Choose my Adventure: Reaching Rivendell

Join me as I brave my way through lands unknown in an adventure dictated entirely by you, the Massively readers! Vote for everything from game played to character creation to ultimate goal and watch it unfold in a series of journals and galleries here on the site. Then, as the ultimate goal is reached, we'll do it all over again in a new game!

As the Massive Hobbits recovered from last week's beating by Grimbark, we spent this week showing Book 3 who's boss. Now well into the eastern North Downs, the Trollshaws and finally Rivendell, we're suited up and ready to finish out the LotRO edition of Choose my Adventure in style next week.

So what will we do for our final adventure in Middle-earth? Vote on this week's poll, follow along on Gibbi the Hobbit's in-character portrayal and read my impressions of how the game has been going so far -- all after the jump.

Word was soon spreading that the great evil was consuming the lands to the north, and Gibbi knew they needed to venture to the ranger city of Esteldin, in the North Downs. He was told of a man there named Halbarad who would know more about what dangers they faced, and how to stop them. Messengers on horseback could be seen racing from town to town, rallying the free races against the evil of the one known as Sauron.

"While the eyes of Esteldín have been turned to the east, news from west and south tells me that the Enemy is moving on many fronts." Halbarad told Gibbi, once they had arrived. "I fear that the strength of Esteldín is nearly spent, and alone we cannot face this greater threat."

"You have the aid of the Hobbits, my friend!" Gibbi proclaimed. Despite Halbarad's somber tone, this lifted a brief smile from the ranger.

"We need all Free Peoples of the North Downs, friend hobbit." Halbarad said. "This includes dwarves, elves and men as well. Do whatever you need to win over the others. We need all of their help, and quickly!"

So the group acted as messengers themselves that day, although the aid of a pony or two would have certainly helped their cause. They ran from Kingsfell to the elven outpost at Meluinen. They ran up to the dwarven city of Othrikar and all the way over to the great Trestlebridge and Fields of Fornost. The Orc Advance was closing in on all sides, and Gibbi began to worry about The Shire, and how it was doing these days. Not too many hobbits could fend for themselves against even a small band of ruthless orcs.

After several days of running, fighting and rallying, the group finally was able to return with good news for Halbarad. He was quite delighted to learn that the dwarves, men and elves were going to join him in defeating the evil races that were infiltrating their land. Judging by the look on Gibbi's face, the ranger thought best not ask them what tasks they were asked to do in order to get the other races to agree to Halbarad's plan.

"You've done well, my friends. We will assemble this new council to decide what we shall do about the imposing threat. But first, there is one more task I ask of you."

Capeo sighed a bit, then quickly blushed when he realized that the others in the room had heard him.

"My chieftain, Aragorn, must be told of what has transpired here." Halbarad said before the room erupted in chatter.

"Aragorn! Yes, we know of him, and we've held council with him before!" Gibbi was so excited that his travels have come full circle. He would be very pleased to see the ranger once again, as would the others.

"By now, Aragorn should have arrived at the refuge of Rivendell in the Trollshaws. It is a hard ride that awaits you, but word must be taken to Aragorn of these matters. Look for him in one of the guest rooms along the road that winds up the southern slope of the Vale of Imladris." Halbarad knew the journey would be certain death for most travelers, but he had faith in this small group. He never told them, but it was no accident that they happened upon the call to arms. Halbarad -- as well as Aragorn -- requested the Massive Hobbits personally, based on their bravery and devotion to the cause.

Gibbi and his crew headed back through the dangerous lands of Dol Dinen, and over the mountain pass that introduced them to their old familiar friend: the Lone-lands. Once they reached Ost Guruth, they refreshed their provisions and ventured eastward across the Last Bridge and into the Trollshaws. This area was new to the Massive Hobbits, but they were excited to see that it wasn't as gloomy as they'd imagined. Lush forests, rolling hills and flowing streams made up the land, and they would have loved to see more of it, yet they spent most of their time running from bears the size of trolls! They were specifically given one instruction when facing the creatures that inhabited the Trollshaws: run from them! They recognized death when it stared them in their faces, so they opted to evade, rather than repeat the trials of Grimbark.

