The developers wanted to preserve the feeling of necromancy's power while limiting overly rapid army growth. In Olden Era, necromancy affects all your units but only raises creatures that are already present in the army. The number of raised creatures depends on the total health pool of enemies killed in battle. Necropolis is one of three familiar early access Factions (along with Temple and Dungeon), led by the Head of Necromancers' Guild. Shadowspire undead are raised after every battle and weaken enemies with each strike. Source: Devlog #4.
Necromancy as a Science of Death
In the lore section of the journal, necromancy is described not simply as death magic, but as an applied science of death. Its roots are linked to alchemy and dark magical practices. Necromancer study death, the fate of the spirit after death, strive to perfect the resurrection of the dead, overcome the limitations of traditional spiritual magic, and achieve immortality.
The Necromancers' Guild
The Necromancers' Guild operates worldwide, but its branches in different lands and on different continents are autonomous and vary in structure. In Jadame, the guild has no single solid governing body and is more like a support network. In Antagarich, its members rule the feudal monarchy of Deyja, and in Enroth they are subjects of the crown and Mandate of Heaven, although the population accepts them with difficulty.
Jadame Branches and Shadowspire
The most famous and militarily powerful branch is located in the Shadowspire region in eastern Jadame, but there are other branches, including one on the islands of the Ifarine Sea. Today, Shadowspire is an important fortress for necromancers; however, it is under the strong influence of vampires. The cultures of necromancers and vampires are separate yet intertwined, and their cooperation has lasted for several centuries.
Thant, Korbu, and Galthran
- Lord Thant is not native to Jadame but became an important figure in Shadowspire. He is described as a powerful practitioner and researcher of Nightshade Magic; his developments helped vampires in their struggle against the sun and earned him the favor of Nosferatu Korbu.
- Thant's policies helped bridge the gap between necromancers and ordinary people: many living inhabitants of the Jadame lands trust necromancers with the remains of the deceased, and sometimes their funeral rites help the spirit ascend.
- Galthran is described as recently turned and very young by vampire standards, ambitious and warlike. His experiments with transforming skeletons are called both admirable and risky.
Religious Ties
Necromancer prefer the Church of the Moon over solar clerics. Many moon clerics practice necromancy and use undead in their armies, while religious members of the Guild often follow the Moon faith or its offshoot, the Path of Dark.