Book 3.1.4: Halros' Decision

[Almagnus1]

Might as well say it now, there likely be spoilers in this thread.

Soo.... curiosity is getting the better of me, what happens in book 3.1 if you leave Halros in the Shire?

[djheydt]

If I recall what the dev diary said, you won't see him again. (Certainly if any NPC gets killed in your quest chain, he'll be dead for you forever.)

I got as far as ONE ORC in that cave in the far north and milestoned out ... I'm going to need help with that stuff. (I'm 65. He was 64. I barely escaped with my life.)

But I don't plan on abandoning anybody anywhere.

[lf2536]

in book 1 nothing in particular, he just decides to stay, I can only assume that with the "drama" sequences now being affected by past actions he won't show up later on, hopefully without a detrimental effect and on you.

[Almagnus1]

I can't imagine his decision to stay is going to be a very good outcome for Halros.... especially once Saruman shows up and scours the Shire.

[lf2536]

I can't imagine his decision to stay is going to be a very good outcome for Halros.... especially once Saruman shows up and scours the Shire.

umm.... it's the hobbits that scour the Shire, Saruman through Lotho (at least initially) just buys the entire Shire and enforces the rule using ruffians, Saruman just makes things worse then they were when he arrives at the Shire sometime around August or September of 1419 in Shire reckoning.

[Almagnus1]

Ok... i need to go re-read LotR again then....

[lf2536]

Ok... i need to go re-read LotR again then....

I'm guessing chapter 9 of book 6 is what confused you as it is called "The Scouring of the Shire".

[chetdawg30]

After wavering for about an hour, thinking about all possible outcomes and whatnot, i decided it was best for him to stay. The hobbits really need him, and he seemed passionate to stay.......i figure at worst we will be able to fill his slot with another interchangeable ranger down the line anyway.

[Angadan]

I took the more personal approach -- Halros' leader and future king needs him. Even if Aragorn could get by without him (but see NOTES below on that), I figured Halros would forever regreat not having ridden to serve his king in an hour of great need alongside his fellow rangers. Soooo...I nudged him in the direction I thought would be right for him, looking back years from now.

I do confess, though, that on Bulllroarer I used two toons to try it both ways, heehee.


NOTE 1: As Elrond points out at the start of this quest string, each of the rangers we speak with is actually a leader of fellow rangers in the area. We talk to maybe 8 or so...I think Tolkien put their number at somewhere around 100 or 150 (could be remembering that wrong, it may not have been Tolkien explicitly, it may be that someone told me a "company" is about that big in many contexts). So if we lose Halros in the ride to join Aragorn, we conceivably lose a score of others as well, all left behind to help maintain the Shire's borders.

NOTE 2: There's also the concern (though we can't know this in character yet) that we'd be breaking lore...if Halros _does_ have a dozen or even a sccore of fellow rangers with him, and they all stay...wouldn't that be more than enough rangers to nip the ruffians in the bud when they start flexing their muscles against the poor hobbits? I mean, their charge is to maintain the borders of the Shire, keeping all dangerous outside influences away...maybe Halros and party are going to Aragorn in the end, no matter _what_ we do in V3B1.

[Almagnus1]

I figured that the rangers that stayed would probably start wearing redshirts when things got ugly in the Shire, thus he was summoned.

[Bob]

I figured he'd go even if I told him to stay, so I told him to go. Especially because we know Saurman takes over the Shire to punish the little ones for their involvement in the War, so it can't be protected. I guess when I run my hobbit through, I'll tell him to stay.

[iolana]

I told him to go on my champ, I'm going to tell him to stay on my LM. That way I get to see both outcomes I might just keep alternating characters like that lol

[Jilla]

Just got to this book and made my choice. I tell you, these kinds of quests are sheer torture for indecisive people like me, lol.

I didn't bother thinking about the later lore, I was thinking of the here and now (game-wise that is).

I really wanted him to stay (as a hobbit character) but it kind of dawned on me the whole reason I am there is the mission for Elrond/Aragorn. As much as I want the rangers to protect the Shire, I have to think of the greater good. Plus, the hobbits were telling the ruffians they weren't afraid and as we all know, hobbits are "capable of great courage and amazing feats under the proper circumstances."

Add to that the idea of the ring itself... sometimes you have to let go of the thing you love even if it hurts and even if others suffer for it etc. Staying in the Shire is no less a temptation than keeping the ring because you think you can do good--but doing so plays into the hands of the enemy.

