Out jumped the goblins, big goblins, great ugly–looking goblins, lots of goblins, before you could say rocks and blocks. – The Hobbit
When Revealed: Shuffle all encounter cards back into the encounter deck and set it aside, inactive. The second encounter deck becomes the active encounter deck. Search the encounter deck for The Great Goblin and add it to the staging area. Then, shuffle the encounter deck.
Players cannot defeat this stage unless The Great Goblin is in the victory display.
When Revealed: Reveal 3 encounter cards per player, Bilbo Baggins may spend X resources to reduce the total number of encounter cards revealed by X. (To a minimum of 1.)
If the players defeat this stage, they have won the game.
To everyone's surprise, Bilbo Baggins rejoined his companions on the eastern side of the Misty Mountains. However, their celebration was cut short by the chilling sound of wolves howling close by. To the frightened hobbit, it seemed that they had escaped from the goblins only to be eaten by wargs.
When Revealed: The first player gains control of Bilbo Baggins. Reveal 1 encounter card per player and add it to the staging area.
Gollum engages the first player. Damage from undefended attacks made by Gollum must be placed on Bilbo Baggins.
All riddle effects are ignored. Treachery cards gain surge.
If players defeat this stage, they have won the game.
They debated long on what was to be done, but they could think of no way of getting rid of Smaug – which had always been a weak point in their plans, as Bilbo felt inclined to point out. – The Hobbit
When Revealed: Set Smaug the Golden aside, out of play. Add Smaug the Magnificent and A Bare Patch to the staging area.
Players cannot defeat this stage while Smaug the Magnificent is in play.
Forced: If the total number of progress on this stage is greater than the total remaining hit points on Smaug the Magnificent, remove Smaug the Magnificent from play.
If the players defeat this stage, they have won the game and discovered any treasure successfully burgled from The Lonely Mountain.
"Now, Sam," said Frodo, "don't hinder me! The others will be coming back at any minute. If they catch me here, I shall have to argue and explain, and I shall never have the heart of the chance to get off. But I must go at once. It's the only way." –The Fellowship of the Ring
When Revealed: Add Parth Galen to the staging area. If it is your quest phase, end the phase (do not resolve the quest).
During the quest phase, reveal 1 additional encounter card for each player in the game.
Response: After an enemy is revealed at this stage, raise your threat by X to engage that enemy. X is that enemy's 
Each player (at any stage) may trigger this ability once per round.
When this stage is defeated, the players win the game.
For a moment the water below him looked like some window, glazed with grimy glass, through which he was peering. Wrenching his hands out of the bog, he sprang back with a cry. "There are dead things, dead faces in the water," he said with horror. -The Two Towers
When Revealed: Each player searches the encounter deck and discard pile for an Undeadenemy and puts it into play engaged with him. Shuffle all locations in the victory display into the encounter deck.
While any player is engaged with an Undead enemy, progress cannot be placed on this stage.
The players cannot defeat this stage unless the first player controls Sméagol. If the players defeat this stage, they win the game.
Gollum laughed. "The Dead Marshes, yes, yes: that is their names," he cackled. "You should not look in when the candles are lit." —The Two Towers
"These cursed Southrons come now marching up the ancient roads to swell the hosts of the Dark Tower. Yea, up the very roads that craft of Gondor made." -Mablung, The Two Towers
Setup: Add The Black Gate and The Cross-roads to the staging area. Shuffle the Harad encounter set and place it facedown under The Cross-roads. Each player, except for the first player, searches the encounter deck for a different non-unique location and adds it to the staging area. Shuffle the encounter deck.
Forced: At the beginning of the quest phase, reveal the top facedown card from under The Cross-roads and add it to the staging area.
The players cannot defeat this stage while The Cross-roads is in play. When The Cross-roads is explored, the players win the game.
"The road may pass, but they shall not!"
—Mablung, The Two Towers
Presently they were under the shadow, and there in the midst of it they saw the opening of a cave. "This is the way in," said Gollum softly. "This is the entrance to the tunnel." He did not speak its name: Torech Ungol, Shelob's Lair. -The Two Towers
When Revealed: Add Shelob to the staging area and shuffle all cards from The Great Spider encounter set and the encounter discard pile into the encounter deck.
Shelob cannot leave the staging area and Sméagol cannot attack or defend.
Each player cannot play, or put into play, more than 1 ally each round.
No more than 4 progress can be placed on this stage each round.
They had not gone more than a few yards when from behind them came a sound, startling and horrible in the heavy padded silence: a gurgling, bubbling noise, and a long venomous hiss. —The Two Towers
"There at Pelargir lay the main fleet of Umbar, fifty great ships and smaller vessels beyond count. Many of those that we pursued had reached the havens before us..."
