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Spellbreaker

From Titannica

Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks
Outline
Location: Old World, Titan
References: 400
Publication Details
Author(s): Jonathan Green
Illustrator(s): Alan Langford
Puffin
Cover illustrator: Alan Langford
First published: February 24 1993
Number 53
ISBN: ISBN 0-14-036427-7
Previous Book: Night Dragon
Next Book: Legend of Zagor
Wizard (Series 1)
Cover illustrator: Martin McKenna
First published: June 7 2007
Number 28
ISBN: ISBN 1-84046-807-6
Previous Book: Curse of the Mummy
Next Book: Howl of the Werewolf
Wizard (Series 2)
Cover illustrator: N/A
First published: N/A
Number N/A
ISBN: N/A
Previous Book: N/A
Next Book: N/A


Spellbreaker is a single-player role-playing gamebook, written by Jonathan Green, illustrated by Alan Langford and originally published in 1993 by Puffin Books. It was later republished by Wizard Books in 2007. It forms part of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy series. It is the 53rd in the series in the original Puffin series (ISBN 0-14-036427-7) and 28th in the modern Wizard "Series 1" (ISBN 1-84046-807-6).

Contents

[edit] Creation

“ Unfortunately, [the second draft of Outlaws of Kaan] didn't get any better, so I had a break from writing and tried again with a proposal called Spellbreaker. After a year at uni my ability to effectively critically appraise my own work had improved no end and this new proposal was met with a much more positive response. One rewrite later Marc submitted it to Puffin ... Ian Livingstone having read it ... I made some more alterations to the plot synopsis for the editors ... and a couple of days into my summer holiday after my second year at uni I was commissioned to write Spellbreaker.

As it worked out, bits and pieces from Outlaws of Kaan ended up in ... Spellbreaker.[1] 		”

[edit] Background

“ The Beast is loose!

Rassin Abbey has guarded its arcane treasures for centuries. But when their Black Grimoire is stolen, the land of Ruddlestone is plunged into a crisis of epic proportions. For the ancient book holds the key to the legendary Casket of Shadows - and the Evil imprisoned within it. Should it be opened, the Infernal Beast will be unleashed to wreak its terrible carnage across the Old World.

On the night of Shekka’s Moon, scant days away, this will surely come to pass. Unless, that is, one brave hero can retrieve the Black Grimoire in the nick of time - a hero like YOU!

FIGHTING FANTASY — THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR ADVENTURE GAMEBOOK SERIES[2] 		”

After inadvertently helping a villain to steal the Black Grimoire, the player must retrieve the book before time runs out.

[edit] Introduction

The book in general follows the original rules set down in The Warlock of Firetop Mountain. (see Game System)

[edit] Unique Rules

  • The player keeps a faith score to track their resistance to demonic forces, and sometimes repel creatures of Evil. This score starts at 1.
  • In one part of the book (162) the player must also keep track of an infection score to measure how infected they are by disease. If the total ever reaches 15 or more they must turn immediately to (13).
  • The number of Gold Pieces the player starts with is determined by a 1d6 plus 4 roll.

[edit] Wizard Books Revision

The Wizard edition of Spellbreaker has been revised in order to make it more playable with some enemies having reduced skill scores.[3]

[edit] Equipment List

[edit] Cover and Illustrations

Covers

The original cover of the book was designed and illustrated by Alan Langford.

Spellbreaker through the years
1993 2007 2007
No Bronze-Foil Wizard "Special
Limited Edition" 		Wizard
£3.991 £4.99 £4.99
  1. Price of 1st~3rd Impressions

Illustrations

The interior illustrations were by Alan Langford.

[edit] Intertextual References

[edit] Other Media

[edit] Main Characters

YOU: "The Spellbreaker"

[edit] Locations

[edit] Encounters

[edit] Further Notes

[edit] Errors

Three known errors were corrected for the Wizard Books edition:

  • (83) should link to (300) instead of (132).
  • With (173) the options available are to take over the haycart and charge the gate (77), or flee (355). An extra option should have been for the player to give themselves up (25).
  • At (355) an extra option should have been available - the player being able to give themselves up to the militiamen (25).

[edit] Dedication

To my parents

[edit] See Also

[edit] Reviews

[edit] External Links

[edit] References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Interview with Jonathan Green at the Internet Archive record of Advancedfightingfantasy.com
  2. ↑ Spellbreaker - Back Cover ("Golden Dragon" Edition)
  3. ↑ Changes to Spellbreaker at Gamebooks.org
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