Necromancers
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Dark Magics for Dark Souls
Necromancy -- the mere word strikes terror, disgust, and a dark curiosity in the hearts of mortals. Yet, there are those who fear not the Magic of Death but accept its Stygian Embrace willingly, for it is their chosen path. They are Necromancers, speakers to the dead, conjurers of Entropy, and disdained by those of the mainland.
The most powerful, dedicated, and fearsome Necromancers in Britannia have long gathered under the auspices of the Ebon Skull. In far ancient times, nearly beyond the written record and whose history is only told within the hallowed pages of the Codex of Oblivion these fearsome wizards and purveyors of darkness gathered around the first Lich Lord Nizar and his most favored High Necromancer Ezerak. They, serving the powers of Darkness, Evil, and heeding the wishes of the Skull constructed a monument to their magics and research, Morn Cirith- the Dark Tower.
The days of the bygone error have passed; Stygia fell into the Abyss and was lost to nearly all records until Lord Azalin was beckoned to Ice Isle by the Skull and accepted its embrace. Azalin's first call to the realm was to those who researched the forbidden secrets of the Damned and practiced the macabre rites of the Dead, to come out from behind their veil and to gather within Golgotha, the Tower of Skulls. The practice of Necromancy must be reconstructed, Morn Cirith must be returned, and the ways of Nizar and Ezerak must be relearned. This time none may stand in the way of their goals. All that attempt to thwart the servants of the Skull shall be slain in the name of Entropy and Oblivion.
Skills of the Necromancer
Necromancers must rely on many and varied skills in the course of their deeds. Listed here are the required skills for the aspiring Necromancer:
Magery - This should be patently obvious. Necromancers are Mages, albeit Mages of a very Dark Path, so Magery is of primary interest. All wise Necromancers strive toward Master hood in the Magical Arts.
Evaluate Intelligence - The keen, if somewhat twisted, mind of a Necromancer has no difficulty in accessing the mental and magical strength of his prey. In fact, if skilled enough, a Necromancer can use this skill to weaken an enemy's magical resistance wreaking mystical havoc on the unsuspecting fool.
Spirit Speak - This skill is de rigueur for those working with the Dead and Undead, and as such, Necromancers must learn and practice this skill.
Duties of the Necromancer
Necromancers are powerful and respected Mages, and as such many things are expected of them to earn and maintain this respect. We perform these duties with utmost skill and dedication, for we alone can provide these services.
The Birthing
Whenever Progeny is to be created, the services of a Necromancer are required. The Necromancer is there to impart the Magic of the Dead upon the newly created Progeny. Necromancers work at these Birthing Rituals to ensure that the Progeny is brought forth from the Caul intact and gifted with all the blessings of Entropy.
Rituals
Necromancers are Masters of Ritual, and when any ritual is to involve death or the dead, a Necromancer will be needed, for they alone can control these forces with such precision.
Magical Support in Battle
As powerful Mages, Necromancers can easily slay legions of the mightiest warriors. Because of this, they are often needed in battle, and serve as ruthless killers during combat, slaying all who oppose the Order.
Resurrection and Healing
While not the strongpoint of Necromancers, healing and resurrection are oft needed and a Necromancer can raise the dead and heal them to full strength.
Research
The wise Mage always strives to uncover secrets and further his Art. Necromancers are no different, and spend much time researching and experimenting with new Magics. So much is new and undiscovered in the lands, and therefore much time and effort can be expended on this task. We believe we are better for the effort.
The System of Degrees
The Rank, or Degree, system of the Necromancers is a hierarchical system of Ranks, called Degrees, each with a clear set of privileges and duties. These Degrees are achieved thru merit alone, as judged by the High Necromancer, and is often coupled with a quest of some sort. Failure in the quest automatically means failure to advance, and the child must wait two weeks to attempt their progression again. Each time a Necromancer advances a Degree, a Rite of Passing, conducted by the High Necromancer and the other Necromancers of the new Degree, marks the event.
Here are the various Degrees:
Aspirant
This is a Mage who has expressed their desire to join the Order of the Ebon Skull as a Necromancer, but who is still unproven. They are not yet a member of the Order, and receive no benefits thereof. The Aspirant is watched and observed for a period by all members of the Sect. When he or she is deemed worthy, Initiation can occur.
