THREE MEN GO TO GONDOR: PERIL IN PELARGIR

As a rule, if a shadow card has no effect it will not be mentioned.

Player Set Up

Heroes: Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel (Sp).

Starting Threat: 32.

Starting Hand: Elrond's Counsel, Light of Valinor, Rhovanion Outrider x2, Steward of Gondor and Warden of Healing.

Quest Set Up

Made The Leaping Fish the active location.

Attached Alcaron's Scroll to Elrond.

Added Harbour Thug to the staging area.

Shuffled the encounter deck.

ROUND ONE

Resource Phase

Added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel.

Drew A Test Of Will.

Planning Phase

Paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Light of Valinor on him.

Quest Phase

Drew and discarded Collateral Damage.

Committed: Gandalf (for 3) and Glorfindel (for 3 without exhausting).

Drew Market Square, adding it to the staging area.

Total Attack: 6.

Total Threat: 5.

Added 1 progress to The Leaping Fish.

Travel Phase

No travel.

Encounter Phase

Engaged the Harbour Thug.

Combat Phase

Added shadow card to Harbour Thug.

Harbour Thug attacked Elrond, doing no damage.

Glorfindel attacked Harbour Thug, doing 2 damage.

Refresh Phase

Refreshed all cards.

Increased my threat to 33.

ROUND TWO

Resource Phase

Added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel.

Drew Light of Valinor.

Planning Phase

Paid 2 from Elrond to play Warden of Healing.

Paid 2 from Gandalf and 1 from Glorfindel to play Shadowfax on Gandalf from the top of my deck.

Quest Phase

Drew and discarded another Collateral Damage.

Committed: Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3 without exhausting).

Drew Lurking In Shadows, returning the Harbour Thug to the staging area.

Total Attack: 6.

Total Threat: 5.

Added 1 progress to The Leaping Fish.

Travel Phase

No travel.

Encounter Phase

Re-engaged the Harbour Thug.

Combat Phase

Added shadow card to Harbour Thug.

Harbour Thug attacked Elrond, doing no damage.

Glorfindel attacked and killed Harbour Thug.

Refresh Phase

Refreshed all cards.

Increased my threat to 34.

ROUND THREE

Resource Phase

Added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel.

Drew Faramir.

Planning Phase

Paid 1 from Gandalf and Glorfindel to play Unexpected Courage on Elrond.

Quest Phase

Drew and discarded City Streets.

Committed: Elrond (for 2, refreshing with Unepected Courage), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3 without exhausting).

Drew Collateral Damage, discarding Local Trouble, Umbar Assassin, Harbour Thug, Harbour Storehouse, City Streets and Lossarnach Bandit and increasing my threat to 38.

Total Attack: 8.

Total Threat: 3.

Added 4 progress to The Leaping Fish, exploring it.

Added 1 progress to stage 1B.

Travel Phase

Paid 1 from Elrond to travel to Market Square.

Encounter Phase

No engagements.

Combat Phase

No combat.

Refresh Phase

Refreshed all cards.

Increased my threat to 39.

ROUND FOUR

Resource Phase

Added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel.

Drew Master of the Forge.

Planning Phase

Paid 1 from Gandalf and Glorfindel to play Magic Ring on Elrond.

Quest Phase

Committed: Elrond (for 2, refreshing with Unepected Courage), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3 without exhausting).

Drew Harbour Storehouse, adding it to the staging area.

Total Attack: 8.

Total Threat: 1.

Added 1 progress to Market Square, exploring it.

Added 6 progress to stage 1B, exploring it.

Stage 2 moved Alcaron's Scroll to the staging area.

Travel Phase

Travelled to Harbour Storehouse.

Encounter Phase

No engagements.

Combat Phase

No combat.

Refresh Phase

Refreshed all cards.

Increased my threat to 40.

ROUND FIVE

Resource Phase

Added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel.

Drew Treebeard.

Planning Phase

Paid 1 from Gandalf to play Ring of Barahir on Elrond from the top of my deck.

Paid 2 from Elrond and 1 from Glorfindel to play Rhovanion Outrider.

Quest Phase

Committed: Elrond (for 2, refreshing with Unepected Courage), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax), Glorfindel (for 3 without exhausting) and Rhovanion Outrider (for 2).

Drew Harbour Thug, adding him to the staging area.

Total Attack: 10.

Total Threat: 2,

Added 4 progress to Harbour Storehouse, exploring it.

Added 4 progress to stage 2B.

Travel Phase

No travel.

Encounter Phase

Engaged the Harbour Thug.

Combat Phase

Added a shadow card to the Harbour Thug.

Harbour Thug attacked Elrond (the shadow card is Market Square, whose shadow effect nerfs), doing no damage.

Gandalf and Glorfindel attacked and killed the Harbour Thug.

Refresh Phase

Refreshed all cards.

Increased my threat to 41.

ROUND SIX

Resource Phase

Added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel.

Drew A Test of Will.

Planning Phase

Paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Wizard Pipe on Gandalf from the top of my deck.

Quest Phase

Committed: Elrond (for 2, refreshing with Unepected Courage), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax), Glorfindel (for 3 without exhausting) and Rhovanion Outrider (for 2).

Drew Lurking In Shadows, which surged to City Streets, which was added to the staging area and surged to Collateral Damage (I discarded Pickpocket, Pelargir Docks, Pickpocket, Zealous Traitor, Pickpocket, Harbour Thug, Zealous Traitor and Lossarnach Bandit and increased my threat to 43).

Total Attack: 10.

Total Threat: 2,

Added 8 progress to stage 2B.

Travel Phase

Travelled to City Streets.

Encounter Phase

No engagements.

Exhausted Elrond to attach Alcaron's Scroll to him.

Combat Phase

No combat.

Refresh Phase

Refreshed all cards.

Increased my threat to 44.

ROUND SEVEN

Resource Phase

Added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel.

Drew Wizard Pipe.

Planning Phase

Exhausted Wizard Pipe to move Flame of Arnor to hand and put Faramir on top of my deck.

Paid 2 from Elrond and Gandalf to play Faramir.

Quest Phase

Committed: Elrond (for 2, refreshing with Unepected Courage), Faramir (for 1), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax), Glorfindel (for 3 without exhausting) and Rhovanion Outrider (for 2).

Played Elrond's Counsel on Glorfindel to lower my threat to 41.

Drew Harbour Thug, playing it into the staging area.

Total Attack: 11.

Total Threat: 2,

Added 2 progress to City Streets, exploring it.

Added 7 progress to stage 2B, exploring it.

Stage 3 added another Harbour Thug to the staging area.

Travel Phase

No travel.

Encounter Phase

Both Harbour Thugs engaged me.

Combat Phase

Added shadow cards to each engaged enemy.

The first Harbour Thug attacked Elrond (the shadow card was Lost In The City, which discarded my hand), doing no damage.

Exhausted Magic Ring and increased my threat to 42 to refresh Elrond.

The second Harbour Thug attacked Elrond, doing no damage.

Gandalf and Glorfindel killed the first Harbour Thug.

Refresh Phase

Refreshed all cards.

Increased my threat to 43.

ROUND EIGHT

Resource Phase

Added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel.

Drew Flame of Arnor.

Planning Phase

Paid 1 from Elrond and Gandalf to play Master of the Forge from the top of my deck.

Quest Phase

Exhausted Faramir to buff everyone.

Committed: Elrond (for 4, refreshing with Unepected Courage), Gandalf (for 4, refreshing with Shadowfax), Glorfindel (for 4 without exhausting), Master of the Forge (for 1), Rhovanion Outrider (for 2) and Warden of Healing (for 2).

Shuffled the encounter deck.

Drew Collateral Damage (discarding Pickpocket and Harbour Thug).

Total Willpower: 17.

Total Threat: 0.

Added 17 progress to stage 3B, exploring it and winning the game.

THREE MEN GO TO GONDOR: INTO ITHILIEN

As a rule, if a shadow card has no effect it will not be mentioned.

Player Set Up

As usual, my heroes were Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel (Sp), with 32 threat and a opening hand (after a mulligan), containing A Test Of Will, Elrond's Counsel, Light of Valinor, Necklace of Girion, Vilya and Will of the West.

Quest Set Up

I added Celador to the staging area, made Ithilien Road the active location, added Southron Company to the staging area and shuffled the encounter deck.

ROUND ONE

Resource Phase

I added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel and drew Rhovanion Outrider.

Planning Phase

I paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Light of Valinor on him and paid 1 each from Elrond and Gandalf to play Vilya on Elrond.

Quest Phase

I committed Celador and Glorfindel (without exhausting).

I drew Secluded Glade, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 5 attack vs 6 threat so increased my threat to 33.

Travel Phase

No travel.

Encounter Phase

Engaged the Southron Company.

Combat Phase

After adding a shadow card the Southron Company attacked Elrond, doing 2 damage.

Gandalf and Glorfindel attacked and destroyed the Southron Company.

Refresh Phase

I refreshed all cards and increased my threat to 34.

ROUND TWO

Resource Phase

I added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel and drew Beorn.

