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Necromancer 2: Priests of Ratheus
Submitted by
Homor
- Filesize:
- 17.79 MB
- Rating:
-
(2 votes)
- Downloads:
- 2528
- Uploaded:
- Sep 15, 2019
- Updated:
- Nov 30, 2020
- Resources:
- 2
- Author(s):
- Homor
- State:
- Approved

This bundle is marked as approved. It works and satisfies the submission rules.
Necromancer 2: Preists of Ratheus
Created by Homor and Watchilrage
Created by Homor and Watchilrage
The Aspect of Death, Acheron, my dark sentencer, has ordered us to purge this city of demons and cultists. We shall not allow the profane forces of hell to have a foothold anywhere in this plain of existence.
Please see "Changelog" for Important Notes
Introduction
Necromancers, powerful spellcasters with the ability to defy the apex predator of existence itself: death. For centuries they've raised undead armies, taken countless lives, and destroyed entire cities. But few known of the ancient order of heroes who harness the power of Necromancy to protect the world. Soon, the world will come to know them again...
The sequel to 2014's cult hit, "The Necromancer" created by Homor. Necromancer 2: Priest of Ratheus is a 1-4 player experience that pits a group of Necromancer anti-heroes against an army of demons, evil knights and vicious cultists, as well as a cavalcade of bonus enemies who want nothing more to slaughter anything that enters your territory. In this map, you'll have a limited number of minions, but you can use gold to upgrade their stats and abilities to forge your undead minions into unstoppable killing machines!
Story
It's been several years since the events of the "Gideon" trilogy, and the world of Angora is a vastly different place. Shortly after the fall of Desopath, the united armies of the world, led by Arthur Lightbron's Templar Order, launched a powerful offensive into the demon lord Balanor's domain, destroying his physical form and scattering his lieutenants. The mortal population has boomed in the years afterward, but fear of demons and other eldritch horrors is still strong.
During the war against Balanor, the city of Dunwatch, a massive trade hub on the western end of the country of Vargulf, was overtaken by demons when the town magistrate made a faustian bargain with a dreaded Pitlord. He hoped to ensure the city would be safe, but only ended up isolating it from the outside world and subjecting it to cruel, demonic tyranny.
Meanwhile, Amandus Cambria, a powerful Necromancer (the main character of "The Necromancer" and a supporting character in the "Gideon" trilogy) died in his sleep and awoke in a twisted purgatory world. There, the Angel of Death, Acheron, told him of a long lost order of Necromancers who served him and defended the world from evil. Cambria learned that Acheron was his new master, as ordained by the Holy Light itself, and he was tasked with rebuilding the ancient Order of Ratheus to defend the world once again.
Cambria, now a phantom, gathered the most powerful practitioners of the necromantic arts from the dark corners of the earth and made them his disciples. With the rebirth of the order now in its infancy, Cambria believes the perfect inaugural mission for the Priests of Ratheus is to liberate the lost city.
The Order Of Ratheus
The Priests of Ratheus (informally known as "The Cult of Ratheus" and alternatively called "The Order of Ratheus") are a Necromancer clan that are unique in that they aren't actively hostile or malevolent. While most Necormancer clans worship Aztaroth, the black god of Death and Undeath, the Priests of Ratheus do not have a personified deity and merely worship the concept of life and death, which they refer to as "The Cycle." The belief is that there needs to be an equal amount of life and death to perserve "the balance." Old life perishes and allows new life to exist.
According to scholars within the group, its origins date back to the ancient magus Ratheus, who founded the order over a thousand years ago. Ratheus was one of the seven Archmages who made up the Vizjaran Clan, a guild often credited with the discovery of modern magic. A clandestine group from a time before civilization, they were led by the great wizard Zendroth. Ratheus was an outcast among the group for his obessesion with death and dark magic. He eventually wandered away from the groups' temple one day, never to return. He set off on a quest to find the secrets to necromancy.
