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Changes: The Forest of Doom (book)

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==Background==
  
==Background==
  +
−
{{Quotation|'''''Who knows what monstrous creatures lurk in Darkwood forest?'''<br><br>Only the foolhardy would risk an encounter with the unknown perils that lurk in the murky depths of Darkwood Forest. Yet there is no alternative, for your quest is a desperate race against time to find the missing pieces of the legendary Hammer of Stonebridge — fashioned by Dwarfs to protect the villagers of Stonebridge against their ancient doom.<br><br>Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need to make your journey. YOU decide which paths to take, which dangers to risk and which monsters to fight.''<ref>{{FF3}} - Back Cover ("Golden Dragon" Edition)</ref>}}This ''Fighting Fantasy'' gamebook is set in the usual fantasy world of [[Titan (world)|Titan]], in the [[Allansia (continent)|Allansia]] region. The player must retrieve a magical [[Stonebridge Warhammer|warhammer]] for the [[Dwarf]]s of the [[Villages of Titan|village]] of [[Stonebridge]]. It has been separated into two pieces and lost in the depths of [[Darkwood Forest]].
 +
{{Quotation|'''''Who knows what monstrous creatures lurk in Darkwood forest?'''<br><br>Only the foolhardy would risk an encounter with the unknown perils that lurk in the murky depths of Darkwood Forest. Yet there is no alternative, for your quest is a desperate race against time to find the missing pieces of the legendary Hammer of Stonebridge — fashioned by Dwarfs to protect the villagers of Stonebridge against their ancient doom.<br><br>Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need to make your journey. YOU decide which paths to take, which dangers to risk and which monsters to fight.''|4={{FF3}} - Back Cover ("Dragon" Edition)}}
  +
  +
This ''Fighting Fantasy'' gamebook is set in the usual fantasy world of [[Titan (world)|Titan]], in the [[Allansia (continent)|Allansia]] region. The player must retrieve a magical [[Stonebridge Warhammer|warhammer]] for the [[Dwarf]]s of the [[Villages of Titan|village]] of [[Stonebridge]]. It has been separated into two pieces and lost in the depths of [[Darkwood Forest]].
   
 
The player becomes involved when the Dwarf [[Bigleg]] stumbles into their camp-site, dying from wounds inflicted in the ambush that resulted in the loss of the warhammer. Bigleg's last words lead the player to look up [[Gereth Yaztromo|Yaztromo]] and so the adventure begins.
  
The player becomes involved when the Dwarf [[Bigleg]] stumbles into their camp-site, dying from wounds inflicted in the ambush that resulted in the loss of the warhammer. Bigleg's last words lead the player to look up [[Gereth Yaztromo|Yaztromo]] and so the adventure begins.
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*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)''.
  
*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)''.
   
−
===Equipment List<ref>{{FF3}} - p.16</ref>===
 +
===Equipment List<ref>{{FF3}} - pg.16</ref>===
   
 
*[[Sword]]
  
*[[Sword]]
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*Choice of one of three [[Potion]]s ''(see [[Game System]] for generic fantasy setting choices)''
  
*Choice of one of three [[Potion]]s ''(see [[Game System]] for generic fantasy setting choices)''
   
−
In the course of events in the "Background" the player obtains a map and 30 [[Gold Piece]]s.<ref>{{FF3}} - p.23</ref>
 +
In the course of events in the "Background" the player obtains a map and 30 [[Gold Piece]]s.<ref>{{FF3}} - pg.23</ref>
   
 
==Cover and Illustrations==
  
==Cover and Illustrations==
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{{main|The Forest of Doom (illustrations)}}
  
{{main|The Forest of Doom (illustrations)}}
   
−
'''Covers'''
 +
===Covers===
   
−
The original cover of the book was designed and illustrated by [[Iain McCaig]].
 +
The original cover of the book was designed and illustrated by [[Iain McCaig]]. The first Puffin edition has the text "A PUFFIN ORIGINAL" in the bottom-left corner. In the first impression this is printed in black. In all subsequent impressions this text is white.
   
 
When the book was republished by Wizard in [[2002]] a new cover was designed and illustrated by [[Martin McKenna]], who was asked by Ian Livingstone to recreate the [[Shape Changer]] of the original cover. The [[2011]] edition makes use of a section of the previous edition's cover art, although in this case the cropped art has been flipped.
  
