Atlantean Trilogy Archive
A mage's sanctum at night with an armillary sphere, glowing retorts, a pentagram floor and nine floating sigils by a moonlit sea window.

Volume I of the Atlantean Trilogy, 1984

The Arcanum

The rules of the Atlantean age: its peoples, professions, skills and nine fields of magic.

The Arcanum is the first book of the three and the only one with rules. Stephan Michael Sechi and Vernie Taylor wrote it for Bard Games in 1984, and a revised second edition followed in 1985. You can play it as a complete game, borrow its optional rules, or use it as a magic and alchemy sourcebook for another game, most often Dungeons & Dragons.

Its world is Earth's legendary Second Age, which the book places around 15,000 to 12,000 BC. A great cataclysm has ended the golden First Age of Atlantis, and the empire is in decline, though its navy is still respected. Around it lie real lands under mythic names, such as Eria for North America and Gondwana for Africa, and legendary ones like Hyperborea, Lemuria and Mu.

Characters come from eight races and 32 professions, the book's own word for classes. Each profession is either single-classed or dual-classed, which decides the experience table it uses. On top of that sit a skill system, five backgrounds, and nine fields of magic with spells from the first level to the seventh. Roughly half the book is magic and alchemy.

Sechi went on to create Talislanta in 1987, and The Arcanum already hints at it: a dwarven tale says the Druas' drowned homeland was called Talislantis.

Written by
Stephan Michael Sechi and Vernie Taylor
Publisher
Bard Games
Editions
1st, 1984; 2nd, 1985; 3rd, Death's Edge Games, mid-1990s; 30th Anniversary Edition, 2019
Length
About 156 pages in the 1st edition and 173 in the 2nd
In print today
KDLadage Publishing, the current rights holder, sells the 30th Anniversary Edition and a reprint of the 2nd edition.
This index follows
The 2nd edition (1985)
Get a copy
KDLadage Publishing

