Candlekeep Forum
Candlekeep Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Active Polls | Members | Private Messages | Search | FAQ
Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Forgotten Realms Journals
 General Forgotten Realms Chat
 Your Favorite Male Necromancer (In All Settings)
 New Topic  New Poll New Poll
 Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Next Page
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic
Page: of 6

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  11:39:01  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote  Delete Topic
Poll Question:


Why males only? Before you even entertain the thought that I'm being sexist, know that I already started (not too long ago) a thread about female necromancers of note.

I noticed that Xar Zarath and I are not the only ones who are fascinated by or do like necromancers. So I thought this is a nice poll to have. I ask that you also state your reason/s for your choice, or lack thereof. It doesn't have to be because they are the most powerful or the most accomplished practitioner of the dreaded type of magic: necromancy. We like certain characters for various reasons. (Heck, Drizzt is hardly the most powerful mortal in Toril---Szass Tam could literally crush him by lifting just a finger---yet a lot of people have been adoring him for decades.) Some of the following necromancers might be unknown to you, or you only know by name. Hence, I'm providing a brief background of each---what novels did they appear in, their personalities, feats, etc. Some of them I copied/paraphrased from various sites, and others I made as I recalled them.

Needless to say, but I will say it nonetheless, be warned of spoilers.

Nagash - the Great Necromancer. He was the first Necromancer, and was arguably one of the most powerful Magic users of all time in the Warhammer world. He caused the destruction of the civilization of Nehekhara and brought about the creation of the Undead, notably creating the first 11 Vampires of which only 7 are known to the man of the present day, and also unintentionally raised the Tomb Kings from their rest. He is himself a Liche able to command the undead. Nagash was born two thousand years before the time of Sigmar in the mighty civilization known as Nehekhara. His father was King Khetep of the 3rd Dynasty, ruler of Khemri and all Nehekhara.

As a young man he joined the Mortuary Cult (a priesthood dedicated to the veneration of the dead and the magical prolonging of life) and became a leading figure in the cult. Nagash was ambitious, and despite rising to the rank of High Priest of Khemri, the cult's highest position, he coveted his father's throne. He once bound the Daughter of the Sun, Neferem, the covenant made flesh, whose spirit bound all the gods of Nehekhara. Using her as a weapon, he became practically invincible even to the gods themselves.

Nagash is the star in Mike Lee's Nagash Trilogy, one of the series in Warhammer's Time of Legends. [I'm still in chapters 5 of Book One, Nagash the Sorcerer. So to those who've read all three books, feel free to share your thoughts.]

Zayl - is a Necromancer from Richard A. Knaak's novels The Kingdom of Shadow and Moon of the Spider. He is a handsome man with a kind heart, sometimes too kind. He carries the undead skull of Humbart Wessel in his pouch for company and for aid in times of need, along with an ivory dagger crafted from Trag'Oul sealed to Zayl's soul. His right was burnt after an “accident” ----there's scarcely a sinew that clings to the bones. So as not to scare people who are already afraid of and repulsed by necromancers, he wears a glove to cover it. Many tend to underestimate him because of his appearance. One of his most interesting spells that have been revealed so far are a magnet-like force that sucks the elements, like lightning, and releases that captured power to his foe. Another is the “soul-stealer” that calls the shade of a recently deceased being and uses it to grab the soul of anyone alive that Zayl targets and sends that soul to the afterlife.

Rathma - He is described as having "too perfect features,” a trait present in all nephalem. His skin is a pale white and his hair is black. Rathma is a very calm and rational man. He is not cold or uncaring, but he rarely displays emotion and thus comes off as such. In addition to the powers necromancers possess such as raising and communicating with the dead, unleashing Teeth and Bone Spear among other things, he is also shown to have two other distinctive powers. This power might stem from his close ties toTrag'Oul. The second is his ability to read sensations of people, which is similar to reading thoughts. He appeared in Richard A. Knaak's Sin War Trilogy.

Svogthir - was the parun and guildmaster of the Golgari Swarm in the plane of Ravnica. He ruled his guild from before the signing of the Guildpact and remained in charge of it for thousands of years, surviving through his mastery of necromancy, which he used to become a lich lord. The only original part of his body was his head, which became indestructible. He appeared in Cory J. Herndon's Ravnica Cycle.

Sidi, aka Leso Varen – is a mad magician of terrible power and subtle craft. He almost toppled the government of the great Empire of Kesh and Kelewan's Empire of Tsuranuani. What truly makes Sidi terrifying is his resourcefulness. He doesn't rely only on his power. Despite his eminent madness, he knows damn well how to play his games. That's why even the great sorcerer Pug had a tremendously difficult time effacing him from Midkemia, and from the universe at large. Who would have thought he's mad enough to possess the Emperor of Kesh?!

