~ The Tale
~
The year is 2010. You are an
archeologist, specializing in Middle
Earth lore and a descendant of the last known Stewart of Gondor. You are investigating what is
believed to be the site of an ancient and ongoing battle. A
battle to keep clean, what was once known as Middle
Earth.
Here lies the graveyard of a battle fought
long ago in The Old Forest. It is said that Hobbits,
Ents and Huorn used
to roam these lands. You see, it is not a coincidence how
this land got it's current name. Time has not been kind to
life and land we now call Old Bridge. This battlefield is
littered with the corpses of fallen Huorn and remnants of Mordor
war machines of the Orc and Uruk-Hai. Like Fangorn and Rivendell, long ago The Old Forest was
once filled with majestic trees and pristine rivers, streams and
intertwining bridge crossings.
Throughout the ages of Middle-earth the Old
Forest has remained an ominous region. Dark tales abound of trees
coming to life and misleading those who tread harshly upon their
roots. The most sinister of stories is often told to young Hobbits
to keep them out of the Old Forest; it speaks of a monstrous tree
called Old Man Willow, whose tremendous claw-like branches snatch
up unwary travellers. The tales work to keep most folks at bay,
coupled with the fact that many who have ventured into the Old
Forest—either alone or with companions—have never been
heard from again.
~ The Journey
~
Your 3 part journey begins at a trail
entrance to the back woods of what is now known as Geick Park. Upon your approach you will
come upon a lit signal beacon located near four uprooted Huorn
stumps. This is one of the lesser known beacons placed by Men of Gondor as
a warning signal to Hobbits in the hills of the South Downs. The
beacon will provide a message and lead you to your next
destination. If you are not able to detect the signal beacon,
there is a more traditional alternative that can be used to seek
the 2nd leg of your journey.
The secret to restore this
land to its former beauty is located at the final cache.
"Poor old Willow-man, you
tuck your roots away!
Tom's in a hurry now. Evening will follow day.
Tom's going home again water-lilies bringing.
Hey! Come derry dol! Can you hear me singing?"
J.R.R. Tolkien