FF BOOK 1: WARLOCK OF FIRETOP MOUNTAIN

UK £ 4.99 , Canada $9.99 , Australia $12.95
Now available in the United States
ISBN 1-84046-387-2

In the later part of 1982, two individuals known as Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone finished a project known as ' The Magic Quest' that they had begun in August of that year. The project was an adventure gamebook, a new unique type of story with a difference. In the 'Magic Quest' the reader actually decided what happens next. The basic premise was that after a long introduction of story to set the scene, a player as the main character in the story would then be given options in which way to progress the story. This was given along the lines of "if you want to go east turn to xxx.

An additional element in the new book idea was the use of dice which contributed to its phenomenon success. Before a story or adventure could begin, the reader 'or player' had to determine the characters abilities for when confronting enemies or dangerous encounters during the story.

These abilities were generated through the use of six sided dice (or D6 as they are commonly known in role-playing quarters) and were Skill, Stamina and Luck. With the use of a basic and easy to follow combat system (using the D6) along with the character stats a player could face dangerous tasks and fight battles with the outcome of possible success or failure dependant on the role of a dice. Upon the books completion and after endless an endless debate, the original working title of The Magic Quest was dropped and a new title reached through compromise. On the day the completed book was finally handed in, 'The Warlock of Firetop Mountain was born', and with it the beginnings of the FF game and legacy. The Warlock of Firetop Mountain holds a unique place in the annals of FF. As well as being the first book in the series it brought a legion of fans to the joys and excitement of gamebooks and went on to become an international best seller.

Book Description: This object of this first FF adventure is traverse the Firetop Mountain. A vast highland outcrop on the eastern reaches of the Pagan Plains and north western reaches of the Moonstone Hills. Within the mountain, is the Evil Warlock Zagor, a ruthless powerful sorcerer who rules over the region with an legions of chaotic orcs, goblins trolls.

About the Author:

Steve Jackson is co-founder of Lionhead Studios, developers of the best-selling PC god-game Black & White. With Ian Livingstone Steve brought the Fighting Fantasy™ idea to life in the 1980s and is one of the pivotal figures in the world of fantasy gaming, founding the White Dwarf magazine and the Games Workshop retail chain as well as writing Fighting Fantasy™ and many associated books.

Ian Livingstone is now Creative Director of Eidos, the name behind the Tomb Raider computer games. Ian and Steve Jackson developed the Fighting Fantasy™ concept from an initial idea in 1981 and Ian has been intimately involved with it ever since.

Cover:

Illustrations: Russ Nicholson

Covers: Click HERE to view a collection of foreign cover scans