Archet Dale 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

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.