Another foursome of characters today, including some companions this time. Hope you like the synergy between these guys (and Barliman). Enjoy!

•Hugin, Consel of the Lakemen
Companion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 3
Resistance: 7
When played in your starting fellowship, Hugin’s twilight cost is -1.
Each time a Free Peoples card (except a character) is about to be discarded, you may exert Hugin to place that card on the bottom of your draw deck instead.
A former warrior and official counselor to the Master of Laketown, he had become one of his lands’ most respected emissaries.
Seems okay.

•Ottar, Esgaroth Patrician
Companion • Man
Strength: 5
Vitality: 3
Resistance: 6
Each time you are about to draw a card, you may exert Ottar (or spot 2 other Men and add ) to draw a card from the bottom of your draw deck instead.
“‘Nowhere are there any men so friendly to us as the Men of Dale. They are good folk, the Bardings.’”
Wow! Nice combo with the previous card.

•Dasron, Tradesman of Rhûn
Ally • Home 3 [FotR] • Man
Strength: 4
Vitality: 3
To play, spot a Man.
When you play Dasron, you may reinforce a Free Peoples token.
Fellowship: Exert Dasron twice (or exert him once and remove a Free Peoples token) and discard a card from hand to place a card from your discard pile on the bottom of your draw deck.
The men of the Long Lake has long been involved in trading (in particular food and drink) to Erebor and the Wood-elves of Mirkwood.
You said "Dasron" once. It’s cool.

•Riduan, Man of Dale
Ally • Home 3 [FotR] & 8 [LA] • Man
Strength: 2
Vitality: 3
To play, spot Gandalf or a Man.
Maneuver: Exert Riduan and discard a card from hand to draw a card. If you draw a card of the same culture as the card you discarded, you may reveal it to heal a character of that culture.
King Brand of Dale was very interested in rumors of a hobbit in Rivendell, perhaps the same that a rider in black had sought from the king.
Interesting... but nice.

I hope the "theme" of these guys is apparent. These make up the first example of the "alternate fellowships" that run rampant throughout this set. The majority of the characters from the Council of Elrond have companion versions in this set, and those of the same culture/race work well together. There will be small groups of Elves, Elves, and Dwarves from the Council that work closely with each other and share the same theme with each other...just like these Men. Should be fun.

•Brand, Leader of the Bardings
Companion • Man
Strength: 6
Vitality: 3
Resistance: 6
While you can spot a knight, Brand is a knight.
While you can spot a archer, Brand is an archer.
Each other archer and knight is strength +1.
“‘He is a strong king, and his realm now reaches far south and east of Esgaroth.’”

Awesome!

•Brand, Leader of the Bardings
Companion • Man
Strength: 6
Vitality: 3
Resistance: 6
While you can spot a knight, Brand is a knight.
While you can spot a archer, Brand is an archer.
Each other archer and knight is strength +1.
“‘He is a strong king, and his realm now reaches far south and east of Esgaroth.’”

Glad you all like Brand. He’ll reappear in a couple sets.

Do you think it would be okay if I went back and made Hugin a knight?

yes that would be good

Here’s a little card the Men can play with. Enjoy!

Surpassed the Old Days
Condition • Support Area
To play, spot a Man (or exert a Dwarf). Plays on a river or dwelling site. Limit 1 per site.
This site’s Shadow number is -1.
When the fellowship moves from this site, you may heal up to 2 Men or Dwarves.
“‘You should see the waterways of Dale, Frodo, and the fountains, and the pools! You should see the stone-paved roads of many colours!’”