitchen, located just off the common room, is the heart of the inn's operation. This is where the magic happens, supervised by Tolman himself before his arrest, and expertly managed by his wife Lily afterward.

The focal point is a massive, soot-stained hearth where spits turn slowly over glowing coals. The air is always warm and thick with the steam of boiling pots and the sizzle of fat. It’s a place of constant activity, filled with bubbling stews, rising bread, and bustling hands ensuring every patron is well-fed and satisfied with the hearty fare that makes the inn a popular stop.

The food served at the Hobbit's Hearth is simple but generous, embodying halfling generosity and robust flavors. Patrons can expect classic, filling meals like thick vegetable and beef stew served in generous iron bowls, roasted mutton with root vegetables, and crusty, fresh-baked bread with locally churned butter.

Desserts often include apple pies made from local orchards and thick custards. A variety of strong, dark ales brewed locally are the standard drink, supplemented by the occasional barrel of imported brandy or pipeweed of various strengths, ensuring travelers are well-satiated before continuing their journey.

The staff is a small, family-run team. The inn is owned and operated by Tolman and his wife, Lily. Tolman manages the front-of-house, handling the bar, the accounts, and most of the storytelling and gossip. Lily is the culinary genius, overseeing the kitchen and ensuring the quality of every meal. They rely on the help of a few young, eager halfling servers and kitchen hands recruited from the village. In the stable yard lives Old Man Willow, a grumpy, elderly groundskeeper who sees to the horses and general upkeep, often complaining about the rowdy travelers but secretly enjoying the bustle.

The upper floor, accessed via a narrow, winding wooden staircase near the bar, houses the guest rooms for rent. The guest rooms are functional and spartan, designed for a good night's sleep for weary adventurers. Each room contains one or two firm, simple beds with clean linens, a small wash basin with fresh water, and a wooden chest for storing personal belongings. The décor is minimal, but the rooms are clean, well-maintained, and above all, safe havens for those traveling through the wilder lands east of Bree, offering a necessary respite from the open road.

The Hobbit's Hearth's significance in the adventure stems from its shift in atmosphere. Before Tolman's arrest, it was the social hub, a place of safety and warmth. Afterward, the silence is deafening. The hushed whispers of suspicion and the absence of Tolman's booming laugh create a tangible tension that the players immediately sense. The inn becomes a symbol of the injustice done to its owner, motivating the characters to restore its rightful atmosphere by clearing his name and bringing justice back to the quiet community that relies on this establishment for comfort and news.

Ultimately, the inn is more than just a place to sleep and eat; it is a piece of home and hearth in an increasingly dark Middle-earth. Tolman and Lily's simple, honest life represents what the party is fighting for: the preservation of quiet peace against the encroaching dangers of the wilderness and the corruption of greed. The recovery of the inn's cheerful nature after the adventure's conclusion serves as the ultimate reward.

BREAKFAST - 7am
Pork Sausages and Cheese: 10sp
Poached Pears (stuffed with Frumenty): 6cp
Beef and Mushroom Stuffed Hand Pies: 11sp
Shire Seed Cake: 11cp
Biscuits (topped with black pudding, eggs, and a smothering of gravy): 5cp
Mini Quiche: 11cp
Honey Nut Cake & Marmalade: 6cp
Hobbit Hash (potatoes, leeks, spinach, and cheese): 7cp
Ham Omelet (made with curry spices, onions, and tomatoes): 15cp
Stuffed Poached Pears: 3cp
Peppered Bread: 4cp
Oatmeal & Fried Potato Wedges: 3cp
Beef Steak: 15cp
Breakfast pie (made with salmon, leeks, eggs, and cream): 5cp

