Bibilography.


Below, presented alphabetically by author, is a list of famous tomes penned by mages of antiquity, whic might serve as objects for questing adventurers or inspiration for maguses wanting to penn their own masterpieces. Not all of the books are spell books - some are bestiaries, others are travelogues or accounts of forbidden cults - all are of interest to those whose travels take them into unfamiliar territory.


Abralamet The Wanderer (630? - ? DR)

A Halsing (or possibly a foreign slave) from Ornhem. Wrote "The books of sacred magic as delivered by Abralamet The Wanderer unto his sons". The first book purports to have been written in 541 DR. Original publication date and place unknown - earliest copy written in Eochail. (Thought to be early twelth century DR). The book in its manuscript form is written throughout in Eochail and claims to be a translation of Halsing. The Eochail version is somewhat inaccurate, often obviously missing sections. The first book covers the history of Abralamet, whose father was a seer and magician. At a later date he was tutored by a mage named Massemet and later, he and a companion traveled through the Halsing lands, Lacedonia and Garamnos, and from there to Garrack. After that, they went to Saharn, and then to the Khish States. The second book is based on the documents and secrets which the Khishite mage Melin gave to Abralamet, along with advice for those aspiring to the occult arts. It accurately defines the basic principles of magic. The titles of some of the chapters are "How Many, and of What Classes are Veritable Magic?", "What to Take into Consideration before the Undertaking of Magic", "Concerning the Raising of Spirits", and "In what Manner to Carry out Magic". The third part of the book gives the information about the actual practice of magic. It gives formulae for "Procuring Divers Visions", "How One May Retain Familiar Spirits, Bound or Free, in whatsoever Form", "How to Excite Temptests". In other chapters he relates how to raise the dead, transformation into other shapes and forms, flying in the air, demolishing buildings, discovering thefts, and walking under the water. There is also a chapter on the healing of various common ailments. It also has love philters for men and women, and directions for securing the favor of kings, emperors and other influential people. The last book is on the summoning of visions, the evoking of music, comedies, operas and dances, and how to cause armed men to appear. Although the work is a treasure trove of spell craft, the crude translation (and the variants which have arisen from it) may cause spells gained from it to be somewhat unreliable.

 

Ackametar (1093 - 1171 DR)

Kuzi soothsayer. Famous work "The Reach of Dreams" Original lost. Published 1143 in Veh - translated into Saharnian and Dymerian. Book describes interpretation of dreams and the art of sending forth the spirit while asleep.

 

Adamantior (? - 1348 DR)

Khishite priest who became a Dymerian citizen at Garrack in the time of Chiopatrios. His famous work "Mastery of faces" was published in 1283 at Selymbria, in Dymerian. This is a set of two books about magical disguises, minor shapeshifting and protections against or spells for detection of the same. It is full of contradictions and many of the spells are unreliable - some of the shapeshifting ones being downright dangerous.

 

Arcamorius (? - ?)

A well-known philosopher who was active in Dymeria sometime in the seventh century DR, then abruptly disappeared. Extant works include "The Art of Prolonging Life" - publication date and place unknown - written in Dymerian - in the preface Arcamorius claims to have written this book at the age of 1,250 years. It covers the various means and methods of prolonging life. He also is credited with "The Key to Supreme Wisdom" - a work on the character of the planets (and methods for travelling thereto), predictions of the future (and methods for obtaining more), and on spells of transformation.

 

Akenramut (20? - 211 DR)

Medarian astrologer born in lost Anacyras. Major work is "Of Judgements discerned in the Stars" written in the 1st century DR - exact date unknown. Original in Medarian. Published 1085 DR in Curium - translated into Dymerian. A book of predictions drawn according to the inspection of the stars, and the methods used. The predictions in this book for later centuries are believed to be remarkably accurate regarding major historical events.

 

Albalatar (5th century DR?)

