Middle-Earth

The Shire, the land of the Hobbits, is found at the heart of Eriador, bordered by the Brandywine River and the Old Forest to the east, and by the hilly range of the Far Downs to the west. It is a peculiar land, sheltered from the wild regions surrounding it by watchful guardians, and inhabited by a folk that is almost never encountered anywhere else. For very few Hobbits ever leave their land to travel far. They prefer to keep to themselves, enjoying their green land and comfortable traditions. Dwarven traders often pass through the Shire, but never stop for more than what is required to cross it. The existence of Hobbits has been hitherto overlooked by most folks outside Eriador, and their involvement in the great events of the age has been so far of little or no consequence—but there is still time for them to play a part that neither the Enemy nor the Wise have foreseen.