The Necromancer's Hand

I have heard tell of an old book that makes the reader capable of unspeakable atrocities and blasphemies. To use this spell book is to spit in the eyes of Myrada. - Nikodemus Ableford

Summary

Legend speaks of an ancient mage who dabbled in the perverted arts of necromancy. Prior to his death, it is said he imbued his soul into the book he spent a lifetime creating.
Shortly after his execution the book vanished, reappearing later in the hands of the court magus of Evon the Unyielding. Shortly after it's reappearance, Evon fell terminally ill. Several days after his funeral and burial, he emerged from his tomb and laid waste to an invading army with unholy strength and feral fervor, drinking the blood of fallen enemy soldiers. Evon had the court magus executed shortly after regaining his senses.
The book was lost for several decades, instances of vampires of multiple types springing up across the world, along with unconfirmed rumors of necromancer cults. The last known location of the book was in the hands of King Nikodemus Ableford, who studied the book before ordering it disposed of by his mages. The book disappeared again before the ritual to destroy it safely could be cast.

Historical Basis

Though the earliest proofs of the books existence do not exist, there is significant evidence that it did indeed appear in Evon's court, historical accountings of the events of the battle the dead king fought in match up across several countries.
Most recently, the book appears documented in detail in the records of Nikodemus Ableford in his studies of arcane artifacts. Included in these records are hand drawn images from local artists as well as detailed diagrams and a key to translate the book. The translated spells are on record as being burned with several witnesses from the court signed as proof of their destruction.

Spread

The legend of the Necromancer's Hand is spread across the continents in some form or another.

Variations & Mutation

Some of the myths allude to the original necromancer possessing the body of those who dive too deep into the book's pages.