Ready For Content Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

Ready For Content Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

Lone-Lands Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

The Lone-Lands stretch across the wide, desolate expanse between the Bree-land borders and the foothills of the Misty Mountains. Once the heart of the kingdom of Rhudaur, the territory is now a somber graveyard of fallen civilizations, characterized by rolling brown hills, stunted shrubbery, and a prevailing sense of silence. Travellers moving eastward along the Great East Road find themselves beneath a vast, heavy sky, where the wind whispers through the tall, yellowed grasses of the wilderness.

At the center of this lonely vista stands the monumental height of Weathertop, the southernmost peak of the Weather Hills. Known anciently as Amon Sûl, its summit is crowned by the shattered remains of a once-mighty watchtower, its stones blackened by old fires and weathered by centuries of neglect. Though it once held a palantír and guarded the northern realms, it now serves only as a landmark for wanderers and a grim reminder of the wars that fractured the Dúnedain.

To the south of the road lie the Midgewater Marshes, a treacherous expanse of reeds and stagnant pools. The air here is thick with the drone of midges and the croaking of frogs, creating a damp, suffocating atmosphere that discourages all but the most desperate of travellers. These bogs act as a natural barrier, isolating the road from the deep wilderness and hiding the secrets of the shifting mud and ancient, sunken ruins that lie beneath the surface.

The ruins scattered throughout the region tell a story of slow decay and forgotten history. Crumbling stone walls and broken arches peek through the overgrowth on nearly every ridge, marking the sites of former forts and homesteads. These skeletal remains are often shunned by the common folk of Bree, as they are rumored to be haunted by the lingering shadows of the past, making the region feel like a land that has been purposefully abandoned by the living.

Life in the Lone-Lands is sparse and hardy, consisting mostly of wary rangers and occasional bands of stone-trolls that descend from the Coldfells when the clouds hang low. There are few havens to be found; the Forsaken Inn stands as the last vestige of civilization for those heading east, offering cold comfort and grim company. Beyond its walls, the land belongs to the wild, where the only law is the endurance of the traveller and the sharp eyes of those who watch from the shadows.

Despite the desolation, a rugged beauty persists in the shifting colors of the moorland at twilight. When the sun dips below the horizon, the ruins of the North-kingdom are bathed in a fleeting, golden light that briefly masks the scars of war. It is a place of profound melancholy, a transitional space where the echoes of ancient kings still resonate in the wind, holding its breath before the road finally climbs toward the hidden refuge of the Hidden Valley.

Notable Locations
• Weathertop
• Weather Hills
• Rhudaur Ruins
• Last Bridge
• Greenway
• Forsaken Inn
• Eglain Settlements

Trollshaws Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

The Trollshaws rise out of the earth like a jagged fortress of limestone and iron-gray rock, a vertical wilderness that defies the easy travel of the Bree-land. Here, the rolling hills of the West are shattered into a labyrinth of deep, shadowed ravines and sheer-sided ridges. The terrain is a vertical puzzle of ascending terraces and sudden drops, where the ground beneath a traveler’s boots is more likely to be treacherous shale or slick moss than solid earth. In the year 3011, this land feels like a realm that has completely forgotten the rule of Men, returning to a primordial state of jagged edges and ancient, brooding silence.

The flora of the Shaws is as defensive as the rock itself. Ancient beeches and gnarled oaks cling to the cliff-faces with root-systems like clutching hands, their limbs twisted into grotesque shapes by the fierce mountain winds. This is a "tight" forest—a canopy of interlocking branches so dense that even at high noon, the valley floors remain trapped in a perpetual, emerald twilight. Below, the forest floor is a graveyard of fallen timber and gargantuan boulders, many of which are draped in "Old Man’s Beard" lichen, hanging from the branches like the tattered funeral shrouds of a forgotten people.

Water in the Trollshaws is never silent; it is a landscape of sound. Hidden streams plunge over precipices in thin, white ribbons, their roar echoing through the canyons until the very air seems to vibrate. These waters are ice-cold, fed by the distant peaks of the Misty Mountains, and they carve deep, black pools into the stone that seem bottomless.

The mist here is different from the Chetwood’s—it is a roiling, mountain-born fog that descends from the heights without warning, swallowing the sun and turning a narrow mountain path into a blind leap into the unknown.

The true masters of this region have left their mark everywhere, turning the landscape into a gallery of the macabre. Massive caves, their entrances stained with the soot of immense fires and the grease of a thousand kills, yawn open in the sides of the ridges. Around these "Troll-holes," the earth is trampled flat and littered with the bleached bones of horses, elk, and Men. Great "standing stones" are often found in clearings, but a closer look reveals they are not monuments of the Dúnedain, but the petrified remains of Trolls caught by the sun—grotesque, moss-covered statues frozen in mid-roar or eternal agony.

