I'm new to Torchlight, and have only done a couple quests for Hatch so far, but I'm already suspicious that he is a necromancer and I am willfully collecting all the artifacts he needs to complete his Lichdom. Or maybe his contact is the necromancer? Am I right? I'm fairly certain there is a necromancer involved here somewhere.

I think this is what separates the smart necromancers from the stupid ones. Instead of gathering all your unholy artifacts yourself and risk adventurers coming to destroy you, you offer quests and pay out gold to adventurers who are willing to collect them for you. No adventurer can turn down a quest! Epic plan.