



                            The Book of Amber Runes


                                   DISCLAIMER

    This document is a word-for-word digital copy of the printed "The Book
    of Amber Runes" book that came with Ultima 3.  It is intended to
    accompany the Ultima 1-6 CD compilation.  This document was
    redistributed with their revised Manual.Wri file, but they made several
    omissions, misspellings, and didn't bother with layout.  There's a
    wealth of information about the world of Ultima 3 within the pages of
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    I tried to keep the documentation as close to the original as possible.
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    Additionally, I scanned in many of the images found within the original
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    Origin Systems, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.











                               Welcome O Pilgrim:


                      Take up and guard this book of
                   arcane runes; it contains the tools of thy
                   new power.  No longer art thou an
                   Initiate of the Fifth Circle.  Thine old
                   book of Jade Runes holds no power
                   here.  Surviving the spiritual
                   transfiguration of the Great Stygian
                   Abyss hath earned for thee the Mantle
                   of Adept of the Sixth Circle.  Few indeed
                   have the strength or skill to cross the
                   Abyss.
                      Study and use wisely the powerful
                   knowledge contained herein.  Their
                   careful use will enable thee to succeed
                   in any quest.  Squandering their
                   strength will bring about thy ruin.
                      May thou live and grow wise in
                   interesting times!
                            The Druid Selzhanik,
                           Arch Mage, keeper of the
                                Ninth Circle


                                   A. REPOND

       There was a time, long ago, when the lands were free of the wretched
    creatures known as Orcs, Goblins and Trolls.  These creatures did not
    evolve naturally, but rather are the magical mutations performed by
    demented magicians.  Now these creatures have prospered through many
    generations and their horrors are well known.
       Have with thy person a staff of Yew, preferably cut from a hard and
    fine-grained sapling.  If Orcs, Goblins or Trolls threaten thy party,
    raise thy staff before them and speak the name of this rune of
    dispelling.  By casting this Rune, thou shalt be attempting to dispel
    the magic which is part of their inner being.

                                   B. MITTAR

       Place upon thy palm and close in a strong fist any small projectile
    of wood or stone.  Strike it once upon thy breast, while chanting the
    incantation of Mittar:

                            MANJI MULA NESPON LEVI
                            MITTAR NOPSEN ALUM CAVI

       Hurl this talisman toward thine enemy.  Magic in the form of a
    shimmering sphere of iridescent light will spring from thy hand to
    strike thy foe.  The magic contained therein will enter his body and
    disrupt his life force.
       Depending on the skill and concentration invested in its conjuring,
    this spell can deliver the blow of an insolent child or a stalwart
    knight.

                                   C.  LORUM

       Before entering any dungeon, cave, or even houses with unsteady
    lanterns, be sure that thou hast prepared a goodly supply of Lorum
    dust.  This is easily done by collecting the fine dust from a spider's
    bath which has been warmed by strong sun for man y hours.  Gather the
    dust into a chamois bag and seal the sun's energy within it by singing
    these words:

                             OBREY URICOM OBLA SUM

       To release the energy, chant these same words in reverse order and
    cast a small portion of dust into the air.  A warm, soft, light of
    short duration will be produced.


                                 D.  DOR ACRON

       Very useful when one desires to bypass a particularly bothersome
    portion of a dungeon.  Dor Acron is cast with the aid of the left
    forepaw of a badger.  Store the paw with care, for if it is damages in
    any way which would have hindered the badger's movement, they way will
    be similarly impeded.
       Having made these preparations, when thou desires to enact the
    augury, gather thy party into a ring.  While holding the paw, chant
    this ancient rhyme:

                            LIEDLAN SPULGER IDSKRIN
                            GRUEN BEAST TRENTLE BAN

       When this spell is cast, the mage and his companions will be
    transported to the next lower level of inhabitation.