Nature itself seems to have soured under the Shadow in the North. The brambles are longer and sharper here, capable of shredding leather and skin, and the insects are silent, replaced by the heavy, rhythmic drone of carrion flies. There is a sense of being constantly watched from above; the ridges are lined with jagged outcroppings that resemble hunched watchers, and every falling pebble or snapping twig echoes with a sharp, unnatural clarity. It is a land of echoes and shadows, where the wind whistling through the limestone cracks sounds like a chorus of low, mocking whispers.

As the light of day fades, the Trollshaws become a place of primal terror. The transition from dusk to night is sudden and absolute, as the high ridges steal the last of the sun long before it sets. It is then that the "Stone-folk" awaken, their deep, guttural voices booming across the ravines like the grinding of tectonic plates. The smell of the woods changes, overtaken by the stench of wet fur and rank, unwashed hide. To be caught in the Shaws after dark is to enter a world where Man is no longer the hunter, but merely a small, fragile piece of "Bree-weight" for the masters of the stone.

Eglain Settlements Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

The Eglain, known to most travelers as the Forsaken, are a hardy but fading people who dwell among the lonely ruins of the Lone-lands. Descended from ancient Eriadorians who chose to abandon the growing settlements of the North long ago, they have forged a way of life far removed from the comforts of civilization.

Suspicious of outsiders and fiercely protective of their independence, the Eglain endure where few others dare, surviving amid the windswept hills and forgotten remnants of kingdoms long since lost to history. Unlike the folk of Bree or other settled communities, the Eglain do not build permanent towns of their own. Instead, they inhabit temporary refuge sites known as ruin-holds, making their homes within the crumbling walls of ancient Arnorian fortresses and watchtowers.

These ruins provide shelter from the harsh elements while also serving as sources of valuable relics and forgotten treasures. Much of their livelihood comes from scavenging the remnants of the past, recovering trinkets, tools, and heirlooms that can be traded for food, clothing, and other necessities. Life in the Lone-lands has become increasingly dangerous in recent years.

Orcs and other dark creatures have spread southward from the northern wastes, forcing many Eglain families to abandon the ruins they once called home. Ancient roads and forgotten strongholds that were once merely lonely have become genuinely perilous, and the Forsaken now find themselves retreating from lands their ancestors wandered freely for generations. Their numbers continue to dwindle as the wilderness grows darker and the shadow creeping across Eriador extends its reach. At the center of Eglain society stands Ost Guruth, a vast and weathered Rhudaurian ruin that serves as the closest thing they have to a true settlement.

Within its broken walls, families gather for protection, trade, and council, preserving the traditions of their people against the encroaching darkness. Though life there remains harsh and resources are scarce, Ost Guruth endures as a rare sanctuary in the wilderness. The Eglain guard it carefully, trusting few strangers and offering friendship only to those who have proven their worth through deeds rather than words. Under the quiet watch of allies such as Radagast the Brown, they continue their struggle to survive in a land that has all but forgotten them.

Forsaken Inn Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

The Forsaken Inn lies exactly one day's journey east of Bree, standing alone beside the Great East Road as a weathered reminder of a time when these lands were safer and more traveled. Once a bustling refuge for merchants, wanderers, and adventurers, it now marks the point where the last vestiges of civilization fade into the untamed wilds.

Travelers passing through the region often regard it as the final landmark before entering a land where help is distant and danger may be found beyond the next hill. Age and neglect have reduced the inn to a crumbling ruin. Its stone walls remain standing through sheer stubbornness, but its roof has largely collapsed, leaving the interior exposed to years of rain, wind, and winter frost.

Thick moss clings to the stones, and twisted vines creep through shattered windows and broken doorways. The once-welcoming courtyard has become little more than a patch of weeds and mud, battered endlessly by the cold winds that sweep across the lonely moors.

Though abandoned for decades, the Forsaken Inn has not been entirely forgotten. The Dúnedain Rangers who patrol the wild lands of Eriador occasionally seek shelter within its ruins during storms or use the site as a discreet meeting place. Hidden marks carved into old beams and loose stones sometimes serve as messages known only to their secretive order. To the few travelers who still brave the road, the inn remains a familiar waypoint, a lonely companion standing watch over an increasingly desolate frontier. Inside, silence reigns. The hearths are cold, the taproom stands empty, and the upper rooms have long since succumbed to rot and collapse.