Planning Phase

I paid 1 from Elrond and Gandalf to play A Burning Brand on Elrond.

Quest Phase

I committed Celador, Gandalf and Glorfindel (without exhausting).

I drew another Secluded Glade, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 8 attack vs 6 threat so added 2 progress to Ithilien Road, then exhausted Elrond and Vilya to play Gildor Inglorion from the top of my deck.

Travel Phase

No travel.

Encounter Phase

No engagements.

Combat Phase

No combat.

Refresh Phase

I refreshed all cards and increased my threat to 35.

ROUND THREE

Resource Phase

I added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel and drew Warden of Healing.

Planning Phase

I paid 1 from Elrond and Gandalf to play Warden of Healing from the top of my deck.

Quest Phase

I committed Celador, Gandalf, Glorfindel (without exhausting) and Gildor Inglorion.

I drew Watcher In the Woods, which increased my threat to 39 and surged to Ithilien Guardian, which was put into the staging area committed to the quest and surged to Lost Companion, which removed the Ithilien Guardian from the quest.

I committed 10 attack vs 6 threat so added 2 progress to Ithilien Road, exploring it, and added 2 progress to stage 1B.

Travel Phase

I travelled to a Secluded Glade, then exhausted the Warden of Healing to completely heal Elrond.

Encounter Phase

No engagements.

Combat Phase

No combat.

Refresh Phase

I refreshed all cards and increased my threat to 40.

ROUND FOUR

Resource Phase

I added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel and drew Light of Valinor.

Planning Phase

I paid 2 from Elrond to play another Warden of Healing, then paid 3 from Glorfindel to play Rhovanion Outrider.

Quest Phase

I committed Celador, Gandalf, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Gildor Inglorion, Ithilien Guardian and Rhovanion Outrider.

I played Elrond's Counsel to lower my threat to 37, then drew Forest Bat (adding it to the staging area, adding 2 damage to Gildor and removing him from the quest).

I committed 12 attack vs 4 threat so added 3 progress to Secluded Glade, exploring it, and added 5 progress to stage 1B.

Travel Phase

I travelled to the other Secluded Glade.

Encounter Phase

I engaged the Forest Bat.

Combat Phase

After adding a shadow card the Forest Bat attacked Elrond. The shadow card was Blocking Wargs so Elrond took 2 total damage.

Glorfindel killed the Forest Bat before I exhausted a Warden of Healing to heal Elrond and Gildor.

Refresh Phase

I refreshed all cards and increased my threat to 38.

ROUND FIVE

Resource Phase

I added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel and drew Gather Information.

Planning Phase

I paid 2 from Gandalf to play Bilbo Baggins from the top of my deck (adding it to my hand and shuffling my deck) and paid 1 from Gandalfto play Necklace of Girion (discarding cards until I attached it to a Ithilien Road and added them to the staging area).

Quest Phase

I committed Celador, Gandalf, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Gildor Inglorion, Ithilien Guardian and Rhovanion Outrider (adding 1 progress to Ithilien Road).

I drew Overgrown Trail (adding it to the staging area).

I committed 14 attack vs 8 threat so added 3 progress to Secluded Glade, exploring it, and added 3 progress to stage 1B.

Travel Phase

I travelled to Ithilien Road, then exhausted Elrond and Vilya to put Cloak of Lorien into play attached to Elrond.

Encounter Phase

No engagements.

Combat Phase

No combat.

Refresh Phase

I refreshed all cards and increased my threat to 39.

ROUND SIX

Resource Phase

I added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel and drew Master of the Forge.

Planning Phase

I paid 1 from Gandalf and Glorfindel to play Gandalf's Staff from the top of my deck, paid 2 from Elrond to play Master of the Forge, exhausted Master of the Forge to add Expert Treasure Hunter to my hand and shuffle my deck before attaching Expert Treasure Hunter to Glorfindel.

Quest Phase

I committed Celador, Gandalf, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Gildor Inglorion, Ithilien Guardian and Rhovanion Outrider (adding 1 progress to Overgrown Trail).

I drew Lost Companion, removing Rhovanion Outrider from the quest.

I committed 12 attack vs 4 threat so added 3 progress to Ithilien Road (exploring it and attaching Necklace of Girion to Elrond) and added 5 progress to stage 1B, exploring stage 1B.

Stage 3 put Celador and Ithilien Guardian under my control.

Travel Phase

I travelled to Overgrown Trail, then exhausted Elrond and Vilya to play Wizard Pipe from the top of my deck onto Gandalf.

Encounter Phase

No engagements.

Combat Phase

No combat.

Refresh Phase

I refreshed all cards and increased my threat to 40.

ROUND SEVEN

Resource Phase

I added 1 resource to Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel and drew Warden of Healing.

Planning Phase

I exhausted Master of the Forge to add Expert Treasure Hunter to my hand and shuffle my deck, paid 1 from Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel to play Shadowfax on Gandalf.

Quest Phase

I played Elrond's Counsel from the top of my deck to buff Gandalf and lower my threat to 37, then committed Bilbo, Celador, Gandalf (refreshing with Shadowfax), Glorfindel (without exhausting), Gildor Inglorion, Ithilien Guardian and Rhovanion Outrider.

I drew Southron Company (adding it to the staging area).

I committed 16 willpower vs 1 threat so added 5 progress to Overgrown Trail (exploring it) and adding 10 progress to stage 3B.

I exhausted Elrond and Vilya to play Jubayr from the top of my deck.

Travel Phase

No travel.

Encounter Phase

No engagements.

Combat Phase

No combat.

Refresh Phase

I refreshed all cards and increased my threat to 38.

ROUND EIGHT

Resource Phase

I added resources and drew Legolas.

Planning Phase

I paid 4 from Elrond to play Legolas

Quest Phase

I committed Celador, Elrond (refreshing with Unexpected Courage), Gandalf (refreshing with Shadowfax), Gildor Inglorion, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Ithilien Guardian, Jubayr, Legolas, Master of the Forge, Rhovanion Outrider x2 and Warden of Healing x2.

I Forest Bat, who removed Glorfindel from the quest and did 2 damage to him.

I committed 22 willpower vs 1 threat so added 6 progress to Overgrown Trail (exploring it) and added 15 progress to stage 4B, finally ending the quest.

^ Why didn't you play Vilya + Beorn on round 1 to defend against the Southron Company?

18 hours ago, Rajam said:

^ Why didn't you play Vilya + Beorn on round 1 to defend against the Southron Company?

I never thought of that (it probably would have made things easier).

THE HUNTERS AND THE SEEKERS: SIEGE OF CAIR ANDROS

After losing 5 tries with the Seekers deck I decided it was time for Elrond to call in some reinforcements.

As a rule, if a shadow card has no effect it will not be mentioned.

The decks:

Player Set Up

The Seekers v1.0.

Heroes: Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel (Sp).

Starting Threat: 32.

Starting Hand: A Test Of Will, Cloak of Lorien, Flame of Arnor, Hasty Stroke, The Galadhrim's Greeting and Wizard Pipe.

The Hunters 1.0.

Heroes: Aragorn (Ta), Gimli (Le) and Legolas (Ta).

Starting Threat: 32.

Starting Hand: Armoured Destrier, Arod, Defender of Rammas, Elven Mail, Sneak Attack and Unlikely Friendship.

Quest Set Up

Made The Seekers the first player.

Added The Approach, The Banks and The Citadel to the staging area.

Shuffled the encounter deck.

ROUND ONE

Resource Phase.

Added 1 progress to Aragorn.

Added 1 progress to Elrond.

Added 1 progress to Gandalf.

Added 1 progress to Gimli.

Added 1 progress to Glorfindel.

Added 1 progress to Legolas.

The Seekers drew Hasty Stroke.

The Hunters drew Ered Luin Miner.

Planning Phase.

The Seekers paid 1 from Gandalf to play Light of Valinor on Glorfindel from the top of their deck.

The Seekers paid 1 from Elrond to play Cloak of Lorien on Elrond.

The Hunters played Unlikely Friendship (drawing Bow of Yew and adding 1 resource to Gimli).

The Hunters paid 1 from Aragorn and Legolas to play Defender of Rammas.

The Hunters paid 2 from Gimli to play Armoured Destrier on Gimli.

The Hunters played Bow of Yew on Legolas.

Quest Phase.

Committed: Aragorn (for 2), Defender of Rammas (for 4), Gandalf (for 3) and Glorfindel (for 1, without exhausting).

Draw #1: Siege Raft (adding it to the staging area and adding 2 damage to The Banks).

Draw #2: Orc Scramblers (adding it to the staging area and adding 1 damage to the Approach, the Banks and the Citadel, destroying the Banks.

Total Defence: 10.

Total Threat: 9.

Added 1 progress to stage 1B.

Travel Phase.

Travelled to the Approach.

Encounter Phase.

The Seekers engaged the Siege Raft.

The Hunters engaged the Orc Scrambler.

Combat Phase.

Added shadow cards.

The Siege Raft attacked Elrond (drawing Southron Mercenaries for +1 attack so Elrond took 1 damage).

