Oblivion Mod:Order of the Dragon/About Corpses III

Book Information About Corpses III
ID	xx00323D
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Locations
Found in the following locations: In the Order Castle, Palace

About Corpses III

Methods of procuring and preparing a body for necromantic purposes

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Volume Three: The Fresh Corpse

Fresh and decayed corpses are those who still have some meat on the bones. If the decay process is advanced, or if a skeleton servant is desired instead, puts one's body near a coast or in a swamp or marsh. Animals are a necromancer's the greatest ally when it comes to removing the flesh from a corpse. The mud crabs of Morrowind can nibble a corpse to the bone within a few days. Smaller crabs in other provinces do the same thing within a few weeks.

If you wish to create a zombie servant, you just have to bring the body to a suitable place and perform the appropriate rituals. However, here is some advice that a young necromancer will find helpful. For example, a decayed servant can be awakened many times, even if he was mutilated by those who do not appreciate our art. If one of our servants should find an unhappy end, you can bring the servant back, if you carefully collect as many of his limbs as you find you can, bind his bones together with leather straps and sew the meat (if it is not too decayed) with gut strings. Your servant is indeed weaker if you do this, but with care and caution, you can summon a zombie several dozen more times.

Nevertheless, the creation of a zombie is a method that is better left to lazy or desperate practitioners. With just a little more time and effort, it is possible to create a much more useful mummified servant.

The first step to creating a mummified servant is to soak the decaying corpse in a bath of salts or baking soda for at least one month. This will stop the body's process of decay, and if the corpse is still fresh, the salt will also eliminate the unpleasant odor. In a humid climate, as in Argonia or Thras, you probably need more salt, if the body has absorbed too much liquid. Some necromancers remove the vital organs before or after this procedure, but I've never found a practical use in it.

The next step is to wrap the servant in cloth or sheets. This will continue to preserve the body from decay and when the operation is complete, it will offer it some protection. Do not worry if the body is too stiff or dried-up to appear to be a useful servant, as the proper rituals infuse the mummified body with enough strength that it is incapable of moving itself. Much more important is that you now have a stronger servant who will follow your commands with more independence and intellect.