While cooking, foraging, fishing, and gardening are all core pillars ofTales of the Shire’s gameplay loop, a good cozy game can’t forget about its social elements.Animal CrossingandStardew Valleyboth have their own varied casts of memorable villagers, and thankfully,Tales of the Shirehas its own assortment of Townsfolk.
Though there are plenty of Hobbits who litter the paths that weave around Bywater’s market square, many of those residents are there to simply add a bit more life to the would-be village, and will simply ignore the player if they approach. But while players can’t interact with these wandering Hobbits, they can have full conversations and foster friendships with 15 NPCs, all of whom have distinct personalities and roles inTales of the Shire’s gameplay loop.
Every Villager in Tales of the Shire Explained
Orlo Proudfoot
The first Hobbit resident of Bywater players meet inTales of the Shire, Orlo Proudfoot begins the game as the village’s postman. Orlo also acts as the player’s first real friend, with him regularly checking on the player as they begin their cozy adventure in the Shire.
Old Noakes
Standoffish at first, Old Noakes is Bywater’s expert fisherman, and one of the village’s oldest inhabitants. As such, Old Noakes is pretty stuck in his ways when it comes to Bywater’s future. But with enough well-crafted meals, players can quickly change Old Noakes' mind, eventually convincing him to become the head ofTales of the Shire’s fishing social club.
Farmer Cotton
The Cottons are the most prominent family in Bywater, with each family member running some kind of store, establishment, or club. As his name suggests, Farmer Cotton oversees Bywater’s biggest farm. The eldest Cotton sells seeds and garden plots in Bywater’s market square.
Lily Cotton
The wife of Farmer Cotton, Lily Cotton is the manager of the Green Dragon Inn. A popular destination for Hobbits all over the Shire, the Green Dragon Inn is a favorite ofLord of the Rings' Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry, though they don’t appear inTales of the Shire. Lily Cotton also runs the cooking social club.
Rosie Cotton
One ofTales of the Shire’s most direct connections toThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy, Rosie Cotton will eventually marry Samwise Gamgee after the War of the Ring. But before that, she’s content runningTales of the Shire’s gardening social club.
Young Tom Cotton
Son of Farmer Cotton and Lily, and brother of Rosie, Young Tom Cotton runs another shop in Bywater’s market square, this one selling meat and dairy products taken from the family’s farm.
Sandyman
A sort of light antagonist inTales of the Shire’s main questline, Sandyman runs the local mill and has an ongoing feud with Farmer Cotton. That feud leads to him opposing Bywater’s campaign to be recognized as an official village. Players can visit Sandyman’s mill to buy flour.
Willow Took
Presumably a distant relation of Peregrin Took, Willow Took runs Bywater’s workshop. Here, players can buy furniture to decorate their Hobbit-hole.
Daisy Took
The very young daughter of Willow, Daisy Took doesn’t run any shops or social clubs, but she does occasionally pass riddles ontoTales of the Shire’s player-character.
Delphinium Brandybuck
A rather aloof Hobbit, Delphinium lives on the edge of Bywater, right next to a sprawling forest. Delphinium runs the foraging social club, and while her expertise is evident, she occasionally struggles to step out of her deceased mother’s shadow.
Fosco and Nora Burrows
A dynamic sibling duo, Fosco and Nora Burrows spend most of their day in Bywater’s market square, where they run their co-owned stores. While Fosco sells small furniture items, Nora sells clothing and accessories.
Hobson Hornblower
A well-meaning peddler of worthless goods, Hobson Hornblower journeys far and wide to uncover special “artifacts” he then sells to fellow Bywater residents. While most of these wares are only good for clutter, Hobson does sell more useful products like various seasonings that can be used during cooking.
Marigold Potts
Marigold Potts is rarely seen throughoutTales of the Shire’s main quest, but she’s there every time players assign themselves a social club task as the message board is located in the Ivy Bush Inn, which she runs.
Nefi
The only resident ofTales of the Shire’s Bywater that isn’t a Hobbit, Nefi is a dwarf who runs the Forge at the edge of the market square.
Gandalf and a Hobbit Assessor appear duringTales of the Shire’s main quest, though their available interactions are very limited.
