Casting this spell requires the caster to also be able to cast the following spells: Animate Dead, Create Undead, Danse Macabre, Life Transference and Soul Cage.

By enacting the grand rite of the Fields of the Dead a caster can infuse a 1 mile radius with powerful necrotic energy pulled from the Shadowfell. Doing so either causes all dead creatures within the are to rise as either a skeleton or a zombie (depending on their decomposition/DM's decision) or allows the caster to re-exert control over all undead they have previously created within 1 mile of them.

Casting this spell with a spell slot has a casting time of 1 hour but this spell can also be cast as a ritual requiring 24 hours to complete. The soul required to cast this spell is consumed by the spell as it is started.

Casting this spell is not without risk to the caster. At the conclusion of the spell or if the casting fails (for instance by being Counter-spelled)  or if the caster loses concentration on the casting (by taking damage etc) they take 20d6 Necrotic damage to which resistance/Immunity to Necrotic damage does not apply as they open themselves up as a conduit for the energies of the Shadowfell, should this damage reduce the caster to zero or fewer hit points they die and animate as a Zombie one round later.

Creatures raised as Skeletons have the following modifications: +2 Dex, -4 Int, -4 Cha, Vulnerable to bludgeoning damage; immune to poison damage and exhaustion; can't be poisoned; Darkvision 60ft.; can't speak but understands the languages it knew in life.

Creatures raised as Zombies have the following modifications: +1 Str, +2 Con, -6 Int, -4 Wis, -4 Cha, Undead Fortitude (as per Zombie in the Monster Manual); immune to poison damage; can't be poisoned; Darkvision 60ft.; can't speak but understands the languages it knew in life.