Spell: Necropolis

Necromancy [Evil]
Level: Clr 9, Sor/Wiz 9
Components: V, S, M, XP
Casting Time: 24 hours
Range: Touch
Area: 1-mile-radius emanation centered on touched point
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

This vile ritual transforms an area into a nexus of death, binding it to negative energy and creating a self-sustaining domain of undeath.

Desecrated Dominion

The entire area is treated as though under the effects of a permanent Desecrate and Unhallow, centered on the spell’s origin point.

• Undead within the area gain a +2 profane bonus on attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws.
• Undead created or summoned within the area gain +2 hit points per Hit Die.
• Turning checks made within the area take a –6 profane penalty, while rebuking checks gain a +4 profane bonus.

In addition, any use of Animate Dead within the area allows the caster to animate up to 4 HD of undead per caster level, rather than the normal 2 HD per level. This does not increase the caster’s normal control limit.

Profane Anchors (Temples of Evil)

If the area contains permanent structures dedicated to evil deities (shrines, temples, or altars consecrated to darkness), the caster may designate up to one such site per four caster levels as a profane anchor.

Each profane anchor radiates a constant Magic Circle Against Good effect (caster level equal to the original caster).

While within 60 feet of a profane anchor, undead gain an additional:

• +1 profane bonus on attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws (stacks with Desecrated Dominion)
• +1 hit point per Hit Die

Rising Dead

Any corporeal creature with a skeletal system that dies within the area rises at the next midnight as either a skeleton or zombie (caster’s choice at the time of casting).

• These undead are created as though by Animate Dead.
• The caster may choose to have newly created undead automatically count against their control limit.
• Any undead exceeding the caster’s control limit become uncontrolled but retain the standing orders described below.

At the completion of the spell, the caster defines a general directive for all uncontrolled undead (such as “remain within the necropolis,” “attack all living creatures,” or “guard the central shrine”).

The caster may alter these parameters by performing a 24-hour ritual at the spell’s center.

Suppression and Interaction

• This spell suppresses and overrides any Desecrate or Unhallow within its area.
• Any Consecrate cast within the area suppresses Necropolis in its area for 1d4 minutes.
• Any Hallow suppresses Necropolis within its area for 1d4 hours.

Existing Hallow effects tied to good-aligned temples at the time of casting are not dispelled and function normally within their boundaries.

Breaking the Necropolis

Necropolis cannot be dispelled by dispel magic or similar effects.

A Miracle or Wish cast by a good-aligned caster at the spell’s origin point suppresses the effect for 24 hours.

To permanently end the effect requires three consecutive days of such casting at the center, or a single miracle combined with a consecrated ritual involving at least three good-aligned clerics of 15th level or higher (DM adjudication).

Material Component

Black onyx gems worth 10,000 gp, mixed with unholy water and buried at the spell’s center.

XP Cost

2,000 XP