Endless Quest novels - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Endless Quest novels

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
spellweaver
Jan 28, 2006 4:02:56 Hi there!

I was just wondering if anyone here are familiar with the Endless Quest novel series released by TSR in 1982-1996?

I came across a site called www.gamebooks.org which describes and rates most of them. Basically they are the sort of solo-module "flip-to-page-X-if-you-want-to..." books that I think many of us started out playing before RPGs.

They seem to be based on 0D&D, but from what I have read, they are not canon Mystara but more generic D&D. Reviews of the 40 books have yielded such names as:

Thomas Blackfoot - halfling thief
Kelson Darktreader - elven champion
The frozen land of Shanafria
Castle Pentegarn
Rainbow dragons??
The Land of Oon, which is guarded by a gold dragon that requires payment
Castle Necropolis - lair of a lich

Anybody ever read these books? Is there a point in trying to fit the places and characters from them into Mystara?

:-) Jesper
#2
katana_one
Jan 28, 2006 14:01:51 I had quite a collection of these back in the day, in fact. Not all were D&D - I had one that was based on Gamma World and one based on Top Secret. From what I recall, none of the D&D themed ones were based on any of the official worlds, and I've never seen any crossover with Mystara. However, there's nothing to stop you from taking the characters and locations from those books and placing them in your own version of Mystara.
#3
zombiegleemax
Jan 28, 2006 14:22:07
I had quite a collection of these back in the day, in fact. Not all were D&D - I had one that was based on Gamma World and one based on Top Secret. From what I recall, none of the D&D themed ones were based on any of the official worlds, and I've never seen any crossover with Mystara.

Actually, a number of them were set in the D&D game worlds. One was called "Bigby's Curse," (obviously Greyhawk), and the "Super Endless Quest" books had a few that were set in Dragonlance (like the first one, Prisoners of Pax Tharkas, and another one that featured Githanas and Silvara; there's probably 1-2 more also).

I also think the Super Endless Quest book "The Vanishing City" was set in Mystara--it was an adaptation of one of the Companion or Master series modules (don't remember which one, tho).

Pax,

ASH
#4
Cthulhudrew
Jan 28, 2006 15:09:24
I also think the Super Endless Quest book "The Vanishing City" was set in Mystara--it was an adaptation of one of the Companion or Master series modules (don't remember which one, tho).

Interesting- I never knew this before. A quick Google search reveals that it is based around the module "M4: Five Coins for a Kingdom".
#5
havard
Jan 29, 2006 12:48:41
Interesting- I never knew this before. A quick Google search reveals that it is based around the module "M4: Five Coins for a Kingdom".

Interesting! That makes it definately Mystaran. Even though M4 mostly takes part on a different world.

I think it is safe to assume that any novel from that series _not_ specifically mentioned to be set in any other world is set in Mystara. It gives us more to chose between anyway... :D

Håvard
#6
Cthulhudrew
Jan 29, 2006 22:27:48 I used to really love the Endless Quest books- had quite a few of them. Unfortunately, I don't own them any more, so I can't be terribly specific about thoughts on where they might best fit. To the best of my recollection, though:

The Dungeon of Dread: This could go anywhere, really. I'd suggest somewhere like Karameikos would be a good fit. The hero's name (Caric) doesn't have any particular regional connotations, so that doesn't help. There is a halfling in the book- which doesn't necessarily mean the book has to be near the Shires, but the evil wizard for some reason struck me as very Bargle-like, so Karameikos might work.

Mountain of Mirrors: I always rather liked this one. Offhand, I'd say that Norwold would certainly be the best choice. The elf could come from one of the Elfhomes that way.

Pillars of Pentegarn and Revenge of the Rainbow Dragons: Since the second is a sequel, I'm listing these together. They seem like they might fit best in Alphatia- given the more magical elements (especially of the second) of an apprentice wizard, his "familiars" (the animals the kid talks to), and all. Alternatively, they might fit in Glantri- as the premise of the second book is that the wizard Pentegarn is illegally teaching magic, or something like that.

Return to Brookmere: Another one with elves. I think Wendar might be a good fit for this one, since Brookmere (the home of the elves) is a castle, and thus doesn't seem quite right for the more woodland Alfheim elves. The more Tolkienesque feel of the Wendarian elves, IMO, would lend itself to elvish castles.

Revolt of the Dwarves: I confess that I don't really recall all that much of this one, aside from the cover (it was actually my brother's book). The premise, IIRC, has something to do with the dwarves attacking human kingdoms, and doesn't seem to fit with Rockhome dwarves as such. Maybe somewhere in Norwold, or even a particularly political time in Alphatia (between the Denwarf-Hurgon dwarves and the Alphatians)?

Hero of Washington Square: This one was a Top Secret book. (I loved that game, btw.)

Villains of Volturnus: A Star-Frontiers book.

Robbers and Robots: A Top Secret book.

