Smaug the MagnificentSmaug the Magnificent | Art by John Tedrick

As soon as Magic the Gathering | The Hobbit was announced as Universes Beyond set, I was beyond thrilled. When I was ten years old, I read The Hobbit for the first time, and it completely changed my life. Twenty years later, I have read the book more times than I can count and hope to instill my love of this story in all of you!

To anyone who doesn't know the story of The Hobbit, the new set conveys the story pretty well, even though I may have some gripes with it here and there. First things first, yes, this is a prequel to The Lord of the Rings, so the few reprints we're getting are extremely welcome.

The story starts with a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who, while he is very "anti-adventure", is descended from a famous hobbit warrior, Bullroarer Took. Bullroarer Took famously knocked a Goblin King's head "clean off with a wooden club" and it sailed through the air and landed in a rabbit hole. Tolkien jokes that this is how we got the game of Golf.

Unfortunately, there is no card for Bullroarer, but there is a card for Bilbo's mother, Belladonna TookBelladonna Took. Belladonna received a great sense of adventure from her Took ancestry, and passed this along to Bilbo (as much as he hates to admit it). Even though he is technically a Took, his values align much more with his Baggins side, which firmly believes that relaxation is the point of life (not adventures!)

An Unexpected Party

Bilbo's carefree Baggins lifestyle comes crashing down with the arrival of the fabled wizard Gandalf, who secretly puts a mark on his door for thirteen dwarves to later identify. Bilbo is unaware of the mark, but the next day is shocked when thirteen dwarves arrive at his home, demanding cakes and tea in an An Unexpected PartyAn Unexpected Party. Their leader, Thorin OakenshieldThorin Oakenshield, tells Bilbo about his stolen kingdom in the heart of The Lonely Mountain.

According to Thorin, Smaug, a dangerous dragon, resides in the place his family once called home, sitting on mountains of gold and treasures. The dwarves' goal is simple: regain control of The Lonely MountainThe Lonely Mountain and reinstate Thorin as the "king under the mountain." Why are they at Bilbo's house? Well, they need a burglar, and Gandalf thinks Bilbo is the perfect choice due to his Took ancestry.

The "Crack the Plates" scene box shows the chaotic moments of the novel's beginning.

Thrór's MapThrór's Map shows a map to a secret entrance into The Lonely Mountain with a keyhole only visible with "the Last Light of Durin's DayLast Light of Durin's Day." Gandalf forgets to mention that a key to this secret entrance was meant to go with the map, and hands it to Thorin: a "Key to the Side-DoorKey to the Side-Door."

Each location the party visits throughout their journey is shown via new nonbasic lands, the first of which being "Hobbit HoleHobbit Hole."

Trolls and Rivendell

Something deep inside Bilbo compels him to go on this journey with Gandalf and the Dwarves, and one of the first big moments of this journey comes in the form of Bilbo's meeting of the trolls Tom, Bert, and WilliamTom, Bert, and William.

The trolls argue about their lack of fresh food, and finding Bilbo sneaking around (Bilbo Baggins, BurglarBilbo Baggins, Burglar), nearly eat him before Gandalf intervenes, turning them to stone: "Stone by SunlightStone by Sunlight." The party raids a nearby cave, finding three swords hidden by the trolls: "Plunder the TrollshawsPlunder the Trollshaws."

After defeating the trolls, Gandalf suggests the party travel to Rivendell to rest and recover before making the trek into the Misty Mountains: "Down in the ValleyDown in the Valley." Elrond welcomes them warmly, and identifies two of the discovered swords as Glamdring, Foe-hammerGlamdring, Foe-hammer and Orcrist, Goblin-cleaverOrcrist, Goblin-cleaver. The third sword will eventually be the one Bilbo will call Sting later (Sting, Bilbo's SwordSting, Bilbo's Sword).

Elrond also gives the party more insight into the strange letters on Thror's Map: "Uncover the Moon-LettersUncover the Moon-Letters."

Under the Misty Mountain

The journey continues through the high-pass of the Misty Mountains, where the party encounters a "thunderstorm." The storm is being brought on by massive Stone Giants who are throwing rocks at each other for fun: "Stone-Giant of High PassStone-Giant of High Pass" and "Giant's BoulderGiant's Boulder."

The party isn't attacked directly, but the path becomes incredibly dangerous and forces them to seek shelter in the mountains.

While seeking refuge in the mountains, Bilbo dreams that a crack opens in the cave wall. He wakes up to discover Goblins stealing the group's ponies from a crack in the cave wall, and wakes up Gandalf. In a flash of light, Gandalf kills a few Goblins and disappears: Gandalf, Goblins' BaneGandalf, Goblins' Bane.