According to the Order, Ratheus' studies of decayed temples from before the time of man and artifacts made by hands of ancients eventually brought him face to face with Vy'Eth, an ancient and powerful undead Wyrm, and the servant to Acheron, the Archangel of Death. In ancient times, Vy'Eth was a proud defender of the earth who battled against demons to protect it. He was slain, but Acheron, showing favor on him for his bravery in battle, intervened and rebirthed the creature with his necromantic powers.
It is said that Vy'Eth trained Ratheus in the ways of life and death in his realm beyond existence, the realm of Acheron. Vy'Eth told Ratheus of Aztaroth, the usurper of the dead, a vile Netherprince who manipulated necromantic energy and bent death to his will, and how Acheron viewed his works as an abomination.
The spells, powers and beliefs he passed down to Ratheus would form the foundation of the Priest of Ratheus. For generations, the disciples of Ratheus' teachings refined and mastered his techniques. Ratheus swore himself to Acheron's will, and pledged his order would defend The Cycle, uphold The Balance and undo the evil works of Aztaroth.
Most of the outside world, especially followers of the Church of Light, distrust and even abhor the Priests of Ratheus. Their fear is reasonable, given that no other Necromancer clan is as benevolent as they are. Not to mention their strange, eldritch beliefs contradict most established religions. But in times of great crisis, just about everyone is willing to accept their help, if only to ensure their own survival.
Ranks
Deathlord
The Deathlord is the leader of the Order. Elected by the Arch Necromancers of each given sect, the Deathlord undergoes a long, painful ritual to fuse his body and soul with Vy'Eth's power, becoming one with him, and upon his death giving power to him. The Deathlord is said to speak directly to Acheron himself, using Vy'Eth as a conduit.
Arch Necromancer
The leader of a regional outfit or coven of the order. Arch Necromancers govern a large group of members in a city, territory or area. Specially apointed by the leader of the Order himself. These smaller splinter groups are refered to as "Sects." The ArchNecromancers are trusted to uphold the group's ideals and beliefs. Should they betray the order, the consequence is death.
Master Necromancer
High-Raking Necromancers who have studied all their lives. The only thing that sets these fantastic magus apart from the Arch Necromancers is merely their rank. Some use their powerful abilities to go on dangerous field missions, while others resign themselves to a simple life of teaching.
Deathspeaker
The preachers and teachers of the movement, Deathspeakers are ordered to spread the message of the Order wherever they go. They deliver sermons, recruit new members and recite speeches during rituals.
Necromancer
Simple spellcasters, agents of Acheron. They are the bulk of the organization.
Acolyte
Necromantic spellcasters who have not yet completed the ritual to become full necromancers. Nevertheless, they still know powerful spells
Disciple
New recruits in the group who can barely cast a fireball spell, let alone raise an undead army.
Cambria's Ascension
Amandus Cambria writhed on his deathbed, his entire body grasped by unspeakable pain and his heart anchored by a guilt he could never atone for. Years ago he single-handedly destroyed the town of Dunwatch and slaughtered everyone within it in a blind rage, only to become the thrall of an evil greater than himself. Even with the evil that once enslaved him defeated, he felt he could never redeem himself for the sins of his past. With his dying breath, he begged The Light to forgive him and passed away, as if slipping into an eternal sleep.
When he awoke, he found himself in an endless black void, surrounded by the souls of the citizens of Dunwatch. Every innocent person he killed staring at him, as well as his own father, whom Cambria had begun his genocide crusade for. He bowed his head in shame, and he could hear their ghastly cries.
"Murderer!"
"Coward!"
"Monster!"
"Warlock!"
"I can't believe what you've done, son. I couldn't be more ashamed of you."
But when he rose his head to face them, he saw that none were speaking. They were all now cowering, recoiling in fear and completely silent. Cambria did not know what to make of it. Behind him, he could feel a cold, painful chill. A terrible, icy essence only matched by what he felt when death overtook him.
It was then he turned around to find a great Revenant standing behind him. The Angel of Death, Acheron, with his glowing scythe gripped tightly in his skeletal hands. The angel raised a single hand, and the souls vanished and blew away like ashes against a gust of wind.
