Discord
Changelog
Overview
Liches are an almost universally evil form of undead spellcaster of great power, usually a wizard or sorcerer but sometimes a cleric or other spellcaster. They are feared by mortal beings for their malign magic, their intelligence and their willingness to embrace undeath for a chance to live forever (or rather, exist forever). Because liches have eternal longevity they often use this time to form schemes that take decades to develop, sometimes preferring to outlive a foe instead of confronting it, and as such most liches live in secluded areas of Toril where they are content with furthering whatever research or plots they have in motion.
A lich retains all the abilities it had in life, and gains several undead abilities. It may reveal its true self to create a fear aura at its mere presence, as well as paralyze others with its touch. However, its soul is bound to a phylactery - and if that falls into the wrong hands and is destroyed, the lich itself can be utterly destroyed with no hope of resurrection.
All liches have an Effective Class Level (ECL) of +4, making it more difficult for them to earn XP and level up.
Becoming a Lich
Those who wish to become a lich must first locate a tome or instructions that describe the Ritual of Becoming. This ritual can only be performed by someone who has a caster level of 11th or higher and the Brew Potion feat. It describes the process of unspeakable evil by which a lich can create an Elixir of Defilation. When successfully created and then drunk, the elixir kills its creator and then transforms them into a lich.
In addition to the creation of the Elixir of Defilation, an integral part of becoming a lich is creating a magic phylactery in which the character stores its life force. A lich can construct only a single phylactery, and creation of the phylactery requires character have a caster level of 11th or higher and the Craft Wand feat. The phylactery costs 120,000 talons and 4,800 XP to create.
When an individual first transforms to a lich, they retain their original appearance, albeit with a deathly white pallor. However, if the lich's body is then destroyed, when it reappears at its phylactery it will be nothing but bones and tattered clothing. In other words; after its first death a character's default appearance is that of a standard lich. When that happens, virtually all people in Thay will be hostile to the lich unless it is disguised in some way.
Phylactery
Phylactery Overview
A phylactery is an item that can exist in many forms, though it must either contain or bear an arcane inscription. As a rule, the only way to get rid of a lich for sure is to destroy its phylactery. A lich whose phylactery is destroyed suffers no harm, but cannot construct a new one. If a lich without a phylactery is slain, the lich is forever destroyed. Unless its phylactery is located and destroyed, a lich reappears at its location 1d10 days after its apparent death.
Liches rarely carry their phylacteries with them, since this would result in the easy discovery of the item by would-be slayers. Most liches keep their phylacteries well-hidden - either somewhere in their lair or in some other distant location, possibly even on another plane. Some employ guardians as well, preferring guardians that can keep a secret or those willing to work without asking too many questions.
Phylactery Options
To place a phylactery, ‘use’ it on an open area on the ground where it is wanted. Once placed, the phylactery may be clicked on for options that can be performed on it by the lich and by others.
1. Pick it up - The phylactery is placed in the character's inventory. Note that if a lich is killed with a phylactery item in its inventory, it will be dropped at the location of death and anyone can pick it up - and easily destroy it. If someone else possesses the phylactery item, the lich will reappear at that person's location if that person is logged in
2. Ward the phylactery - The lich who owns the phylactery may place magical wards on it at the cost of gold and XP. The wards provide limited protection against various attacks and alert the lich if the phylactery is in danger
3. Destroy the phylactery - Anyone may attack and destroy a placed phylactery should its defenses or wards be bypassed, or it can be easily destroyed if in inventory since wards are only active on a placed phylactery
Lich Abilities
1. Abilities - Increase from the base creature as follows: Int +2, Wis +2, Cha +2
2. Skills - Liches have a +8 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Search, and Spot checks
3. Armor Class - A lich's natural armor bonus improves by +5
4. Resistances - A lich’s undead body is tough, giving it damage reduction 15/bludgeoning and magic and a +4 to Turn Resistance
5. Immunities - A lich has immunity to cold and electricity in addition to the standard immunities all undead possess
Lich Attacks
1. Fear Aura - Liches may shroud themselves in a dreadful aura of death and evil. Creatures within the aura must succeed on a Will save or be affected as though by a fear spell
2. Paralyzing Touch - If the lich chooses to make an unarmed attack with its claws, any creature a lich hits must succeed on a Fortitude save or be paralyzed
Spell Modifications
1. Circle of Doom - Heals undead PCs
