Organizations of Kalan-G'eld - Academy Necromica

Academy Necromica

Traits: Autohritarian, Secretive

Power: 7 (M 1, F 3, W 3)

Membership: Approximately 100 members of various races

Headquarters: The Skull

Religious Affiliation: Church of Kiaransalee (Moderate) or Velsharoon (Weak)

Leadership: Shriavin Xunqualyn

Allies: The Ruling Council of Kalan-G'eld, House Xierchien

Rivals: Arach-Tinilith

 

Academy Necromica was founded nearly 150 years ago by the necromancer Shriavin Xunqualyn, who sought to establish a place where like-minded individuals could come together and share secrets of the dark arts. Over the next two decades, Master Shriavin Xunqualyn slowly built up the organization, offering membership to carefully handpicked individuals who respected (or worshiped) death and undeath. Soon her academy boasted a cadre of necromancers, evil priests, and professional killers.

Eventually, during the Time of Troubles (1358 DR), the academy was attacked by a group of surface adventurer's. Most of the Necromicans (as the academy’s members often called themselves) were destroyed, and Shriavin Xunqualyn herself was at death’s door when loyal minions spirited her away.

From the ashes of Academy Necromica’s worst failure came its first great success. Unable to repair Master Shriavin Xunqualyn ’s horribly broken body, her fellow necromancers instead performed an unspeakable process upon her, transforming her into a lich. With her newfound lease on unlife, Shriavin Xunqualyn swore vengeance upon her enemies. As an undead creature, she understood well that patience was her best ally. Over the next years she quietly rebuilt Academy Necromica into a secret but powerful organization dedicated to death and evil. Now the time to strike back at her old enemies approaches, yet still she hesitates, fearing the possibility of another setback.

Academy Affiation

All things have a purpose, even if it is not immediately obvious. Through knowledge and understanding, we master the world around us. Without this understanding, efforts are unfocused and time is wasted. Your life serves as an example of such wasted effort. Perhaps in death we can find the purpose that eluded you.

The Academy Necromica exists to study death. To this end, they have perfected their art in all of its forms: everything from natural death and carefully planned assassinations, to wholesale slaughter and decimation. Death in all of its forms serves to bring greater power to the Necromican's. And those who excel at it curry greater favor. Non-evil members are a bit more discerning. They believe that death comes to all things in time; it need not be hastened.

The study of death includes the exploration of undeath. Both are seen as alternative forms of existence. While death is natural and the right of all living things, non-evil followers believe undeath is something that very few are truly worthy of earning. Mindless undead in particular are viewed in a mixed light, controlled undead serve a purpose, and uncontrolled undead are not viewed positively. More often than not, uncontrolled undead are corralled, studied, and, in many cases, destroyed.

The non-evil members of the Academy, who believe that where living things are concerned, life ends naturally, rarely feel the need to hasten this process. They feel that mindless undead, however, are far too random and disruptive. They may seek out infestations of undead from which to learn and then they eventually eliminate them. They keep their true motives secret, though, and allow others to see their actions in whatever light they so choose. It makes no difference to the Academy Necromica as long as they are allowed to operate unmolested.

One thing all the sects have in common is patience. The Academy Necromica takes the long view, and it attempts to predict how specific actions will achieve the maximum effect. Death is inevitable, so it is always best to wait for the right place and time. It is not unheard of for members of this dark cult to wait years (in some cases decades or even centuries) to see the culmination of a carefully laid plain. The few individuals who are aware of this group attribute their patience to the fact that many of the followers of Necromican's are undead, but even the living members tend to have the implacable patience of their un-living brethren.

While warriors and assassins sometimes find their way into the ranks, spellcasters (both arcane and divine) join the Academy Necromica far more frequently. More prominent members are often necromancers of one sort or another. Most members often style themselves as "students of death." Many lead innocuous lives, hidden in plain sight while waiting for the right opportunity or circumstances to arrive. Less common are those who seek to eradicate or control the various plagues of mindless undead.

Enemies and Allies: The Necromican's tend to be self-reliant and extremely suspicious of others, even their own peers. Many count the undead followers subject to their will as the only allies they can rely on. Most intelligent beings fear Necromican's and his followers (rightly so) and actively shun a follower's presence if they are aware of her true affiliation. Most members of the Academy Necromica are content to let the masses remain ignorant of their affiliation, especially if it gives them the opportunity to learn or teach about death.

Members: Only the lower and mid-ranked individuals are still likely to be counted among the living. Living followers often serve as spies who infiltrate various organizations and relay information back to their masters, both living and otherwise. Higher-ranked individuals often surround themselves with various forms of undead minions who are usually more resilient, reliable, and, most importantly, easily replicable.

Affiliation Score Criteria: None.