Every gust of wind sends mournful whistles through broken shutters and exposed rafters, creating the unsettling impression that the building remembers the voices and laughter it once held. The elders of Bree still tell stories of the inn's prosperous days, but those memories grow dimmer with each passing generation. Today, the Forsaken Inn endures only as a grim monument to a forgotten age, slowly surrendering itself to the wilderness that surrounds it.

Greenway Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

The Greenway stretches as a long, grass-choked artery running from north to south, intersecting the Great East Road at the crossroads near Bree. Originally known as the North-South Road, it once served as the primary trade route connecting the twin kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor, facilitating the movement of armies, messengers, and merchants across the vastness of Eriador. In the present day, however, the name reflects its current state of neglect; the ancient stone paving has largely disappeared beneath a thick carpet of turf and wildflowers, and the once-bustling thoroughfare has narrowed into a lonely track frequented more by wild animals than by men.

As the road wanders through the empty lands south of Bree, it passes through a landscape dominated by silence and the crumbling remains of a forgotten civilization. Without the protection of the old kings, the route has become increasingly perilous, as the shadows of the wild have reclaimed the surrounding hills and thickets. While the Dúnedain still patrol portions of the path to keep it clear of the most malevolent threats, most travelers avoid the Greenway, fearing the bandits and strange creatures that are rumored to lair within the ruins that line its path.

Barrow-Downs South Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

The Southern Barrow-downs form a bleak and windswept region of rolling hills, lying far from the settled lands of Eriador. Unlike the forests and hedgerows found elsewhere, these downs are almost entirely barren, covered only by grass, heather, and turf that ripple beneath the ever-present wind. Rising from the hills are countless ancient burial mounds, their rounded shapes dotting the landscape as far as the eye can see.

To travelers, the region appears lonely and abandoned, carrying an unsettling stillness that lingers over every ridge and hollow. Long before the present age, the Barrow-downs served as the resting place of kings, chieftains, and noble lords of a forgotten realm.

For centuries, the dead were laid to rest within elaborate stone chambers hidden beneath the mounds, accompanied by treasures, weapons, and relics of great value. Though many tales speak of ancient riches still buried beneath the hills, few possess the courage to seek them. The people of Bree and the surrounding lands regard the downs with deep suspicion, avoiding them whenever possible and speaking of them only in hushed voices.

The fear surrounding the Southern Barrow-downs is not without reason. Following the fall of the ancient kingdom, dark powers claimed the deserted land and filled the burial mounds with malevolent spirits. These restless beings haunt the tombs and the surrounding hills, turning what was once a sacred resting place into a realm of dread. Strange lights are sometimes seen drifting through the mist, and travelers who wander too deeply among the mounds often report feelings of overwhelming cold, confusion, and despair before fleeing the region.

Legends tell of those unfortunate enough to fall under the power of these evil spirits. Entranced by unnatural enchantments, victims have been drawn into the depths of the barrows, where icy hands and ghostly voices await in the darkness below. Few who enter the ancient tombs return, and many disappear without a trace. Even among seasoned adventurers, the Southern Barrow-downs are considered one of the most perilous regions in Eriador—a haunted land where the dead do not rest and the shadows of a forgotten age still hold dominion.

Chetwood South Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

The southern reaches of the Chetwood lie east and south of Bree, forming a broad woodland that has long stood as both a resource and a refuge for the people of Bree-land. In earlier centuries, when Orcs, wolves, and other dangers threatened the surrounding countryside, the inhabitants of Bree, Staddle, Combe, and Archet would retreat into these woods for safety.

Hidden among the trees were carefully concealed shelters, supply caches, and woodland cabins prepared for times of crisis, allowing entire families to disappear into the forest until the danger had passed. Near its borders, the Chetwood presents a welcoming appearance. Sunlight filters through the canopy, birds nest among the branches, and well-worn paths wind between stands of oak and beech.

Villagers regularly venture into these outer regions to gather firewood, hunt game, and cut timber for construction. To most folk of Bree-land, these familiar edges of the forest are simply another part of daily life, providing resources that have sustained the local communities for generations.

Deeper within the wood, however, the character of the forest changes. The trees grow older and denser, the paths become uncertain, and an uneasy silence often settles beneath the thick canopy. Few villagers willingly travel far into these ancient reaches, and many know little about what lies beyond the areas they regularly visit. Stories passed down through generations speak of forgotten clearings, abandoned refuges, and hidden places long reclaimed by the wilderness. By the late Third Age, most of the old hiding places had fallen into disuse, remembered only by a handful of cautious elders who still concealed portions of their harvest among the trees against hard times.