He appeared in several novels by Raymond E. Feist, but he was most active in the Darkwar Saga. He's like Manshoon for having cleverly eluded death or complete destruction for so many times.

Karybdus – a powerful necromancer in Richard A. Knaak's Moon of the Spider. He wears an ensorcelled armor that is impervious to nearly everything. Like all people in his order, he is good in hiding his emotions behind a facade of calmness. The only time that he showed emotion was when the untrained sorceress Salene ruined his plan of ensuring the preservation of Balance in the world. His repertoire of spells would make even Szass Tam (slightly) envious. Unlike other necromancers, he could remain standing and only feel a little bit weakened even if he consistently uses so many spells---thanks to his self-made spell that allows him to steal the souls of other people.

Matris Drayke – He's the protagonist in Gail Z. Martin's Chronicles of the Necromancer. He (and he alone) once summoned hundreds of spirits to help him win a war against his brother. He's a compassionate and level-headed prince, and of course, good-looking. Being the grandson of the late Bava K'aa, the most powerful sorceress in the history of Winter Kingdoms, it comes with no surprise that in his blood runs strong, raw magic that has saved his life and his friends' countless times. He was trained by his grandmother at a very young age, but she made him forget all his training until the time came when he would need it. Unfortunately, that time was long after her death. So he was to figure it out alone how he could use his gift...until he learned of the Sisterhood of magic-users in a neighboring kingdom. With the Sisterhood's help, he was able to recall and relearn some of the things Bava K'aa taught him.


Choices:

Nagash
Szass Tam
Zayl
Sammaster
Rathma
Sidi, aka Leso Varen
Karybdus
Velsharoon (before ascension)
Matris Drayke
Aumvor the Undying
Svogthir
Others

(Anonymous Vote)

Every beginning has an end.

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  11:40:13  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Here are other necromancers who didn't make it in the options but who might be of interest to you:

Ysuran Auondril - lived in the Moon elf city of Evereska. He was a noble there and was related to the ruling family of Evereska. He was exiled from the city for his deeds. Adrianna also came from Evereska but Ysuran lived there about two hundred years before her. Ysuran joined Eldreth Veluuthra and tried to commit genocide against any human. This gave him the motivation to learn Necromancy and he traveled to Zarad's Clock Tower to do so, there he learned Necromancy from Zarad Duskmarrow. Ysuran has chosen evocation as his school of opposition and thus cannot use some of the traditional spells like fireball and lightning bolt. He is, however, a master of magic pertaining to the creation, dictation and destruction of life force. Some of his more potent spells focus on draining his opponents and augmenting himself, or channeling dark energy that can inflict death to any enemy, and he can also summon undead creatures to assist him in combat.

Xzar - was an insane wizard and a member of the Zhentarim. He was quite unbalanced and would randomly spout gibberish at unpredictable moments. He was sent to the Baldur's Gate area during the iron crisis with his "colleague" Montaron. In the Baldur's Gate novelization, Xzar saved Abdel Adrian from a horde of gibberlings with an odd magical device or spell of his making. He and Montaron both accompanied Adrian to the "Friendly Arms Inn" and from there on to the Nashkel mines.

Zarad Duskmarrow - dwells in a great clock tower hidden in the depths of the Cloak Wood, where it is rumored that he studies chronomancy and other strange arts. Ysuran Auondril served him as an apprentice, and wrote his black tome under his tutelage.

Kartak Spellseer - is a lich, member of the Twisted Rune and bane of his mortal family. Kartak is proud and desires to be recognized for his noble bearing and self-imposed importance. He refuses to associate himself with other undead unless it is necessary to, such as in his dealings with his fellow Twisted Rune members. He is also an unashamed psychopath.

Unlike the others who fell, the Rune didn't know where Kartak's phylactery was. Kartak also had the foresight to place a geas on his mortal servants that in the event of his destruction, they would seek out his remains and place them in a specially prepared sarcophagus that would allow him to exert some limited mind control over someone in the castle. It would take about 150 years before Kartak's mind could find someone who was both weak-willed and unfocussed enough for him to dominate. This person took the form of Chardath Spulzeer who, in 1348 DR succumbed to Kartak's influence and murdered his sister, Marble Spulzeer, in an arcane rite to reanimate the lich's corpse.

Akhlaur – a powerful archwizard in Elaine Cunningham's Counselors and Kings Trilogy, and the cause of Halruaa's near collapse (or radical improvement, depending on which point of view you consider).

