Board Thread:Suggestions forum/@comment-26410366-20180409120745

Many people know of the plight of hobbits in the mod. Commonly viewed as easy prey by many orcish players, they have very little defense against attacks.

In the prologue of The Lord of the Rings, an overview of hobbits is given for those who didn't read Bilbo's tale. It says "They are quick of hearing and shard-eyed, and though they are inclined to be fat and do not hurry unnecessarily, they are nonetheless nimble and deft in their movements. They possessed from the first the art of disappearing swiftly and silently, when large folk whom they do not wish to meet come blundering by; and this art they have developed until to Men it may seem magical."

So, that quote says that Hobbits have an unnatural ability to disappear. That would be an impressive ability for the hobbits in the mod. The only problem is that just doing what the rangers do isn't good enough. This is supported by the part of the quote that says the Hobbit's ability seemed like magic to Men. Hobbits that aren't hired should be made invisible, and only show if a player walks within 5 blocks of them.

Normal hobbits should also have a way to protect themselves. “They shot well with the bow, for they were keen-eyed and sure at the mark. Not only with bows and arrows. If any Hobbit stooped for a stone, it was well to get quickly under cover, as all trespassing beasts knew very well.”

If either an enemy finds a hobbit, a rabbit starts eating crops, or another hobbit is revealed nearby, hobbits should start throwing pebbles. They should have a 5% chance to have a sling. Shirriffs should also have a 25% chance to wield a bow instead of a sling.

Some people would complain that this makes starting out more difficult for evil players. However, there isn’t a single unarmed evil unit around the Shire. The closest to unarmed evil units are the Morewaith civilians, which still have knifes. And the last quote should support the suggestion. “They were, if it came to it, difficult to daunt or to kill and they were, perhaps, so unwearyingly fond of good things not least because they could, when put to it, do without them, and could survive rough handling by grief, foe, or weather in a way that astonished those who did not know them well and looked no further than their bellies and their well-fed faces.” 