The discovery of the Meidoun necropolis in 1818 and the first contact with Imhotep II, known as the Black Pharaoh, transformed the destiny of the British Empire. After his exchange with a voice from beyond the grave, Lord Carter became the first English necromancer and founded the Cult in 1819.
   It took him nearly 21 years to complete the worst possible blasphemy, the resurrection of a dead person. Admittedly the whole process did not come up to his expectations ; Lazarus had no intellectual capacity left. But he was nevertheless the first zombie in London, and this very fact was the cornerstone for a new era in the history of Britain.
   Lord Carter, under cover of progress for mankind, managed to curb the feeling of horror his experience naturally created. Philanthropic societies helped him make people accept the idea that zombies could replace workers in the factories. Lord Carter managed to convince manufacturers that his creatures had a real economic interest. Nevertheless this led to an anti-zombie riot in 1842, led by Lord Wofenby. The House of Lords made a compromise between the two opposed parties.
   Officially, the Cult has no lawful existence, Necromancy is only a branch – the most despicable of all – of Etheromancy. The search for immortality is the primary aim of these sorcerers, the second being to overthrow the Monarchy to create a worldwide Thanatocracy. Each Necromancer is leading a horde of living dead, and each one sees himself as sole master of the universe. Only Lord Carter knows that the real purpose of the Cult is the empowering of the Black Pharaoh.
   The arrvival of the latter in London in 1855 was the major event of the year. The passion of the well-to-do for mummies reached its climax. But the Gypsies of the Wheel’s wrath was aroused. They managed to kill Lord Carter in 1882, as he was at his apex of his power, with no retribution from the Black Pharaoh. The Cult and the Wheel have been waging war ever since, making London’s narrow streets even more dangerous.
   That is the major problem for the Cult. They successfully eliminate the gypsies who dare to defy them, but the survivors grow even smarter, and others come to Britain, made wiser by the old hands’ experience and adapting better and better to this urban war. This conflict drives the Cult to extend its political influence. Thus they hope to be able to use the resources of the British Government to crush their enemies.
   The Necromancers have experimented with spiritism more eagerly than any member of the Club, they are the ones who crossed the red line. But the infiltration of cultists among the elite gives them powerful assets. Some hope to be present when Queen Victoria dies, for if a Necromancer manages to resuscitate her he will secretly make her his puppet.
   Since the attack, Her Majesty is certainly safer at Oberon’s Court ; the King of the Fairies cannot stand this kind of sorcery.