Hey Everyone! 

I wanted to start a Discussion about Roleplaying a Necromancer and the different types of Necromancers.

 Not every Necro is a Maniac who lives in a cave full of Corpses.

So what are things you do when you Roleplay a Necro who isnt just straight up Mental and chops every corpse up he finds.  

I swear half the site is obsessed with necromancers! :P Can't blame 'em really, they are pretty badass. And you're right, there's loads of variation to what a necromancer can be, more than any other magic user I'd wager.

Of course you mentioned the more doolally ones, but I like my zombie-controlling mages to be a little more... classy. Like the stereotypical vampire image - undead butlers, maybe a zombie pooch, the type of fancy mofo who doesn't have to lift a finger because all their minions do it for them. For this I focus on control with Illusion spells and keeping myself alive, being Thane of everywhere, getting underworld contacts, all that good stuff.

The idea of spirits as a form of necromancy is also very intriguing to me. It could almost be priestly really - clairvoyancy, communion, exorcism etc. I think it's often forgotten that necromancy is controlling the dead, but not always maliciously. Kinda like tha Ash'abah but more magical. Worship is always the way I go for this, as it's so similar to the DnD Cleric, and I generally have an overarching noble goal.

What are your favourite types of necromancer, Vezra?

I agree with you on the topic that Necromancy is more than just raising the dead. 

I had a build where i played a good Necromancer who would summon spirits and weapons and absorbed the Dragonsouls to guide them to the Afterlife ^^. 

My Favorite type is the Scholar version, someone who is fascinated with the Otherworld and Death itself, close second is the traditional D&D Necromancer who has a Gravedigger servant etc.

I dont like using Illusion as a Necromancy (although i love it when i play a Vampire, always play classy vampires :D ) because it makes me feel too powerfull and untouchable.

 Do you have any ideas for spells i could use as sort of Curses? i already use Ahzidals fire and ice spells as debuffs.^^

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Vezrabuto]Vezrabuto[/url] said:[/b]

I agree with you on the topic that Necromancy is more than just raising the dead. 

I had a build where i played a good Necromancer who would summon spirits and weapons and absorbed the Dragonsouls to guide them to the Afterlife ^^. 

[/blockquote]

That's an awesome concept pal. Ever thought about making a Profile about the character, or maybe a guide on how to do it? It's something I'd be very much interested in, I've never thought about the connection between 'spirit' magic and Dragon souls, but it's very interesting.

[blockquote]

My Favorite type is the Scholar version, someone who is fascinated with the Otherworld and Death itself, close second is the traditional D&D Necromancer who has a Gravedigger servant etc.

[/blockquote]

Unravelling the mysteries of mysterious, one corpse at a time eh? Taking a wider look at the magic would be fascinating, especially with the concept of returning to Aetherius, the Soul Cairn etc. Souls are a mind boggling thing in the ES universe, a character studying them would be awesome, although I imagine very confusing.

[blockquote]

I dont like using Illusion as a Necromancy (although i love it when i play a Vampire, always play classy vampires :D ) because it makes me feel too powerfull and untouchable.

[/blockquote]

The key is limitation my friend. Maybe you can only use Illusion once per encounter, or only on certain types of enemies (race, class, gender etc), or maybe only on enemies your minions hit. Sky's the limit.

[blockquote]

 Do you have any ideas for spells i could use as sort of Curses? i already use Ahzidals fire and ice spells as debuffs.^^

[/blockquote]

Any spells that take a long time work. Ash Spells would be cool, like they're cursed to be imprisoned. Of course Illusion would work. But if you wanna combine spells, using Candlelight (or Magelight, which ever one sticks to whatever it touches) + Destruction could look like they're being targeted by the elements. The Soul Cairn summons could be vengeful spirits (especially against killers like bandits or vampires), and then there's alchemy which can basically create any effect - slow, susceptible to _ and damage over time would be best to imitiate curses.

 I can't really do profiles or things like that, technical limitations. When i get a laptop/pc i will post alot of Profiles and Builds.

 My Character is The Necromantic Scholar.

 A young Imperial fascinated with undead and spirits. He researches Ancient Artifacts and Folk Lore like the Gauldur Lore. He isnt inherently evil just a little anti-social. He uses Destruction Staves, Rune magic and is a expirienced Restoration and Conjuration Mage. He regularly brews potions and Poisons. and is adept at Enchanting.

I thought about Illusion restrictions and i cant really come up with any that make sense Roleplay wise :D.

i thought about getting alteration for curses and the ash makes sense because you could say its bone marrow ash and you use 1 bone marrow ash every time you cast it so not to be able to spam it ^^ I Also thought about paralysis as a sort of Rigor Mortis effect Curse ^^

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Vezrabuto]Vezrabuto[/url] said:[/b]

I agree with you on the topic that Necromancy is more than just raising the dead. 

I had a build where i played a good Necromancer who would summon spirits and weapons and absorbed the Dragonsouls to guide them to the Afterlife ^^.

[/blockquote]

That is cool! Reinterpetation is where the fun is to be found, I think. There's a great deal of variation in looking at the topic through cultural perspectives, too. The Redguards could have a very different view upon the subject than, say, the Dunmer who had a very lenient attitude on the subject: If the dead have been bound to oath and service to the Temple, they're fair game.

Or a Orc would resurrect a worthy opponent to let them experience the thrill of battle for a last time ^^ 

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Vezrabuto]Vezrabuto[/url] said:[/b]

 I can't really do profiles or things like that, technical limitations. When i get a laptop/pc i will post alot of Profiles and Builds.

 My Character is The Necromantic Scholar.

 A young Imperial fascinated with undead and spirits. He researches Ancient Artifacts and Folk Lore like the Gauldur Lore. He isnt inherently evil just a little anti-social. He uses Destruction Staves, Rune magic and is a expirienced Restoration and Conjuration Mage. He regularly brews potions and Poisons. and is adept at Enchanting.

I thought about Illusion restrictions and i cant really come up with any that make sense Roleplay wise :D.

i thought about getting alteration for curses and the ash makes sense because you could say its bone marrow ash and you use 1 bone marrow ash every time you cast it so not to be able to spam it ^^ I Also thought about paralysis as a sort of Rigor Mortis effect Curse ^^

[/blockquote]

No worries mate, looking forward to it if you get the chance.

All those ideas sound good! Your character is interesting, and your spell choices make sense.

Im thinking about making a profile for my Necro. would it be bad it i had to post lets say the backstory as a comment? i cant fit an entire profile in 1 post? :/

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Vezrabuto]Vezrabuto[/url] said:[/b]

Im thinking about making a profile for my Necro. would it be bad it i had to post lets say the backstory as a comment? i cant fit an entire profile in 1 post? :/

[/blockquote]

How long is the backstory?! Are you trying to copy and paste pictures into the post? That's told me I've had too many characters in the past. You need to upload pictures to the site first to avoid this, if it's the problem.

If that's not the issue go for it, and I'll see if I can find a way to edit it in for you (or ask Phil to do it :P).