I need a basic Acolyte necromancer (rank 2). Any thoughts on creation? Should he just be an amythest wizard?

jh

No, try to use the info about Lazarus Mourn from The Gathering Storm. He has a stance 1R/3C, and on page 44 You will find how a necromancer gathers Power. In Gathering Storm You will find many useful informations about necromancers. Try to work with it and You will create your own dark sorcerer.

If you need an undead necromancer, Lazarus is worth looking at.

If not (Acolyte type, Can be a social NPC with a cover in a city), just build him as you would a Mage character to make him a Nemesis type : Career sheet, stance, completed Apprentice Wizard Career with let's say 11 Career +2 non-Career worth of Advances. He is in the Acolyte Career with x Advances, number depending on the power level you want him to be for your group. You can add extra Wounds / Attributes if you need him to be a little better than a basic (and weak) human NPC. You will find the magic Action cards and infos in Winds of Magic, Dark Magic is in there.