Worth Modifiers

'+5	Become an inteligent Undead. Graduate from Academy. Become a high priest of Kiaransalee.
'+4	Become Academy Necromancer. Create a new spell or prayer. High Priest of Velsharoon. Create Inteligent Undead.
'+3	Arcane Class Related or Priest. Gains control of undead (intelligent) and maintains control for at least one month. Control Inteligent Undead.
'+2	Knowledge (religion) 10+ Create minor Undead.
'+1	Has knowledge of one of the following domains: Death, Evil, Undeath. Specialized in the necromancy school of magic. Evil alignment. Character level. Knowledge (religion) 5+ Currently controls an undead retinue. Has an undead ally/familiar. Gains control of undead (unintelligent) and maintains control for at least one month
-1	Prevents a creature from dying (-1 per HD).
-2	Abandons necromancy school of magic. Prevents an intelligent humanoid from dying (-2 per HD). Display a weak emotion (love, kindness).
-3	Show mercy.
-4	Is willing to be brought back to life.
-5	Brings a dead humanoid or intelligent being back to life (includes wish and miracle spells).

Titles, Benefits, and Duties: The rank of reaper is reserved only for those who have demonstrated the highest dedication to the will and intent of their master: They must either possess an undead template or levels in a necromantic class or prestige class to attain this rank.

Tier 0: Member

You have done little to prove your worth. The Academy gives you standard equipment to perform your duties. Your accommodations are spartan and severe.
Must contribute six-tenths of all adventuring/mercantile profits to the Academy and undertake whatever tasks or quests the Academy demands.

Tier 1 : Aspirant

You’re not completely without value in the eyes of the Academy mistresses. You have some level of authority and can command lesser drow of the Academy. The Academy gives you quality items to perform your duties. Your accommodations are drab but not uncomfortable.

Benefit: Once per week, you can ask a sage, a spy, or other appropriate informant one question. The information you receive will be accurate, although potentially incomplete.
Can call on the Academy for assistance with endeavors that directly benefit the Academy.

Assistance will be spells and equipment equal to one-tenth of the total equipment value for your level.

Must contribute four-tenths of all adventuring/mercantile profits to the Academy and undertake whatever tasks or quests the Academy demands.

Tier 2: Scribe

You are a promising member of your Academy. Higher-ranking drow will consider you for minor leadership positions and might include you in their many plots. Your Academy provides you with high-quality equipment to perform your duties. Your accommodations are comfortable but not lavish.

Benefit: Gain a +4 bonus on Knowledge (religion) checks made regarding undead.
Can call on the Academy for assistance with any endeavors. Assistance in Academy quests will be spells and equipment equal to one quarter of the total equipment value for your level, or up to one-tenth total value on personal quests. Must contribute three-tenths of all adventuring/mercantile profits to the Academy and undertake whatever tasks or quests the Academy demands.

Tier 3: Printer

Your worth is noted by all within the Academy. The Academy masters will consider you for significant leadership positions and for inclusion in their schemes. At the same time, your competence marks you as a rival to be watched or eliminated by other leaders. Your Academy grants you superior and possibly magical items to perform your duties. Your accommodations are pleasant and relatively spacious, but not private.

Benefit: Gains a +2 bonus on saves to resist the special attacks of undead creatures.

Can call on the Academy for assistance with any endeavors. Assistance will be equal to one-quarter of the total equipment value for your level. Must contribute two-tenths of all adventuring/mercantile profits to the Academy and undertake whatever tasks or quests the house demands.

Tier 4: Binder

Your worth to the Academy is without question. The Master of the academy will consider you for a primary Academy position, such as high priest, or Academy wizard. You are a major player in all Academy intrigue, and you play for high stakes, up to and including your life. Your equipment is among the best the Academy has to offer. Your accommodations are large, elaborately furnished, and private.

Benefit: Once per day, create undead as per the animate dead spell, with a caster level equal to half your character level. No material component required. Undead created in this manner last only 8 hours before falling inert.

Can call on the house for assistance with any endeavors. Assistance will be equal to one-quarter of the total equipment value for your level.

Must contribute one-tenths of all adventuring/mercantile profits to the house and undertake whatever tasks or quests the house demands.

Tier 5: Reaper

You are the ultimate authority in the Academy. All others members in the Academy bow before your power and worth. If you are not the Master of the Academy, then you are the power behind her throne.

You have access to any equipment the Academy possesses. Your accommodations are the best in the Academy.

Benefit: Once per day, call upon a dread wraith to serve you for up to an hour. At the end of the service (or if it is destroyed) the dread wraith dissipates. This dread wraith cannot create spawn.

Can call on the Academy for assistance with any endeavors. Assistance will be equal to one-quarter of the total equipment value for your level.
The Academy no longer demands tasks of you, but you should still work on its behalf to keep its strength and yours at its peak.