The Book of the Dead: The Complete Guide to the Nine Precincts

Introduction

The Book of the Dead has been a companion to many travellers into the realms of the spirit world beyond the Old Kingdom and the rest of the living world. The borderlines of Death can be easily crossed by those of blood and birth right, but those with limited or no knowledge of Charter Magic will only cross the line when dead. Other creatures, such as Free Magic beings or the Dead may cross into life freely if they hold a great power or doorways such as broken Charter stones have been opened. The further detail into this practice is inside this book.

First this Book will guide you through the world of the dead, telling you steps you must take to pass through the Gates to ways to control your bells to the different types of Hands you can conjure from death.

This book is a dangerous tool. You must remember that all the things encased inside are of strong importance to a necromancer. The different practise of bells and the weaving of life are easily manipulated and unless you know exactly what you are doing, anything could happen.

The first lesson you shall be taught and should be the most remembered is the most important, hence being on the first page of this volume. The names and uses of the bells.

Ranna, the sleep bringer, is the smallest of the seven bells on a bandoleer. It's sweet, low sound brings silence in its wake.

Mosrael, the waker, brings the ringer into death and the listener into life. This bell can hardly be used to the ringer's advantage without an additional bell being rung at the same time. Mosrael is a powerful bell that should not be used without proper judgement.

Kibeth, the walker, is a bell of several sounds, a difficult and contrary bell It can give freedom of movement to one of the dead or walk them through the next gate. Many a necromancer have stumbled with Kibeth and walked where they would not. Kibeth is a bell to be cautious of using.

Dyrim, the musical bell of clear and pretty tone. Dyrim was the voice of the Dead so often lost. However, Dyrim can also still a tongue that moves too freely in life and death.

Belgaer, the thought bringer, which has sought to ring of its own accord on many occasions, has a significant use to Necromancers who wish to restore life for purposes other than as Hands. Belgaer is a bell that most necromancers scorn to use. Belgaer can restore or remove independent thought, memory and all the patterns of a living person. This bell like it's brother, Kibeth, can be easily misused.

Saraneth, the binder, is the deepest and lowest bell. The sound of strength. Saraneth is the binder, the bell that shackles the Dead and when rung with Kibeth can control the living until it has fulfilled the wielders will.

Astarael, the sorrowful, is the banisher. The last and largest bell which when properly rung, casts everyone who hears it far into death. Everyone, including the ringer.

Therefore, the first lesson on your way towards becoming a Necromancer or an Abhorsen ends. This book contains reference to all the questions on death. It will show the reader what is required and lead you through a course on the question of what lies beyond life. To all Necromancers and Abhorsen, I wish you the fondest good luck, and to all whose eyes have strayed, the book will only open to a Necromancer and shut to a Charter Mage.

The Book of the Dead will be continued in Chapter One, the Primary Instruments