In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit. —The Hobbit

Setup: Create the boons area (see rules). Set [baggins] Bilbo Baggins, all boons and burdens, and the Adventure objective aside, out of play. Create 5 piles of faceup encounter cards: Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, and Stage 6 by separating the encounter cards by their Stage X trait. Add Terms to the staging area. Remind the players that Thorin’s Company is a valid contract to select for this scenario. Read the Master Burglar player card.

“Gandalf, dwarves, and Mr. Baggins!… We are met to discuss our plans, our ways, means, policy and devices. We shall soon before the break of day start on our long journey…” —Thorin Oakenshield, The Hobbit

When Revealed: The first player may add Without a Hat to the staging area. If they do so, earn Lucky Number (see rules).

At the end of the planning phase, the first player takes control of the set-aside Bilbo Baggins. Reveal the set-aside Adventure objective, “We Must Away” side faceup.