Anna Daniels
Nestled between high, harsh mountains and lush, verdant fields lies the Shire, inhabited by the Hobbits. The Shire is relatively secluded, a bucolic idyll much beloved by its Hobbit inhabitants. There, they live in pastoral peace — but their neighbors live very different lives indeed.
To the south lies Rohan, a wide country inhabited by fierce men known as the Rohirrim, also referred to as “the horse lords.” The Rohirrim are a mighty race of men, devoted to animal husbandry and battle. Further south lies Gondor, another land of men, and traditionally, the seat of the king, though at the time the Hobbits begin their journey, there hadn’t been a king on the throne in generations.
While the humans of these lands toil and make war with each other, the sleepy Shire goes on, relatively unnoticed. But that does not mean that Hobbits don’t have their own proud traditions — or their own strong grudges. Though Hobbits are all pretty similar in custom, dress, and appearance, they often mistrust folks from a region other than their own. This wariness is a trait shared by many humans as well, and is perhaps evidence of the link between the two peoples, as Hobbits are said to be a sub-branch of humanity.
Written by: Looper
