The Goblin Tower

Xylar's kings have a tough life. Every five years the current king is beheaded and any audience member who catches the head reluctantly becomes the next king. After King Jorian is rescued by the magician Karadur, he promises to obtain the Kist of Avlen, filled with magical spells. The two men set out on a series of episodic adventures and encounter bizarre creatures of every sort, including a snake princess and a minor god. Like other picaresque novels, this fantasy lampoons the customs of the various societies. Jorian tells many captivating stories before the plot reaches a surprising climax. Why it's on the list Of all of Sprague de Camp's novels, these are probably the best. They combine adventure and humor as few authors can. You get the feeling that nothing in Jorian's life ever goes as planned. Sprague de Camp is a great story- teller, and this humorous critique of governmental systems is no exception. All of his works are first-rate. Read if you like Humor, Adventure, and Fantasy.