Island of the Lizard King



Island of the Lizard King (ISBN 0140317430) is a single player roleplaying book, written by Ian Livingstone, illustrated by Allan Langford and originally published in 1984. The book is part of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy series, numbered 7 in the original Puffin printing and 17 in the recent Wizard reissuing. As with most of the series, the story is divided into 400 sections, with the final section forming the only successful conclusion to the story.

Like much of the Fighting Fantasy series, Island of the Lizard King is set in the fictional world of Titan; this particular adventure takes place on the continent of Allansia. The player's character begins the story by travelling from the populous city of Fang to the quiet costal village of Oyster Bay, only to discover that the village is regularly being attacked by the Lizard Men of Fire Island, and that young men are being carried off to serve as slaves in their gold mines. The game proper beings with the player setting sail for Fire Island, intent on righting the situation.

Like many other Ian Livingstone Fighting Fantasy books, such as Deathtrap Dungeon and Temple of Terror, Island of the Lizard King has multiple paths which lead to the final confrontation, though only one which provides all the items required for success. It is notable for the massive battle between the freed slaves and Lizard Men which takes place, one of the only large scale battles depicted in a Fighting Fantasy gamebook.

Island of the Lizard King was the final Fighting Fantasy book to be produced using the 'original' cover layout.