Explanations: Theme Saga 1: A Shadow of the Past
Current Quests: Theme Saga 1.5: Old Forest and Barrow-Downs
Really, this is the deck I SHOULD have used for Saga quest 1. After failing Old Forest once for utter lack of card draw in the early game, I decided that if I'm allowed Legacy of Númenor, then I'm also allowed Lórien's Wealth. I also wonder if I was just lucky at the first quest, seeing all three Frodo's Intuition that early.
Good Meal goes well with both Lórien's Wealth and The Galadhrim's Greeting now, making this a much more reliable Secrecy deck. Other than that, it's still about avoiding enemies and running away, questing through as fast as I can... except, I am Determined to earn these boons, so Sam will sing a Song of Battle. I don't know exactly where Westernesse is, but these heroes definitely had at least one Dagger with them. Heck, it's in Sam's picture.
I'd like to hold onto my Curious Brandybucks, but thematically I can't because Buckland is far behind us. Other than Merry himself, it's clear there are no Brandybucks here. I'm still keeping Bill the Pony earlier than I should, because it's hilarious and useful, and I can pretend it's the nameless ponies they brought from the Shire.
... and after failing it six more times, I've arrived at this version of the deck. Over and over again, Sam takes 1 damage from an attack, and eventually I get backed into a corner. Then Bill dies, which causes Sam to lose his bonus HP and die. This has happened on a couple of attempts now, so the final version has one Boots from Erebor and one Close Call. My own rules won't allow me any healing effects, until The Black Serpent comes out. Old Toby will be a HUGE help in this deck, but we don't have it yet!