The southern edge of the forest borders the Great East Road near Staddle and lies not far from the Midgewater Marshes. Though generally peaceful, the region's isolation has occasionally attracted unsavory elements, and travelers sometimes speak of bandits using the deeper woods as a refuge from the law. Even so, the Chetwood remains an enduring landmark of Bree-land, its ancient trees standing watch over the quiet lands of the north.

Barrow-Downs North Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

The Northern Barrow-downs rise east of Bree as a vast region of rolling hills and ancient burial mounds, separated from the settled lands by the overgrown remnants of the old North-South Road. From a distance, the Downs appear peaceful enough, their slopes covered in rich green grass that sways beneath the wind. Countless rounded barrows crown the hills, scattered across the landscape like silent sentinels from a forgotten age.

Beneath these grassy mounds lie the tombs of ancient kings, warriors, and nobles who once ruled the lands of Arnor and the kingdoms that came before it. The region's history stretches back thousands of years. The earliest burial mounds were raised by the Men of the First Age, while many others were constructed during the glory days of Arnor by the Dúnedain of the North Kingdom.

Within these tombs were placed treasures, weapons, armor, and relics of great significance, intended to accompany the dead into the afterlife. Though the kingdoms that built them have long since vanished, the barrows remain, enduring monuments to civilizations whose names have faded into legend.

Yet beneath the tranquil appearance of the Downs lurks something far darker. The people of Bree and the Shire regard the region with deep unease and rarely venture there willingly. Strange mists are known to gather among the hills without warning, obscuring familiar landmarks and turning the landscape into a maze of shadow and uncertainty. Travelers who stray into these fogs sometimes vanish entirely, leaving behind only rumors and fearful speculation. The source of this dread lies within the barrows themselves. Malevolent spirits known as Barrow-wights haunt the ancient tombs, dark servants sent long ago by the Witch-king of Angmar to ensure that the kingdom of Arnor would never rise again.

These undead guardians watch over the treasures hidden beneath the hills and lure the unwary into their cold, lightless chambers. Even in the late Third Age, tales of travelers disappearing among the mounds remain common, making the Northern Barrow-downs one of the most feared and avoided regions in all of Eriador.

Archet Dale Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

Archet Dale is a secluded and rustic area in the greater region of Bree-land, nestled on the very fringes of the large, untamed Chetwood forest. The area is home to the small, primarily human village of Archet, a quiet farming community that maintains little use for the bustling life of larger settlements like nearby Bree-town. The name "Archet" itself, derived from an Old English term meaning "Forest's Edge," perfectly encapsulates its isolated, wooded location.

The geography of Archet Dale is characterized by gently rolling hills and fertile, cultivated fields that provide sustenance for the local populace. The landscape is a mix of open farmland and dense forest, giving the region a peaceful, pastoral feel that, combined with its remoteness, often attracts simple folk and a few resident Hobbits. A soft, canyon-style wash runs through the lower, southern part of the dale, where rainwater collects and moves through the terrain. The only official road connection to the rest of Bree-land is a narrow passage leading southwards toward the village of Combe.

Historically, Archet was founded after the fall of the ancient kingdom of Arnor, a frontier settlement chartered to clean out rogue goblins and secure the area after the Great Northern War. Its original settlement consisted of about thirty-five stone houses, built among the clearings and along the slopes of a small, local hill. The villagers were known for producing a unique, coveted cheese made from the milk of goats that fed on a specific wildflower, the Arinyalasse, which grew exclusively in the dale's immediate surroundings.

In contemporary times, the isolated nature of Archet Dale and its lack of strong authority have drawn the attention of less desirable elements. A formidable band of brigands known as the Blackwolds has established a camp in some old ruins on the eastern outskirts of the dale, plotting misdeeds beyond simple robbery. This has made the once-serene area a place of conflict, transforming it from a peaceful farming community into a dangerous frontier.

The village of Archet has suffered significantly from these incursions. During recent conflicts, the Blackwold brigands launched a devastating assault, resulting in the burning and sacking of many homes and the scattering of the townsfolk. The former bustling town is now in ruins, with many residents having lost their lives. Retired soldier Captain Brackenbrook initially tried to organize a defense, a command later passed to his son, Jon Brackenbrook, who now oversees the somber effort to rebuild and protect what remains of the settlement.

