101

OCCULT
BOOKS
James Maliszewski

Requires the use of the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game, published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Modern D20
Introduction
Roleplaying campaigns that focus on
the supernatural and the occult thrive on
hidden mysteries and secret lore. Theyre
every bit as essential as nefarious conspira-
cies and men in black. One of the ways in
which such lore is passed on is through the
medium of ancient books, written by individ-
uals who know more than the average per-
son and who share their knowledge with
those who read their texts. Usually hard to
find and written in dead languages, these
tomes are conduits through which D20
Modern characters might enter the dark
world that exists just beneath the surface of
everyday reality.
101 Occult Books provides the Game
Master with just what its name implies: 101
different books that can be used in any
occult-based campaign or adventure. The
book presented here are all real or based on
real-world books. That is, each of the follow-
ing books exists in the real world, although
the veracity of their contents depends great-
ly on ones worldview. In any event, they
make excellent additions to any D20 Modern
The Occult Books
Each of the occult books in this product
uses the following format:
Title: The common title of the book, with
alternates in parentheses afterwards.
Author: The name of the person who
wrote the book. Entries have (attrib.) after the
name are those of pseudonymous writers
who used the name of a famous person to
lend authority to the work.
Date: The time when the book was written
or presumed to be written. If a specific year
of composition or publication is known, it is
used rather than a general date.
Language: The language in which the
book was written or, in some cases, in which
extant copies of the book are written. To be
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101 Occult Books
game, giving the GM dozens of books to use
in a wide variety of ways. With this product,
creating memorable occult adventures
became that much easier.
USING THIS PRODUCT
101 Occult Books can be used in a vari-
ety of ways. The simplest is as a source of
atmosphere and flavor. Whenever the GM
needs to embellish a GMCs exposition of
supernatural beings or events, he can refer
to one of the following books as a way to
lend it the weight of hoary authority. Another
approach is to treat these tomes as treas-
ure, which is to say, items that the charac-
ters might find in the course of their own
adventures. Whether they contain only
information or something more, these books
make excellent rewards in D20 Modern
campaigns with an occult spin. Finally,
these tomes can serve as adventure seeds.
While some have fairly banal contents,
many do not. GMs can easily mine these
contents for inspiration in creating occult
adventures or even entire campaigns.
able to read the book and gain any benefit
from it, the character must be able to read
the language in question or find someone
who can translate its contents for them.
Alternately, the GM might rule that the ability
to read the language is not sufficient to gain
its benefits. In addition, the character must
succeed at an Intelligence check against a
DC of 14 + the bonus skill ranks the book
confers. Thus, if the book grants a +2 bonus
to Knowledge (Arcane Lore), the DC is 16.
Failure indicates the character has not
understood the contents of the book suffi-
ciently to gain its benefits. He may read it
again if the GM allows it, usually after some
period of time has passed.
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Contents: Abrief history of the book and
the topics it covers within its pages.
Benefits: This section details the effect
reading the book has upon the reader, usu-
ally bonus skill ranks in Knowledge (Arcane
Lore) or other skills. In a few cases, more
impressive benefits, such as spells, are pro-
vided. At the GMs discretion, these benefits
can be altered to suit the realities of his
campaign.
Precisely how bonus Knowledge skill
ranks function is left to the GM, who can
choose one of several approaches. The first
is to stick to the standard rules, as present-
ed in D20 Modern, which limits the ranks a
character can possess in any skill to char-
acter level +3 for class skills and half that for
cross-class skills. Using this option, charac-
ters who already possess many skill ranks
will derive little benefit from reading an
occult book, at least in the form of
Knowledge skills.
Another approach is to allow skill ranks
gained through the reading of occult tomes
to supersede the standard rules. Thus,
ranks gained in this way allow the character
to break the rules and possess more ranks
than would normally be permitted. This
option makes occult books very valuable
and possibly overly powerful, at least in cer-
tain types of campaigns. The GM should
take care to limit how many he allows in his
game.
The third option is to rule that the bonus
skill ranks are in fact a bonus to Research
checks made while the book is at hand for
reference. This bonus does not apply when
the book is not physically with the character.
Naturally, the bonus applies only to
Research checks that pertain directly to the
contents of the book.
Any spells written in an occult book can
be learned only by someone capable of
casting the spells and who makes a suc-
cessful Spellcraft check against DC 20 + the
level of the spell, as per the D20 Modern
rules.