An sage of the Empire of the Sun. Works include "The Book of a Thousand Years." Original lost - thought to be in Atalantëan. A copy published 987, written in Eochail titled "Thousands of Years" is known to have existed. A book detailing contacts with other planes of existence and the astrological conjuctions which make these contacts easier. A second work entitled "The Meadows of the Sky" describing the construction of vessels for travelling to other worlds is also alluded to in his other books although it too is unknown. At least one copy in Dymerian is said to exist. Several books on Alchemy also said to have been written by Albalatar are available, translated into Dymerian, Saharnian and Khishite.

 

Anon.

"The Goldfinder" - written sometime previous to 1240, in Halsing, it claims to be a narrative of a warrior who was employed in Penume. While there the author fell in with a magician to who he rendered considerable service, and who when he died left the warrior the secret of manufacturing a wand which had the power of goldfinding. It contains in addition many illustrations of talismans and magical rings.

 

Anon.

"The Key Of The King". A compilation of several authors over several centuries. Publication date and place unknown - earliest known versions written in Dymerian, but translated into many others. A magical treatise of which many manuscripts are extant. It was probably written in the sixth or seventh century DR. Its chief intention appears to be the finding of treasure, and the making of such experiments as have for their object the interference with the free will of others.

 

Anon.

"The Lemegeton". A compilation of several authors over several centuries. Publication date and place unknown - earliest known versions written in Dymerian, but translated into many others. Its earliest examples date from the seventh century DR, and it describes the ritual for the summoning of extraplanar entities. Publication date and place unknown - eraliest known versions written in Dymerian, but translated into many others. It is traditionally found in four volumes. The first part, contains forms of conjuration for creatures of small power, but malicious - generally referred to as demons, with an account of their powers. The second part, deals with more powerful creatures, who are of mixed nature. The third book deals with a variety of powers considered by the writer or writers to be of a more benevolent nature. The fourth part enumerates four other groups of beings, which are not supposed to be malevolent, but which are nonetheless described circumspectly and which are supposed to be of great power. The usual homilies regarding purity of life are insisted upon, as is the circumstance that none of the conjurations shall be applied to the injury of another.

 

Anon

"The Scalamadrigon". A work of unknown - some say non-human - origin. It details spells for traversing time and travelling into other dimensions, as well as some spells (claimed to be dangerously unreliable, although this may be due to faults in translation) for conjuring denizens of other planes. Several copies in Dymerian are known to exist. These were made from a Kuzi version, itself said to be a copy of the original, which according to Warminsor (qv.) is held securely in the Wyrmhold of the Shadow Kingdoms.

 

Anon.

"The Tome of the Covenant". A book, originally written in Halsing, but now also also available in several partial manuscripts of Dymerian origin. At least one of the copies was made in Megara about 1350 DR, placing some restriction on when it can have been written, but the original author or authors are unknown. The original apparently had wards set guarding some parts (hence the fragmentary nature of the translations). The book describes a number of spells related to lunar magic.

 

Ashelazhers (370? - ? DR)

Female Medarian astrologer, also known as Alzharitia. Major work "Alzharitia's Commentaries" written in the fourth century DR - exact date unknown. Original in Atalantëan lost. Published in 1063 in Curium - translated into Dymerian by Jannusis of Trivandram. A highly prized treatise on astrology, considered one of the best ever written.

 

Aubayeer (? - ?)

An unknown mage (or possibly a pseudonym), known only for "Aubayeer's Workbook", a compendium of spells concerned with astral projection and the thwarting of similarly out of phase foes. The name is Saharnian, but known copies are mostly in Dymerian, Kuzi or Khishite.

