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Fighting Fantasy Gamebook
Outline
Location: Khul, Titan
References: 400
Publication Details
Author(s): Robin Waterfield

Illustrator(s): Ian Miller
Puffin
Figfan28
Cover illustrator: Ian Miller
First published: October 29 1987
Number 28
ISBN: ISBN 0-14-032411-9
Previous Book: Star Strider
Next Book: Midnight Rogue
Wizard (Series 1)
Wizard (Series 2)
Scholastic


For other uses of Phantoms of Fear, see Phantoms of Fear

Phantoms of Fear is a single-player role-playing gamebook written by Robin Waterfield, illustrated by Ian Miller and originally published in 1987 by Puffin Books. It forms part of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy series. It is the 28th in the series in the original Puffin series (ISBN 0-14-032411-9). There are currently no announced plans to republish this book as part of the Scholastic series.

Creation[]

I only did one set of interior images, and as I recall this was also a trouble free experience. I didn't chase any more interior work after this and was never asked again after PHANTOMS of FEAR, so you can draw what conclusions you like from that.

Interview with Ian Miller at the Internet Archive record of Advancedfightingfantasy.com - Retrieved 2019-10-26


Background[]

How can YOU, humble Wood Elf, over-come the Demon Prince Ishtra?

A humble Wood Elf you may be, yet it's YOU the Gods have chosen to take on Ishtra and his gathering army of evil, chaotic creatures. YOU must penetrate this force before it becomes invincible. As a Demon Prince, Ishtra cannot be overpowered by weapons made by any Earthly race - even by the most magical sword of the High Elves - so what can YOU do against him?

Perhaps the Wood Elves' powerful art of dream-control could give you important advantages and allow you to cast spells at vital moments in your adventure ...

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!

Phantoms of Fear - Back Cover ("Dragon" Edition)


The player is an Elven prince who must journey alone through Affen Forest and defeat the Demon Prince Ishtra, who is threatening the kingdom. There are two ways to successfully complete the quest, which result in different final paragraphs. One is by collecting magic items to defeat Ishtra in the real world, the other is by combating Ishtra in the "dream world".

Introduction[]

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

Unique Rules[]

  • Phantoms of Fear features an extra score, power (2d6 plus 6),[1] which is reduced by one every time a spell is cast. power is also used in combat when the player sleeps and enters a "dream world" at various points in the book.[2]
  • The player also has the ability to cast spells, at a cost of 1 power point per spell. The following spells are available: Protect, Illusion, Weaken, Levitation, Finding, and Fire.[3]
  • The player begins with no Provisions.[4]

Equipment List[5][]

Cover and Illustrations[]

Main article: Phantoms of Fear (illustrations)

Covers[]

The original cover of the book was designed and illustrated by Ian Miller.

Phantoms of Fear Cover Variants
1987 1989 1990 1993
Figfan28 28 04 28 04 28 06
Dragon ver.I Dragon ver.II Dragon ver.III Dragon ver.IV
£2.251 £2.502 £2.993 £3.994

NOTES
  1. Price of 1st Impression
  2. Price of 2nd Impression
  3. Price of 4th Impression; £3.50 for 5th Impression
  4. Price of 6th Impression

Illustrations[]

The interior illustrations were by Ian Miller. There were 30 full page illustrations and 7 minor repeated illustrations scattered throughout the text. The paragraphs with a full page illustration were: 1, 14, 28, 42, 56, 72, 85, 98, 113, 130, 142, 156, 171, 184, 198, 212, 226, 240, 254, 267, 281, 295, 309, 323, 335, 348, 362, 375, 386 and 398.

Intertextual References[]

Other Media[]

Main Characters[]

YOU: Eldenurin

Locations[]

Encounters[]

Further Notes[]

  • The book has two different successful endings.
  • The player is at one point during the adventure able to flip between the real-world and a dream-world, paragraphs marked by an additional * for real-world paragraphs and # for dream-world ones.
  • Interestingly, the placement of the illustrations matches Masks of Mayhem with regard to paragraph numbers on all but two occasions.
  • This is one of the few books where the character actually states his name, rather than being nameless throughout his entire adventure (see also Appointment with F.E.A.R. and Clash of the Princes).

Errors[]

  • (53) kills you if you lose all 3 battles. As written this just means you need to win the easy one then completely ignore the other 2 as they are irrelevant. Almost certainly what was meant was to kill you if you lose any of the 3 battles.
  • (309) is flawed in multiple ways and will accomplish only that the player dies.

Dedication[]

To Steve and Ian[6]

See Also[]


Reviews[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. Phantoms of Fear - pg.8
  2. Phantoms of Fear - pg.13-14
  3. Phantoms of Fear - pg.14-16
  4. Phantoms of Fear - pg.17
  5. Phantoms of Fear - pg.18-19
  6. Phantoms of Fear - pg.4
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