Necromancy, sometimes called the dark arts[N 1], is a type of magic involving the manipulation of life and death, such as raising the dead. It is generally considered immoral and/or illegal in most cultures of Tamriel, though throughout history there have been notable exceptions.
Necromancy is currently believed to be part of the Conjuration school of magic.
About[]
Necromantic Minions[]
It is common among necromancers to use Daedric Brands to bind risen skeletons to a specific task. This is done with a normal metal brand, which sears a particular necromantic rune upon the skeleton's head. Once branded, the necromancer raises it from the dead and it will be bound to that specific task and none others. Upon being risen the skeleton will first recite the intention of the brand, which has been described as an "echo of the necromancer's will". Using Daedric Brands can be useful for necromancers who need specific menial tasks performed in their absence, as branding a skeleton means the necromancer does not need to expend energy to constantly direct their will, as they would need to for regular undead minions. Necromancers skilled in pyromancy may be capable of branding skeletons without the need of a physical metal brand, but using fire magic in such a delicate and deliberate manner requires great skill.
Lichdom[]
White Necromancy[]
Customs[]
It is believed that some necromancers uphold certain codes of honour between each other. The journal of Gorlar indicates that when one necromancer ventures to another's lair and wishes to present themselves, they must first send an undead minion into the lair on their behalf. In the case of Gorlar this was a petition of apprenticeship to the infamous Thukhozod. It is ultimately unknown if this is a code of conduct held widely among all necromancers, or if it is a custom specific to orc necromancers.
History[]
Books & Scrolls on Necromancy[]
- Achieving Harmony with Death
- Ascendancy: Pathway to Lichdom
- An Affair With Death
- Arkay the Enemy
- A World of Corpses
- Benevolent Necromancy, it Exists
- Blasphemous Revenants
- Civility and Etiquette, vol. V: Undead
- Corpse Preparation, vol. I
- Mannimarco, King of Worms
- Necromancy in Modern Tamriel
- Necromancer's Moon
- Necromancy: The Great Debate
- N'Gasta's Necromancy Book
- On Summoning Skeletons
- Practical Necromancy
- Souls, Black and White
- Soul Trapping I: An Introduction
- The Art and the Madness, vol. I
- The Black Arts on Trial
- The Legend of Vastarie
- The Living Flesh
- The Order of the Black Worm
- The Path of Transcendence
- Unhallowed Legions
Quotes[]
Dig. Seek the Dragonfire Cathedral with pick and spade. Smother, choke, and quench the light. By Molag Bal's will, obey.
—A branded skeleton reciting its purpose during Molag Bal's occupation of the Imperial City in 2E 582
Notes[]
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