The Old Forest

Geography

The Old Forest is a region of thick woodlands wedged between The Shire in the west and Bree-land in the east. Most of the region is completely unmapped due to its dark reputation and the difficulty of traversing its thick, overgrown terrain. The main three landmarks that are known are the Barrow Downs, an ancient tomb-complex believed by most to have been originally made by the men of Arnor. it is more likely, however, that they are the work of Tom Bombadil. The second landmark is the Withywindle River, a small stream that runs through the forest north to south. Its water is foul and undrinkable due to the influence of Bombadil. Finally, in the center of the forest is the home of Tom Bombadil, the source of all the corruption in the forest and a place from which it is said that none return. It is a place of ill-omen and houses a malevolent will stronger than even Morgoth himself. In physical appearance, his home is merely just a homey wooden cottage, but any who see it in person can tell that there is something deeply wrong. For some reason, a strange, sourceless music can be heard when near Bombadil's lair.

Ecosystem

While the Old Forest may once have been teeming with life, those days have long passed. Apart from Tom Bombadil, there is almost no life in the forest except for the trees. It is believed that most if not all of the trees have been converted into Bombadilians by Bombadil over the years, giving him the ability to see anything that passes in his domain. Any other creatures found in the forest are likely also Bombadilians, although these are rare as most animals were smart enough to flee Bombadil's presence.
Of the Bombadilian trees, the most notable one is the one known as Old Man Willow. It is believed that this creature is the chief of Bombadil's tree servants, for it has a great deal more will and autonomy than the others. It is a being of pure malice like all the Bombadilians and often snares travelers to be taken to its master.

History

Isengriff and Lindonrow travelled through the Old Forest briefly with Captain Shire, encountering Tom Bombadil and being allowed to go free because they served his plans. They also encountered Rollo Maggot while there.

The chickens Duppy and Cluck also journeyed through the forest not long afterwards, being under Bombadil's notice due to being mere animals. They were smart enough to avoid his lair.

Tom Bombadil standing outside his lair in the heart of the forest.

Alternative Name(s)

Bombadil's Realm

Type

Forest, Temperate (Seasonal)

Location under

Middle-Earth

Owner/Ruler

Tom Bombadil

Appears in...
The Fellowship of McCabbage

Example of the menacing music that can be heard outside Tom Bombadil's lair.