View source for Necromancer

{{stub/Lore}}
[[File:Orcnecromancer.jpg|Orc necromancer|thumb]]
[[File:WC3Necromancer.jpg|Scourge necromancer|thumb]]

'''Necromancers''' are practitioners of [[necromancy]], the study and use of [[magic]] to raise and control the dead. Necromancers are the enemies of life itself, and all hands are raised against them.<ref>''[[Ultimate Visual Guide]]''</ref>

== Arcane mysteries ==
"'''''...practitioners of unspeakable magic, macabre manipulators of life and death: necromancers.'''''"<ref>[[Paragons]] pg. 545 on iBooks</ref>

Arcane mysteries are the mysteries of life and death.<ref>[[Warcraft II manual#The Rise of the Shadow Council|Warcraft II manual - The Rise of the Shadow Council]]</ref> Death, in the form of [[necromantic magic]], acts as a counterbalance to Life. It is an unavoidable force that breeds despair in mortal hearts and pushes everything toward a state of entropic decay and eventual oblivion. It is said that the only way to ensure the saving of another is the [[sacrifice]] of life.<ref>{{Quest|In the Hands of the Perverse}}</ref> [[Sacrificial magic]] was considered the greatest violation of life and the energies of Life, known commonly as [[nature magic]], promote growth and renewal in all things.<ref name=":0">''[[World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1]]'' pg. 16-17 on iBooks</ref> However, energies can be so chaotic that they manifest as [[entropic horror]]s, pure [[fel magic]] given form to lash out at all life.<ref>{{Quest|Collecting Corruption}}</ref> To fuel fel magic, but an insignificant sacrifice--a living fish or two, a few strands of seaweed--is required.

== Mages ==
Mages of the arcane are diviners of secrets, balancing the ebb and flow of incredible mystic energies. Unparalleled skill is required to manipulate the volatile forces of the universe. These practitioners push their magical knowledge to its very limits—often to the brink of their own exhaustion, and at great risk to the world around them. Those who master this craft are capable of releasing a barrage of unrelenting power upon their enemies, drawing upon replenishing energies to maintain their assault for as long as the battle demands.<ref>[http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/19941177/ World of Warcraft > Legion Class Preview Series: Mage]</ref>

Because the magi's arcane mysteries are necromantic mysteries (the mysteries of life and death), it can be stated that the magi's arcane magic is necromantic: If necromancy is a school of (or from) arcane magic, arcane magic is a magic that relates to necromancy and is therefore necromantic: of, from, or relating to, necromancy (or necromancers).