 

Beltran Irontongued (1362 - DR)

A Dymerian noble, so-called for his inexhaustible love of speech - but particularly argument. A noted Magus and also a scholar of renown - particularly on secret societies and religious matters. He has written widely, but his classic works is :

"Forbidden Cults" - A scholarly treatment of a wide variety of proscribed cults, their origins, aims and (where possible) notes on secret gestures or languages, recognition symbols and the like. Generally accurate, this book was written at the request of Beltran's friends in the library of the Dymerian Inquisition. However, it is a history only - since it was intended for general instruction, no thaumaturgy associated with any of the cults was included. A variety of imitations exist, most including a reworking of the material to make it more lurid, and some purporting to contain "secret sorceries of the forbidden cults" - much of dubious utility. Covers the Plague priests, the Kasserim, the Necromantic Fellowship, the Stone-Lovers, Spirit-Binders and the Redteeth. Written in Dymerian, widely translated into Saharnian and Khishite.

 

Benoni of Europas (? - ?)

Ancient works written sometime in the early years of the Empire of New Saharn. Benoni was presumably Saharnian, but little is known of him or his works except for the two well regarded books "Alchemical Mysteries" and "The Mystic Union of Substances", both works of considerable value dealing with alchemy. Saharnian editions are known to exist and are said to be the most reliable (being presumably copies of an older, possibly original manuscript) - however the books are proscribed in Saharn, due to the author's musings on the old empire. Copies in Khishite and Dymerian also exist, the latter being the most recent as well as the least reliable.

 

Briel (? - 1276)

An Eochail priest and Drochaid of Anna rua Arn Ganar na Torr dan Gardnart (the "Iron Queen") until his banishment for unknown reasons. These can and have been surmised however, since he is famous for his sorcerous workbooks which are known to contain Spells of Darkness, and which have been associated with a vague curse. The books are written in Eochail runes, but in a code of Briel's devising. At least one set of copies are known to have been secretly made by the Ardé Ria's scribe.

 

Carleheres the Dark (1169 - ? DR)

Famous Olmai artist and scholar. Wrote the celebrated "Comparisons of animals, monsters and men" in Atrios about 1220 DR. A comparison of human, monsters and animals (both whole and internal organs, skeletons etc.), with text and pictures. The author draws a mystical link between the creation of humans and animals based on the similarity of their structures. Includes many erudite comments on the relatedness of Humans, Marsans, Ogres and similar human offshoots.

 

Caresere of Ancyra (? - ?)

Nuparian priestess. Her "The Mystic the Miracles of the All-Powerful: Divine History of the Life of the Most Holy Medaria, Consort of Heaven, our Queen and Mistress, Manifested in these Last Times by the Holy Medaria to Caresere, Priestess of the Temple of the Divine Flame of the town of Ancyra, and written by that Same Priestess for the Edification of Her Brothers and Sisters in Faith.", written sometime around 724 PDR. Written in Atalantëan, later translated into Medarian and Saharnian. An account of the strange and miraculous happenings which befell Medaria from her birth onwards, including a visit to the sun in her early years, when she was given a guard of a thousand "firey spirits". This book is condemned by the Priesthood of the Great God, but was a major religious icon to the Medarians and one of the few sources for history before the fall of the Empire of the Sun.

 

Daimos the Bladehand (? - 1256)

The irreplaceable library of this famous Dymerian mage was unfortunately lost when his mansion abruptly descended into a firey pit - whether due to some enemy, or a spell gone awry, no-one knows. Only a single workbook of sonic spells (including the famous "Sonic Shield" that damges foes in close proximity to the caster) survived, since it was lent to an apprentice. It has since been translated into Saharnian and Eochail, as well as copied in Dymerian.

 

Dreimach of Kalash (1336 - 1442 DR)

A Halsing warrior of some stature, served as auxiliary captain at Trivandra, and was involved in treaty negotiations. During the course of these he met (secretly) his future wife, then the wife of a Saharnian priest. His subsequent desertion, elopement and adventures in Saharn, including an involvement in the abortive rebellion in Veh (the "Longboat revolt" of 1380) were detailed in his only known book - "A Traveller in Danger". Well-written, and including much material on the inner workings of certain heretical societies in Saharn, it has been surprisingly popular and translated into Dymerian and Saharnian (although it is a proscribed work in Saharn) from the original Halsing.