At least, that's how I justified telling him to go with the Grey Company. Would someone let me know what happens if you tell him to stay? I only have the one character, so I can't try it out on several to get different outcomes.

PS- It took me about 30-40 minutes to decide what to do... /sigh

PPS- Is it just me or did anyone else think 3.1.4 was funny for the Shire since 3.14 is pi (get it, pie). Okay. It was just me, never mind

[whatever76543]

LM he left I need the extra meatshield
Warden he stayed Oh well like my ward needs any help killing anything.

[Ultiheart]

Truly an agonizing decision, and not one to made lightly. The very choices we, the apparent 'main character' of the 'book' quests make from this point forward could very well shape a completely different Middle-Earth from what we know of in the actual LoTR books.

That one single word might weigh heavily on our minds for weeks or even months to come. Such small words to whisper in his ear, his entire consul before him as a mere mortal, could decide the fate of many...perhaps the fate of all the occupants of The Shire.

Yet on the other hand, his emotional attachment to The Shire could mean the end of his King! No one could predict what may occur in his absence. While merely one of many, perhaps it would be his arrow and his alone to fell a mighty foe that would have otherwise delivered the finishing blow to Aragon in a strained and exhausting battle.

This is the decision of a lifetime and it will alter the fates of so many lives, some for the better and some most certainly for the worst. How can we, the unexpected hero possibly hold the power to make such a....


Oh, the option for him to 'go' is the top quest of the two?
Well I'll just do that one first, have to do them in order after all and...

Oops.

...
...well, looks like he'll be leaving.

[chetdawg30]

I took the more personal approach -- Halros' leader and future king needs him. Even if Aragorn could get by without him (but see NOTES below on that), I figured Halros would forever regreat not having ridden to serve his king in an hour of great need alongside his fellow rangers. Soooo...I nudged him in the direction I thought would be right for him, looking back years from now.

I do confess, though, that on Bulllroarer I used two toons to try it both ways, heehee.


NOTE 1: As Elrond points out at the start of this quest string, each of the rangers we speak with is actually a leader of fellow rangers in the area. We talk to maybe 8 or so...I think Tolkien put their number at somewhere around 100 or 150 (could be remembering that wrong, it may not have been Tolkien explicitly, it may be that someone told me a "company" is about that big in many contexts). So if we lose Halros in the ride to join Aragorn, we conceivably lose a score of others as well, all left behind to help maintain the Shire's borders.

NOTE 2: There's also the concern (though we can't know this in character yet) that we'd be breaking lore...if Halros _does_ have a dozen or even a sccore of fellow rangers with him, and they all stay...wouldn't that be more than enough rangers to nip the ruffians in the bud when they start flexing their muscles against the poor hobbits? I mean, their charge is to maintain the borders of the Shire, keeping all dangerous outside influences away...maybe Halros and party are going to Aragorn in the end, no matter _what_ we do in V3B1.

The Grey Company was comprised of about 30 rangers and Elladan/Elrohir......

[Griffy]

This is the decision of a lifetime and it will alter the fates of so many lives, some for the better and some most certainly for the worst. How can we, the unexpected hero possibly hold the power to make such a....


Oh, the option for him to 'go' is the top quest of the two?
Well I'll just do that one first, have to do them in order after all and...

Oops.

...
...well, looks like he'll be leaving.

Rofl! You have given too much Reputation in the last 24 hours.

I did both options on different alts on BR and truthfully didn't notice the difference, other than that if you want him to stay in the Shire he actually does (I was expecting him to leave anyways. I still have a sneaking suspicion he will. But then I also had a suspicion that it didn't matter, the guy prolly doesn't even exist in the books, so MoL can do whatever evil deeds he wants to do.)

I definitely think the rangers should all go and do what they do, but my hobbit gal will very likely say "stay!" Halros reasons to stay tugged at the heartstrings enough, that in character, she would definitely insist on him "stay"ing.

But with that decision made... I can't help but picture the scene reversed. You know how Halros is in that stand of trees with goblin corpses around him? I can only picture the scene reversed in the far future, with him on the ground and a dance troupe of gobbies there due to whatever the Scouring brings to the Shire (Not read it, so I don't know the details). Just imagining that makes me sad and think the guy should go no matter what.

But since I'm not 65 yet, It'll give me some time to mull it over.

[Ultiheart]

As much as such things as 'choice' in an important quest line are quite risky to implement, I am genuinely excited about what this could mean.