=== Warlocks ===
<gallery captionalign="center" hidebuttonadd="false" position="center">
File:Drom'kor, Timewalker Necrolyte.jpg|Drom'kor, Timewalker Necrolyte: "I could use the timeways to cheat death, but why bother when there are more elegant ways?"
File:Kena Shadowbrand.jpg|Kena Shadowbrand:Warlocks have the ability to convert their own life force into rewards - both material and evanescent.
File:Zenith Shadowforce.jpg|Zenith Shadowforce: "I have drunk the life energies of my bitterest enemy, and they were sweet beyond the telling."
</gallery>
Warlocks, the equivalent to mages,<ref>[https://twitter.com/gryphonrose/status/705872170057121792 Aaron Rosenberg on Twitter]</ref> are magical practitioners who seek to understand darker, fel-based magics, including destructive spells.<ref>''[[Ultimate Visual Guide]]'' pg. 21</ref> According to the Blizzard employee known as [[Justin Parker]], warlocks have overlapping abilities with necromancers but pursue a discipline different from them.<ref>[https://twitter.com/adjutantjupa/status/497560194461622272 Justin Parker on Twitter]</ref> However, if warlocks have necromantic abilities (the abilities of necromancers) and practice necromancy, they are necromancers (practitioners of necromancy). If (key word: if) warlocks aren't necromancers and pursue a discipline different from necromancers, this "different discipline" has yet to be revealed. 
[[File:World of Warcraft Cinematic Trailer|centre|thumb|330x330px]]
In the face of demonic power (or warlock magics)<ref>[[Orcish History (After the Second War)#Lethargy and Internment|Orcish History (After the Second War) - Lethargy and Internment]]: Researching what little he could find of Orcish history, Antonidas learned that the Orcs had been under the crippling influence of demonic power (or warlock magics) for generations.</ref>, most heroes see death. Warlocks see only opportunity. Their aim is dominance and in the dark arts, they have found a path to it.<ref>[http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/class/warlock World of Warcraft > Game Guide > Classes > Warlock]</ref> Demonic power would exist in - and be derived from - the Twisting Nether because demons (and the demonic powers they contain) are from the Twisting Nether. However, when someone asked if perhaps warlocks were harnessing their power from the Twisting Nether, Sean Copeland—Blizzard's very own Lead Historian—, replied, “No, that’d be magi, IIRC. They gain power by the destruction of another source (recall the undead warlock in original cinematic).<ref>[[Archived lore tweets from Loreology]]</ref> Additionally, the Blizzard employee stated that demons contain fel magic, but aren't "the" source.<ref>[http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1527880-Thinking-with-Fel-Magic?p=27374044&viewfull=1#post27374044 MMO-Champion >> Forum >> World of Warcraft >> Lore >> Thinking with Fel Magic]</ref><ref><s>[https://twitter.com/Loreology/status/442542950745001985 Sean Copeland on Twitter]</s></ref> As such, the warlock class or the warlocks' discipline seems non-canon to Justin Parker and Sean Copeland. Warlocks don't get their demonic fel magic from demons (the source of demonic fel magic) and warlocks don't get their power from the Twisting Nether (the source of demons).
<gallery captionalign="center" hidebuttonadd="false" position="center">
File:Demonic Knowledge.jpg|Demonic Knowledge: "Everything has a cost. Everything." - Plague Fleshbane
File:Demonic Soulstone.jpg|Demonic Soulstone: "You're done when I say you're done." - Victor Baltus
File:Demonologist's Pact.jpg|Demonologist's Pact: "Look at me wrong, fool, and my minions will tear a hole in your soul!" - Gladiator Kileana
</gallery>
The warlocks' discipline/knowledge is demonic and demons know how to raise undead.<ref>[https://twitter.com/muffinus/status/611774499902455808 Jeremy Feasel on Twitter]</ref> This isn't to state that warlocks do raise undead but it does, however, raise the questions: How do warlocks know how to raise the dead and do they control the dead? By their very nature, demons are leeches on the living universe—but the demonologist has mastered harnessing the power of these malefic beings on the field of battle. Warlocks harvest the souls of their defeated enemies; those specialized in the ways of demonology use this life essence to tap into the Void, pulling all manner of abomination from the chaos of the Twisting Nether. While such a practice is often considered by outsiders to be wicked and reckless, the demonologist maintains absolute control over the summoned creatures. These malignant entities are fully beholden to—and empowered by—the will of the warlock, until banished to the realm from whence they came.<ref>[http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/19955662/ World of Warcraft > Legion Class Preview Series: Warlock]</ref>
<gallery captionalign="center" hidebuttonadd="false" position="center">
File:Curse of Doom.jpg|A doomguard rising out of a victim of the warlocks' Curse of Doom spell. 
File:Rulrin.jpg|The imp Rulrin while phase shifted into the Twisting Nether.
File:Shadows of Death.jpg|A warlock casting Shadows of Death, presumably in order to bring his demonic minion back from the dead.
</gallery>
Demons would be non-physical entities (incorporeal spirits<em>—</em>which are undead) because demons are from the Twisting Nether, an astral dimension separate from the physical universe. The physical is separate from the non-physical and if demons are physical beings, they would not be able to exist in a non-physical place. However, despite knowing that demons can't be physical beings who exist in a place separate from the physical universe, Matt Burns<em>—</em>Writer at Blizzard Entertainment<em>—</em>stated that he thinks there is physical stuff in TN when he was asked if demons are non-physical beings that warlocks can give physical shells to.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Burnzerker/status/712004834640048128 Matt Burns on Twitter]</ref> Presumably, he stated this because warlocks would be necromancers.