–Gimli, The Return of the King
Setup: Add The Corsair Fleet (Corsair side faceup) and Great Corsair Ship to the staging area. Each player searches the encounter deck for a Ship location and adds it to the staging area. Shuffle the encounter deck.
"But the Haradrim, being now driven to the brink, turned at bay, and they were fierce in despair; and they laughed when the looked on us, for they were a great army still." –Gimli, The Return of the King
Each Ship location in the staging area is immune to player card effects.
The players cannot defeat this stage while Great Corsair Ship is in play. When this stage is defeated, the players win the game.
And now the fighting waxed furious on the fields of the Pelennor; and the din of arms rose upon high, with the crying of men and the neighing of horses.
–The Return of the King
When Revealed: The first player adds The Witch-king to the staging area (Sorcerer side faceup). Then, he searches the encounter deck and discard pile for a Fell Beast and attaches it to The Witch-king, if able. Shuffle the encounter deck. Each other player reveals an encounter card.
The Witch-king and shadow cards deal to The Witch-king are immune to player card effects.
Forced: When an enemy attacks and destroys a character, deal 1 damage to Minas Tirith.
This stage cannot be defeated unless Aragorn is in play and The Witch-king is in the victory display. If the players defeat this stage, they win the game.
There could not be much doubt: there was fighting in the tower, the orcs must be at war among themselves, Shagrat and Gorbag had come to blows.
–The Return of the King
When Revealed: Shuffle the encounter discard pile into the encounter deck and discard cards from the top until X enemies are discarded, where X is the number of players in the game. Add each enemy discarded by this effect to the staging area.
Forced: At the beginning of the quest phase, discard cards from the top of the encounter deck until an enemy is discarded. If there is a copy of that enemy in the staging area, discard that copy as well. If there is not, add the discarded enemy to the staging area.
This stage cannot be defeated unless Topmost Chamber is in the victory display. When the Ring-bearer is free of encounters, this first player gains control of it.
The last stage of their journey to Orodruin came, and it was a torment greater than Sam had ever thought he could bear. He was in pain, and so parched that he could no longer swallow even a mouthful of food.
–The Return of the King
When Revealed: Shuffle the encounter discard pile into the encounter deck and discard cards from the top until X locations are discarded, where X is the number of players in the game. Add each location discarded this way to the staging area.
Dire. The first treachery revealed each quest phase is immune to player card effects and gains surge.
Forced: At the beginning of the quest phase, the first player makes a Fortitude test. If the first player fails this test, no more than 5 progress can be placed here this round.
This stage cannot be defeated unless Mount Doom is the active location.
He lifted his heavy eyes and saw leaning over him a huge willow-tree, old and hoary. Enormous it looked, its sprawling branches going up like reaching arms with many long-fingered hands...
-The Fellowship of the Ring
When Revealed: Add Old Man Willow and Withywindle to the staging area. Reveal X encounter cards where X is the number of players in the game minus 1.
Old Man Willow cannot leave the staging area but is considered to be engaged with each player and attacks each player in turn order during the combat phase (deal and resolve a shadow card for each attack).
If the players defeat this stage, they win the game.
When Revealed: The first player adds Standing Stones to the staging area. Each other player reveals 1 encounter card. Shuffle the encounter discard pile and each copy of Great Barrows into the encounter deck.
Progress cannot be placed here while Great Barrow is in play.
Forced: After a player is eliminated (at any stage), raise the threat of each player at this stage by 10.
The players cannot defeat this stage unless each player in the game is at this stage and Standing Stones is in the victory display. If the players defeat this stage, they win the game.
You've prepared the defenses as best you could, but the enemy has broken through in several places. It's up to you to protect the people inside the city.
When Revealed: Shuffle the encounter discard pile into the encounter deck and discard cards from the top until their are X enemies are discarded. X is one less than the number of players at this stage, to a minimum of 1. Add each enemy discarded in this way to the staging area.
This stage gets -10 quest points for each Host of Angmar in a victory display.
Forced: After the players have committed characters to the quest, the highest
enemy in the staging area makes an attack against each player in turn order. If no attacks are made in this way, reveal the top card of the encounter deck.
Response: At the end of the round, choose a stage. Each player at that stage heals 1 damage from a character he controls.
You've gathered everyone you can into Annúminas but the host of Angmar is hot on your heels. Once you reach the city gate, you draw your weapons and turn to face the charging Orcs. They cannot be allowed to enter this way.
When Revealed: Shuffle the encounter discard pile into the encounter deck and discard cards from the top until X enemies are discarded. X is one less than the number of players in the game, to a minimum of 1. Add each enemy discarded this way to the staging area.