Of course, it could mean absolutely nothing in the long run (i.e. either choice leads to same results/quest lines later, but with slight differences in how that is arrived at). Personally my choice was based on a touch of personal opinion, a dash of emotion and primarily logic.

I sent him away because it was kind of my job to do this. Gather the rangers and send them on their merry way.......that-a-way.
Beyond the mission, it seemed that despite his presence (and presumably the presence of other rangers), evil or trouble was not being deterred (and I gather based on him just standing around, not being immediately attended to by him), his skills were better put to use somewhere else. If we presume just HE will answer the call, then shouldn't this also mean some rangers will still be around to assist. Not to mention, hobbits have bounders and as much as I rag on NPC hobbits in my spare time, I trust they would be able to deal with most disturbances that are not part of the lore (we know of 'the scouring'...like what, with steel wool? Heh, sorry, I jest). Ruffians/bandits I believe would prove little problem for a well organised bunch of stout fellows and fellettes...

(also, just whisper to any one of them that the pies are under attack - instant battle frenzy - Player character hobbits can't choose Champion, but under the right circumstances, NPCs can).

Finally, it seemed like the decision was almost 'meant' to be made. The conflicted ranger who has emotional ties to the place? It just screams "growth" in letting it go.

As others, however, shall try the 'stay' option on a different character.

Lastly - sorry to go on - did anyone who had him leave find uh...Lotho? The hobbit in the Inn, his response to be somewhat suspect?
Initially implying disappointment yet, kind of repeating that yes, it certainly must be a disappointment and this is what I must portray myself to be thinking to you, the messenger, that you may certainly explain to the ranger that I seem disappointed. Seriously, it just seemed...suspect to me.
EDIT: Seems people know something about this Lotho I don't or haven't picked up on. Silly question if anything reads this...is he is the lore somewhere?

[duvelmoortgat]

***Spoilers below, including my speculations what will happen to Halros.****

It is not lore-breaking or lore-changing as Halros is never mentioned in the books. Turbine can do whatever they want with Halros and in fact because of that your actions determines Halros' fate :P

I only thought about it for a minute and decided to make Halros join the Grey Company, because i am following the wisdom of Elrond, and I feel Harlos presence are needed.

Plus if Halros is going to die either way, I rather have him die for the King in honourable way in Umbar or something, rather than be betrayed and stabbed in the back by Lotho who Halros misguidedly consider as a friend. That is pure speculation on my part and probably a nice guess to what happens to Halros if he stays behind in the Shire, as I fully knowing it will be overrun by Saruman's men. My guts tell me he will die if he stays behind in the Shire, as he has better chance of living if he goes with the Grey Company.


The choices presented to us by Turbine more or less likely to influence what happens to the npc's fate, rather than what the npc's fate will have for the War of the Ring. (That presents us exciting options concerning only the individual, with less resources rather than affecting the entire LOTRO plot that can be resource-consuming by providing several alternative plot lines, and probably getting us to feel more attached to some npcs.)

[Beloth]

...
PPS- Is it just me or did anyone else thing 3.1.4 was funny for the Shire since 3.14 is pi (get it, pie). Okay. It was just me, never mind

As far as the question, I had no problem in carrying out the orders of Elrond the Wise, I was ordered to gather the Grey Company to go, so Go is the counsel I gave.

3.14 is PI (pie)?

See, I knew you were TOO SMART for me!

Jebus, that's scary smart for someone to figure out!

[Banaticus]

If you tell Halros to stay, please record what he says and put it into the Lorebook. I did that for the go option.

[Mark_J]

'There won't BE a Shire'....if Aragorn falls. Make haste Halros!

[ericbelser]

Just a comment, it really depends how much they are following the movies vs how much the novels. All of the ending events from the novels are left out of the movies, so in one sense at least Turbine can do whatever they like with the Shire.

[Angadan]

The Grey Company was comprised of about 30 rangers and Elladan/Elrohir......

Ah, thanks.

In my mind, that makes the decision even more important...if Halros and the rangers with him round out such a small company of 30, his absence would REALLY be missed!

[shezoe]

i also chose the "go" option because i decided the hobbits need to be forced to take a stand for themselves and also because i can't imagine his heart being in staying in the shire when he knew all his brothers n friends were going to war with aragorn. He would be forever regretful i would think. i'm really curious as to what the "stay" option will mean too.