The wilderness surrounding the village also presents natural dangers. The fringes of the Chetwood are not entirely safe, as the area is infested with various creatures, including a monstrous brood of spiders that have overrun nearby locations like Sprigley's Farm and established a lair that stretches to a cave entrance near the Old East Path. This constant threat from both natural and criminal elements ensures that Archet Dale, despite its rustic charm, remains a perilous part of Bree-land's wilder edges.

Far Chetwood Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

The Far Chetwood stretches across the remote northeastern reaches of Bree-land, far beyond the more familiar woodlands that lie near Bree-town and Archet. Nestled between the ridges of Archet Dale and the cold shores of Nen Harn, it marks the boundary between the settled lands of Bree and the harsher wilderness of the North Downs.

Here, dense stands of maple trees dominate the landscape, their broad canopies casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the forest floor. Unlike many regions of Eriador, the Far Chetwood possesses few notable landmarks, lending the woodland an atmosphere of quiet solitude and forgotten beauty.

To those seeking peace and seclusion, the forest can seem almost idyllic. Narrow game trails wind through the trees, leading to small clearings where birdsong and the rustling of leaves are often the only sounds. A modest pond lies hidden among the woods, providing a tranquil place for fishing or rest. The absence of roads, farms, and permanent settlements gives the region a feeling of untouched wilderness, as though time itself moves more slowly beneath the sheltering branches.

Yet this same isolation has allowed dangers to flourish far from the watchful eyes of Bree-land's people. The Far Chetwood is known to attract outlaws and wanderers who prefer to remain unseen. Bands of Blackwold brigands have occasionally established hidden camps deep within the forest, using the tangled woodland as a refuge from pursuit and a base from which to prey upon travelers and nearby settlements. Their presence is rarely obvious until it is too late, and many wise folk avoid venturing too far from the safer edges of the wood.

The natural threats of the Far Chetwood are equally troubling. Unlike the gentler forests closer to Bree, the wildlife here remains truly wild and untamed. Great spiders spin their webs among the darker groves, wargs roam the deeper shadows in search of prey, and tales persist of a solitary wood troll that dwells far from the paths of Men. Though beautiful in its own rugged way, the Far Chetwood remains a place where caution is essential, for beneath its peaceful exterior lies a wilderness that has never been fully conquered.

Journey Rules Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

This system encourages players to find and use Sanctuaries (towns, allied strongholds, special wilderness havens) for full recovery, making wilderness survival a core challenge.

1. Embarkation Phase (Planning the Journey)
▶ Determine Destination and Distance: The Loremaster (LM) determines the distance and the general danger level (e.g., Safe, Perilous, Dangerous) of the terrain the party will traverse.
▶ Assign Roles: The players assign the following roles among themselves. A character can hold only one role:

• Guide: Responsible for the overall pathfinding and the final Arrival roll. This character should have high Wisdom or relevant skills (e.g., knowledge of wilderness).
• Scout: Focuses on avoiding ambushes and obstacles. This character should have high Dexterity or relevant skills (e.g., tracking, stealth).
• Hunter: Ensures the party has food and water. This character should have high Constitution or relevant skills (e.g., foraging, hunting).
• Lookout: Keeps watch during travel and rest, reducing the chance of being surprised. This character should have high Wisdom or relevant skills.

▶ 2. Journeying Phase (On the Road)
The journey is broken down into segments (e.g., one segment per week of travel). For each segment, the party rolls for Journey Events.

• Random Encounters: Instead of rolling for standard random encounters, the LM uses specific Journey Event Tables (which the LM must create or source from AiME material). Events can be beneficial (finding a safe glade, meeting friendly travelers) or harmful (weather, difficult terrain, a dangerous encounter).
• Role Checks: The assigned player for a given role makes a check related to their task. Use a d20 roll against an appropriate Ability Score (e.g., Guide uses Wisdom, Scout uses Dexterity) to resolve the event or specific challenges encountered along the way.
• Resting on the Road: Player-heroes may only take short rests (8 hour rests).

- Successes can provide bonuses to the final Arrival roll or mitigate negative effects.
- Failures can impose penalties, such as using up extra supplies, becoming lost, or acquiring Exhaustion.

▶ 3. Arrival Phase (Destination Reached)
When the party reaches its destination, the Guide makes a final Arrival Roll. This roll is modified by the outcomes of the Role Checks and events during the journey.

• Arrival Roll: The LM sets a difficulty (e.g., a d20 roll, or a 2-in-6 chance on a d6 check depending on OSE style of play). The result determines the party's condition:
- Success: The company arrives in good spirits, full of tales, and potentially with some minor benefits (e.g., a bonus to initial NPC reactions).
- Failure: The party arrives footsore, dispirited, hungry, and exhausted. Characters may gain Exhaustion levels, which impose penalties on future rolls or abilities until properly rested in a Sanctuary.

