I've added this huge gamebook by Richard Evans to the downloads page. It uses FF rules (with a magic system a bit like the one in Citadel Of Chaos), but is set in its own world. I think it would probably appeal most to those who like Midnight Deep.
This is the first in what will hopefully be an epic trilogy by Richard Evans. Certainly the first two exist (see the downloads page). If you particularly like The Diamond Key or Midnight Deep this is definitely for you.
King Ragnar's meddling destroyed the northern World-Flame, and the North began to descend into anarchy. Innshelm's former enemies cared not, struggling instead over the wreckage of its Empire. Only one, the city-state of Talras, sent aid. YOU are the one they sent, a warrior trained in the sword, the bow and the art of magic. It is your mission to travel through the dangers of Innshelm and relight the World-Flame.
Alright! Definitely was a fan of the Diamond Key, so looking forward to this. I just stumbled on the new posting, and having it also be Halloween, I have quite a tingle of excitement, the same as an adventurer must feel when setting foot on lands never charted before. Here I go!
Tammy Sun Nov 2 04:19:18 2014
Your fingers scrabble over the wet rock; for a second they find purchase, but then you are wrenched away by the current. You are dragged screaming over the lip of the waterfall in a torrent of spray and white water. It is a long fall and your body breaks on the rocks below.
So much for me. :( Better luck next time?
john Sun Nov 2 21:44:37 2014
Great read. I really liked the spell casting system. A little abrupt ending, but overall really quite a bit of fun.
The second in the series does have a more climactic ending.
Marcus Wed Nov 5 05:40:59 2014
Excellent! Can easily play it again and again.
Gregory Sat Nov 8 19:12:22 2014
Thanks for this guys, I just played for the first time, Shadow of The North, and got killed by a Mimic which is rather coincidental as I watched Edge Of Tomorrow last night.
Good fun and well written, I'm going to try again! :-)
scott Thu Nov 13 17:23:37 2014
Great little adventure, beautifully described. Pity some abysmal dice rolls ended my adventure prematurely. Oh bring back the books so I can cheat! Only kidding, lol
Phil Sadler Fri Nov 14 00:11:20 2014
Little? Isn't 600 refs or something?
700. Maybe Scott has played The Diamond Key, The Crown Of Kings and nothing else. That being said, A Shadow In The North doesn't seem quite as long when you play it as the number of references would suggest. Instead, there tend to be more choices (often spells) in any given situation, most combats have a description of how exactly you lost, and the original tends not to have several choices crammed into one reference which is an approach that some writers go for.
Chris Sun Nov 16 22:54:29 2014
YEAH!!!! This is awesome.
oscar Wed Nov 19 21:54:10 2014
Very cool book I loved it
Fletcher Miller Wed Nov 19 21:55:58 2014
it was probably a bad choice for me.
Richard Evans Tue Nov 25 11:48:08 2014
Big thanks for Andy for putting my gamebook up here! The system is really working great, although - not being a fan of impossible to beat gamebooks myself - I'm slightly worried that everyone seems to be dying. The book seems short because there's a lot of different choices (the choice of east and west roads in particular leads to totally different encounters), so if you are finding it difficult, try choosing a different road or using different spells/weapons. If you think ahead and choose carefully you can go through the entire book without fighting anything!
Thanks for writing it, it's a great addition to the site. I also really appreciate the style in which it is constructed, I got the online version done a lot quicker than I expected as a result (and I've made a fair bit of progress with the sequel). In terms of difficulty, it looks like it's going to end up in the 'fairly easy' category - which would make it the easiest large gamebook here.
How is A Light In The North coming on?
Gaetano Sun Nov 30 20:38:50 2014
Very well written adventure. Will this story be linked to its sequel, whenever it becomes available?
Yes it will, it'll be the same kind of thing as in the Wrong Way Go Back series.
Anonymous Mon Dec 1 04:04:31 2014
SPOILER
dont hide in the dense grass
END SPOILER
DJgamer98 Wed Dec 10 13:34:45 2014
Very nice gamebook :) Too bad i died at page 130.
Louise Mon Dec 15 17:39:16 2014
I thought it was really good would be better with some music but I had some instrumental music playing in the background
You should try one of Robert Douglas' gamebooks - he tends to suggest playlists to go with them.
Louise Mon Dec 15 18:27:42 2014
good could play it over and over again
Richard Tue Dec 16 20:11:33 2014
Hello, if you liked this, check out "Tales from the Bird Islands", a work of mine is going up there soon and the collaboration as a whole is coming on very well (we are also looking for anyone who wants to contribute their talents in writing an island).
joe arnold Wed Dec 17 10:21:00 2014
it is very good but at times it can be frustrating. I didn't make it that far anyway.