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[When the feed clicks on, Xul can be seen sitting cross-legged in what appears to be a self-made hut, the only light coming from torches that burn an ethereal blue, with his eyes closed in what seems to be meditation before he speaks.]

During my admittedly brief time here, I've been doing some research on this place, its history, and politics. As such I've come up with a few questions I would like to ask the whole of this place.

First of all, I understand that necromancy is something of a controversial issue in... Everglade, was it? I would like to hear the opinions of others on the issue. Primarily in regards to the controversial nature of it.

Secondly, on a more concrete mystic note, I would like to ask if any of those with any sort of magical talent have been able to locate any leylines in this place. I'll admit that my own efforts have not turned up much, which itself is rather interesting.

Lastly, on the organization of mages - primarily in Fayren - I have been able to find very little. I am aware of the magical school and the mage guild Fairy Tail, but beyond that there seems to be very little in the way of oversight and regulation from the government here, and I am curious as to why that is.

At any rate, I have gone on long enough. I appreciate any responses indulging this old priest.

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[Have a large Ice dragon, giving you his trademark cold glare.]

Given that necromancy is used to control corpses like puppets to attack the living and who knows what else, it's hardly any wonder that it's considered a "controversial issue." I've had two encounters with necromancy, both of which were used to harm my clan.

Frankly, I struggle to understand how necromancy could have any benefits at all. The dead have lived their lives; let them rest in peace.

[Xul has marched into the gates of Hell and survived. The glare isn't going to phase him.]

I'm sorry to hear it was used to harm your clan. However, like all magic, it is bound to the will of the user. I will not deny it has the potential to cause harm, but I do not believe it to be any more or less controversial than hurling a fire ball at an enemy.

To be blunt, the dead are no longer using their bodies. Bodies - like all things material - are very much a temporary resource. There are no souls or spirits attached to any but the most powerful of necromantic rites, and in my world those are absolutely considered taboo.

Interesting how you can so easily compare bodies to fire, or any other element. The major difference is that using those bodies is incredibly disrespectful to the souls they once belonged to. I, for one, would not feel comfortable having my body used as a tool, even if my soul was no longer bound to it. And I certainly don't appreciate the corpses of my sons being used to attack their mother.

[This is...a really sore issue for him, since he's always ready to fuck up anyone or anything that tries to harm Shayla. Especially after the deaths of his sons.]

And yet if you were no longer bound to your body, you would no longer be aware of the goings on in the mortal realm, rendering that point moot. As for the disrespect, I would beg to differ. If the dead were aware of the dealings of mortals, I have no doubt they would gladly lend that which they no longer needed to better the circumstances of others. However, I feel your view on the matter is unfairly tainted based on emotional trauma.

...And how do you know that? Have you been dead before? Even if I expressed my wishes of not having my body used in necromancy, you would brush that aside, even if I was unaware of it?

[The person does have that kind of "undead" look to him. Perhaps if one did give permission to use their bodies to better things in the mortal realm, Qubine would be more tolerant of it, but well, what are the odds of that happening?]

My view of necromancy isn't just based on my emotional trauma. It's also based on both logic and respect for those who have departed this life. I've yet to meet a single creature who would allow their bodies to be used that way.

I could ask you the same. Do you have any experience with death? Are you inconvenienced by the ants you step on without realizing they are there?

[Xul is very much alive, however a lifetime of living in a necropolis studying his arts without the sun has given him a rather ghastly look.]

Then I ask you, how many of the dead have responded when asked permission to use their body? Asking the living would be pointless because they are still using their bodies, and death is a concept so foreign to the living that few can truly comprehend it and react accordingly.

As for my own perspective, not only do I expect my bones to be active long after my soul passes from the mortal realm, but I would be insulted if they were simply left to rot in the ground when they could be of use to the living.

...For a short while, I thought I had. Just before arriving here, I had taken a Dark Bolt that could have killed me...but somehow I survived it. Barely.

[His eyes narrow at the next question.]

I've never seen anyone being asked permission to use their bodies after their death. However, if we were so willing to allow our bodies to be used like that, we wouldn't be fighting so hard to stay alive. It's bad enough for those who died to have met their end, so the least one can do is spare them - and us - the further grief. But if you'd rather let other people use your bones, then good for you.

But you haven't answered my question. What do you know of death? Do you claim to be one of the few who can comprehend it so well?

[He's not that old but he's a priest too, if in secret.]

One faith on my world held the dead in high regard. Spirits were said to be travelers who haven't reached their destination in the afterlife. Necromancy would theoretically be an impediment to that journey, and I'll admit I'm kinda biased in that direction.

[He shrugs.]

But I am--- was, a soldier too. So ultimately, I can't help but look at it the way you would a sword or a gun: a weapon best left to the capable and responsible. If somebody's neither of that, then he's got no business wielding it.

This has always been an interesting topic to be. Don't know why, mostly out of being curious more than anything.

[And for more personal reasons she never really wants to go into. ]

For me, you think of those who died to young, those who didn't deserve to die and so on and so forth. So I get it being used to attempt to bring say those types of people back. But yeah there are then those who would honestly abuse that issue and I think that's where a lot of people have problems with it.

[She was caught by Xul before, so she sees no reason to continue hiding from those caught her ghostly hand in the proverbial cookie jar--otherwise called spying.]

"In my world, necromancy is taught in Biteology class... It's used to continue family lines in certain monsters..."

