Narrated D&D Story: How The Mighty Necromancer Flashed His Shades Of Gray (P1)

"Even in Death, I Shall Protect."
Part 2 Link: • Narrated D&D Story: Th...
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Credits-
Script Editors: Evan Shutley ([e-mail]) & Muhaiminal Islam Neon ([e-mail])
Thumbnail Art: CJ Downing (cjdowning.mypo...)
Narrator: MyLo ( VoMylo)
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[@ironmanrox3145]

"Our service, eternal. Our sacrifice, infinite. Our regrets, *absent* ."

[@nosmoke247]

That is what demons reply because they are already doomed to lake of fire, your ignorance follows blindly.

[@CommanderM117]

300 Deathless in service in death to protect the living

[@nosmoke247]

@@CommanderM117 deathless what a lie from Lucy fur....

[@nosmoke247]

Actually I heard a confession of the 1/3 fooled by lying Satan. They have one regret, listening to Satan, the father of lies. Money isn't shit! They miss heaven and all God made them!!!!! Wake up from your deception

[@CommanderM117]

@@nosmoke247 Satan does not exit in d and d and bringing Christianity into it would only harm the game or see massive purging/witch burning

[@OGSnoberry]

"Your alignment changes to neu-" 'I snap her neck so she doesn't come back.' "Nevermind."

[@JohnNaru2112]

Snoberry that’s the part I don’t get. A true neutral would be the pragmatist. She will come back if he doesn’t. So why not make sure she doesn’t.

[@masterreaper115]

@@JohnNaru2112 Ive had lawful good paladins do similar things. In what world does a warrior of faith stand idly by and watch as a poor soul is risen as a zombie against their will? wtf kind of shit is that? The second key thing here is he consoled the girl and stayed with her, changing the impending death from a terrifying ordeal into a somewhat peaceful one THEN once she had gone he ensured she would not rise.. i see absolutely nothing wrong with that act.

[@OGSnoberry]

I'm just quoting the video my dudes I don't agree with what the GM did

[@masterreaper115]

@@OGSnoberry no one's attacking you, just sharing opinions

[@OGSnoberry]

@@masterreaper115 I ain't saying I'm being attacked just replying

[@jwoods5690]

"EVEN IN DEATH, I SHALL PROTECT." "Our service, eternal. Our sacrifice, infinite. Our regrets, absent." Those two lines are very powerful, and show how great a necromancer can be when played right.

[@spfirestarter8283]

They gave me chills And throughout the whole thing I was just amazed at how well played a character like that can be done I also almost cried at the part about the girl

[@jwoods5690]

@@spfirestarter8283 From this story, I really want to make a Grey Necromancer build.

[@marcusjr80]

The quotes sounded like something from 40k

[@jwoods5690]

@@marcusjr80 Honestly yeah. I didn't see it at first, but now I do.

[@drakkonusfrostburn4038]

You misspelled PROTECC!

[@StrikaAmaru]

"Good People with Bad Powers" is a very interesting trope to me, so I'd be all over a character like Astoshan.

[@GalynddraBlacktree]

I love this trope to death, and it's probably why the first character I was able to really start roleplaying with was my Demon Hunter in WoW. These are people that sacrificed the chance to ever have a normal life again, most of whom will have to struggle for dominance over the demon within for the rest of eternity or else it will break free. They can eat souls and do twisted magic. They made these sacrifices to become strong enough to save not just their own world, but all the world's the demons hadn't finished cleansing of life yet.

[@conoroneill8067]

Have you read Worm? Worm is filled with characters like that.

[@StrikaAmaru]

@@conoroneill8067 Wildbow's Worm, I presume? It has 4 million words afaik, so it's a bit intimidating.

[@conoroneill8067]

@@StrikaAmaru Yeah, I definitely get that. It's very good, though, so I'd still recommend it if you get the time. (Also, it's only 1.7 million words, but that's still nothing to scoff at.)

[@plmPissekatt]

Dante Galand in the Cycle of Arawn is another example.

[@OneUnassumingOx]

That’s the most amazing necromancer I’ve ever heard of, amazing what can happen when you don’t just automatically assume that Necromancer=Pure Evil.

[@princesstheadorablecat]

This character is the inspiration for my necromancer do people still to this day think is chaotic and won't give her a chance

[@l33tsamurai]

All hail Ainz Ooal Gown! King of the undead! But seriously I'm glad to see a necromancer I could get along with!

[@loganjshaw140]

I have seen a hero necromancer. He was a hero a prince who tried to save his poeple. Something happen to make he fall to a lichking but regained him self after time. He name is Roland. He is the mc of a light novel.

[@lemunesd735]

Many people hear the word "evil" and think of sadistic puppy-killing. That simply isn't the case. Many awesome characters qualify as evil-alignment while accomplishing great things.

[@TheDannyschoofs]

@@lemunesd735 No no, this is more (sadistic) dead puppy rising, just to add it to your undead army...

[@thingsareabouttogetgrusome5092]

He protect He attack But most importantly He bring the bois back

[@islapmyemos3756]

@Elijah why did we think the exact same thing

[@docmaly2178]

Me and the boys are back!

[@MrTonybonez]

😂😂😂😂

[@eventsv3298]

But most importantly He snep nek

[@Attaxalotl]

Well boys we did it, we are more once again.

[@Elliandr]

I don't understand why snapping her neck was seen as an evil action. In context, his objective was to keep her body from being cursed with undeath. To allow her to truly rest. A good person does what is right regardless of what others think about it.

[@felixlavulpe3506]

He really wrenched it. It was a "nearly took her head off" kind of snap. Made it very clear he wasn't worried about anything except stopping another threat from rising.

[@Shadow_of_Christ]

He goes from evil to good alignment I thought?

[@Elliandr]

@@Shadow_of_Christ he went to neutral until the neck snapping, then the DM took the neural back.

[@Elliandr]

@@felixlavulpe3506 ehh... Still doesn't seem evil to me. If he was purely focus on stopping another threat he wouldn't have stayed with her until she died naturally, nor would he have given her a choice. He was respectful to the point of putting her to bed, but he had to act otherwise she would have risen as a zombie.

