What is the Pathfinder?
On ArdaCraft, a feature known as the Pathfinder allows you to follow the journey of Frodo Baggins and the One Ring from Hobbiton to Rivendell, and then on from there to The Cracks of Doom. This feature lets you follow in the footsteps of one of literature’s most iconic characters, with quotes from the books being displayed along the way. In this article you can explore some of the most important locations visited by Frodo on his quest to destroy the Ring.
Bag End
In September 3018, Frodo, Samwise and Pippin begin their journey to Rivendell by leaving Bag End by the back gate and avoiding Hobbiton, so as not to arouse suspicion. Later that evening, a Black Rider arrives at Bag End, searching for Frodo and the Ring. ArdaCraft’s portrayal of Bag End is the most visited location on the server, and has been revamped multiple times as our building standards were raised.
Tom Bombadil’s House
After he rescues the company (who were joined by Merry) from Old Man Willow, Tom Bombadil takes them back to his house on the edge of the Old Forest and the Barrow-Downs. They spend a few days resting with Tom and his wife Goldberry before setting back off on their journey. Tom Bombadil’s house is a relatively old build, but it is still as quaint and cosy as the day it was made.
Bree
The company comes to Bree at night, after escaping the Barrow-Downs. They meet Aragorn, going as Strider, at the Prancing Pony Inn. He helps them evade the Black Riders and joins them as they progress towards Rivendell. The original Bree was built in 2015, but was revamped in 2023, along with the surrounding villages of Combe and Staddle. You can find the old Bree on our Freebuild map, which offers a chance to see how we used to build.
Weathertop
Having traversed the Chetwood and the Midgewater Marshes, the company rests in a dell below Weathertop, an old watchtower of Arnor. Here they are attacked by some of the Riders, who stab Frodo with a Morgul-blade, though Aragorn fends them off and the company escape. Weathertop was built in 2018, and has been an iconic ArdaCraft location ever since.
Rivendell
After the confrontation with the Riders at the Fords of Bruinen, the company comes to Rivendell, the Last Homely House East of the Sea, home of the elf-lord Elrond. Here, Frodo reunites with Bilbo, the Ring’s fate is decided and the Fellowship is formed, setting out in late December of 3018. Arguably the most famous location on ArdaCraft, it has stood the test of time since it was built in 2018. To this day it remains a firm favourite among builders and guests alike.
Hollin
On the Fellowship’s journey southwards, they pass through the abandoned Elven realm of Eregion, also known as Hollin. Here, they debate the best way to cross the Misty Mountains and are spied upon by Saruman’s birds from Dunland. The ridge is an excellent vantage point from which to see the vast expanse of Eriador and the ruined city of Tharbad. In time, the addition of new terrain will totally change the view, making it more accurate and realistic.
Moria
After an encounter with snow on Caradhras, Frodo chooses instead to venture through the mines of Moria. These ruined halls were once the homeland of the dwarven race, but were abandoned after the awakening of the Balrog. The Fellowship discover Balin’s tomb, are chased by the Balrog and escape the mines at the cost of Gandalf falling into the caves below Khazad-dûm. Moria is one of ArdaCraft’s current projects, having been running continuously since 2021. Whilst the path of the fellowship is complete, other areas of Moria are still in progress.
Caras Galadhon
Once the Fellowship had left Moria, they travelled south to the Golden Wood of Lothlorien. They are led first to the hill of Cerin Amroth, then to the city of Caras Galadhon. Here they meet Galadriel and Celeborn, rulers of Lorien, and Frodo offers Galadriel the Ring, which she declines. Built in 2022, Caras Galadhon is the centrepiece of the Golden Wood and offers the newest example of elven architecture seen on the server. A variety of smaller elvish settlements can be found in the area around Caras Galadhon.
The Argonath
The Fellowship pass between the ‘Pillars of the Kings’ after the orc ambush at the rapids of Sarn Gebir. The two gigantic statues depict Isildur and Anarion, founders of Gondor, and flank the river Anduin as it flows south into the lake of Nen Hithoel. The statues mark the high watermark of Gondorian expansion, before its later decline. On ArdaCraft, the statues were built in 2019 and still watch over players exploring down the Great River.
The Falls of Rauros
After the death of Boromir in the woods above Parth Galen, the Fellowship is broken. Merry and Pippin are captured by the Uruk-hai and taken towards Isengard, pursued by Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. Frodo and Sam enter the Emyn Muil, resolving to go to Mordor alone. Boromir’s body is laid in an elven boat and floated off the Falls of Rauros. Since the addition of Distant Horizons, Rauros offers an excellent view towards the Eastfold of Rohan, Northern Gondor or simply to look down at the roaring foam below.
Conclusion
The above is only a sample of the locations featured in Frodo’s journey across Middle-earth. You can see all this and more yourself simply by joining the server and using the Pathfinder feature; we have paths for Aragorn, Merry and Bilbo coming in the future!