SECOND BREAKFAST - 9am
Strawberry Toast (with a side of sausage): 4cp
Rice pudding (paired with a side of bacon): 6cp
Scones and Clotted Cream: 5cp
Boiled Goose Eggs: 7cp
Chicken Eggs: 6cp
Fruit & Cheese: 3cp
Bread topped (with butter and honey served with a side of fruit and bacon): 4cp
Beef and Mushroom Stuffed Hand Pies: 5cp
Mushroom, Beef & Onion Hand Pies: 8cp
Hand Apple Pies: 9cp
Garlic Hand Pie: 5cp
Mincemeat Pie: 5cp

ELEVENSES - 11am
Green Tea: 5cp
Black Tea: 5cp
Herbal Tea: 6cp
White Tea: 9cp
Bread Pudding (with cinnamon): 11cp
Lavender and Lemon Muffins: 5cp
Strawberry shortcake (with cream): 6cp
Caraway Seed Cake: 3cp
Lemon Tea Cake; 4cp
Shire Porter Cake: 9cp
Plum Heavies (cookies): 4cp
Stewed Hare (with root vegetables and dumplings): 4cp

LUNCHEON - 1pm
Onion Soup: 1sp
Fish and Chips: 1sp
Steak and Kidney Pie:2sp
Beef Stew (with potatoes, carrots, onions): 8sp
Salted Pork (Made with cheese, bacon, or vegetables): 2sp
Roasted Vegetables (for those that don't eat meat): 3sp
Rabbit Stew: 3sp
Roast Beef with Cranberry Sauce: 4sp
Shepherd’s Pie: 1sp
Stuffed Potatoes (cheese, butter and peppers): 1sp
Roast Mutton: 2sp
Scotch Eggs: 1sp

AFTERNOON TEA & DESERT - 3pm
Green Tea: 5cp
Black Tea: 5cp
Herbal Tea: 6cp
White Tea: 9cp
Shortbread Biscuits
Ring Cookies: 4cp
Berry Pie: 3cp
Mixed Berry Cobbler: 4cp
Bakewell Tarts: 2cp
Fruit Tarts: 2cp
Honey Cakes: 4cp
Apple Pie: 3cp
Porter Cake: 3cp
Roasted Apples: 5cp
Apple Pie and Cream: 7cp

DINNER - 6pm
Stuffed Roasted Mushrooms: 2sp
Vegetable Soup & Fried Tater Cakes: 7cp
Mushroom, Beef and Onion Hand Pies: 1sp
Bread Pudding (with cinnamon): 8cp
Lavender and Lemon Muffins: 3cp
Roasted Chicken (with a cherry tomatoe sauce): 1sp
Boxty on the Griddle: 1sp
Spiced Beef and Roasted Vegetables: 1sp
Savory Porridge: 8cp
Pepper-crusted Steak (served with potatoes & vegetables): 3sp
Chicken Pie (with wine and mushrooms): 1sp
Cheddar Soup: 7cp

SUPPER & DESERT - 9pm
Pork Pie: 1sp
Mushroom Soup: 8cp
Salad (served with fresh herbs and hard-boiled eggs): 4cp
Roasted Chicken: 1sp
Rabbit Stew: 2sp
Strawberry Shortcake with Cream: 5cp
Lemon Tea Cake: 5cp
Honey Shortbread: 6cp
Hunter's Pie: 7cp
Boar Ham Steak & Eggs: 1sp
Boar Tenderloin: 2sp
Rabbit and Potato Plate: 1sp

DRINKS
Coffee: 4cp
Fruit Juice: 5cp
Mile (local variety): 2cp
Beer: 2cp
Beer (Bag End Brew): 4cp
Dark Ale: 8cp
Wheat Ale (or called Wandering Wizard): 8cp
Ale: 4cp
Malt Beer: 6cp
White Ale (Minas Tirith brewed): 1sp
Breeland Wine: 1sp
Red Wine: 1sp
Emerald Palet Wine: 1 Silver Piece
Fireamber Wine: 1sp
Spiced Ale: 1sp

ROOM NIGHTLY PRICES
(12) Standard Suite: 1gp