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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 | - | 1d4 | 19[0] | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2 | 2,500 | - | +1d4 | 19[0] | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 3 | 5,000 | - | +1d4 | 19[0] | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| 4 | 10,000 | - | +1d4 | 19[0] | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | - |
| 5 | 20,000 | - | +1d4 | 19[0] | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - |
| 6 | 40,000 | - | +1d4 | 17[+2] | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - |
| 7 | 80,000 | - | +1d4 | 17[+2] | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | - |
| 8 | 150,000 | - | +1d4 | 17[+2] | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | - | - |
| 9 | 300,000 | - | +1d4 | 17[+2] | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - |
| 10 | 450,000 | - | +1 | 17[+2] | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | - |
| 11 | 600,000 | - | +1 | 14[+5] | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 12 | 750,000 | - | +1 | 14[+5] | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 13 | 900,000 | - | +1 | 14[+5] | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 14 | 1,050,000 | - | +1 | 14[+5] | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Necromancers are adventurers who studythe arcane arts of death and the undead.Through this study, they have learned tocast magic spells.
Arcane Magic
See Magic, for full details on arcane magic.
Magical research: A necromancer ofany level may spend time and money onmagical research. This allows them to addnew spells to their spell book and to researchother magical effects. When a necromancerreaches 9th level, they are alsoable to create magic items. Researchedspells, effects, and magic items must bewithin the scope of the necromancerclass, as judged by the referee.
Spell casting: Necromancers carry spellbooks containing the formulae for arcanespells. The level progression table (opposite)shows both the number of spellsin the necromancer’s spell book and thenumber they may memorize, determinedby the character’s experience level. Thus,a 1st level necromancer has one spell intheir spell book, selected by the referee(who may allow the player to choose).
Using magic items: As spell casters, necromancersare able to use magic scrolls ofspells on their spell list. They can also useitems that may only be used by arcanespell casters (e.g. magic wands). Theyare, however, not able to use magic itemswith effects that charm or control livingcreatures, including humans (e.g. a ringthat controls animals).
Combat
Necromancers can only use daggers andare unable to use shields or wear any kindof armour. This makes them very vulnerablein combat.
Necromancers and Staves (Optional Rule)
Optionally, necromancers may be allowedto 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 underthe necromancer.