The Orc Scrambler attacked Gimli (drawing Orc Vanguard, so drawing Southron Support, for no effect, and Orc Scramblers, adding 2 damage to The Citadel before Gimli took no damage).

The Hunters exhausted Armoured Destrier to refresh Gimli.

Glorfindel and Legolas attacked and killed the Siege Raft (adding 2 progress to The Approach).

Gimli attacked and killed the Orc Scramblers.

Refresh Phase.

Refreshed all cards.

Increased both decks threat to 33.

Made The Hunters first player.

ROUND TWO

Resource Phase.

Added 1 progress to Aragorn.

Added 1 progress to Elrond.

Added 1 progress to Gandalf.

Added 1 progress to Gimli.

Added 1 progress to Glorfindel.

Added 1 progress to Legolas.

The Hunters drew The Storm Comes.

The Seekers drew A Test Of Will.

Planning Phase.

The Hunters paid 1 from Aragorn and Legolas to play Elven Mail on Elrond.

The Seekers paid 2 from Gandalf to play Warden of Healing from the top of their deck.

Quest Phase.

Committed: Aragorn (for 2), Defender of Rammas (for 4), Gandalf (for 3) and Glorfindel (for 1, without exhausting).

Draw #1: Orc Arsonist (adding it to the staging area).

Draw #2: Orc Arbalesters (adding it to the staging area).

Total Defence: 10.

Total Threat: 8.

Added 2 progress to The Approach.

Travel Phase.

No travel.

Encounter Phase.

The Hunters engaged the Orc Arbalesters.

The Hunters engaged the Orc Asonists.

Combat Phase.

Added shadow cards.

Gandalf took 4 archery damage.

The Orc Arsonists attacked Elrond (doing no damage).

The Orc Arbalesters attacked Gimli (doing no damage).

The Hunters exhausted Armoured Destrier to refresh Gimli.

Gimli and Legolas attacked and killed the Orc Arbalesters (adding 2 progress to The Approach).

Glorfindel attacked the Orc Arsonist (doing 1 damage).

The Hunters exhausted Warden of Healing to heal 2 damage from Gandalf and 1 damage from Elrond.

Refresh Phase.

Refreshed all cards.

Increased both decks threat to 34

Made The Seekers first player.

ROUND THREE

Resource Phase.

Added 1 progress to Aragorn.

Added 1 progress to Elrond.

Added 1 progress to Gandalf.

Added 1 progress to Gimli.

Added 1 progress to Glorfindel.

Added 1 progress to Legolas.

The Seekers drew Master of the Forge.

The Hunters drew Dwarven Shield.

Planning Phase.

The Seekers paid 2 from Elrond to play Master of the Forge.

The Seekers exhausted Master of the Forge(drawing Light of Valinor, Elrond's Counsel, Wizard Pipe, Warden of Healing and Asfaloth, added Asfaloth to their hand and shuffled the rest back into their deck).

The Hunters paid 2 from Gimli to play Dwarven Shield on him.

The Hunters paid 1 from Legolas to play Arod on him.

Quest Phase.

Committed: Aragorn (for 2), Defender of Rammas (for 4), Gandalf (for 3) and Glorfindel (for 1, without exhausting).

Draw #1: Orc Rabble, adding it to the staging area.

Draw #2: The Power of Mordor (increasing both decks threat to 37 before the Seekers discarded Elrond's Counsel and The Hunters discarded Warrior Sword and added 1 threat).

Total Defence: 10.

Total Threat: 6.

Added 1 progress to The Approach, exploring it and removing stage 3 from the game.

Added 3 progress to stage 1B.

Travel Phase.

Travelled to the Citadel.

Encounter Phase.

The Hunters engaged the Orc Rabble.

Combat Phase.

Added shadow cards.

The Orc Arsonist attacked Elrond (drawing Orc Assault and adding 2 damage to the Citadel before doing no damage to Elrond).

The Orc Rabble attacked Gimli (drawing Orc War Camp for +1 so doing 1 damage to Gimli). The Hunters exhausted Dwarven Shield to give Gimli 1 resource.

The Hunters exhausted Armoured Destrier to refresh Gimli.

The Hunters paid 1 from Gimli to refresh Gandalf.

Gandalf and Glorfindel attacked and killed the Orc Arsonist.

Gimli and Legolas attacked and killed the Orc Rabble.

The Seekers exhausted Warden of Healing to heal Gandalf.

Refresh Phase.

Refreshed all cards.

Increased both decks threat to 38.

Made The Hunters first player.

ROUND FOUR

Resource Phase.

Added 1 progress to Aragorn.

Added 1 progress to Elrond.

Added 1 progress to Gandalf.

Added 1 progress to Gimli.

Added 1 progress to Glorfindel.

Added 1 progress to Legolas.

The Hunters drew Steward of Gondor.

The Seekers Elrond's Counsel.

Planning Phase.

The Seekers paid 3 from Glorfindel to play The Galadhrim's Greeting and lower both decks threat to 36.

The Seekers paid 1 from Elrond and 2 from Gandalf to play Shadowfax on Gandalf.

Quest Phase.

Committed: Aragorn (for 2), Defender of Rammas (for 4), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 1, without exhausting).

Draw #1: Haradrim Elite (adding it to the staging area, it immediately attacked Elrond, drawing Orc Arsonist and doing 2 damage).

Draw #2: Scourge of Mordor (the Seekers discarded Thror's Map and the Hunters discarded Warrior Sword, adding 2 threat).

Total Defence: 10.

Total Threat: 5.

Added 5 progress to The Citadel.

Travel Phase.

No travel.

Encounter Phase.

The Hunters engaged the Haradrim Elite.

Combat Phase.

Added shadow cards.

The Haradrim Elite attacked Gimli (doing 1 damage).

The Hunters paid 1 from Gimli to refresh Aragorn.

The Hunters exhausted Dwarven Shield to add 1 resource to Gimli.

The Hunters exhausted Armoured Destrier to refresh Gimli.

Aragorn and Legolas attacked and killed the Haradrim Elite, adding 2 progress to the Citadel.

The Seekers exhausted Warden of Healing to heal Gimli.

Refresh Phase.

Refreshed all cards.

Increased both decks threat to 37

Made The Seekers first player.

ROUND FIVE

Resource Phase.

Added 1 progress to Aragorn.

Added 1 progress to Elrond.

Added 1 progress to Gandalf.

Added 1 progress to Gimli.

Added 1 progress to Glorfindel.

Added 1 progress to Legolas.

The Seekers drew Faramir.

The Hunters drew Defender of Rammas.

Planning Phase.

The Seekers exhausted Master of the Forge (drawing Rhovanion Outrider, Flame of Arnor, Vilya, Gildor Inglorion and Will of the West, adding Vilya to their hand and shuffling their deck).

The Seekers paid 1 from Elrond and Gandalf to play Vilya on Elrond.

The Seekers exhausted Elrond and Vilya to play Unexpected Courage on Elrond from the top of their deck.

The Seekers exhausted Unexpected Courage to refresh Elrond.

The Hunters paid 2 from Aragorn to play Defender of Rammas.

The Hunters paid 2 from Gimli to play Steward of Gondor on Gimli.

The Hunters exhausted Steward of Gondor to add 2 resources to Gimli.

Quest Phase.

Committed: Aragorn (for 2), Defender of Rammas x2 (for 4 each), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 1, without exhausting).

Draw #1: Orc Arbalesters, adding it to the staging area.

Draw #2: Orc Scramblers, adding it to the staging area.

Total Defence: 14.

Total Threat: 3.

Added 4 progress to The Citadel, exploring it and removing stage 4 from the game.

Added 7 progress to stage 1B, exploring it and advancing to stage 2.

Travel Phase.

No travel.

Encounter Phase.

The Seekers engaged the Orc Scramblers.

The Hunters engaged the Orc Arbalesters.

Combat Phase.

Gandalf took 4 archery damage.

Added shadow cards.

The Orc Scramblers attacked Elrond (drawing Southron Mercenaries for +1 and doing no damage).

The Orc Arbalesters attacked Gimli (drawing Battering Ram for +2 and doing no damage).

The Hunters paid 1 from Gimli to refresh Aragorn.

Gandalf killed the Orc Scramblers.

Aragorn and Legolas killed the Orc Arbalesters, adding 2 progress to stage 2B.

The Seekers refreshed Warden of Healing to heal 2 damage from Gandalf.

Refresh Phase.

Refreshed all cards.

Increased both decks threat to 38.

Made The Hunters first player.

ROUND SIX

Resource Phase.

Added 1 progress to Aragorn.

Added 1 progress to Elrond.

Added 1 progress to Gandalf.

Added 1 progress to Gimli.

Added 1 progress to Glorfindel.

Added 1 progress to Legolas.

The Hunters drew Black Arrow.

The Seekers Rhovanion Outrider.

Planning Phase.

The Hunters played Black Arrow on Legolas.

The Hunters exhausted Steward of Gondor to add 2 resources to Gimli.

The Seekers exhausted Elrond and Vilya to play Beorn from the top of my deck.

The Seekers exhausted Unexpected Courage to refresh Elrond.

Quest Phase.

