As you enter your home for the first time in Tales of the Shire, explore the rooms of your new hovel under the hill to find a Writing Desk next to the Shared Meal table. When you interact with the Writing Desk for the first time, you will discover a secret locked drawer in Tales of the Shire.

Tales of the Shire Customize Appearance Change Clothes Clothing
How To Change Appearance & Clothes in Tales of the Shire

To change your outfit and alter your character's appearance in Tales of the Shire, you must first find the Wardrobe.

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To get the key to the Writing Desk and open the locked drawer, Tales of the Shire players must progress through the main story as they search for the Book of Rules. Follow this guide to learn where the secret desk key location is in Tales of the Shire and what is contained within this immovable piece of furniture.

Where Is The Writing Desk Key In Tales of the Shire?

To get the Writing Desk key in Tales of the Shire, you must progress through the main story until you are asked to cook a meal for Fosco and Nora Burrows. Fosco and Nora run the cosmetic shops in town (furniture/decorations and clothing, respectively).

After you cook a few meals for Lily Cotton, she will ask you to invite Fosco and Nora over for a meal. Complete this Shared Meal event, then talk to Nora and Fosco afterward. Fosco will tell the player that Ruby, the hobbit who lived in your home before you moved in, gave them a key before she left.

Tales of the Shire Get Fishing Rod Fish Minigame How To Fish
Tales of the Shire: How to Get a Fishing Rod (& How To Fish)

To get a fishing rod and start fishing, Tales of the Shire players must follow the main quest until they meet Old Noakes.

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This is the Writing Desk key, which will unlock the secret drawer in the desk Tales of the Shire players discover the first time they interact with the Writing Desk.

What Is Inside The Secret Drawer In Tales of the Shire?

Tales of the Shire Secret Drawer Writing Desk Key Reward Rubys Book of Rules

Once you get the key to the secret drawer in the Writing Desk, Tales of the Shire players should head home and interact with the now-sparkling desk next to the main Shared Meal table. As it turns out, the Book of Rules that the whole village of Bywater has been searching for was hidden in your desk all along!

Bring the book back to Orlo, continue the quest by talking to various NPCs around the town square, then wait a day to hear what the village assessor has to say about Bywater.

Spoiler alert: it's not good news, but the assessor's assessment spurs the residents of Bywater to become a proper village, unlocking access to various Clubs and other features around town.

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Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game Tag Page Cover Art
Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game
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7 /10
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Released
July 29, 2025
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Developer(s)
Wētā Workshop
Publisher(s)
Private Division
Number of Players
1
Genre(s)
Life Simulation, RPG, Adventure