When the book was republished by Wizard in [[2002]] a new cover was designed and illustrated by [[Martin McKenna]], who was asked by Ian Livingstone to recreate the [[Shape Changer]] of the original cover. The [[2011]] edition makes use of a section of the previous edition's cover art, although in this case the cropped art has been flipped.
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The [[2017]] edition featured a new cover by [[Robert M. Ball]].
  
The [[2017]] edition featured a new cover by [[Robert M. Ball]].
   
−
{| border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
{| style="background-color:#ffffcc" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" border="0"
−
|+'''The Forest of Doom''' through the years
 +
|+'''The Forest of Doom''' Cover Variants
 
|-
  
|-
−
|1983 || 1984 || 1987 || 1989 || 1990
 +
|1983 || 1984 || 1987 || 1989 || 1990 || 1993
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Image:FF Original.jpg|90px]] || [[Image:FF Green Zigzag.jpg|90px]] || [[Image:FF3 Dragon Front & Spine.jpg|90px]] || [[Image:FF3 Dragon No Number.jpg|90px]] || [[Image:FF3 Dragon No Number.jpg|90px]]
 +
|[[Image:FF Original.jpg|90px]] || [[Image:FF Green Zigzag.jpg|90px]] || [[Image:FF3 Dragon Front & Spine.jpg|90px]] || [[Image:FF3 Dragon No Number.jpg|90px]] || [[Image:FF3 Dragon No Number.jpg|90px]] ||
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Coloured Number Format|Colour Star]] || [[Adventure Gamebooks banner|Zig-Zag Banner]] || [[Dragon Cover Format|Dragon Format]] || [[Dragon Cover Format|Dragon No No.]] || [[Dragon Cover Format|No. Spine Only]]
 +
|[[Coloured Number Format|Colour Star]] || [[Adventure Gamebooks banner|Adventure<br>Gamebooks]] || [[Dragon Cover Format|Dragon ver.I]] || [[Dragon Cover Format|Dragon ver.II]] || [[Dragon Cover Format|Dragon ver.III]] || [[Dragon Cover Format|Dragon ver.IV]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
|£1.25<sup>[[#Notes|1]]</sup> || £1.50<sup>[[#Notes|2]]</sup> || £2.25<sup>[[#Notes|3]]</sup> || £?
 +
|£1.25<sup>[[#Notes|1]]</sup> || £1.50<sup>[[#Notes|2]]</sup> || £2.25<sup>[[#Notes|3]]</sup> || £2.25<sup>[[#Notes|4]]</sup> || £2.99<sup>[[#Notes|5]]</sup> || £3.99<sup>[[#Notes|6]]</sup>
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| colspan="6" |<hr />
⚫
|1993 || 2002 || 2002 || 2011 || 2017
  
 
|-
  
|-
  ⚫
|2002 || 2002 || 2011 || 2017 || 2018
⚫
| || [[Image:Figfan03r.jpg|90px]] || || [[Image:FoDShield.jpg|90px]] || [[Image:ForestSch.jpg|90px]]
  
 
|-
  
|-
  ⚫
|[[Image:Figfan03r.jpg|90px]] || [[Image:03 V2(W1) 01.jpg|90px]]|| [[Image:FoDShield.jpg|90px]] || [[Image:ForestSch.jpg|90px]] || [[Image:FOD.png|90px]]
⚫
|[[Dragon Cover Format|No Bronze-Foil]] || [[Wizard Book Cover Formats#Special Limited Edition|Wizard "Special<br />Limited Edition"]] || [[Wizard Book Cover Formats|Wizard]] || [[Wizard Book Cover Formats|Shield]] || [[Scholastic]]
  
  +
|-
  ⚫
|[[Wizard Book Cover Formats#Special Limited Edition|Wizard<br>Special]] || [[Wizard Book Cover Formats|Wizard]] || [[Wizard Book Cover Formats|Wizard<br>Shield]] || [[Scholastic Book Cover Formats|Scholastic<br>Full]] || [[Scholastic Book Cover Formats|Scholastic<br>Circle]]
  +
|-
  ⚫
|£4.99 || £4.99 || £5.99 || £6.99 || £6.99
  +
|-
  +
| colspan="6" |<hr />
  +
|-
  +
| colspan="6" |<small>NOTES
  ⚫
#Price of 1st~2nd Impressions; £1.50 for 5th~13th Impressions
  +
#Price of 14th Impression (some copies identified as 14th impression are priced at £1.75);<br />£1.95 for 20th~22nd Impressions
  ⚫
#Price of 24th Impression
  ⚫
#Price of 25th Impression
  +
#Price of 26th Impression (erroneously identified as 25th impression)
  ⚫
#Price of 29th Impression
  ⚫
</small>
 
