The World of Lone Wolf is a series of four books written by Ian Page set in the southern part of the world of Magnamund (created by Joe Dever), following the adventures of Grey Star the Wizard - an orphan raised by the god-like Shianti. The game world was initially created for the Lone Wolf series of gamebooks.
In 2005 the gamebooks were made available for free download at Project Aon[1].
Book list[]
- Grey Star the Wizard (1985)
- The Forbidden City (1986)
- Beyond the Nightmare Gate (1986)
- War of the Wizards (1986)
Plot Overview[]
The series plays for the most part at the tip of south-eastern Magnamund, in the land then known as the Shadakine Empire. A tyrant called Shasarak the Wytch-King has subjugated the people and with the help of seven Shadaki Wytches is ruling with an iron fist. The Shianti, members of a mystical race, wish to help, but because of their exile on the Isle of Lorn they are forced to remain neutral in the conflict.
However, one night the situation changes when a storm wrecks a vessel near the island, with a human infant being the only survivor. In this child the Shianti see a chance to help the people of Magnamund without breaking their vow to Ishir, and they raise the boy in the arts of magic, giving him the name Grey Star: the star as the symbol of hope, and grey for the white-grey streak the boy has in his dark hair.
Once his training is complete, Grey Star is sent out to retrieve the Moonstone, an ancient Shianti artefact, from the Daziarn, for only with its power can Shasarak be defeated. The series takes place in the far Southern reaches of Magnamund and details the quest of Grey Star to recover the fabled Moonstone and destroy the Evil Shadakine Empire. The series consists of four books that were authored by Ian Page, edited by Joe Dever and illustrated by Paul Bonner.
Grey Star the Wizard: The first book in the series. The Shianti instruct Grey Star to seek a Shadow Gate that will take him to the Daziarn. Because the Shadow Gate's location is unknown, Grey Star must first find the Lost Tribe of Lara, also known as the Kundi. Grey Star sets off across the Sea of Dreams to the Port of Suhn where he is captured by Mother Magri. Escaping, he meets Shan Li and Tanith, who accompany him on his quest. Grey Star learns that the Lost Tribe of Lara is at the southernmost tip of Magnamund, in the Azanam. In the course of the dangerous journey, Shan Li is killed while Tanith is abducted by a Kleasa summoned by Mother Magri. Barely escaping a colony of Cave Mantiz himself, Grey Star is eventually rescued by the Kundi.
The Forbidden City: Accompanied by the Kundi shaman Urik, Grey Star travels to the Mountains of Morn, where the Shadow Gate will be located. They free Samu, a powerful warrior of the Masbaté tribe, and become embroiled in a rebellion against the Shadakine in the city of Karnali. Afterwards Grey Star and Urik are joined by Samu and the thief Hugi in their journey. They pass through the Forbidden City (Gyanima), meeting some unusual characters in the process, before eventually finding the Shadow Gate. Here they encounter the Kleasa again, who is holding Tanith. Grey Star frees the Kleasa, and enters the Shadow Gate with Tanith.
Beyond the Nightmare Gate: In the Daziarn, Grey Star and Tanith first enter a Crystal Tower, meeting a group of Academicians in the process. The Academicians demand Grey Star retrieve an artifact known as the Threnogem for them, promising to provide Grey Star with a way to traverse the realms of the Daziarn in return. They further hold Tanith hostage. Grey Star travels to the Singing City and retrieves a statue with the Threnogem, only to find that a creature that looks just like him (the Jahksa) had intimidated the Academicians into releasing Tanith. He sets off in pursuit of the Jahksa, reaching the Realm of Paradox and the domain of the Chaos master. Bargaining with the Chaos Master, Grey Star learns where the Moonstone is located, and Tanith is released as well. However, the Chaos master demands the Jahksa accompany the duo. Grey Star fights off the Jahksa as they pass through the Valley of Plenty and eventually arrive at the Trianon, where the Moonstone is located. Here, in a final fight, Jahksa "kills" Grey Star, but is killed instead under the effects of the Moonstone. Grey Star retrieves the Moonstone and returns to Magnamund.