                                 E.  SUE ACRON

       This rune is closely related to Dor Acron, direction being the only
    difference in effect.  In this case the dried wing of a bird is needed.
    The bird must be shot through the breast with an arrow whilst in
    flight.  Thread the wing on a leather thong and tie it to the tip of
    thy staff.
       Once again, gather thy party into a ring a while holding the wing
    intone this verse of magical movement:

                            LIEDLAN SPULGER IDSTRIN
                            FAUN BEAST FENTRI CHEM

       As the words are chanted thy party will be lifted through the floor
    above thee to the dungeon's next higher level.

                                   F.  FULGAR

       This incantation is a powerful weapon in battle.  It requires a
    golden rod wrapped with iron and a vial of magical water collected from
    a meadow pond at the very moment lightning touches its surface.  Keep
    the vial sealed until battle is nigh.  Then touch the rod to the vial
    and level it at thy foe whilst shouting these words:

                              FLAMIN FLEETIS PONDI

       All of the energy will be conducted through the golden rod, and a
    fiery ball will spin a searing path toward thine enemy.  It will
    unfailingly strike him with a force strong enough to kill most common
    men and cause great damage to beasts of mightier strength.


                                 G.  DAG ACRON

       This incantation requires that a pattern of rays extending from a
    common origin be drawn on the ground whilst the following chant is
    recited:

                               DAG FULNUS ACRON
                               FRIEDA ACRON BOONT

       As each ray is drawn, a member of thy party will disappear and then
    with the final stroke thee too shall vanish.  In the next moment at
    some random location on the terrestrial plane, each of the members of
    thy party and finally thyself will appear.
       This rune can only be used on the Sosarian surface.  It will always
    take thee someplace, but thy destination is a matter of speculation.

                                   H.  MENTAR

       In order to cast this most terrifying spell, an oak gall must be
    collected of the sort most often found on ancient trees in dark and
    gloomy forest folds.  Dip the oak gall in molten wax while chanting
    this verse from the tome of Mentar:

                                 ZANBAR LEECHEN
                                 CERDI MENTAR

       Then, when battle is upon thee, crush the oak gall within thy hand.
    As the gall collapses, a blue ball of screaming horror will fly toward
    thine enemy.  It will invade his mind, and irreparably corrupt his
    mental process, in direct proportion to thine own intelligence.

                                 I.  DAG LORUM

       This spell is similar in effect but more enduring than Lorum.
       Place a golden dagger in strong sunlight until it is hot enough to
    burn skin.  Then scrape it heavily against a stone until a golden dust
    is produced.  As the dust collects on the stone, chant these words and
    gather the dust into a silken bag.

                              OBRUM URICA OBLA SUM
                              URICA MANI SUM LEVI

       When the need for extended illumination arise, hold the silken bag
    and shake it.  A small portion of the dust will release its energy in
    the form of an enduring, golden, shimmering light.


                                  J.  FAL DIVI

       The ability to cast a clerical spell is a great power indeed.  Fal
    Divi will open before thee a tremendous range of power otherwise
    inaccessible to the sixth circle.  The performance of this invocation
    is not a simple task, and often does not succeed.
       Sprinkle thy body with holy water and slowly chant the prayer of Fal
    Divi:

                              FAL DIVI DOM MI NEA
                              FAL DIVI REQUI SEM

       Refer to the Cleric Book and do as the spell therein requires.  If
    this prayer is properly chanted, unto thee will come the power to use
    any of the supplications of the Clerics Book.




       Beyond this page lie the advanced spells of the Sixth Circle.  Do
    not venture too soon into the dark range of these spells.  Until thou
    hast not only conquered the Abyss, but also can use its power at thy
    will, the force of these runes will be beyond thy skill.
       When the shadow of death has grown familiar to thy sight and thou
    hast learned the mastery of magic, then at last these spells will be
    thine.
       Before these spells thy foes will cower, but take heed to use them
    wisely, for they shall be earned at great expense.

    
                                   K.  NOXUM

       This spell is the first of the multi-pronged attacks, and can be of
    great aid when thou art attacked by a large band of formidable foes.
       When the two moons of Sosaria are new, travel to the entrance of the
    dungeon of fire.  Gather some of the volcanic ash which is abundant
    there.  On the same night, mix this with herbs of cinnamon and ginseng
    in equal proportion.
       The use of this magical mixture requires that thou speak the Rune of
    Noxum before hurling the ashen mix toward thine enemies.

