Rotes & Procedures

Almost by default, a necromancer views the Otherworld through the Vidare Mortem described in Mage 20, Chapters Three and Four, pp. 82 and 99. This “mortal sight” reveals the Penumbra as a vision of pervasive decay. For obvious reason, this perspective fuels Jhor – it’s hard, after all, to remain a sunny disposition when all you see is the eternal truth of death.

Generally, the Vidare Mortem applies only to the Otherworlds; a character suffering from Jhor and Morbidity, however, will eventually start seeing the entire world as a dying mess. At that point, she may think seriously about pursuing a new line of work before the necromantic Arts destroy her.

Some of the most awful secrets of necromancy involve traveling into the Dark Umbra while the mage is still alive. For details about these dreaded agama journeys into the Lands

of the Dead, see The Agama Sojourn in The Otherworlds section of Mage 20, Chapter Nine, pp. 478-481.

The next best thing to going there involves calling up the spirits of the dead and letting them tell their own stories. Although such stories are not necessarily reliable (the dead are no more honest or omniscient than anybody else), the perspective of ghosts can be extremely helpful in certain situations.

The “lighter” end of ghost-calling involves a medium getting in touch with “the dearly departed” in order to lend comfort, contact, or closure. On a more sinister end, the necromancer might summon a ghost to demand information, favors, or other tasks… possibly with the threat of punishment if the ghost does not comply.

From a system standpoint, the various Spirit Powers