 

Erephalius the Bright, pseudonym used by Alaphapannart (937 - 1348 DR)

A khishite Occultist, wrote a series of books in Dymerian including "Doctrine of transcendental magic", "Ritual of transcendental magic", "The key of the grand mysteries", "Fables and symbols", "The Sorceror of Sandashah" and "The science of spirits". These books cover ritualistic, cabbalistic and symbolistic magic as practised in the Khishite lands. Much of this work is written in code phrases or allegory, rendering it difficult and dangerous to use by those unfamiliar with the topics.

 

Fernie Rua Tallach (980 - 1236).

An Eochail sorceror-priest who spent much of his life on the completion of the Catalogue of Law at Sarnac. His treatises on architecture and construction are hought to have been lost, but he is well known for his "Book of Sacdaen Leechdom" - a tome concerned with healing arts both magical and mundane. There have been numerous copies made in Eochail, as well as translations into Olmai (1411?) and Dymerian (in Karmorvus, 1387).

 

Gerrent of Karmorvus. (? - 1097 DR)

Famous for a Dymerian tract on the prophecies of Malanach Dan Cinioch. The account is prefaced with an account of the deeds of the Kings of Na Féile. Presumably a translation from Eochail, though the author claims to have had it from a disciple of Malanach's.

 

Jawen of Narganash (? -?)

"Mystics, Asectics And Sects Of The Kingdoms Of The South". Interestingly, no mage of repute of this name has been known to have resided in Narganash and no other clues to his (her?) identity are known. Publication date and place unknown - written in Dymerian. Covers the religion of the Khishite states, mentions some notable religious leaders (from which one can assume the book was written about 1300 1330 DR) and describes many of the minor sects of the goddess.

 

Jallames sa Aedan (1012 - 1091 DR)

A High Priest in Ros Caire, in 1067 deposed and became a Drocahid of Anna rua Arn Ganar na Torr dan Gardnart (the iron Queen). "The Pathways of Demons" - written in 1062, published 1070 in Manistir na Féile. Written in Eochail. Dedicated to Anna rua Arn Ganar, the book is a description of old Eochail Cults and includes spells for detecting disguises, seeking hidden things and the like.

 

Janna of Agnany (725 - ?)

Priest of the Great God, unusual for being of foreign (unknown) origin. Also known for writing "On the Nature of Demons". Publication date and place unknown, written in Saharnian. A treatise on magic, witchcraft and demonic (that is, otherplanar) beings. Especially comprehensive in its treatment of these beings, it also includes a section on gates - mostly involving methods for their destruction.

 

Jehun rúa Kedelang - Olmai historian born in 1235, died in Phadraig in 1309.

His "History of Human Religions, and Life Histories of the Most Celebrated Priests, Sorcerers and Wise Men." was published 1289, in Phadraig. Written in Eochail. The book is a (somewhat inaccurate) history of the beliefs and supersitions of previous ages and a concise summary of Eochail religious thought of the time. It is of particular interest for its summaries of works by earlier writers about famous mages and philosophers - some of which might still be of relevance to bold treasure hunters.

 

Magnertus the Great (705 - 913 DR)

A Priest from Atrios, born at Karmorvus. His great work "Of Manipulating Metals and Minerals" was written sometime between 850 and 900, in Dymerian and consisted of twenty-one volumes covering a number of areas, including diagrams for firelances, lightning-bringers and the like. Alchemy is covered in depth, including notes on the search for the philosopher's stone, and instructions for creating gold.

 

Numa "the Mad" (1399 - ?)

Famous not only as the author of "The Eye of the Beast" - workbook of spells concerning the control of beasts, the divination of plant natures and the controlling of weather, but also as the "Green Man" of several popular common tales - the mage who has sided with the beasts of the woods against his own kind. The date of writing is uncertain. The book was found among his possessions when Numa fled to the woods. It has been said that Numa did not in fact write it, but got it from an older source and that the spells in it were responsible for his strange later behaviour. Whatever, the original was written in a mystic artificial cypher, although several translations into Eochail are known.