|-
  
|-
⚫
|£2.99<sup>[[#Notes|4]]</sup> || £3.99<sup>[[#Notes|5]]</sup> || £4.99 || £5.99 || £6.99
  
 
|}
  
|}
   
  ⚫
===Illustrations===
⚫
<small>
  
−
NOTES </small>
  
⚫
#<small>Price of 1st~2nd Impressions; £1.50 for 6th~13th Impressions </small>
  
−
#<small>Price of 14th Impression; £1.95 for 20th Impression </small>
  
⚫
#<small>Price of 24th Impression </small>
  
⚫
#<small>Price of 25th Impression </small>
  
⚫
#<small>Price of 29th Impression </small>
  
−  
−  
   
  +
====Puffin/Wizard Editions====
⚫
'''Illustrations'''
  
   
 
The interior illustrations, including the black and white map as part of the "Background", were by [[Malcolm Barter]]. There were 33 full page illustrations and 3 [[Incidental Art|minor repeated illustrations]] scattered throughout the text. The paragraphs with a full page illustration were: Background, 1, 15, 29, 38, 49, 57, 69, 90, 99, 107, 118, 130, 142, 160, 170, 181, 195, 204, 212, 230, 253, 265, 277, 285, 294, 317, 340, 351, 360, 378, 384 and 396. Additionally, one piece of text - instructions for the use of the [[Eye of Amber]] - was presented in a drawing of a piece of parchment (91).
  
The interior illustrations, including the black and white map as part of the "Background", were by [[Malcolm Barter]]. There were 33 full page illustrations and 3 [[Incidental Art|minor repeated illustrations]] scattered throughout the text. The paragraphs with a full page illustration were: Background, 1, 15, 29, 38, 49, 57, 69, 90, 99, 107, 118, 130, 142, 160, 170, 181, 195, 204, 212, 230, 253, 265, 277, 285, 294, 317, 340, 351, 360, 378, 384 and 396. Additionally, one piece of text - instructions for the use of the [[Eye of Amber]] - was presented in a drawing of a piece of parchment (91).
   
 
The full-page illustrations in the book were accompanied with a caption giving the number of the paragraph depicted and a short extract from the text, a format which was only used in the two previous books, ''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain'' and ''[[The Citadel of Chaos (book)|The Citadel of Chaos]]''.
  
The full-page illustrations in the book were accompanied with a caption giving the number of the paragraph depicted and a short extract from the text, a format which was only used in the two previous books, ''The Warlock of Firetop Mountain'' and ''[[The Citadel of Chaos (book)|The Citadel of Chaos]]''.
  +
  +
====Scholastic Edition====
  +
  +
The interior illustrations were by [[Vlado Krizan]]. The map in the "Background" is replaced by a section from the larger map of Allansia by [[Leo Hartas]] (printed in full on pages 4-5) and the Eye of Amber instructions have no surrounding drawing. There were 21 full page illustrations and 7 minor repeated illustrations scattered throughout the text. The paragraphs with a full page illustration were: 1, 15, 29, 49, 57, 90, 107, 142, 160, 170, 181, 212, 230, 253, 265, 277, 285, 303† and 360. The full-page illustrations in the book were accompanied with a caption giving a short extract from the text.
  +
  +
<small>NOTES<br>
  +
† This reference is newly illustrated, the Puffin/Wizard versions not having an equivalent piece of artwork.</small>
   
 
==Intertextual References==
  
==Intertextual References==
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{{main|Forest of Doom Holidays}}
  
{{main|Forest of Doom Holidays}}
   
  +
{{Refimprove}}
⚫
This venture was run by [[Dolphin and Colony Holidays]] in [[1985]], offering real life adventures in the [[Forests and Woods of Titan|forests]] of {{w|Oxford}} and {{w|Edinburgh}}.<ref>25th Anniversary Edition of {{FF1}} - p.???</ref>
  
  +
  ⚫
This venture was run by [[Dolphin and Colony Holidays]] in [[1985]], offering real life adventures in the [[Forests and Woods of Titan|forests]] of {{w|Oxford}} and {{w|Edinburgh}}.<ref>25th Anniversary Edition of {{FF1}} - pg.???</ref>
   
 
===Ornament===
  
===Ornament===
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There is a [[D20 System]] conversion by [[Myriador]] called ''[[Forest of Doom (d20)|Forest of Doom]]''.
  