                                  NOXUM MENTON
                                  LANU FLAMA

       As thou dost, it will catch flame and rush at thy foes, thwarting
    each with a devastating blow.


                                   L.  DECORP

       The sun hath made its consecutive cycles and thou hast gained great
    experience in magic.  Thy skill and power have now reached the sphere
    of direct magical determination.
       With the intonation of this spell, thou dost draw on the magical
    force of all life and focus it upon thy foe.
       Sing the song of Decorp and the air will shake with the roar of
    magic rushing to thy command.  Upon whomever thou shalt indicate, the
    Magic shall descend, and their life shall be extinguished - always and
    completely.

                               NON CRONO DI VANI
                               PAS NUMEN TI SONI

                                   M.  ALTAIR

       Until this time thou hast enacted thy Runic power to bring magic
    into this world.  Now, as an advanced Adept of the Assembly of the
    Sixth Circle, thou may use the magic of this world to move beyond it.
       First, gather a fistful of sand, and while repeating the enchantment
    of Altair, let it flow from thy hand onto the ground.

                              ALT MAN FUL MINAR
                              LAE FIN CRIM BONTAIR

       As it falls, time itself will slow and finally stop, allowing thy
    party to move freely in the suspended state.  The world will be
    temporarily frozen and at the mercy of thy will.

                                 N.  DAG MENTAR

       Dag Mentar is a powerful multi-pronged conjuration that will wreak
    havoc among thy foes in a manner worthy of its advanced rating.  On the
    darkest night of the summer, trap an owl, old and wise.  Sacrifice the
    owl upon a stone altar, keeping only its eyes.  Enchant them with the
    following verse:

                               FENDI MENTAR DIVI
                               CREMBI MENTAR BONI

       When battle is nigh, repeat the stanzas until the heaviness of magic
    in the air becomes oppressive to the labor of thy lungs.  Smash the
    eyes between thy hands.  Thy foes will be struck a savage blow with
    damage directly related to thine intelligence.


                                   O.  NECORP

       On the night of a full moon, acquire the liver of one who is dying
    of the black rot.  Hang the organ deep within the forest to dry, and
    allow six fortnights and a day to pass.  Grind it into fine powder
    while chanting these words:

                             DON CORPUS MIEDA FUTZ
                             RIEDA DON NEMI

       Store the powder in several small vials.  When the need arises,
    throw a vial above the heads of thine enemy's party.  It will magically
    shatter, releasing the loathsome rot upon their company.  They will be
    quickly transformed into putrid vestiges of their former beings, with
    little strength left for battle.

                                       P.

       This Exorcism has no name, for the words should never be written or
    spoken - save the occasion when life is to be banished unto the Realm
    of Night.  This most powerful invocation carries the name of the Dark
    One.
       The enactment of this Rune requires thine utmost concentration.
    With a staff of Yew, trace upon the ground the protective pentagram.
    Light a candle at the point most generally in the direction of thine
    enemies.  Cast some sulphur dust into the flame and speak the name of
    the Evil One.  All foes which hear this utterance shall be dashed
    violently into certain destruction possessing no more life than the
    stones upon which they lie.



                         I, Lord British, would like to
                      acknowledge the following persons
                      for their invaluable assistance in
                      creating this book.
                         Margaret Ellen Weigers, for
                      the majority of works herein.
                         Roe R. Adams 111, for the
                      introduction and conceptual
                      assistance.
                         Richard A. Garriott, for a
                      great deal of uneducated editing.
                         Robert, Marcy, Owen, and Helen
                      Garriott, for educated editing.
                         A special thanks to Helen M.
                      Garriott, for the wonderful
                      illustrations throughout this book.



                   Copyright (c) 1983 by Origin Systems, Inc.
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                        Manchester, New Hampshire 03103
    