▶ 4. Key Old-School Essentials Adaptation: Resting and Exhaustion
The critical element to convert is the impact of travel on character endurance:
- No Full Recovery in the Wild: Characters cannot take a "long rest" (recovering all HP and spells) in the wilderness. Full recovery requires reaching a Sanctuary, a place offering safety, comfort, and tranquility (e.g., a friendly village, a well-fortified inn, or a special camp like Beorn's house).
- Exhaustion Mechanics: The LM should define simple OSE-compatible exhaustion rules. A system where each level of exhaustion imposes a cumulative penalty (e.g., -1 to all rolls, ability checks, and potentially movement speed) works well within OSE's minimalist framework. This penalty is only removed when the character rests at a Sanctuary.

Resting Rules Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

Short Rest (Resting in the Wild)
A short rest functions much like a standard 5E long rest in terms of game pacing. It typically represents a night's sleep while travelling or camping in the wilderness.

• Duration: At least 8 hours long (the normal duration for a D&D long rest).
• Conditions: Can be taken in the wilderness, during a journey, or in a dangerous location where the party must set a watch or where the risk of interruption is present.
• Benefits: Characters regain all timered abilities, skils and such once an 8 hour rest is completed.
• Detriments: They do not recover from most levels of Fatigue or Strife (the Exhaustion/Shadow points) beyond the first level.

Long Rest (Sanctuary Rest)
A long rest is a rare and significant event that generally occurs between adventures, during the dedicated Fellowship Phase. It requires a genuinely safe and comfortable location.

• Duration: Typically a period of a few days to a week of downtime, not just 8 hours.
• Conditions: Must be taken in a designated Sanctuary—a safe haven such as a well-fortified town, a friendly Elven outpost, or a secure Dwarven hall where the characters can truly "rest easy" without fear of attack.
• Benefits: This is the only way for characters to fully recover their resources. They regain all lost hit points and all class features/spell slots..

These rules emphasize the perilous nature of the wild and make safe havens vital parts of the campaign narrative, encouraging careful resource management during journeys and dungeon exploration.

The Old Forest Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

The Old Forest is an ancient, dense, and largely untouched woodland located immediately east of Buckland and the Shire's borders. It represents one of the last remnants of the primordial forests that covered much of the continent in ancient times. Geographically, it is a vast, self-contained wilderness bordered by the River Brandywine to the west and the dreaded Barrow-downs to the east. The forest is characterized by a high, irregular canopy that blocks out most sunlight, creating a perpetually gloomy and shadowed interior where travelers easily lose their sense of direction.

The physical appearance of the forest is both intimidating and unnatural. Many trees within are extraordinarily old, with gnarled, twisted trunks and branches that lean over the narrow paths as if examining passersby. The types of trees vary, but ancient oaks, ash, and particularly a species of large, malevolent willow trees along the riverbanks, known as the Withywindle valley, dominate the landscape. The ground is often covered in thick moss and tangled roots, and the atmosphere is heavy with the smell of damp earth and decay.

The forest's most menacing feature is its sentience and malevolence. The trees are not merely passive obstacles; they possess a collective, conscious dislike for the "walking things" that cross their land, particularly humanoids. This latent malice manifests in physical ways: trees subtly shift their positions to confuse paths, drop heavy branches unexpectedly, or lean over to crowd and trap weary travelers against their trunks, slowly crushing them. This makes navigating the forest an exercise in constant psychological and physical defense.

Travel within the Old Forest is further complicated by the River Withywindle, which flows through the heart of the woods. This river valley is the darkest and most dangerous part of the entire forest, a place where the evil will of the trees seems strongest. The willows near the river are particularly dangerous, capable of putting weary travelers into a deep, ensnaring sleep from which they rarely wake. The river itself serves as a conduit for this oppressive power, making the riparian areas death traps.

Due to these inherent dangers, the Old Forest is completely uninhabited by civilized people. The inhabitants of nearby Buckland built the massive High Hay hedge specifically to keep the forest and its pervasive darkness out of their lands. The only resident mentioned is an eccentric, powerful, and mysterious entity known as Tom Bombadil, who lives with his wife Goldberry in a house near the source of the River Withywindle, seemingly immune to and perhaps even the master of the forest's malevolent properties.

