This is a calendar of hobbit events on the LOTRO Laurelin server, typically events in the Shire and hosted by hobbits. If you have events you want added to the calendar, send me a letter!
All times in the calendar are given in current London/UK time. The LOTRO servertime (Boston/US East Coast time) is usually 5 hours behind London time. To see the servertime while in-game, just type /servertime. If you are unsure what London time is in your current time zone, you can use this time zone converter.
Current times are:
- Servertime
- London Time
Colour categories:
- Blue: General announcements of special interest dates (hobbit months, festival periods etc.)
- Green: Public events, open for all hobbits
- Red: Kin events for hobbits in the Grand Order of the Lost Mathom
The yule festival returns! Let’s go to Winterhome again!
Yule Festival dates: Start:12/13/18@10am. End: 1/14/19@3am. All times servertime.
More information about yule at LOTRO Wiki
Date: Every Friday
Time: 7:30PM UK time (usually 2:30PM servertime)
Location: Green Dragon Inn, Bywater, Laurelin server
Weekly hobbit gathering at the Green Dragon inn in Bywater, running ever since May 18 2008. This is an event for and by hobbits, although a few visiting traveling dwarves are always welcome. It is also a 100% in-character event, so don’t go talking about things not belonging in Middle Earth!
Come along for songs, dances, poetry, tales, riddles, news and much grand roleplaying! And do offer yer own entertainment, if yer like!
At other times over the year, GDF will move to other inns in the Shire. The new years party is usually held at the Plough and Stars in Brockenborings, while we always escape Bywater when the mayor hosts the Farmer’s faire in the late summer.
Event guidelines:
Green Dragon Friday is an in-character roleplaying event aiming to replicate a lively hobbit night at the inn. We try to enable a healthy lively hobbit roleplayer community here on Laurelin. To help us do this, please follow these guidelines:
Short version:
- Be a hobbit!
- Be in-character, talk about things belonging in Middle-Earth. That also goes for entertainment!
- Avoid forced emotes, unnatural pets inside, spamming with emotes, etc.!
- Take part, be active!
- Try avoid multi-boxing!
- Keep news and events relevant for Shire hobbits!
- Acknowledge what others are doing, spread out if things are too busy!
Longer version:
- While travelling dwarves are welcome to stop at the inn for a refreshing ale during their travels, we ask that elves and menfolk do not attend the event. Men and elves were rarely (if ever) seen in the Shire villages, and especially not the inns. However, if yer have quests to do at the inn, by all means come inside to finish them
- Be in-character – be a hobbit! Keep player interactions (chats, emotes) and entertainment in-character, basically by talking about the things that hobbits in Middle-Earth would. Don’t discuss real-life modern-day things, game mechanics, etc.
- Avoid using forced emotes, setting off fireworks inside, bringing pets that wouldn’t belong in an inn, throwing 3000 snowballs, emote spamming, etc.
- Be active and engage with the others. It is better to participate than to just stand around waiting for others to entertain you (however, feel free to come observe things the first few times).
- Avoid multi-boxing with lots of alts. Yes, we know that you love to pull off that fat sound of a many-musician band. However, when the room is full of similarly-clad robots marching in line (if they move at all), who don’t respond when you talk to them, things get rather creepy and the immersion we look for is often ruined.
- Entertainers are very welcome! Just sign up with the hobbit hosting the event, preferably by a /tell. Note that we absolutely love solo bards/performers – a lone lute-player is often better suited for the inn setting than a huge band. Also note that we absolutely love other kinds of entertainment than music: Poems, stories, riddles, the latest news from the Shire… lovely! If you want to play music, it is grand if yer aim for a folksy hobbity vibe, with reels, jigs, waltzes, hornpipes and the likes.
- Gossip and news is very welcome! This helps bring life to the event and the roleplaying in the Shire. Just remember to keep things in-character. Related to events: We generally don’t advertise events held on other servers, events not of hobbit interest, events not held in the Shire or events not of a roleplaying character.
- The inn can sometimes be busy, especially near the entertainment fireplace. It is good if you keep this in mind when interacting with others, go into crowds to talk to someone, etc. Some examples: If someone is reciting a stirring poem from the battle of Greenfields, it is probably good to wait a bit to run up and say hello to them. If someone is regaling the crowd with an exciting tale, it can undermine the mood if you move two feet away from them and talk about things not related to the tale at all. If you’re doing a deep discussion with just one other person there, it could make sense to move away from the busiest part of the inn, for instance to the bar or another corner. This is mostly a matter of acknowledging what is going on at the inn and making an attempt of not undermining the roleplaying efforts of others.
