Demonstealer

Fighting Fantasy Novels
Outline
Location:	Allansia, Titan
Publication details
Author(s):	Marc Gascoigne
Illustrator:	Russ Nicholson
Cover illustrator:	Terry Oakes
First published:	July 25 1991
Previous Book:	The Trolltooth Wars
Next Book:	Shadowmaster
ISBN:	ISBN 0-140-34395-4

Demonstealer is a fantasy novel written by Marc Gascoigne, illustrated by Russ Nicholson and published by Puffin Books (ISBN 0-140-34395-4). It is based on Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy series.

Background

“	"Whatever you do, Darkmane, retrieve that scroll!" It started with a burglary. Borne aloft on the back of an immense bat, a sinister thief breaks into the tower of the sorcerer Yaztromo. Guided by long-dead voices, he manages to make off with an ancient scroll whose secrets could spell doom and destruction for all Allansia! Chadda Darkmane is soon on the trail of the thief. But as quest grows ever longer, his nagging doubts about the power of sorcery turn into nightmares. The trail leads far beyond northern Allansia, to the Pirate Coast and the twisting alleyways of Rimon, where Darkmane's nightmares become flesh! For the thief has used the ancient scroll to summon others to help him in his sorcerous task, Demons who are not bound by the constraints of earthly forms - who feast on the human spirit. A few brave companions accompany Darkmane, but will they be enough - and in time - to stop the thief from unlocking the final secret of Yaztromo's scroll? Demonstealer, the second Fighting Fantasy novel in a series that began with The Trolltooth Wars, holds all the answers.	”
—Demonstealer - Back Cover

The story begins right after the end of The Trolltooth Wars, while Darkmane is recovering from his wounds in Gereth Yaztromo's tower. It's during this time that an important magical artefact is stolen from Yaztromo, and so the quest begins. The thief is planning to use this artefact to summon an ancient Demon back to Titan, threatening to destroy all of it.

Cover and Illustrations

Cover

The original cover of the book was designed and illustrated by Terry Oakes.

Demonstealer Cover Variants

1991	1993
Bronze-Foil	No Bronze-Foil
£3.991	£X.xx
NOTES Price of 1st Impression

Illustrations

The interior illustrations were by Russ Nicholson. There were 17 full page illustrations, 1 bottom-half two-page spread, 2 paired vertical half-pages and 3 minor repeated illustrations used above the chapter titles.

Intertextual References

Prequels and Sequels

• The Trolltooth Wars and Shadowmaster

Main Characters

• Arakel - Necromancer
• Arelk - Elf
• Master Bard - Blacksmith
• Chadda Darkmane
• Errystes - Demon servant of Rivel
• Gantril "Gan" - Apprentice Blacksmith
• Garashta - Demon servant of Rivel
• Captain Garius of Halak - Pirate
• Jerem of the Whitened Tree, of the House of Heavenflowers - Elf
• Melliam - Elf
• Morin Vere - Lamplighter
• Rivel - Demon
• Salissa - Elf
• Prostrator S'rylvis - Caarth
• Varnuset - Demon servant of Rivel
• Vermithrax - Crow
• Vulpa Heartsfire - Hamakei
• Gereth Yaztromo
• Yurazel - Demon servant of Rivel

Main Locations

• Darkwood Forest
• Greenhome (or Relmiriel, in Elvish language)
• Halak
• Murak's Fine Alehouse
• Phoenix Finger
• Rimon
• Sun Pools
• Yaztromo's Tower

Dedication

For Pete, Karen and Max.
Indubitably.