Committed: Elrond (for 3), Gandalf (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Unexpected Courage), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting), Legolas (for 1) and Warden of Healing (for 1).

Draw #1: Siege Raft (adding it to the staging area).

Draw #2: Battering Ram (increasing both decks threat to 40 and adding it to the staging area).

Draw #3: Scourge of Mordor (the Seekers discarded Elrond's Counsel and the Hunters discarded Feint so added 1 threat).

Total Defence: 13.

Total Threat: 6.

Added 7 progress to stage 2B, exploring it.

The Seekers drew The Power of Mordor, shuffling all the cards in the staging area into the encounter deck and drawing Orc Rabble (adding it to the staging area), Orc Rabble (adding it to the staging area) and Orc War Camp (adding it to the staging area).

The Hunters drew Orc Assault (the Seekers paid 1 from Glorfindel to play A Test Of Will and cancel the effects).

Travel Phase.

Travelled to the Orc War Camp.

Encounter Phase.

Each deck engaged a Orc Rabble.

Combat Phase.

Added shadow cards.

The Orc Rabble engaged with the Seekers attacked Beorn (doing no damage).

The Orc Rabble engaged with the Hunters attacked Gimli, the Hunters paid 1 from Gimli to refresh Legolas (drawing Haradrim Elite so drew Southron Mercenaries for +1 so doing 1 damage). The hunters exhausted Dwarven Shield to add 1 resource to Gimli and exhausted Armoured Destrier to refresh Gimli.

Gandalf and Glorfindel killed their Orc Rabble.

Legolas killed their Orc Rabble, adding 2 progress to Orc War Camp, exploring it.

The Seekers exhausted Warden of Healing to heal the damage on Gandalf and Gimli.

Refresh Phase.

Refreshed all cards.

Increased both decks threat to 41

Made The Seekers first player.

ROUND SEVEN

Resource Phase.

Added 1 progress to Aragorn.

Added 1 progress to Elrond.

Added 1 progress to Gandalf.

Added 1 progress to Gimli.

Added 1 progress to Glorfindel.

Added 1 progress to Legolas.

The Seekers drew Treebeard.

The Hunters drew Boromir.

Planning Phase.

The Seekers paid 2 from Gandalf and Glorfindel to play Treebeard.

The Seekers paid 2 from Elrond to play Asfaloth on Glorfindel.

The Hunters paid 4 from Legolas to play Boromir.

Quest Phase.

Committed: Aragorn (for 3), Beorn (for 3), Boromir (for 3), Defender of Rammas x2 (for 1 each), Elrond (for 2, refreshing with Unexpected Courage), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting), Legolas (for 3) and Treebeard (for 4).

Draw #1: Orc Arbalesters, adding it to the staging area.

Draw #2: Orc Vanguard, adding it to the staging area.

Total Attack: 26.

Total Threat: 4.

Added 22 progress to stage 5B, exploring it and winning the quest.

YET ANOTHER SAGA PLAY THROUGH – SCENARIO I: A SHADOW OF THE PAST

Any shadow cards without events will not be mentioned.

Player Set Up

Deck #1

Heroes: Merry (Ta), Pippin (Lo) and Sam Gamgee.

Starting Threat: 20.

Starting Hand: Friend of Friends, Gaffer Gamgee, Hobbit Cloak, Resourceful and Rosie Cotton.

Deck #2

Heroes: Aragorn (Le), Glorfindel (Sp) and Lanwyn.

Starting Threat: 26.

Starting Hand: A Test Of Will, Elrond's Counsel, Ethir Swordsman, Hunting Party and Sneak Attack.

Mulligan: Elrond's Counsel, Gandalf (Core), Northern Tracker, Steed of the North and Sword That Was Broken.

Quest Set Up

Made deck #1 the first player.

Put Frodo Baggins (TBR, with Mr. Underhill and The One Ring attached) into play under the first players control.

Put Gandalf's Delay into play.

Shuffled Gildor Inglorion and The Ring Draws Them into the encounter deck.

Added a Black Rider to the staging area.

Made Bag End the active location.

ROUND ONE

Resourch Phase.

Added resources.

Deck #1 drew Bill The Pony.

Deck #2 drew Light of Valinor.

Planning Phase.

Deck #1 played Bill The Pony.

Deck #1 paid 1 from Pippin to play Resourceful on himself.

Deck #2 paid 1 from Aragorn to play Steed of the North on himself.

Deck #2 paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Light of Valinor on himself.

Quest Phase.

Committed: Aragorn (for 2), Frodo (for 2), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting), Lanwyn (for 2) and Sam (for 3).

Deck #1 drew Pathless Country, adding it to the staging area.

Deck #2 drew Bamfurlong, adding it to the staging area.

Total Willpower: 12.

Total Threat: 8.

Added 3 progress to Bag End, exploring it (Deck #1 drew Gaffer Gamgee, The Shirefolk, Woodmen's Clearing and Errand-Rider).

Added 1 progress to stage 1B, exploring it.

Stage 2 added another Black Rider to the staging area.

Travel Phase.

The Fellowship travelled to Pathless Country.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

No combat.

Refresh Phase.

Refreshed all cards.

Increased deck #1's threat to 21 and deck #2's to 27.

Made deck #2 first player.

ROUND TWO

Resourch Phase.

Added resources.

Deck #2 drew Sneak Attack.

Deck #1 drew Fast Hitch.

Planning Phase.

Deck #1 paid 2 from Pippin to play Gaffer Gamgee.

Deck #1 paid 2 from Sam to play Rosie Cotton.

Deck #1 played The Shirefolk, lowering their threat to 17.

Deck #1 played Woodmen's Clearing on the active Pathless Country.

Quest Phase.

Deck #1 exhausted Rosie Cotton to buff Sam.

Committed: Aragorn (for 2), Frodo (for 2), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting), Lanwyn (for 2), Merry (for 2), Pippin (for 2) and Sam (for 5).

Deck #2 drew Green Hill Country, adding it to the staging area.

Deck #1 drew Stock Road, adding it to the staging area.

Total Willpower: 18.

Total Threat: 15.

Added 3 progress to the active Pathless Country, exploring it and reducing deck #2's threat to 24.

Travel Phase.

The Fellowship travelled to Green Hill Country.

Encounter Phase.

Deck #2 engaged a Black Rider, refreshing Aragorn.

Combat Phase.

Added shadow cards.

Deck #2 paid 1 from Aragorn to play Sneak Attack, putting Gandalf into play and dealing 4 damage to the Black Rider engaged with deck #2.

The Black Rider attacked Gandalf, doing 1 damage.

Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked and destroyed the Black Rider.

Deck #2 returned Gandalf to their hand.

Refresh Phase.

Refreshed all cards.

Increased deck #1's threat to 18 and deck #2's to 25.

Made deck #1 first player.

ROUND THREE

Resourch Phase.

Added resources.

Deck #1 drew Staff of Lebethron.

Deck #2 drew Rhovanion Outrider.

Planning Phase.

Deck #1 paid 1 from Sam to play Errand-Rider.

Deck #1 exhausted Errand-Rider to move a resource from Merry to Sam.

Deck #1 paid 1 from Sam to play Hobbit Cloak on himself.

Deck #1 paid 1 from Pippin to play Fast Hitch on Merry.

Deck #2 paid 1 from 2 from Glorfindel and Lanwyn to play Northern Tracker.

Quest Phase.

Deck #1 exhausted Rosie to buff Sam.

Committed: Aragorn (for 3), Frodo (for 2), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting), Lanwyn (for 2), Merry (for 2, refreshing with Fast Hitch), Northern Tracker (for 1, adding 1 progress to each location in the staging area), Pippin (for 2) and Sam (for 5).

Deck #1 drew Rode Like A Gale, which surged to Pathless Country (refreshing Lanwyn), which was added to the staging area.

Deck #2 drew Gildor Inglorion, which was put into play under deck #1's control.

Total Willpower: 20.

Total Threat: 11.

Added 3 progress to Green Hill Country, exploring it.

Added 6 progress to stage 2B.

Travel Phase.

The Fellowship travelled to Stock Road.

Encounter Phase.

Deck #1 engaged the Black Rider (refreshing and buffing Sam.

Deck #1 drew another Fast Hitch.

Combat Phase.

Added shadow cards.

Deck #1 returned Gaffer Gamgee to hand to prevent the attack.

Bill, Gildor, Merry and Sam attacked and killed the Black Rider.

Refresh Phase.

Refreshed all cards.

Increased deck #1's threat to 19 and deck #2's to 26.

Made deck #2 first player.

Deck #1 paid 1 from Frodo to keep the services of Gildor.

ROUND TWO

Resourch Phase.

Added resources.

Deck #2 drew Sword That Was Broken.

Deck #1 drew Sword-Thain.

Planning Phase.

Deck #2 paid 1 from Glorfindel and 2 from Lanwyn to play Rhovanion Outrider.

Deck #1 paid 2 from Pippin to play Gaffer Gamgee.

Deck #1 paid 3 from Merry and 1 from Sam to play Sword-Thain on Rosie Cotton, making her a hero.

