Thanks for the info. 

I think she wants to be an 'Angel of Death' type character that has sponsoered magic through an item of power.  Necromancy is an option, but she did not choose this character to bypass the laws of magic - she just likes the concept.  I think she pictured it more as a kind personage (kind of like the Angel of Death on 'Touched by an Angel') who knew who's time was up and was there to take them to the next stage of the journey.  I guess instead of Death it could be one of the Archangels who sponsors her to be THE Angel of Death.  There are lots of problems in that, because they cannot interfere with free will.