Necromancy

One of the core schools of magic in Gaea, Necromancy involves spells and techniques that manipulate the forces of life and death, pain, fear, decay, rot, withering and wasting, poison and sickness, infirmity, and can even tap into heat, flame, cold, and corrosive forces through unconventional methods. However, it is best known for, and most strongly associated with summoning and controlling the spirits of the dead and creating and controlling Undead Monsters, or Tulpas that imitate them. Necromancy spells feature prominently in most types of Magic, including Arcane, Divine, Occult, and Primal. The Psionic equivalent of Necromancy is known as Necroscopy, but is exceedingly rare even among Psionicists.

Necromancy, having such a strong connection to Monsters, has long been taboo in most of Gaea's cultures. Likewise due to its frequent association with the desecration and subsequent reanimation of the dead. It is commonly seen as a violation of the natural cycle of life, death, and rebirth, though the Gods do not commonly seem to prohibit it themselves and prohibitions against it are most commonly either derived from religious dogma rather than canon law or civil laws. Necromancy is often seen as a gateway into becoming a Monster, particularly of an Undead type, though it is often easier, ironically, to become a Monster through Transmutation.

# Practitioners

## Gravekeepers

*Main Article: Gravekeepers*

A widespread inter-religious tradition that traces its origins to the now corrupted cult of Orcus and the original Orcs, the tradition has since been adopted by other deities, such as Hades, Pluto, Hel, Ereshkigal, Morrigan, Mictēcacihuātl and Mictlāntēcutli, Izanami, and Yama, among others, as a form of mystery cult. Initiates are usually chosen from those with significant magical potential and an inclination towards morbid interests at a young age to serve in what is essentially a priesthood devoted to protecting and maintaining the world's burial grounds, carrying out funerary rights, and helping to make sure that the dead can rest peacefully. They are known for equipping themselves with weapons and armor made of wood, shell, leather and bone. Though the exact practices and teachings vary from region to region, they universally seek to reclaim lost burial sites, bring peace to the restless dead (including pacifying the Undead), defending burial sites from graverobbers, carrying out funerary ceremonies, and helping to counsel the living in order to cope with grief and the loss of loved ones. They are also associated with adjudicating wills and helping to distribute inheritance appropriately when named inheritors are not present.

While the Gravekeepers spend a great deal of their time trying to put the dead back in their graves and keep them there, they are better known for employing the Undead themselves; many make use of Undead minions or companions, usually drawn from willing souls or created as Tulpas from the Mana of the Keeper themselves. Often, when one speaks of Necromancers in Gaea, especially as a group, it is the Gravekeepers who are being referenced.

Despite their overall good practices, they are usually looked at with fear and foreboding. The ominous appearances many of them affect don't help matters in this regard.