Circus of Fear: This one was set in Greyhawk, from what I have been able to discern. I never owned it, in any case, so don't know anything about the plot.

Spell of the Winter Wizard: I'm not sure if I owned this one or not, and if so, I definitely don't remember the plot. Offhand, maybe Alphatia?

Light on Quest's Mountain: Gamma World.

Dragon of Doom: Don't recall enough details about the plot except that you are an apprentice wizard with a pseudodragon companion. It might fit in Glantri?

Raid on Nightmare Castle: Never owned this one, and I think it was about this time that I stopped (for whatever reason) buying the Endless Quest series.

Under Dragon's Wing: Dunno.

The Dragon's Ransom: Ditto.

Captive Planet: Star Frontiers.

King's Quest: Dunno.

Conan the Undaunted, Conan the Prophecy, Conan the Outlaw Theoretically, you could place these in Hyborea (since that was the Conan land) in Mystara's past.

Duel of the Masters: I did own this one, though (again) memory fails me. Given that it is about a monk and something to do with a war between kingdoms, I might suggest setting it in Ochalea, or otherwise having something to do with Ochalea, Alphatia, and Thyatis.

Endless Catacombs: Dunno.

Blade of the Young Samurai: Don't think this fits in Mystara from what I've been able to read. Never owned it, in any case.

Trouble on Artule: Star Frontiers.

Tarzan and the Well of Slaves, Tarzan and the Tower of Diamonds: Savage Coast, I guess, if you want to bother.

Lair of the Lich: Dunno. Maybe Glantri?

Mystery of the Ancients: Gamma World.

Tower of Darkness: ????

The Fireseed: ???

Prisoner of Elderwood: ???

Knight of Illusion: ???

Claw of the Dragon: ???

Vision of Doom: ???

Song of the Dark Druid: Dunno, but from what I've read, maybe near the Faery kingdom in Alfheim?
#7
spellweaver
Jan 31, 2006 5:55:57
Interesting! That makes it definately Mystaran. Even though M4 mostly takes part on a different world.

I think it is safe to assume that any novel from that series _not_ specifically mentioned to be set in any other world is set in Mystara. It gives us more to chose between anyway... :D

Håvard

Well, I haven't got any of the books and the reviews at www.gamebooks.org are pretty sketchy at best. But if anyone here can dig up some more information about the locations and characters in these books, we can try to implement them.

In the meantime I managed to google quite a few of the cover pictures and they gave me some ideas for interesting new NPCs, so hopefully I'll have more to post in the coming weeks and months.

