Necromancy [Evil]
Level: Cleric 8, Death 8, Sorcerer 8, Wizard 8
Components: V, S, M$
Casting Time: 1 hour
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One corpse
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
A much more potent spell than animate dead, this evil spell allows you to create more powerful sorts of undead than create undead: shadows, wraiths, spectres, and devourers. The type or types of undead you can create is based on your caster level, as shown on the table below.
| Caster Level | Undead Created |
|---|---|
| 15th or lower | Shadow |
| 16th–17th | Wraith |
| 18th–19th | Spectre |
| 20th or higher | Devourer |
You may create less powerful undead than your level would allow if you choose. For example, at 18th level you could decide to create a shadow or a wraith instead of a spectre. Doing this may be a good idea, because created undead are not automatically under the control of their animator. If you are capable of commanding undead, you may attempt to command the undead creature as it forms (see Turn or Rebuke Undead).
This spell must be cast at night.
Material Component: A clay pot filled with grave dirt and another filled with brackish water. The spell must be cast on a dead body. You must place a black onyx gem worth at least 50 gp per HD of the undead to be created into the mouth or eye socket of each corpse. The magic of the spell turns these gems into worthless shells.
Source: Player’s Handbook (version 3.5), page 215.