The trek was difficult, considering the fact that they were running at such a steep uphill climb, while fearing for their lives the whole way. Yet, once they reached the peak at the gates of Imladris, they all collectively gasped when their eyes fell upon the beauty before them. The entrance to the Rivendell Valley is heavily guarded for two reasons: one, to prevent any attacks on the Elven capital city, and two, because those who first see the valley can do nothing but stare.

"It's..."

"Amazing!" Binkylo finished Cehrah's thought for her.

As entrancing as the view was, they knew they still had a job to do. Coming upon the guest house that Halbarad had described, Gibbi opened the door to see a noble, golden-haired elf standing near a gruff dwarf in the main entryway. They both shot him a suspicious glance, as the elf asked their business.

"We're here to see Stri... I mean, Aragorn, sir elf." Gibbi stammered. He had no idea who these two were, but if they are the personal guards of the great ranger, they must be fierce in combat!

The dwarf narrowed an eye and pointed to the next room. "Hobbits," he spat.

The group entered the room to see their friend Aragorn talking with another man, most likely another ranger. Gibbi doesn't remember a time he'd seen a man who wasn't a ranger!

"Gibbi! It is good to see you, and the rest of you as well! I feared your journey would be longer, but I am happy to see you all here so quickly. Where are the rest? Weren't there more of you?"

Gibbi's gaze dropped to the floor as he explained to Aragorn what had happened to their kinship. Some had returned to their farms and their families, while others had found better lives in the cities they visited along the way. He was especially sad when explaining what had happened to Andyna, as her battle wounds had prevented her from continuing with them after the Forsaken Inn.

"You may be pleasantly surprised to find that your friend Andyna will join you again today," Aragorn revealed. "She is resting with the other hobbits, and Gandalf at Elrond's home, just east of here along the river."

Gibbi and the rest enthusiastically thanked Aragorn for his help and ran off to Elrond's home. Just think, Andyna is here, Gandalf is here, and more hobbits! Could it all be true? When they reached the Elven King's enormous home, they burst open the doors to find a maze of hallways, levels and rooms to explore.

"Pardon me, kind elf. Would you happen to know the way to a room full of hobbits, and a wizard, by chance?" Feldalor asked the first elf he saw.

Following the chuckling elf's direction, the group found the room and was happy to see everyone there. Gandalf looked exactly the way he had the last time they'd seen him all those months ago, and Andyna was well-rested and completely recovered from her injuries, thanks to the care of the elves.

"I don't believe we've met." Gibbi said, extending a hand to the two hobbits standing quietly in the corner of the room.

"I am Frodo, Frodo Baggins, and this is my companion Samwise Gamgee." The smaller of the two happily exclaimed.

After a lengthy tour of Elrond's home, and a hearty meal, the group rested outside on the eastern porch of the house, telling stories and sharing experiences. It was then that Gibbi and the others learned that Frodo and Samwise were part of the original fellowship that Aragorn had told them about back at the Prancing Pony. They are the reason for everything, from the orc advancement, to the Nazgul sightings and everything else that has molded Gibbi's adventures. Gibbi then learned of the One Ring and why he must not tell anyone else that Frodo has it, and why he must fight to protect Frodo, Samwise and the others on their journey.

Now that everything made sense, and contact had been re-established with Aragorn and Gandalf, Gibbi was ready for more. Tomorrow they were to set off on a new journey in what was becoming a new Middle-earth. What lie beyond this valley, Gibbi did not know. Yet he was eager to rejoin his friends -- both old and new -- and get this Baggins to Mordor. There's a ring that needs melting.



Book 3 was another easy win, thanks to this great team we've assembled in the Massive Hobbits kinship. Seriously, I've come quite attached to these readers who make up this group, and I'll be sad when I leave LotRO for another game. Speaking of which, next week is our last week with LotRO in this series, so I figured I would do something a bit different on this final choice. Instead of making a poll, I encourage you all to add a comment with your ideas of what we should do in our last week. Make it challenging, fun, silly or whatever! I'll pick a few of the best ones and talk it over with the kinship to see what we'd like to do. Then next week, as usual, I'll write up the experience here.

Until next week!