Rules

Given the wildly different beliefs that some civilizations have developed about the nature of the afterlife, it’s reasonable to assume that Necromancers would have trouble in reconciling the practices of one religion with another. However, there is a basic framework that underpins all Necromantic rituals, and it is here that some degree of common ground can be found.

All Necromancy rituals use components representing three key concepts: the authority of the Necromancer, so that they can exert their power over the wraith; the imprisonment of death, so that the wraith knows their place; and an item that identifies the wraith in question, which is usually a Fetter. Symbols of authority can differ from one culture to another, but it is the differences in the perceived nature of death and the afterlife that vary the most. As such, Western Necromancers that use their own symbolism to summon a soul that believes it has gone to Mictlan, the Aztec underworld, find the connection to the wraith to be disjointed or incomplete. Likewise, a houngan using Voudoun rites will have a similar difficulty in trying to summon a soul that believes it resides in Diyu, the Chinese realm of the dead.

However, it is not impossible. Metaphorically speaking, the Necromancer could be issuing commands to the wraith in a language they don’t necessarily understand, but with enough hand gestures and modification of tone, they can at least convey the basic intent of their command.

Mechanically, Necromancers conducting rituals with trappings relating to beliefs different to those of the wraiths they are attempting to summon suffer a +1 penalty to difficulties on those Necromancy rolls. The

+2 penalty associated with Ghiberti Necromancy when inexperienced Necromancers deal with abombo (African wraiths) supersedes this rule. Purchasing specialties in the relevant faiths negates the associated penalty.

The following table outlines which paths and rituals from V20 (p. 159-184) are commonly accessible to different Necromancers from across the globe. This is not an exclusive list prohibiting one Necromancer from learning the arts of another, but rather an identification of those arts most commonly associated with each Clan and bloodline.

Given the Giovanni’s Roman roots, it’s no surprise that the Greco-Roman depictions of death and the Underworld should feature prominently in their rites. This is evidenced by the names of their rituals (e.g. Chair of Hades, Circle of Cerberus, etc.). Furthermore, given that Giovanni Necromancers are more numerous than their counterparts in the Clan’s minor families, it has become the most visibly practiced form of Necromancy in the modern nights.

It is the belief of Western Necromancers that mankind was meant to command nature. Necromancy is the magical extension of this belief into the lands beyond natural existence. Kindred achieve this command over the dead more easily than mortal Necromancers due both to their dulled emotions and fundamental connection with death. Wraiths feed on emotions, and thus Kindred present less power for them to draw upon and use against their summoners.

The Giovanni’s command over Western Necromancy stems from ancestor worship begun by their forefathers, the Jovian family of ancient Rome. The Clan is, first and foremost, a family. Necromancy was simply the tool that the family employed to overcome the obstacle of death that would have sought to separate members of the family from the wider whole.

Wraiths are maintained by emotions and a connection to the material world. Necromancy serves as a lifeline for Giovanni wraiths, tying them to the lands of the living, lest they lose their connection and fall into the depths of the underworld. Thus the Giovanni use their power over the dead to further the interests of the existing family and give the wraiths a connection to the lands of the living so their existence can continue. This relationship works well for those on both sides of the Shroud.