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101 Occult Books
1. Aim of the Sage (Picatrix)
Author: Al-Majriti (attrib.)
Date: 1256
Language: Latin
Contents: This volume is a collection of
many different topics, assembled togeth-
er in a rough magical theory. It was very
influential on medieval magical thought
and was widely read well into the
Renaissance.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
2. Amphitheatrum Sapientiae
Aeternae
Author: Heinrich Khunrath
Date: 1595
Language: Latin
Contents: Following in the footsteps of
Paracelsus, this book is an attempt to lay
the foundation for a Christianized natural
magic, especially for the purposes of
healing.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
the divine spell cure light wounds
3. A New and Complete
Illustration of the Occult
Sciences
Author: Ebenezer Sibly
Date: 1795
Language: English
Contents: This book is a collection of many
different topics, from witchcraft to divina-
tion to necromancy. The author owes
much to Swedenborg and is famous for
having cast a horoscope for the newly
independent United States of America,
which he predicted (in 1787) shall soon
or late give laws to the whole world.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
4. Arbatel de Magia Veterum
Author: Unknown
Date: 1575
Language: Latin
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Contents: This book is a compendium of
the magic of the ancients, with an
emphasis on white magic, as its
unknown author worries that black magic
can too easily lead to corruption.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore) and 1
divine spell of each level from 1st to 3rd
(GMs choice).
5. Arcana Coelestia
Author: Emmanuel Swedenborg
Date: 1749-1756
Language: Latin
Contents: Ostensibly an exposition on the
spiritual meaning of the Biblical books
of Genesis and Exodus, this book is in
fact a foundational one for
Swedenborgianism, a mystical neo-
Christian sect deemed heterodox by
most other Christian denominations.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (theology and phi-
losophy)
6. Archidoxis Magica
Author: Theophrastus Bombastus von
Hohenheim (Paracelsus)
Date: 16th c. A.D.
Language: Latin
Contents: A synthesis of Hermetic,
Neoplatonic, and Pythagorean philoso-
phies, this book is a treatise on healing
magic, although its author rejected the
notion of magic as anything supernatural.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Treat Injury
7. Ars Magna et Ultima
Author: Ramon Llull
Date: 1305
Language: Latin
Contents: Though intended as a defense of
Christian theology against the teachings
of the Muslim Averroes, this book intro-
duces a logical method of reasoning that
is remarkably akin to that used by the
earliest computer pioneers.
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101 Occult Books
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (theology and phi-
losophy) and +1 Computer Use
8. Ars Notoria
Author: Solomon the King (attrib.)
Date: 13th c. A.D.
Language: Latin
Contents: This book instructs the reader in
the notary art, which is a type of memo-
rization, as well as divination through
dreams.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore), +1
bonus to Wisdom checks to remember
anything, and the spell augury.
9. Baal ha-Turim
Author: Jacob ben Asher
Date: 14th c. A.D.
Language: Hebrew
Contents: This work is a commentary on
the Torah, but includes mystical and sym-
bolic references, as well as using gema -
tria, a form acronymic numerology pecu-
liar to Hebrew texts.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (theology and philosophy)
10. Book of Dzyan
Author: Helen Blavatsky
Date: 1900
Language: English
Contents: A key text of Theosophy, the
book purports to be a translation of an
ancient text that describes the ancient
history of the Earth, including its lost con-
tinents and lost root races of mankind.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
11. Book of Enoch
Author: Enoch the Prophet (attrib.)
Date: 2nd c. B.C.
Language: Greek/Amharic
Contents: This pre-Christian apocalyptic
work describes efforts by the nephilim
(the children of men and fallen angels) to
convince Enoch to intercede on their
Modern D20
behalf before God. It includes a descrip-
tion of Enochs visit to heaven.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (theology and philosophy)
12. Book of Navigation (Kitab-
I-Bahriye)
Author: Piri Reis
Date: 1526
Language: Turkish
Contents: This book is a detailed catalog of
sea lore from its time period. It is espe-
cially noteworthy for its map of the world,
which includes a startlingly accurate
coastline for the then-unknown continent
of Antarctica, as well as other oddities.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Navigate
13. Book of the Composition
of Alchemy
Author: Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber)
Date: 1144
Language: Latin
Contents: This book is a translation of an
Arabic text, which teaches the secrets of
alchemy, particularly the transmutation of
matter.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Craft (chemical)
14. Book of the Sacred Magic
of Abra-Melin the Mage
Author: Abra-Melin (Abraham the Jew)
Date: 15th c. A.D.