[@bachri7721]

@@watcherofmemelords7967 It would be more just to adopt a zombie?

[@MrHalfNHALF]

Stays and sings with dying girl GM: Hands him a note saying hes neutral. Snaps girls neck GM: takes back note Wow this aged well, thanks guys

[@ChitenBugMan]

Taking the note back was because he called the death "so beautiful"

[@whitewolf9895]

@@ChitenBugMan I thought that was the ranger that said that lol

[@dandyrebellion]

@@whitewolf9895 it was the ranger who said that, but she was referring to what Astoshan did for the girl

[@silvertheelf]

😂

[@TrueMeridian]

😂

[@austinhastings8793]

I'm not an evil necromancer! I'm just a guy, trying to raise a family...

[@Obisouky4]

*pinwheel intensifies*

[@eaglest0554]

*tunn dunn chang*

[@nosmoke247]

Then why the fuck u watching this stupid device of Satan???

[@loganjshaw140]

Turn out the family is undead.

[@DecepticonLeader]

Raising my family - Steve Kekana (perfect song to go with this)

[@SuperMcmonster]

"Even in Death I still Serve" -Every Dreadnought in 40k

[@zachrich7359]

Well.... I doubt Chaos Dreadnoughts would say that, or even have the sanity left to say it.

[@Kaldortangerine]

SonofYmir even in death, will the the emperor protect!

[@gratuitouslurking8610]

@@zachrich7359 Chaos Dreadnaughts (or the far easier to copyright name of Hellbrute) are a bit more... '"No, NO! Not the sarcophagus... Khorne damn you, you disloyal curs, just kill me. *JUST KILL ME!* ' -Khalos the Ravager, last words prior to Hellbrute internment.

[@zachrich7359]

@@gratuitouslurking8610 I can imagine the most terrifying words a chaps Lord can utter to an underling is "To the box with you!" Soon followed by desperate screaming and suicide attempts.

[@tygoldie1845]

I’d love to play a Warhammer 40k or Fantasy with a huge depth of story or roleplay behind it. The tabletop game not any of the pc and console games

[@Judson.Adkins]

It pisses me off that I can't like this story twice.

[@nahuelaguilera1157]

You could like this www.reddit.com/r/DnDGreentext/comments/6dhjd5/of_undead_understanding_the_dead_exodus/ This guy has so many great stories that deserve to be known

[@chrisleffler2435]

you can watch part 2 also!

[@MakakunaruLoco]

@@nahuelaguilera1157 thanks!

[@philipholt8420]

My eyes watered and I fully intend on reading a book written about Astoshan

[@dunker-roo9552]

Same. Eyes tearing, fists clenched. 100% would read.

[@caitlynborder8600]

The story was beautiful

[@MrMichaelLaw2011]

Like #69

[@philipholt8420]

@@MrMichaelLaw2011 nice

[@jaingskirata009]

We need an Astoshan book

[@singularity1130]

"Our Service Eternal, Our sacrifice Infinite, Our Regrets Absent." - Best Badass Quote. Also I love how well he played True Neutral.

[@yeetnats8972]

me: wants to be a nuetral necromancer also me:*sees enemy army* its free real estate

[@eliaswagner1312]

xD

[@aghitsaplane4262]

Enemy army:*exist* Necromancer:This is what I've been waiting for

[@TheDannyschoofs]

More bodies to add to my growing army & even willing volunteers to command the mindless undead & build my infrastructure... Yep, sounds as a badass plan ;) Ainz ooal gown would approve :p

[@Inhaledcorn]

Necromancer: I'm gonna do what's called a "pro gamer move."

[@jessecapra2350]

They have us outnumbered! The poor bastards!

[@kobus9808]

Basically us in a nutshell

[@ebros5758]

The best thing to do is take a load of poison AOEs

[@diegelbeseegurke2116]

I don't know how you could rationally be a better person than this necromancer. Completely appeased with death while respecting the living to a staggering degree. I really believe being good aligned would have made you a more morally tainted person, than this beautiful portrayal of a necromancer.

[@MrDeldris]

He really rides the line between Good and Neutral. I'm caught up on his unwillingness to try and prevent someone's death that he believes is imminent. I think a Good aligned character wouldn't be willing to give up on someone's life like that.

[@Mare_Man]

@@MrDeldris Who could tell when death is imminent better than a practicioner of the Black Art?

[@zawsrdtygbhjimokpl6998]

@@MrDeldris darn right. They'd pull some bullshit like power of friendship or nat20

[@eltsoldier]

I haven't seen a proper "Keep the balance" Necromancer since _Diablo 2,_ and that's a LONG time. This was a great story!

[@jessecapra2350]

D2 Necromancers were 100% how I try to portray my necromancers.

[@LotteLattes]

D2 necromancers were busted af wym

[@-hello6177]

@Elijah making a necromancer is easy, pick a cliche, develop it through the story and try to change at least from half of what he was before, or make him already changed and give him a backstory, if you develop him too fast he'll be shit so resort to backstory's

[@Jack-rj4kd]

Priests of rathma. Best dark magic users ever seen

[@hunterrickert6026]

This dude is what a good necromancer can bring to a party. and i love that ending "Our service, eternal. Our sacrifice, infinite. Our regrets, absent ." gives me chills!

[@colorpg152]

sadly most paladins or clerics will make it out to be a big deal and insist you get out of the party even if you you got there first

[@skeletonlord5255]

Finally a story with a necromancer *THAT IS GOOD* Sometimes i think im the only nice necromancer

[@vinnylatoria4478]

Just out of curiosity why do you think that a *necromancer* would be nice?

[@skeletonlord5255]

Well you have a point but all of the stories have bad necromancer like raising the dead civilians and gaurds with control over them

[@vinnylatoria4478]

Fair enough. I play a necromancer but I honestly didn't think of anything malicious like that. However we did run into a village who believed that you can't get pregnant if you aren't married. Our Khorne following orc proceeding to kill the village a few sessions after. As a Dark Elf Tzeentch Necromancer I was even surprised.