This stage gets -10 quest points for each Host of Angmar in a victory display.
Forced: Reveal 1 additional card during the quest phase.
Response: At the end of the round, choose a stage. Each player at that stage chooses a hero he controls and adds 1 resource to that hero's pool.
You've done all you can to slow the enemy, so you retreat inside Annúminas and man the walls. Grappling hooks and ladders are raised against the battlements and arrows whistle overhead as the host of Angmar attacks the city.
When Revealed: Shuffle the encounter discard pile into the encounter deck and discard cards from the top until X enemies are discarded. X is one less than the number of players in the game, to a minimum of 1. Add each enemy discarded this way to the staging area.
This stage gets -10 quest points for each Host of Angmar in a victory display.
Forced: At the beginning of the round, add 1 set aside Host of Angmar (from any stage's set aside area) to this staging area.
Response: At the end of the round, choose a stage. Each player at that stage draws 1 card.
Radagast asks that you travel to Dol Guldur to measure the Enemy's strength there. The Anduin vale is too closely watched, so you make your way through the perils of Mirkwood forest.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the top 5 cards of the encounter deck for a card with 1 or less (cost 2 or less if there are two or more players), set it aside, and shufles the encounter deck. Reveal the set aside card. Its 'when revealed' effects cannot be canceled.
When Revealed: The opposing team chooses an ally controlled by each player and places them faceup under this stge as guarded objectives with blank text boxes.
Players cannot play or put into play any ally that shares a title with an ally guarded by this stage. When this stage is defeated, return each guarded ally to its owner's hand.
The dark form of Dol Guldur rises up ahead. The servants of the Enemy patrol the surrounding woods. You must take great care to gather what information you can and return with news to Rhosgobel before it's too late.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the top 5 cards of the encounter deck for a card with cost 2 or less (3 or less if there are two or more players), sets it aside, and shuffles the encounter deck. Reveal the set aside card. Its 'when revealed' effects cannot be canceled.
Forced: After the players have committed characters to the quest, discard cards from the top of the encounter deck until a treachery is discarded. Reveal that treachery.
If the players defeat this stage, they win the game.
The Elf you rescued is Mendor, a servant of the Elvenking. He offers to guide you to the hidden kingdom, yet even Mendor struggles to keep his way as night settles over Mirkwood.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the top 5 cards of the encounter deck for a card with cost 1 or less (2 or less if there are two or more players), sets it aside, and shuffles the encounter deck. Reveal the set aside card. Its 'when revealed' effects cannot be canceled.
The first treachery revealed each round gains Doomed 1. and its 'when revealed' effects cannot be canceled.
Forced: After characters are committed to the quest, no more than 5 progress can be placed here this round (10 progress instead if Mendor is committed to the quest).
The Elf you rescued is Mendor, a servant of the Elvenking. He offers to guide you to the hidden kingdom, yet even Mendor struggles to keep his way as night settles over Mirkwood.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the top 5 cards of the encounter deck for a card with cost 1 or less (2 or less if there are two or more players), sets it aside, and shuffles the encounter deck. Reveal the set aside card. Its 'when revealed' effects cannot be canceled.
Progress cannot be placed on locations in the staging area.
During the travel phase, the players must travel to a location, if able.
Forced: After characters are committed to the quest, no more than 5 progress can be placed here this round (10 progress instead if Mendor is committed to the quest).
The Elf you rescued is Mendor, a servant of the Elvenking. He offers to guide you to the hidden kingdom, yet even Mendor struggles to keep his way as night settles over Mirkwood.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the top 5 cards of the encounter deck for a card with cost 1 or less (2 or less if there are two or more players), sets it aside, and shuffles the encounter deck. Reveal the set aside card. Its 'when revealed' effects cannot be canceled.
Each enemy in the staging area gets -10 engagement cost, cannot be optionally engaged and cannot take damage.
Forced: After characters are committed to the quest, no more than 5 progress can be placed here this round (10 progress instead if Mendor is committed to the quest).
Dawn comes and and pale streaks of light penetrate the dark forest, giving Mendor the light he needs to navigate. The Elf leads you with renewed confidence, but danger still lies between you and the safety of Thranduil's halls.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the top 5 cards of the encounter deck for a card with cost 2 or less (3 or less if there are two or more players), sets it aside, and shuffles the encounter deck. Reveal the set aside card. It's 'when revealed' effects cannot be canceled.
Forced: At the beginning of the quest phase, discard cards from the top of the encounter deck until a location is discarded. Add that location to the staging area.
If the players defeat this stage, they win the game.