Language: Hebrew
Contents: Supposedly taught his magic by
angels, Abra-Melin set down in this book
instructions on how to call and tame both
angels and demons. The book was very
influential in the occult revival of the 19th
century.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
one divine spell from 1st through 4th
level.
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101 Occult Books
15. Book of Thoth
Author: Aleister Crowley
Date: 1944
Language: English
Contents: One of the Great Beasts last
works, this text details the meaning and
symbolism of the Tarot within the context
of Crowleys overall theory of magic (or
magick, as he would say).
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
16. Book XV of Euclids
Elements
Author: Euclid (attrib.)
Date: 3rd c. B.C.
Language: Arabic
Contents: This lost book of Euclids classic
work on geometry is available only in an
Arabic translation. It deals with the occult
properties of geometric shapes, particular-
ly the dodecahedron, associated with the
mysterious fifth element or quintessence.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (physical sciences)
17. Chaldaean Oracles
Author: Zoroaster (attrib.)
Date: Unknown
Language: Greek/Latin
Contents: This work, attributed to
Zoroaster the founder of the Persian reli-
gion that bears his name, is a collection
of Chaldaean prophecies couched in
obscure metaphorical language.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
18. Compendium Heptarchiae
Mysticae
Author: John Dee
Date: 1588
Language: English
Contents: Believed by many to be a rough
draft for the later text, De Heptarchia
Mystica (see below), this text provides
detailed instructions on communicating
with angels and employing their aid.
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Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
one divine spell from 0 and 1st levels.
19. Compendium Maleficarum
Author: Francesco Maria Guazzo
Date: 1608
Language: Latin
Contents: As its name suggests, this book
is not an original work but a collection of
information from various sources about
witchcraft and demonology.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (theology and philosophy)
20. Confessio Fraternitatis
Author: Christian Rosenkreutz (attrib.)
Date: 1615
Language: Latin/German
Contents: One of the founding documents
of the Rosicrucian movement, this text
lays out the philosophys basic principles
and goals.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
21. Corpus Hermeticum
Author: Hermes Trismegistus (attrib.)
Date: 2nd-3rd c. A.D.
Language: Greek/Latin
Contents: A collection of 14 texts associat-
ed with the legendary Hermes
Trismegistus, the Corpus is a touchstone
for most magical theories in the Western
world.
Benefit: +3 Knowledge (arcane lore)
22. Cyranides
Author: Hermes Trismegistus (attrib.)
Date: 2nd-3rd c. A.D.
Language: Greek
Contents: A significant part of the Hermetic
corpus, this text discusses Egyptian
magico-medical practices.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Treat Injury
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101 Occult Books
23. De Arte Cabbalistica
Author: Johannes Reuchlin
Date: 1517
Language: Latin
Contents: Written by a celebrated German
humanist whose command of Hebrew
was renowned, this book provides infor-
mation on Kabbalistic doctrines and
numerology.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
24. De Auctore Spherae
Author: Michael Scot
Date: 13th c. A.D.
Language: Latin
Contents: Written at the behest of the Holy
Roman Emperor Frederick II (reputed to
have been the Antichrist in his lifetime),
this book of astrology discusses the influ-
ence the stars and planets have on
earthly events.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
25. De Confessionibus
Maleficarum et Sagarum
Author: Peter Binsfield
Date: 1589
Language: Latin
Contents: This book is a manual for witch
hunters. It was widely translated and is
noteworthy in its appeal to leniency for
children who participated in sorcery.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
26. De Harmonia Mundi
Author: Francesco Zorzi
Date: 1525
Language: Latin
Contents: This difficult to understand work
appears to be an attempt to Christianize
many aspects of the Kabbalah, using
symbolic language.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (theology and philosophy)
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27. De Heptarchia Mystica
Author: John Dee
Date: 1582
Language: English
Contents: This book is a detailed discus-
sion of communicating with angels and
gaining their assistance.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
one divine spell from levels 1st through
3rd.
28. De Hierarchia Coelestia
Author: Dionysius the Areopagite (attrib.)
Date: 6th c. A.D.
