Necromancy
Many in Valor consider Necromancy to be child's tale, more symbolic of the Raithar Empire's moral rot than an actual school of magic. The historical record seems to disagree.
One certainty: if it does exist, it is not permitted in Valor. Any study must by strictly theoretical and done in pursuit of history rather than arcane knowledge. Any who attempt to practice it will face strict censure from the Universities, the Valorian Knights, and (according to the temples) from several of the gods themselves.
Effect
In Valor, any magic used to reanimate lifeless flesh or bone, communicate with spirits, or control the dead in any fashion is considered Necromancy. It is unclear whether this is exactly how the term was used in Raithar, as some cultures have a much narrower definition.
Side/Secondary Effects
It is said that Necromancy corrodes the user's own vitality, resulting in malnutrition and generally poor health, even to the point of starvation or death of "old age" in even a young Necromancer. However, it is also said that a Necromancer will be denied peace in death themselves, and will be unable to leave this plain of existence until purged in some fashion.
Manifestation
Unknown; accounts vary widely as to how Necromancy looked in use and how, exactly, it was cast. This is commonly used as evidence against its literal existence.
Source
Raitharan Necromancers claimed that their power was granted by (or even bought from) the spirits themselves; those modern scholars who believe in the practice consider it more likely that they drew power from their own life force, as well as that of the Empire itself, hastening its downfall.
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