Tales of the Shire: How to Get the Writing Desk Key

How to Get the Writing Desk Key in Tales of the Shire

By Ambar Jimenez | 2025-08-01 09:47:34
As you begin your new life in Tales of the Shire, you will find that your hobbit hole contains more than just old furniture. A mysterious and important secret lies within your home, hidden inside a locked drawer in your Writing Desk. This guide will reveal how to get the key to this drawer and what is contained within it, as part of your journey to find the Book of Rules.

Where Is The Writing Desk Key In Tales of the Shire?

The key to the Writing Desk is not found by simply exploring the world; it is a reward for progressing through the main story and building friendships with specific characters.
  • Meet Fosco and Nora Burrows: The quest to find the key will begin after you have cooked a few meals for Lily Cotton. She will ask you to invite Fosco and Nora Burrows over for a Shared Meal. Fosco and Nora run the furniture/decoration and clothing shops, respectively, in the village.
  • Complete the Shared Meal: Host a Shared Meal event for the Burrows.
  • Talk to the Burrows: After the meal is complete, talk to Fosco and Nora. Fosco will then reveal that Ruby, the previous owner of your hobbit hole, gave them a key before she left.
  • Receive the Key: The key he gives you is the Writing Desk Key.

    • What Is Inside The Secret Drawer In Tales of the Shire?

    With the key in hand, you can now unlock the secret drawer and find the item everyone in the village has been searching for.

  • Return Home: Head back to your hobbit hole.
  • Interact with the Desk: The Writing Desk, which is next to your main Shared Meal table, willnow be sparkling, indicating that you can interact with it.
  • Find the Book of Rules: Upon opening the secret drawer, you will discover that the legendary Book of Rules has been hidden in your desk all along.
  • Continue the Quest:

    • Take the book to Orlo, who will ask you to talk to various NPCs around the town square about the discovery.
    • After talking to the villagers, you will need to wait until the next day tohear what the village assessor has to say about the book.

    • This discovery is a major turning point in the game. While the assessor'sreport may not be good news, it inspires the residents of Bywater tobecome a proper village, which in turn unlocks various Clubs and other important features that are crucial for your progression in the game.

    Platform(s): Microsoft Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 PS4, PlayStation 5 PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
    Genre(s): Life simulation
    Developer(s): Wētā Workshop
    Publisher(s): Private Division
    Release date: July 29, 2025
    Mode: Single-player
    Video preview▶


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