Necropolitan

The Necropolitans were a race of Humans who lived on the planet of Necropolis, in the Core Worlds. Although they were genetically identical to baseline Humans, the Necropolitan had a unique culture that set them apart from other Human civilizations. With their planet being a tombworld, the culture of the Necropolitans focused on death. They were convinced that, if not shown proper respect, the departed would rise from their graves.

History
By the time of the Galactic Civil War, the Necropolitan culture was very ancient, dating back to many milleannia. Centuries before the Civil War, the Necropolitan society was marred with violence. According to legends, a Necropolitan witch called Sycorax claimed to have the power to revive the dead. Other citizens accused her of being a charlatan, and they killed her son, telling her to bring him back to life if she could. Sycorax died of grief, and she was buried along with her offspring.

Society and politics
While the practice of burying had been abandoned by most Human cultures in favor of more efficient methods, the denizens of Necropolis were religiously attached to it. The occasional visitors were free to wander wherever they pleased, except in the cemetery, which was considered sacred ground. The Necropolitans were concerned with keeping the dead both happy and undisturbed. The Masters of Cerements devoted full attention to their work, making sure the old rituals were carefully observed.

They also thought that offworlders brought evil spirits with them, which prompted the Necropolitans to invent a ritual that scared those menacing entities away. Anytime a stranger would set foot on the planet, a group of Necropolitans would "greet" them by coming out of their coffins while wearing a mummy disguise.

While the practice of burying had been abandoned by most Human cultures in favor of more efficient methods, the denizens of Necropolis were religiously attached to it. The occasional visitors were free to wander wherever they pleased, except in the cemetery, which was considered sacred ground. The Necropolitans were concerned with keeping the dead both happy and undisturbed. The Masters of Cerements devoted full attention to their work, making sure the old rituals were carefully observed. Even the more mundane, daily actions were carried out with that spirit: when eating, the Necropolitans would always set aside a portion of their meal in honor of the departed. At the time of the Galactic Civil War, however, such gestures had become more of a habit for most Necropolitans; they still perpetuated the traditions, but without really believing in them.

Appearances

 * Galaxy of Fear: City of the Dead