Question One: “What is a Necromancer?” Of course every player
and DM is familiar with this word as a name for the 10th level of magic
use. Sci-fi fans will recognize it as the name of Gordon R. Dickson’s
excellent novel. Tolkien scholars will remember that Sauron used the
name Necromancer for the period between 1100 TA and 2850 TA.
Obviously a necromancer is many things to many people. According to
Webster, a necromancer “conjures the spirits of the dead for purposes
of magically revealing the future or influencing the course of events.”
Many of the magic spells in AD&D are “necromantic” in nature.

Question two: “What has all this got to do with my game?” In my
campaign I have discovered a magic ring which is also necromantic in
nature. The specialty of a true necromancer in AD&D is, of course, the
Undead. A Ring of the Necromancer conveys only one benefit to all
characters except neutral or evil magic users or clerics. Once per week it
will form upon command a sphere of protection equal in effect and
duration to that created by a Scroll of Protection from Undead. The Ring
must be worn for a full week prior to each use, i.e. if it is removed for any
reason, it must be worn for another week before it can be used.

However, when the Ring is worn for a week by a neutral or evil
magic user or cleric, its true worth is revealed. Once per day the Ring will
function as a potion of Undead Control, and the Undead it is used
against get no saving throw! Once per week the Ring will Animate Dead.
Once per month the Ring of the Necromancer will summon any one
Undead creature (excluding Liches), which will serve the wearer for one
day. However, before the Ring will thus summon an undead, one living,
intelligent, conscious, aware being must be ritually sacrificed to the Ring.
This act must be repeated each time this power is used.

Question three: “Is this item too powerful?” Not really. It is certainly
no more potent than a Ring of Spell Storing. Try introducing this item
into your campaign. Undead should certainly be good for more than
turning, dispelling, burning, splashing with holy water, or staking!