Can a Necromancer be good?

Post by **Kerr** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 10:16 pm

Do you think Necromancers are all evil? I mean surely Necromancy can be used for good. Using the bodies of the dead to defend a village from bandits for example. So do you think you can have these dark powers and still be a good person? Did the Mage's Guild in Oblivion make the right call by banning necromancy? I admit a lot of necromancers are evil but surely that doesn't mean they all are.

Mod-Loving Wood Elf · Sat Oct 13, 2012 10:30 pm

I think necromancers can definitely be good. A lot of necromancers could practice their art for vile reasons, but I think it would be logical for, say, a student at the Winterhold College to study Necromancy, if only to understand how it works. Necromancy being banned in Oblivion wasn't a good idea.

Post by **MARS** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 10:39 pm

A highly subjective topic.

The reason Necromancers are viewed as "bad" isn't because they themselves are evil (not necessarily, I mean), but because their practices profane the dead. Many cultures view that as highly rude and inconsiderate, to the point of criminalizing it. So there you go. The intent of the action isn't the reason the action itself is considered bad.

In clearer words:

Yes, they can, as long as you can get over the fact that they will be using the corpses of people you might have held dear in life.

Minor Edits · Post by **Minor Edits** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 10:57 pm

As Mars alluded to, they are frequently unscrupulous, which is bad, but a necromancer is not necessarily evil. The Black Arts on Trial does an okay job laying out the pro-necromancy argument. What I don't understand about Skyrim is why there are so many dens of necromancers; they seem like they're everywhere. It's like people must get high by raising the dead.

Post by **Kerr** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 11:09 pm

Do you happen to know what the fine is here in Skyrim for necrophilia?

Dohva. · Post by **Dohva.** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 11:21 pm

There is a Skyrim book "The Refugees" I believe, that covers necromancy used to help a family save their daughter. Regardless, its a creepy area of magick but in this story, they give mixed reasons for its practice. I don't normally think of necromancers being good people, since they always have dead body parts everywhere when I raid their dens. One of my characters practices necromancy and she is not good.

Post by **Kerr** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 11:40 pm

What if it was like donating organs after death?

Post by **MARS** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 11:41 pm

I think that was a common arangement before Traven banned it altogether.

Right-Hand-Of-Sithis · Sun Oct 14, 2012 6:17 am

If I remember correct, necromancy not only mean raising the dead, but also studying the body.

Leonardo DaVinci, for example, was accused of necromancy for his study of dead bodies (If the documentary I got that from is correct).

In that sense, I support necromancy as being almost synonymous with Biology.

Dark Spark · Post by **Dark Spark** » Sun Oct 14, 2012 3:34 pm

Can a priest in a Chapel of the Divines be a bad person?

Br3admax · Post by **Br3admax** » Sun Oct 14, 2012 3:41 pm

Dark Spark wrote:Can a priest in a Chapel of the Divines be a bad person?

Yes, dishonesty is bad.

Derp53 · Post by **Derp53** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 2:34 am

Br3admax wrote:
Dark Spark wrote:Can a priest in a Chapel of the Divines be a bad person?
Yes, dishonesty is bad.

or you know.... maybe Danica Pure-Spring is the one stealing all my sweetrolls

p-sto · Post by **p-sto** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 4:54 am

Murder, dissection and necrophilia seem to be common themes for necromancers in Skyrim. Though I'm thinking Falion likely qualifies as a necromancer as well. So I would say yes being a necromancer doesn't rule out being good but I do think it's quite the exception.

The SheoDovah · Post by **The SheoDovah** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 11:49 am

It can be used for good but chances are you would be attacked by the villagers for using it as almost everyone in Tameriel despises it. I wouldn't be surprised if the Dominion has actively hunted down necromancers.

Hissien · Post by **Hissien** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 11:55 am

Well D&D clerics were also necromancers, also we need to wonder what kind of necromancy. One could raise a person from the dead, truly not just a zombie, and would be hailed as a saint. So i think that necromancers can be good, it is just that anyone who raises a zombie is usually not the kind of person one would consider good.

Post by **MARS** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 4:05 pm

Not to forget that the Dunmer practice necromancy in order to guard their ancestral tombs.

Zuzu · Post by **Zuzu** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 4:34 pm

Objectively? It can be used for good things and it can be used for bad things.

Anything beyond that is just a matter of one's culture and/or religion.

philfredobob · Post by **philfredobob** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 2:26 pm

Of course they can be good
as long as people dont get too annoyed by the fact they are reusing their dead Ancestors/Friends/Lovers , it can definetly be used for good

DikaSmausha · Post by **DikaSmausha** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:11 am

Can one be? Maybe. Will one be? No.

Br3admax · Post by **Br3admax** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:14 am

The necrophiles in Oblivion though, those are the nice people. "That's way less than Morrowind." Now the real question is >_>, <_<, How did we know?

Hissien · Post by **Hissien** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:55 am

Br3admax wrote:The necrophiles in Oblivion though, those are the nice people. "That's way less than Morrowind." Now the real question is >_>, <_<, How did we know?

My dunmer wanted to be close with his ancestors, they just did not want to be close to him...

Br3admax · Post by **Br3admax** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:57 am

I mean it was a straight answer, just plain, "Is this your first offence?" WTF, I'm a necrophile now? Sweet

,

Mr.Argonian · Post by **Mr.Argonian** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 10:19 am

Sure necromancers can be good, and anyone can be good, but the games portrayal of necromancers hasen't been very good. And all my necromancers have been evil. The need for dead bodies normally leads to killing people. This is considered evil by most.

Red Guardian · Post by **Red Guardian** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:20 pm

Good and evil is all a matter of perspective.

Plus, there is proof enough in Skyrim. That necromancers can be good, I mean.
Inside a cave you can find an Altmer training Frostbite Spiders into the secrets of Alteration. Frey is his last name (not Mercer's brother).

Judging from the looks of things he is also a Necromancer. And he worships Julianos, an Aedra...

Hissien · Post by **Hissien** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:22 pm

Phinus and Falion are necromancers, or they know necromancy at least.

UESP Forums