Hello, my name is Sam, and I’m the author behind all of the Book of Elessar content. I am a gamer, painter, creative writer, and formally, a book editor in the Denver area. I’ve been playing the Lord of the Rings Living Card Game for several years, almost since the beginning.
This site began as a passing joke about imagining a young Aragorn traveling around with Elladan and Elrohir, twin sons of Elrond, who ranged with Aragorn for a long time when he lived in Rivendell. I thought, I could actually combine this with the LOTR LCG in a way that not only created content for the game itself, but also creative fan fiction that was literally derived from the events of each quest.
So, in this project I am replaying every quest in the LOTR LCG. I’m playing true solo, wherever possible (some quests make this almost impossible), and every deck will feature Aragorn as a hero. This is not a “progression series,” in that I am not limiting my decks to cards only available at the time the quests were printed, but I am proceeding in order of release.
The site also features my ongoing fan fiction about Aragorn as a younger man. From the time he is told the truth of his lineage at age 20, on through the various adventures that he has from Gondor, to Rohan, even to Harad and the East.
The Content
Decks
For each quest, I’ll have a breakdown of the deck I’ve made, of course, featuring Aragorn. I tailor each deck to the needs of the quest, and this also determines which version of Aragorn I use. Also, I explain my strategy going into the quest.
Gameplay
Quite simply, you can visit my YouTube channel, The Hall of Cards, to watch each game. You can also find other games, such as a new Saga campaign.
Narrative
The fan fiction narrative is inspired by various cards, interactions, or events that occur in my LOTR LCG games. However, there are many creative choices and additions that make this more than just a game recap, but a full fan fiction tale centered on young Aragorn.
The Sword of Elendil was forged anew by Elvish smiths, and on its blade was traced a device of seven stars set between the crescent Moon and rayed Sun, and about them was written many runes; for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war upon the marches of Mordor. Very bright was that sword when it was made whole again; the light of the sun shone redly in it, and the light of the moon shone cold, its edge was hard and keen. And Aragorn gave it a new name and called it Andúril, Flame of the West.
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Book of Elessar 