How to be a Necromancer- By Diavos Deathsworn, Harbinger of the Maw.
First off what is necromancy?
By definition, Necromancy is the study and use of magic to control and raise the dead.
Necromancy is the manifestation of Death magic, drawing the life energies from another being and storing it within devices known as soul gems. This energy stored in turn can be used in a number of dark enchantments or rune-spells that provide negative or void-like benefits to the target, otherwise positive benefits to creatures of death that thrive on life energies to sustain their forms. The most common application of stolen life energies is the animation or rather manipulation of non-living forms. Dark enchantments are used to provide function and order to an inanimate form giving it purpose and operation, much like a technological machine of the gnomes.
But wait, isn’t Enchanting the purpose of providing positive power?
Depends on the resource used in the Enchants. While some weapons are imbued with positive buffs or bonuses, so too can negative ones of various effects depending on the resources used and principles of their existence. While these are powered by mana from the caster or the intricacy of the spell itself, dark enchants are powered primarily on life energies, more commonly in the form of a soul. This is the difference between a common mage and a necromancer.
What abilities does a necromancer have?
Other than the simple manipulation of life energies of its victims, mere child’s play, a professional necromancer excels in the study of life. From the elements that bind body and soul together, to the chemical properties that make our forms operate. But that is only part of it. The more intricate and fascinating reach is the manipulation of not just the four elements, but the fifth and sixth that separate necromancers from other spell practitioners: soul and flesh. But we will get further into those elements another time.
Where does one learn to become a necromancer?
Across the mortal realms, necromancy is considered a forbidden, taboo art that no school would openly teach or even preach about. To many, it is a self-taught practice that starts out with a curiosity to do the unthinkable to the living and to bring back the dead.
Often those who have lost loved ones or hoped to change their fate would often delve into such research, but honestly anyone can practice it. And even if you aren’t born with magical talents, there are other avenues which allow the practice of necromancy through other forms. Blood magic being the most common and powerful among the troll races or the use of runes/totems in place of intricate spells.
Even if one does not have a magic pool to draw from, the use of runes and blood magic combined can more than suffice. Blood magic is the use of one’s own life force, or of multiple others, to operate intricate spell work.
Should one desire to pursue this avenue it is best to do so in secret, or often in seclusion from the rest of society as it is a punishable offense by many cultures, death being the most serious consequence of this pursuit. But do not let that keep you down. Necromancy is an art that requires finesse and practice.
What other skills are best used when practicing necromancer?
For starters, alchemy in itself is a base tool of understanding the chemical makeup and properties of the world. Knowing the breakdown of life in all its forms and their chemical/physical properties allows the user to tune the desired outcomes of practice and creation. From understanding simple herbology one will understand even the properties of poisons, molds, and the reasons of decay or the breakdown of life.
Learning of the operation of the mortal form and not just one but numerous races. Their qualities, their flaws, and their operation. The practice of a doctor in medical and medicinal fields will provide the experiences and resources to conduct necromantic research without exposing your hand.
How to repair the body, it’s structure and function, or what heals or causes harm, what gives life or takes from it, and how to preserve life beyond its projected outcomes. From this field we learn of the properties of flesh and how to manipulate it in our endeavors.
Lastly, having some experience in the culinary arts will help you to create the most expert of feasts for any occasion. Life is a banquet and you must be willing to use all the ingredients at hand. Living, dead, flesh or plant alike to produce the most succulent of meals. Mortality is the spice of life, overcoming it is the key to true eternity.
What are some basic requirements to being an adept in necromancy?
The most fundamental requirement of being able to conduct and perform necromancy is to do so without shame, regret, or conscious doubts. You cannot let these feelings cloud your judgement or you will never get anywhere. Within necromancy there is no good or evil, it is only cause and effect, action and result, trial and error. It is a field not for the feign of heart but for those who can draw from life without regret. All the world is your laboratory and you need only pick the ripest of specimens for your research.
What tools are recommended for a beginner necromancer?
For starters one must choose a tome to store notes. Any brilliant necromancer records all they learn so they always have the means to ensure no mistake is repeated. A codex, a libram, an index of all your secrets and spells. In a cipher that only you can understand as well. You don’t want to have all your work and research be stolen or used against you now.
Second is a phylactery or soul stone in case of emergencies. Should the inevitability of your work be discovered, it is highly recommended that you have an escape plan in the eventuality of your own demise. An adept student in the art of summoning could conduct research in the guise of a homunculus allowing their true form to remain hidden or safe. An avatar from which the researcher operates and controls while safe among the populace is a more challenging means but still plausible to a true master.
Thirdly is a familiar or pet which can act as a second set of eyes or a servant to your needs. It is recommended that your bond to this creature be absolute as self-willed familiars or pets could very well betray you even at the cost of their own demise. Your work cannot be hindered by troublesome assistance or companions that do everything to hinder your progress. Nothing less than a slave is expected in this field. Family is best used for experimentation instead of loyalty.
Lastly is a sound location to conduct your work but in secret. This can be the most challenging to find as it is all to common for adventurers to stick their noses in places they don’t belong. You cannot hope to work in peace while some free-thinking adventurer loots or parades close to your workshop ruining your research or chances of being discovered and killed. The best course of action are places often taboo or even commonly hidden.
An expert of illusion magic could very well hide his operation in plain site under the guise of something unappealing but always present. Graveyards are not the most ideal place even with the abundance of materials as there are those daredevil types that love to have a picnic nearby and/or do a little grave robbing themselves.
This is just a rough summary of what i’ve learned about necromancy from various chapters, resources, and experiences. Hope many of you enjoy it and the sadistic tone i use to make it ever oh-so more appealing.