Wsoran - Wsoran or W'soran, first of the Necrarch Bloodline, was once a High Priest in Lahmia when he received the elixir of Life from Neferata which turned him in a Vampire. As in his life, in undead he continued to study Necromancy and became not only a potent vampire but a mighty Spellcaster as well. To this purpose, he lock himself up with his books and scrolls to eventually be killed by one of his students, Melkhior.

Melkhior - was a Necrach Vampire and a disciple of Wsoran, the first of the Necrachs. It is therefore likely that Melkhior was once an acolyte of Nagash and was turned vampire by Wsoran. After fleeing Nagashizzar when Alcadizaar had assassinated Nagash, Wsoran and his fellow men, including Melkhior, went into hiding to study Necromancy. Melkhior taught Zacharias everything he knew but never let his student near the Book of Nagash. Melkhior, however, was keen on indulging in "bloodfests" coinciding with fits of insanity. On one such moments, Melkhior returned to his study to find Zacharias reading the Book of Nagash. Melkhior attacked, but Zacharias escaped. He then sent out his dark servants to hunt down Zacharias, who remained out of his grasp.

One day, Zacharias returned to Melkhior's tower on the back of a great Zombie Dragon. A great battle ensued. No-one knows what the result was, some say Melkhior was killed, other say he escaped and hides, plotting his revenge, but the Book of Nagash and the magical wealth that Melkhior had acquired fell into Zacharias' hands.

Zacharias the Everliving - is a Necrach Vampire riding a Zombie Dragon. He is in possession of an original copies of one of the Nine Books of Nagash, containing the knowledge of Nagash, the Great Necromancer. He rules the Forest of Shadows.

Dieter Helsnicht - a potent Necromancer, was driven out of Middenheim in 1207 but returned with his undead forces to be defeated in 1244 at the Battle of Beeckerhoven by a combined Empire and Kislev army. The powerfull and much feared necromancer Dieter Helsnicht, Doom Lord of Middenheim, was once a great wizard living in Middenheim during the early years of the time of the Three Emperors (1152 to 2302 IC). Unfortunately for the citizens, Dieter learned of Kadon, a necromancer living in Mourkain, and decided to visit him. When he was there, he heard of the return of yet a more legendery figure, Nagash himself would have come to life after his defeat against Sigmar. It was a false rumour, Nagash would not stir untill much later in 1681, "the Night of the Restless Dead". This being unknown to Dieter, he travelled further south to Nagashizzar.

Kadon - is an ancient necromancer and the founder of the Mourkain Empire, a human civilisation that thrived long ago before the time of Sigmar. As a young man, Kadon was a shaman, and also the young leader of the Lodringen tribe. After discovering the Crown of Sorcery (which was made by Nagash, the first necromancer) clutched in the hand of the corpse of King Alcadizaar of Khemri (At one time the ruler of all Nehekhara) on the banks of the Blind River, he became obsessed by death and the magic of necromancy.

Heinrich Kemmler - is a great and feared Necromancer. During his unnaturally prolonged lifespan he has assembled a library, the greatest trove of necromantic lore outside Nagashizzar and had been advisor and counselor to kings and princes across the Old World. In the hills beyond Quenelles in Bretonnia his army had smashed the zombie legions of the Council of Nine, an alliance of nine powerful necromancers. In the dark woods beyond the town of Bogenhafen in the western Empire, he had overcome the three Vampire Wizards of Blutwald and all their armies of walking dead. In the crypts beneath castle Vermisace he had overcome the ancient Liche wizard and all his acolytes and was since known as The Lichemaster. But his ambitious rivals eventually succeeded in defeating the Lichemaster, driving him to the edge of death. His body was broken and his mind blasted.

Zhengyi the Witch-King - was once a Red Wizard of Thay, but later became an enormously powerful lich and servant of the demon prince Orcus. In the far north of Vaasa in northeast Faerûn, Zhengyi created Castle Perilous in just one night in 1347 DR, and summoned the various goblins, giants and orcs of the lands to him.

Zhengyi conserved his knowledge by writing it down - several of his books have been found, most often with devastating results. These books are said to even rival Zhengyis greatest accomplishment - his lichdom. A living being triggers the "unreading" of a book. The book then starts to read itself, enacting the magic Zhengyi placed within its pages. Runes appearing in the air above the book and falling into it are translations of life energy, drawn from a spirit caught in a crystal phylactery concealed within the book. That energy fuels the construction. It serves as the living source of power in animating the defense of the construction - undead soldiers, causes the gargoyles of the castle to regenerate on their porches and brings life to flesh and iron golems.

Every beginning has an end.

