Post by Kage on Apr 24, 2010 23:54:11 GMT -5
History of the Necromancer
Necromancy (pronounced /ˈnɛkrɵmænsi/; Greek νεκρομαντεία nekromantía, via Latin necromantia) is a form of magic in which the practitioner seeks to summon the spirit of a deceased person, either as an apparition or ghost, or to raise them bodily, for the purpose of divination.
Before any human, or yōkai may learn the spells and practices of necromancers, they must first worship all life, in order to celebrate death as well as the land known as Yomi, or the underworld. Death cannot come without first the process of life. Most necromancers follow numerous deities such as Izanami, Kagu-tsuchi, and Tsukuyomi. Some minorities of Japan may also worship their deities in the art of necromancy.
True necromancers only actually practiced the art of divination. They often believed that if they could speak to the dead, they could learn the secrets of life, and death. As well as hear rumors of the future, and even find out what sort of events could occur after death. However, that was quickly perverted into a sick practice of dark magic, used to coerce people, or even to slaughter enemies.
Some of the most powerful yōkai necromancers are direct descendants of Yomotsu-shikome, or "the ugly lady of Yomi". However, even humans may practice the art of necromancy, as well as any yōkai.
As the true practice of necromancy transformed to a later, more modern practice, necromancers were associated with evil, dark beings. They became famous for using black, or death magic in order to summon the dead, to use the undead to do their bidding, or to influence the course of events through spell casting. Many humans began to fear the necromancers, as well as their power. The respect for contacting the dead was lost, and only fear enveloped the minds. This fed the growing urge to use such a powerful magic for evil. Many villages, and priestly orders turned their backs on anyone who practiced the arts of anything "impure", or the process of tampering with dead beings. Any known necromancer was considered Burakumuin. They were considered tainted, and were often discriminated against. This only fed the fires of growing hatred towards those who did not accept the grotesque practices of creating the undead. Most fear the necromancers, and humans if at all possible attempt to avoid associating themselves with such an art. This has led to a vast majority of yokai practicing necromancy.
As the necromancer developed over time, spells evolved. Deathly curses erupted, along with spells allowing the transformation of the necromancer's body, or even the creation of undead armies. However, most necromancer spells require close proximity. Because of this, and the shunning of all those who got near anything dead, this led to the eventual perversion of necromancy's sister... alchemy; in order to find alternate ways to harm enemies, of course.
Alchemy is the art of creating potions through the use of organic materials. The first purposes of alchemy were to turn base materials into gold, or to create and "elixir" of life. Neither such acts have been achieved, however a multitude of other potions for curing ailments have come about due to this practice. However, ghastly concoctions are known to man, used to poison, or sicken people. Even deadly potions have been created. Most necromancers also practice the art of alchemy, as both are often in cahoots.
Kage's Alchemy Skills
Anti-Matter
Anti-matter magic is sort of a spreading sickness, that eats flesh into nothing. But it can be used for anything organic, not just the flesh of beings. It's been known to be very dangerous, slow and excruciating. Many have died of the pain it causes before actually being killed by the anti-matter itself. It takes years to fully envelope the body of a human. Those who possess magic within them are effected more so, and the anti-matter spreads faster, as the magic accelerates the anti-matter.
There are numerous ways to cure an anti-matter sickness. One must kill the demon, or necromancer who cast the anti-matter upon them. A very skilled healer must heal it (which would take days of energy to do). The demon who cast the anti-matter can remove it.
Or there is an uncommonly known plant will remove the sickness. The plant is very popular in Japan, however not many outside the necromancer world know of the properties. The plant will prevent the anti-matter from spreading any further, it will not heal any lesions already caused by the curse. The plant is known as sakaki
Kage's Necromancy Spells & Skills