There is a [[D20 System]] conversion by [[Myriador]] called ''[[Forest of Doom (d20)|Forest of Doom]]''.
  +
  +
===Fighting Fantasy Audio Dramas===
  +
  +
{{main|The Forest of Doom: Lost in Darkwood}}
  +
  +
An audio drama inspired by the book and released in 2018.
   
 
==Main Characters==
  
==Main Characters==
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*3 instant failures, 1 victory, plus death by <span style="font-variant:small-caps;text-transform:lowercase">[[Stamina (attribute)|stamina]]</span> loss or bad <span style="font-variant:small-caps;text-transform:lowercase">[[Luck (attribute)|luck]]</span>.
  
*3 instant failures, 1 victory, plus death by <span style="font-variant:small-caps;text-transform:lowercase">[[Stamina (attribute)|stamina]]</span> loss or bad <span style="font-variant:small-caps;text-transform:lowercase">[[Luck (attribute)|luck]]</span>.
−
*Ian Livingstone sources both his favourite character from the ''Fighting Fantasy'' books ([[Gereth Yaztromo]])<ref>25th Anniversary Edition of {{FF1}} - p.224</ref> and his favourite monster (the [[Shape Changer]])<ref>25th Anniversary Edition of {{FF1}} - p.221</ref> from this book.
 +
*Ian Livingstone sources both his favourite character from the ''Fighting Fantasy'' books ([[Gereth Yaztromo]])<ref>25th Anniversary Edition of {{FF1}} - pg.224</ref> and his favourite monster (the [[Shape Changer]])<ref>25th Anniversary Edition of {{FF1}} - pg.221</ref> from this book.
 
*This was Ian's first full-length gamebook as sole author.
  
*This was Ian's first full-length gamebook as sole author.
   
Line 225: Line 249:
 
:*The book also incorrectly states that the player has two doses of their chosen Potion at the beginning of the book, when in fact they have only one.
  
:*The book also incorrectly states that the player has two doses of their chosen Potion at the beginning of the book, when in fact they have only one.
 
:*The rules also omit the paragraph on fighting more than one enemy. This can cause confusion since, unlike most ''Fighting Fantasy'' books, you aren't always told what to do when you face more than one enemy in the text and are reliant on the rules.
  
:*The rules also omit the paragraph on fighting more than one enemy. This can cause confusion since, unlike most ''Fighting Fantasy'' books, you aren't always told what to do when you face more than one enemy in the text and are reliant on the rules.
  +
*The map in the Scholastic edition mis-spells [[Salamonis]] as "Salamons".
   
 
==Dedication==
  
==Dedication==
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===Puffin Edition===
  
===Puffin Edition===
   
−
For Liz and Carol
 +
For Liz and Carol<ref>{{FF3}} - pg.5</ref>
   
 
===Wizard Edition===
  
===Wizard Edition===
   
−
For Daniel
 +
For Daniel<ref>{{FF3}} - pg.5</ref>
  +
  +
===Scholastic Edition===
  +
  +
''none''
   
 
==See Also==
  
==See Also==
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*''[[Casket of Souls (book)|Casket of Souls]]''
  
*''[[Casket of Souls (book)|Casket of Souls]]''
 
*''[[Dicing with Dragons]]''
  
*''[[Dicing with Dragons]]''
−  
 
{{ILivingstone}}
  
{{ILivingstone}}
   
 
==Reviews==
  
==Reviews==
   
−
*Reviewed in ''[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]]'' 42 (June [[1983]]), "Open Box" (pp.16-17)
 +
*Reviewed in ''[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]]'' 42 (June [[1983]]), "Open Box" (pg.16-17)
−
*[http://user.tninet.se/~wcw454p/docs/ff3.txt ''The Forest of Doom'' at] [[FF Reviews Archive]] - Retrieved 2014-10-27
  
   
 
