A buddy and I were going over what the ritual to become a lich might actually look like from a purely mechanical perspective. What we came up with was pretty close to what the Lich template actually does so with a little judicious house ruling whenever my party defeats a lich or someone trying to become a lich I can actually show them what they were researching in game terms.
Of course I don’t want to ruin the allure of the lich by saying that this process is the be all and end all of lichdom. It would likely require considerable modifications for a divine spellcaster, simply because they do not have access to certain spells (though miracles could be substituted for some). It might also be more ritualistic, i.e. less alchemical preparation and more prayers and rituals. The “everyone is different,” caveat can still be worked in since preparation of the body leaves a lot open to interpretation. Also, it us about four hours worth of rules lawyering to come up with the recipe with access to perfect information as well as the insights that we incorporated from second edition sourcebooks. In its present form the recipe would require thousands upon thousands of hours of research and preparation
Anyone seeking to become a Lich must have the following feats, spells, and features.
Magic Jar
Create Undead
Contingency
Teleport
Arcane Spellcaster
Craft Wondrous Item
An assistant, preferably willing
Caster Level 11
Step 1 – Create a phylactery
PHYLACTERY
Aura strong necromancy; CL 11th
Slot -; Price 240,000 gp; Weight at least 1 lb
DESCRIPTION The most common form of phylactery is a sealed metal box containing strips of parchment on which magical phrases have been transcribed. The box is Tiny and has 40 hit points, hardness 20, and a break DC of 40. Other forms of phylacteries can exist, such as rings, amulets, or similar items.
When a lich is destroyed, its phylactery (which is generally hidden by the lich in a safe place far from where it chooses to dwell) immediately begins to rebuild the undead spellcaster's body nearby. This process takes 1d10 days—if the body is destroyed before that time passes, the phylactery merely starts the process anew. After this time passes, the lich wakens fully healed (albeit without any gear it left behind on its old body), usually with a burning need for revenge against those who previously destroyed it.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, Magic Jar, Contingency, Teleport; Cost 120,000 gp
Step 2 – The switch
This step involves an assistant. The would be lich must cast Magic Jar on the phylactery then possess the body of the assistant. Once in the assistant’s body the spellcaster must Create Undead on his lifeless body and raise himself as a ghoul and then spend however many weeks/months it takes to prepare his body with alchemy checks, heal checks, spellcraft checks, etc. This is where the “everybody is different clause,” comes in. The research required to produce the process would likely require a lot of vile, painful and disgusting experimentation on unwilling subjects so there is no doubt that a lich is plenty evil except in the rarest of circumstances. After the body is prepared well enough to endure eternity the spellcaster can then transfer his soul back into his body. After his soul has been transferred the bond becomes permanent and the spellcaster becomes a lich.
Explanation of abilities
When compared the ghoul and the lich have a bit in common.
1)Naturally, they both have all of the undead traits
2)The Ghoul’s more powerful cousin the Ghast also has paralyzing touch.
3)Ghouls also have natural armor
4)As undead they are also immune to cold
Furthermore many of the lich’s abilities can be rationalized simply by considering its nature
1)The ability bonuses come over time naturally as the lich ages. It is usually assumed that even the weakest liches are very old.
2)The +4 channel resistance would only be natural since a lich is a highly intelligent undead that was once a humanoid spell-caster.
3)The spells cast on the phylactery allow the lich to reassemble himself in the event of his body’s destruction. When his body is destroyed it triggers a contingency that casts teleport. The location is always right next to the phylactery (considered familiar 4% chance of failure) so that the lich can begin to piece his body back together with the 0 level spells mend and mage hand.
4)Damage Reduction/bludgeoning and magic make sense. As the lich slowly rots his body becomes less tangible and he takes less damage.
5)Electricity immunity is not too far fetched since there is little liquid in the dried out husk of a body to conduct electricity and cause damage. Like casting lightning bold on a piece of beef jerky.
6)Fear aura - yeah...it's scary!
A couple of abilities are more of a stretch but are not completely out of the blue.
1)The negative energy touch attack is the hardest to rationalize but one can reason that plenty of powerful corporeal undead, like wights and vampires have energy drain abilities. Furthermore, frankly, this ability is really there for flavor since a lich is not likely to rely on this ability in combat. If he is pummeling people is probably out of spells and close to death. It is also highly likely that the lich is intimately familiar with spells like Enervation and has learned to cast them reflexively.
Please take a look and tell me what you think. Also open to suggestions insights. Thanks!
Cool stuff there Phazzle.
I'd think though their phylactery could be anything they wished it to be...from the box you mention to an amulet to a weapon...or even their familiar.