== Notable necromancers ==
{| class="darktable"
|-
! colspan="4" |{{wow-inline}} [[World of Warcraft]]
|-
! Name !! Role !! Condition !! Magical Field
|-
|{{Combat Icon Small}} [??] {{RaceIconExt|Necromancer}}{{RaceIcon|Lich|Male}} {{NPC||Kel'Thuzad}}
|Master of [[Naxxramas]] and [[Lich King]] majordomo; Final boss of [[Naxxramas]] and First Of The [[Necromancer]]s
| Defeatable
|{{RuneIcon|Frost}}Frost [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|-
|{{mob|Dar'Khan Drathir|level=21+|smallicon=IconSmall Dar'khan.gif}}
| Master of the Scourge in Quel'Thalas
| <font color="purple">Undead</font>-<font color="orange">Killable</font>
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow
|-
|{{mob|Gothik the Harvester|level=??|smallicon=IconSmall Necromancer.gif}}
|Second boss in [[The Military Quarter]] of [[Naxxramas]]
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow [[File:Spell Arcane Blast.png|18px]]Arcane
|-
|{{mob|Heigan the Unclean|level=??|smallicon=IconSmall Necromancer.gif}}
|Second boss in [[The Plague Quarter]] of [[Naxxramas]]
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow [[File:Spell Nature AbolishMagic.png|18px]]Nature
|-
|{{mob|Noth the Plaguebringer|level=??|smallicon=IconSmall Cultist Male.gif}}
|First boss in [[The Plague Quarter]] of [[Naxxramas]]
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow [[File:Spell Arcane Blast.png|18px]]Arcane
|-
|{{mob|Salramm the Fleshcrafter|level=78/82|smallicon=IconSmall Necromancer.gif}}
|Second boss in [[The Culling of Stratholme]] instance in the [[Caverns of Time]]
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|-
|{{mob|Dalronn the Controller|level=72/82|smallicon=IconSmall Necromancer.gif}}
|Second/third boss in the [[Utgarde Keep_(instance)|Utgarde Keep]] instance
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|-
|{{mob|Maleki the Pallid|level=61|smallicon=IconSmall Cultist Male.gif}}
|Boss in the Undead Side of [[Stratholme]]; Death required to kill [[Baron Rivendare]]
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| {{RuneIcon|Frost}}Frost [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow
|-
|{{mob|Darkmaster Gandling|level=61|smallicon=IconSmall Arugal.gif}}
|Headmaster of [[Scholomance]]
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow [[File:Spell Arcane Blast.png|18px]]Arcane
|-
|{{mob|Doctor Theolen Krastinov|level=60|smallicon=IconSmall Cultist Male.gif}}
|Boss in [[Scholomance]]
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| {{ClassIcon|Warrior|Small}}Physical [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow
|-
|{{mob|Kormok|level=60|smallicon=IconSmall Ogre Mage.gif}}
|Boss in [[Scholomance]]; Holder of a piece of [[Lord Valthalak's Amulet]]
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|-
|{{mob|Instructor Malicia|level=60|smallicon=IconSmall HighElf Female.gif}}
| Scourge instructor and boss in [[Scholomance]]
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| [[File:Spell Holy HolyBolt.png|18px]]Holy [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow [[File:Spell Arcane Blast.png|18px]]Arcane
|-
|{{mob|Morbent Fel|level=32|smallicon=IconSmall Human Male.gif}}
|Leads the [[undead]] in [[Raven Hill Cemetery]], [[Duskwood]]