Edited by - Dennis on 29 Aug 2011 12:10:56
Go to Top of Page

sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11686 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  11:51:59  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis



Why males only? Before you even entertain the thought that I'm being sexist, know that I already started (not too long ago) a thread about female necromancers of note.

I noticed that Xar Zarath and I are not the only ones who are fascinated by or do like necromancers. So I thought this is a nice poll to have. I ask that you also state your reason/s for your choice, or lack thereof. It doesn't have to be because they are the most powerful or the most accomplished practitioner of the dreaded type of magic: necromancy. We like certain characters for various reasons. (Heck, Drizzt is hardly the most powerful mortal in Toril---Szass Tam could literally crush him by lifting just a finger---yet a lot of people have been adoring him for decades.) Some of the following necromancers might be unknown to you, or you only know by name. Hence, I'm providing a brief background of each---what novels did they appear in, their personalities, feats, etc. Some of them I copied/paraphrased from various sites, and others I made as I recalled them.

Needless to say, but I will say it nonetheless, be warned of spoilers.

Nagash - the Great Necromancer. He was the first Necromancer, and was arguably one of the most powerful Magic users of all time in the Warhammer world. He caused the destruction of the civilization of Nehekhara and brought about the creation of the Undead, notably creating the first 11 Vampires of which only 7 are known to the man of the present day, and also unintentionally raised the Tomb Kings from their rest. He is himself a Liche able to command the undead. Nagash was born two thousand years before the time of Sigmar in the mighty civilization known as Nehekhara. His father was King Khetep of the 3rd Dynasty, ruler of Khemri and all Nehekhara.

As a young man he joined the Mortuary Cult (a priesthood dedicated to the veneration of the dead and the magical prolonging of life) and became a leading figure in the cult. Nagash was ambitious, and despite rising to the rank of High Priest of Khemri, the cult's highest position, he coveted his father's throne. He once bound the Daughter of the Sun, Neferem, the covenant made flesh, whose spirit bound all the gods of Nehekhara. Using her as a weapon, he became practically invincible even to the gods themselves.

Nagash is the star in Mike Lee's Nagash Trilogy, one of the series in Warhammer's Time of Legends. [I'm still in chapters 5 of Book One, Nagash the Sorcerer. So to those who've read all three books, feel free to share your thoughts.]

Zayl - is a Necromancer from Richard A. Knaak's novels The Kingdom of Shadow and Moon of the Spider. He is a handsome man with a kind heart, sometimes too kind. He carries the undead skull of Humbart Wessel in his pouch for company and for aid in times of need, along with an ivory dagger crafted from Trag'Oul sealed to Zayl's soul. His right was burnt after an “accident” ----there's scarcely a sinew that clings to the bones. So as not to scare people who are already afraid of and repulsed by necromancers, he wears a glove to cover it. Many tend to underestimate him because of his appearance. One of his most interesting spells that have been revealed so far are a magnet-like force that sucks the elements, like lightning, and releases that captured power to his foe. Another is the “soul-stealer” that calls the shade of a recently deceased being and uses it to grab the soul of anyone alive that Zayl targets and sends that soul to the afterlife.

Rathma - He is described as having "too perfect features,” a trait present in all nephalem. His skin is a pale white and his hair is black. Rathma is a very calm and rational man. He is not cold or uncaring, but he rarely displays emotion and thus comes off as such. In addition to the powers necromancers possess such as raising and communicating with the dead, unleashing Teeth and Bone Spear among other things, he is also shown to have two other distinctive powers. This power might stem from his close ties toTrag'Oul. The second is his ability to read sensations of people, which is similar to reading thoughts. He appeared in Richard A. Knaak's Sin War Trilogy.

Svogthir - was the parun and guildmaster of the Golgari Swarm in the plane of Ravnica. He ruled his guild from before the signing of the Guildpact and remained in charge of it for thousands of years, surviving through his mastery of necromancy, which he used to become a lich lord. The only original part of his body was his head, which became indestructible. He appeared in Cory J. Herndon's Ravnica Cycle.

Sidi, aka Leso Varen – is a mad magician of terrible power and subtle craft. He almost toppled the government of the great Empire of Kesh and Kelewan's Empire of Tsuranuani. What truly makes Sidi terrifying is his resourcefulness. He doesn't rely only on his power. Despite his eminent madness, he knows damn well how to play his games. That's why even the great sorcerer Pug had a tremendously difficult time effacing him from Midkemia, and from the universe at large. Who would have thought he's mad enough to possess the Emperor of Kesh?!

He appeared in several novels by Raymond E. Feist, but he was most active in the Darkwar Saga. He's like Manshoon for having cleverly eluded death or complete destruction for so many times.

