Every Lord of the Rings Character Referenced in Tales of the Shire

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Despite its relatively simple quests and less complex gameplay, Tales of the Shire is brimming with Easter eggs and references connected to the broader lore of Middle-earth. Located in Bywater, a bustling village near Hobbiton, this game is filled with both overt and subtle nods to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, frequently focusing on the series’ renowned cast of characters.

In contrast to how it might appear to a Hobbit, the Shire isn’t particularly vast, and its residents are well acquainted with each other. Consequently, many of the vibrant characters in Tales of the Shire share ties with the cast of The Lord of the Rings, some being only a relative step away from the Fellowship of the Ring itself.

Every Lord of the Rings Character Cameo and Reference in Tales of the Shire

Gandalf

In the story known as “Tales of the Shire,” Gandalf the Grey is the one who awakens the protagonist in this game. This wise and ancient Istari then guides the player character towards their new residence at Bywater, hinting that he will return to check on them, likely when they are least prepared. While I won’t reveal the specifics, Gandalf keeps his promise and shows up multiple times throughout the main questline of “Tales of the Shire.

Rosie Cotton

In a more straightforward rephrasing:
Rosie Cotton, who plays a significant role in “The Lord of the Rings” series, is also included among the 15 characters in the game called “Tales of the Shire“. Within this game, she leads the gardening club, which becomes essential to its gameplay mechanics. Later in the story, she marries Samwise Gamgee upon his return from his mission to destroy the One Ring. Interestingly, while her parents Tom and Lily can be found in “Tales of the Shire“, only Young Tom among her four siblings is present in the game.

Samwise Gamgee

Despite not making a personal appearance, Samwise Gamgee is mentioned explicitly several times within the book “Tales of the Shire“. One of the most notable instances is when Rosie mentions that she’s been corresponding with a young man named Sam Gamgee from Hobbiton.

Bilbo Baggins

In the Third Age, during a period between the events of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” the stories found in “Tales of the Shire” occasionally bring up Bilbo Baggins, who has returned to live peacefully in Hobbiton after his thrilling journey to the Lonely Mountain. Gandalf speaks of a map-making Hobbit from Hobbiton, while shopkeepers Nora and Fosco Burrows mention that Bilbo sometimes shares books with them.

The Tooks

In the story “Tales of the Shire”, it’s worth noting that Bywater, a small region within the Shire, is not vast, making it likely that one won’t travel far before encountering a relative of someone from the cast of “The Lord of the Rings”. To give an example, Hobbits like Willow and Daisy Took are connected to Peregrin “Pippin” Took in some way.

The Brandybucks

The character Delphinium, the forager from the stories set in the Shire, is not only connected to the Fellowship of the Ring but shares a family tie with Meriadoc from “The Lord of the Rings”. In fact, Delphinium belongs to the Brandybuck lineage, much like Merry. Moreover, Delphinium explicitly names Merimac Brandybuck, who happens to be Merry’s uncle and a fellow resident of Buckland.

Smaug

In addition to characters from “Lord of the Rings,” the story “Tales of the Shire” occasionally alludes to key locations within the franchise. Notably, Nefi, a dwarf who manages Bywater’s forge, brings up Khazad-dum, a significant location nestled in the core of the Misty Mountains. Furthermore, he speaks of the Lonely Mountain, a central point of Bilbo Baggins’ adventure with the dwarves as depicted in “The Hobbit,” and the final resting place of the dragon Smaug.

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2025-07-29 23:19