The index

Illustrations from the book

  • Map of the Atlantean world with Atlantis, Lemuria, Hyperboria and surrounding seas
    Map of the Atlantean world with Atlantis, Lemuria, Hyperboria and surrounding seasArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 3
  • Atlantis: The Lost World advertisement map of the Atlantean continents
    Atlantis: The Lost World advertisement map of the Atlantean continentsArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985)
  • A winged lion statue reclining on stone steps before a colonnade (title-page frontispiece)
    A winged lion statue reclining on stone steps before a colonnade (title-page frontispiece)Artist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985)
  • An armored rider on a rearing horse before ruined columns
    An armored rider on a rearing horse before ruined columnsArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 4
  • A wizard in a tall pointed hat poring over a pentagram tome by the hearth with a crystal ball
    A wizard in a tall pointed hat poring over a pentagram tome by the hearth with a crystal ballArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 67
  • A towering bearded Aesir warrior with shield and battle-axe on a rocky crag
    A towering bearded Aesir warrior with shield and battle-axe on a rocky cragArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 6
  • A lion-headed Andaman tribesman holding a spear beside a tree
    A lion-headed Andaman tribesman holding a spear beside a treeArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 7
  • A pale, long-haired Druas in a cloak leaning on a staff
    A pale, long-haired Druas in a cloak leaning on a staffArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 8
  • A stocky winged-helmed dwarf warrior with a war hammer
    A stocky winged-helmed dwarf warrior with a war hammerArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 9
  • An elf archer with longbow and striped cloak beside a tree
    An elf archer with longbow and striped cloak beside a treeArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 10
  • A grim Netherman with spear and coiled rope in falling snow
    A grim Netherman with spear and coiled rope in falling snowArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 11
  • Winged Zephyr in flight above the clouds
    Winged Zephyr in flight above the cloudsArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 12
  • An alchemist in a tall hat at his workbench with a steaming cauldron and glassware
    An alchemist in a tall hat at his workbench with a steaming cauldron and glasswareArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 14
  • A masked assassin in dark garb drawing a sword
    A masked assassin in dark garb drawing a swordArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 15
  • An astrologer in a tall hat at an orrery table between flaming braziers
    An astrologer in a tall hat at an orrery table between flaming braziersArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 16
  • A beastmaster wrestling a great serpent in the grass, spear in hand
    A beastmaster wrestling a great serpent in the grass, spear in handArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 17
  • A shaggy bounty hunter in mail with sword and pack
    A shaggy bounty hunter in mail with sword and packArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 18
  • A charlatan in flamboyant robes performing a trick before an audience
    A charlatan in flamboyant robes performing a trick before an audienceArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 19
  • A corsair with a saber swinging from a ship's rigging
    A corsair with a saber swinging from a ship's riggingArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 20
  • A hooded druid in long robes beside a tree with a deer
    A hooded druid in long robes beside a tree with a deerArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 21
  • An enchantress reclining on a couch beneath the moon and stars, with a small familiar
    An enchantress reclining on a couch beneath the moon and stars, with a small familiarArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 22
  • A pointed-eared elven woman with a circlet resting her chin on crossed hands
    A pointed-eared elven woman with a circlet resting her chin on crossed handsArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 22
  • A gladiator in a loincloth flexing before an arena crowd
    A gladiator in a loincloth flexing before an arena crowdArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 23
  • A masked harlequin in diamond motley on a stool before stage curtains
    A masked harlequin in diamond motley on a stool before stage curtainsArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 24
  • A hunter with a longbow among tall reeds
    A hunter with a longbow among tall reedsArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 25
  • Pencil portrait of a dark-haired woman wearing a raven pendant
    Pencil portrait of a dark-haired woman wearing a raven pendantArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 25
  • A turbaned, bearded mage conjuring magic against a starry sky
    A turbaned, bearded mage conjuring magic against a starry skyJ. Scott Lee, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 26
  • A bearded magician in desert robes emerging from a cloud of smoke
    A bearded magician in desert robes emerging from a cloud of smokeArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 27
  • A martial artist delivering a high kick beneath a yin-yang symbol
    A martial artist delivering a high kick beneath a yin-yang symbolArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 28
  • A bald monk holding a staff before a domed temple
    A bald monk holding a staff before a domed templeArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 29
  • A mystic levitating cross-legged amid a swirling vortex of energy
    A mystic levitating cross-legged amid a swirling vortex of energyArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 30
  • A necromancer summoning a horned demon from a portal
    A necromancer summoning a horned demon from a portalArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 31
  • A paladin in plate armor on an armored warhorse with a lance
    A paladin in plate armor on an armored warhorse with a lanceArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 32
  • A robed priest with arms raised in benediction
    A robed priest with arms raised in benedictionArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 33
  • A rogue picking a lock on a heavy wooden door
    A rogue picking a lock on a heavy wooden doorArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 34
  • A savant seated in a forest with a scroll and a raven on his shoulder
    A savant seated in a forest with a scroll and a raven on his shoulderArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 35
  • A bearded scholar in robes holding a scroll before library shelves
    A bearded scholar in robes holding a scroll before library shelvesArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 36
  • A shaman with a feathered staff and a wolf companion
    A shaman with a feathered staff and a wolf companionArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 37
  • A sorcerer in an Egyptian headdress rising from a glowing portal
    A sorcerer in an Egyptian headdress rising from a glowing portalArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 38
  • A spy with a dagger lurking around a corner as a shadow approaches
    A spy with a dagger lurking around a corner as a shadow approachesArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 39
  • A bearded thaumaturge amid laboratory apparatus with a homunculus in a globe
    A bearded thaumaturge amid laboratory apparatus with a homunculus in a globeJ. Scott Lee, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 40
  • A helmeted warrior with sword and round shield
    A helmeted warrior with sword and round shieldArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 41
  • A witch with streaming hair raising a scepter atop a sea-crag
    A witch with streaming hair raising a scepter atop a sea-cragArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 42
  • A witchdoctor in a feathered cape crouching by a pool under a full moon
    A witchdoctor in a feathered cape crouching by a pool under a full moonJ. Scott Lee, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 43
  • A hooded witch hunter with a staff standing over a fallen witch
    A hooded witch hunter with a staff standing over a fallen witchArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 44
  • A robed wizard with folded arms and a winged imp familiar
    A robed wizard with folded arms and a winged imp familiarArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 45
  • A long-haired barbarian swordsman lunging with blade raised
    A long-haired barbarian swordsman lunging with blade raisedArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 65
  • A summoner confronting a huge demon rising from smoke
    A summoner confronting a huge demon rising from smokeRoy McDonald, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 73
  • A robed sorcerer casting a spell at a man floating amid swirling energy
    A robed sorcerer casting a spell at a man floating amid swirling energyRoy McDonald, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 78
  • A caped, turbaned swordsman leaning on a sword
    A caped, turbaned swordsman leaning on a swordRoy McDonald, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 146
  • The Thaumaturgic Triangle: a sigil-marked triangle enclosing a circle
    The Thaumaturgic Triangle: a sigil-marked triangle enclosing a circleArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 73
  • The Circle of Protection: a double circle ringed with hexagrams and pentagrams
    The Circle of Protection: a double circle ringed with hexagrams and pentagramsArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 73
  • Chart of alchemical signs and symbols (wax, herbs, distillation, metals and more)
    Chart of alchemical signs and symbols (wax, herbs, distillation, metals and more)Artist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 124
  • Chart of alchemical ciphers for the numbers 1-24
    Chart of alchemical ciphers for the numbers 1-24Artist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 125
  • Chart of planetary and zodiac signs
    Chart of planetary and zodiac signsArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 125
  • A runic-style magical alphabet A-Z
    A runic-style magical alphabet A-ZArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 126
  • A cursive magical script alphabet with end-of-sentence symbol
    A cursive magical script alphabet with end-of-sentence symbolArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985), page 126
  • Front cover: THE ARCANUM, Second Edition - a red pentagram on a black tome with silver winged corner clasps
    Front cover: THE ARCANUM, Second Edition - a red pentagram on a black tome with silver winged corner claspsArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985)
  • Back cover: an ornate stone ring carved with sigils on a black tome with silver clasps
    Back cover: an ornate stone ring carved with sigils on a black tome with silver claspsArtist uncredited on the page, The Arcanum (Bard Games, 1985)

Sources for this overview: Wikipedia: Atlantis (role-playing game), Wikipedia: The Arcanum, Wikipedia: The Lexicon, Wikipedia: The Bestiary, KDLadage Publishing, The Ongoing Campaign, RPGnet game index: The Arcanum.