Smaug has been defeated, the Battle of Five Armies has been won, and Bilbo has returned to the Shire. In the relative peace, the Free People of Wilderland look beyond their borders for the first time, establishing trade routes, renewing bonds between their cultures, and bringing prosperity to the region of northern Mirkwood, the Lonely Mountain, and the eastern slopes of the Misty Mountains. But much danger still remains, and from the Orc-holds of the mountains to the dark and corrupt depths of Mirkwood a darkness waits, recovering its strength, laying its plans, and slowly extending its shadow.

Based on The Lord of the Rings and set after the events of The Hobbit; future The One Ring core game releases will expand the game to the era of the War of the Ring. This set contains two core rulebooks in premium slipcovers: "The Loremaster's Book" for GMs and "The Adventurer's Book" for players.