Gaming
 

Sword of the Samurai (book)

From Titannica

Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks
Outline
Location: Khul, Titan
References: 400
Publication Details
Author(s): Mark Smith &
Jamie Thomson
Illustrator(s): Alan Langford
Puffin
Cover illustrator: Peter Andrew Jones
First published: April 24 1986
Number 20
ISBN: ISBN 0-14-032087-3
Previous Book: Demons of the Deep
Next Book: Trial of Champions
Wizard (Series 1)
Cover illustrator: Mel Grant
First published: June 1 2006
Number 25
ISBN: ISBN 1-84046-732-0
Previous Book: Talisman of Death
Next Book: Bloodbones
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


For other uses of Sword of the Samurai, see Sword of the Samurai (disambiguation)

Sword of the Samurai is a single-player role-playing gamebook written by Mark Smith and Jamie Thomson, illustrated by Alan Langford and originally published in 1986 by Puffin Books. It was later republished by Wizard Books in 2006. It forms part of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy series. It is the 20th in the series in the original Puffin series (ISBN 0-14-032087-3) and 25th in the modern Wizard "Series 1" (ISBN 1-84046-732-0).

Contents

[edit] Creation

[edit] Background

“ Can You save Hachiman from chaos?

Hachiman is in great danger. The Shogun's control is slipping. Bandits roam the land freely and barbarian invaders have begun to raid across the borders. All this because the Dai-Katana, the Shogun's great sword, has been stolen from the Shogun. YOU are the Shogun's champion, a young Samurai. Your mission is to recover this wondrous sword from Ikiru, the Master of Shadows, deep in the Pit of Demons.

Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need. You have a choice of warrior skills which will affect the outcome of your mission. There are Honour points to be won and lost. YOU decide which route to follow, which dangers to risk and which monsters to fight.[1] 		”

The reader of this book assumes the role of a young Samurai Kensei, whose mission it is to recover a legendary Dai-Katana, the Singing Death, for the Shogun. The sword must be wrested from the grasp of Ikiru, the Master of Shadows, who keeps it hidden within the Pit of Demons.

[edit] Introduction/Special Rules

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

[edit] Unique Rules

  • This book featured an honour score that could have an effect on events in the book. Should the score reach 0 the player is instructed to turn to (99).
  • It was also the first book to feature a list of "Special Skills" from which the player may choose and which affect game-play considerably. While it was preceded by Appointment with F.E.A.R. with the choice of particular talents, these are replications of "normal" skills, not super-powers. They are: Kyujutsu (Archery), Iaijutsu (Fast draw), Karumijutsu (Heroic leaping), and Ni-to-kenjutsu (fighting with two swords).

[edit] Equipment List

If the player chooses the special skill of Kyujutsu they also start with a bow and 12 arrows.

[edit] Cover and Illustrations

Covers

The original cover of the book was designed and illustrated by Peter Andrew Jones.

When the book was republished by Wizard the cover was once again re-worked, this time by Mel Grant.

Sword of the Samurai through the years
1986 1987 1989 1990 1993 2006 2006
Zig-Zag Banner Dragon Format Dragon No No. No. Spine Only No Bronze-Foil Wizard "Special
Limited Edition" 		Wizard
£1.951 £2.252 £? £3.503 £? £4.99 £4.99
  1. Price of 1st~2nd Impressions
  2. Price of 5th Impression
  3. Price of 8th~9th Impressions

Illustrations

The interior illustrations were by Alan Langford. There were 30 full page illustrations and 6 minor repeated illustrations scattered throughout the text. The paragraphs with a full page illustration were: 8, 22, 30, 34, 66, 68, 75, 76, 78, 82, 95, 98, 110, 121, 126, 136, 138, 149, 155, 158, 185, 195, 201, 220, 250, 294, 378, 379, 385 and 397.

[edit] Intertextual References

[edit] Other Media

Main article: Sword of the Samurai (computer game)

The book was supposedly converted into a computer game (Sword of the Samurai) but appears to only be known from adverts.

[edit] Main Characters

YOU: The Shogun's Champion

[edit] Locations

[edit] Encounters

[edit] Further Notes

  • This is the second book set in the continent of Khul, with Scorpion Swamp being the first.
  • It features a land similar to medieval Japan, and the book features numerous monsters from Japanese folklore.
  • As already mentioned, Sword of the Samurai features a number of monsters from Japanese folklore. However, one of these - a type of Undead whose head detaches at night - is called Rokuro-Kubi in the book, but is called Nuke-Kubi in Japan.

[edit] Errors

[edit] Dedication

none

[edit] See Also

[edit] Reviews

[edit] External Links

[edit] References

  1. ↑ Sword of the Samurai - Back Cover ("Golden Dragon" Edition)
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