Introduction
In writing the Lone Wolf series, Joe Dever created a system of rules that is both simple and satisfying in its completeness. The rules seek to find a balance between being simple enough to learn in one sitting and being able to deal with situations encountered by the player in a reasonable, realistic and predictable way.
However, the rules for the Lone Wolf books are not perfect, nor are they perfectly understandable to the first time reader. Many new readers are intimidated by the rules' level of complexity, skip over them and try to forget they ever existed. Although the Lone Wolf books can be enjoyed without following the rules, the reader will find greater enjoyment if the rules are understood and applied. For readers who understand the basic rules, there are inconsistencies and situations not covered by the rules. These inconsistencies and omissions can be frustrating for the conscientious.
This Readers' Handbook* is intended to help both groups: new readers encountering the rules for the first time, and experienced readers encountering confusion about how to apply the rules in a particular situation. It is organized with the intention of helping you find the information you need when you need it.
This area of the site is divided up into sections based on the different series of gamebooks written and edited by Joe Dever: the Lone Wolf Kai series (books 1-5), the Lone Wolf Magnakai series (books 6-12), the Lone Wolf Grand Master series (books 13-20), the Lone Wolf New Order series (books 21-28), the World of Lone Wolf series and the Freeway Warrior series. Each section goes through the rules sequentially as presented in the books.
A composite version of the rules for each series is written from beginning to end in its section. This composite appears without indentation. Where comment is necessary, it is inserted in indented text and italic typeface. For example:
You keep a record of your adventure on the Action Chart.
Links to helpful information are also provided in the Topical Guide. For the first time reader, as you read through the rules, you can refer to this Handbook to find explanations of the things you read in the order which you read them.
In areas where there is more than one reasonable way to interpret rules, we will present justifications for the most reasonable interpretations and let you decide for yourself. The Readers' Handbook is not here to dictate the One True Way. Find what you are comfortable with and follow it.
The Topical Guide which follows the several rules composites is an alphabetical listing of topics in need of clarification.
We hope that you find this handbook helpful in better understanding the rules and finding greater enjoyment in Joe Dever's gamebooks. If this handbook doesn't answer all your questions, please contact us with your question.
The Project Aon Team
* This document was formerly known as the Rules Handbook, but due to time constraints, that project had been largely neglected for almost four years. In translating the Handbook to a wiki format, it is hoped that it will now be kept up to date.