PageQuest

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Glastyn (formerly Galloglass) Games has consistently impressed me with its mix of generosity and originality. From the nifty card game Fimbulvetr to the generic "piecepack" board game set, all of their products offer something a little different at a reasonable price. Thus it didn't surprise me too much to find out that their offering in the gamebook field (first released at GenCon '97) is both mechanically interesting and freely redistributable (provided it's distributed in an unaltered form). The "book" is actually a single sheet of paper folded into a three-fold pamphlet. It features a diceless game system with point-based character creation, rune-based magic, inventory management and combat rules that work sort of like Lost Worlds without the pictures. You move around by drawing a map on graph paper (which, remarkably enough, is included) and reading text sections whenever the map segments indicate that you must do so. This is definitely one of the best uses for a single sheet of paper that I've ever encountered!

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1. Quest for the Auburn Pelt
Authors: James Kyle (writing and design) and Chris Young (design only)
Illustrator: James Kyle
First Published: 1997
Length: 34 text sections, 20 map areas
Number of Endings: 1 (not including failure by loss of Stamina)
Plot Summary: You enter the keep of a Sidhe Noble in order to retrieve a magical pelt belonging to an innocent Selkie.
My Thoughts: This is a remarkable piece of work. I've often wondered if a one-page gamebook would be possible, and this definitely proves that it is. It uses the same kind of entertaining mapping system that I've loved since my first encounter with the wonderful sample solo adventure in the Dungeons & Dragons red-boxed Basic Set, and it features very innovative magic and combat rules. Obviously, it's rather lacking in the plot department, and it doesn't take too long to complete (30-45 minutes for me, I'd estimate), but it's still a remarkable achievement. I'd certainly love to see more done with both the one-page format and the PageQuest game system. It's also quite pleasing that the adventure is freely redistributable. I'd strongly recommend taking advantage of that fact, downloading the files linked below, and trying this quest out for yourself! Note that if you're unhappy with the quality of my scans, you can get an original copy of the game by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Glastyn Games
877 West Dexter Trail
Mason, MI 48854

Downloads: Entire Adventure (Front, Back)