Goodman Games

Next up: a preview of the art of Russ Nicholson! Although his name may not be as familiar as some of the other TSR greats, take a look at his art and I'm sure you'll recognize his work. His unique style from the Fiend Folio still looks fresh thirty years later, as far as I am concerned. Check out his DCC RPG art gallery here:

http://www.goodman-games.com/5070artpre ... olson.html

This is wonderful news!

The Fiend Folio was my favorite of the three monster manuals. In large part to the unique art.

Very nice artwork. I particularly like the elven girl and unicorn picture.

Russ Nicholson is one of my favorite FRPG artists.

I love the cleric casually lopping the head off the goblin-thing!

Nicholson is really something, completely unique thing going on there. One glance is enough to tell you it is RN. Just fantastic. I imagine hijinks ensue if A Boy and his Mastodon meets up with A Princess and her Unicorn.

Oh man, this is the guy that really made the Gith memorable... Which makes me realize the gith belong in DCC... I think I just figured out who my "generic" evil humanoid race are going to be...

reverenddak wrote:Oh man, this is the guy that really made the Gith memorable... Which makes me realize the gith belong in DCC... I think I just figured out who my "generic" evil humanoid race are going to be...

An awesome idea, since in most games the gith are sort of obscure so folks won't be expecting them or know as much about them.

I consider myself very fortunate because my first ever forays into roleplaying --prior even to D&D was the Warlock of Firetop Mountain, all illustrated by Russ. Having Russ' illustrations there to fire my imagination was a wonderful thing

Ungoth wrote:I consider myself very fortunate because my first ever forays into roleplaying --prior even to D&D was the Warlock of Firetop Mountain, all illustrated by Russ. Having Russ' illustrations there to fire my imagination was a wonderful thing

I've know that this book exists but have never looked at it and had no idea that it had fantastic illustrations inside. Is this a product that a veteran gamer might find useful, or is it mostly valuable as an introduction to a novice? (I ask because I'd hate to track it down and then never actually play it.)

finarvyn wrote: I've know that this book exists but have never looked at it and had no idea that it had fantastic illustrations inside. Is this a product that a veteran gamer might find useful, or is it mostly valuable as an introduction to a novice? (I ask because I'd hate to track it down and then never actually play it.)

Definitely and introduction to a novice. I read it in 1982 as a 9 year-old. A Fighting Fantasy Gamebook in itself was an introduction to roleplaying games --you only used d6's, had three stats (Skill [1d6+6], Stamina [2d6+12] and Luck [1d6+6]) and combat was pretty basic (2 dice plus skill vs 2 dice plus opponent's skill. Lowest result lost 2 stamina points --which can be increased or decreased via the luck attribute. Luck decreases the more you use it. In any case, rinse and repeat until someone dies). Healing is via provisions (+4 stamina points) and you get to choose one of three potions at the beginning of the story (Potion of Skill, Stamina or Fortune). You are also stuck with the choices presented to you in the text.

That said, the chances of you throwing the book against the wall whilst in the Maze of Zagor is good ;P. The final solution to the book is a somewhat arbitrary affair, forcing you to replay from the start if you fail the first time around.

If you are still thinking of getting the book, I'd recommend the 25th Anniversary Edition. This has a section at the back, containing a map and the correct solution.