Initiate
After being observed as an Aspirant and deemed worthy, the Necromancer undergoes a Rite of Initiation, at which point he or she is a full member of the Order and the Necromancer Sect, and can receive all benefits and privileges thereof. At this stage, the new Necromancer spends most of their time practicing and furthering their skills as a Mage and learning the tactics and philosophies of the Order. Dues are not expected of Initiates.
Apprentice
When the Initiate has a decent level of skill in the Arts, he or she may become an Apprentice, studying under an Adept, Magus, or the High Necromancer, himself. They will advance even further in the Arts, and will learn the Rituals of the Order, in the hopes that one day they may lead such Rituals. This is a position of great respect, for only those who are deemed worthy to someday lead Rituals will be granted this Degree. At this stage, dues will be expected of the Mage.
Journeyman
Eventually, the Apprentice will grow to the point where his or her Master will deem them worthy of being "released", at which point they may act on their own, lead rituals, and so on. At this rank, the necromancer will begin to discuss his path with the High Necromancer, and it may be noted on the rank, once the journey had begun.
Adept of
Necromancers who have attained a Master title in Magery, who have shown themselves to be undyingly dedicated to the Order, and have completed their first quest along their path will be granted this title. The event will be marked by a large ritual, and is a thing of much honor. .
Magus
Certain Necromancers will advance their Art far beyond the level of the Adept. They will serve the Order and Entropy tirelessly, caring nothing for their safety or personal gain. Their knowledge of Magery is complete, and has completed their final quest along their chosen path. These individuals will be awarded the Degree of Magus and will be Honored for all time as a sinister example of the Necromantic Arts.
Dark Magi
Personal servants and scholars to the Lich Lord and of the Dark Triad only the most vociferous and formidable in power are selected for this degree since few would even dare approach this level of responsibility and dedication. This elite group sits in judgment within Morn Cirith upon the lesser members of the Necromancers, deciding promotions, disseminating knowledge, and handing out tasks. Their proximity to the guiding powers of Entropy gives them their own agenda making them one of the most feared forces within the Sect. At this Degree, the mage will have the option of asking the High Necromancer to undergo a Quest and Ritual to become a powerful member of the Undead if he or she so wishes.
High Necromancer
He that answers exclusively to the Lich Lord, this dark mage has devoted his entire existence to forbidden knowledge and to the whims of the Ebon Skull. The High Necromancer's erudition is boundless, his strength is unmatched, he works hand in hand with the less educated children of the Skull teaching them, instructing them and shaping them into his own image, the leader of rituals, an un-paralleled scholar, and a forbidding moon eclipsing the Virtues of Lord British.
Rituals of the Necromancer
Within the shadowed halls of the Morn Cirith exists the Kabala Arcana Necronus. Only those skilled enough, brave enough or foolish enough should seek the knowledge contained in these works, as once ye have dared to lay eyes upon the dark lore found within, there is no way to remove its touch upon your pscyhe... even in death and beyond.
The Paths of Necromancy
During his time of great research , Lord Dealthagar, a previous High Necromancer, found that if their efforts were focused down a narrow path, a Mage's knowledge and understanding of the dark arts increased at a much quicker rate. Upon reaching the seat of High Necromancer, he instituted the paths to focus the sect and their duties. There can only be one Magus of any given path at any time, and only two Adepts. If a journeyman wishes to challenge a current Adept to the rank, the Magus of the sect will create a quest, for the adept to prove their worth, and then after they have completed the quest, they will compete against the Adept in a challenge of the Magus' choice. If an Adept wishes to challenge a Magus, the same occurs, except it is the High Necromancer who creates the quest and the challenge. If the Magus or the Adept loses the challenge, then they are reduced in rank by one, with the winner advancing to their place. Should the challenger lose, they must either choose another path to follow or wait two weeks to challenge again.
Follow him to seek the paths of Necromancy.
Follow me onto the dark paths of Oblivion.
Joining the Necromancers
If joining the ranks of the Dark Magi interests you then contact one of the Dark Triad. You merely need to use the talismans below to contact the Archon of Blood, the Tyrant of Enmity or the Seer of Oblivion through the Void.