Historically, the forest is a place of deep, ancient mystery, a remnant of a world before the ascendancy of men and hobbits. It is a location where the natural world maintains a primal, dark power that refuses to submit to civilization's touch. Its very existence, pressing so close against the inhabited lands of the Shire and Bree-land, serves as a stark reminder of the untamed, dangerous wilderness that lies just beyond the doorstep of safety.

Bree-land Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

In the year 3011 of the Third Age, the land of Bree was a unique and largely self-contained "island of civilization" amidst the growing wilderness of Eriador, about forty miles east of the Shire. It was the only place in Middle-earth where Men and Hobbits lived side-by-side in peaceful coexistence, a tradition that had endured for centuries.

The area was roughly twenty-five miles in diameter, centered around the prominent, bare-topped Bree-hill, which gave the region its name (from the Celtic word for "hill"). The land was a mix of undulating lowlands, fields, and the small Chetwood forest to the north. The climate was temperate, with enough rainfall to support the famous pipe-weed crops grown on the hill's southern slopes.

Four main villages comprised Bree-land, each with its own character. The chief village, Bree itself, was located on the western slopes of the hill where the Great East Road and the Greenway (North Road) intersected. It was a bustling hub and home to both Men and Hobbits, its strategic location making it the most well-known settlement.

Staddle was situated on the south-eastern slopes, primarily inhabited by Hobbits who lived in hobbit-holes and focused on agriculture and gardening. Combe was nestled on the borders of the Chetwood, mainly a settlement of Men living in simple houses. Archet, the northernmost and most secluded village, was deep within the Chetwood and largely populated by Men who valued privacy and quiet living. The people of Bree were generally a cheerful, brown-haired, broad, and somewhat short folk, known for their independence. They were more worldly than the Shire-folk, though their knowledge of external lore and history was limited, and they used unique family names often derived from plants (like "Goatleaf" or "Butterbur").

Their specific dialect of Westron and local proverbs were distinguishing features of their culture. Life revolved around farming, local trade, and the traffic passing through the crossroads, which made Bree surprisingly cosmopolitan. The center of this activity was the famous inn, The Prancing Pony, in the village of Bree. It was a major gathering spot for locals and a variety of travelers, including Dwarves, wandering Men (Rangers), and the occasional Elf or Wizard, serving as the main source of news from the outside world.

The origins of the Bree-men are ancient, tracing back to some of the first Men who wandered west into Eriador during the Elder Days and chose to remain in the region. They were distant relations of the Dunlendings and managed to survive the tumultuous history of the region for millennia, establishing a durable presence around the hill.

In the Second Age, the Númenóreans found them already established around the hill. Later, Bree-land became a prosperous part of the North Kingdom of Arnor, benefiting from its strategic position at the intersection of two major roads connecting distant parts of Middle-earth, linking the north and south, east and west.

Around T.A. 1300, Hobbits, fleeing the gathering darkness in the east, migrated to the area and settled alongside the Men, particularly in Staddle and Bree. The two "Big Folk" and "Little Folk" coexisted harmoniously for centuries, forming a unique mixed society unmatched elsewhere in Middle-earth.

After the fall of the North Kingdom of Arnor, while the rest of Eriador became a desolate wilderness, Bree-land survived as an isolated, self-governing community. Its continued existence was largely due to the unacknowledged protection of the Rangers of the North, the descendants of the Dúnedain kings, who guarded the borders from the shadows, keeping the roads safe for travelers in secret.

Notable Settlements
• Bree
• Staddle
• Combe
• Archet

Geographical Locations
• Chetwood
• Midgewater Marshes
• Midgewater Pass
• South Downs
• Weather Hills
• River Brandywine
• Nen Harn
• The Outlands
• Greenway
• Andrath
• Great East Road
• The Old Forest
• Barrow Downs
• River Witchywindle
• Northern Bree-Fields
• Southern Bree-Fields
• Eastern Bree-Fields
• North Downs
• Girdley Island
• Brandy Hills

Bree Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

The air in Bree is different from the sweet, quiet breezes of the Shire. It carries the scent of pipe-weed smoke, coal fires, and the hustle of folk going about their business. As you approach the village, the land rolls into the sizable, rounded Bree Hill, at the western foot of which the village is nestled. The land around it is open and well-tended, but the wild is never far off. The village itself is surrounded by a deep ditch and a thick, thorny hedge known as the Bree-hedge, with gates that are closed and guarded at nightfall.

Bree is perhaps most renowned for the curious mix of inhabitants who call it home. Here, you find Hobbits—known locally as 'Breelanders', distinct from their rustic cousins in the Shire—living alongside 'Big Folk,' or Men. This mingling of races is a rare sight in Middle-earth, and it gives the place a vibrant, if sometimes wary, atmosphere.

