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in: Chasms of Malice Entries, 1987 books, Fighting Fantasy Original Series, Pages using ISBN magic links

Chasms of Malice (book)

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Fighting Fantasy Gamebook
Outline
Location: Khul, Titan
References: 400
Publication Details
Author(s): Luke Sharp
Illustrator(s): Russ Nicholson
Puffin
Figfan30
Cover illustrator: Les Edwards
First published: December 10 1987
Number 30
ISBN: ISBN 0-14-032475-5
Previous Book: Midnight Rogue
Next Book: Battleblade Warrior
Wizard (Series 1)
Wizard (Series 2)
Scholastic


For other uses of Chasms of Malice, see Chasms of Malice

Chasms of Malice is a single-player role-playing gamebook written by Luke Sharp, illustrated by Russ Nicholson and originally published in 1987 by Puffin Books. It forms part of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy series. It is the 30th in the series in the original Puffin series (ISBN 0-14-032475-5). There are currently no announced plans to republish this book as part of the Scholastic series.

Creation[]

Background[]

“ Gorak is under threat from the evil which haunts the dark chasms beneath it.

The great seals of Gorak have been broken and the True Shield is gone - the Malice of Orghuz has again been unleashed!

As a direct descendant of Tancred the Magnificent, it's up to YOU, a simple assistant in the underkitchens, to undertake the awesome quest for the Shield. With the Shining Sword in your hand and the cat goddess Tabasha the Bazouk at your side, YOU must enter the Chasms of Malice to seek out and destroy the evil Orghuz ...

Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need. YOU decide which paths to take, which dangers to risk and which monsters to fight! 		”

—Chasms of Malice - Back Cover ("Dragon" Edition)


The player is sent on a quest to find the True Shield by the wizard Astragal and is given the aid of the cat goddess Tabasha the Bazouk. The adventure takes place in a series of tunnels and caverns under Gorak, a location in the continent of Khul. In addition, the seven Khuddam have to be killed.

How to Fight the Creatures in the Chasms[]

The book in general follows the original rules set down in The Warlock of Firetop Mountain (see Game System).

Unique Rules[]

  • The book features several extra rules including a rules for "One-Strike Combat" which is the regular combat reduced to one round where the loser instead of being slain is knocked from whatever narrow ledge the fight takes place on and falls to their death.[1]
  • The game also features fuel, which when collected can be used for the cooking of food. This allows, when instructed, for the player to add 2 additional stamina points when eating Provisions.[2]
  • The player also has Tabasha the Bazouk who can be called on at any time except when engaged in battle (and may be called a maximum of 9 times). Tabasha can:
  • Restore a player's Initial skill or luck score, but only once during the game and only for one attribute. Also the player must decide which attribute before starting the game.
  • Add to the player's Provisions.
  • perform additional requests where indicated by the text.[3]

Equipment List[4][]

  • Sword
  • Leather Armour
  • Backpack
  • 5 Provisions

Cover and Illustrations[]

Main article: Chasms of Malice (illustrations)

Interestingly, on the spine of this book, there was no Puffin Books Puffin symbol. This only occurred on one other book, Temple of Terror.

Covers[]

The original cover of the book was designed and illustrated by Les Edwards.

Chasms of Malice Cover Variants
1987 1989 1990 1993
Figfan30
Dragon ver.I Dragon ver.II Dragon ver.III Dragon ver.IV
£2.251 £2.502 £3.503 £X.xx
NOTES
  1. Price of 1st Impression
  2. Price of 3rd Impression
  3. Price of 5th Impression

Illustrations[]

The interior illustrations were by Russ Nicholson. There were 30 full page illustrations and 6 minor repeated illustrations scattered throughout the text. The paragraphs with a full page illustration were: 1, 14, 28, 42, 56, 61, 70, 84, 98, 112, 119, 126, 154, 168, 182, 196, 201, 210, 224, 238, 247, 252, 261, 294, 308, 336, 364, 378, 392 and 399.

The colour map on the inside front cover was by Steve Luxton.

Intertextual References[]

  • This book marks the first appearance of the wizard Astragal who is a recurring character in Luke Sharp's books and returns in Daggers of Darkness and Fangs of Fury.

Other Media[]

Main Characters[]

YOU: Hero of Chasms of Malice

Locations[]

Encounters[]

Further Notes[]

Errors[]

  • (129) says your dagger is stolen, but there is no previous indication that you have a dagger.
  • (132) says "slithers of poisoned crystal", which should be "slivers".
  • (145) says "If you have any Fuel" but it is impossible to have any at this point.
  • (354) says "your sword", but elsewhere "Sword" referring to the Shining Sword is always capitalized.
  • Controversial: it is suggested that (331) should link to (253) instead of (99).  However, that would allow defeating all seven Khuddam in one playthrough, and the fight at (309) requires at least one Khuddam left alive.

Dedication[]

To those who boldly go and especially:
Colin, Joanna, Stacy, Isou, Andrew,
Sophie, Themi and Sam[5]

See Also[]

Luke Sharp
Star Strider
Figfan27		 Chasms of Malice
Figfan30		 Daggers of Darkness
Figfan35		 Fangs of Fury
Figfan39


Reviews[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Chasms of Malice - pg.11-12
  2. ↑ Chasms of Malice - pg.16
  3. ↑ Chasms of Malice - pg.17
  4. ↑ Chasms of Malice - pg.15-16
  5. ↑ Chasms of Malice - pg.5
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