2. Cure Minor Wounds - Harms undead PCs
3. Cure Light Wounds - Harms undead PCs
4. Cure Moderate Wounds - Harms undead PCs
5. Cure Serious Wounds - Harms undead PCs
6. Cure Critical Wounds - Harms undead PCs
7. Drown - Undead PCs are immune to this spell
8. Harm - Greatly heals undead PCs
9. Heal - Greatly harms undead PCs
10. Healing Circle - Harms undead PCs
11. Healing Sting - Undead PCs are immune to this spell
12. Holy Energy Monster Pulse Attacks - Harms undead PCs
13. Horrid Wilting - Undead PCs are immune to this spell
14. Inflict Minor Wounds - Heals undead PCs
15. Inflict Light Wounds - Heals undead PCs
16. Inflict Moderate Wounds - Heals undead PCs
17. Inflict Serious Wounds - Heals undead PCs
18. Inflict Critical Wounds - Heals undead PCs
19. Mass Heal - Harms undead PCs
20. Negative Energy Burst - Heals undead PCs
21. Negative Energy Ray - Heals undead PCs
22. Negative Energy Monster Pulse Attacks - Heals undead PCs
23. Negative Energy Dragon Breath Attacks - Heals undead PCs
24. Searing Light - Undead PCs affected by this spell have additional damage applied to them
25. Stone Bones - Grants an AC bonus to undead PCs
26. Sunbeam - Undead PCs affected by this spell have additional damage applied to them
27. Sunburst - Undead PCs affected by this spell have additional damage applied to them
28. Turn/Rebuke Undead - Undead PCs may be turned, stunned, or dominated by clerics just as regular undead
29. Undeath to Death - Destroys an undead PC’s physical form. If a lich's phylactery has been destroyed, the lich itself will be utterly destroyed
30. Vampiric Touch - Undead PCs are immune to this spell
Tips for PC Liches
1. Plan for what you will do the day your physical form is eventually killed and you are forced to take on the standard appearance of a lich. You will either need to withdraw from public, or figure out how to disguise your appearance.
2. There are a number of ways to disguise yourself and/or use others to do your bidding after this happens. Spellcasters, which all liches are to some extent, have even more options than others. Think on and seek out these ways if you want your lich to walk among the mortals without being attacked on sight.
3. Even Szass Tam, the most powerful Zulkir of Thay, conceals his true appearance and status as a lich. PC liches would do well to follow that same good practice…
Liches are an almost universally evil form of undead spellcaster of great power, usually a wizard or sorcerer but sometimes a cleric or other spellcaster. They are feared by mortal beings for their malign magic, their intelligence and their willingness to embrace undeath for a chance to live forever (or rather, exist forever). Because liches have eternal longevity they often use this time to form schemes that take decades to develop, sometimes preferring to outlive a foe instead of confronting it, and as such most liches live in secluded areas of Toril where they are content with furthering whatever research or plots they have in motion.
A lich retains all the abilities it had in life, and gains several undead abilities. It may reveal its true self to create a fear aura at its mere presence, as well as paralyze others with its touch. However, its soul is bound to a phylactery - and if that falls into the wrong hands and is destroyed, the lich itself can be utterly destroyed with no hope of resurrection.
All liches have an Effective Class Level (ECL) of +4, making it more difficult for them to earn XP and level up.
Becoming a Lich
Those who wish to become a lich must first locate a tome or instructions that describe the Ritual of Becoming. This ritual can only be performed by someone who has a caster level of 11th or higher and the Brew Potion feat. It describes the process of unspeakable evil by which a lich can create an Elixir of Defilation. When successfully created and then drunk, the elixir kills its creator and then transforms them into a lich.
In addition to the creation of the Elixir of Defilation, an integral part of becoming a lich is creating a magic phylactery in which the character stores its life force. A lich can construct only a single phylactery, and creation of the phylactery requires character have a caster level of 11th or higher and the Craft Wand feat. The phylactery costs 120,000 talons and 4,800 XP to create.
When an individual first transforms to a lich, they retain their original appearance, albeit with a deathly white pallor. However, if the lich's body is then destroyed, when it reappears at its phylactery it will be nothing but bones and tattered clothing. In other words; after its first death a character's default appearance is that of a standard lich. When that happens, virtually all people in Thay will be hostile to the lich unless it is disguised in some way.
Phylactery
Phylactery Overview
A phylactery is an item that can exist in many forms, though it must either contain or bear an arcane inscription. As a rule, the only way to get rid of a lich for sure is to destroy its phylactery. A lich whose phylactery is destroyed suffers no harm, but cannot construct a new one. If a lich without a phylactery is slain, the lich is forever destroyed. Unless its phylactery is located and destroyed, a lich reappears at its location 1d10 days after its apparent death.
