A CDQ is a definite requirement for this and depending on the desires of the character, it may take mutiple.
Playing with dead bodies is not exactly a nice thing to do, thus the majority of Palemasters lean toward evil alignments and this does require several CDQs to accomplish.Being a pale master and maintaining a neutral stance is possible but difficult as well. Hence the CDQ.Yes you should have a character development journal that supports you characters delve into the undead an why is important to the character other than the cool mechanics of the class.