this is a poll question of history and two factions, The Mages or The Necromancers,

for me i would like to know who formed these two factions and their oral history.

I voted for the necromancers because I'm semi-familier with the Mages Guild. Vanus Galerion formed the Mages Guild when he realised it should be able to be practiced by everyone and not just the Psjjics. It all http://www.imperial-library.info/dfbooks/b066_galerion.shtml

Actually that doesn't tell much at all about the creation of the guild. I'll try to find something better.

http://www.imperial-library.info/gttpo/index.shtml is a little better.

necromancers because they probably have a more "exciting" history.

Its has to be the Necromancers.

neither. both bore me.

Mages Guild history, and not just because you spelled history incorrectly for the Necromancer option. While I think both would be very interesting, I just don't know that there would be much to read about the history of necromancy, because it's not a guild, but a magickal practice. The records would probably be scattered and scarce. Mages Guild history is probably much better documented, and would have the history of many different schools of magic (which would include discoveries, how they pushed the limits of what they could achieve in each school, the mysteries of each school, etc.), and not be limited to just one school.

Since necromancers are simply mages that practicve a specific school, Mages. Because it'd include the Necromancers

But if you mean Oblivion's mages and necromancers, then I don't have an answer.

Eh, not totally. Cultural attitudes and local practices on necromancy are interesting, such as Dark Elven attitudes towards profane necromancy and sacred necromancy because it adds a complicated, more significant dimension.

Then again, this question (no, the topic) is pure [censored] since necromancy was legally practiced in the Mages Guild before Traven. They ought to have records of necromantic rituals all over the place. Plus, Cyrodiils tolerated its practice on dead criminals as necromancers gave their service to the Empire, despite cultural prejudices and protests from Arkay's clergy.

Mages Guild seems more interesting.

The problem was the Traven was very thorough about obliterating all useful information on the subject in the Guild Libraries and that included both book-burning and ripping pages out. Before Traven's promotion apparently a being called Occato was head of the mages guild and his last action before he swopped roles to Chancellor of the Elder Council was promoting Traven ... What an interesting situation he created, eh?

Under Occato most of the Guild Heads and Senior Guild Members were Necromancers - and they all fled when Traven began his pogrom, leaving many of the Guild Houses staffed by mere apprentices - hmm - was that before Jagar Tharn? One might wonder exactly what Occato's Game was and is, eh?

There was another thread questioning Occato's real race and purposes - in light of this one might be forgiven for wondering.

The Order of teh black worm specifically, not just necromancers in general.

Mages Guild would be like a boring Social Studies lesson. Order of the Black Worm and Necromancers history is really interesting though.

I'd like to know both - because they are related to each other.

Necromancers, because i don't know much about them.

Ehh, I'd say the Necromancers just because I want to meet one outside of combat. But, it would be interesting to see the formation and rise of both guilds. If the Necromancers even have their own guild. I imagine they have covens or clans in which they belong.

God, why is this thread even here if no one's talking about lore.

I assume the formation and rise of the guilds that I spoke of would constitute as lore. Aside from what we know, more information on these subjects would be welcomed with open arms. I personally would like to know what happened to Galerion after his famous statements about the Mages guild.

"The Guild has become nothing more than an intricate morass of political infighting."

Retrieved from "http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Origin_of_the_Mages_Guild"

Intricate politics and lore behind the Mages Guild has yet to hook me. So, I can't really talk.

But, this thread comes off as a blister just because 1. people pop in and pop out 2. the OP's question, considering that while Galerion and Mannimarco may have had some trouble with one another, necromancy and mages guild history aren't really separate and factionalistic as the OP's impressions from Oblivion.

I concur with you on your ideas. For a time weren't Necromancers in high positions within the Mages guild?
I assume that both are tied together one way or another throughout both of their histories.

Having looked up both of the groups histories I'd have to definatley say Necromancy. It's just so much more interesting and you become find out most about the Mages Guild during their Questline.

Yes. Necromancy has been tolerated for a long time in the Mages Guild, which I said prior. And Cyrodiilic law doesn't persecute them, and even rewards necromancers for services in the Empire. Necromancy isn't even a guild, but a practice/field of study. And necromancers have noted different experiences based on what culture they settle in.

In Oblivion there was not alot of lore, or at least, as much as there should have been. If you go to The Imperial Library or uespwiki, you can find alot of interesting information on the Mages guild, and if they could expand that further in-game that would be something I'd like to see.

yeah, your right, but it seems necromancy was very popular and very interesting subject, that they can bring dead to life and also speak with it and it all seems like a big study to learn, if I'm not making sense someone please tell me.

You make sense. Necromancy was popular to an extent. Many mages have dabbled in the black arts, and those that were practitioners of the arts and in the mages guild when it was banned, have since left the guild to further explore the secrets of necromancy.

Even Emporer Martin had previously been associated with necromancy.

I thought it was reckless daedric magic. He did mention to have the Sanguine Rose at one point, and knows a good amount about daedra.