Additionally, we ask that participants follow the roleplaying rules and policy for Laurelin, with regard to player names, chat behaviour and harassment.
Lastly, while the above may sound like a long list of rules, don’t worry too much! Them hobbits are a friendly and tolerant lot, eager to welcome new visitors to the inn. See yer there!
Questions about the event?
Contact: Lina, Grand Order of the Lost Mathom.
The Brandy Badgers go wassailing in the Shire again, singing songs to wish all the local farmers a good harvest.
Oh, and to sample some ales. Or ciders? Aye! Lots! We hope yer will join us!
Date: Monday January 7
Time: 7:30PM UK (2:30PM servertime)
Location: Longo Burrow’s farm, Tuckborough. Then off to Bywater and Hobbiton.
Event details:
The new year brings new beginnings and new hopes. Of course, one hope close to our hearts is to have a plentiful harvest, and not least to have good cider and ales to bring us through the cold of next winter.
To help this along, the Brandy Badgers will go wassailing at various Shire farms, singing songs and wishing the farmers a fine harvest. We’ll follow this route:
- Longo Burrow’s farm, Tuckborough
- Tom Cotton’s farm, Bywater
- Olo Proudfoot’s farm, Hobbiton
We hope that you all will join us during the wassail!
The new year has come,
New cycle begun.
May your home be blessed,
Your woes put to rest.
May blossom your tree,
Good cider we see.
OOC:
Come join the fun for good-natured hobbit banter, a fine walk through the Shire, festive music and quite a bit to drink. This is a hobbit-preferred event, but should you have good reasons to visit the Shire and join our merry singing hobbits on the walk, then do come along!
Last year we managed to make a lot of apple trees grow in the Hobbiton farm fields. We hope to make it happen this year too, so please help with that if yer able to!
Remember, we’ll start at Longo Burrow’s farm just north of Tuckborough, then walk around. If you don’t find us, just send a tell to the organizers.
A little more information about wassailing!
The purpose of a wassail is generally to wake the cider trees (or other crops) at a farm for the next harvest, and to chase away any ill spirits that have taken shelter in the orchards or fields during the winter. To do this, we’ll wander between the three farms mentioned above.
At each place, the likely schedule is:
- All will be wished welcome
- The Badgers will play a few tunes to warm up the orchards
- There will be a short wassail incantation/rhyme
- After the incantation, all are encouraged to make as much noise as possible (fireworks, drums, shouts etc) to chase away any ill spirits that may prove a danger to the good harvest.
- Some splashing of cider is also encouraged during this phase, as a gift to the trees and orchards and to show them the fruits of the last harvest.
And off to the next place!
Date: Every Friday
Time: 7:30PM UK time (usually 2:30PM servertime)
Location: Green Dragon Inn, Bywater, Laurelin server
Weekly hobbit gathering at the Green Dragon inn in Bywater, running ever since May 18 2008. This is an event for and by hobbits, although a few visiting traveling dwarves are always welcome. It is also a 100% in-character event, so don’t go talking about things not belonging in Middle Earth!
Come along for songs, dances, poetry, tales, riddles, news and much grand roleplaying! And do offer yer own entertainment, if yer like!
At other times over the year, GDF will move to other inns in the Shire. The new years party is usually held at the Plough and Stars in Brockenborings, while we always escape Bywater when the mayor hosts the Farmer’s faire in the late summer.
Event guidelines:
Green Dragon Friday is an in-character roleplaying event aiming to replicate a lively hobbit night at the inn. We try to enable a healthy lively hobbit roleplayer community here on Laurelin. To help us do this, please follow these guidelines:
Short version:
- Be a hobbit!
- Be in-character, talk about things belonging in Middle-Earth. That also goes for entertainment!
- Avoid forced emotes, unnatural pets inside, spamming with emotes, etc.!
- Take part, be active!
- Try avoid multi-boxing!
- Keep news and events relevant for Shire hobbits!
- Acknowledge what others are doing, spread out if things are too busy!