Karybdus – a powerful necromancer in Richard A. Knaak's Moon of the Spider. He wears an ensorcelled armor that is impervious to nearly everything. Like all people in his order, he is good in hiding his emotions behind a facade of calmness. The only time that he showed emotion was when the untrained sorceress Salene ruined his plan of ensuring the preservation of Balance in the world. His repertoire of spells would make even Szass Tam (slightly) envious. Unlike other necromancers, he could remain standing and only feel a little bit weakened even if he consistently uses so many spells---thanks to his self-made spell that allows him to steal the souls of other people.

Matris Drayke – He's the protagonist in Gail Z. Martin's Chronicles of the Necromancer. He (and he alone) once summoned hundreds of spirits to help him win a war against his brother. He's a compassionate and level-headed prince, and of course, good-looking. Being the grandson of the late Bava K'aa, the most powerful sorceress in the history of Winter Kingdoms, it comes with no surprise that in his blood runs strong, raw magic that has saved his life and his friends' countless times. He was trained by his grandmother at a very young age, but she made him forget all his training until the time came when he would need it. Unfortunately, that time was long after her death. So he was to figure it out alone how he could use his gift...until he learned of the Sisterhood of magic-users in a neighboring kingdom. With the Sisterhood's help, he was able to recall and relearn some of the things Bava K'aa taught him.






You forgotZhengyi the Witch King.

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
Go to Top of Page

Thelonius
Senior Scribe

Spain
730 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  11:54:00  Show Profile Send Thelonius a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I think that, if I can choose from any existing setting I'd go for Sandro, from the Heroes of Might and Magic universe. Was the first one I saw the word Necromancer attached to so many years agoo, and I always saw him as the cliché lord of the undead, the black cloack and the skull face...
If I had to go for FR ones, I'd go for Xzar, was the first necromancer I met in the Realms, and loved the Stop touching me!!! comment. Too bad they killed him in Shadows of Amn

"If you are to truly understand, then you will need the contrast, not adherence to a single ideal." - Kreia
"I THINK I JUST HAD ANOTHER NEAR-RINCEWIND EXPERIENCE"- Discworld's Death frustrated after Rincewind scapes his grasp... again.
"I am death, come for thee" - Nimbul, from Baldur's Gate I just before being badly spanked
Sapientia sola libertas est

Edited by - Thelonius on 29 Aug 2011 11:55:35
Go to Top of Page

sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11686 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  11:56:31  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Voted Velsharoon only because I have a strange fascination with Thayan history and there's little written about him prior to his ascension (as well there's little written about the exact occurrences during the rise of Thay). To me, its like a whole section of realmslore begging to be done.

Alavairthae, may your skill prevail

Phillip aka Sleyvas
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  12:13:03  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas

You forgot Zhengyi the Witch King.


Yes, I did. But I put him on the OTHERS list, in my second post.

---------------

I voted Szass Tam. He's been around the Realms for so very long and has been fairly active. He has influenced a lot of beings of note, caused catastrophes here and there, and has finally become the sole sovereign of Thay. There's a reason he's been granted considerable novel screen time these days...

Admittedly, once I finish all the Nagash books, I might change vote, or give Tam and Nagash a tie.

I think among all the necromancers mentioned, Velsharoon and Aumvor the Undying are the ones that deserve more limelight in the novels. Their feats precede many spellcasters.

Every beginning has an end.

Edited by - Dennis on 29 Aug 2011 12:27:54
Go to Top of Page

Ayrik
Great Reader

Canada
7966 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  14:06:04  Show Profile Send Ayrik a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Haha, I remember Sandro - an instant favourite in that game because his portrait just looked cooler, then a favourite in the subsequent games because his portrait still looked cooler plus he was promoted to actual necromancer. Good times, a lot of competition over Sandro in those early multiplayer games.

Beyond that, however, I've never been particularly enamoured with necromancers. Dark priests and cults never much impressed me, and I've grown up watching far too many bad Hollywood portrayals of magic-using villains using random arcane titles yet wielding iconically necromantic melt-your-face-off and raise-instant-army-of-skeletons magical powers. To me, necromancers have just gotten rather dull - as overdone as vampires, zombies, and superpowered mutants.

Liches are somewhat appealing to me, although in my mind they're not necessarily associated with necromancy, forbidden aberrations against nature, and unholy pacts with dark powers. I much rather prefer the sorts of wizards D&D describes as transmuters, illusionists, conjurers, and invokers. Too bad for me that Szass Tam is so cerebrally hypercompetent whilst the Zulkirs representing magical schools I do like turn into a disgustingly divisive bunch of posturing prattling children.

[/Ayrik]
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  14:21:23  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote

You might have watched the wrong kind of movies.