[@anduro7448]

@@vinnylatoria4478 They revive the dead This could be due to hateing death and wanting to stop it , even if that means not going to heaven

[@DarkVeghetta]

Actually, I do know of another nice necromancer that you could watch, if you're interested in listening to a full tabletop campaign (using the 13th Age system - essentially a mix of DnD 5th, DnD 4th, and some other stuff): Anrakyn Solace (pure necromancer) from kzbin.info/aero/PLkJAb0_hqfofGGqSdUfCmlHO9sQrbusz1. He's played by a veteran roleplayer and the campaign itself is really quite good. The same campaign also features an undead paladin/necromancer hybrid that's quite the unique take on necromancer hybrids, played by yet another great RP-er. If you're inclined to do so, enjoy!

[@thehiddeneye9271]

SHIT i want an animation of this it would be epic holy

[@rodgon123]

I thought the same

[@zerkwastaken]

this isnt even the whole story. There is a bit more

[@thedon68889]

Zerberker not in the link, any clue where I could find more?

[@zerkwastaken]

@@thedon68889 just google necromancers name. it should give something usefull

[@JuanOrtiz-lq6te]

Right!!!

[@grillninja6492]

In my game world, there was a city of necromancers, and when you died, you donated your body for "science". They had intelligent skeletons (not bound spirits of the deceased, but whole new artificial intelligences). Their city was very clean, well defended, and they were very good healers, and proponents of of advanced medical procedures... who could also turn you inside out and make the mess dance around while you watched if you crossed them. Which was almost never necessary.

[@christopheraaron1255]

So Hollowfaust then?

[@grillninja6492]

@@christopheraaron1255 No, don't know it. I had a continent the mages created and rose it out of the ocean after they lost a war with the church. They organized each province according to each specialization of magic.

[@rednecromancer2579]

I actually designed something very similar to this just earlier today in the campaign I’m running. Astoshan is one of my favorite characters in fiction, & the first D&D story to really make me go “Wow, I need to play this game”, so I decided to pay homage to & take inspiration from him by making a city of undead called Mors City, founded by an Archlich named Astoshan Mors, the most powerful necromancer in history. It’s strange how similar this is, I was just watching this for inspiration for lore but this is pretty much exactly what I have set up for my campaign.

[@lazerninga]

“Only in death does duty end.” “Even in death, I protect.” Edit: I really like this story because people always think necromancy is evil. Personally I tend to see necromancers as people who just can’t let go, and will go to any length to keep a hold of those they care about. Seeing a Balance perspective is new and refreshing.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Well, lets be fair. The unbalanced types are gonna be drawn to the obvious power of necromancy. And things made with it are likely to be tormented in one way or another. So yeah...it has a bad rep for a good readon. But it is just a tool like any of the other schools. So it isn't any more evil than them.

[@kapitan19969838]

From my point of view the paladins are evil!

[@lazerninga]

kapitan19969838 Claiming to have a peace loving god, then murdering followers of other peace loving gods because they won’t convert, is without a doubt evil. Resurrecting those fallen peaceful cultists and using them as a workforce to aid the damaged city they were based in however. Is an action made for the greater good, that they would agree to provided their god has no specific rules regarding resurrection. Edit: I’m not trying to attack anyone with this, just making a joke. In case it came off wrong.

[@kapitan19969838]

@@lazerninga We're not having this discussion here mate, just roll with me

[@rjframe4410]

There's an undead race on DND wiki that literally is this concept. www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Pseudolich_(5e_Race)

[@calebrobinson7965]

That is one of my top five favorite story

[@felixlavulpe3506]

Thank you

[@Stupidtalkspointlessthoughts]

@@felixlavulpe3506 the great Felix la vulpe!

[@sriramramesh5318]

you're at 666 upvotes I'm sorry but I can't change it

[@ellie_ex]

Sometimes the best stories aren't plotted by DMs, but created organically by the characters.

[@lorekeeper685]

The stories are neither for DM or the party as the story comes from their colabrations

[@lapidations]

@@lorekeeper685 exactly, every GM is helping to tell a story. But the main actors are the players. They have equal responsibilities making the story awesome. Even the distrustful companions just added to the drama. I particularly liked the wise dwarf that could easily see behind the surface of the necro's intention

[@lorekeeper685]

@@lapidations yus

[@ThaetusZain]

I'd say always To me the GM has always been the world. Sometimes it nudges and leads but the players have always been the deciding factor of what is actually going to happen. Setting really is most important. At least in my opinion.

[@equarg]

Wow. While scary he broke the little girls neck... What he did was a form of mercy in this case. Even as a Chaotic Good person, I could see that. He stayed with the dying little girl and honored her last request.

[@calebchristensen900]

equarg which is why it confused me too, if anything it’d be more chaotic and not evil.

[@LilietBorodina]

Yeah. Lawful Neutral / Chaotic Good solidarity imho >x>

[@whitewolf9895]

The lines were so beautiful. "even in death I shall protect" and the statue. Honestly an army of undead mining gold and gems would be epic. Gaining money while adventuring.

[@examinedfever6812]

So, what is Ashtoshan's backstory? There has to be a reason for this type of serenity in a character with, what seems like, almost no flaw in judgment.

[@killerwomack4613]

There has always been serenity in death. Its only in the latter half of the 20th century and the all of the first 1/5th of this century that people are understanding this on a massive scale.

[@examinedfever6812]

@@killerwomack4613 I agree. Death has been viewed as a release in many cultures throughout out history. However, this character is almost as if we've died, and came back with no enlightmentx but release from such a human concept. It's more like a character with the absence of fear, but not in the sense of bravery. If you cannot die, and you are human, what holds you back from an infinite potential?

[@Eduardo-pk9qb]

Part 3 came today, his backstory is explained there.

[@kobus9808]

They made a vid on it

[@JJ-qo2sk]

"Our service, Eternal. Our sacrifice, Infinite. Our regrets, Absent." Devotion.

[@nominom2680]

"Even in death I shall protect" When I heard that I cried like a little bitch even though I haven't cried in years

[@JoshBeach]

Same even though I knew it was coming

[@spartand-5116]

When i heard he soothed a little girl in her final moments , my respect for astoshan grew immensely , because he wanted to comfort her , not obligated

[@minecraftoverlordpe2842]

"Let the dead bury the dead" is a rather prevalent theme here.

