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Masks of Mayhem

From Titannica

Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks
Outline
Location: Khul, Titan
References: 400
Publication Details
Author(s): Robin Waterfield
Illustrator(s): Russ Nicholson
Puffin
Cover illustrator: John Sibbick
First published: October 30 1986
Number 23
ISBN: ISBN 0-14-032154-3
Previous Book: Robot Commando
Next Book: Creature of Havoc
Wizard (Series 1)
Cover illustrator: N/A
First published: N/A
Number N/A
ISBN: N/A
Previous Book: N/A
Next Book: N/A
Wizard (Series 2)
Cover illustrator: N/A
First published: N/A
Number N/A
ISBN: N/A
Previous Book: N/A
Next Book: N/A


Masks of Mayhem is a single-player role-playing gamebook written by Robin Waterfield, illustrated by Russ Nicholson and originally published in 1986 by Puffin Books. It forms part of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy series. It is the 23rd in the series in the original Puffin series (ISBN 0-14-032154-3). There are currently no announced plans to republish this book as part of the modern Wizard series.

Contents

[edit] Creation

"I think Puffin saw some of my mythology books with monsters and magic effects and they gave me a trial with Masks of Mayhem cover."[1]

[edit] Background

“ The safety of the earth is in YOUR hands!

Morgana, the fell sorceress of Krill Garnash, is poised to let loose her dreaded Golems, which none are able to resist. For she has equipped them with the Masks of Mayhem, which give them power over all things. Only YOU can end her evil designs - but beware: peril and treachery await you at every turn, and help is hard to find.

Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need to make your journey. YOU decide which way to go, which dangers to risk and which monsters to fight.[2] 		”

The reader plays as the ruler of the small kingdom of Arion on the continent of Khul. He is sent on a mission by his court wizard, Ifor Tynin, to slay the evil sorceress Morgana before she can unleash her twelve dreaded Golems on the kingdom.

Unlike many other books in the series, the plot of Masks of Mayhem develops as the player reads further. Many suggestions are made that Morgana is not working alone, and by the end of the book it is revealed that one of the player's key allies is a traitor and the mission was a sham.

[edit] How to Fight the Creatures of Khul / Equipment and Potions

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

[edit] Equipment List

[edit] Cover and Illustrations

Covers

The original cover of the book was designed and illustrated by John Sibbick.

Masks of Mayhem through the years
1986 1987 1989 1990 1993
Zig-Zag Banner Dragon Format Dragon No No. No. Spine Only No Bronze-Foil
£1.951 £1.952 £? £? £?
  1. Price of 1st Impression
  2. Price of 3rd Impression; £2.25 for 4th Impression

Illustrations

The interior illustrations were by Russ Nicholson. There were 30 full page illustrations and 5 minor repeated illustrations scattered throughout the text. The paragraphs with a full page illustration were: 1, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 85, 98, 113, 128, 142, 156, 171, 184, 198, 212, 226, 240, 254, 267, 281, 295, 309, 323, 335, 348, 362, 375, 386 and 398.

The colour map on the inside front cover was by Dave Andrews.

This marked the first time that one of the gamebooks would feature a map of the region being played in during the gamebook and would continue off and on till the end of the range, although full colour maps came to an end with Tower of Destruction.

[edit] Intertextual References

[edit] Other Media

[edit] Main Characters

YOU: Hero of Masks of Mayhem

[edit] Locations

[edit] Encounters

[edit] Further Notes

[edit] Errors

  • "Three rocks" in (159) mystically become "four rocks" in (188).

[edit] Dedication

To Philippa Dickinson
Unsung hero of Titan

[edit] See Also

[edit] Reviews

[edit] External Links

[edit] References

  1. ↑ Interview with John Sibbick at the Internet Archive record of Advancedfightingfantasy.com
  2. ↑ Masks of Mayhem - Back Cover ("Golden Dragon" Edition)
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