==External Links==
  
==External Links==
   
−
*[http://www.gamebooks.org/scans/FightingFantasy/ff03sheet.gif Character Sheet] - Retrieved 2014-10-27
 +
*[http://www.gamebooks.org/scans/FightingFantasy/ff03sheet.gif Character Sheet] - Retrieved 2019-10-26
−
*[http://www.gamebooks.org/show_series.php?id=11 ''Fighting Fantasy'' at Gamebooks.org] - Retrieved 2014-10-27
 +
*[http://www.gamebooks.org/show_series.php?id=11 ''Fighting Fantasy'' at Gamebooks.org] - Retrieved 2019-10-26
−
*[http://www.gamebooks.org/show_series.php?id=12 ''Fighting Fantasy'' (Wizard Series 1) at Gamebooks.org] - Retrieved 2014-10-27
 +
*[http://www.gamebooks.org/show_series.php?id=12 ''Fighting Fantasy'' (Wizard Series 1) at Gamebooks.org] - Retrieved 2019-10-26
−
*[http://www.gamebooks.org/show_series.php?id=1285 ''Fighting Fantasy'' (Wizard Series 2) at Gamebooks.org] - Retrieved 2014-10-27
 +
*[http://www.gamebooks.org/show_series.php?id=1285 ''Fighting Fantasy'' (Wizard Series 2) at Gamebooks.org] - Retrieved 2019-10-26
−
*[http://www.gamebooks.org/show_item.php?id=39 ''The Forest of Doom'' at Gamebooks.org] - Retrieved 2014-10-27
 +
*[http://www.gamebooks.org/show_item.php?id=39 ''The Forest of Doom'' at Gamebooks.org] - Retrieved 2019-10-26
−
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20050817231749/http://www.fightingfantasy.com/ffb3.htm ''The Forest of Doom'' at the Internet Archive record of the old] [[Fightingfantasy.com (original)|Fightingfantasy.com]] - Retrieved 2014-10-27
 +
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20050817231749/http://www.fightingfantasy.com/ffb3.htm ''The Forest of Doom'' at the Internet Archive record of the old] [[Fightingfantasy.com (original)|Fightingfantasy.com]] - Retrieved 2019-10-26
   
 
==References==
  
==References==
−
<references/>{{DEFAULTSORT:Forest of Doom}}
 +
<references />
  +
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forest of Doom (book)}}
 
[[Category:1983 books]]
  
[[Category:1983 books]]
 
[[Category:Fighting Fantasy Original Series]]
  
[[Category:Fighting Fantasy Original Series]]
 
[[Category:Fighting Fantasy Wizard Series]]
  
[[Category:Fighting Fantasy Wizard Series]]
 
[[Category:Fighting Fantasy Wizard Series 2]]
  
[[Category:Fighting Fantasy Wizard Series 2]]
  +
[[Category:Fighting Fantasy Scholastic Series]]

Revision as of 10:14, 1 January 2020

Fighting Fantasy Gamebook
Outline
Location: Allansia, Titan
References: 400
Publication Details
Author(s): Ian Livingstone
Illustrator(s): Malcolm Barter (Puffin/Wizard versions)
Vlado Krizan (Scholastic version)
Puffin
FF Original
Cover illustrator: Iain McCaig
First published: March 31 1983
Number 3
ISBN: ISBN 0-14-031604-3
Previous Book: The Citadel of Chaos
Next Book: Starship Traveller
Wizard (Series 1)
Figfan03r
Cover illustrator: Martin McKenna
First published: June 3 2003
Number 8
ISBN: ISBN 1-84046-429-1
Previous Book: House of Hell
Next Book: Sorcery! 1: The Shamutanti Hills
Wizard (Series 2)
FoDShield
Cover illustrator: Martin McKenna
First published: February 3 2011
Number 13
ISBN: ISBN 1-84831-221-0
Previous Book: Trial of Champions
Next Book: Curse of the Mummy
Scholastic
ForestSch
Cover illustrator: Robert M. Ball
First published: September 7 2017
Number 4
ISBN: ISBN 1-40718-128-9
Previous Book: The Citadel of Chaos
Next Book: House of Hell


For other uses of The Forest of Doom, see The Forest of Doom

The Forest of Doom is a single-player role-playing gamebook written by Ian Livingstone, illustrated by Malcolm Barter and originally published in 1983 by Puffin Books. It was later republished by Wizard Books in 2003 and 2011 as Forest of Doom, and again in 2017 as The Forest of Doom by Scholastic Books with new illustrations by Vlado Krizan. It forms part of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy series. It is the 3rd in the series in the original Puffin series (ISBN 0-14-031604-3), 8th in the Wizard "Series 1" (ISBN 1-84046-429-1), 13th in "Series 2" (ISBN 1-84831-221-0), and 4th in the Scholastic series (ISBN 1-40718-128-9).