Cambria, the once great Master Necromancer of the Northern Kingdoms, cowered like a frightened child at the sight of Acheron. As he knees quaked and tears ran down his face, the Angel of Death spoke in a booming voice the rattled the Necromancer to his very core.
"You and your kind have defiled my gift. You have worked in the name of Aztaroth, my eternal enemy, to disrupt the balance of life and death for your own selfish desires. You have served dark, false gods with the powers I gave you. You have made me responsible for all of your inequities. You deserve nothing but eternal torment. Unfortunately, by order of the holy and omnipotent Light, I cannot punish you the way you deserve. Instead, you must be made to atone for your crimes."
The Angel of Death explained everything to Cambria. The hidden secrets of the Death, the way the Nether Prince Aztaroth defiled and perverted it, and the way Acheron sought to fight back. In ancient times, when the race of man were called Nephilim, Acheron bestowed the powers of Necromancy upon a great wizard named Ratheus, who used his abilities to smite evil and drive back the forces of darkness. He taught many how to cast spells to battle evil in all it's forms, but five generations after his death his order became lost to time, and the splinter groups that formed from it all turned to the dark one.
The fear and guilt that once enthralled Cambria would never leave him, but now it served an important purpose. Guided by Acheron and The Light, Cambria knew what must be done. His ghost would return to the world of the living under the strict supervision of the Angel of Death, and he would restore the Order of Ratheus once more. The power of death would once again be used to smite the wicked.
The Legion Occupation
The Magistrate of the city of Ruthorham Hold made a vile pact with a Demonic Lieutenant, promising to give him unlimited power, protection and immortality in exchange for total control of the city. Over the years, he formed a small cult that engulfed the city's nobles, and eventually led an innsurrection, making the city a sovereign territory of The Legion.
The Grand Alliance has been attempting to retake the city for months, as it was previously the only settlement in rural Vargulf still under their control. But the demonic forces put up too much resitance for them to break through. That's where the Priests of Acheron come in. Able to slip in behind enemy lines and raise massive armies right at their opponent's flanks, the Necromancer union is the perfect fighting force to counter the Legion invaders.
Gameplay Features
Necromancer 2: Priests of Ratheus is similar to its predecessor in many ways, but different in several others. You'll still slaughter your way through a massive amount of enemies with an undead entourage, but now your minion count caps at 10. Luckily, your minions can be upgraded to become stronger alongside your hero.
Features
- 1-4 player co-op! Gather some friends and reign hell down upon your enemies, or play solo!
- Four unique heroes to choose from! Each with their own special stats and abilities.
- QWER hotkeys for all hero skills!
- Hire special mercenaries that provide your units with auras to enhance their power! Maximum 3.
- Permanent undead minions.
- A MASSIVE amount of enemies. Battle against several full-scale armies of villains!
- Huge variety of original enemy units to fight against. 70+ custom units!
- Dialogue for all bosses.
- Enemy AI armies
- Choose your own hero! Now each player can choose whatever hero they want at the start. Note that only one player can play a given hero.
- Skills now have even more levels, so leveling up never gets boring!
Bosses
Delara the Wicked - A demonic Succubus Queen who delights in pain and suffering, she's made a home at the city docks, where she lures hapless sailors to her and torments them until their minds are broken, making them into foul cultists.
Alazard Venomscythe - The leader of the Black Council, he is a Dark Bishop who has devoted his life to pleasing his demon lords. His infernal spells will end the life of any would-be heroes who don't approach with caution.
Grand Marshal Vargoth - A man of honor and integrity, he was sworn to defend his city to the dying end. Though his heart is filled with guilt and conflict, he is still convinced his settlement can be saved.
Gordragonn the Gluttonous - A vile and brutal Pit Lord, Gordragonn rebelled against his demon master, Balanor, and wishes to make Rutherham Hold a sovereign territory of his own splinter group of demons.
Commander Tremble - A terrifying and brutal warlord, he was completely loyal to Balanor until his fall. Now he isn't sure whether to side with Gordragonn's new Legion or hold the line until his new masters arrive, and so he is stuck playing both sides until one end of the rope drops.