Language: Greek
Contents: A forgery bearing the name of
the Greek saint converted by St. Paul in
Athens, this text nevertheless provides
detailed information on the hierarchy of
Heaven. It was one of the most widely
read and quoted texts of the Middle
Ages.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (theology and phi-
losophy)
29. De la Causa, Principio, et
Uno
Author: Giordano Bruno
Date: 1584
Language: Italian
Contents: One of Brunos major metaphys-
ical works, it lays forth most of his char-
acteristic doctrines, including pantheism
and reincarnationthe two beliefs that
led to his execution as a heretic in 1600.
30. De Magia
Author: Giordano Bruno
Date: 1590
Language: Latin
Contents: One of Brunos few texts to
explicitly treat the subject of magic, it pro-
vides an overview of views on the subject
current in the late 16th century.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
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101 Occult Books
31. De Magicis
Author: Alexander of Hales
Date: 13th c. A.D.
Language: Latin
Content: This book is a discussion of magic
from a Christian theological perspective
and, as such, views the matter with great
suspicion and distaste.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (theology and phi-
losophy)
32. De Mysteriis Aegyptiorum
et Chaldaeorum et
Assyriorum
Author: Iamblichus
Date: 300 A.D.
Language: Latin
Contents: This text describes the religious
and esoteric doctrines of the ancient
Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (theology and philosophy)
33. De Nigromancia
Author: Roger Bacon (attrib.)
Date: 16th c. A.D.
Language: Latin
Contents: This otherwise unimportant text
of black magic gained greater currency
due to its alleged association with the
Dominican scientific pioneer Roger
Bacon.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
the spell bestow curse
34. De Occulta Philosophia
Author: Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa
Date: 1531
Language: Latin
Contents: Probably the most influential
book of Renaissance era magic,
Agrippas text marries medieval natural
magic to a more thoroughgoing synthesis
of the occult and religion. The book was
condemned almost as soon as it was
Modern D20
released, which ma well have contributed
to its popularity.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore)
35. De Oraculis Chaldaica
Author: Julianus
Date: 2nd c. A.D.
Language: Latin
Contents: This book includes a collection of
prophecies, oracles, and cryptic utter-
ances attributed to Chaldean mages.
Benefits: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
36. De Praestigiis Daemonum
Author: Johann Wier
Date: 1583
Language: Latin
Contents: This treatise deals primarily with
witchcraft and includes the pseudomonar -
chia daemonum, a listing of the names
and descriptions of demons (later reprint-
ed in many other occult books).
Benefits: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
37. De Septem Secundeis
Author: Johannes Trithemius
Date: 1508
Language: Latin
Contents: This book is an examination of
the seven celestial intelligences said to
move the planetary spheres.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
38. Dictionnaire Infernal
Author: Collin de Plancey
Date: 1818
Language: French
Contents: This illustrated tome purports to
offer much information on demonology,
black magic, and related matters, making
it a widely published book throughout the
19th century. However, it is believed to be
a fake and its contents to be without
value, although there is some dispute
over this point among occultists.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
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101 Occult Books
39. Dogme et Rituel de le
Haute Magie
Author: Eliphas Levi
Date: 1855
Language: French
Contents: The founding text of contempo-
rary magical theory, this book is notewor-
thy for incorporating the Tarot into its sys-
tem.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
one arcane spell from levels 0 through
3rd.
40. Dossiers Secrets
Author: Antoine Bigou
Date: 1781
Language: French
Contents: This is a collection of docu-
ments, including genealogies, associated
with Rennes-le-Chateau, a site in south-
ern France associated in occult lore with
the Merovingians, Cathars, Templars,
and the supposed lineage of Christ.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (history)
41. Dresden Codex
Author: Unknown
Date: 13th c. A.D.
Language: Mayan
Contents: This illustrated astronomical text
may have had religious uses, for calcu-
lating the dates of eclipses and other por-
tentous events, among other things. It
also calculates that the end of the pres-
ent age (the Fifth World) will occur on
December 21, 2012, thereby ensuring its
notoriety.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
42. Egyptian Book of the
Dead
Author: Unknown
Date: 1240 B.C.
Language: Ancient Egyptian
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Contents: A collection of rituals and spells
for use by the dead (!) in navigating the
perils of the aftermath, this book is one of
the oldest extant esoteric texts still of
interest to occultists.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
43. Fama Fraternitatis
Author: Christian Rosenkreutz (attrib.)