Deck #1 paid 1 from Pippin to play Fast Hitch on Rosie Cotton.

Quest Phase.

Deck #1 exhausted Rosie Cotton to buff Sam, then exhausted her Fast Hitch to refresh her and exhausted Rosie to buff Merry.

Committed: Aragorn (for 2), Frodo (for 2), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting), Lanwyn (for 2), Merry (for 4, refreshing with Fast Hitch) Northern Tracker (for 1, adding 1 progress to each location in the staging area, exploring Bamfurlong), Pippin (for 2), Rhovanion Outrider (for 2, adding 1 progress to Pathless Country) and Sam (for 5).

Deck #2 drew Rode Like a Gale, which surged (refreshing Lanwyn) to The Ring Draws Them, which surged (buffing Lanwyn) to Stock Road, adding it to the staging area.

Deck #1 drew Woody End, adding it to the staging area.

Total Willpower: 25.

Total Threat: 6.

Added 2 progress to Stock Road, exploring it.

Added 17 progress to stage 2B, exploring it.

Stage 3 added Buckleberry Ferry and another Black Rider to the staging area.

Travel Phase.

The Fellowship travelled to Pathless Country.

Encounter Phase.

Deck #1 engaged a Black Rider, refreshing and buffing Sam.

Deck #1 drew Asfaloth.

Combat Phase.

Added shadow cards.

Deck #1 returned Gaffer Gamgee to hand to cancel the attack.

Bill, Gildor, Merry and Sam attacked and destroyed the Black Rider.

Refresh Phase.

Refreshed all cards.

Increased deck #1's threat to 20 and deck #2's to 27.

Made deck #1 first player.

Deck #2 paid 1 from Frodo to retain Gildor.

ROUND FIVE

Resourch Phase.

Added resources.

Deck #1 drew Magic Ring.

Deck #2 drew Steward of Gondor.

Planning Phase.

Deck #1 paid 2 from Pippin to play Gaffer Gamgee.

Deck #1 exhausted Errand-Rider to move a resource from Merry to Pippin.

Deck #1 paid 2 from Pippin to play Asfaloth on Glorfindel.

Deck #2 paid 2 from Aragorn to play Steward of Gondor on himself.

Deck #2 exhausted SoG to give Aragorn 2 resources.

Deck #2 paid 3 from Aragorn to play Sword That Was Broken on Aragorn.

Quest Phase.

Deck #1 exhausted Rosie Cotton to buff Sam, then exhausted her Fast Hitch to refresh her and exhausted Rosie to buff Merry.

Committed: Aragorn (for 3), Frodo (for 2), Glorfindel (for 4, without exhausting), Lanwyn (for 3), Merry (for 4, refreshing with Fast Hitch), Northern Tracker (for 2, adding 1 progress to StocK Road and Woody End, exploring Woody End), Rhovanion Outrider (for 3, adding 1 progress to Stock Road) and Sam (for 5).

Deck #2 exhausted Asfaloth to add 2 progress to Stock Road, exploring it.

Deck #1 drew Piercing Cry, putting a Black Rider into play engaged with deck #1 (deck #1 refreshed and buff Sam and drew Resourceful).

Deck #2 drew Evil Crow, which was added to the staging area.

Total Willpower: 26.

Total Threat: 5.

Added 1 progress to Pathless Country, exploring it.

Travel Phase.

Deck #1 exhausted Bill, Gildor, Merry, Pippin and Sam, then discarded Lure Of The Ring, Black Steed and Piercing Cry, passing the Hide test so the Fellowship travelled to Buckleberry Ferry.

Encounter Phase.

Deck #2 engaged the Evil Crow, refreshing Aragorn.

Combat Phase.

Added shadow cards.

Deck #1 returned Gaffer Gamgee to hand to prevent the attack from the Black Rider.

The Evil Crow attacked Aragorn, drawing Crawling Towards Him so doing no damage and returning to the staging area.

Refresh Phase.

Refreshed all cards.

Increased deck #1's threat to 21 and deck #2's to 28.

Made deck #2 first player.

Deck #1 paid 1 from Frodo to keep the services of Gildor.

ROUND TWO

Resourch Phase.

Added resources.

Deck #2 drew Ethir Swordsman.

Deck #1 drew Drinking Song.

Planning Phase.

Deck #2 paid 2 from Glorfindel to play Ethir Swordsman.

Deck #1 paid 2 from Pippin to play Gaffer Gamgee.

Deck #1 played Drinking Song (shuffling their hand into their deck and drawing Warden of Healing, another Warden of Healing, Rosie Cotton, Magic Ring, Friend of Friends and Staff of Lebethron).

Quest Phase.

Deck #1 exhausted Rosie Cotton to buff Sam, then exhausted her Fast Hitch to refresh her and exhausted Rosie to buff Merry.

Committed: Aragorn (for 3), Ethir Swordsman (for 3), Frodo (for 2), Glorfindel (for 4, without exhausting), Lanwyn (for 3), Merry (for 4, refreshing with Fast Hitch), Northern Tracker (for 2), Pippin (for 2), Rhovanion Outrider (for 2) and Sam (for 5).

Deck #2 drew Evil Crow, adding it to the staging area.

Deck #1 drew Stock Road, adding it to the staging area.

Total Willpower: 32.

Total Threat: 7.

Added 9 progress to Buckleberry Ferry, exploring it and winning the quest.

In summary, Gaffer Gamgee is a BEAST.

At the end of the quest I opted to take the Boon Mr. Underhill and the Burden Gandalf's Delay.

After considering how infrequently Lanwyn's ability triggered I opted to retry A SHadow Of The Past, replacing her with (the somewhat more thematic) Galadriel. As the result was the same (no heroes lost or replaced and Mr. Underhill and Gandalf's Delay taken, I opted not to post the write-up.

Was invited to a four-player Saga campaign. I opted to use my Hobbit deck alongside decks with Aragorn/Legolas/Gimli, Gandalf/Boromir/Rossiel and Arwen/Elladan/Elrohir. The first two quests (Shadow and Old Forest) went well, no heroes died and we managed to nab Old Bogey-Stories. Again, Gaffer Gamgee was the MVP of my deck (letting me engage Black Rider before the Ranged heroes in the other decks helped kill them).

In order to avoid doing two saga campaigns at the same time I'm going to just keep folks here updated on the multi-player run through and go back to playing different quests as more regular gaming.

Continued the four-player Saga runthrough from yesterday. Played Barrow Downs (which got tense when all the other players were stuck in Barrows at one point but we somehow squeeked through), Knife In The Dark (which seemed to go well. I'm not sure since I'm no good at judging how games are going in four-player yet. Merry got Valiant Warrior) and Flight To The Ford (which went interestingly, no-one died but we got a lot of burdens added to the campaign pool). All in all, the fellowship got to Rivendell and we'll probably start The Road Darkens next weekend.

Continued the saga campaign from last weeked, THe Ring Goes South and Journy In The Dark went well, the heroes ( Merry, Pippin and Sam as well as Aragorn/Legolas/Gimli, Gandalf/Boromir/Rossiel and Arwen/Elladan/Elrohir) all survived and once again Gaffer was a massive help. Unfortunately, Breaking of the Fellowship went really, really badly. I pulled Fallen Into Evil on (somewhat unexpectedly) the last round and played it on Pippin. As it was, we drew no threat that round and just managed to win the quest so Pippin is now a (officially) dead hero.

*sigh*

Lately, I do not find any time to play. I should open my own "trying to play at least once in a month".

I've had times like that.

YET ANOTHER SAGA PLAY THROUGH – SCENARIO 1: THE SHADOW OF THE PAST

Any shadow cards without events will not be mentioned.

Player Set Up

For this playthrough my initial heroes will be Aragorn (Ta), Frodo Baggins (TBR, with Mr. Underhill and The One Ring), Gandalf and Glorfindel (Sp), giving me 31 starting threat. I drew Legolas, Galadriel's Handmaiden, Bilbo Baggins, Bow of Yew and Westfold Horse-Breeder. I opted to take the mulligan, drawing Light of Valinor, A Test Of Will, Galadriel's Handmaiden, Elrond's Counsel and another Light of Valinor.

Quest Set Up

I put Gandalf's Delay into play, put cards aside, added Black Rider I to the staging area, made Bag End the active location and shuffled the encounter deck.

ROUND ONE

Resourch Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Westfold Horse-Breeder.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Light of Valinor on himself.

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Green Hill Country I, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 5 willpower vs 6 threat so increased my threat to 32.

Travel Phase.

No travel.

Encounter Phase.

I opted to engage Black Rider I.

Combat Phase.

I added a shadow card to Black Rider I, then added Mr. Underhill to the victory display [Total VP: 1] to cancel it's attack.

Aragorn, Gandalf and Glorfindel attacked and killed Black Rider I.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 33.

ROUND TWO

Resourch Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Straight Shot.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Westfold Horse-Breeder I (searching Rivendell Blade, Hasty Stroke, Arwen Undomiel, Honour Guard, Gandalf's Staff, Legolas, Dunedain Hunter, Galadriel's Handmaiden, another Arwen Undomiel and Flame of Arnor, then shuffling them back into my deck) and paid 2 from Aragorn to play Honour Guard I.

