Should we rename necromancy?

[deathsaudit]

GURPS Fantasy has a bit called “Naming the art” that says a form of magic called mancy is used to gain knowledge. In light of this it seems the Necromancy collage shouldn’t have stuff like zombies so I’m wondering what that collage should be called? All comments welcome.

[The Colonel]

The name's a bit of a historical artifact - the necromancers of the European tradition weren't big on animating the dead, their main trade being calling up the spirits of the deceased to ask them questions, so a *mancy would seem sensible.
The (necromancer) with an army of animated corpses is more or less pure fantasy, and although the zombie is a valid part of the west african tradition the victim is, arguably, not a re-animated corpse and the creation of zombies not a central part of the bokor's trade.

As to what name we might use, the problem would be that we're trying to use real world naming conventions for something that doesn't exist in real world mythos.

[Extrarius]

Originally Posted by The Colonel

[...]As to what name we might use, the problem would be that we're trying to use real world naming conventions for something that doesn't exist in real world mythos.

So Necro + fantasy = Necrontasy =-)

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by Extrarius

So Necro + fantasy = Necrontasy =-)

Completely ugly, and has no precedent in traditional magical nomenclature.

I would suggest following another lead from GURPS Fantasy, if you aren't content just to go by the traditional name: nekro [dead/death] + urgy [working upon] => necrurgy (the magical art of controlling or reanimating the dead). And a person who does it is a necrurgist, or perhaps a necrurgeon.

Bill Stoddard

[The Colonel]

Or, alternative (if my Greek holds up) a Thanaturge.
Anyone for Thanaturgy?

[Verjigorm]

It sound alright.

[KevinJ]

Originally Posted by The Colonel

Or, alternative (if my Greek holds up) a Thanaturge.
Anyone for Thanaturgy?

I've seen Thanaturg and Thanaturgy used on a couple of obscure games and literature over the years.

I've also seen Necrurgy used on fiction.

Either would be a suitable replacement for Necromancy.