Date: 1614/1615
Language: German/Latin
Contents: Another introduction to the
Rosicrucian philosophy, this text was
widely circulated in Europe and translat-
ed into many languages.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
44. Grimorium Verum
Author: Plangire
Date: 1517
Language: Latin
Contents: This is yet another text on the
summoning of angelic spirits. It is note-
worthy for having a copy stolen from the
British Library in 1972, although police
subsequently recovered it.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
two 1st-level divine spells (GMs choice)
45. Grosser und gewaltiger
Meergeist
Author: Johannes Faust (attrib.)
Author: 1692
Language: German
Contents: This tome derives its fame from
its supposed author, the damned sorcer-
er Dr. Faustus. Its contents include a ritu-
al for summoning a sea creature (hence
its title), which is almost certainly fake.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
46. Heptameron
Author: Peter de Abano (attrib.)
Date: 13th c. A.D.
Language: Latin
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101 Occult Books
Contents: This work is a meditation on the
seven days of creation and how to sum-
mon and control the angels associated
with each day.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
one divine spell of 3rd level or lower
(GMs choice)
47. Index Librorum
Prohibitorum
Author: None Official Text
Date: 1559
Language: Latin
Contents: Though not an occult book itself,
the notorious Index of Forbidden Books
is an official listing of the texts that the
Roman Office of the Inquisition consid-
ered heretical, blasphemous, or other-
wise unfit for reading by Catholics.
Consequently, it makes an excellent
starting point for anyone doing research
into such topics.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (theology and phi-
losophy)
48. In Scripturam Sacram
Problemata
Author: Francesco Zorzi
Date: 1536
Language: Latin
Contents: This text argues that magic is not
inherently evil for a Christian to use, as
angels will act to prevent any Christian
from falling under diabolic control through
its practice.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
the divine spell bless
49. Key of Solomon the King
(Clavicula Salomonis)
Author: Solomon the King (attrib.)
Date: Unknown
Language: Latin
Contents: One of the greatest occult texts
in the Western tradition, this book is vast-
ly influential on the books that followed it.
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The Greater Key (as it is sometimes
called) details the conjuration and bind-
ing of spirits, both angelic and demonic,
as well as the construction of pentacles,
among many other related topics.
Benefit: +3 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
one divine spell from levels 1st through
5th (GMs choice)
50. Le Gran Albert
Author: Albertus Magnus (attrib.)
Date: 14th c. A.D.
Language: French
Contents: This book, also known as the
Book of Secrets, discusses the proper-
ties of herbs, stones, and animals, as
well as being a catalog of worldly won-
ders.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
51. Le Grand Grimoire
Author: Unknown
Date: 1522
Language: French
Contents: This tome of black magic teach-
es the reader the art of controlling celes-
tial, aerial, terrestrial, and infernal spirits,
along with the true secret of speaking
with the dead, winning whenever playing
the lottery, discovering hidden treasure,
etc.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
spells bestow curse and fear
52. Le Grimoire du Pape
Honorius
Author: Pope Honorius III (attrib.)
Date: 1800
Language: French
Contents: This book is highly derivative of
other occult texts, including the genuine-
ly old Liber Juratus (see below). The
Grimoire discusses black magic, includ-
ing the summoning and binding of
demons.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
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101 Occult Books
53. Le Poule Noir
Author: Unknown
Date: 1740
Language: French
Contents: A notorious black magical text,
its primary focus is on the crafting of tal-
ismans.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore)
54. Lemegeton Clavicula
Salomonis (Lesser Key of
Solomon)
Author: Solomon the King (attrib.)
Date: 17th c. A.D.
Language: Latin
Contents: Purporting to be an ancient
work, this book is of comparatively recent
origin, at least in its complete form. It
deals primarily with the art of command-
ing both good and evil spirits.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
55. Liber Al Vel Legis
Author: Aleister Crowley
Date: 1904
Language: English
Contents: This book lays out Crowleys phi-
losophy in greater detail, offering up laws
for the coming New Aeon, which will
overthrow current one and usher in an
age unlike any other.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
56. Liber Juratus
Author: Pope Honorius III (attrib.)
Date: 13th c. A.D.
Language: Latin
Contents: One of the oldest and most influ-
ential medieval magical texts, the Sworn
Book included a collection of rituals for
conjuring spirits and angels, as well as
the making of seals.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
one arcane spell from levels 1st through
3rd.
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57. Liber Loagaeth
Author: John Dee
Date: 1583
Language: Enochian
Contents: This text is written almost entire-
ly in an undecipherable language
revealed to Dee by the angels. Those
capable of reading it will find that it is a
variant version of the Book of Enoch, one
more comprehensive than the standard
text and therefore more valuable.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (theology and philosophy)
58. Lithica
Author: Orpheus (attrib.)
