While cooking, foraging, fishing, and gardening are all core pillars of Tales of the Shire's gameplay loop, a good cozy game can't forget about its social elements. Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley both have their own varied casts of memorable villagers, and thankfully, Tales of the Shire has 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 in Tales of the Shire's gameplay loop.
Tales of the Shire Review
A Lord of the Rings life-sim, Tales of the Shire tries to live up to its inherently great premise, but the Hobbit game falls short in a few ways.
Every Villager in Tales of the Shire Explained
Orlo Proudfoot
The first Hobbit resident of Bywater players meet in Tales 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
- Runs the fishing club
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 of Tales of the Shire's fishing social club.
Farmer Cotton
- Sells seeds and garden plots in the market square
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
- Runs the cooking club
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 of Lord of the Rings' Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry, though they don't appear in Tales of the Shire. Lily Cotton also runs the cooking social club.
Rosie Cotton
- Runs the gardening club
One of Tales of the Shire's most direct connections to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Rosie Cotton will eventually marry Samwise Gamgee after the War of the Ring. But before that, she's content running Tales of the Shire's gardening social club.
Young Tom Cotton
- Sells meat and dairy in the market square
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
- Sells flour at the mill past the Green Dragon Inn
A sort of light antagonist in Tales 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
- Sells furniture from the workshop past Cotton farm
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 onto Tales of the Shire's player-character.
Delphinium Brandybuck
- Runs the foraging club
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
- Sells small furniture and clothing in the market square
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
- Sells seasonings in the market square
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 throughout Tales 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 of Tales 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 during Tales of the Shire's main quest, though their available interactions are very limited.
- Released
- July 29, 2025
- Developer(s)
- Wētā Workshop
- Publisher(s)
- Private Division
- Franchise
- The Lord of the Rings
- Number of Players
- 1