The rest of the party is captured by more Goblins (Goblin-town FlunkiesGoblin-town Flunkies) and taken deeper into the mountain's core, aptly named Goblin-town: "Down, Down to Goblin-townDown, Down to Goblin-town" and "Goblin-townGoblin-town."

They are brought before The Great GoblinThe Great Goblin as prisoners, and even though Thorin tries to talk his way out of it, the Great Goblin immediately recognizes his sword. Orcrist gained its name from its time as the weapon the Elves used as they hunted Goblins in the hills. The Great Goblin orders the execution of the party, but Gandalf appears in a flash of light, using Glamdring to kill the Great Goblin and giving the group a chance to escape.

Bilbo gets separated from the group after falling from Dori's back (Dori, Bearer of FriendsDori, Bearer of Friends), ending up in a cave where he finds a ring: "Fateful DiscoveryFateful Discovery" and "My PreciousMy Precious."

After finding the ring, he meets an interesting creature dwelling in the cave: Gollum, Riddle MasterGollum, Riddle Master. Gollum claims to know the way out, and challenges Bilbo to a game of riddles. If Bilbo wins, Gollum will show him the way out: "Riddles in the DarkRiddles in the Dark."

Bilbo wins by putting on the ring and disappearing from sight.

Wargs, Beorn, and Mirkwood

Bilbo finds the party and secretly hears the Dwarves speak about him being "more trouble than he's worth" before revealing himself. The party still needs to get out of the Misty Mountains, but encounters Wargs along the way who attack them. Knowing Wargs can't climb trees, the party climbs tall trees to escape while Gandalf throws down pinecones imbued with magical fire: "Pinecone StrikePinecone Strike" and "Gandalf, Spark StarterGandalf, Spark Starter."

The pinecones set a few of the Wargs on fire, in turn causing the trees to alight: "Burn, Burn, Tree and FernBurn, Burn, Tree and Fern." Seeing the fires, The Lord of the EaglesThe Lord of the Eagles intervenes, saving the party: "Eagle's RescueEagle's Rescue."

Needing a place to stay, Gandalf leads them to the home of a "very strong skin-changer" named Beorn: "Beorn, Reluctant HostBeorn, Reluctant Host" and "Beorn's HospitalityBeorn's Hospitality." Beorn allows them to stay and take refuge from the Goblins in his home, which is on the outskirts of MirkwoodMirkwood Forest.

During the night, they hear a strange commotion outside, but Gandalf assumes it is just Beorn changing shape into a Bear: "Dancing from Dark to DawnDancing from Dark to Dawn." When they set off again, Beorn warns them to not stray from the path while in Mirkwood, as it is extremely dangerous.

Upon arriving at the Mirkwood, Gandalf leaves the party, reiterating Beorn's warning to stay on the path: "Through the Forest GateThrough the Forest Gate." Unfortunately, the party does stray from the path, nearly becoming Supper for SpidersSupper for Spiders.

The dwarves are captured and wrapped in silk cocoons. Bilbo uses the ring to sneak around and rescue them one by one: "Old Fat Spider Can't See MeOld Fat Spider Can't See Me" and "Bilbo's Deadly SliceBilbo's Deadly Slice."

After escaping the spiders, the party thinks they're safe until a group of elves captures Thorin during the night and takes him to their king: "Thranduil, the ElvenkingThranduil, the Elvenking", "Thranduil's DecreeThranduil's Decree", and "Elvenking's HallsElvenking's Halls." In their search for Thorin, the party (minus Bilbo) is also captured by Elves and taken to Thranduil.

Bilbo uses the ring to find where the dwarves are being held, also discovering that empty wine barrels are sent through a trap door and down the river to a town that sits below the Lonely Mountain. With this information, he frees his companions (Bilbo, LuckwearerBilbo, Luckwearer) and carefully stuffs them into barrels while pushing them into the river: "Roll-Roll-Roll-RollRoll-Roll-Roll-Roll" and "Getaway BarrelGetaway Barrel."

Lake-town and the Mountain

The group arrives in Lake-townLake-town as Thorin demands to see The Master of Lake-townThe Master of Lake-town to announce the return of the "King Under the Mountain": "The Mountain-king's ReturnThe Mountain-king's Return."

The Master of Lake-town grants the dwarves food and a place to stay, even though he's a bit unsure about how true Thorin's claim is. When the party decides to sail for the mountain, the Master is happy to see them go, as their stay was expensive and caused so much commotion that business was "at a standstill" in Lake-town: "Uneasy PartingsUneasy Partings."

They reach the mountain and discover the secret door mentioned on the map, but no keyhole at first. The Last Light of Durin's DayLast Light of Durin's Day comes, revealing the keyhole and allowing the party to open the door: "The Misty Mountains ColdThe Misty Mountains Cold."