Liches rarely carry their phylacteries with them, since this would result in the easy discovery of the item by would-be slayers. Most liches keep their phylacteries well-hidden - either somewhere in their lair or in some other distant location, possibly even on another plane. Some employ guardians as well, preferring guardians that can keep a secret or those willing to work without asking too many questions.
Phylactery Options
To place a phylactery, ‘use’ it on an open area on the ground where it is wanted. Once placed, the phylactery may be clicked on for options that can be performed on it by the lich and by others.
1. Pick it up - The phylactery is placed in the character's inventory. Note that if a lich is killed with a phylactery item in its inventory, it will be dropped at the location of death and anyone can pick it up - and easily destroy it. If someone else possesses the phylactery item, the lich will reappear at that person's location if that person is logged in
2. Ward the phylactery - The lich who owns the phylactery may place magical wards on it at the cost of gold and XP. The wards provide limited protection against various attacks and alert the lich if the phylactery is in danger
3. Destroy the phylactery - Anyone may attack and destroy a placed phylactery should its defenses or wards be bypassed, or it can be easily destroyed if in inventory since wards are only active on a placed phylactery
Lich Abilities
1. Abilities - Increase from the base creature as follows: Int +2, Wis +2, Cha +2
2. Skills - Liches have a +8 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Search, and Spot checks
3. Armor Class - A lich's natural armor bonus improves by +5
4. Resistances - A lich’s undead body is tough, giving it damage reduction 15/bludgeoning and magic and a +4 to Turn Resistance
5. Immunities - A lich has immunity to cold and electricity in addition to the standard immunities all undead possess
Lich Attacks
1. Fear Aura - Liches may shroud themselves in a dreadful aura of death and evil. Creatures within the aura must succeed on a Will save or be affected as though by a fear spell
2. Paralyzing Touch - If the lich chooses to make an unarmed attack with its claws, any creature a lich hits must succeed on a Fortitude save or be paralyzed
Spell Modifications
1. Circle of Doom - Heals undead PCs
2. Cure Minor Wounds - Harms undead PCs
3. Cure Light Wounds - Harms undead PCs
4. Cure Moderate Wounds - Harms undead PCs
5. Cure Serious Wounds - Harms undead PCs
6. Cure Critical Wounds - Harms undead PCs
7. Drown - Undead PCs are immune to this spell
8. Harm - Greatly heals undead PCs
9. Heal - Greatly harms undead PCs
10. Healing Circle - Harms undead PCs
11. Healing Sting - Undead PCs are immune to this spell
12. Holy Energy Monster Pulse Attacks - Harms undead PCs
13. Horrid Wilting - Undead PCs are immune to this spell
14. Inflict Minor Wounds - Heals undead PCs
15. Inflict Light Wounds - Heals undead PCs
16. Inflict Moderate Wounds - Heals undead PCs
17. Inflict Serious Wounds - Heals undead PCs
18. Inflict Critical Wounds - Heals undead PCs
19. Mass Heal - Harms undead PCs
20. Negative Energy Burst - Heals undead PCs
21. Negative Energy Ray - Heals undead PCs
22. Negative Energy Monster Pulse Attacks - Heals undead PCs
23. Negative Energy Dragon Breath Attacks - Heals undead PCs
24. Searing Light - Undead PCs affected by this spell have additional damage applied to them
25. Stone Bones - Grants an AC bonus to undead PCs
26. Sunbeam - Undead PCs affected by this spell have additional damage applied to them
27. Sunburst - Undead PCs affected by this spell have additional damage applied to them
28. Turn/Rebuke Undead - Undead PCs may be turned, stunned, or dominated by clerics just as regular undead
29. Undeath to Death - Destroys an undead PC’s physical form. If a lich's phylactery has been destroyed, the lich itself will be utterly destroyed
30. Vampiric Touch - Undead PCs are immune to this spell
Tips for PC Liches
1. Plan for what you will do the day your physical form is eventually killed and you are forced to take on the standard appearance of a lich. You will either need to withdraw from public, or figure out how to disguise your appearance.
2. There are a number of ways to disguise yourself and/or use others to do your bidding after this happens. Spellcasters, which all liches are to some extent, have even more options than others. Think on and seek out these ways if you want your lich to walk among the mortals without being attacked on sight.
3. Even Szass Tam, the most powerful Zulkir of Thay, conceals his true appearance and status as a lich. PC liches would do well to follow that same good practice…