NECROMANCER
Necromancers are practitioners of Black Magic, and are among the most evil of spell casters. Most have a morbid fascination for death, and spend much of their time in graveyards, burial grounds and catacombs, seeking commune with creatures and beings from the lower planes. Though limited in the types of spells which they may initially learn, necromancers may gain great power, but only through the most dangerous and vile means.
Like priests of evil alignment, all necromancers derive their powers from some evil patron Deity or entity. Unlike priests, however, necromancers can only acquire such aid by making a series of pacts with either an arch demon or arch devil (the necromancer must choose between allegiance to demons or devils). Initial contact with the patron can be made through the use of the Summon Familiar spell, afterwhich the necromancer’s familiar may be used to contact the patron as follows:
Level 1: In return for a minor familiar of his or her choice, the necromancer need only acknowledge the patron as his or her benefactor, friend and ally. At any level, the necromancer may be taught a new spell in exchange for a promise to perform a single service at some future date.Level 5: In return for the knowledge of any lesser demon's (or devil’s) true name, the necromancer must agree to serve the patron in word and deed for a period of not less than seven years. The patron must be contacted each time the necromancer wishes to acquire such knowledge.Level 7: In return for the knowledge of any winged demon's (or devil’s) true name, the necromancer must agree to serve the patron in word and deed for all of his or her natural life (details as per Level 5).Level 9: In return for the knowledge of any greater demon's (or devil’s) true name, the necromancer must recognize the patron as his or her master, both in life and in death (details as per Level 5).Level 13: In return for a lesser demon (or devil) familiar, the necromancer must agree to perform any service required of him or her by the patron.Note: Because it is the Game Judge who must play the part of the necromancer’s patron, any smart player can see that having a necromancer character is subject to a host of restrictions; by 13th level a necromancer is literally at the mercy of his or her patron (alias the Game Judge).All necromancers possess the ability to turn or befriend undead creatures (chance of success is determined by rolling a d20 on the TURNING UNDEAD table located in the appendix), and to turn Spirit Beings. The knowledge of death and the lower planes which necromancers acquire also gives them the following abilities:+1 saves (per level) vs death magic and the special attack forms (paralysis, ageing, etc.) of undead creatures.+1 saves vs Charisma with respect to either demons or devils, depending on the nature of the necromancer’s patron.
Although necromancers cannot be brought back to life if slain, they will always return to "life" (on the thirteenth day after their death) as one of the following types of Undead creatures (roll d10):
- Skeleton
- Zombie
- Ghoul
- Barrow Wight
- Mummy
- Vampire (standard)
- Phantom
- Ghost
- Yatu (Lich)
Note: Necromancers who return as an undead creature will have the same abilities that they had in life, but will be unable to advance in X.P. or level until they seek out and slay the person (or persons) who killed them. The only way to stop a slain necromancer from returning in this fashion is to perform a successful exorcism upon his or her body immediately following the necromancer’s demise (one attempt only).
- Minimum Attributes: INT: 12
- Alignment: Lawful Evil or Chaotic (Evil)
- Combat Capabilities: Untrained
- Special Abilities: See Text
- Single-Classed
SKILLS
Level 1
- Any Single Weapon Spell Casting
- Read Magic (100%)
Level 2
- Toxic Powders
Level 5
- Venoms and Poisons
Level 7
- Scrolls
Level 9
- Minor Magic Items
- Necromantic Rituals
Level 12
- Rods, Staves, and Wands
Level 13
- Greater Magic Items
- Advanced Necromantic Rituals
