Necromancy

The Power to Both Take & Sustain Life

Associated (perhaps unjustly) with Vamphires, The undead, and even Lich; Necromancy Magic is the field of magic that focuses on the manipulation of the magical energy within each living being on Alwaus. Similar to Evocation in practice, Necromancy Magic focuses on drawing Magical Energy from living beings instead of The Arcanosphere itself to channel and power it's spells. Necromancy, much like Evocation, is designated less by it's intent in spell effect but rather in the focus each spell places on where it draws it's energy as opposed to what it does once it has drawn such energy. 

While morally questionable, the efficiency when drawing energy from other living creatures is far greater than conventional means of spellcasting, giving a skilled Necromancer access to great power through cruel shortcuts not available to other Spellcasting Disciplines. Such power has a price of course, and the energy drained from living beings weakens and often kills the source of the magical energy. Such side-effects are not always negatives of course, as even a fledgling Necromancer would be wise enough to drain the life from one enemy to power the attack spell that destroys another foe. In desperate situations, Necromancers can fuel their spellcasting directly from their own body's natural magical energy. Such act gives perhaps the purest form of raw energy to wield in spellcasting - but such effects are unnatural in a way that goes against the order of things - and can carry severe and permeant consequences from such actions. Those that dwell to deeply in the self-deprecating elements of Necromancy soon find their own life energy dwindling like a half-lit flame. Those that do not heed the warnings of nature are destined to become to wretched Lich. It is because of these risks that Necromancy is so seldom practiced by Arcanists at The Collegiate Arcane.

Although often overshadowed by the more morbid nature of Necromancy Magic, the discipline also permits the opposite flow of magical energy. While rare among The Collegiate Arcane, many cultures across Alwaus have experienced healers who can revitalize tired muscles, accelerate natural healing, and sometimes even cure illness and disease. Such magic is incredibly specific and difficult to implement - and seems to demand an innate understanding of living energy that not ever spellcasters has. Healing Magic is by definition also a form of Necromancy, although it is in such rare supply that magical healers are few and far between. But even this form of magic can be twisted by those with wicked intentions or the inability to accept loss. The use of Necromancy to restore life to a deceased being is a dangerous abomination to nature that is outlawed in all civilized corners of the empire. Despite this there will always be those who would scar the very face of nature itself with such an act. 

Examples of Necromancy Magic in Effect

Draining Life Energy - Pulling Life Energy from a target to fuel your spells in the primary use of Necromancy Magic. 


Heal Wounds or Injuries - Using magic to revitalize and recharge allies, stitch together open wounds, and clear infections and minor diseases are forms of Necromany being used to "Heal". 


Resurrecting the Dead - Restoring life to the dead, regardless if they are a freshly fallen ally or the skeletal remains of entombed warrior are examples of Necromancy magic being used to resurrect the dead.