Creation

Background

“ Who knows what monstrous creatures lurk in Darkwood forest?

Only the foolhardy would risk an encounter with the unknown perils that lurk in the murky depths of Darkwood Forest. Yet there is no alternative, for your quest is a desperate race against time to find the missing pieces of the legendary Hammer of Stonebridge — fashioned by Dwarfs to protect the villagers of Stonebridge against their ancient doom.

Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need to make your journey. YOU decide which paths to take, which dangers to risk and which monsters to fight. 		”

—The Forest of Doom - Back Cover ("Dragon" Edition)


This Fighting Fantasy gamebook is set in the usual fantasy world of Titan, in the Allansia region. The player must retrieve a magical warhammer for the Dwarfs of the village of Stonebridge. It has been separated into two pieces and lost in the depths of Darkwood Forest.

The player becomes involved when the Dwarf Bigleg stumbles into their camp-site, dying from wounds inflicted in the ambush that resulted in the loss of the warhammer. Bigleg's last words lead the player to look up Yaztromo and so the adventure begins.

How to Fight the Creatures of Darkwood Forest/Equipment and Potions/Hints on Play

  • 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).

Equipment List[1]

In the course of events in the "Background" the player obtains a map and 30 Gold Pieces.[2]

Cover and Illustrations

Main article: The Forest of Doom (illustrations)

Covers

The original cover of the book was designed and illustrated by Iain McCaig. The first Puffin edition has the text "A PUFFIN ORIGINAL" in the bottom-left corner. In the first impression this is printed in black. In all subsequent impressions this text is white.

When the book was republished by Wizard in 2002 a new cover was designed and illustrated by Martin McKenna, who was asked by Ian Livingstone to recreate the Shape Changer of the original cover. The 2011 edition makes use of a section of the previous edition's cover art, although in this case the cropped art has been flipped.

The 2017 edition featured a new cover by Robert M. Ball.

The Forest of Doom Cover Variants
1983 1984 1987 1989 1990 1993
FF Original FF Green Zigzag FF3 Dragon Front & Spine FF3 Dragon No Number FF3 Dragon No Number
Colour Star Adventure
Gamebooks		 Dragon ver.I Dragon ver.II Dragon ver.III Dragon ver.IV
£1.251 £1.502 £2.253 £2.254 £2.995 £3.996
2002 2002 2011 2017 2018
Figfan03r 03 V2(W1) 01 FoDShield ForestSch FOD
Wizard
Special		 Wizard Wizard
Shield		 Scholastic
Full		 Scholastic
Circle
£4.99 £4.99 £5.99 £6.99 £6.99
NOTES
  1. Price of 1st~2nd Impressions; £1.50 for 5th~13th Impressions
  2. Price of 14th Impression (some copies identified as 14th impression are priced at £1.75);
    £1.95 for 20th~22nd Impressions
  3. Price of 24th Impression
  4. Price of 25th Impression
  5. Price of 26th Impression (erroneously identified as 25th impression)
  6. Price of 29th Impression

Illustrations

Puffin/Wizard Editions

The interior illustrations, including the black and white map as part of the "Background", were by Malcolm Barter. There were 33 full page illustrations and 3 minor repeated illustrations scattered throughout the text. The paragraphs with a full page illustration were: Background, 1, 15, 29, 38, 49, 57, 69, 90, 99, 107, 118, 130, 142, 160, 170, 181, 195, 204, 212, 230, 253, 265, 277, 285, 294, 317, 340, 351, 360, 378, 384 and 396. Additionally, one piece of text - instructions for the use of the Eye of Amber - was presented in a drawing of a piece of parchment (91).

The full-page illustrations in the book were accompanied with a caption giving the number of the paragraph depicted and a short extract from the text, a format which was only used in the two previous books, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain and The Citadel of Chaos.

Scholastic Edition

The interior illustrations were by Vlado Krizan. The map in the "Background" is replaced by a section from the larger map of Allansia by Leo Hartas (printed in full on pages 4-5) and the Eye of Amber instructions have no surrounding drawing. There were 21 full page illustrations and 7 minor repeated illustrations scattered throughout the text. The paragraphs with a full page illustration were: 1, 15, 29, 49, 57, 90, 107, 142, 160, 170, 181, 212, 230, 253, 265, 277, 285, 303† and 360. The full-page illustrations in the book were accompanied with a caption giving a short extract from the text.