Longer version:
- While travelling dwarves are welcome to stop at the inn for a refreshing ale during their travels, we ask that elves and menfolk do not attend the event. Men and elves were rarely (if ever) seen in the Shire villages, and especially not the inns. However, if yer have quests to do at the inn, by all means come inside to finish them
- Be in-character – be a hobbit! Keep player interactions (chats, emotes) and entertainment in-character, basically by talking about the things that hobbits in Middle-Earth would. Don’t discuss real-life modern-day things, game mechanics, etc.
- Avoid using forced emotes, setting off fireworks inside, bringing pets that wouldn’t belong in an inn, throwing 3000 snowballs, emote spamming, etc.
- Be active and engage with the others. It is better to participate than to just stand around waiting for others to entertain you (however, feel free to come observe things the first few times).
- Avoid multi-boxing with lots of alts. Yes, we know that you love to pull off that fat sound of a many-musician band. However, when the room is full of similarly-clad robots marching in line (if they move at all), who don’t respond when you talk to them, things get rather creepy and the immersion we look for is often ruined.
- Entertainers are very welcome! Just sign up with the hobbit hosting the event, preferably by a /tell. Note that we absolutely love solo bards/performers – a lone lute-player is often better suited for the inn setting than a huge band. Also note that we absolutely love other kinds of entertainment than music: Poems, stories, riddles, the latest news from the Shire… lovely! If you want to play music, it is grand if yer aim for a folksy hobbity vibe, with reels, jigs, waltzes, hornpipes and the likes.
- Gossip and news is very welcome! This helps bring life to the event and the roleplaying in the Shire. Just remember to keep things in-character. Related to events: We generally don’t advertise events held on other servers, events not of hobbit interest, events not held in the Shire or events not of a roleplaying character.
- The inn can sometimes be busy, especially near the entertainment fireplace. It is good if you keep this in mind when interacting with others, go into crowds to talk to someone, etc. Some examples: If someone is reciting a stirring poem from the battle of Greenfields, it is probably good to wait a bit to run up and say hello to them. If someone is regaling the crowd with an exciting tale, it can undermine the mood if you move two feet away from them and talk about things not related to the tale at all. If you’re doing a deep discussion with just one other person there, it could make sense to move away from the busiest part of the inn, for instance to the bar or another corner. This is mostly a matter of acknowledging what is going on at the inn and making an attempt of not undermining the roleplaying efforts of others.
Additionally, we ask that participants follow the roleplaying rules and policy for Laurelin, with regard to player names, chat behaviour and harassment.
Lastly, while the above may sound like a long list of rules, don’t worry too much! Them hobbits are a friendly and tolerant lot, eager to welcome new visitors to the inn. See yer there!
Questions about the event?
Contact: Lina, Grand Order of the Lost Mathom.
There’s a new museum opening in Gladcreek!
The Eldar Shire Scholars Museum & Library is proud ter announce its Grand Opening!
And there is a birthday to celebreate too!
What: The Eldar Shire Scholars Museum & Library GRAND OPENING
Where: 4 Brookbank, Gladcreek, Southfarthing – THE SHIRE
When: Saturday January 12, 7:30 pm (UK Time)
One of my Elfish Guardians, Miss Laureliniel, thought it would be grand fer me to finally set up a museum devoted to Hobbitses & Elfses Scholarship. As I was raised in Rivendell and have now lived in The Shire for many years and devoted myself to mathom studies, she thought I was uniquely qualified to manage it. To that end she has established “The Eldar Shire Scholars” for me.
I haven’t had the chance ter celebrate my birthday in the Shire at all… so I thought I might finally do sommat about that – so the Grand Opening is my way of sharing my birthday with Shirefolk and friends.
Entertainment would be grand so all bands, bards, and poetical folk are welcome, payment in all yer can eat from the cafe!
Miss Mollywobbles Puddingdale
Senior Curator & Scholar, Eldar Shire Scholars Museum & Library
Grand Order of the Lost Mathom
Biweekly hobbit market in Michel Delving, held at the ovens and crafting area!
Time: 7:30PM UK time
Location: Michel Delving ovens and crafting area
Especially good for young hobbits setting out on their journeys in Middle Earth, since they can get quality goods fer reasonable prices. More information here!
Contact: Tibba and Nimelia, Grand Order of the Lost Mathom.
Biweekly hobbit market in Michel Delving, held at the ovens and crafting area!
Time: 7:30PM UK time
Location: Michel Delving ovens and crafting area
Especially good for young hobbits setting out on their journeys in Middle Earth, since they can get quality goods fer reasonable prices. More information here!
Contact: Tibba and Nimelia, Grand Order of the Lost Mathom.