The Men of Bree are a sturdy, rustic people, with a long history of living in these parts, proud of their ancient ways and their small, stable community amidst a darkening world. The layout of the village is practical and compact. Sturdy stone and timber houses cluster along winding, often muddy, lanes. You can find essential services here: a smithy where the ring of the hammer is a constant sound, a general store stocking everything from rope to dried salted fish, and a pony stable, crucial for anyone looking to travel the roads.

The architecture speaks of resilience—built for comfort and defence alike. The heart of the village is the common ground where the main roads meet. The true pulse of Bree, however, beats loudest at The Prancing Pony Inn. It is a large, rambling, and famous establishment, well-known to all travelers on the East-West road and the Greenway. The inn is a haven for wanderers, offering warm firesides, good beer, and sturdy fare. Its landlord, a stout and reliable fellow named Barliman Butterbur, runs a tight ship, though he is often flustered and prone to forgetting things.

The common room is where news and rumors from all corners of Middle-earth are traded freely amongst Dwarves, Men, and the occasional wandering Elf. Life here is steeped in tradition and routine, a small beacon of civilization that has persisted for centuries while greater kingdoms have fallen to ruin. The Breelanders take pride in their self-sufficiency.

They farm the fields of the Bree-land, raise a sturdy breed of pony famed throughout the region, and trade with travelers. Their culture is a unique blend of Hobbit practicality and Manish hardiness, resulting in a people who are cautious of outsiders but hospitable to those who mean them no harm.

Yet, despite its outward cheer and domesticity, Bree exists as a small island in an increasingly dangerous world. The roads leading in and out are often shadowed by uncertainty. Rangers of the North pass through occasionally, offering quiet protection from the darker things that now roam the lands beyond the hedgerows, a service the folk of Bree half-appreciate, half-ignore. The presence of these watchful, weather-beaten men is a silent reminder that safety is not guaranteed here, merely purchased through constant vigilance and the sturdy gates of the village.

For your company of adventurers, Bree represents a crucial crossroads—a place to resupply, gather information, and rest their weary bones before continuing their journey into the unknown. It offers the last true taste of warm civilization before the wilder, darker realms of the East or the desolate, forgotten paths of the South.

As evening falls and the gates close with a heavy thud and scrape of bolts, the true nature of Bree settles in: a tiny bastion of light and community, huddled against the encroaching night of Middle-earth, where the fires of the Prancing Pony burn bright with stories of lands both near and far.

Notable Locations
• Hobbit's Hearth
• Prancing Pony
• The Bree Library
• Mayor's Residence
• Smithy
• Market Square
• Tenements
• Lockhouse
• Timberwheel Wainwright
• Underhill Bakery
• Moneychanger's Shop
• Bree Trading House
• Riverbend Stables

Notable People
• Chissa Underhill
• Tolman & Lily Greenthumb
• Polo Hammidge
• Barliman Butterbur
• Sherrif Bunce

Current Campaigns Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

Our Middle-earth Campaign Listings

Campaign One

Over Hill and Under Hill

Exhaustion Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth All of our adventures & campaigns will take place during the Third Age of Middle-earth. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien & Peter Jackson

Exhaustion plays a big part in Middle-earth—more so than in the core rules. It is something to be carefully monitored by the players, but also by the Loremaster. Don’t forget it is possible to kill a character with exhaustion. Such a fate should be an ever-present threat, but one that rarely comes to pass. Characters should certainly seek to avoid higher levels of exhaustion and be wary of it, but actual death by exhaustion can be a deeply unsatisfying end for a hero. In an ideal world, it is a constant, fearful threat that is never realised.

That said, a foolhardy company who rush out into the wild in the wrong roles, without help, and who are terribly unlucky may find some of their number suffer a terrible end to their adventuring careers. It is important as the Loremaster to call attention when quieter members of the company are reaching the higher levels of exhaustion—it is possible they could die, and the company should consider breaking a journey or finding a place to properly rest during an Adventuring phase.

Exhaustion is measured in six levels.
Level 1: Disadvantage on ability checks
Level 2: Speed halved
Level 3: Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws
Level 4: Hit point maximum halved
Level 5: Speed reduced to 0
Level 6: Death

A level of exhaustion can be removed with a long rest, various Player-hero or NPC abilities, and some forms of wondrous healing. The reward of the removal of a level of exhaustion by thematic means is a valuable tool in the Loremaster’s armoury.