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|-
|{{mob|Naberius|level=69|smallicon=IconSmall Lich Male.gif}}
|Raised the entire village of [[Kirin'Var Village]], [[Netherstorm]]
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| [[File:Spell Frost IceStorm.png|18px]]Ice
|-
|{{mob|Zalazane|level=10|smallicon=IconSmall Troll Male.gif}}
| Occupies the [[Echo Isles]]
| style="color:orange" |Defeatable
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow [[File:Spell Nature AbolishMagic.png|18px]]Nature {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|-
|{{mob|Thule Ravenclaw|level=20+|smallicon=IconSmall Human Male.gif}}
| Master of [[Fenris Keep]]
| style="color:orange" |Killable
| [[File:Spell Fire Fireball02.png|18px]]Fire {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy [[File:APB Warlock Demonology.png|16px]]Demonic
|-
|{{NPC|alliance|Abercrombie|level=35|smallicon=IconSmall Human Male.gif}}
|Quest giver in [[Raven Hill Cemetery]], [[Duskwood]]
| style="color:limegreen" |Alive
| {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|-
|{{NPC|horde|Helcular|level=44+|smallicon=IconSmall Undead Male.gif}}
|Apprentice to Kel'Thuzad, killed while transforming into a lich in a cave near [[Southshore]]
| <font color="purple">Undead</font>
| {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|}
{| class="darktable"
|-
! colspan="4" |[[Lore]]-only
|-
! Name !! Role !! Condition !! Magical Field
|-
| [[File:IconSmall Lich Male.gif]] [[Abrakkar the Wretched]]
| Scourge Commander
| style="color:red" |Dead
| {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|-
| [[Al'satt]]
| Role unknown
| style="color:white" |Unknown
| Unknown
|-
|[[File:IconSmall Human Male.gif]] [[Diodor the Damned]]
| Early member of the Cult of the Damned
| style="color:red" |Dead
| {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|-
| [[Gul'zakar]]
| Role unknown
| style="color:white" |Unknown
| Unknown
|-
|[[File:IconSmall NerubianVizier.gif]] [[Mael Shelub]]
| Independent, last seen in [[Silverpine Forest]]
| style="color:limegreen" |Alive
| {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|-
|[[File:IconSmall Troll Male.gif]] [[Nazaruul]]
| Stationed at [[Plaguelands]]
| style="color:red" |Dead
| {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|-
|[[File:IconSmall Human Female.gif]] [[Pai Stormbringer]]
| Leader of the Cult of the Damned
| style="color:limegreen" |Alive
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow &amp; [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 05.png|18px]]Death
|-
| [[Ru'sad]]
| In charge of the undead forces found in [[Zul'Aman]]
| style="color:white" |Unknown
| Unknown
|-
| [[Toren Snapjoint]]
| Role unknown
| style="color:white" |Unknown
| {{RuneIcon|Unholy}}Unholy
|-
| [[File:IconSmall HighElf Male.gif]] [[Ul'haik Hadanot]]
| Leader of the Cult of the Damned
| style="color:limegreen" |Alive
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow &amp; [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 05.png|18px]]Death
|-
|[[File:IconSmall NerubianVizier.gif]] [[Vasilii]]
| Role unknown
| style="color:limegreen" |Alive
| [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 03.png|18px]] Shadow &amp; [[File:Ability Creature Cursed 05.png|18px]]Death
|}