Date: Every Friday
Time: 7:30PM UK time (usually 2:30PM servertime)
Location: Green Dragon Inn, Bywater, Laurelin server
Weekly hobbit gathering at the Green Dragon inn in Bywater, running ever since May 18 2008. This is an event for and by hobbits, although a few visiting traveling dwarves are always welcome. It is also a 100% in-character event, so don’t go talking about things not belonging in Middle Earth!
Come along for songs, dances, poetry, tales, riddles, news and much grand roleplaying! And do offer yer own entertainment, if yer like!
At other times over the year, GDF will move to other inns in the Shire. The new years party is usually held at the Plough and Stars in Brockenborings, while we always escape Bywater when the mayor hosts the Farmer’s faire in the late summer.
Event guidelines:
Green Dragon Friday is an in-character roleplaying event aiming to replicate a lively hobbit night at the inn. We try to enable a healthy lively hobbit roleplayer community here on Laurelin. To help us do this, please follow these guidelines:
Short version:
- Be a hobbit!
- Be in-character, talk about things belonging in Middle-Earth. That also goes for entertainment!
- Avoid forced emotes, unnatural pets inside, spamming with emotes, etc.!
- Take part, be active!
- Try avoid multi-boxing!
- Keep news and events relevant for Shire hobbits!
- Acknowledge what others are doing, spread out if things are too busy!
Longer version:
- While travelling dwarves are welcome to stop at the inn for a refreshing ale during their travels, we ask that elves and menfolk do not attend the event. Men and elves were rarely (if ever) seen in the Shire villages, and especially not the inns. However, if yer have quests to do at the inn, by all means come inside to finish them
- Be in-character – be a hobbit! Keep player interactions (chats, emotes) and entertainment in-character, basically by talking about the things that hobbits in Middle-Earth would. Don’t discuss real-life modern-day things, game mechanics, etc.
- Avoid using forced emotes, setting off fireworks inside, bringing pets that wouldn’t belong in an inn, throwing 3000 snowballs, emote spamming, etc.
- Be active and engage with the others. It is better to participate than to just stand around waiting for others to entertain you (however, feel free to come observe things the first few times).
- Avoid multi-boxing with lots of alts. Yes, we know that you love to pull off that fat sound of a many-musician band. However, when the room is full of similarly-clad robots marching in line (if they move at all), who don’t respond when you talk to them, things get rather creepy and the immersion we look for is often ruined.
- Entertainers are very welcome! Just sign up with the hobbit hosting the event, preferably by a /tell. Note that we absolutely love solo bards/performers – a lone lute-player is often better suited for the inn setting than a huge band. Also note that we absolutely love other kinds of entertainment than music: Poems, stories, riddles, the latest news from the Shire… lovely! If you want to play music, it is grand if yer aim for a folksy hobbity vibe, with reels, jigs, waltzes, hornpipes and the likes.
- Gossip and news is very welcome! This helps bring life to the event and the roleplaying in the Shire. Just remember to keep things in-character. Related to events: We generally don’t advertise events held on other servers, events not of hobbit interest, events not held in the Shire or events not of a roleplaying character.
- The inn can sometimes be busy, especially near the entertainment fireplace. It is good if you keep this in mind when interacting with others, go into crowds to talk to someone, etc. Some examples: If someone is reciting a stirring poem from the battle of Greenfields, it is probably good to wait a bit to run up and say hello to them. If someone is regaling the crowd with an exciting tale, it can undermine the mood if you move two feet away from them and talk about things not related to the tale at all. If you’re doing a deep discussion with just one other person there, it could make sense to move away from the busiest part of the inn, for instance to the bar or another corner. This is mostly a matter of acknowledging what is going on at the inn and making an attempt of not undermining the roleplaying efforts of others.
Additionally, we ask that participants follow the roleplaying rules and policy for Laurelin, with regard to player names, chat behaviour and harassment.
Lastly, while the above may sound like a long list of rules, don’t worry too much! Them hobbits are a friendly and tolerant lot, eager to welcome new visitors to the inn. See yer there!
Questions about the event?
Contact: Lina, Grand Order of the Lost Mathom.
Winterstock is on this weekend. Them even say that the Brandy Badgers have woken up from their winter snooze to go visit there. Who will herd them rascally berry-eaters over there, though? Come see on Sunday!