The Ascended - A horrific experiment crafted by the cult members of the Black Council. Demon blood and flesh were implanted into a human host to see where kind of mutations it would create. The horrific creation screams out in pain and lashes out at any who get near.
Bonus Bosses
Queen Var'axisis - A rural farm outside of the city gates has fallen victim to a strange infestation that has left the entire population of the farmland taken over by disgusting insects and turned into mindless killing machines. The creature all share a hive mind with their vile queen. Only slaying here will end the nightmare.
Jason Lecroix - A greedy bandit kingpin, he was a scourge to the city before the demons ever invaded. Now, in all the chaos and confusion, he's taking advantage of the situation by robbing the occupied peoples of the settlement blind while the demons torment and harass them.
Warlord Zul'Jekka - A cruel and cunning troll warlord, Zul'Jekka sees the demonic occupation of the city as the perfect time to seize control of it, both ridding the mortal realm of a demonic threat and claiming a new kingdom for a grand empire. He has big dreams, and the forces to make them happen.
Rethos the Glutton - The biggest, scariest Worgen this side of the Northern Kingdoms. He has no great plan, no grand strategy. He's just big, scary, angry and especially hungry. All the worgen in the outskirts of the city follow him. Take him out and you'll have one less threat to deal with.
Changelog
Changes
Update 7
-Boss levels and drops adjusted
-Upgrade Prices adjusted for balance
-The "-EasyMode" command now disables enemy AI but can only be activated in the first three minutes of game time.
-The "-TooManyDoomies" command will now deactivate Doomguard attacks
-Area outside of the city gates now has a fountain of health and secret items to help early game
-Necromancer Base defenses buffed slightly
-Mask of Death nerfed, price increased, can only be found at the Black Market Fence
-Teleportation Beacon replaced with Graveyard. Its now vulnerable to enemy attacks but the upshot is it can generate corpses. Meant to be used as a quick way to bolster you allies' forces rather than a permanent waypoint.
-Players no longer receive gold at the start of the map. You'll get plenty just from gameplay.
Update 6.5 Hotfix - 2/23/2020
- Computer now takes a longer time to produce enemy Doom Guards
- Due to a glitch where triggers overproduce enemies, the command "-TooManyDoomies" has been added. Player 1 can type it in to remove all Doom Guards controlled by Player 12 from the game. This is a temporary fix until a more permanent adjustment is made to the triggers.
Update 6 - 2/15/2020
- Expanded the NPC defenses at the starting base. While playtesting, I thought to myself "Why wouldn't the NPCs try to protect their base? It doesn't make a lot of sense." Now the base is much more well-fortified by friendly units. This makes early game easier, since when you're starting to get your butt kicked you and your pals can hang back and play defend the castle for a while. This also makes late and mid game a bit harder, since the base's defenses don't respawn and it won't build new ones.
- Hero abilities should have proper names, buffs and targets. Please inform me of any leaks or problems in this regard.
- Updated the model for the Doom Guard. Also added a few more to the map.
- Nerfed the Doom Guard's "Dispel Magic" ability to have a long cooldown and use more mana. Still extremely dangerous, but will also give them a disadvantage after using it.
- Infernals are a bit bigger, for no special reason
- Free Taiwan and fuck the Chinese Government.
Update 5 - 2/7/2020
Hopefully the last update for a little while.
- Chemical Rage *should* work properly now
- Added a special easter egg with a little frog friend
- New items added, including two very "special" ones. Look in the tents in the bandit's lair for some ill-gotten gains!
- New unique enemy added to give more flavor to the world. Now it's actually worth checking out the murloc camp.
Update 4 - 2/5/2020
- Legacy version of the old map included. Suck it, Blizzard!
- Bosses are now max level to match the new level cap
- "Void Embrace" now has a proper research icon
- Potion of Regeneration skill now has "Regeneration" buff
- The wonderful Watchilrage is now credited as co-author!