Date: 4th c. A.D.
Language: Greek
Contents: A poem on the nature of pre-
cious stones, this work had wide influ-
ence during the renaissance and later.
The English poet John Milton, for exam-
ple, was quite taken with its contents.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (earth and life sciences)
59. Magia Naturalis et
Innaturalis
Author: Johannes Faust (attrib.)
Date: 1505
Language: Latin/German
Contents: This book deals primarily with
alchemical matters, with a significant
digression into diabolic pacts.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Craft (chemical)
60. Lost Continent of Mu: The
Motherland of Man
Author: James Churchward
Date: 1926
Language: English
Contents: This book relates the authors
quest for evidence of an ancient civiliza-
tion called Mu, the Atlantis of the Pacific.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (ancient lore)
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101 Occult Books
61. Magia Naturalis
Author: Giambattista della Porta
Date: 1558
Language: Latin
Contents: Though intended as a com-
pendium of the scientific learning of its
time, the book nevertheless includes
many sections detailing what today
would be dismissed as occult practices.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
62. Magical Calendar
Author: Tycho Brahe (attrib.)
Date: 1620
Language: Latin
Contents: This work describes the magical
effects of astronomical conjunctions and
motions, providing spellcasters signifi-
cant benefits on the appropriate dates.
Benefit: +1 effective caster level when cast-
ing arcane spells on propitious dates
(GMs discretion)
63. Malleus Maleficarum
Author: Jakob Sprenger and Heinrich
Kramer
Date: 1486
Language: Latin
Contents: Perhaps the most famous witch-
hunting manual in history, the Hammer
of Witches provides guidelines for iden-
tification, prosecution, and elimination of
witches.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Sense Motive for the purpose of
determining whether someone is a witch
or in league with diabolic forces
64. Metamorphosis
Author: Lucius Apuleius
Date: 158 A.D.
Language: Latin
Contents: The only surviving Roman novel,
this book (also called The Golden Ass)
includes discussions of magic and ritual
initiations into mystery cults.
Modern D20
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (theology and phi-
losophy)
65. Monas Hieroglyphica
Author: John Dee
Date: 1564
Language: Latin
Contents: This enigmatic work is one of
Dees earliest and it appears to be a
treatment of symbolic language.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
66. Monita Secreta Societas
Jesu
Author: Hieronim Zahorowski
Date: 1614
Language: Latin
Contents: Written by a man claiming to be
a rogue Jesuit priest, this book purports
to lay bare the secret plans of the Society
of Jesus to take over the courts of
Europe through mind control technique
which this book offers the means to
defend against.
Benefits: +1 Knowledge (theology and phi-
losophy)
67. Mundus Subterraneus
Author: Athanasius Kircher
Date: 1653
Language: Latin
Contents: This book discusses the subter-
ranean world in great detail, from miner-
als, ores, and stones to the creatures and
civilizations that might lie beneath the
surface of the Earth.
Benefits: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
68. Mutus Liber
Author: Isaac Baulot
Date: 1677
Language: None
Contents: As its name suggests, this
alchemical text consists only of pic-
tures, with only a handful of Latin and
Hebrew words throughout.
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101 Occult Books
Benefit: This book is intelligible only to
someone who makes a successful
Intelligence check against DC 25, with
ranks in Craft (chemical) providing a syn-
ergy bonus to the check. If successful,
the reader learns to Brew Potion, as per
the Mage special ability of the same
name.
69. Mysteriorum Libri
Quinque
Author: John Dee
Date: 1581-1583
Language: English
Contents: This text concerns itself with
angelic magic, as well as the Enochian
language of the angels.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane) and
Language (Enochian)
70. Oahspe
Author: John Newbrough
Date: 1882
Language: English
Contents: Composed through automatic
writing by an American dentist, this book
is nearly as large as the King James
translation of the Bible. The book sets
forth the basis for a new religion that has
similarities to both Theosophy and
Scientology.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (theology and phi-
losophy)
71. Oedipus Aegyptiacus
Author: Athanasius Kircher
Date: 1650
Language: Latin
Contents: This book discusses Egyptian
antiquities at great length, with an
emphasis on history and architecture, but
with digressions into many other related
topics.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (history)
Modern D20
72. On Stellar Rays
Author: Al-Kindi
Date: 9th c. A.D.
