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Necromancer
Wizards who deal with the macabre mysteries of death and undeath are a staple of sword and sorcery fiction and fantasy gaming. While the Old-School Essentials magic-user class has access to some spells within the necromantic domain (for example, horrid classics such as animate dead and death spell), such magic is not the class’ primary focus. Enter the necromancer...
| Necromancer Level Progression | Necromancer Spell Progession | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| level | XP | Title | HD | THAC0 | D | W | P | B | S | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
| 1 | 0 | Apprentice | 1d4 | 19[0] | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2 | 2,500 | Medium | +1d4 | 19[0] | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 3 | 5,000 | Soulbinder | +1d4 | 19[0] | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| 4 | 10,000 | Reanimator | +1d4 | 19[0] | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | - |
| 5 | 20,000 | Deathcaller | +1d4 | 19[0] | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - |
| 6 | 40,000 | Gravekeeper | +1d4 | 17[+2] | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - |
| 7 | 80,000 | Fleshweaver | +1d4 | 17[+2] | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | - |
| 8 | 150,000 | Cryptlord | +1d4 | 17[+2] | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | - | - |
| 9 | 300,000 | Necromancer | +1d4 | 17[+2] | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - |
| 10 | 450,000 | Lich Herald | +1 | 17[+2] | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | - |
| 11 | 600,000 | Harbinger of Souls | +1 | 14[+5] | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 12 | 750,000 | Dreadlord | +1 | 14[+5] | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 13 | 900,000 | Sovereign of the Undead | +1 | 14[+5] | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 14 | 1,050,000 | Archmage of the Necropolis | +1 | 14[+5] | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Necromancers are adventurers who study the arcane arts of death and the undead. Through this study, they have learned to cast magic spells.
Arcane Magic
See Magic, for full details on arcane magic.
Magical research: A necromancer of any level may spend time and money on magical research. This allows them to add new spells to their spell book and to research other magical effects. When a necromancer reaches 9th level, they are also able to create magic items. Researched spells, effects, and magic items must be within the scope of the necromancer class, as judged by the referee.
Spell casting: Necromancers carry spellbooks containing the formulae for arcane spells. The level progression table (opposite) shows both the number of spells in the necromancer’s spell book and the number they may memorize, determinedby the character’s experience level. Thus, a 1st level necromancer has one spell in their spell book, selected by the referee (who may allow the player to choose).
Using magic items: As spell casters, necromancers are able to use magic scrolls of spells on their spell list. They can also use items that may only be used by arcane spell casters (e.g. magic wands). They are, however, not able to use magic items with effects that charm or control living creatures, including humans (e.g. a ring that controls animals).
Creating Scrolls (Optional)
Necromancers may make a scroll of a spell they already "know" (i.e. have in their magic book) at a cost of 100 gold pieces and 1 week's work for each spell of the first level, 200 gold pieces and 2 weeks for a second level spell (if the magic-user is third level), etc.
Combat
Necromancers can only use daggers andare unable to use shields or wear any kind of armour. This makes them very vulnerable in combat.
Necromancers and Staves (Optional Rule)
Optionally, necromancers may be allowed to wield a staff in combat.
After Reaching 11th Level
A necromancer may build a stronghold, often a great tower. 1d6 apprentices oflevels 1–3 will then arrive to study under the necromancer.
