Necromancy and undeath in Acarn
Necromancy, and undeath in general, has a wide range of legal status in Acarn, from a regulated national practice all the way to being punishable by death. To be clear, this section only relates to the creation and control of Undead creatures not the spells from the Necomantic School of magic. The Eastern Plateau presents the most contrast in terms of legal status.
Orenzia has a deep cultural aversion to the Undead. The Garou and their Kinfolk consider Undead creatures to be a blasphemous affront to life itself. That aversion is also shared by most of the regular humanoid population. Non-sentient Undead creatures are to be destroyed upon discovery. Harboring or concealing Undead creatures is subject to heavy fines. Taking control of existing Undead creatures is punishable by years of hard labor while creating an Undead creature is a capital offense. Sentient Undead creatures that were turned against their own will, such as vampires, are typically offered a painless death through a specific ritual exectution or exile to Sorengar, Weissgar or Borelia. Beings that cursed themselves with undeath, such as Liches, are given no such mercy. Regular law enforcement of Orenzia is no match for such a powerful adversary. However, Garou packs from across the country will race each others for the chance to bring down such a worthy prey as few things can earn them as much Renown as destroying a Lich.
Borelia, Gaanick, Sorengar and Weissgar have a fairly liberal approach to necromancy and the undead, allowing spell casters to create undead as long as they can prove ownership of the bodies. In the absence of a witnessed contract made before the death of the subject or specific instructions in its will, the ownership of a body defaults to the next of kin. It is not uncommon for aging humanoids in need of money to sell their body in advance or for a widow to sell the body of their dearly departed. In Gaanick, the bodies of executed criminals are auctioned off like any seized property. In Borelia, the same bodies are returned to the family. Necromancers, caught operating bodies for which they do not have the proper paperwork are subject to steep fines, suspension or even revocation of their spell casting license, and are likely to be investigated for murder.
Vampires in Weissgar are required to seek permission from the local vampire clan prior to feeding but can avail themselves of the mandated blood tithe levied against the population and visitors. Transgressing vampires will be subject to the "justice" of their peers. In all other jurisdictions, vampires feeding from humanoids without their consent are exposed to the same liability as for aggravated assault, meaning it has more to do with the relative status of the victim and the perpetrator than anything else.
Perdonia is an ironic case. In a country where 95% of the population are Undead creatures under the control of the Lich Lord, the creation of Undead creature is solely the domain of the government. Transgressors are subject to exile or execution. Vampires tend to steer clear of Perdonia. While the government welcomes their money and trade, find nourishment locally can be a challenge.
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