[@lostinmystudy4366]

to be honestly i would most likely be on the necromancers side, mainly because i like "break the mold" characters and like to make them.

[@vikingraven4758]

If I were playing with you I'd hope you choose that based on you characters personality, ideals, and motives rather than your own. Nothing is more immersion breaking than players or DM metagaming.

[@lostinmystudy4366]

@@vikingraven4758 most characters i play tend to be more on the neutral so seeing how his view on things lean more on the neutral side then i could truly say that it would be the choose of my characters. plus i'm more of a rper than a metagaming

[@coleallen8425]

Ruin the Forbidden fire wolf I completely agree. With so many stereotypical tropes for types of characters, it’s nice to see something new and fresh. Most characters ten to be very good, very evil, or very nuetral, the later mostly just meaning that they don’t give a crap most of the time. The main reason that I like this character is that he’s more realistic. He does evil things, terrible things, things that most people hate him for, but he thinks he’s doing the right thing, and in the big picture, he is, to the point that his conscious, willing servants honor him as a god of virtue and serve him for the rest of their afterlife. He’s very strong on all three previously mentioned accounts. He’s an INSANE necromancer on the far evil side, he seems very bent on doing what he believes is the right thing to do, and get he doesn’t care much about what people think of him, or even his general safety considering his outlook on death. He’s a fantastic character that you don’t often see the likes of.

[@mdbgamer556]

I made a half-orc monk. My first and only character. The dnd group fell apart due to life issues one of them had though. My first and currently only dnd session.

[@lostinmystudy4366]

@@mdbgamer556 my first was a 'centaur' druid with amnesia. Well in reality he was a bronze dragon with amnesia who thought he was a centaur. The game was also disbanded for reasons.

[@oceansalliteration0419]

Holy crap this sounds like such a cool character and I HAVE A MIGHTY NEED to know more of his adventures!!!

[@felixlavulpe3506]

Feel free to ask, I've too much to write.

[@sinnerthesinful552]

There's another, from the end of the campaing

[@johnjustjohn5866]

@@felixlavulpe3506 do you plan to write more stories on Reddit?

[@ivyvandeshire]

@@felixlavulpe3506 His Origins?

[@sinnerthesinful552]

@Ryan O'Connor Here, both stories: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5mvfZ55a75-abM

[@evilallensmithee]

No kidding, I actually teary-eyed. “Our Service, Eternal. Our Sacrifice, Infinite. Our Regrets, Absent.”

[@advancedsimplicity5356]

This is goddamn glorious. That's how you play a Neutral, folks! Take notes!

[@cbdragon1517]

Many notes have been taken.

[@rodgon123]

I know i usually play chaotic neutral and others get mad . But this guy is a god of neutral

[@ab14967]

@@rodgon123 Do you play chaotic neutral, or 'that's what my character would do' chaotic neutral?

[@earlgrey9319]

@@ab14967 Chaotic Neutral os the best

[@cbdragon1517]

@@earlgrey9319 Chaotic neutral can be fun when it is played correctly. Many people use it as an excuse to do anything they want, some play it as chaotic stupid, or they are basically chaotic evil but don't want to be evil on their character sheet.

[@SH-qs7ee]

Definitely shouldnt be considered evil; in some ways he sounded like the least selfish member of the party. As for my character, he would probably wouldn't have an issue with the necromancer unless he could be convinced that the creation of the undead army was a form of slavery. Then the necromancer definitely will be dead quickly.

[@voidfloof]

Re-dead

[@clayxros576]

Considering he only raised bandits and similar ilk, most of my characters would be willing to overlook it

[@MFinGonzo]

I mean, he would probably win vs one dude.

[@foxydash9992]

S Hollis my character would most likely try to get astoshan to help him find the next of kin of the bandits

[@Draezeth]

Hell, my Neutral Good character would probably swear herself into his service.

[@davidjohnson6665]

Hmm, who would be the evil one, a paladin who does around killing npcs because they have something he wants for a dungeon or a necromancer who raises an army of the undead to protect a city...🤔 I think I will trust my life to the necromancer. Shoot, if he does let people come back from the dead voluntarily to protect a city, sign me up!!!

[@clayxros576]

And then it turns out the god of death isnt a bad dude but just brutal. After a date with Goddess Life, he decides to be more merciful....to innocents

[@kylemcdonald5978]

I would love to sit in on this group just to hear the adventures of this character

[@MrMoros1]

Now THIS is how you make an interesting Necromancer! WHOA! 1,200 Likes in less than a day? I had no idea this comment would be so well liked.

[@danielthelionking9098]

Honestly if magic became a thing id love to become a necromancer.

[@thesubscriber2899]

@@danielthelionking9098 With all the Wars in Human History you would basically be all powerfull. You could make Dinosaur Undead

[@danielthelionking9098]

@@thesubscriber2899 Yeah. If you go for an overlord conquest lol

[@phylippezimmermannpaquin2062]

my gm and i have cooked up our own necro recipe. lost soul *a homebrewed type of undead*, human, oath breaker, paladin. He was part of a religious zealot kingdom ofthe god of law and justice. In this land, law is justice. I should point out this kingdom had an undead infestation that had lasted for a long time and they were on an isolated island far from other civilisations. one day when he returned from a hunt with his compatriots, the kingdown was ablaze, soldiers slaughtering civilians, essentialy going full uber nazi mode because the king, who is essentialy a prophet of god, said so. So he broke his vow and raised his sword against the decree of god and his brothers. Remember, law is justice. To break the law is a horrible dead there. anyways, a lych had taken over the place, threw the place in complete chaos with necromancy shenanigans and not just abusing the law to his favor and my paladin eventualy ran away when he couldnt take the pressure anymore. For some reason hes the only left on the entire island that isnt a mindless zombie even tho he is very clearly undead. anyways, the end game is to use his new found dark powers and the help of his god to retake his land and protect it like some dark evil magical batman knight thing

[@omgilovesteak6484]

I wonder what he smelled like :O

[@beebitbit3080]

I like this idea of a necromancer that isn't entirely evil

[@andrewhoganson4642]

I play a Necromancer who specializes in medicine and is played more as a doctor than a necromancer. His key role is being a wizard who uses his Medicine skill with Int instead of wisdom and the amazing Healer feat. A very macabre man who value's the potential to save others, regardless of how, over the notion of good or evil.