Many of the necromancers I listed above are liches. While lichdom and necromancy are not exclusively related, we all know it takes quite a lot of necromantic prowess to become a lich. Also, necromancy pretty much utilizes the magic of other schools---one of the reasons Szass Tam managed to kick the butts of his fellow zulkirs.

Every beginning has an end.

Edited by - Dennis on 29 Aug 2011 16:41:11
Go to Top of Page

GRYPHON
Senior Scribe

USA
527 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  15:01:05  Show Profile Send GRYPHON a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Velsharoon...
Go to Top of Page

Bladewind
Master of Realmslore

Netherlands
1280 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  15:03:31  Show Profile Send Bladewind a Private Message  Reply with Quote
When I build a necromancer, I prefer ones that aren't necessarily evil: I currently play a good moonelf ranger that dabbles in white necromancy to combat his favored enemy better.

Sadly, in literature white necromancers are a very rare occurrence.

Of the ones mentioned, I think Rathma from Diablo's Sin Wars comes close to being the most balanced necromancer.

My campaign sketches

Druidic Groves

Creature Feature: Giant Spiders
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  16:34:35  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Bladewind

Sadly, in literature white necromancers are a very rare occurrence.

Of the ones mentioned, I think Rathma from Diablo's Sin Wars comes close to being the most balanced necromancer.


And Zayl, being a follower of Rathma.

Karybdus also worked for the Balance, and should have been a neutral necromancer. Unfortunately, his constant use of soul-stealing spells clouded his judgment...He believed the world had been dominated by too much Good that he took it as his responsibility to unleash a powerful demon from Hell to wreck destruction in the material world.

Since you want neutral and good-aligned necromancers, I recommend Gail Z. Martin's Chronicles of the Necromancer. It's standard high fantasy, but Martin is really good in crafting great characters. Her necromancer protagonist, Martris Drayke, is one of the many.

-------

I'm curious who voted Nagash. Want to share your thoughts? I'm interested...

Every beginning has an end.

Edited by - Dennis on 29 Aug 2011 16:42:35
Go to Top of Page

Artemas Entreri
Great Reader

USA
3131 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  20:34:24  Show Profile Send Artemas Entreri a Private Message  Reply with Quote
If this poll were stictly for Forgotten Realms necromancers, then i would have to choose Szass Tam. He is a super powerful necromancer, but also has a richly developed character. I love the layers upon layers of careful planning that he puts into his schemes.

Another no-realms necromancer i really enjoy reading about is a character for Raymond E. Feist's world: Midkemia. (Betrayal at Krondor, etc.) The necromancer is named Leso Varen and he makes a great character. Every time i think he has been utterly destroyed, he seems to pop back up to wreak more havoc in the storylines. Highly recommend!

Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin

Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2

Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede
Go to Top of Page

Artemas Entreri
Great Reader

USA
3131 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  20:35:30  Show Profile Send Artemas Entreri a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Great poll by the way Dennis!

Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin

Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2

Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  21:09:01  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478

Great poll by the way Dennis!


Thanks.

-----------

quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478

Another no-realms necromancer i really enjoy reading about is a character for Raymond E. Feist's world: Midkemia. (Betrayal at Krondor, etc.) The necromancer is named Leso Varen and he makes a great character. Every time i think he has been utterly destroyed, he seems to pop back up to wreak more havoc in the storylines.


I actually find him too weird/mad. He is my least favorite among the three brothers. Amirantha is the best, not just for being the “good” guy, but also for truly caring about his “foster family,” for possessing an insatiable hunger for knowledge, and for turning out to be a respectable conjurer. Belasco is okay; at least he's (slightly) sane.

By the way, just in case you missed it, Leso Varen/Sidi is one of the choices in the poll.

Every beginning has an end.
Go to Top of Page

Artemas Entreri
Great Reader

USA
3131 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  22:11:55  Show Profile Send Artemas Entreri a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis

quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478

Great poll by the way Dennis!


Thanks.

-----------

quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478

Another no-realms necromancer i really enjoy reading about is a character for Raymond E. Feist's world: Midkemia. (Betrayal at Krondor, etc.) The necromancer is named Leso Varen and he makes a great character. Every time i think he has been utterly destroyed, he seems to pop back up to wreak more havoc in the storylines.


I actually find him too weird/mad. He is my least favorite among the three brothers. Amirantha is the best, not just for being the “good” guy, but also for truly caring about his “foster family,” for possessing an insatiable hunger for knowledge, and for turning out to be a respectable conjurer. Belasco is okay; at least he's (slightly) sane.

By the way, just in case you missed it, Leso Varen/Sidi is one of the choices in the poll.



