Lore:Necromancy

Necromancy is the study and the practice of raising the dead. Because of their traditional practices of ancestor worship, the Dunmer openly denounce the art as pure evil, and it was outlawed in their ancient homeland of Morrowind. The most prominent practitioners of Necromancy belong to the Order of the Black Worm, a cult that involves the fanatical following of the powerful wizard Mannimarco and aiding him through forging black soul gems for his ultimate cause: the destruction of the Mages Guild. This is done by waiting for the co-ordination of the stars to shine their light on the unholy necromantic altars, known as the Shade of the Revenant, then placing an empty Grand Soul Gem into said altar and casting a Soul Trap spell on it. This is the only way guaranteed way to obtain the necromantic Black Soul Gems, capable of trapping the souls of men and mer at their passing into the next realm.

As for the creation of the Necromantic Arts, the Dark Practice began around 1,000 years ago, in the early Second Era. According to the history books, before the founding of the Mages Guild proper when there were only very scattered universities of magic, the first Arch-Mage Galerion the Mystic came to Artaeum with a soothsayer by the name of Heliand. During his time here he befriended a fellow student, Mannimarco, though at first great friends, they eventually grew to be bitter enemies when Mannimarco began to use Mysticism to raise and manipulate the dead, which Galerion condemned, "Your wicked mysticism is no way to wield your power, Bringing horror to the spirit world, your studies must cease." The rivalry that resulted culminated in a battle near Ceporah Tower between the Mages Guild itself and Mannimarco's followers and legions of undead. Although Galerion eventually defeated the Worm King, he subsequently perished. Despite Galerion's noble sacrifice in the battle, Mannimarco bound his spirit to the living world so that after he regained his strength and recruited more followers, he would then rise again as the King of Worms. This eventually came to fruition at the end of the Third Era. Upon rising, he challenged the Arch-Mage for control of the Mages Guild and the power granted therewith.

Necromantic Writings

• Ancestors and the Dunmer — An outdated guide for foreign visitors to Morrowind
• Arkay the Enemy by KW — Instructions for the faithful to foil Arkay
• Arondil's Journals by Arondil — Arondil's account of moving into Yngvild to study necromancy.
• The Black Arts On Trial by Hannibal Traven, Archmagister of the Mages Guild — A summary of the salient points of the debate which led to the resolution of the Mages Guild on the subject of Necromancy
• Blasphemous Revenants — A call for the destruction of all vampires and those who follow them!
• Book of Life and Service — Book relating to the undead of the Soul Cairn
• Corpse Preparation — How to obtain and prepare a corpse for necromantic purposes
• The Exodus by Waughin Jarth — The tale of a parent's desperate bid to save their only child
• Mannimarco, King of Worms by Horicles — Biography of Mannimarco, the leader of Necromancers, in verse
• N'Gasta! Kvata! Kvakis! by N'Gasta — An obscure text written in the language of the Sload by a necromancer
• Necromancer's Moon — A note of forewarning to the Order of the Black Worm
• Palla by Vojne Mierstyyd — A conjurer's tragic infatuation with a dead woman
• The Path of Transcendence by Celedaen — A necromancer's diary of efforts at becoming a lich
• Tome of Unlife — A mysterious, blood-stained lexicon belonging to Lorgren Benirus

Necromantic Artifacts

• The Black Star
• Bloodworm Helm
• Mantle of Woe
• Necromancer's Amulet
• Staff of Worms

See Also

For game-related information, see the Oblivion or Skyrim articles.