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting) and Westfold Horse-Breeder (for 1).

I drew Black Steed, which did nothing but surge to Evil Crow I.

I committed 6 willpower vs 4 threat so added 2 progress to Bag End.

Travel Phase.

No travel.

Encounter Phase.

I opted to engage Evil Crow I.

Combat Phase.

I added a shadow card to Black Crow I, before it attacked Gandalf, doing no damage.

Aragorn killed Evil Crow I.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 34.

ROUND THREE

Resourch Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Rivendell Blade.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Aragorn to play Rivendell Blade on Glorfindel.

Quest Phase.

I played Elrond's Counsel to buff Frodo and lower my threat to 31, then committed Frodo (for 3), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting) and Westfold Horse-Breeder I (for 1).

I drew Evil Crow I, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 7 willpower vs 4 threat, so added 1 progress to Bag End, exploring it [Total VP: 2] (I drew Hasty Stroke) and added 2 progress to stage 1B, exploring it. Stage 2 added Black Rider I to the staging area and shuffled the encounter deck.

Travel Phase.

I travelled to Green Hill Country I.

Encounter Phase.

I opted to engage Evil Crow I.

Combat Phase.

I added a shadow card to Black Crow I, before it attacked Gandalf, drawing Lure Of The Ring for +1 attack but still doing no damage.

Aragorn killed Evil Crow I, triggering his ability to force Black Rider I to engage me.

Glorfindel attacked Black Rider I, doing 2 damage.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 32.

ROUND FOUR

Resourch Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Defender of Rammas.

Planning Phase.

I paid 2 from Aragorn to play Defender of Rammas I, paid 2 from Gandalf to play Honour Guard II from the top of my deck and paid 2 from Glorfindel to play Galadriel's Handmaiden I (lowering my threat to 31).

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting) and Westfold Horse-Breeder I (for 1).

I drew Black Steed, which attached to Black Rider I and surged to Pathless Country I.

I committed 8 willpower vs 2 threat, so added 3 progress to Green Hill Country I, exploring it, and added 3 progress to stage 2B.

Travel Phase.

I travelled to Pathless Country I.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

I added a shadow card to Black Rider I, before it attacked Defender of Rammas I, doing 1 damage, which I exhausted Honour Guard I to cancel.

Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked and killed Black Rider I.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 32.

ROUND FIVE

Resourch Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Rohan Warhorse.

Planning Phase.

I paid 2 from Gandalf to play Arwen Undomiel from atop my deck, then paid 1 from Aragorn to play Rohan Warhorse on himself.

Quest Phase.

I committed Arwen (for 2, buffing Defender of Rammas I), Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting) and Westfold Horse-Breeder I (for 1).

I drew Green Hill Country I, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 10 willpower vs 2 threat so added 3 progress to Pathless Country I, exploring it, and added 5 progress to stage 2B.

Travel Phase.

I travelled to Green Hill Country I.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

No combat.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 33.

ROUND SIX

Resourch Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Unexpected Courage.

Planning Phase.

I paid 2 from Glorfindel to play Unexpected Courage on Aragorn, paid 2 from Gandalf to play Bilbo Baggins from the top of my deck (searching it for Wizard Pipe and shuffling my deck) and paid 1 from Frodo to play Wizard Pipe on Gandalf.

Quest Phase.

I committed Aragorn (for 2, refreshing with Unexpected Courage), Arwen (for 2, buffing Defender of Rammas I), Bilbo (for 2), Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden I (for 2), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting) and Westfold Horse-Breeder I (for 1).

I drew Pathless Country I, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 14 willpower vs 2 threat so added 3 progress to Green Hill Country I, exploring it, and added 9 progress to stage 2B, exploring it. Stage 3 added Buckleberry Ferry to the staging area and added Black Rider I to the staging area before shuffling the encounter deck.

Travel Phase.

I travelled to Pathless Country I.

Encounter Phase.

I engaged Black Rider I.

Combat Phase.

After adding a shadow card Black Rider I attacked Defender of Rammas I (drawing The Marish for +1 attack), doing 2 damage which I exhausted both Honour Guards to cancel.

Aragorn, Gandalf and Glorfindel attacked and killed Black Rider I.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 34.

ROUND SEVEN

Resourch Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Westfold Horse-Breeder.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Aragorn, Gandalf and Glorfindel to play Shadowfax on Gandalf from the top of my deck.

Quest Phase.

I committed Aragorn (for 2, refreshing with Unexpected Courage), Arwen (for 2, buffing Defender of Rammas I), Bilbo (for 2), Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden I (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting) and Westfold Horse-Breeder I (for 1).

I drew Gildor Inglorion, putting him into play under my control.

I committed 17 willpower vs 3 threat, added 3 progress to Pathless Country I, exploring it, and added 11 progress to stage 3B.

Travel Phase.

I took a Hide 3 test (exhausting Aragorn, Gandalf and Glorfindel and drawing Green Hill Country, Have You Seen Baggins and Stock Road so passing and travelling to Buckleberry Ferry.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

No combat.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards, paid 1 from Frodo then raised my threat to 35.

ROUND EIGHT

Resourch Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Honour Guard.

Planning Phase.

I paid 3 from Aragorn and 1 from Gandalf to play Legolas from the top of my deck.

Quest Phase.

I committed Aragorn (for 2, refreshing with Unexpected Courage), Arwen (for 2, buffing Defender of Rammas I), Bilbo (for 2), Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden I (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax), Gildor (for 3), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting) and Westfold Horse-Breeder I (for 1).

I drew Woody End, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 20 willpower vs 1 threat, adding 19 progress to Buckleberry Ferry, exploring it and ending the quest.

I opted to take the boon Gildor Inglorion and the burden The Ring Draws Them.

YET ANOTHER SAGA PLAY THROUGH – SCENARIO 1A: THE OLD FOREST

Any shadow cards without events will not be mentioned.

Player Set Up

As usual, my heroes were Aragorn (Ta), Frodo Baggins (TBR, with Mr. Underhill and The One Ring), Gandalf and Glorfindel (Sp), giving me 31 starting threat. I drew Dunedain Hunter, Honour Guard, Westfold Horse-Breeder, Light of Valinor, Straight Shot and Hasty Stroke as my opening hand.

Campaign Set Up.

Boons: Gildor Inglorion.

Burdens: The Ring Draws Them.

Quest Set Up

I shuffled Gildor Inglorion and The Ring Draws Them into the encounter deck, attached Old Bogey-Stories to Frodo, set cards aside, added Deep Gulley to the staging area, shuffled the encounter deck before I drew Legolas and advanced to a random stage 2B “Shifting Trees”.

ROUND ONE

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Flame of Arnor.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Light of Valinor on himself, then paid 1 from Gandalf to play Westfold Horse-Breeder from the top of my deck (searching Shadowfax, Wizard Pipe, Quick Strike, Elrond's Counsel, Light of Valinor, Dunedain Hunter, Rivendell Blade, another Elrond's Counsel, another Light of Valinor and Bow of Yew, adding Shadowfax to my hand and shuffling my deck).

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Lost And Witless, which did nothing but surge to Long Trailer, which was added to the staging area.

I committed 5 willpower vs 4 threat so added 1 progress to stage 2B, advancing to another, namely “Dark Bad Place”.

Travel Phase.

Travelled to Deep Gulley.

Encounter Phase.

I opted to engage the Long Trailer.

Combat Phase.

I added a shadow card to the Long Trailer before it attacked the Westfold Horse-Breeder, killing her.

Aragorn, Gandalf and Glorfindel attacked and killed the Long Trailer.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 32.

ROUND TWO

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew another Flame of Arnor.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Aragorn, Gandalf and Glorfindel to play Shadowfax on Gandalf, then exhausted Aragorn.

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Swaying Without Wind, which surged to Wall Of Trees.

I committed 8 willpower vs 1 threat so added 4 progress to the Wall of Trees in the staging area, exploring it [Total VP: 1] and added 3 progress to the active Deep Gulley.

Travel Phase.

No travel.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

No combat.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 33.

ROUND THREE

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Elrond's Counsel.

Planning Phase.

I paid 2 from Aragorn to play Honour Guard and paid 1 from Gandalf and Glorfindel to play Galadriel's Handmaiden from the top of my deck, lowering my threat to 32 before I was forced to exhaust Aragorn.

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew another Deep Gulley, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 10 willpower against 2 threat so added 1 progress to the active Deep Gulley, exploring it [Total VP: 3] and adding 7 progress to stage 2B, exploring it and advancing to another stage 2B “Closing In Around Them”.

Travel Phase.

I travelled to Deep Gulley.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

No combat.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 33.

ROUND FOUR

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Rivendell Blade.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Westfold Horse-Breeder (searching Rivendell Blade, Quick Strike, Galadriel's Handmaiden, another Quick Strike, Honour Guard, Tale of Tinuviel, another Honour Guard, Galadriel's Handmaiden, Elrond's Counsel and Gandalf's Staff, then shuffling them back into my deck), played Bow of Yew on Glorfindel from the top of my deck and paid 1 from Aragorn to play Rivendell Blade on Glorfindel.