A buddy and I were going over what the ritual to become a lich might actually look like from a purely mechanical perspective. What we came up with was pretty close to what the Lich template actually does so with a little judicious house ruling whenever my party defeats a lich or someone trying to become a lich I can actually show them what they were researching in game terms.
Of course I don’t want to ruin the allure of the lich by saying that this process is the be all and end all of lichdom. It would likely require considerable modifications for a divine spellcaster, simply because they do not have access to certain spells (though miracles could be substituted for some). It might also be more ritualistic, i.e. less alchemical preparation and more prayers and rituals. The “everyone is different,” caveat can still be worked in since preparation of the body leaves a lot open to interpretation. Also, it us about four hours worth of rules lawyering to come up with the recipe with access to perfect information as well as the insights that we incorporated from second edition sourcebooks. In its present form the recipe would require thousands upon thousands of hours of research and preparation
Anyone seeking to become a Lich must have the following feats, spells, and features.
Magic Jar
Create Undead
Contingency
Teleport
Arcane Spellcaster
Craft Wondrous Item
An assistant, preferably willing
Caster Level 11Step 1 – Create a phylactery
PHYLACTERY
Aura strong necromancy; CL 11th
Slot -; Price 240,000 gp; Weight at least 1 lb
DESCRIPTION The most common form of phylactery is a sealed metal box containing strips of parchment on which magical phrases have been transcribed. The box is Tiny and has 40 hit points, hardness 20, and a break DC of 40. Other forms of phylacteries can exist, such as rings, amulets, or similar items.
When a lich is destroyed, its phylactery (which is generally hidden by the lich...
The exact process is supposed to be different for each individual according the Lich entry in the Monster Manual. That does not mean having "one" method for everyone is wrong, just something I wanted to point out.
Cool stuff there Phazzle.
I'd think though their phylactery could be anything they wished it to be...from the box you mention to an amulet to a weapon...or even their familiar.
Yeah, I just cut and pasted the phylactery description from the SRD. I should include the other options there as well though. Thanks!
The exact process is supposed to be different for each individual according the Lich entry in the Monster Manual. That does not mean having "one" method for everyone is wrong, just something I wanted to point out.
My personal opinion on this is that the process would probably be simmilar but there would be some grey areas. I see a lich as less of a ritualistic process and more of a scientific process.
I addressed the "everyone is different," caveat by assuming that it applied to the preparation of the caster's body. For instance, a dwarf lich would probably need different preparation than a human lich. If you attempt to preserve the corpse with an embalming fluid what is the precise amount of formeldahide that you must use based on the weight, etc? You will probably have to kill a bunch of people to find out.
I imagine that the first lich, let's say Vecna, for the sake of argument had to have a considerable amount of knowledge before he embarked on his quest for immortality but the pieces were already there. If you put Magic Jar and Create Undead in front of a spellcaster with significant intelligence I imagine him saying to himself "You know, what if...?"
Or it could've started with a moderately powered wizard surviving an encounter with a vampire and thinking..."I bet I can do that better"...
You mentioned an alchemical component.
People normally associate being a lich with being a wizard, cleric, or sorcerer. With the advent of the advanced player's guide- what do you think about the prospects of an alchemical lich?
You mentioned an alchemical component.
People normally associate being a lich with being a wizard, cleric, or sorcerer. With the advent of the advanced player's guide- what do you think about the prospects of an alchemical lich?
Wow good question...
Maybe they's shy away from undeath, and maybe develop an elixer like a Chinese immortal? or lock themselves into a superior mutagen form, or maybe both?
You mentioned an alchemical component.
People normally associate being a lich with being a wizard, cleric, or sorcerer. With the advent of the advanced player's guide- what do you think about the prospects of an alchemical lich?
Indeed. Using the process above as a template I would say that an alchemist could attain lichdom at 17th level as long as he knows the extracts for magic jar and create undead. I do not know the class all that well though so I may be mistaken. Naturally, a high alchemy skill would make the preparation of the corpse that much easier.
Interesting you should say this. I was thinking that if my players ran across a lich in my E6 game, I would just make them a ghoul who kept their spellcasting abilities.
Rather than use the "assistant," it would be more reliable to use the Clone spell and safer too. Mess up ghoulifying and embalming your clone body? Okay, well, at least you have another data point and maybe a cool undead minion to use as a body double.
Using your primary body for the first try is a recipe for disaster, especially with an assistant: "Igor, you fool! I said to inject me with formaldehyde! This is cooking sherry! *HIC*"
I expect that alchemists would use some variety of the Clone spell. By the RAW, they'd do this via Magical Artisan (Craft Alchemy) + Craft Wondrous Item and thereby make a hypothetical Elixir of Cloning which you'd pour in the vat, toss in a lump of the desired flesh, and let it percolate a few months until your new clone body is ready.