[@TheBronf]

thats what i do as well with my necromancers. still otherplayers dislike a necromancer in the group.

[@sethclark6593]

@@TheBronf I run when I've been allowed "White Necromancers" or "Abhorsen" if you get the reference...I tended to bind the poor sods back, but DM has allowed me to do the "Black Necromancy" when everything went wrong...then there was Chandra, the Red Female Kleptopyromanic Fire Sorcerer...

[@Solrex_the_Sun_King]

Seth Clark that's totally not ripped from Magic: The Gathering.

[@sethclark6593]

@@Solrex_the_Sun_King Never said the player had an imagination. Chandra was played by someone else...who quickly became the Pike/Yasha of the group and since I knew what the player I wanted, I was given control of the two characters.

[@oliverworley5162]

I playa cleric with who has a skeleton guardian, only one but the skeleton was dressed in chainmail and didn't hide hide that it's a skeleton, almost like illyn Payne in game of thrones

[@Galeigh]

That necro reminds me of the warforged necromancer in one of my old campaigns who saw undead as a form of recycling. He was a treasure.

[@Anonymous-ji7ws]

He sounds like the best necromancer ever so gentle and unexpectedly has very good intention for one who focuses in death magic

[@fangorn23]

I always loved the idea of a necromancer who is not evil or intent on conquering

[@anduro7448]

me too

[@4saken404]

I had a character like this once. He was great! But horribly misunderstood throughout almost the entire campaign. He wanted power over life and death. His end goal was ascendancy to godhood in order to defeat the evil death gods and take over one of their roles. But more as custodian or gatekeeper in order to restore the balance. :D

[@pconnor8996]

@@anduro7448 we too

[@MrMasterOfDesaster2]

Can't wait until you post the rest of the story, which gets so much better

[@Laughing_Dragon]

I...would honestly be with the side of the necromancer...hes notevil... hes good in his ways...neutral...but he IS, in a sense...good... he seems to not harm Innocent lives, and seems to just be there for the cycle of things, and helps those in need like the city... So I'd side with the necromancer... Now I want his stories as a full fledged series...

[@Ch4fM4n]

1:20 'As he floated somewhere between neutral evil, and true evil'. Subtitles say 'between neutral evil and true neutral'. Threw me off so much. XD great video keep up the awesome channel!

[@spospartan-104]

Yeah... Which is it?

[@Yosef_Marks]

@@spospartan-104 True Evil doesn't exist. It is True Neutral and Neutral Evil.

[@SykoSparx]

I remember this story from a green text. This is only one half of it. The second half is even more heart wrenching then the first.

[@nahuelaguilera1157]

www.reddit.com/r/DnDGreentext/comments/6dhjd5/of_undead_understanding_the_dead_exodus/ This comment was 2 months ago but here ya go. For anyone interested this guy has a lot of great stories in reddit

[@alecsnead6566]

Whereeeeee?

[@TheChesher]

Source?

[@klookval5202]

I need

[@vlad8586]

Gib

[@AuntLoopy123]

Man, if I were that DM, I'd bassing a note at the end, saying, "Change alignment to neutral good."

[@Gigatony74]

Q: "What do you think about about the grey necromancer who's neither white or black but a shade of grey ?" A: I have no strong feelings one way or the other

[@shanehaworth6090]

True neutrality, lol

[@DrMDHyde]

Necromancy is just another form of healing, just another magic. I’d gladly accept Astoshan as a party member, one for his honesty, I can appreciate such things. Two for his pragmatism. Thirdly, for the kindness he shows.

[@aronhromalic3785]

Why was this so suprisingly wholesome

[@eternal8559]

"In Death we are equal, I rise the corpse of a King's no differently from a peasant's" This is my favorite quote about necromancers

[@sinnerthesinful552]

Do the other Astoshan story, the "It's ok mom, i'm alright"

[@Kyle-pg6xz]

there's another story?

[@sinnerthesinful552]

@@Kyle-pg6xz Here, The 2 stories: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5mvfZ55a75-abM

[@kymchaton1343]

NO! DONT DO IT! NO FEELS TODAY 😭

[@schweigsamer]

holy shit that second story and that feels Astoshan is like an undead god like becoming a true neutral undead god his actions are neutral good or neutral evil but in the end his character stays true neutral.

[@danielpryce7126]

7:19 See, it was brutal, but efficient, and his characterization is that of someone brutally honest, given that, in character his actions make sense. Out of character that’s a tough pill for me to swallow, and my character would probably hate his guts for the emotional rollercoaster.

[@stephenblevins3829]

Best example of a "non-evil" necromancer I've ever seen in my 30+ years of gaming.

[@syberstorm5567]

The story of the grey necromancer is a truly loving one

[@dh599]

I absolutely ADORE characters like this and the ending make me tear up a little bit Not their power, nor their bloodline, not even someones status makes them evil, it's what they do.

[@clayrenner1382]

Such a simple idea for a character “maintain the balance” but yet also one of the most dynamic ways of portraying them, honestly this is one of the best DND/Pathfinders stories I’ve heard.

[@johnnysizemore5797]

Notes from a NG Human Idiot; I'v always had a soft spot for the Necromancy School of Magic. To my way of thinking,Necromancy isn't an Evil School,it just has a Bad reputation. My favorite PC was a highly Charismatic Necromancer who worked as a Legal Mortician,as the way he looked at the School was simple: Just because you do a Creepy job doesn't mean you have to be a Creepy Person... May your Pantheon ever favor you Baron Trevelyan of Restenford

[@ryangainey94]

The problem with Necromancy is that there is a deliberate subversion and corruption of the natural order. You cannot use it to resurrect people to as they were, you can only use dark energies to capture soul essence that animates cadavers. That necromancers typically raise armies of the undead to go attack people is really rather irrelevant as to the actual problem -- there are many different ways to align a necromancer's actual motives or thoughts that aren't that evil at all. No, the problem is really quite fundamental -- it's slavery, except worse because the servant can't die to escape captivity. Reanimated soul essence in a form like that of a zombie's... I mean, imagine it happening to you! Imagine you were dead and then forcibly brought back against your will, from your rest, and made to toil as a slave in a state of perpetual pain. It must be a miserable, tortured experience -- nobody thinks to ask the zombie how they like being enslaved, tortured, and used, eh? The "bad rep" isn't because zombies have been raised to commit atrocities, it's because the very act of raising the dead in this manner is an evil act of enslavement and torment. This is why it's impossible to build a "good" necromancer -- any entity that is enslaving and torturing something else, regardless of who benefits, cannot by definition be "good". ...Unless there's some kinky stuff goin' down, and even then it's still a grey area.

