Correct, you will be up close and personal with the enemies while you cast your magic. The weapons determine the range of the spells. Staff is long range, scepter/focus is mid range, daggers are close range. I'm going to be Elementalist, so I am not 100% what the Axe serves as, but you are more than likely to be up close with it as well. I am very excited about playing an Ele who can move in close to the combat, move while casting, and has no mana bar. Finally get to play casters the way I've always wanted to in a MMO.
Edit 2: You may actually just want to read the QQ Necro article. Lots of good info in there about more than weapons.
Necromancer
Edit: Went to look at the QQ Necromancer page, and this is what they had to say about weapon ranges:
Main Hand
Axe: low range, fast damage (aggressive)
Scepter: long range, damage, utility (supportive)
Dagger: low range, health sacrifice, life stealing (defensive)
Off hand
Warhorn: Daze, life stealing (aggressive)
Focus: condition removal, Chill & Vulnerability (supportive)
Dagger: Blind, Regeneration (defensive)
Two-Handed
Staff: long range, area damage
Hope it helps