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Strange Woods (adding it to the staging area) and another Deep Gulley (adding it to the staging area).

I committed 10 willpower vs 5 threat so added 4 progress to Deep Gulley, exploring it [Total VP: 5] and adding 1 progress to Closing In Around Them, advancing to another stage 2B, Deep Bad Place.

Travel Phase.

I travelled to Deep Gulley.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

No combat.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 34.

ROUND FIVE

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Quick Strike.

Planning Phase.

I paid 2 from Gandalf to play Gandalf's Staff on himself from the top of my deck, then exhausted Aragorn

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Ending And Failing, increasing my threat to 36.

I committed 10 willpower vs 3 threat so added 4 progress to Deep Gulley, exploring it [Total VP: 7] and added 3 progress to stage 2B, exploring it. I randomly drew Choked With Brambles.

Travel Phase.

I travelled to Strange Woods, then exhausted Gandalf's Staff to give Aragorn 1 resource.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

No combat.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 37.

ROUND SIX

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Elrond's Counsel.

Planning Phase.

I exhausted Gandalf's Staff to add a resource to Aragorn, paid 4 to from Aragorn to play Legolas.

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Wall of Trees, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 10 willpower vs 1 threat so added 4 progress to Wall of Trees, exploring it [Total VP: 8], added 3 progress to Strange Woods, exploring it [Total VP: 9] and added 2 progress to stage 2B.

At this point in the game I checked the text on each stage 2B and noted that I could have advanced to stage 3 on 5 VP. Duuh, regardless, I persevered.

Stage 3 added Withywindle and Old Man Willow to the staging area

Travel Phase.

I travelled to Withywindle.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

I added a shadow card to Old Man Willow before it attacked the Westfold Horse-Breeder, killing her and (after discarding a Deep Gulley) increasing my threat to 39.

Aragorn, Gandalf, Glorfindel and Legolas attacked the Old Man Willow, doing 8 damage.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 40.

ROUND SEVEN

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Bow of Yew.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Aragorn and Gandalf to play another Honour Guard from the top of my deck.

Quest Phase.

I played Elrond's Counsel twice to double buff Frodo and lower my threat to 34, then committed Frodo (for 4), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Tom Bombadil, putting him into play under my control and committed to the quest, and Gildor Inglorion, who was also put into play under my control.

I committed 15 willpower vs 3 threat so added 5 progress to Withywindle, exploring it [Total VP: 10], and added 7 progress to stage 3B.

Travel Phase.

No travel.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

I added a shadow card to Old Man Willow before it attacked Gandalf, discarding Deep Gulley and increasing my threat to 36 as well as doing 2 damage (which I exhausted both Honour Guards to cancel).

Aragorn, Gandalf, Gildor, Glorfindel, Legolas and Tom attacked the Old Man Willow, doing 9 damage.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards, shuffled Tom and the encounter discard pile into the encounter deck and paid 1 from Frodo to retain the services of Gildor, then raised my threat to 37.

ROUND EIGHT

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Bilbo Baggins.

Planning Phase.

I paid 2 from Gandalf to play Arwen from the top of my deck, then paid 2 from Glorfindel to play Bilbo Baggins (searching my deck for Wizard Pipe and shuffling my deck).

Quest Phase.

I played Elrond's Counsel to buff Frodo and lower my threat to 34, then committed Aragorn (for 2), Arwen (for 2, giving a Honour Guard +1 defence), Bilbo Baggins (for 2), Frodo (for 3), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax), Gildor (for 3), and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Army Of Flies, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 20 willpower vs 4 threat so added 16 progress to stage 3B, exploring it and winning the quest.

I had inflicted enough damage on Old Man Willow to earn Old Bogey-Stories.

YET ANOTHER SAGA PLAY THROUGH – SCENARIO 1B: FOG ON THE BARROW DOWNS

Any shadow cards without events will not be mentioned.

Player Set Up

As usual, my heroes were Aragorn (Ta), Frodo Baggins (TBR, with The One Ring), Gandalf and Glorfindel (Sp), giving me 31 starting threat. I drew Elrond's Counsel, Galadriel's Handmaiden, Legolas, Light of Valinor, Tale of Tinuviel and another Light of Valinor as my starting hand.

Campaign Set Up.

Boons: Gildor Inglorion and Old Bogey-Stories.

Burdens: The Ring Draws Them.

Quest Set Up

I shuffled Gildor Inglorion and The Ring Draws Them into the encounter deck, attached Old Bogey-Stories to Frodo, set cards aside and shuffled the encounter deck.

ROUND ONE

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew A Test Of Will.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Light of Valinor on himself and paid 1 from Aragorn to play Rivendell Blade on Glorfindel from the top of my deck.

Quest Phase.

No questing.

Travel Phase.

No travel.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

No combat.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 32, then added a progress to stage 1B, exploring it. Stage 2 added Hollow Circle to the staging area before I drew Ancient Barrow, added no allies to it and added it to the staging area.

ROUND TWO

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Westfold Horse-Breeder.

Planning Phase.

I paid 2 from Gandalf to play Galadriel's Handmaiden (lowering my threat to 31), paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Westfold Horse-Breeder (searching Rohan Warhorse, Hasty Stroke, Elrond's Counsel, Westfold Horse-Breeder, Flame of Arnor, another Flame of Arnor, Shadowfax, Rivendell Blade, Gandalf's Staff and Bilbo Baggins, added Shadowfax to my hand and shuffled the rest back into my deck).

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Dark Wight, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 7 willpower vs 5 threat so added 2 progress to stage 2B.

Travel Phase.

The Fellowship travelled to Ancient Barrow.

Encounter Phase.

I engaged the Dark Wight.

Combat Phase.

After adding a shadow card the Dark Wight attacked Gandalf, doing no damage.

Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked the Dark Wight, doing 6 damage.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 34.

ROUND THREE

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Gandalf's Staff.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Aragorn, Gandalf and Glorfindel to play Shadowfax on Gandalf.

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Tom Bombadil, putting him into play under my control and committed to the quest.

I committed 13 willpower vs 3 threat so added 4 progress to Ancient Barrow, exploring it, and adding 6 progress to stage 2B.

Travel Phase.

The Fellowship travelled to Hollow Stone (searching the deck for a Dark-Wight and adding it to the staging area, then shuffling the encounter deck).

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

After adding a shadow card the Dark Wight attacked Gandalf, doing no damage.

Aragorn attacked and killed the Dark Wight, triggering his ability to force the other Dark Wight to engage me.

Tomb Bombadil attacked the new Dark Wight, doing 3 damage.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 36, then shuffled Tom Bombadil and the encounter discard pile into the encounter deck.

ROUND FOUR

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Hasty Stroke.

Planning Phase.

I paid 2 from Aragorn to play Honour Guard from the top of my deck and paid 1 from Gandalf and Glorfindel to play Gandalf's Staff on Gandalf.

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax), Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting) and Wesrfold Horse-Breeder (for 1).

I drew Long Groping Arm, adding the threat of the Dark Wight engaged with me to the total threat.

I committed 11 willpower vs 2 threat so added 3 progress to Hollow Circle, exploring it [Total VP: 3] and adding 6 progress to stage 2B, exploring it. Stage 3 added Standing Stones to the staging area and shuffled the encounter discard pile and other cards into the encounter deck.

Travel Phase.

The Fellowship travelled to Standing Stones, searching the encounter deck for a Great Barrow, putting a stage 4 into play discarding cards until a Cold-Wight was put into the staging area and discarding all my allies other than the Honour Guard.

Encounter Phase.

I was forced to engage the Cold-Wight.

Combat Phase.

After adding shadow cards the Dark Wight attacked Gandalf, doing no damage and the Cold-Wight attacked the Honour Guard, killing him (I was forced to discard Hasty Stroke).

Aragorn and Glorfindel killed the Cold-Wight.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 37.

ROUND FIVE

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Bow of Yew.

Planning Phase.

I exhausted Gandalf's Staff to add 1 resource to Glorfindel, paid 2 from Glorfindel to play Galadriel's Handmaiden (lowering my threat to 36) and played Bow of Yew on Aragorn.

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Gildor Inglorion, putting him into under my control.

I committed 10 willpower vs 0 threat so added 9 progress to stage 4B, exploring it

Travel Phase.

The Fellowship travelled back to stage 3B, added 1 progress to the Great Barrow, exploring it [Total VP: 8]

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

After adding a shadow card the Dark-Wight attacked Gildor, doing no damage.

Aragorn and Glorfindel killed the Cold-Wight.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 38 before paying 1 from Frodo to retain the services of Gildor.

ROUND SIX

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Flame of Arnor.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Aragorn and Gandalf to play Defender of Rammas from the top of my deck.

Quest Phase.

I played Elrond's Counsel to buff Glorfindel and lower my threat to 35, then committed Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax), Gildor (for 3), and Glorfindel (for 4, without exhausting).

I drew Tom Bombadil, putting him into play under my control and committed to the quest.