[@johnnysizemore5797]

@Ryan Gainey All that's a very valid point and i'm not saying that Necromancy isn't a very "Dark" art, just that you don't have to be an Evil Person to get the most out of the School.The PC in question never even used the Raise Dead spell,just a lot of....Questionably morally ambiquous(?) ones.1 of his more memorable moments was successfully casting Seething Eyebane(a 2nd level Necromancy Spell found in The Book of Vile Darkness) on a Beholder & watching all it's eyeballs explode into Acid. Is the above a Dark Spell? MOST DEFINITELY. Is it an Evil Spell?Not really.Your using your body's own Constitution to Necrotically replace the liguid in the targets eyes with your stomach acid(which by itself is highly corrosive) so while it certainly isn't a very Nice spell(and certainly won't win "Prettiest Spell Of The Year" award),it can't really be placed as an Evil Spell either...

[@ryangainey94]

@@johnnysizemore5797 Sure, not all spells and abilities from the Necromancy school actively involve raising undead; theoretically you can make a wizard that takes several spells from the book of Necromancy that don't involve the enslavement and torture of another being, but if you're doing that then you're hardly actually doing any necromancing in the first place. Just because the spells belong to the school doesn't make its use necromantic. The whole "reanimation" aspect (which on top of that creates Undead which, if we're being technical, always have an evil alignment regardless of the intention of the caster) isn't just an aspect at all -- it's pretty much the definition and the standard. Sure your knowledge of life and death can enable you to perform other dark magics which theoretically can be used for good, but in that case what you're really doing is playing a different role that is merely dabbling in the dark arts. To actually necromance, you gotta raise undead, and there's no getting around the fact that it's an evil act. You're free to defend it how you like, though -- like a necromancer could claim that the ends justify the means, or that it is a lesser evil necessary for the common good. But there's no getting around reanimation being inherently evil, and if you aren't reanimating anything, even if you have some spells from the necromantic book, you're not really an actual necromancer. Because a necromancer, by definition, reanimates. There cannot exist a necromancer with a good alignment.

[@johnnysizemore5797]

I can definitely see your points @Ryan Gainey and honestly tend to agree with the non-good alignment of Necromancy.My big beef was with people immediately constituting the Entire School as "Evil".The most "Good" Alignment you could hopefully get out of a Necromancer would be either True Neutral or Lawful Neutral, at best. My other point was that you don't have to make this Emo,Broody "death is EVERYTHING" type-person.The Necromancer i ran was an absolute Tool&Smarmy Rich Boy who got into Necromancy as "the Family business".He used to spend his downtime either Carousing,Studying his Spellbook or sitting on a bench outside the Inn throwing Copper Pieces at passerby(or as he liked to call them "the Help").

[@ryangainey94]

@@johnnysizemore5797 Oh, that's really innovative and clever. I like that.

[@bronze1788]

Beautiful, sad yet fulfilling. Never before have I seen a character that has so much depth behind a simple veil.

[@TheArrtcher]

Id love to see a story where Garg meets Azdoshan

[@mdbgamer556]

Heh.

[@masenguerra7835]

Garg: moonslicer is that good or evil? Moonslicer: I cannot say, he is something in between. Azdkshan: ...

[@silentxphoenix7188]

I wonder if Moonslicer would be open-minded enough to understand Azdoshan's methods. In a way the zombies and skeletons that Azdoshan uses is a lot like Garg being used by Moonslicer (atleast at the beginning). Only difference is Garg has the option to choose and grow as a character. The undead don't. Hmm... A necromancer that raises an undead that maintains its personality and develops it overtime? Is this a new character idea I smell? Skeleton PC/NPC perhaps...

[@daringdarius5686]

God damn my dude... this story... it was so beautiful, I'm... I'm making a necromancer next... I made a couple before, they too tried to raise armies, and I've had druids with blunt mentalities, almost like distant doctors... None have come close to the complexity and depth that this character had... thank you for this story. Thanks to the youtuber, and to the creator.

[@justafloofbean2342]

Good mate do it

[@daringdarius5686]

@@justafloofbean2342 I did end up trying in a campaign that ended a few months ago. His name was Dr. Aislynn (pronounced "As-land" but with a silent 'd'). He was somebody who delved into dark magic for research purposes, attempting to understand what caused "death", and what "death" really was. Through this way of thinking he replicated diseases on a small and contained fashion to study them and come up with remedies and alternative treatments. The only way he was capable of handling such dangerous research was by bringing back and controlling undead skeletons. They would be practically immune to most diseases, and often times bathed in poison/acids that would superficially corrode the bones but otherwise leave no lasting harm. He would control them and ask them to do his research on his behalf and therefore eventually, other scientists would come to work under him. Together many doctors walked under his banner and even into death they would be willingly resurrected, and in much the same fashion above, would retain their souls and continue their research perennially. In the world he was in, he made the discovery of cells during his research and continued to make strides, but as he became popular in the cities and settlements, many people who clung to traditional beliefs such as "only god can heal" and "the undead must be cleansed". As he himself, and those who worked for him, many doctors in my world chose to disregard religion as the world played out very much like Goblin Slayer, where gods merely use people, monsters and adventurers as we play D&D (just to have fun), the doctors would refuse to partake in the games. Therefore when an opposing god, a god of "rightousness and justice" finally gave in to her anger, she ordered her people to march on the settlement. Nearly everyone died, and the undead were razed from the planet of "Aoerien". Thus Dr. Aislyn escaped to distant lands even as many bards were quieted down to never speak of him again. Eventually Aislyn in his new found lands realized that, he was not fully undead (as he had been attempting to convert himself in life into an undead) and required food and basic necessities. He hid what portions of his body were partially turned (his right leg and right hand fingers) with gloves and a robe, and joined a party of adventurers. He was able to successfully keep it a secret initially, but the story does go on. ;) Don't think it ever reached the depth or creativity of Astoshan, but I liked playing the character and it was quite fun. Because of the background, my character was the elder of the party as he was a human, but joined the party at level 3 rather than their level 1, and so had to hide his "true" capabilities. (Mostly because of the half undead, 64 year old man being an adventurer, I put my 2nd lowest stat into hit points to reflect that, so I got extra levels as an early boost to keep him from dying. His CON was an 8). Super fun to play as an adventurer though, as I would constantly re-use necromantic spells to keep my same 4 (later 8) undead to keep vigil and fight on my behalf (raise dead lasts 24 hours so I would reserve all my 3rd-5th level spells on command undead/animate dead) and thus any gold I received would just go to buying armor, and weapons for my skeletons. At one point I had a succubus, 4 undead "knights", 2 undead archers and 2 undead rats at my command, where they would fight in a V-formation surrounding me, and the Succubus' job was to protect me. I love Dr. Aislynn :)

