Black Necromancy

In the context of the Arcanum fantasy role-playing game (RPG), Black Neromancy is the counterpart of White Necromancy, as is hinted at by the name. Black Necromancy first appeared in The Arcanum, and while not widely known, is commonly used under the name Necromancy, Both White Necromancy and Black are commonly used together known, normally, as 'Necromancy'.

Origins

The Black Necromancy was developed by The Arcanum, which is a very large tome used for a PB-RPG. It has in-depth ideas on the "Magick" in the world that the game is set in. It has been cited in other places, notably The Dance Of The Shadow book's sequel, Messiah's Intervention : The Dance Of The Shadow II. The books (The Dance Of The Shadow and the sequel), follow the ideas laid down by The Arcanum.

Differences To White Necromancy

Black Necromancy is concerned with quenching life, but not giving it. White Necromancy is often associated with the Creation of life, healing, and/or the Resurrection, Black Necromancy is more concerned with the Destruction of Life, Harming, and/or the creation of Undeath, (i.e. Vampire, Skeletons etc) that is to say, that White Necromancy is generally has a positive effect on life, while Black Necromancy has a negative effect on life.

Concepts

Black Necromancy takes life from people who have it. It is commonly associated with Necromancers, Magickal Harmers and the like. Some of the Abilities of Black Necromancy are commonly placed under the abilities of Fire, and possibly Earth, (Harm etc.) as very, very few sources use Black Necromancy, but still wish to have Life Wounding Spells, and so credit them to other Spheres, School or Colleges of Magic. (These are all different names for the different types of Magick.)

Powers

Black Necromancy, as aforementioned, is almost always harming. It gives life. Examples of powers from Arcanum : Of Steamworks abd Magick Obscura are Minor Harming and Quench Life, are but two of the spells.

Other Appearances

Black Necromancy has appeared in the Afore mentioned books, where, when mentioned is always mentioned as a negative thing, while White Necromancy is always mentioned as a positive thing. But, oddly, if brought together in the same person (i.e. one person has mastery of both Black and White Necromancy) then they are given the ability to control Life and Death as they see fit. Which is considered the greatest of honors, as White Necromancy tends to stay with the Good Creatures and Black with the Bad, so few people have mastered both Black and White Necromancy, and, as such people have mastered Necromancy.

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