• Be decent. It is essential to maintain a friendly, supportive, and respectful atmosphere among all kin members. We welcome a diverse range of personalities; if you wish to portray a grumpy hobbit, feel free to do so! However, it is important to distinguish between in-character and out-of-character interactions. You may engage in playful banter in character, and ruffle each other's feathers, but please strive to stay courteous towards the individuals behind the characters.

• Be respectful of Tolkien's world. It is important to be attentive to and respectful of the lore established by Tolkien. We like to stay as hobbit-like as possible while also leaving space for fun and imaginative expression. Our intention is not to rigidly enforce the lore or act like lore pitbulls; we will not dictate how you should interpret it or how to portray your character. However, in-character-wise, we like to go about our activities and adventures—certain to make respectable folk tut in disapproval—with discretion in public settings of the Shire, until the day arrives when war reaches our idyllic land.

• Get involved. In terms of activity, we maintain a flexible approach, acknowledging that life, alts, commitments, and other hobbies happen. Nevertheless, we typically demote characters that have not logged in for a period of 100 days or longer to a recruit status. If a character remains inactive for 300 days without any indication of activity, we may consider their removal from the kinship. We do allow for exceptions; therefore, we kindly ask that you keep us updated regarding your situation. Please let a Chief know if you anticipate being away for an extended period. Reapplications are always welcome!

Is chat in the in-game kinship channel conducted in character or out of character?

The kinship chat channel within the game facilitates both in-character and out-of-character chatting. We kindly request that out-of-character conversations be enclosed in brackets, ((like this)). To communicate in the kinship channel, please use the shortcut /k followed by your text.

Is there a housing neighborhood where I can buy a house close to the rest of the kinship?

We make our home in Sootcrest, within the Shire Homesteads:

• Kin Burrow (4 Brookbank Street)

• The Dancing Coney Inn (4 Myrtle Court)

• The Hobbitry Mathom-house (2 Chalk Road)

Additionally, we populate the premium neighborhood of Talerthy in the Lyndelby Homesteads.

Should you be looking for a burrow and find none available in the aforementioned homesteads, ask around! Occasionally, we hold on to vacant homes for hobbits like you.

Can I put my River Hobbit in the kin?

Feel free! Some of our players portray their River Hobbits as Shire-hobbits, which aligns well with the kin's premise. However, we welcome you to roleplay a River Hobbit if that is your preference. Please feel free to develop your own in-character motivations for being in the Shire.

What is the Bullroarers? How do I join?

The Bullroarers (so-named in honour of the mighty Bullroarer Took himself!) is our kin band. A musical gathering that get together regularly to drum up some noise. The band is open to all kin members, regardless of experience level. Have a look at our Bullroarers page for more.

What is the Hobbitry-in-arms in Tolkien lore?

The Hobbitry-in-arms is the scarcely used and hurriedly-assembled militia of the Shire. Thain Paladin Took II is its captain. He has the authority to muster a Hobbitry in times of emergency, but it is long since there has been any need for one; the rangers have quietly and thanklessly sheltered the Shire from dangers beyond the bounds for countless years, and Hobbit government is largely ceremonial if it exists at all. Thus, the Hobbitry-in-arms has become a mere relic of tougher times. Any weapons from such times gather dust on the walls of the Mathom-House.

What is the in-character setup of the kinship?

With the rangers now off on secret errands and there is talk of brigands and worse abroad, it may soon be that a Shire-muster needs calling! Note that this is a militia in the barest sense of the word, not taking itself too seriously; Our Shire-moots are usually more about facilitating gossip, companionship, and good cheer than serious war effort. However, in times of great emergencies, the hobbits rise to the occasion—with pitchforks, shovels, rolling pins, saucepans, and whatever else they can hastily lay their hands on.

How do you approach the subject of lore? Is it not the case that hobbits are generally expected to remain within the confines of the Shire?

We encourage you to be mindful and considerate of Tolkien’s lore, yet we will not dictate how you should interpret it or portray your character. We aim to embody the spirit of hobbits while also fostering an environment of fun and creativity. For instance, we prefer to conduct our adventures—activities that might elicit disapproval from respectable hobbit folk—in a discreet manner within public Shire settings, until such a time as conflict arises in the Shire. You will not find us boasting about our adventures beyond the confines of the Green Dragon. Who is Sour Ron, anyway? This approach allows for fun interactions with those in on the adventuring.

Is the Hobbitry moving to a 64-bit server or staying on Laurelin?

The Hobbitry has made the decision to move to Meriadoc (EU-RP). While it's not easy to leave Laurelin behind, we carefully weighed all factors and believe this move is the best possible way forward; we hope to see improved game performance and a more stable environment for everyone and our kinship activities. This decision is about ensuring our longevity in LOTRO, having the best possible experience for our continued fellowship and adventures together.