:-) Jesper

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 spellweaver Jan 28, 2006 4:02:56	Hi there! I was just wondering if anyone here are familiar with the Endless Quest novel series released by TSR in 1982-1996? I came across a site called www.gamebooks.org which describes and rates most of them. Basically they are the sort of solo-module "flip-to-page-X-if-you-want-to..." books that I think many of us started out playing before RPGs. They seem to be based on 0D&D, but from what I have read, they are not canon Mystara but more generic D&D. Reviews of the 40 books have yielded such names as: Thomas Blackfoot - halfling thief Kelson Darktreader - elven champion The frozen land of Shanafria Castle Pentegarn Rainbow dragons?? The Land of Oon, which is guarded by a gold dragon that requires payment Castle Necropolis - lair of a lich Anybody ever read these books? Is there a point in trying to fit the places and characters from them into Mystara? :-) Jesper
#2 katana_one Jan 28, 2006 14:01:51	I had quite a collection of these back in the day, in fact. Not all were D&D - I had one that was based on Gamma World and one based on Top Secret. From what I recall, none of the D&D themed ones were based on any of the official worlds, and I've never seen any crossover with Mystara. However, there's nothing to stop you from taking the characters and locations from those books and placing them in your own version of Mystara.
#3 zombiegleemax Jan 28, 2006 14:22:07	I had quite a collection of these back in the day, in fact. Not all were D&D - I had one that was based on Gamma World and one based on Top Secret. From what I recall, none of the D&D themed ones were based on any of the official worlds, and I've never seen any crossover with Mystara. Actually, a number of them were set in the D&D game worlds. One was called "Bigby's Curse," (obviously Greyhawk), and the "Super Endless Quest" books had a few that were set in Dragonlance (like the first one, Prisoners of Pax Tharkas, and another one that featured Githanas and Silvara; there's probably 1-2 more also). I also think the Super Endless Quest book "The Vanishing City" was set in Mystara--it was an adaptation of one of the Companion or Master series modules (don't remember which one, tho). Pax, ASH
#4 Cthulhudrew Jan 28, 2006 15:09:24	I also think the Super Endless Quest book "The Vanishing City" was set in Mystara--it was an adaptation of one of the Companion or Master series modules (don't remember which one, tho). Interesting- I never knew this before. A quick Google search reveals that it is based around the module "M4: Five Coins for a Kingdom".
#5 havard Jan 29, 2006 12:48:41	Interesting- I never knew this before. A quick Google search reveals that it is based around the module "M4: Five Coins for a Kingdom". Interesting! That makes it definately Mystaran. Even though M4 mostly takes part on a different world. I think it is safe to assume that any novel from that series _not_ specifically mentioned to be set in any other world is set in Mystara. It gives us more to chose between anyway... :D Håvard
#6 Cthulhudrew Jan 29, 2006 22:27:48	I used to really love the Endless Quest books- had quite a few of them. Unfortunately, I don't own them any more, so I can't be terribly specific about thoughts on where they might best fit. To the best of my recollection, though: The Dungeon of Dread: This could go anywhere, really. I'd suggest somewhere like Karameikos would be a good fit. The hero's name (Caric) doesn't have any particular regional connotations, so that doesn't help. There is a halfling in the book- which doesn't necessarily mean the book has to be near the Shires, but the evil wizard for some reason struck me as very Bargle-like, so Karameikos might work. Mountain of Mirrors: I always rather liked this one. Offhand, I'd say that Norwold would certainly be the best choice. The elf could come from one of the Elfhomes that way. Pillars of Pentegarn and Revenge of the Rainbow Dragons: Since the second is a sequel, I'm listing these together. They seem like they might fit best in Alphatia- given the more magical elements (especially of the second) of an apprentice wizard, his "familiars" (the animals the kid talks to), and all. Alternatively, they might fit in Glantri- as the premise of the second book is that the wizard Pentegarn is illegally teaching magic, or something like that. Return to Brookmere: Another one with elves. I think Wendar might be a good fit for this one, since Brookmere (the home of the elves) is a castle, and thus doesn't seem quite right for the more woodland Alfheim elves. The more Tolkienesque feel of the Wendarian elves, IMO, would lend itself to elvish castles. Revolt of the Dwarves: I confess that I don't really recall all that much of this one, aside from the cover (it was actually my brother's book). The premise, IIRC, has something to do with the dwarves attacking human kingdoms, and doesn't seem to fit with Rockhome dwarves as such. Maybe somewhere in Norwold, or even a particularly political time in Alphatia (between the Denwarf-Hurgon dwarves and the Alphatians)? Hero of Washington Square: This one was a Top Secret book. (I loved that game, btw.) Villains of Volturnus: A Star-Frontiers book. Robbers and Robots: A Top Secret book. Circus of Fear: This one was set in Greyhawk, from what I have been able to discern. I never owned it, in any case, so don't know anything about the plot. Spell of the Winter Wizard: I'm not sure if I owned this one or not, and if so, I definitely don't remember the plot. Offhand, maybe Alphatia? Light on Quest's Mountain: Gamma World. Dragon of Doom: Don't recall enough details about the plot except that you are an apprentice wizard with a pseudodragon companion. It might fit in Glantri? Raid on Nightmare Castle: Never owned this one, and I think it was about this time that I stopped (for whatever reason) buying the Endless Quest series. Under Dragon's Wing: Dunno. The Dragon's Ransom: Ditto. Captive Planet: Star Frontiers. King's Quest: Dunno. Conan the Undaunted, Conan the Prophecy, Conan the Outlaw Theoretically, you could place these in Hyborea (since that was the Conan land) in Mystara's past. Duel of the Masters: I did own this one, though (again) memory fails me. Given that it is about a monk and something to do with a war between kingdoms, I might suggest setting it in Ochalea, or otherwise having something to do with Ochalea, Alphatia, and Thyatis. Endless Catacombs: Dunno. Blade of the Young Samurai: Don't think this fits in Mystara from what I've been able to read. Never owned it, in any case. Trouble on Artule: Star Frontiers. Tarzan and the Well of Slaves, Tarzan and the Tower of Diamonds: Savage Coast, I guess, if you want to bother. Lair of the Lich: Dunno. Maybe Glantri? Mystery of the Ancients: Gamma World. Tower of Darkness: ???? The Fireseed: ??? Prisoner of Elderwood: ??? Knight of Illusion: ??? Claw of the Dragon: ??? Vision of Doom: ??? Song of the Dark Druid: Dunno, but from what I've read, maybe near the Faery kingdom in Alfheim?
#7 spellweaver Jan 31, 2006 5:55:57	Interesting! That makes it definately Mystaran. Even though M4 mostly takes part on a different world. I think it is safe to assume that any novel from that series _not_ specifically mentioned to be set in any other world is set in Mystara. It gives us more to chose between anyway... :D Håvard Well, I haven't got any of the books and the reviews at www.gamebooks.org are pretty sketchy at best. But if anyone here can dig up some more information about the locations and characters in these books, we can try to implement them. In the meantime I managed to google quite a few of the cover pictures and they gave me some ideas for interesting new NPCs, so hopefully I'll have more to post in the coming weeks and months. :-) Jesper