Lol yep! Totally missed it. Guess i failed my Intelligence check on that one

Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin

Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2

Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede
Go to Top of Page

Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader

USA
3750 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  22:49:59  Show Profile Send Alystra Illianniis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Don't care much for necros. If there was a none option, I'd take that.

The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.

"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491

"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs

Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469

My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188

Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u
Go to Top of Page

Fellfire
Master of Realmslore

1965 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  22:55:08  Show Profile Send Fellfire a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Fistandantilus. He manipulated Raistlin. I will elaborate later.

Misanthorpe

Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.

"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises

Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out

Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  23:25:30  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote

Fistandantilus is more like a generalist archmage than a necromancer.

Every beginning has an end.
Go to Top of Page

Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader

USA
3750 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  23:29:18  Show Profile Send Alystra Illianniis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Ah, Fist. My hubby likes him, too. Still not impressed. Manipulating Raist would not take much effort. He was so focused on acquiring power that he'd do anything that he thought would gain him more. He tried to destroy Tahkisis and take her place, for pity's sake! And I believe it was under Fist's influence, too.

The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.

"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491

"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs

Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469

My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188

Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 29 Aug 2011 :  23:32:13  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote

I eventually got tired with Raistlin, and the other characters followed, till I finally stopped buying any DL novels.

Every beginning has an end.
Go to Top of Page

The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31701 Posts

Posted - 30 Aug 2011 :  02:33:28  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis


Fistandantilus is more like a generalist archmage than a necromancer.

No, he's a necromancer. If you've read most of what's said about his arcane-interests in both the novels and sourcebooks, there's very little to leave any doubt about where he focus on magick really lay.

Candlekeep Forums Moderator

Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com
-- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct

Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)

"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage
Go to Top of Page

Ayrik
Great Reader

Canada
7966 Posts

Posted - 30 Aug 2011 :  02:42:03  Show Profile Send Ayrik a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Alright, since you did specify "All Settings" I'm going to pick Emperor Palpatine (aka Darth Sidious, Dark Lord of the Sith) from Star Wars. Not really a Necromancer in the usual high-fantasy sense, although I think not really all that far off either.

[/Ayrik]
Go to Top of Page

The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31701 Posts

Posted - 30 Aug 2011 :  02:56:01  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Arik

Alright, since you did specify "All Settings" I'm going to pick Emperor Palpatine (aka Darth Sidious, Dark Lord of the Sith) from Star Wars. Not really a Necromancer in the usual high-fantasy sense, although I think not really all that far off either.

If you're including most of the related "Star Wars" Expanded Universe material, then I'd say Palpatine qualifies as something of a Sith necromancer. In fact, most of the ancient Sith Lords would fall into that category -- Naga Sadow, for example, as well as Lord Nihilus, Exar Kun, and even Freedon Nadd.

Candlekeep Forums Moderator

Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com
-- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct

Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)

"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage
Go to Top of Page

Ayrik
Great Reader

Canada
7966 Posts

Posted - 30 Aug 2011 :  03:25:01  Show Profile Send Ayrik a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I'm unfamiliar with Expanded Universe material. All I really know is the movies, a handful of Lucas cartoons, and a cursory synopsis from Palpatine's wookiepedia page. He looks like dead and ghastly thing with red glowy eyes, he delights in ruthlessly pragmatic atrocities, he commands an undead minion who can strangle people from a distance, he zorches people with unholy lightning, he experiments with artificial "golem" constructs, and he's just clearly the sort of guy who spends a lot of time perverting things and bending nature to his will, he's even got an iconically stylish black cloak. So I group him into the Necromancer class along with all the other evil dark magic bastards.

[/Ayrik]
Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 30 Aug 2011 :  03:56:52  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage

quote:
Originally posted by Dennis


Fistandantilus is more like a generalist archmage than a necromancer.

No, he's a necromancer. If you've read most of what's said about his arcane-interests in both the novels and sourcebooks, there's very little to leave any doubt about where he focus on magick really lay.


Haven't read that many DL novels. I stopped buying one ever since what they did to Raistlin at the end of Legends. Not to mention that I sometimes find Hickman and Weis's style either too generic or tedious, and at times both.

Every beginning has an end.
Go to Top of Page

Azuth
Senior Scribe

USA
404 Posts

Posted - 30 Aug 2011 :  03:59:21  Show Profile  Visit Azuth's Homepage Send Azuth a Private Message  Reply with Quote

Wouldn't Manshoon qualify as a necromancer? Being Elminster's bane and all that (no pun intended) his focus on... "clones" has always lead me to believe he is one of the greatest necromancers there is, but I welcome correction.