Date: Sunday January 20
Time: 7PM UK time (2PM servertime)
Location: Landroval server, Thorin’s Gate, small lake just pond of Frerin’s Court (near Silver Deep Mine)
The annual Winterstock Music Festival, presented by the Lonely Mountain Band. All shows will be held at the frozen pond next to the lower-entrance to the Silver Deep Mine in Thorin’s Gate ((Ered Luin region: 14.6S, 102.2W)). There will also be pie, ale, and pipeweed, but do dress warmly! Lots of bands will play over the weekend, including several from Laurelin.
The Songburrow Strollers played at Winterstock in 2014, while the Strollers herded the Badgers there in 2015. The Badgers played on their own in 2017 and 2018, and they will do so this time too. Would some kind hobbit put out a trail of berries for them, hm? Or perhaps we need to hire us some herders…
Come along, bounce and dance, and bring berries to feed the Badgers!
To attend the event, you will have to roll up a character on the Landroval server. The event is held in a safe, low-level zone, so you won’t have to level up much to attend. Just get out of the starter zone, and you can hitch a ride to Thorin’s Gate and follow the stream of folks towards the pond.
Please note: While us Grand Order hobbits on occasion visit other servers, our home is, has always been and will be on Laurelin. So this is a rare visit for most of us to furrin lands!
Sunday’s schedule is below. For the full schedule, see the Winterstock site
Date: Every Friday
Time: 7:30PM UK time (usually 2:30PM servertime)
Location: Green Dragon Inn, Bywater, Laurelin server
Weekly hobbit gathering at the Green Dragon inn in Bywater, running ever since May 18 2008. This is an event for and by hobbits, although a few visiting traveling dwarves are always welcome. It is also a 100% in-character event, so don’t go talking about things not belonging in Middle Earth!
Come along for songs, dances, poetry, tales, riddles, news and much grand roleplaying! And do offer yer own entertainment, if yer like!
At other times over the year, GDF will move to other inns in the Shire. The new years party is usually held at the Plough and Stars in Brockenborings, while we always escape Bywater when the mayor hosts the Farmer’s faire in the late summer.
Event guidelines:
Green Dragon Friday is an in-character roleplaying event aiming to replicate a lively hobbit night at the inn. We try to enable a healthy lively hobbit roleplayer community here on Laurelin. To help us do this, please follow these guidelines:
Short version:
- Be a hobbit!
- Be in-character, talk about things belonging in Middle-Earth. That also goes for entertainment!
- Avoid forced emotes, unnatural pets inside, spamming with emotes, etc.!
- Take part, be active!
- Try avoid multi-boxing!
- Keep news and events relevant for Shire hobbits!
- Acknowledge what others are doing, spread out if things are too busy!
Longer version:
- While travelling dwarves are welcome to stop at the inn for a refreshing ale during their travels, we ask that elves and menfolk do not attend the event. Men and elves were rarely (if ever) seen in the Shire villages, and especially not the inns. However, if yer have quests to do at the inn, by all means come inside to finish them
- Be in-character – be a hobbit! Keep player interactions (chats, emotes) and entertainment in-character, basically by talking about the things that hobbits in Middle-Earth would. Don’t discuss real-life modern-day things, game mechanics, etc.
- Avoid using forced emotes, setting off fireworks inside, bringing pets that wouldn’t belong in an inn, throwing 3000 snowballs, emote spamming, etc.
- Be active and engage with the others. It is better to participate than to just stand around waiting for others to entertain you (however, feel free to come observe things the first few times).
- Avoid multi-boxing with lots of alts. Yes, we know that you love to pull off that fat sound of a many-musician band. However, when the room is full of similarly-clad robots marching in line (if they move at all), who don’t respond when you talk to them, things get rather creepy and the immersion we look for is often ruined.
- Entertainers are very welcome! Just sign up with the hobbit hosting the event, preferably by a /tell. Note that we absolutely love solo bards/performers – a lone lute-player is often better suited for the inn setting than a huge band. Also note that we absolutely love other kinds of entertainment than music: Poems, stories, riddles, the latest news from the Shire… lovely! If you want to play music, it is grand if yer aim for a folksy hobbity vibe, with reels, jigs, waltzes, hornpipes and the likes.
- Gossip and news is very welcome! This helps bring life to the event and the roleplaying in the Shire. Just remember to keep things in-character. Related to events: We generally don’t advertise events held on other servers, events not of hobbit interest, events not held in the Shire or events not of a roleplaying character.