Language: Arabic
Contents: This book discusses the effects
of the stars and planets on the sublunary
world.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
73. Originalschriften des
Illuminatenordensekte
Author: Adam Weishaupt
Date: 18th c. A.D.
Language: German
Contents: This text is a collection of the
founding documents of the Bavarian
Illuminati, laying down its beliefs and
goals.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
74. Pow-wows; or Long Lost
Friend
Author: George Hohman
Date: 1820
Language: English
Contents: This book details Pennsylvania
Dutch folk magic as practiced in the US
during the early part of the 19th century.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
75. Prophecies of St. Malachy
Author: St. Malachy (attrib.)
Date: 1595
Language: Latin
Contents: Although revealed to be a 16th
century forgery rather than the work of a
12th century Irish saint, this list of the
popes from the time of Malachy to what
is presumed to be the end of time is
amazingly accurate. According to the list,
there are only two more popes after John
Paul II.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
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101 Occult Books
76. Regius Manuscript
Author: Unknown
Date: 1390
Language: English
Contents: This short text is the oldest
known evidence of European
Freemasonry and as such is an invalu-
able document for historical purposes.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
77. Ripley Scroll
Author: Sir George Ripley
Date: 15th c. A.D.
Language: English
Contents: This symbolic alchemical text is
difficult to understand for all but the most
astute scholars of the occult.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
78. Sefer ha-Levanah
Author: Unknown
Date: 16th c. A.D.
Language: Hebrew
Contents: The Book of the Moon is an
astrological text that may have been part
of a larger work now lost.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
79. Sefer ha-Ot
Author: Abraham Abulafia
Date: 1288
Language: Hebrew
Contents: The Book of Light is one of sev-
eral books of prophetic Kabbalah writ-
ten by this unusual scholar, who attempt-
ed (unsuccessfully, of course) to convert
Pope Nicholas III to Judaismor at least
his peculiar version of it.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
80. Sefer ha-Zohar
Author: Joseph Gikatilla
Date: 13th c. A.D.
Language: Hebrew/Aramaic
Modern D20
Contents: One of the premier Kabbalistic
texts, the Book of Splendor is a philo-
sophical commentary on the Pentateuch.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore)
81. Sefer Yetzirah
Author: Abraham the Patriarch (attrib.)
Date: 200 A.D.
Language: Hebrew
Contents: The Book of Formation is a
proto-Kabbalistic text that discusses the
origin of the universe and of mankind.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
82. Somniorum Synesiorum
Author: Gerolamo Cardano
Date: 1562
Language: Latin
Contents: This book is a compendium of
information on the nature and meaning of
dreams, drawing on ancient writers and
the authors own speculations.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
83. Sphere of Sacrobosco
Author: Ioannes de Sacrobosco
Date: 13th c. A.D.
Language: Latin
Contents: An astronomical text, this book
has digressions into philosophical and
theological matters about the celestial
spheres and their angelic movers.
Benefits: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
84. Steganographia
Author: Johannes Trithemius
Date: 1606
Language: Latin
Contents: The book presents a system of
angelic magic, as well as a complex code
for sending messages in secret.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Decipher Script
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101 Occult Books
85. Sword of Moses
Author: Moses the Prophet (attrib.)
Date: 10th c. A.D.
Language: Hebrew/Aramaic
Contents: A pre-Kabbalistic text that teach-
es how to use mystical names to ward
against sickness, enemies, and other ills.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
the divine spell remove disease
86. Tabula Angelorum
Bonorum Invocationes
Author: John Dee
Date: 1587
Language: Latin
Contents: This short text is a listing of invo-
cations of the good angels, with an eye
toward convincing them to do the invok-
ers bidding.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
one arcane spell from levels 0 through
2nd.
87. Tabula Smaragdina
Author: Hermes Trismegistus (attrib.)
Date: 2nd c. A.D.
Language: Greek
Contents: A brief text, it is one of many
attributed to Thrice-Great Hermes, the
Greek name for the Egyptian deity Thoth.
The Tabula outlines hermetic thought
and serves as an introduction to other
more advanced works.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore)
88. Testament of Solomon
Author: Solomon the King (attrib.)
Date: 1st to 3rd c. A.D.
Language: Greek
Contents: The oldest of the pseudonymous
books attributed to Solomon, this one
deals with summoning and binding
angels to do ones bidding.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
one divine spell from levels 1st and 2nd.
