Atlantis (role-playing game): Difference between revisions
Rough merge from Black necromancy (Arcanum) and White necromancy (Arcanum) per Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Black Necromancy |
The deleted section on →Necromancy: is not really about this game....it could be used with it, but is not really a part of it. |
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The ''Arcanum'' was one of the many fantasy RPG games that followed the popularity of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' RPG. However, ''Arcanum'' gained a strong following by offering several things D&D didn't have. Arcanum researched historical mythology closer than D&D. ''Arcanum'' has some different beings and creatures from actual myth, such as hantu, bakru, [[alastor]], bat horin, korupiru, balaha, and others. ''Arcanum'' detailed each country's individual culture, based on the actual real world cultures. The ink drawings by artist [[Bill Sienkiewicz]] were especially liked by the fans. ''Arcanum'' was a real mythology alternative to D&D's increasingly [[fantasy fiction]] game. |
The ''Arcanum'' was one of the many fantasy RPG games that followed the popularity of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' RPG. However, ''Arcanum'' gained a strong following by offering several things D&D didn't have. Arcanum researched historical mythology closer than D&D. ''Arcanum'' has some different beings and creatures from actual myth, such as hantu, bakru, [[alastor]], bat horin, korupiru, balaha, and others. ''Arcanum'' detailed each country's individual culture, based on the actual real world cultures. The ink drawings by artist [[Bill Sienkiewicz]] were especially liked by the fans. ''Arcanum'' was a real mythology alternative to D&D's increasingly [[fantasy fiction]] game. |
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== Necromancy == |
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White Necromancy gives life to those who are lacking it. It is commonly associated with Magickal Healers, Faith Healers and the like. Some of the Abilities of White Necromancy are commonly placed under the abilities of Water, (Healing etc.) as very, very few sources use White Necromancy, but still wish to have Healing Spells, and so credit them to other Spheres, School or Colleges of Magic. (These are all different names for the different types of Magick.) |
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Black Necromancy takes life from people who have it. It is commonly associated with Necromancers, Magickal Harmers and the like. Some of the Abilities of Black Necromancy are commonly placed under the abilities of Fire, and possibly Earth, (Harm etc.) as very, very few sources use Black Necromancy, but still wish to have Life Wounding Spells, and so credit them to other Spheres, School or Colleges of Magic. (These are all different names for the different types of Magick.) |
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White Necromancy has appeared in the aforementioned books, where, when mentioned is always mentioned as a good thing, while Black Necromancy is always mentioned as a negative thing. But, oddly, if brought together in the same person (i.e. one person has mastery of both White and Black Necromancy) then they are given the ability to control Life and Death as they see fit. Which is considered the greatest of honours, as Black Necromancy tends to stay with the Evil Creatures and White with the Good, and so very few people have mastered both White and Black Necromancy, and, as such these very few people have mastered Necromancy. |
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[[Category:Fantasy role-playing games]] |
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Revision as of 11:07, 10 May 2008
 Cover for The Arcanum | |
| Designers | unknown |
|---|---|
| Publishers | Bard Games |
| Publication | 1984 |
| Genres | Historical fantasy |
| Systems | Custom |
Arcanum is a fantasy role-playing game (RPG) by Bard Games, set in the ancient world before Atlantis sunk. Like other fantasy RPGs, the game uses paper, pencils, dice, rulebooks, and imagination. It is a conversational game in which ancient warriors, magic, dragons, and other mythical creatures and beings exist.
The main rulebook The Arcanum, noted for its extensive magic system, was published in 1984, which was followed by a cleaned up and expanded Second Edition, as clearly indicated on the cover, in 1985. A setting The Lexicon: Atlas of the Lost World of Atlantis was released in 1985, followed by The Bestiary in 1986. The two latter books were republished in 1989 with some new material added as Atlantis, the Lost World.
The world setting is similar to our own world, but thousands of years ago and with different continent names: Mediterranea (Europe), Eria (North America), Tamoanchan (South America), Turan (Arabia), Gondwana (Africa), Jambu (Asia), the Nether Realm (Antarctica), and Anostos and Jotunland (Iceland and Greenland-like). Mythical continents are added: Atlantia (Atlantis), Antilla, Hyperborea, Lemuria, Mu, and others.
The Arcanum was one of the many fantasy RPG games that followed the popularity of Dungeons & Dragons RPG. However, Arcanum gained a strong following by offering several things D&D didn't have. Arcanum researched historical mythology closer than D&D. Arcanum has some different beings and creatures from actual myth, such as hantu, bakru, alastor, bat horin, korupiru, balaha, and others. Arcanum detailed each country's individual culture, based on the actual real world cultures. The ink drawings by artist Bill Sienkiewicz were especially liked by the fans. Arcanum was a real mythology alternative to D&D's increasingly fantasy fiction game.