 

Orjalon of Puni (1140 - ?)

The spellbook known as the "Arbatel" was written as the last Khishite states fell under Dymerian influence, as a resource for Khishite mages, who were being driven underground. It deals especially with spells of comprehension, the making of magical markers, and glyphs as well as spells to hide such things. The original of course was written in Khishite and any ensuing copies are presumably as well, since though mentioned in other sources, Orjalon's inheritors ahve kept it well hidden.

 

Pederre the Loyal (1049 - )

Dymerian Imperial councillor and Member of the Grand Convocation. Most famous works include the"Haunts, Apparitions and Spirits" and "Conjuring of Demons and Friendly Powers" two series of four books dealing with visions and prodigies, the cause of apparitions, the nature of good and evil spirits, of demons, of the essence, nature and origin of souls, or magicians and sorcerers, of the manner of their communication, of evil spirits, and of impostors.

The first book deals with spectres, apparitions and spirits; the second with the sciences of Pederre's time, the generation of illusions, elixirs and philtres. The third book describes various kinds of spirits, and recounts diverse adventures with spectres and demons; the fourth book gives many examples of spectral appearances, of the detection of persons possessed of demons, of the other planes and dwelling-places of theses spectres and demons and so forth. The fifth treats of the science of the soul, of its origin, nature, its state after death, and of haunting ghosts. The sixth is entirely taken up with a description on how to prepare bodies for burial to prevent their animation by sorcery and how to exorcise animated corpses; in the seventh book he describes some of the rituals and origins of the Halsing Witches of the Dark House, and the evocation of souls are dealt with, as is evocation in general and the methods practised by wizards and sorcerers in this science; the last book gives some account of exorcism, funigations, prayers, and other methods of casting out devils, and the usual means employed by exorcists to destroy these.

 

Selinippa of Megara (991 - 1103)

Female Lacedonian soldier and sorceror, founder of the Warguild "Flame of Wrath". Wrote widely on magical topics, including :

"Of Battle-magery" - a description of strategems designed to gain the greatest use from battle sorcery and also describing a number of powerful spells for attack, defence and the transport of troops.

"Description of Mechanisms" - a catalogue of devices - mechanical and magical - many for use in war - ballistae, siege towers and vehicles, but others of more utilitarian employment - magical forges, spells for heating, lifting etc. Illustrated, with instructions for the use and (in some cases) construction.

"An Essay on Abilities and Capacities" - This book is a listing of the nobler qualities desirable in the upper classes and some brief histories of noble women to prove their equality to men. Of particular interest for descriptions of combat training and some minor battle magic devised by some of her subjects (skill at arms being one of the noble qualities).

 

Warminsor (pre 1254 - ? DR)

A powerful Magus of unknown origin. Although he affected a Dymerian appearance and lived in Apollonia for many years, he (or she) was known to be a shapeshifter, and definately of foreign origin. A tireless traveller, Warminsor wrote several works which have become classics, including : "Geography of the Southern Lands" - an atlas, including quite accurate maps, of the Khish states, The Empire of New Saharn, the petty fiefdoms of Kuzistan and the outer regions of the Realms of Shadow. Political commentary and notes on social customs are included. Unfortunately, since the book was written about 1320 DR, much of the information is outdated. Various scriveners have attempted "Revised editions" but these are often filled with supposition and hearsay. "Wonders of the Ancient Realms" - An illustrated book describing certain marvels of architecture or sorcery found in Gorgamelle, including Sitting-in-Judgement mountain, the adjacent Shadow-lands, the flying cities and fortresses of the Vale of the Mages in Kuzistan, the World Wells in Southern Saharn and the great pyramid-city of the Artificers of Penume.