- Chemical Rage has a new, passive icon
Update 3
- Enemy armies with AI added
- Skills overhauled
- Level cap increased
- Feedback is more important than ever now. Please let me know what you think needs fixed and how! I appreciate your critique very much.
Update 2
- Level cap raised to 15, all bosses now at max level.
- All bosses now have Chaos damage, have new abilities, can use all their skills, their stats are buffed, and they have
resistant skin. Have fun, whimps!
- Every main boss is now equipped with their own powerful artifact that drops on their death. Wield these powerful
items to gain great stat boosts and abilities.
- Enemies now have more disruption based powers based on silencing your spells and hurting summoned units
- Inquisitors can no longer be possessed, and now have flame strike
- Several miscellaneous changes to item names and descriptions
- Crypt Flyers are now undead
- Preview map no longer hidden
- When the map starts, the camera will focus on the player's hero
- Summoning ability hotkeys all mapped to "S"
- Necromancer's ultimate ability now hotkeyed to "R" instead of "D" and now works properly.
- Grand Inquisitors have been buffed and can now summon demonic reinforcements
- Added a new secret boss! A little easter egg for Diablo fans. He's got beefy stats and attacks really, really fast.
Don't open up his lair unless you're sure you're ready for a fight.
- Gold coin descriptions fixed
- Terrain and Doodad alterations
- New Ultimate Skill for the Witch Doctor: Loa Spirit.
Update 1
-Hotkeys of heroes abilities readjusted. An oversight caused them to not be QWER compatible initially.
-Corpses of the Eredar Witch can now spawn minions
-Gold and EXP gain nerfed
-Several Bosses buffed for added challenge
-Human Shipyards no longer sell transport ships
-Oppressor now has proper abilities
-Necromancer has new skill, a custom version of Animate Dead
-Troll buildings are now owned by the Sekawan clan, while Murloc Huts are Neutral Passive
-Cooldown of Cannoneer's cluster rockets has been doubled
-Worgen Darkweavers now cast Shadowbolt instead of Death Coil
-Mana Regen upgrade nerfed. Now provides a x2 bonus instead of a x25 bonus.
-Custom loading screen and preview image added
Credits
Disclaimer: If your model was used in this map and you weren't credit, please inform me ASAP.
Credits
[Story, Characters and Setting]
Homor
[Level Design]
Blizzard Entertainment (Original Map)
Homor (Editing)
[Models]
Sin'dorei300 - Void Witch
PROXY - Necromancer
ironmaiden - Witch Doctor
Gottfrei - Apothecary
SuPa - Abomination Overlord
Lord_T - Dark Cultist
Ujimasa Hojo - Black Guard
Ujimasa Hojo - Royal Guard
Ket - Mage
paulH - Cannon
FerSZ - Inquisitor Demon
FerSZ - Jailer Demon
Dionesiist - Balrog
Sellenisko - Oppressor Demon
FerSZ - Shiverra
FerSZ - Eredar Sorceress
Rubellu Sidus - Dark Bishop
FerSZ - Shiverra Queen
FerSZ - New Pit Lord
FerSZ - Fel Commander
General Frank - Troll Warlord
Sxar - Defias Kingpin
MiniMage - Harvest Golem
Mister_Haudrauf - Feral Worgen
Direfury - Worgen Warlock
FrancK - Worgen Packlord
67chrome - Rotbrain Warrior
AndrewOverload519 - Crypt Flyer
-Grendel - Bug Queen
[Special Thanks]
Hiveworkshop
Blizzard Entertainment
Walichrage
Pyrogasm
My family and friends
God
NOTICE: This map was not made under the Reforged World Editor and neither the author nor any of the people involved agree to the conditions of its EULA. The author of this map strongly rejects the Reforged EULA and retains moral rights to all intellectual property within.
Contents
Reviews

Hello! Playing the map solo right now as the Void Witch (red), I've came up with a bug report, as well as general observations and suggestions.
[spoiler]
Overall, you've made a quite nice necromancer-fantasy map! I dig it, although the power curve...
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