FF1: Warlock of Firetop Mountain

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 and 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 character's 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 dependent on the role of a dice. Upon the book's completion and after endless and 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 Fighting Fantasy game and legacy. The Warlock of Firetop Mountain holds a unique place in the annals of Fighting Fantasy. 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 Fighting Fantasy adventure is to 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 his chaotic legions of orcs, goblins and trolls.

Cover:
Martin McKenna

Illustrations:
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