[ Alright, that's... well outside his area of expertise. But no way of changing that than speaking to the people who know more. ]

I'm not sure what you mean with necromancy, when I have read about it, the term seemed to refer to many different things. I have a problem with bringing back dead people. It's far more likely this power would be used to bring back people who should remain dead.

[ Marks not staying dead after being shot is the last thing an assassin needs. ]

Surviving - no matter how close it may have been - is still surviving. Death is an absolute and does not deal in degrees.

[He just shrugs.]

Then the issue of permission becomes moot, does it not? The dead cannot give permission nor can we ask for it. Because once death takes them, their bodies become little more than a pile of meat and bone no more alive than a boulder.

I do. I am a Priest of Rathma, and we spend our entire lives meditating and learning about the nature of death and the Great Cycle of Being. It has given our order unique perspective that other mortals simply do not have.

I see. I can respect that faith, but I assure you, Necromancy does not impede any spirit or soul. It is simply the animation of what used to be inhabited by another. The dead are no more aware of the spell animating their former bodies than you are aware of the air you inhale.

[He nods.]

I will admit that there is the potential for abuse. My order specialized in eliminating such abusers in my world. You are right, however that it is no more innately dangerous than a sword. I find it interesting that there is so much controversy surrounding it.

[He nods as he listens, but once she is done he sighs.]

While tragic and I can sympathize with such thoughts, bringing the dead back to life is not Necromancy. It is a school of magic that is profane originating in the Burning Hells used to create monstrosities at the expense of the grieving.

Necromancy - at its most basic - is simply the animating of organic material that no longer has a soul bound to it. Skeletons primarily.

[While he doubts that the specter has any ill intent, and was likely not brought to that state of being by choice, the use of necromancy to advance family lines is... disconcerting to say the least.]

I see. Could you explain this in more detail?

Bringing the dead back to life simply isn't possible. The dead remain dead no matter what magic is involved. Any who tell you different is only attempting to trick the grieving into creating an unholy abomination wearing the skin of the deceased.

Necromancy - in this context - is simply the magic of animating organic material that is no longer alive. The animation of a skeleton, for example. The previous owner of that skeleton remains dead, the skeleton is simply an extension of the Necromancer's will made physical.

The fact remains that none of us, at least in my clan, would want our bodies to be used in that manner. That will not change after we die, and to assume that it would is ludicrous.

[He gives a long, exasperated sigh, a low dragon growl sounding with it.]

The Great Cycle of Being, huh? Would that include the cycle of life and death, or the balance between? Perhaps you could explain how necromancy would not interrupt that cycle or the balance?

[The mention of necromancy catches her attention. Most of it magical mumbo jumbo she'll never really understand, but she knows what the word itself means. Bringing the deal back to life or something about it.]

The dead should be well left alone.

[A beat.]

They deserve the rest....or the dark. Which e're one they fancy I s'pose.

"Some monsters have trouble...you know, 'making more...' So they will sometimes build one.... If I had my Biteology book, I could show you..."

[Because she's not going to give the Monster Talk on a public network.]

So mindless servants, which you control? That's uncanny, and in bad taste, I prefer to treat the dead with more respect, but for all I've never before heard of using corpses for it, the concept as such isn't too alien.

I would hope you wait until decay has properly progressed, and only</> the skeleton is left. It would be disgusting, otherwise.

The issue of necromancy in Fayren has been much more controversial in the past than it is now. A wholesale ban on it was instituted by a previous Guardian, which was not well-received by the undead living there.

{ He's just... not gonna mention his stake in this issue. It's been a closely guarded secret of his, and that's not about to change. }

On the second matter... forgive me, but I am not familiar with the term. What is a 'leyline'?

And finally, mages in Fayren are more or less granted full autonomy to practice and study magic as they see fit, so long as their magic is not used to harm anybody else.

Edited 2017-04-06 23:08 (UTC)

Yes, I'm aware of how most things reproduce, however 'building' offspring is not a concept I am familiar with.

Tell me, of the automatons that roam Nova City, the ones that are simply there to serve a singular purpose, do you treat them with the same reverence and respect as the dead?

Does the earth not hold the same respect that its ore is not cut from its body, boiled down and shaped into some metallic abomination?

The only difference between a Necromancer's skeletons and those robots are the methods of propulsion. One relies on magic, the other technology. That is all.

The dead are no more aware of what happens to their remains than we are aware of what is currently happening in our respective worlds. Once the soul leaves the body, what is left has no ability to sense or perceive.

A dead body is a resource not unlike stone or lumber. One most societies simply let rot in the ground.

Believe me, there is nothing a necromancer can do to truly disturb the dead. Demons hold that power, not mortals.

You do realize how preposterous that sounds, correct? The undead do not live simply by definition.

[Though he does make note of the issue and will likely go about 'correcting' it in the future.]

A leyline is a concentration of magical energy that can be tapped into by mages. Think of it as a world's circulatory system. Though the blood - or magic in this case - gets to all parts of the world, it is more concentrated in the veins and arteries. My order can often diagnose issues in my world by sampling the energies in the leylines, not unlike a doctor can detect illness from blood.

Fascinating. So the advancement of magic is an individual endeavor? That would give rise to powerful individuals but the spread of knowledge and spellwork as a whole would be relatively slow to advance. Such practice is foreign in concept to me.

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