Once inside the mine it becomes obvious that the rumors were true: evil things move through the darkness all around you. With the way behind you blocked by that horrible creature, your only option is to press forward.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the top 5 cards of the encounter deck for a card with cost 1 or less (2 or less instead if there are two or more players), sets it aside, and shuffles the encounter deck. Reveal the set aside card. Its 'when revealed' effects cannot be canceled.
Forced: At the beginning of the staging step, the opposing team looks at the top 2 cards of the encounter deck, puts 1 on the bottom, and puts the other back on top.
Once inside the mine it becomes obvious that the rumors were true: evil things move through the darkness all around you. With the way behind you blocked by that horrible creature, your only option is to press forward.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the top 5 cards of the encounter deck for a card with cost 1 or less (2 or less instead if there are two or more players), sets it aside, and shuffles the encounter deck. Reveal the set aside card. Its 'when revealed' effects cannot be canceled.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the encounter deck and discard pile for one different 0 cost location per player and adds them to the staging area. Shuffle the encounter deck.
Once inside the mine it becomes obvious that the rumors were true: evil things move through the darkness all around you. With the way behind you blocked by that horrible creature, your only option is to press forward.
When Revealed: The opposing team chooses an attachment controlled by each player and places them faceup under this stage as guarded objectives with blank text boxes. Players cannot play or put into play any attachment that shares a title with an attachment guarded by this stage. When this stage is defeated, return each guarded attachment to its owner's hand.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the encounter deck and discard pile for one different 0 cost location per player and adds them to the staging area. Shuffle the encounter deck.
Your journey through Moria has been marked by all manner of terrible hazards, but you've discovered no sign of Balin's company. You hope that you might find some record of the Dwarven colony in the Chamber of Mazarbul.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the top 5 cards of the encounter deck for a card with cost 2 or less (cost 3 or less instead if there are two or more players), sets it aside, and shuffles the encounter deck. Reveal the set aside card. Its 'when revealed' effects cannot be canceled.
Forced: At the beginning of the staging step, the first player must choose: either reveal an additional encounter card this phase, or no more than 5 progress can be placed here this phase.
This stage cannot be defeated while Chamber of Mazarbul is in play. When this stage is defeated, the players win the game.
The Mines of Moria are vast beyond your imagination. Though you feel that you are making progress, one wrong turn could mean disaster.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the top 5 cards of the encounter deck for a card with cost 1 or less (cost 2 or less instead if there are two or more players), sets it aside, and shuffles the encounter deck. Reveal the set aside card. It's 'when revealed' effects cannot be canceled.
Add the active location's to the staging area.
During the travel phase, the players must travel, if able.
Your spirits rise as you are drawing near to the East Gate of Moria. But then a huge, dark shape rises in front of you and bursts into flames: a Balrog! Durin's Bane blocks your escape.
When Revealed: Add the set-aside Durin's Bane to the staging area. It cannot take damage this round. If there is more than 1 player, it makes an immediate attack against the first player.
Each player's threat cannot be reduced by player card effects.
Durin's Bane is considered to be engaged with each player and attacks each player in turn order during the combat phase. (Deal and resolve a shadow card for each attack.)
If the players defeat this stage, they win the game.
The Mines of Moria are vast beyond your imagination. Though you feel that you are making progress, one wrong turn could mean disaster.
When Revealed: The opposing team searches the top 5 cards of the encounter deck for a card with cost 1 or less (cost 2 or less instead if there are two or more players), sets it aside, and shuffles the encounter deck. Reveal the set aside card. It's 'when revealed' effects cannot be canceled.
Add the active location's to the staging area.
During the travel phase, the players must travel, if able.
The vicious Corsairs of Umbar have been pillaging the Gondorian coastline for months, and rumors are swirling that they've built the most devastating and gigantic ship ever known: The Dreadnaught. Many are suspicious of such extraordinary reports but, if true, the massive enemy is unlike any you've faced before. It will take an equally–colossal effort to take down such a potent foe. No others can bear such a difficult task, so it's up to the heroes to assemble a formidable fleet, and then scour the seas for the mighty warship.
*This stage has a global quest point value of 8 per player among all groups.
No more than 5 progress per player can be placed on this stage each round.
The players can only advance at the end of the quest phase.
Lost as you are, your presence in the marsh has not gone unnoticed. An ancient and foul swamp creature stalks your company...
When Revealed: Raise each player's threat by 1. Add Ancient Marsh-dweller to the staging area (from out of play or engaged with a player) and heal all damage from it.
Time 3.Forced: After the last time counter is removed from this stage, advance to a different stage 3A at random. Return this stage to the quest deck.
Treachery card effects cannot be canceled.