A Primer on Grave Sciences

A Primer on Grave Sciences

Unlocking the Secrets of Life, Death, and the Infection

By John Bastille
Professor of Economics and Necrology
Last Hope University College of War

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In the harsh and unpredictable world of the Wastes, where the boundary between life and death is constantly shifting, Necrology emerges as a daring discipline that confronts the forces of decay and rebirth head-on. Born out of necessity, it responds to the ever-present threat of the undead and the pervasive Infection that courses through our world. Necrology is not merely the study of death; it is the manipulation of the forces that govern it, bending the Mortis Amaranthine to serve the living. In a realm where survival is a daily struggle, Necrology offers a means to transform death itself into a tool for endurance.

The Essence of Necrology

At its core, Necrology is about control—control over the Infection, control over the dead, and control over the resources that can be harvested from the Mortis. It is a field requiring both precision and courage, for those who practice it must tread the fine line between life and the grave. The Mortis Amaranthine is not a place for the faint-hearted, and those who delve into its depths must be prepared to pay the price. Yet, despite its dangers, Necrology remains one of the most vital sciences in the Wastes, offering insights and resources that can mean the difference between life and death.

Foundations of Necrology

Necrology is built upon the understanding that death is not a singular event but a process unfolding within the Mortis Amaranthine. This liminal space, where the dead are reborn as the undead, is a source of both danger and opportunity. Necrologists have learned to navigate this space, extracting resources such as Grave Flesh, Imprint Crystals, and Mortis Extracts. These materials are the lifeblood of necrological procedures, and acquiring them requires both skill and a deep understanding of the Mortis.

Necrology is not a field that can be mastered lightly. It demands intellectual rigor and physical resilience, for the Mortis has a way of taking its toll on those who venture too far into its depths. The Infection, ever-present and insidious, seeps into the very fabric of the Mortis, and those who seek to harvest its resources must be prepared to face the consequences. Yet, for all its dangers, Necrology offers unparalleled insights into the nature of life, death, and the Infection that binds them.

Disciplines Within Necrology

Necrology is a vast field, encompassing a range of practices and methodologies. While the core principles remain the same, the application of those principles varies depending on the focus of the Necrologist. Broadly speaking, Necrology can be divided into three primary disciplines, each with its own unique approach to manipulating the Mortis.

1. Mechanical Necrology: This discipline focuses on constructing biological structures within the Mortis. These structures, crafted from necrological materials, serve various purposes—from communication networks that transmit through death itself to creating semi-living constructs that can serve as tools or weapons. Practitioners of Mechanical Necrology are the architects of the Mortis, using the raw materials of death to build systems that can support life. Their work is both practical and profound, allowing settlements to harness the power of the Mortis in previously unimaginable ways.
2. Medicinal Necrology: This discipline deals with manipulating necrological resources to create substances that affect the living body. These alchemists craft brews and tinctures from the raw materials of the Mortis, concoctions that can enhance physical strength, restore Infection, or even alter the body’s relationship with death. Practitioners of Medicinal Necrology walk a fine line between healer and manipulator, for their creations can be both life-saving and dangerous. Their work is essential to those who delve into the Mortis, providing them with the means to survive the physical and mental toll of their expeditions.
3. Procedural Necrology: This discipline involves performing intricate rituals to manipulate the forces of the Mortis directly. Practitioners of Procedural Necrology are the most daring of Necrologists, for their work requires them to engage with the Mortis in ways that are both profound and perilous. These rituals, often performed at Necrology stations, can summon forth energies from the Mortis, bind the undead to the will of the living, or even alter the flow of Infection. Procedural Necrology is not for the untrained or the faint-hearted; a single misstep can result in catastrophic consequences for the Ritualist and those around them.

The Cost of Necrology

Necrology is not a science that can be practiced without consequence. Each time a Necrologist delves into the Mortis, they lose a piece of themselves. The Mortis is not a passive force—it is a living, breathing entity that takes as much as it gives. Those who spend too much time within its depths find themselves changed, their moral compass warped, their sense of self eroded. The Infection seeps into their very being, leaving them hollowed out, both physically and mentally.

Yet, for all the dangers it presents, Necrology is a necessary science. In a world where the dead walk and the living are constantly under threat, we cannot afford to ignore the power that the Mortis holds. Necrologists are the ones who stand between life and death, who manipulate the forces of the grave to ensure that humanity can continue to survive. They are not heroes, nor are they villains. They are simply those who have chosen to confront the grim realities of our world head-on, to wield death as a tool rather than fear it as an inevitability.

Necrology and the Future

The future of Necrology is uncertain, but one thing is clear: it will not be shaped by those who fear the Mortis, but by those who dare to master it. The Wastes are a place of constant change, and as new threats emerge, so too must new solutions. Necrology is not a static science—it evolves with the world around it, adapting to the needs of those who practice it. The discoveries made within the Mortis today may very well determine the fate of humanity tomorrow.

But there is a danger in this evolution. The deeper we delve into the Mortis, the more we risk losing ourselves to it. The Infection is not a force to be trifled with, and those who seek to harness its power must be prepared to face the consequences. The line between life and death is thin, and those who walk it too often may find themselves crossing over without realizing it.

Necrology is not a path for the weak or the reckless. It is a science that demands both courage and caution, for the stakes are nothing less than life itself. But for those who have the strength to face the Mortis, who are willing to sacrifice a part of themselves for the greater good, Necrology offers the possibility of something more. It offers the chance to turn death into a weapon, to harness the forces of the grave and use them to protect the living. And in a world as unforgiving as ours, that may be the only chance we have.