War of the Wizards: Although Grey Star was only in the Daziarn for a few days, 7 years had passed on Magnamund.[1] Sado had led a successful uprising against the Shadakine, but the Shadakine are now maneuvering a large army to crush the rebellion. Grey Star and Tanith arrive on the Lissan Plain, where they encounter the remnants of the Masbaté tribe (who had not after all been exterminated), led by Samu. The Lissan Plain is still infested with demons, which Samu informs Grey Star are originating from a portal near Lake Tilos. Grey Star conceives a plan whereby he will use the Moonstone to close the portal, then bait the demons into attacking the approaching Shadakine army. This plan turns out to be successful, and the Shadakine are delayed. Leading the Masbaté, Grey Star finds Sado's army and brings them into the Forest of Fernmost, where he finds additional allies in the Kazim. Together, they defeat the Shadakine army. In the days after, as the Shadakine empire crumbles, Grey Star teleports himself into Shadaki, where he confronts and defeats Shasarak. The remnants of the Shadakine flee to the Sadi Desert and a confederation of free states arises from the ashes of the Shadakine empire. Grey Star is proclaimed the ruler, with Tanith as his consort.
Characters[]
- Grey Star: The main character and the hero the player has to guide through the series. Wielding the power of sorcery, he is, however, still a stripling, not knowing the ways of the world beyond the Isle of Lorn. Also, magic is his only effective weapon; if his magic power (measured as Will Points) is drained, he is extremely vulnerable.
- Tanith: An apprentice to the Shadakine Wytch Mother Magri of Suhn, who rebels against her mistress and becomes Grey Star's most frequent companion. While it is never explicitly indicated, it is likely that she has fallen in love with Grey Star, and that this is her main motivation in aiding him and even sacrificing her freedom for his sake. Her magic is specialized in the skill of manipulating animals.
- Shasarak: The main adversary of Grey Star is the ruler of the Shadakine Empire, a tyrant thirsty for power, even to the point where he seeks the demon Agarash's aid to conquer the rest of the world. His face, partially covered by an iron mask, is horribly disfigured, due to an experiment gone awry. During the course of the quest it is revealed that he is actually a renegade Shianti.
- Urik: a shaman of the Kundi, a race of ape-men who have the ability to see Shadow Gates (which lead into the Daziarn) and have had long-standing bonds of friendship with the Shianti. This wily character likes to keep his enemies off balance, but his magic and knowledge prove to be valuable assets during the quest.
- Samu: A member of the ebony-skinned Masbaté, and their king. Originally enslaved by Warward Kiro of Karnali, he breaks his chains with the help of Grey Star and helps him to reach the Shadow Gate which transports the young wizard to the Daziarn. Afterwards he happens to find the remainder of his people - of whom he had thought himself to be the last - and joins the Freedom Guild when Grey Star returns to Magnamund. He is very strong and a remarkable swordsman.
- Sado of the Long Knife: Leader of the resistance movement called the Freedom Guild, who becomes an important ally in the final struggle against Shasarak. The Freedom Fighters are noted for the veils they wear to cover the lower parts of their faces.
- Shan Li: A rotund, jovial merchant who has travelled much of Magnamund. He meets Grey Star in the Port of Suhn where they were imprisoned together. They escape with the aid of Tanith and headed for Azanam. Shan Li always argues with and mistrusts Tanith, but proves to be a reliable companion nonetheless. However, he is killed by Quoku before he and Grey Star can reach their destination.
Notes[]
Shasarak was defeated in MS 5057.[2] This places the events of Grey Star the Wizard and The Forbidden City in MS 5050, i.e. the same year as the events of Flight from the Dark.
References[]
- ↑ This same effect happens in The Prisoners of Time.
- ↑ The Buccaneers of Shadaki, section 8
External links[]