Necromancers in WoW can also be found guarding [[Ziggurat]]s in place of [[crypt fiend]]s. Without nearby corpses to manipulate, however, they lack suitable combat skills.

== Warcraft III ==
{{WC3-section}}See also [[Quotes_of_Warcraft_III/Undead_Scourge#Necromancer|''Warcraft III'' Necromancer Quotes]]: [[File:heigan the Unclean.jpg|thumb|[[Heigan the Unclean]] has a striking resemblance to the WCIII necromancer.]]From [http://classic.battle.net/war3/undead/units/necromancer.shtml Necromancer] at [http://classic.battle.net/ Battle.net]:
:''Though they retained their Humanity after making a pact with death, Necromancers became the most terrifying agents of the Scourge. These dark, insidious men were once thought to be aspiring geniuses by the [[Magocracy of Dalaran]]. However, their insatiable lust to delve into the secrets of the dark arts drove them to forsake their very souls. [[Ner'zhul]], the [[Lich King]], granted these malevolent sorcerers true power over the dead in exchange for their loyalty and obedience. The shadowy Necromancers have the power to command various types of Undead and even spread the foul undead plague as well.''

== World of Warcraft ==
{{Wow-section}}
=== Necromancers in World of Warcraft ===
{{Outdated-section|Needs more named ones.}}
*[[Acherus Necromancer]] {{wotlk-inline}} - The [[Scarlet Enclave]], [[Eastern Plaguelands]]
*[[Anub'ar Necromancer]] {{wotlk-inline}} - [[Azjol-Nerub]], [[Dragonblight]]
*[[Auchenai Necromancer]] {{bc-inline}} - [[Auchenai Crypts]], [[Terokkar Forest]]
*[[Blackrock Necromancer]] {{cata-inline}} - [[Dreadmaul Rock]], [[Burning Steppes]]
*[[Burning Depths Necromancer]] {{title|Cult of the Damned}} {{wotlk-inline}} - [[Obsidian Dragonshrine]], [[Dragonblight]]
*[[Dark Necromancer]] {{wotlk-inline}} - [[Culling of Stratholme]], [[Caverns of Time]]
*[[Death's Head Necromancer]] - [[Razorfen Downs]], The [[Barrens]]
*[[Deatholme Necromancer]] {{bc-inline}} - [[Deatholme]], [[Ghostlands]]
*[[Decrepit Necromancer]] {{wotlk-inline}} - Northeast [[Dragonblight]]
*[[En'kilah Necromancer]] {{wotlk-inline}} - [[Temple City of En'kilah]], [[Borean Tundra]]
*{{mob|Necromancer (mob)|Cult of the Damned|Necromancer}} - [[Stratholme]], [[Eastern Plaguelands]]
*[[Frigid Necromancer]] {{title|Cult of the Damned}} {{wotlk-inline}} - [[Ruby Dragonshrine]], [[Dragonblight]]
*[[Gor'vosh Necromancer]] {{warlords-inline}} - [[Ashran]]
*[[Malefic Necromancer]] {{wotlk-inline}} - Southeastern [[Icecrown]]
*[[Master Necromancer]] {{wotlk-inline}} - [[Culling of Stratholme]], [[Caverns of Time]]
*[[Outcast Necromancer]] - [[Desolace]]
*[[Redpine Necromancer]] {{cata-inline}} - [[Western Plaguelands]]
*[[Scholomance Necromancer]] - [[Scholomance]], [[Western Plaguelands]]
*[[Scourge Necromancer]] {{wotlk-inline}} - [[Acherus: The Ebon Hold]], [[Eastern Plaguelands]]
*[[Thuzadin Necromancer]] - Stratholme, Eastern Plaguelands
*[[Ymirjar Necromancer]] {{wotlk-inline}} - [[Utgarde Pinnacle]], [[Howling Fjord]]
*[[Shadowy Necromancer]] {{bc-inline}} - [[Hyjal Summit]], [[Caverns of Time]], [[Tanaris]]

;Named
*{{NPC|Horde|Gunther Arcanus|Lich}}

== In the RPG ==
{{RPG-section}}Necromancers are spellcasters whose magics manipulate the power of death. In calling upon this power, necromancers risk being consumed by it — until eventually they join the ranks of the undead.<ref>''[[Alliance & Horde Compendium]]'', 35</ref> Necromancers twist arcane magic to manipulate the power of death. Commanding the undead, generally in the service of the Scourge, they gradually take on the characteristics of the dead — hollow eyes, shambling gaits, pallid and sunken skin, foul odors and so forth.<ref>''[[World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]]'', 60</ref> A few necromancers are [[Uncorrupted Necromancer|uncorrupted]]<ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', 14-15</ref> and the most experienced necromancers become [[epic necromancer]]s.<ref>''[[Shadows & Light]]'', 21</ref>

=== Forsaken necromancer ===
The Dark Lady, {{NPC||Sylvanas Windrunner}}, realized how valuable necromancy was to their cause. Though [[Forsaken]] heal naturally, many go to the [[priest]]s of the [[Cult of Forgotten Shadow|Forgotten Shadow]] for "repairs". Necromancers can also free enslaved, mindless undead and research powerful spells that might one day return the Forsaken to life. Sylvanas knew she needed necromancers to heal, strengthen and replace her people, and she set about wooing necromancers away from the Scourge, mainly by force.<ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', 90</ref>

== Media ==
{{cleanup-section}}
=== Videos ===
<gallery captionalign="center">
File:WoW Pro Lore Kel'Thuzad and the Forming of the Scourge|Kel'Thuzad, a necromancer
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== See also ==
* [[Necrolyte]]
* [[Necromantic magic]]
* {{object|The Schools of Arcane Magic - Necromancy}}

== External links ==
;Lore

{{elink|type=wowinsider|link=http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/07/28/know-your-lore-the-color-of-magic/|desc=Know Your Lore: The color of magic|bydate=by {{wowinsider|Anne Stickney}} Jul 28th 2013 8:00PM}}



{{religions}}
{{WoW RPG classes}}

[[fr:Nécromancien]]
[[pl:Necromancer]]




[[File:Gunther Arcanus The Most Powerful Undead Forsaken - Warcraft Lore-3|thumb|center|670 px]]
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