out of character bit first, I'm going to try to expand on Necromancy to make it a little more than the undead raising stereotype, I've written what follows as an "in character" style but I've included some references to spells and skills and popped in a coupe of links to some homebrew bits I created, this is a continuation of my previous thread: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/class-forums/wizard/45953-a-primer-for-those-thinking-of-taking-up), but listed here so you don't have to scroll through huge amounts of infomattion....as always, questions, comments or general feedback welcome.
Welcome back brothers and sisters, pull up a pew, a cushion, a coffin or a cold hard slab of a sarcophagus.
Today, I would like to take you on a little journey as we commence a review of different types of Necromancer for we are many and varied.
I'll start with an overview of the Curse-Bringers.
The Curse-bringer is a necromancer who specializes in curses. Some are malevolent and indiscriminate, blighting crops, cattle and people on a whim, others are practitioners that hire themselves out to jilted lovers and bitter merchants, while others may seek to only curse those that they deem deserve it such as corrupt officials or criminals that escaped justice.
Curse-Bringers have can have a "duplicitous" nature, they are likely to be considered Charlatans or Hermits, some come about their abilities through rigorous study of forbidden texts, others may bargain for training with a Hags coven, others may just have the practice passed down through the family like a sideshow at a carnival, they can be considered by local farmers and towns to be wise women or eccentric recluses. What ever their motivations, their principle weapon is the curse, no flashy spells or pyrotechnic displays, just a quiet, whispered word is all they need.
Whatever their motivation, previous employment or background, all Curse-bringers are well versed in Arcana, often crafting their knowledge into far more exotic curses than a common practitioner of magic Their role also lends them to a certain degree of people skills, using their natural charm and charisma to Deceive, Intimidate, Persuade and even Perform. Most are also possessed of a keen insight into the motivation and desires of others and are able to read a person as easily as someone may read a book.
Curse-bringers also often ply their trade as removers of curses, whether they are real or imagined, and they will often try to make unwitting subjects think they need the Curse-Bringers help to remove a malady.
Please do not misinterpret my description, Curse-bringers are not necessarily evil....more opportunistic, quick to pounce on the concerns or self doubt of others and exploit them. A Curse-bringer often says "the best curse is one the victim chooses for themselves and that requires no expenditure of magic, sometimes the belief you have been cursed, is enough".
Other spells they employ are ones that debilitate such as Feeblemind, Hold Person and Ray of Enfeeblement, spells to help predict the future (and the subsequent need for the Curse-bringers intervention) such as Augury, Divination and Contact Another Plane. and of course, they also have Remove Curse and would likely offer their services to remove a curse for a price.
Some have even been known to be able to cast curses known to other realms of magic (see: https://www.dndbeyond.com/feats/167378-curse-bringer), gaining these curses through various means but any Curse-bringer of power may find themselves sort out by a "Patron" who offers them some secret knowledge or particularly unusual curse in exchange for some minor service.
A Curse-bringers overall appearance can vary wildly, as can races that pick up the practice, a well dressed human noble may work their curses in secret to thwart the rivals, whilst a Wood Elf clad in furs and hide may openly curse those that encroach on the wild. Some may be festooned with vials of grave dirt and glyph inscribed bones or stones, others may work a deck of cards that resembles the legendary Deck of Many things.
This brings my little overview to an end, if you would like to count yourself among the ranks of the Curse-bringers then please feel free and remember, Necromancy is much more than other spell casters believe.
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out of character bit first, I'm going to try to expand on Necromancy to make it a little more than the undead raising stereotype, I've written what follows as an "in character" style but I've included some references to spells and skills and popped in a coupe of links to some homebrew bits I created, this is a continuation of my previous thread: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/class-forums/wizard/45953-a-primer-for-those-thinking-of-taking-up), but listed here so you don't have to scroll through huge amounts of infomattion....as always, questions, comments or general feedback welcome.
Right lets get on with it.....
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Welcome back brothers and sisters, pull up a pew, a cushion, a coffin or a cold hard slab of a sarcophagus.
Today, I would like to take you on a little journey as we commence a review of different types of Necromancer for we are many and varied.
I'll start with an overview of the Curse-Bringers.
The Curse-bringer is a necromancer who specializes in curses. Some are malevolent and indiscriminate, blighting crops, cattle and people on a whim, others are practitioners that hire themselves out to jilted lovers and bitter merchants, while others may seek to only curse those that they deem deserve it such as corrupt officials or criminals that escaped justice.
Curse-Bringers have can have a "duplicitous" nature, they are likely to be considered Charlatans or Hermits, some come about their abilities through rigorous study of forbidden texts, others may bargain for training with a Hags coven, others may just have the practice passed down through the family like a sideshow at a carnival, they can be considered by local farmers and towns to be wise women or eccentric recluses. What ever their motivations, their principle weapon is the curse, no flashy spells or pyrotechnic displays, just a quiet, whispered word is all they need.
Whatever their motivation, previous employment or background, all Curse-bringers are well versed in Arcana, often crafting their knowledge into far more exotic curses than a common practitioner of magic Their role also lends them to a certain degree of people skills, using their natural charm and charisma to Deceive, Intimidate, Persuade and even Perform. Most are also possessed of a keen insight into the motivation and desires of others and are able to read a person as easily as someone may read a book.
Curse-bringers also often ply their trade as removers of curses, whether they are real or imagined, and they will often try to make unwitting subjects think they need the Curse-Bringers help to remove a malady.
Please do not misinterpret my description, Curse-bringers are not necessarily evil....more opportunistic, quick to pounce on the concerns or self doubt of others and exploit them. A Curse-bringer often says "the best curse is one the victim chooses for themselves and that requires no expenditure of magic, sometimes the belief you have been cursed, is enough".
Spells:
The Curse-bringers spell of choice is the level 3 spell: Bestow Curse and they have many unique applications of the spell at their disposal (see: https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/226363-alternative-uses-of-bestow-curse).
Other spells they employ are ones that debilitate such as Feeblemind, Hold Person and Ray of Enfeeblement, spells to help predict the future (and the subsequent need for the Curse-bringers intervention) such as Augury, Divination and Contact Another Plane. and of course, they also have Remove Curse and would likely offer their services to remove a curse for a price.
Some have even been known to be able to cast curses known to other realms of magic (see: https://www.dndbeyond.com/feats/167378-curse-bringer), gaining these curses through various means but any Curse-bringer of power may find themselves sort out by a "Patron" who offers them some secret knowledge or particularly unusual curse in exchange for some minor service.
A Curse-bringers overall appearance can vary wildly, as can races that pick up the practice, a well dressed human noble may work their curses in secret to thwart the rivals, whilst a Wood Elf clad in furs and hide may openly curse those that encroach on the wild. Some may be festooned with vials of grave dirt and glyph inscribed bones or stones, others may work a deck of cards that resembles the legendary Deck of Many things.
This brings my little overview to an end, if you would like to count yourself among the ranks of the Curse-bringers then please feel free and remember, Necromancy is much more than other spell casters believe.