- The inn can sometimes be busy, especially near the entertainment fireplace. It is good if you keep this in mind when interacting with others, go into crowds to talk to someone, etc. Some examples: If someone is reciting a stirring poem from the battle of Greenfields, it is probably good to wait a bit to run up and say hello to them. If someone is regaling the crowd with an exciting tale, it can undermine the mood if you move two feet away from them and talk about things not related to the tale at all. If you’re doing a deep discussion with just one other person there, it could make sense to move away from the busiest part of the inn, for instance to the bar or another corner. This is mostly a matter of acknowledging what is going on at the inn and making an attempt of not undermining the roleplaying efforts of others.
Additionally, we ask that participants follow the roleplaying rules and policy for Laurelin, with regard to player names, chat behaviour and harassment.
Lastly, while the above may sound like a long list of rules, don’t worry too much! Them hobbits are a friendly and tolerant lot, eager to welcome new visitors to the inn. See yer there!
Questions about the event?
Contact: Lina, Grand Order of the Lost Mathom.
Biweekly hobbit market in Michel Delving, held at the ovens and crafting area!
Time: 7:30PM UK time
Location: Michel Delving ovens and crafting area
Especially good for young hobbits setting out on their journeys in Middle Earth, since they can get quality goods fer reasonable prices. More information here!
Contact: Tibba and Nimelia, Grand Order of the Lost Mathom.
Biweekly hobbit market in Michel Delving, held at the ovens and crafting area!
Time: 7:30PM UK time
Location: Michel Delving ovens and crafting area
Especially good for young hobbits setting out on their journeys in Middle Earth, since they can get quality goods fer reasonable prices. More information here!
Contact: Tibba and Nimelia, Grand Order of the Lost Mathom.
Date: Every Friday
Time: 7:30PM UK time (usually 2:30PM servertime)
Location: Green Dragon Inn, Bywater, Laurelin server
Weekly hobbit gathering at the Green Dragon inn in Bywater, running ever since May 18 2008. This is an event for and by hobbits, although a few visiting traveling dwarves are always welcome. It is also a 100% in-character event, so don’t go talking about things not belonging in Middle Earth!
Come along for songs, dances, poetry, tales, riddles, news and much grand roleplaying! And do offer yer own entertainment, if yer like!
At other times over the year, GDF will move to other inns in the Shire. The new years party is usually held at the Plough and Stars in Brockenborings, while we always escape Bywater when the mayor hosts the Farmer’s faire in the late summer.
Event guidelines:
Green Dragon Friday is an in-character roleplaying event aiming to replicate a lively hobbit night at the inn. We try to enable a healthy lively hobbit roleplayer community here on Laurelin. To help us do this, please follow these guidelines:
Short version:
- Be a hobbit!
- Be in-character, talk about things belonging in Middle-Earth. That also goes for entertainment!
- Avoid forced emotes, unnatural pets inside, spamming with emotes, etc.!
- Take part, be active!
- Try avoid multi-boxing!
- Keep news and events relevant for Shire hobbits!
- Acknowledge what others are doing, spread out if things are too busy!
Longer version:
- While travelling dwarves are welcome to stop at the inn for a refreshing ale during their travels, we ask that elves and menfolk do not attend the event. Men and elves were rarely (if ever) seen in the Shire villages, and especially not the inns. However, if yer have quests to do at the inn, by all means come inside to finish them
- Be in-character – be a hobbit! Keep player interactions (chats, emotes) and entertainment in-character, basically by talking about the things that hobbits in Middle-Earth would. Don’t discuss real-life modern-day things, game mechanics, etc.
- Avoid using forced emotes, setting off fireworks inside, bringing pets that wouldn’t belong in an inn, throwing 3000 snowballs, emote spamming, etc.
- Be active and engage with the others. It is better to participate than to just stand around waiting for others to entertain you (however, feel free to come observe things the first few times).
- Avoid multi-boxing with lots of alts. Yes, we know that you love to pull off that fat sound of a many-musician band. However, when the room is full of similarly-clad robots marching in line (if they move at all), who don’t respond when you talk to them, things get rather creepy and the immersion we look for is often ruined.
- Entertainers are very welcome! Just sign up with the hobbit hosting the event, preferably by a /tell. Note that we absolutely love solo bards/performers – a lone lute-player is often better suited for the inn setting than a huge band. Also note that we absolutely love other kinds of entertainment than music: Poems, stories, riddles, the latest news from the Shire… lovely! If you want to play music, it is grand if yer aim for a folksy hobbity vibe, with reels, jigs, waltzes, hornpipes and the likes.
