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Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks
Outline
Location:	Allansia, Titan
References:	400
Publication Details
Author(s):	Ian Livingstone
Illustrator(s):	Brian Williams
Puffin

Cover illustrator:	Brian Williams
First published:	June 26 1986
Number	21
ISBN:	ISBN 0-14-032039-3
Previous Book:	Sword of the Samurai
Next Book:	Robot Commando
Wizard (Series 1)

Cover illustrator:	Martin McKenna
First published:	May 22 2003
Number	12
ISBN:	ISBN 1-84046-434-8
Previous Book:	Sorcery! 2: Kharé - Cityport of Traps
Next Book:	Sorcery! 3: The Seven Serpents
Wizard (Series 2)

Cover illustrator:	Martin McKenna
First published:	September 2nd 2010
Number	12
ISBN:	ISBN 1-84831-193-1
Previous Book:	Howl of the Werewolf
Next Book:	Curse of the Mummy

For other uses of Trial of Champions, see Trial of Champions

Trial of Champions is a single-player role-playing gamebook, written by Ian Livingstone, illustrated by Brian Williams and originally published in 1986 by Puffin Books. It was later republished by Wizard Books in 2003. It forms part of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy series. It is the 21st in the series in the original Puffin series (ISBN 0-14-032039-3) and 12th in the Wizard "Series 1" (ISBN 1-84046-434-8) and 12th in "Series 2" (ISBN 1-84831-193-1).

CreationEdit

BackgroundEdit

“ At last – a return to Deathtrap Dungeon!

The warped, twisted mind of Baron Sukumvit has completely redesigned the deadly labyrinth of Fang. New traps and terrors, mazes and monsters, await you at every turn. And even before you can enter the labyrinth, you must endure the gladiatorial games of Lord Carnuss, the Baron's evil brother, whose unwilling slave you are. Can you survive this trial of Champions and free yourself from slavery?

Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need for this adventure. YOU decide which route to follow, which dangers to risk and which monsters to fight.^[1] ”

The player assumes the role of a slave of Lord Carnuss. His brother, Baron Sukumvit has revised the dungeon from the original book and is offering 20,000 Gold Pieces to anyone who can survive it. The main objective is to pass through the dungeon and be freed from slavery - but first the player must survive rigorous gladiatorial training, along with forty-one other 'contesters'.

IntroductionEdit

The book in general follows the original rules set down in The Warlock of Firetop Mountain (see Game System).
In the Wizard "Series 2" edition, instead of rolling the stats for a character as per tradition in Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, the player has the option of choosing a pregenerated character from three choices (see "Further Notes" below for choices).

Unique RulesEdit

As you begin the adventure a slave you begin with no weapons, equipment, potions, or Provisions.

Cover and IllustrationsEdit

Main article: Trial of Champions (illustrations)

Covers

The original cover of the book was designed and illustrated by Brian Williams.

When the book was republished by Wizard a new cover was designed and illustrated by Martin McKenna, based on a brief from writer Ian Livingstone. McKenna stayed true to the design of the Skeleton King as it features in the internal illustrations. Their 2010 edition makes use of a section of the previous edition's cover art.

**Trial of Champions** through the years
1986	1987	1989	1990	1993	2003	2003	2010

Zig-Zag Banner	Dragon Format	Dragon No No.	No. Spine Only	No Bronze-Foil	Wizard "Special Limited Edition"	Wizard	Shield
£1.95¹	£2.25²	£2.50³	£3.50⁴	£?	£4.99	£4.99	£5.99

Price of 1st~3rd Impressions
Price of 7th Impression
Price of 8th Impression
Price of 9th~10th Impressions

Illustrations

The interior illustrations were by Brian Williams. There were 32 full page illustrations and 5 minor repeated illustrations scattered throughout the text. The paragraphs with a full page illustration were: 3, 13, 26, 37, 46, 61, 74, 88, 100, 113, 125, 143, 156, 168, 182, 195, 205, 211, 219, 232, 246, 275, 288, 304, 318, 329, 340, 353, 364, 374, 386 and 398.

Intertextual ReferencesEdit

Prequels and SequelsEdit

It is a sequel to previous Fighting Fantasy book Deathtrap Dungeon. It was followed-up by the later book Armies of Death, where the hero uses the proceeds of their winning the Trial to fund an army to oppose the evil Demon Agglax.