[hider=On Necromancy]
A necromancer uses their Mana in an unusual way.  Instead of directing it out into the physical realm, they use it to create paths between Life and Death.  Through these paths, they can communicate with spirits, or even draw them into Life.  This Mana pathway allows the dead spirit passage, and becomes a direct link between the soul of the living necromancer and the dead spirit.  It allows communication or, if need be, for the necromancer to bind the spirit to their will and control them.  Connecting to Death has an effect on the bodies of the practitioner.  It takes away the color of their hair, and makes them sallow and pale.  Physically, they are usually of normal health, but they appear to be weakened by it.  It is only an appearance, however.  Death leaches the color from their bodies, but nothing more.  

This same connection can be forged with a being already on this side of the Divide.  Since the dark curse enacted by Celestia, many beings return from death to roam the earth, and a necromancer can create a mana bridge to their spirit as well.  For a Black Necromancer seeking a servant, this is done easier than pulling the spirit from Death.  Meanwhile, a White Necromancer would seek to force this being back into Death.  

This connection can also be made with living things, but living vitality in and of itself creates a very strong defense against it.  Only the very strong, and quite insidious would even attempt to subvert the will of a living thing.  The closer one is to death, though, the less vitality they have and the easier prey they are for a Black Necromancer.  

As Mana users, most Necromancers have other tricks up their sleeves, though the practice of necromancer is very time and energy consuming and they would usually learn bare minimums.  In addition to this, the sort of magic they seek to learn is often colored by their predilection for the morbid.

[/hider]