I committed 17 willpower vs 0 threat so added 4 progress to Standing Stones, exploring it [Total VP: 11] and adding 13 progress to stage 3B.

Travel Phase.

No travel.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

No combat.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 36 before paying 1 from Frodo to retain the services of Gildor and shuffling Tom and the encounter discard pile into the encounter deck.

ROUND SIX

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Bow of Yew.

Planning Phase.

No planning.

Quest Phase.

I committed Aragorn (for 2), Frodo (for 2), Galadriel's Handmaiden (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax), Gildor (for 3), and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew North Downs, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 15 willpower vs 2 threat so added 13 progress to stage 3B, exploring it and winning the quest.

After the game I earned the Ho, Tom Bombadil boon.

YET ANOTHER SAGA PLAY THROUGH – SCENARIO 2: A KNIFE IN THE DARK

Any shadow cards without events will not be mentioned.

Player Set Up

As usual, my heroes were Aragorn (Ta), Frodo Baggins (TBR, with The One Ring), Gandalf and Glorfindel (Sp), giving me 31 starting threat. I drew Rivendell Blade, Light of Valinor, Flame of Arnor, Bow of Yew, Legolas and Honour Guard for my opening hand.

Campaign Set Up.

Boons: Gildor Inglorion, Ho Tom Bombadil and Old Bogey-Stories.

Burdens: The Ring Draws Them.

Quest Set Up

I shuffled Gildor Inglorion and The Ring Draws Them into the encounter deck, attached Old Bogey-Stories to Frodo, added Ho Tom Bombadil to my hand, set cards aside, added The Prancing Pony and Bill Ferny to the staging area and shuffled the encounter deck.

ROUND ONE

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Unexpected Courage.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Light of Valinor on himself, paid 1 from Aragorn to play Rivendell Blade on Glorfindel, paid 1 from Gandalf to play Rohan Warhorse on Aragorn and played Bow of Yew on Glorfindel.

Quest Phase.

I raised my threat to 32, then committed Frodo (for 2) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Squint-Eyed Southerner, which was added to the staging area and forced me to draw Chetwood, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 5 willpower vs 9 threat so increased my threat to 36,

Travel Phase.

I travelled to the Prancing Pony. I opted to put Legolas into play from my hand.

Encounter Phase.

I opted to engage the Squint-Eyed Southerner.

Combat Phase.

After adding a shadow card the Squint-Eyed Southerner attacked Gandalf, doing no damage.

Aragorn and Legolas attacked and killed the Squint-Eyed Southerner. I drew Elrond's Counsel, exhausted Rohan Warhorse to refresh Aragorn and used Aragorn's ability to force Bill Ferny to engage me before Aragorn and Glorfindel killed him [Total VP: 1].

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 37.

ROUND TWO

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Honor Guard.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Westfold Horse-Breeder from the top of my deck (searching Light of Valinor, Straight Shot, Defender of Rammas, Shadowfax, Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf's Staff, Hasty Stroke, Galadriel's Handmaiden, another Gandalf's Staff and another Light of Valinor, added Shadowfax to my hand and shuffled my deck).

Quest Phase.

I played Elrond's Counsel to buff Frodo and lower my threat to 34, then committed Frodo (for 3) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Shady Bree-Lander, who was added to the staging area..

I committed 6 willpower vs 4 threat so added 2 progress to the Prancing Pony.

Travel Phase.

No travel.

Encounter Phase.

I engaged the Shady Bree-Lander.

Combat Phase.

After adding a shadow card the Shady Bree-Lander attacked Gandalf, doing no damage.

Aragorn and Legolas attacked and killed the Shady Bree-Lander. I drew Straight Shot.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 35.

ROUND THREE

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Bilbo Baggins.

Planning Phase.

I paid 2 from Gandalf and 1 from Aragorn to play Shadowfax on Gandalf and played Bow of Yew on Legolas.

Quest Phase.

I committed Frodo (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Pathless Country, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 8 willpower vs 4 threat so added 2 progress to The Prancing Pony, exploring it [Total VP: 2] (I was forced to discard cards until I drew a Squint-Eyed Southerner and put him into play engaged with me) and added 2 progress to stage 1B.

Travel Phase.

The Fellowship travelled to Chetwood.

Encounter Phase.

I engaged the Squint-Eyed Southerner.

Combat Phase.

After adding a shadow card the Squint-Eyed Southerner attacked Gandalf, doing no damage.

Aragorn and Legolas attacked and killed the Squint-Eyed Southerner. I drew Light of Valinor.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 36.

ROUND FOUR

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Arwen Undomiel.

Planning Phase.

I paid 2 from Glorfindel to play Arwen Undomiel and paid 2 from Aragorn to play Honour Guard.

Quest Phase.

I committed Arwen (for 2, buffing Gandalf), Frodo (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Gildor Inglorion, putting him into play under my control.

I committed 10 willpower vs 2 threat so added 2 progress to Chetwood, exploring it, and added 6 progress to stage 1B, exploring it. Stage 2 added Midgewater to the staging area and 1 progress to stage 2B.

Travel Phase.

The Fellowship travelled to Midgewater.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

No combat.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 37, removed a progress from stage 2B and removed a resource from Frodo to retain the services of Gildor.

ROUND FIVE

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Rivendell Blade.

Planning Phase.

I paid 1 from Aragorn and Gandalf to play Defender of Rammas from the top of my deck.

Quest Phase.

I committed Arwen (for 2, buffing Gandalf), Frodo (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax), Gildor (for 3) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Weather Hills, adding it to the staging area.

I committed 13 willpower vs 5 threat so added 6 progress to Midgewater, exploring it [Total VP: 3] and added 2 progress to stage 2B.

Travel Phase.

The Fellowship travelled to Pathless Country.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

No combat.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 38, removed a progress from stage 2B and removed a resource from Frodo to retain the services of Gildor.

ROUND SIX

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Quick Strike.

Planning Phase.

I paid 2 from Glorfindel to play Unexpected Courage on Aragorn

Quest Phase.

I committed Aragorn (for 2, refreshing with Unexpected Courage), Arwen (for 2, buffing Gandalf), Frodo (for 2), Gandalf (for 3, refreshing with Shadowfax), Gildor (for 3) and Glorfindel (for 3, without exhausting).

I drew Shady Bree-Lander, adding him to the staging area.

I committed 15 willpower vs 5 threat so added 3 progress to Pathless Country, exploring it, and added 7 progress to stage 2B, exploring it. Stage 3 added the Witch King, 2 Riders of Mordor and Weathertop to the staging area.

Travel Phase.

The Fellowship travelled to Weather Hills, placing a Rider of Mordor under it.

Encounter Phase.

I engaged the Rider of Mordor and Shady Bree-Lander.

Combat Phase.

After adding shadow cards the Rider of Mordor attacked the Westfold Horse-Breeder. The shadow card was Lure of the Ring for +1 attack so the Horse-Breeder was killed.

The Shady Bree-Lander attacked the Defender of Rammas, doing no damage.

Aragorn and Legolas attacked and killed the Shady Bree-Lander. I drew Hasty Stroke and opted to engage the Witch King.

Aragorn, Gandalf and Glorfindel attacked the Witch King, doing 4 damage.

Refresh Phase.

I refreshed my cards then raised my threat to 39, then removed a resource from Frodo to retain the services of Gildor.

ROUND SEVEN

Resource Phase.

I added a resource to each hero before I drew Galadriel's Handmaiden.

Planning Phase.

I paid 2 from Gandalf to play Defender of Rammas from the top of my deck.

Quest Phase.

I committed Arwen (for 2, buffing Gandalf) and Glorfindel (without exhausting)

I drew another Weather Hills, adding it to my staging area.

I committed 5 willpower vs 7 threat so increased my threat to 41.

Travel Phase.

No travel.

Encounter Phase.

No engagements.

Combat Phase.

After adding shadow cards the Rider of Mordor attacked a Defender of Rammas, doing no damage.

The Witch King attacked Gandalf, doing 2 damage. I exhausted Shadowfax to refresh him.

Aragorn and Legolas attacked and killed the Rider from Mordor. I drew Hasty Stroke and exhausted Rohan Warhorse to refresh Aragorn.

Aragorn, Gandalf, Gildor, Glorfindel and a Defender of Rammas attacked and killed the Witch King. With no Nazgul in play I defeated the quest.

In the end I decided to give Gandalf the Tireless Ranger boon.

YET ANOTHER SAGA PLAY THROUGH – SCENARIO 3: FLIGHT TO THE FORD

Any shadow cards without events will not be mentioned.

Player Set Up

As usual, my heroes were Aragorn (Ta), Frodo Baggins (TBR, with The One Ring), Gandalf (with Tireless Ranger) and Glorfindel (Sp), giving me 31 starting threat. After a mulligan I drew Elrond's Counsel, Light of Valinor x2, Rivendell Blade, Straight Shot and Wizard Pipe.

Campaign Set Up.

Boons: Gildor Inglorion, Ho Tom Bombadil, Old Bogey-Stories and Tireless Ranger (attached to Gandalf).

Burdens: The Ring Draws Them.

Quest Set Up