Cheers,

Azuth

Azuth, the First Magister
Lord of All Spells

The greatest expression of creativity is through Art.
Offense can never be given, only taken.
Go to Top of Page

Fellfire
Master of Realmslore

1965 Posts

Posted - 30 Aug 2011 :  04:05:53  Show Profile Send Fellfire a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Arik

I'm unfamiliar with Expanded Universe material. All I really know is the movies, a handful of Lucas cartoons, and a cursory synopsis from Palpatine's wookiepedia page. He looks like dead and ghastly thing with red glowy eyes, he delights in ruthlessly pragmatic atrocities, he commands an undead minion who can strangle people from a distance, he zorches people with unholy lightning, he experiments with artificial "golem" constructs, and he's just clearly the sort of guy who spends a lot of time perverting things and bending nature to his will, he's even got an iconically stylish black cloak. So I group him into the Necromancer class along with all the other evil dark magic bastards.



I have to agree. Both Vader and Grievous (and later Maul) could be considered undead, or at least, unliving. Interesting parallels between golems and droids, clones and simulacrum. I think that puts Sidious in the running for Best Necromancer.

Misanthorpe

Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.

"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises

Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out

Go to Top of Page

Dennis
Great Reader

9933 Posts

Posted - 30 Aug 2011 :  04:12:09  Show Profile Send Dennis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Azuth


Wouldn't Manshoon qualify as a necromancer? Being Elminster's bane and all that (no pun intended) his focus on... "clones" has always lead me to believe he is one of the greatest necromancers there is, but I welcome correction.



Nope. He's a generalist. His clones are not only powered by necromantic energy—they're formed through several wish spells and some other stuff (mushrooms, I guess).

Every beginning has an end.
Go to Top of Page

The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31701 Posts

Posted - 30 Aug 2011 :  04:19:39  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Arik

I'm unfamiliar with Expanded Universe material. All I really know is the movies, a handful of Lucas cartoons, and a cursory synopsis from Palpatine's wookiepedia page. He looks like dead and ghastly thing with red glowy eyes, he delights in ruthlessly pragmatic atrocities, he commands an undead minion who can strangle people from a distance, he zorches people with unholy lightning, he experiments with artificial "golem" constructs, and he's just clearly the sort of guy who spends a lot of time perverting things and bending nature to his will, he's even got an iconically stylish black cloak. So I group him into the Necromancer class along with all the other evil dark magic bastards.

Any doubts about Palpatine as a potential Sith necronmancer can be cast aside upon the reading of his story -- "Sithisis" -- in the Star Wars Visionaries graphic novel. It shows us the actual Sith ritual the Sidious uses to transform himself for the last time into "Palpatine," just before Revenge of the Sith. It becomes apparent, according to the tale itself, that Palpatine has had to make use of this strange Sith arcane ritual on more than one occasion over the many years of his life as a Sith Lord, likely due to the fact that his use of Dark Side powers had corrupted his form as well as the Force within himself, and had eaten away at the "healthy Palpatine" disguise. The story suggests that he performs this ritual immediately before his final appearance in RotS as "Palpatine." It's a very necromantic-like process.

In fact, I'd say it even stretches into the domain of lichdom, just without the vile-undead state being the result at the end.

Candlekeep Forums Moderator

Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com
-- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct

Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)

"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage
Go to Top of Page

Fellfire
Master of Realmslore

1965 Posts

Posted - 30 Aug 2011 :  04:20:48  Show Profile Send Fellfire a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis

quote:
Originally posted by Azuth


Wouldn't Manshoon qualify as a necromancer? Being Elminster's bane and all that (no pun intended) his focus on... "clones" has always lead me to believe he is one of the greatest necromancers there is, but I welcome correction.



Nope. He's a generalist. His clones are not only powered by necromantic energy—they're formed through several wish spells and some other stuff (mushrooms, I guess).



Snails and puppy-dog tails?

Misanthorpe

Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.

"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises

Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out

Go to Top of Page

The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31701 Posts

Posted - 30 Aug 2011 :  04:21:48  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Azuth


Wouldn't Manshoon qualify as a necromancer? Being Elminster's bane and all that (no pun intended) his focus on... "clones" has always lead me to believe he is one of the greatest necromancers there is, but I welcome correction.

Cheers,

Azuth


I'd say it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to suggest that one of Manshoon's clones has undertaken the study of necromancy to help increase his own individual power.

Candlekeep Forums Moderator

Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com
-- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct

Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)

"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood

Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage
Go to Top of Page
Page: of 6 Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
Next Page
 New Topic  New Poll New Poll
 Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
Candlekeep Forum © 1999-2024 Candlekeep.com Go To Top Of Page
Snitz Forums 2000