Bill Ferny

Bill Ferny is a man of poor reputation living in Bree-land. Although he was once a law-abiding citizen, he has been cast out on charges of aiding Sauron's forces, and now lives in a cleverly-disguised shanty in the marshes east of Bree, accompanied by other criminals and outlaws. He is considered mischievous, thieving, and downright evil.

In MUME

> examine ferny
Bill is a swarthy fellow with small, squinting eyes. Around him a sour stench
of stale sweat is hanging. He is dressed in an assortment of odd, mismatched
clothes, likely loot from his various theft raids.

Bill Ferny is using:
<worn as shield>     a large metal full shield (flawless)
<worn on head>       a leather helmet (worn)
<worn on body>       a rigid leather breastplate (worn)
<worn about body>    a buttoned cassock (well-maintained)
<worn on arms>       a sturdy pair of rigid leather sleeves (neglected)
<worn on hands>      a fine pair of rigid leather gloves (worn)
<worn on feet>       a pair of soft leather boots (satisfactory)
<worn on finger>     a ring

Location

From the junction south of Bree, go all e, neneene 5n 2e. There you will find a hidden 'bush' marked by a cloth, 'open bush' and go down to the west end of a small hidden trail leading east to his shanty.

Strategy

Although Bill Ferny is not an exceptionally powerful mob, he can pose a challenge to lower-level groups.

If you have a basher in your group, make sure it keeps Bill bashed, but other than that, the strategy is to just hit him dead along with the two thugs and the robber that load in his room.

If you have the earthquake spell, you can shroud yourself and quake him and his posse. You won't even need to store your quakes since Bill can't see through shroud.

Loot the small twisted root from his corpse, unlock and open 'wall', go east, pick open 'floorboards' and loot a shield of Arthedain off the ground.