NOTES
† This reference is newly illustrated, the Puffin/Wizard versions not having an equivalent piece of artwork.

Intertextual References

The book introduced several characters and locations that would recur later in the series, including the wizard Gereth Yaztromo, the Dwarven village of Stonebridge and the Evil Darkwood Forest.

Prequels and Sequels

Chronologically, the book can be considered the sequel to Caverns of the Snow Witch and - depending on the reader's interpretation - the prequel to Temple of Terror.

Other Media

Computer Games

Main article: The Forest of Doom (computer game)

Videogame versions of the book were released in 1984 for the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64.

Main article: The Forest of Doom (mobile game)

An iOS/Android conversion of the book was produced by Tin Man Games and released in 2013.

Tourist Venture

Main article: Forest of Doom Holidays


This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.

"References Needed!" Hamaskis demands it

This venture was run by Dolphin and Colony Holidays in 1985, offering real life adventures in the forests of Oxford and Edinburgh.[3]

Ornament

Main article: The Shape Changer (figurine)

Clarecraft made a figurine called The Shape Changer, based on the cover from The Forest of Doom, and another called Gillibran Lord Of The Dwarfs. Both were released in 1986 (re-released in 2004), as part of an officially licensed series of Fighting Fantasy Ornaments.

d20 System Conversion

Main article: Forest of Doom (d20)

There is a D20 System conversion by Myriador called Forest of Doom.

Fighting Fantasy Audio Dramas

Main article: The Forest of Doom: Lost in Darkwood

An audio drama inspired by the book and released in 2018.

Main Characters

YOU: Hero of The Forest of Doom

Locations

Encounters

Other Creatures of Note

Further Notes

  • 3 instant failures, 1 victory, plus death by stamina loss or bad luck.
  • Ian Livingstone sources both his favourite character from the Fighting Fantasy books (Gereth Yaztromo)[4] and his favourite monster (the Shape Changer)[5] from this book.
  • This was Ian's first full-length gamebook as sole author.

Series 2 Additions

Errors

  • If the player has not retrieved the hammer by the end of the book it is possible to retrace their steps and try again an indefinite number of times, which can introduce absurdities as set-pieces are reset.
  • Some of the rules are incorrectly printed in the Wizard Books version of the book due to text being copied from The Warlock of Firetop Mountain:
  • The rules state that Provisions can only be eaten when instructed by the text, which is not the case.
  • The book also incorrectly states that the player has two doses of their chosen Potion at the beginning of the book, when in fact they have only one.
  • The rules also omit the paragraph on fighting more than one enemy. This can cause confusion since, unlike most Fighting Fantasy books, you aren't always told what to do when you face more than one enemy in the text and are reliant on the rules.
  • The map in the Scholastic edition mis-spells Salamonis as "Salamons".

Dedication

Puffin Edition

For Liz and Carol[6]

Wizard Edition

For Daniel[7]

Scholastic Edition

none

See Also

Ian Livingstone
The Warlock of Firetop Mountain
FF1 Wraparound		 Eye of the Dragon
DicingWithDragons		 The Forest of Doom
FF Original		 City of Thieves
FF5 Original		 Deathtrap Dungeon
FF6 Original		 Island of the Lizard King
Figfan07o		 Caverns of the Snow Witch
Cavernstitlecard
Caverns of the Snow Witch
FF9 Zigzag		 Freeway Fighter
Figfan13		 Temple of Terror
Figfan14		 Trial of Champions
Figfan21		 Crypt of the Sorcerer
FF26 Dargon Both		 Armies of Death
Figfan36		 Return to Firetop Mountain
FF50 Dragon Spine
Eye of the Dragon
Ffeye		 Blood of the Zombies
FF71		 The Port of Peril
PortSch		 Assassins of Allansia
AoA		 Shadow of the Giants
SOTG		 The Dungeon on Blood Island
File:DOBI.jpg


Reviews

External Links

References

  1. ↑ The Forest of Doom - pg.16
  2. ↑ The Forest of Doom - pg.23
  3. ↑ 25th Anniversary Edition of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain - pg.???
  4. ↑ 25th Anniversary Edition of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain - pg.224
  5. ↑ 25th Anniversary Edition of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain - pg.221
  6. ↑ The Forest of Doom - pg.5
  7. ↑ The Forest of Doom - pg.5
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