Necromancy
Necromancy is the common term for an ancient sorcerous practice that involves a wide range of magical manipulations from communication with the dead to the re-animation of dead corpses. In modern usage, the corruptible control of dead bodies is most often meant by the term. Necromancy is generally illegal throughout the civilized world. According to legend, it was practiced frequently by the mythical Neptultchi and used as an augmentation in war in the Midretassene Empire.
Today, Necromancy is practiced in secret as it is actively fought and eliminated by modern governments and peace-keeping forces. Traditionally, necromancy is despised by the general public and many magics and prayers are employed to thwart and avert the practice from affecting one's interred relatives and associates. Despite this hatred, necromancy is not considered a kind of chaos magic, although it is not immiscible with chaos magic. Several gods are thought to condone or even facilitate the practice, including Orclanx, Threy (Orkybanth, Kirxios), and Devahlia. Conversely, the god Isfalath is specifically invoked to protect the buried dead from tampering at the hands of the necromancer.
Texts on necromancy are usually illegal, but ancient texts are kept in leading libraries for historical purposes and to aid researchers in the identification and combating of the foul practice of necromancy. They are kept under considerable security and not available for general access.
Several idioms in the languages of the world indicate necromancy. For example, to borrow the dead is a long-standing idiom that means to practice necromancy, specifically the animation of dead bodies.
Sources
Primary Sources
- Kaptrona's Book of the Undead, 2372
- Neptessor's Book of the Undead, 2057
- Warlock's Guide to the Undead
Secondary Sources
See Also
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