Summoning dolls:

Larian have done a good job of replacing this with the traditional necromancy.

However i think you need a summoning doll skill to be able to use the dolls effectively. Basically a 5 skill system.

But you are able with this skill to create new summoning dolls and change the class of your dolls.

E.g you get a skeleton summoning doll.
When you summon him he may be a fighter.

Say you want an archer. With this skill you place your summoning doll in a cauldron,add water,wait for it to boil and add say an arrow and 1-2 herbs.

You will get a message stating "It has worked"

And you can summon your archer. It is not enough that you have the skill. You need the recipe to change your dolls class.

The recipe can be found in books in a typical summoner,or by trade.

Now you can create your own doll of any monster you find.
With the above skill you can foage the corpse to find a bone.

With the bone and various herbs you can create your own doll.
The recipe for this is the same regardless of what creature you want as your doll.