The Complete Book of Necromancers

The Complete Book of Necromancers is a specialized sourcebook for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition, focused on creating villainous necromancer characters and NPCs for Dungeon Masters. The book details character creation mechanics, specialized kits like the Anatomist and Deathslayer, and provides extensive rules for apprentices, henchmen, and familiars. The sourcebook explores historical and cultural perspectives on necromancy, including Roman and Celtic traditions and Eastern views on death. It introduces a moral framework that categorizes necromantic magic into black, gray, and white branches, each aligned with different ethical approaches and practitioner types. The book includes practical gaming resources such as new spells, ready-to-play NPCs, and a complete campaign setting called Sahu, Isle of the Necromancer Kings. Rules cover various races that can practice necromancy, including humans, drow, dragons, githyanki, and undead characters. This volume stands apart from typical D&D sourcebooks by presenting necromancy as a complex magical discipline with cultural implications and moral dimensions, rather than simply a tool for evil characters.

Readers appreciate this AD&D 2nd edition sourcebook for its detailed rules on necromancer characters and spells. Reviews highlight the creative evil character options and unique undead monster variants. Liked: - Comprehensive necromancer kit options and specializations - Dark atmosphere and gothic flavor text - Rules for creating new undead creatures - Detailed tables for running necromancer characters Disliked: - Some rules feel unbalanced or overpowered - Limited utility for non-evil campaigns - Artwork quality seen as inconsistent - Book can be hard to find at reasonable prices Ratings: Goodreads: 4.15/5 (20 ratings) RPGGeek: 7.14/10 (35 ratings) Several reviewers on RPGNet forums note using elements from the book in current D&D campaigns, particularly the necromancer variants and monster creation rules. Multiple collectors mention paying $100+ for used copies due to the book's rarity.

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🔮 The book introduced "white necromancy," a previously unexplored concept where practitioners use death magic for beneficial purposes like healing and communicating with ancestors. ⚔️ Released in 1995 for AD&D 2nd Edition, this was the first comprehensive gaming supplement to treat necromancy as more than just "evil magic," presenting it as a complex magical tradition. 📚 Many of the book's cultural references draw from actual historical sources, including authentic Egyptian funerary rites and medieval European grimoires. 🧙‍♂️ The campaign setting "Sahu" was named after the ancient Egyptian concept of spiritual enlightenment and magical power that could be attained after death. 🎲 The sourcebook influenced later tabletop RPGs and video games, helping establish the now-common trope of necromancers existing on a moral spectrum rather than being universally evil.