This "Thieves' World" is the very first "Shared World" series which aimed at the "Shared World" type from its beginning (that is, as far as I remember...) Many of these stories are rather depressing with gritty darkness, but stories are interesting and characters, well realized.
Edited and originated by Robert Lynn Asprin & Lynn Abbey (Ace)
  • Thieves' World
      1. Thieves' World (1979)
      2. Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn (1980)
      3. Shadows of Sanctuary (1981)
      4. Storm Season (1982)
      5. The Face of Chaos (1983)
      6. Wings of Omen (1984)
      7. The Dead of Winter (1985)
      8. Soul of the City (1986)
      9. Blood Ties (1986)
      10. Aftermath (1987)
      11. Uneasy Alliances (1988)
      12. Stealer's Sky (1989)
    • First Blood (Tor 2004) 2-in-1 volume: "Thieves' World" and "Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn" plus The Lady of the Winds

    • Beyond Sanctuary by Janet Morris (Ace 1985)
    • Beyond the Veil by Janet Morris (Ace 1987)
    • Beyond Wizardwall by Janet Morris (Ace 1987)
    • Tempus by Janet Morris (Baen 1987)
    • Shadowspawn by Andrew J. Offutt (Ace 1987)
    • Dagger by David Drake (Ace 1988)
    • City at the Edge of Time by Janet Morris & Chris Morris (Baen 1988)
    • Deathknight by Andrew J. Offutt (Ace 1990)
    • Storm Seed by Janet Morris & Chris Morris (Baen 1990)
    • Tempus Unbound by Janet Morris & Chris Morris (Baen 1990)
    • The Shadow of Sorcery by Andrew J. Offutt (Ace 1993)
    • Sanctuary An Epic Novel of THIEVES' WORLD by Lynn Abbey (Tor 2002)
    • Turning Points ed. by Lynn Abbey (Tor 2002)
    • Enemies of Fortune ed. by Lynn Abbey (Tor 2004)
Sanctuary (at amazon.com) Turning Points (at amazon.com)