[@jean-philippepilon4380]

That was one of the greatest characters I've heard of.

[@killerwomack4613]

You should hear the one of the WereRat King. Truly amazing, that one.

[@allthingsdnd]

You can watch second part of this story here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnbVp4GIhbiLZrc So what did you think of the Gray Necromancer whose personality is neither black nor white, but a shade of gray just like his nickname? Would you be like the Paladin in your party if you had Astoshan as a teammate? Or would you be like the Ranger and remain optimistic for a compromise? Sound off your answers in the comments below! For those wondering about the 2nd part, we will narrate it in upcoming days. We’re working on transforming it from 4chan to story format. We appreciate your patience. This is the 5th narrated story by All Things DnD. Check out the other four stories here: bit.ly/ATDNarratedStories Do you like watching animated stories? Check them out here: bit.ly/ATDAnimatedStories

[@johnnysizemore5797]

As i stated earlier,sometimes it just comes down to a matter of Perspective&Definiton.For example: let's go back to that Charismatic Necromancer i mentioned.He'd personally have nothing against "Mr.Gray"(though he's personally too vain to replace body parts or mess-up his pretty boy face),though he'd be a little too dour for his tastes,so he'd make it his "mission" to lighten him up a little(LN alignment for Mr.Charismatic)... As an intresting aside; he could've legally raised the dead ftom Pauper's Graves to boost his army(and create a perfectly legal un-tiring work force)...

[@davidcannon3515]

Well, as a guy that currently playing a Dragon (yes, an actual dragon that is polymorth into a humanoid form but clearly not Dragonborn or half dragon) whom is a Paladin of Bahamut, this Grey necromancer straddles a ver, very razor thin line. But as a player, Astroshan is a amazingly simple and yet complex and deep character that I honestly want to hear more about. his adventures, trials and story, everything. All Things DnD, please, if you get more stories about this Grey Necromancer and his party, I would honestly love to hear more about them.

[@sinnerthesinful552]

Do the other astoshen story next

[@timberwolf3305]

I really liked the Necromancer, so I guess I'd be the ranger.

[@TheSirCrown]

First off I love the players that were willing to play with the roles of there character so well.... The ranger playing with the emotions of the time bur coming of terms.... The Paladin being holy and righteous... It creates for a more intresting story.... But I love the necromancer even though he wants to creat an army... Wants to gain power.... He still gives time for the weak and innocent.... He's evil but with a heart only punishing the wicked and evil.... And allowing the ones who follow willing. He's smart but if I would have to guess his fate will be corruption and eventually death by hero... Sad fate for someone so clever

[@eking3737]

Dam.... that was insane, he really did keep the balance between life and death.

[@loganjshaw140]

Best line "even in death we protect!" 😭 ah the feels!!!

[@WorldBridger70]

Astoshan the Grey Necromancer... Both Guardian and ferryman of the living... Warden of the Damned...

[@mikehawk2826]

This comment sent shivers down my spine

[@pawemarzec5764]

remind me of Anubis

[@maxbaker7841]

I love this description. I can see this as something he becomes known as.

[@OneFinalAutumn]

This is my favorite type of player. Once I get back into D&D, I'll try to take inspiration from this story. Also, the DM is amazing, and handles things really well.

[@felixlavulpe3506]

If you ever have questions feel free to ask!

[@OneFinalAutumn]

@@felixlavulpe3506 Will do!

[@GreenTree67]

@@felixlavulpe3506 are you the dm?

[@peachbunni3]

I couldn’t say “Yay” nor “Nay” about this Necromancer. He seems cool and I liked him for the most part, but with the things he does? If asked how I felt about it would be,” To each their own. What he does is his affair and not mine to meddle with. As long as he ain’t messing with my existence why should I mess with his?” His choices were cool and I found him compassionate for the most part when it came to terms of the child. Heck, found him cool with the whole undead army trick he pulled at the end there, but other than that I, again, couldn’t say “Yay” nor “Nay” about his actions. However, knowing he is trustworthy would put me in his corner for the most part.

[@TerrariaGolem]

I wish you told the whole story. It makes the Dwarf seem to have a 200+ IQ

[@loopymagician5555]

It could just be the player that is behind the character

[@jadejacobs2221]

"The GM passes a note to change their alignment to Neutral." "The GM takes it back."

[@rednecromancer2579]

Over 4 years ago now, when I was first getting into D&D, I had just subscribed to this channel when this video came out. I was just starting out middle school. This series, Astoshan’s story, solidified my desire to play D&D and my love for Necromancers. Over 2 years ago now, during the summer, I joined a (then) villain campaign playing a character named Mori. After an entire adventure that will be cut short in about a month from now as we meet the most powerful people in the world and the apocalypse might start at any hour, I’m coming back to thank this video. I’ve stopped listening to this channel for the most part, but I feel like I need to thank you for sharing me this story that has genuinely influenced my taste and, honestly, my life more than I think I know. Thank you, and to anyone reading, I hope you can have as great of a story as I’ve been able to tell.