Modern D20 101 Occult Books

89. Tetrabiblos Contents: A former secretary of Aleister

Author: Claudius Ptolemey
Date: 2nd c. A.D.
Language: Greek
Contents: A mathematical treatment of
astrology, this book is divided into four
parts (hence its name).
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane)
90. Thaumatographia
Pneumatica (Wonders of the
Invisible World)
Author: Cotton Mather
Date: 17th c. A.D.
Language: English
Contents: Part of a larger work (the
Magnalia Christi Americana), this text
describes events in 17th century New
England during the witch craze, as well
as the authors own feelings about those
events.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (history)
91. The Discoverie of
Witchcraft
Author: Reginald Scot
Date: 1584
Language: English
Contents: This polemical work actually
suggests that witchcraft is not a threat to
society and strangely lays the blame for
the witch craze at the door of the Catholic
Church. Most Catholic countries did not
in fact experience witch crazes. In any
event, King James I ordered copies of
the book burned in 1603, making them
very rare today.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (theology and philosophy)
92. The Golden Dawn
Author: Israel Regardie
Date: 1937
Language: English
Crowley wrote this four-volume text. In it,
he breaks his oath of silence and reveals
all the major rituals and ceremonies of
the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn,
an act that won him few friends in the
occult community.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore)
93. The Magus
Author: Francis Barrett
Date: 1801
Language: English
Contents: Combining the study of alchemy,
astrology, and Kabbalah, this text pres-
ents one the greatest treatments of cere-
monial magic.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
one arcane spell from levels 0 through
3rd
94. The Secret Doctrine
Author: Helena Blavatsky
Date: 1888
Language: English
Contents: Whereas The Book of Dzyan
outlines the theosophical cosmology and
worldview, this book creates the founda-
tions for a new religion based on those
elements.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) and
+1 Knowledge (theology and philosophy)
95. The Testament of
Nicholas Flamel
Author: Nicholas Flamel (attrib.)
Date: 1806
Language: English and French
Contents: Supposedly penned by the man
who discovered the secrets of eternal
youth through the philosophers stone,
this alchemical text treats similar topics. It
is believed to be a fake.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)

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Modern D20 101 Occult Books

96. Theurgia 99. Turba Philosophorum

Author: Iamblichus
Date: 300 A.D.
Language: Latin
Contents: Written by a Neoplatonic
philosopher of great repute, this book dis-
cusses higher magic, which operates
through the intervention of the gods.
Benefit: +2 Knowledge (arcane lore)
Author: Unknown
Date: 12th c. A.D.
Language: Latin
Contents: One of the earliest medieval
alchemical texts, the Acclamation of the
Philosophers provides basic information
on the subject.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)

97. Tibetan Book of the Dead 100. Verus Jesuitarum

(Bardo Thodol) Libellus
Author: Padma Sambhava Author: Unknown
Date: 8th c. A.D. Date: 1508
Language: Tibetan Language: Latin
Contents: A funerary text, the book dis- Contents: Although obviously not of Jesuit
cusses what happens to the soul after origin as its title suggests (the Society of
death but before it is reborn into the Jesus wasnt founded till 1554), this book
world. provides rituals for conjuring and dis-
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) missing spirits.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)
98. Tuba Veneris
Author: John Dee 101. Vaimankia Shastra
Date: 1580 Author: Maharishi Bharadwaja
Language: Latin Date: 4th c. B.C.
Contents: This short work of Dees is a dis- Language: Sanskrit
cussion of non-angelic magic and is of Contents: This reputedly ancient text
interest primarily to see the authors intel- describes what appear to be spacecraft
lectual development. and other flying machines in bygone
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore) India.
Benefit: +1 Knowledge (arcane lore)

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Modern D20
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Modern: 101 Occult Books is copyright 2004 James Maliszewski. Cover art copyright Christopher Shy. All text in this
book is designated as open game content. You may not distribute this PDF without permission of the author. d20 Modern
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101 Occult Books
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15. COPYRIGHTNOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast,
Inc.: Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, Andy
Collins, David Noonan, Rich Redman, Beruce R. Cordell, based on original mate-
rial by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
Modern System Reference Document Copyright 2002, Wizards of the Coast,
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Modern: 101 Occult Artifacts Copyright 2004 James Maliszewski.
Published by Ronin Arts, www.roninarts.com.