Yes, I know. Yet another undead+paladin thread.
So, we have the Skeleton Crew spell, which creates multiple undead creatures, but the spell doesn't have the 'evil' descriptor. So immediately, straight to gray area.
The spell...
* creates undead, which is generally an evil act.
* lacks the evil descriptor.
* desecrates corpses and uses their skeletons for a purpose that the person(s) may not have wanted it used for.
* follows typical undead rules by allowing a Desecrate spell to double limits.
So is the use of this spell an evil act? Let's say for instance you have the following:
* a large number of civilians that were ruthlessly killed by an evil empire for evil purposes and their bodies flung into the ocean
* a group of PC's fighting said empire and needing a way to combat the empire's naval forces without endangering or coercing more people into fighting a dangerous battle
* said group of PC's contains... you guessed it, a Paladin.
* a group member that proposes using the bodies with this spell to crew warships that they commandeer/steal from the evil empire
In theory, you could argue that the act isn't inherently evil, as you're giving the bodies of the slain citizens 'purpose' by using/allowing them to help battle the ones that killed them. On the other hand... you're taking bodies that should probably just be laid to rest and enslaving them to do your bidding for a cause that you can only assume they would follow. Either way, creating undead.
So, at what point is the creation of undead "OK"? Is there ever a point when this falls enough into a gray area to not be considered an evil act? For example, would you need to use Speak with Dead with each body to see if they want to volunteer?
P.S. I'm aware that there is another similar spell, Unseen Crew, but as the question of an undead-creating spell not marked as evil came up, I figured I should look into this now...
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A lot of cultures find desecrating the bodies of the dead an loathsome act, and is taking away the person's ability to be buried according to the customs of his/her people an evil act? Sure is.
Is it fall worth? Did the paladin cast the spell?
Probably not to both. Paladin's aren't for the actions of their party members.
No necessarily evil, but the Paladin could run into issues with its god, depending on its views on undead.
Not all Necromancy is INHERENTLY evil. Those spells that are always, under any circumstance whatsoever evil, have the "Evil" descriptor.
Those spells that are not are just tools. Yet, most of the times you find those tols used is in the hands of evil necromancers doing evil deeds with them. This gives them a bad reputation and a (deserved) association with evil.
But there are also circumstances in which these spells could be used responsibly. For example Skeleton Crew can be created from legally bought corpses from consenting ex-possesors or family. Likeold Granny had it in her will that instead of her skeleton rotting in a grave it be sold to the navy so that Waitress Suzy can get something nice for her three little ones at least once a year.
What Guru Meditation said sums it all up nicely.
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But there are also circumstances in which these spells could be used responsibly. For example Skeleton Crew can be created from legally bought corpses from consenting ex-possesors or family. Likeold Granny had it in her will that instead of her skeleton rotting in a grave it be sold to the navy so that Waitress Suzy can get something nice for her three little ones at least once a year.
I love idea of people donating there body to Necromancy, and the idea of Necromancers doing body drives and the like. Makes me want to make a character based on this idea.
Necromancy particularly this spell isn't evil, and does depend on what you do with the spell. But other factors are at play. How does the citizen feel about it. What does the paladin's god feel about undead?