Necromancy

Necromancy is the name given to the magical use of 'dark powers' from corpses; and as such is a staple of many role playing games and fantasy novels.

In this fictional context, Necromancers (those who perform necromancy) are, almost without exception, considered evil, and are said to have sold their soul to a demon or the devil himself, or worship evil gods, or have been tainted by their evil practices. As such, in most contexts where Necromancers exist, one or more church is devoted to the slaying of Necromancers and their undead minions.

Necromancers raise the dead as 'undead', causing the decaying corpse (zombie) or bare bones (skeleton) to act under the Necromancer's will, or forcing the spirits of the dead to act under his command for a while. There are two primary categories of undead - corporeal and incorporeal - the former having tangible bodies, and affected by normal weaponry; the latter having an insubstantial existence. See undead for a list of forms of undead.