Thorin sends Bilbo inside to "perform the service for which he was included in our company." He ventures inside, seeing Smaug, an immense red dragon sleeping on an enormous pile of gold, jewels, and other treasures (Smaug the MagnificentSmaug the Magnificent). His Baggins side taking hold of him, he runs back out to the party. It's not until morning that he gathers the courage to return, this time wearing the ring, certain he will not be spotted. Unfortunately, he forgets the dragon's sense of smell, and as soon as Bilbo enters the room, Smaug says: "Well, thief! I smell you and I feel your air. I hear your breath. Come along! Help yourself again, there is plenty and to spare!"

The "Treasures of Smaug" scene box captures this scene perfectly.

The Death of Smaug and the Battle of the Five Armies

While speaking with Smaug, Bilbo sees a "patch in the hollow of his left breast" as a potential weak point in the dragon's armor: "Inside InformationInside Information." Unfortunately, Bilbo angers Smaug and causes him to leave his lair, attacking the side of the mountain on his way out: "Smaug's FurySmaug's Fury."

He heads directly for Lake-town as he says: "Your feet came from the waterside and up the water you came without a doubt. I don't know your smell, but if you are not one of those men of the Lake, you had their help. They shall see me and remember who is the real King under the Mountain!" Smaug attacks Lake-town: "Desolation of SmaugDesolation of Smaug", "Smaug, Wicked WormSmaug, Wicked Worm", and "Smaug, the Great CalamitySmaug, the Great Calamity."

The dwarves and Bilbo are now stuck inside the mountain, with no clue as to where Smaug went. While exploring Smaug's lair, Bilbo slips and falls, needing to climb his way up the mound of treasure. When he reaches the top, he finds the "heart of the mountain," The ArkenstoneThe Arkenstone. "There could not be two such gems, even in so marvelous a hoard, even in all the world."

Meanwhile, Smaug is attacking Lake-town when a man, Bard the BowmanBard the Bowman, joins the archers to fight the dragon. The archers' arrows bounce off of the dragon's armored hide until a thrush (bird) flies near Bard's ear to deliver a message: "The moon is rising. Look for the hollow of the left breast as he flies and turns above you!"

Bard pulls The Black ArrowThe Black Arrow (an arrow forged for the true king under the mountain) against his bowstring and fires. The arrow hits its mark, and Smaug collapses directly atop Lake-town: "Settle the WreckageSettle the Wreckage" and "Magnificent EndMagnificent End."

Since Bard kills Smaug, the people of Lake-town herald him as king: "Bard, King of DaleBard, King of Dale" and "Moment of GloryMoment of Glory." News of Smaug's death spreads all the way to Mirkwood, causing Thranduil to assume Thorin's death. Thranduil and his army begin to march to The Lonely Mountain in the hopes of claiming it for themselves. Bard requests aid from the elves to rebuild the town closer to shore, while Thranduil's soldiers join Bard's men in a march to claim the mountain.

Bard attempts to convince Thorin to share wealth and food with his people, but Thorin says that "while an armed host lies before our doors, we look on you as foes and thieves." Bilbo is upset at this whole state of negotiations between Bard and Thorin, so he takes the Arkenstone in the middle of the night (Bilbo, Thief in the NightBilbo, Thief in the Night) and sneaks into Bard's camp. He offers Bard the stone as something to sweeten the bargain (Bilbo's GambitBilbo's Gambit), as Thorin stated he valued it "over a river of gold." When Thorin discovers this treachery, he kicks Bilbo out of the mountain and forces him to side with Bard and Thranduil.

In the book, it explains a "Battle of the Five Armies" very briefly. The armies of men (Bard's CompanyBard's Company), elves (Thranduil's CompanyThranduil's Company), and dwarves (Dáin's CompanyDáin's Company) fight against the armies of goblins (Bolg's CompanyBolg's Company) led by Bolg of the NorthBolg of the North and Wargs and wild wolves (Chief Warg's CompanyChief Warg's Company) led by The Chief WargThe Chief Warg.

In the end, the eagles save the day (The Eagles Are Coming!The Eagles Are Coming!), but Thorin is mortally wounded in combat. He says Bilbo has more good in him than he knows, and passes away with the hobbit at his side (Part in FriendshipPart in Friendship).

Returning home, Bilbo discovers his cousins, The Sackville-BagginsesThe Sackville-Bagginses measuring the rooms in his house "to see if their own furniture would fit" since he was "presumed dead."

Overall, this is a brilliant story, and it's so cool to see them have cards covering pieces of it. I hope this article gives you a greater appreciation of such an amazing tale!