[@MstrAdos]

Honestly one of the most beautiful stories I’ve heard in a long time.

[@draconicdemigod9696]

I'll be more like the ranger. If someone like him was merciful to a dying girl they can't be evil.

[@MarkEdwardRom]

I admit that I teared up a bit. That was such an emotional moment. What a heartfelt act to preserve that little girls soul. 💜

[@VioletDeliriums]

Paladins are true believers -- they only way you can change them is to (from their point of view) "corrupt" them. Rangers are more malleable.

[@Kaldortangerine]

Chris Wainaina *snaps neck* well there goes that

[@joefloggg3257]

Batman and Ace

[@leonidasredmane7492]

This sounds like a badass anime that I would DEFINITELY watch

[@pconnor8996]

we too

[@ithalathegayguy]

This gave me chills, especially the inscription in his statue.... Absolutely beautiful

[@felixlavulpe3506]

Thanks! It was a gorgeous touch from the DM.

[@datalysjr3339]

Dude, someone please animate this, this is such a beautiful and awesome story!!!

[@morganpryde9125]

Dude, what the hell. I actually cried listening to this. I have never encountered a character that deep. It's amazing.

[@Deathro97]

I love how people are arguing over how a corpse was treated. He could've just turned her into a zombie, burned her body, or straight-up killed her when he saw her. Get over it, he was taking the most logical steps to avoid her coming back and being respectful about it.

[@GiskardRevenlov]

"Even in death I shall protect" ah, so he made a dreadnought

[@liamdalemon1525]

I love how he is a power gamer and isn't annoying

[@Yngol7]

I’ve literally listened to this story 5 times in the last 2 days..... I need more epic necromancer stories like Astoshan.

[@Tooterbooter]

Can... Can I have a copy of that character sheet? That sounds awesome. 🤔

[@examinedfever6812]

Right!

[@josefobrien5033]

Please?

[@gingadreamurr6238]

Give me some time and I could make as close of a replica as possible. I’d do it now but I have to much on my hands.

[@josefobrien5033]

Understandable

[@Toughguygames]

@@gingadreamurr6238 send me a copy of the sheet too if possible

[@habes1486]

As someone who is currently playing a necromancer in my first dnd campaign, I love this. This is the kind of character I aspire my pc to be. Shades of grey, unpredictable, and honorable despite what others think of him.

[@frightgeist1404]

Very interesting character, one I've never seen before. I love how they resolve the invading kingdom!

[@ceekay3698]

I actually really loved this story

[@felixlavulpe3506]

Thanks!

[@sgtfluffy9446]

I like the way he read this more than he reads the latest ones with the upbeat attitude, it really sets the tone, I wish he'd read all of them like this

[@Valhain]

I have always enjoyed the thought of a necromancer using his powers to do good for others. I can see how the party found him disturbing but I feel that I would have been rather nuetral about the character.

[@thothrax5621]

I have a similar character. In my current 5e game I'm playing a Gnome Necromancer. He is the newest member of the party as my previous character died. He was relatively unassuming at first, but I slowly started getting some decent power, eventually our travels brought us to the City of Brass in the Plane of Fire. We've spent a lot of sessions there, during which I've been pretty much exclusively gaining powerful magic items as well as generating a lot of gold from magic item trade. So at this point I've over taken the position of wealthiest party member, and it's likely I over took the position of strongest party member, though we don't know exactly how strong I've become because I haven't been in any major fights recently. But the point is my character has always been quite a bit, gray. Doing a bunch of stuff that would definitely be considered evil, but not because he is. My character is just very determined to become a Lich (not for evil purposes, purely for academic reasons) and isn't going to let anything stop him, even if it means stealing, killing, threatening, torturing. He never does it out of malice, and would never put up with people doing any of those things for the wrong reasons.

[@nochilljay6369]

I remember this story from I think Neckbeardia's channel, this may legitimately be my favorite dnd story I've heard so far, possibly of all time

[@Rensune]

"Paladin" Has party member with Skeleton arm NOPE.

[@nathanieladams2863]

I played a character like this once, and there was a paladin in the group as well. I did a similar thing with hiding my skeletons in a bag of holding. I was a grave digger and hunter of undead. So I had a good excuse for my tools reeking of evil. I made the paladin promise on his diety that he would go crazy smite and break all my tools. He did, which was great because two of my tools were heavily armored skeletons that I had invested a lot into. The look on his face when I first dumped them out of my bag and they scrambled together and was reminded by (an admittedly overly smug me) that he promised, IN HIS DIETIES NAME NO LESS, not to break my tools. In my defense I wasn't playing an evil character, I just used some specialized magic.

[@JupitersTears]

I love that necromancer he does what needs to be done no question or compromise. And that little girl scene made me cry no joke beautiful.

[@HakoYigarashi]

wow great story and an even greater character. i never played d&d but i imagine it's quite hard to go so consistently with your alignment.

[@johnathan7797]

This sent chills down my spine; man what an amazing story. Keep up the great work.

[@tabathamoonstone8633]

As an aspiring player of a similarly morally gray necromancer, Astoshan's story is a huge inspiration to me, and I thank both All Things D&D and the OP for letting it be told. Thanks!

[@mrwizard5012]

"Lich Loved? What does that feat do?" _>Looks_ _>Looks at requirements_ OH NOOOOOO

[@Eepy-Rainbow]

Might be okay if it's a vampire tho. I'd be down with having a big tiddy vampire goth GF.

[@thegingergod3122]

I've used that feat before, always fun watching everyone else cringe

[@mrwizard5012]

@@thegingergod3122 Well I mean at worst your banging rotten skeletons for warlock powers, or sparkling vampires.

[@cultofnatethemagnificent5879]

I am horrified

[@alejandromendez1305]

Wow... that was by far my favorite story you have told. Thank you

[@Wulfken]

Probably one of the best and most badass stories of Necromancers, masterfully done!

[@Falconer1523]

The first thing any Paladin with even a shred of self respect would do is smite the ever living (unliving???) crap out of that necromancer Before he was even allowed anywhere near party member status.