'You know, old Gaffer Gamgee up Hobbiton way was the gardener for Bilbo Baggins for many years, and it could be that he was privy to old Bilbo's secrets. He might have given the Gaffer some adventuring advice! Make your way to Bagshot Row in Hobbiton and see if the Gaffer has any sound advice for a hobbit starting out on a journey!'1/1
1 Speak toGaffer Gamgee (Show dialog)
'What's that? You say Bingo Boffin wants to go on an adventure? Here I thought the Delving-field Boffins were respectable sorts!'
The Gaffer hems and haws for a moment.
'You tell young Bingo the only advice I have for hobbits thinking of leaving the Shire is this: 'don't!' Naught but trouble ever came of a journey. Mr. Bilbo was as well-spoken a hobbit as you could hope to meet, but I'm afeared he mixed up with some downright odd folk abroad. Poor fellow.
'I have no further advice for Mr. Boffin, but I do know that he'll be wanting for foodstuffs on his journey. If you run up to the Appledores on the side of the Hill and pick up some of the fallen apples, I daresay his stomach will be satisfied, even if his head will not! Good day to you!'1/1
2 Use itemPick up fallen apples in the orchard at Appledores (x/6)6/6
3 Speak toGaffer Gamgee (Show dialog)
'This looks to be a fine batch of apples, and should give Mr. Boffin a good start for his journey.
'I don't mind telling you that when the apples run out, I hope he turns around and heads for home! The wild is no place for a hobbit.'1/1
4 Hand inSelection of Apples to Bingo Boffin1/1
5 Use itemPut Selection of Apples in Place for Apples1/1
6 Speak toEsmerelda Burrows (Show dialog)
'You there! Who do you think you are, leaving those apples there? Are they for anyone to take? Where did they come from?'
You are forced to tell Esmerelda that they were a gift for Bingo, but he did not want them.
'Bingo Boffin? Whose birthday was it? And wouldn't his friends know he doesn't like the things? What's that? They were a gift from old Ham Gamgee? A going-away gift?'
Esmerelda's eyes have gained a conspiratorial shine, and you excuse yourself as politely as you can manage.1/1
7 Speak toBingo Boffin (Show dialog)
'You're back, and without the apples! Lovely. I am certain someone will enjoy them. Meanwhile, I bought some supplies from Petunia Greenhand, and should have enough food to last for a good while. But why the long face, Player?'
You tell Bingo that Esmerelda Burrows managed to learn of Bingo's upcoming departure, despite the fact that you barely said a word about it.
'Well, there's nothing to be done, I suppose. If Esmerelda knows, all of Michel Delving will know by the morrow, and the rest of the Shire will be buzzing by next week! It can't be helped.
'The next area in which I must train is physical strength, and I know just how to do it. I will climb the Stocktower! Meet me at the base of the tower, south of the town of Stock, and we can climb the Stocktower together!'1/1
8 Speak toBingo Boffin (Show dialog)
'Huff! Puff! Oh, Player, this was... a bad idea!'
Bingo's face is beet-red, and he is doubled over with exhaustion.
'I say... who knew... this tower was... huff... puff... so tall! I am not going to... go any higher... Hoo! I know a better... a better way....
'Meet me in... in the Golden Perch... Player. It's back in... in the town of Stock....'1/1
9 Speak toBingo Boffin (Show dialog)
'Ah, now this is the best way to build up these arm muscles, my friend: lifting a mug of hearty ale to my lips! I already feel much more prepared for my journey!
'So we have gotten a little advice about adventuring, I purchased some of the supplies I will need, and I have done a little exercise to get in shape for the journey. There is just one more area in which I need to train... but we'll get to that in a little while!'
Next week: 'Sink or Swim' (Recommended Level: 10)1/1