- Gossip and news is very welcome! This helps bring life to the event and the roleplaying in the Shire. Just remember to keep things in-character. Related to events: We generally don’t advertise events held on other servers, events not of hobbit interest, events not held in the Shire or events not of a roleplaying character.
- The inn can sometimes be busy, especially near the entertainment fireplace. It is good if you keep this in mind when interacting with others, go into crowds to talk to someone, etc. Some examples: If someone is reciting a stirring poem from the battle of Greenfields, it is probably good to wait a bit to run up and say hello to them. If someone is regaling the crowd with an exciting tale, it can undermine the mood if you move two feet away from them and talk about things not related to the tale at all. If you’re doing a deep discussion with just one other person there, it could make sense to move away from the busiest part of the inn, for instance to the bar or another corner. This is mostly a matter of acknowledging what is going on at the inn and making an attempt of not undermining the roleplaying efforts of others.
Additionally, we ask that participants follow the roleplaying rules and policy for Laurelin, with regard to player names, chat behaviour and harassment.
Lastly, while the above may sound like a long list of rules, don’t worry too much! Them hobbits are a friendly and tolerant lot, eager to welcome new visitors to the inn. See yer there!
Questions about the event?
Contact: Lina, Grand Order of the Lost Mathom.
Tall tales or short stories?
The new year brings new things to the hobbit community!
The Songburrow Story Club starts in early February!
Date: Sunday 3rd February
Time: 7:30PM UK (2:30PM servertime)
Location: Songburrow Hall, Songburrow, 4 Brookbank Street, Shire homesteads, Laurelin server
Hobbits love a good story, and you can hear many good ones at the Shire inns, told by gammers and other storytellers. But inns can be busy and loud sometimes, and some people prefer more peaceful places for storytelling. I am fond of stories, so I wanted to start a storytelling club in my home village, Songburrow. I would like to make this a recurring event (maybe a quarterly event), but that depends on how many folks are interested in participating, and how often.
What happens at the Songburrow Story Club?
The Songburrow Story Club is an open event for hobbits who love stories. You can either come as a storyteller or a listener – anyone is welcome. The meetings will be informal and relaxed, allowing folks to have free interaction with each other. However, we will have some special themes for each meeting – for example, I might ask folks to prepare a story or a poem beforehand on a particular topic. But all that is voluntary though – this is not the Homework Club, after all! Also, we might do some storytelling games, like a Round Robin Story. We might share some gossip as well. And of course, any stories and poems are welcome to this event, you don’t have to stick to the special theme nor make anything brand new for the meetings. The special themes serve merely as an inspiration for folks who’d like to write something new, but you can certainly divert from them and share something else too. If you miss the meeting, you can always share your writings at the weekly Green Dragon Fridays where stories are very much welcome.
Our first meeting will be on 3rd February 2019 starting at seven and half bells inside the Songburrow Hall. Here are the plans for our first meeting:
- Welcome words and a toast for the new club
- Introduction of participants, if there are new hobbits around
- Special theme of the meeting: A story from your childhood
- We might also have other stories, games, and gossip
- Possible plans and ideas for the next meeting
The special theme: A story from your childhood
Our first special topic is quite simple: a story from your childhood. You can either prepare a detailed story of something that happened in your childhood or just describe the case just in a few words. The others might have questions though, so be prepared to answer their queries if needed. It would be grand to learn more of our backgrounds. Maybe you took part in some mischief in your tweens? Maybe you had an odd neighbour who you feared as a small hobbit? Did your wild imagination lead you to unexpected adventures in your own neighbourhood? Share your childhood tale as a story, a poem or just with a few words!
So, welcome all story lovers! I look forward to seeing many of you in February. Oh, and I will make sure that there will be pie for all.
OOC:
This is a roleplaying event for hobbits, although some travelling dwarves might also come and stop by. If you are a storyteller, you might find Simbo’s Poetical plugin useful. The main purpose of this event is to give us hobbits a chance to roleplay our characters, give folks inspiration to write creatively in the LOTRO setting and just have some relaxed fun together.
Please keep the length of your stories reasonable – max 15 minutes telling your story in-game – so that one story won’t take the whole evening to tell. The event itself will last about 1–1,5 hours, depending how any stories we have. Welcome all hobbit roleplayers, both old and new!