2) The Temple of Flame solution

[pip]

This solution is for the original version (I don't own the revised edition).

As you can see from the stats below, it's tough. Your starting Agility and Psi scores hardly matter in this solution, but then again Vigour doesn't make a huge difference either.

I use the Ring of Intangibility when the book instructs you to (it doesn't ask if you want to use it, it just asks if you have it and then makes you use it). It would be more useful during the ending sequence, but since you can reach that sequence without having been asked if you have the ring (by taking a much more difficult path), I assume this is by design.

The Ring of Healing trick I use to fight the Simulacrum has been suggested by Dave Morris himself.

- Save the monkey by kiling the snake
- Take the different route
- Press on towards the temple
- Chop your way through the thick foliage
- Duck out of sight
- Attack the two men
- You may add 2 to your dice roll in the first combat round
- Fight the Sentries
- Fight the Sentry
- Search for another entrance
- Touch the stylized flame
- Go along the left-hand passage
- Break the grille down
- -1 Vigour
- Take a closer look at the cloak
- Take the cloak
- Get the cloak of feathers
- Fight the first Stone Serpent
- Fight the second Stone Serpent
- Get the powdered ruby
- Leave by the tunnel in the north wall
- Force the grille open
- -1 Vigour
- Leap on to the plinth
- Hold your breath
- Take the ring
- Get the Ring of Intangibility
- Take the bottle of blue liquid
- Get the blue potion (restores 20 Vigour when you use it)
- You are ready to leave the room
- Fight the Nightmare Guard
- Flee from the fight with Sulsa Doom
- You are wearing a cloak of feathers
- You have the Ring of Intangibility
- Use an item
- Use the powdered ruby
- Try the doors
- Investigate the pool
- Bathe in the pool
- Take the drum
- Just take the drum
- Get the ebony drum
- Leave the room by the new route
- Put the gold sandals on
- Get the gold sandals (set your Agility to 10)
- You don't have a jewelled pectoral
- Go down the steps
- Carry on along the tunnel
- Hurry along
- Remove the plug from the wall
- Flee from the fight with the Fire Elemental
- Pour your water on the ring
- Get the Ring of Healing (restores all your Vigour, once; save it for later)
- Take the new corridor
- Use an item
- Use the ebony drum
- Stay and see the outcome of the fight
- Fight the Golem
- Get the conch shell trumpet
- You have a conch shell trumpet
- Go over and investigate
- Tear the gold covering from one of the mummies
- Get the black pearl
- Test your Psi with 1d6: Failure = you become cursed
- Go east
- Open one of the urns
- Get the urn of cinders
- Go west
- Descend the staircase to your left
- Fight the Phoenix
- If you are cursed: -2D6+3 Vigour
- Use the urn of cinders
- Get the Phoenix feather
- Ascend the other staircase
- You have a black pearl
- You have a Phoenix feather
- Use your Ring of Healing after the Simulacrum has been created, so that you have more Vigour than him
- Fight the Simulacrum
- Test your Agility with 3D6: Failure = -15 Vigour
- Test your Agility with 3D6 (again): Failure = -15 Vigour
- Fight Damontir
- You renounce taking the idol you came for. You get teleported back to your ship with many treasures.

[tyrion]

Thanks for doing this. This is the path I found least suicidal as well.

In the revised version, after the fight with the simulacrum you test your agility on 2d6 (both times) rather than 3d6. Probably makes a big difference when you have an agility of 10.

[pip]

Using the same solution, changing the two tests to 2D6 changes the survival rates to a range of 24.4% to 45.3% (instead of 7.3% to 13.5%). Still tough, but definitely easier indeed.

[alziel]

I'm still trying to beat this one - haven't been tempted to use the guide above yet, though I have checked the stats table and can see why I'm struggling (though I am playing the revised version - which I believe is a bit easier?)

My last attempt was my 21st go at it - and I reached the shores of the underground lake with the miniature version of the temple on the island in the middle - yay! - furthest I've ever managed to get .... then ... WHAT? .... where the heck do I find a Black Pearl? (*sob*)

I was intending to do these books in release order, but I've decided to put this one down for now and I moved on to 'The Lord of Shadow Keep' instead.... *sigh*

This one is BRUTAL! (Love the writing, story and atmosphere though - Dave Morris writes SO well!)

[a moderator]

Jan 15, 2024 10:27:52 GMT alziel said:

I'm still trying to beat this one - haven't been tempted to use the guide above yet, though I have checked the stats table and can see why I'm struggling (though I am playing the revised version - which I believe is a bit easier?)

A bit easier, yes.

WHAT? .... where the heck do I find a Black Pearl? (*sob*)

More of a vague hint than a spoiler, but hiding it just in case...

SPOILER: Click to show

There's a place where you would be advised to do as Damontir did when he passed the same way.

He may be mad, but he's not stupid.

[dragonwarrior8]

Jan 15, 2024 10:27:52 GMT alziel said:

I'm still trying to beat this one - haven't been tempted to use the guide above yet, though I have checked the stats table and can see why I'm struggling (though I am playing the revised version - which I believe is a bit easier?)

My last attempt was my 21st go at it - and I reached the shores of the underground lake with the miniature version of the temple on the island in the middle - yay! - furthest I've ever managed to get .... then ... WHAT? .... where the heck do I find a Black Pearl? (*sob*)

I was intending to do these books in release order, but I've decided to put this one down for now and I moved on to 'The Lord of Shadow Keep' instead.... *sigh*

This one is BRUTAL! (Love the writing, story and atmosphere though - Dave Morris writes SO well!)

Took me 46 attempts to beat this one. Great gamebook though, and one of the best written ones I have read yet. Keep at it, you can do it! Awesome feeling of satisfaction if when you win!