Ancient Necromancers

Ancient Necromancers
Ancient Necromancers, from Ultima VIII
Species:	human
Appearances
Ultima VIII Location: Catacombs

After finishing out their days in service to Lithos, the Necromancers of Pagan are interred in the earth that they might continue to serve their master in death. These Ancient Necromancers go on to bequeath their knowledge to future generations of apprentices, who must seek them out in the catacombs. They appear in Ultima VIII.

Description

Some time after becoming apprenticed to Vividos, the Avatar would be instructed to seek out the wisdom of the ancient Necromancers that they might teach various necromantic spells. By using the Death Speak spell, the hero was able to converse with six of these long dead magicians and learn their secrets.

Individual Necromancers

• The first Necromancer the hero met explained how to use each incantation learned in the course of reaching the next teacher, making the acquisition of necromantic spells a test in and of itself. The Necromancer then taught the workings of the Mask of Death spell.
• The second Necromancer the Avatar encountered was known as Bentos, and identified himself as the seventh necromancer to serve Lithos. He spoke but briefly to the hero, and taught the Rock Flesh spell.
• The third Necromancer who spoke to the hero apologized for the unknowing actions of the undead who harried the Avatar, and asked forgiveness the actions of the undead "brethren." The Necromancer thereafter taught the hero the Summon Dead spell, that the walking dead might be called to aid the caster.
• The fourth Necromancer who spoke was suspicious of the novice’s motives, perhaps sensing that the Avatar did not sincerely wish to live life in service to Lithos on Pagan. The Necromancer voiced concerns to the Avatar and insisted the Mountain King would be informed of these misgivings if asked, but nevertheless grudgingly taught the hero the Grant Peace spell.
• The fifth Necromancer the Avatar met said that the end of the trial was near, and told the hero that Galious would soon be met before being sent to seek audience with Lithos himself. The Necromancer then explained the workings of the Withstand Death spell before returning to restful slumber.
• The sixth and last Necromancer the hero encountered was Galious, former Scion to Moriens. Finding the Avatar worthy to look upon Lithos, he told the hero of the Create Golem spell which was needed to enter the Hall of the Mountain King.

Lore

“

The Mountain King explained that such was not within his power, but that there was another way to have the Pagans continue their service. He permitted Moriens to choose an Apprentice so that, upon his death, a new Necromancer would assume his position. In turn, the deceased Necromancer would enter into a different service that the other Pagans, one that involved eternal rest, where his wisdom could be called upon by other Necromancers down through the ages. – from The Chronicle of Pagan (Ultima VIII)

Trivia

• It is possible to skip the Necromancers whose conversation flags are not necessary to reach the next area of the catacombs, as the Avatar will still be able to cast the spells they teach without having technically "learned" them.
• Thanks to a bug, the spell Death Speak is not needed from the fourth Ancient Necromancer onward.