Then again, most alchemists wouldn't really mind using their primary body to achieve lichdom, though would likely be more devious about their rebirth. For example, "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward" is an excellent example of an alchemical lich.
Interesting you should say this. I was thinking that if my players ran across a lich in my E6 game, I would just make them a ghoul who kept their spellcasting abilities.
Great minds think alike.
Rather than use the "assistant," it would be more reliable to use the Clone spell and safer too. Mess up ghoulifying and embalming your clone body? Okay, well, at least you have another data point and maybe a cool undead minion to use as a body double.
Using your primary body for the first try is a recipe for disaster, especially with an assistant: "Igor, you fool! I said to inject me with formaldehyde! This is cooking sherry! *HIC*"
I expect that alchemists would use some variety of the Clone spell. By the RAW, they'd do this via Magical Artisan (Craft Alchemy) + Craft Wondrous Item and thereby make a hypothetical Elixir of Cloning which you'd pour in the vat, toss in a lump of the desired flesh, and let it percolate a few months until your new clone body is ready.
Then again, most alchemists wouldn't really mind using their primary body to achieve lichdom, though would likely be more devious about their rebirth. For example, "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward" is an excellent example of an alchemical lich.
Excellent idea. If you are a high enough caster level to create a clone then it alters the process considerably and you can theorize many different approaches.
I think that the basic model for lichdom is.
1) Work on my "body," from another "body." and prepare it for eternity.
2) Raise "myself," as an undead creature.
3) Get back into the undead creature.
Given all of the spells and abilities and whatnot you could extrapolate dozens of methods for attaining lichdom.
The one above is based on what I think the MINIMUM requirements would be to become a lich. The process above is certainly risky. Right now I am thinking of including an NPC in future adventures that botched it and is now trapped in his phylactery posessing whatever he comes into contact with and working furiously to right the mistakes he made.
Excellent suggestion! If we get enough ideas together maybe we can stat out more specific scenarios.
Thanks!
History Outlook. back in 2nd ed ((have an old Hard copy from way back when that i got stored in a draw ))
Spells needed were for Phylactery
Enchant an item ((This should be replaced with Craft Wondrous Item Feat now))
Magic Jar
Permanency ((This should be replaced with Craft Wondrous Item Feat now))
Reincarnation ((No longer on wizard spell list, Animate Dead 4th level spell should be good replacement tho, or you can Limited wish it))
Spell need for the Potion to be drank
wraithform ((was 3rd level... Think it was changed to Gaseous Form ))
Permanency ((This should be replaced with Brew Potion feat now))
Cone of Cold have no clue, this might have been a hold over from 1 ed. before Chill touch was created.
Feign Death ((was a 3rd level cleric spell..was a Delay poison/Ghoul Touch/Gental Repose type effect.. Gental Repose is 3rd level for wizard so would use that.))
Animate Dead
...........................
I would think now a day's in 3rd.
Well i thought about giving a list, but decided not too.
Because in truth the list should be different for each Lich. I will say this, the Phylactery and Potion should should contain some spells from Cleric, and Wizard spell lists. Becoming a Lich, should require some help, from other sources, like scrolls or magic items if other caster can not be found.
Evil Clerics, and Wizard have both become liches in past editions, so become a lich should require spells from both classes.
Indeed. Using the process above as a template I would say that an alchemist could attain lichdom at 17th level as long as he knows the extracts for magic jar and create undead. I do not know the class all that well though so I may be mistaken. Naturally, a high alchemy skill would make the preparation of the corpse that much easier.You mentioned an alchemical component.
People normally associate being a lich with being a wizard, cleric, or sorcerer. With the advent of the advanced player's guide- what do you think about the prospects of an alchemical lich?
I was thinking of a "construct" version of a lich.
I was thinking of a "construct" version of a lich.Indeed. Using the process above as a template I would say that an alchemist could attain lichdom at 17th level as long as he knows the extracts for magic jar and create undead. I do not know the class all that well though so I may be mistaken. Naturally, a high alchemy skill would make the preparation of the corpse that much easier.You mentioned an alchemical component.
People normally associate being a lich with being a wizard, cleric, or sorcerer. With the advent of the advanced player's guide- what do you think about the prospects of an alchemical lich?
Ah, yes the Construct. I too was thinking about changing the Lich to a magical construct after reading the Bestiary. Always looking for some way to get rid of Undead class, while keeping the Lich.
Would love to see a Lich Construct.
If I was a high level spell caster, becoming undead would not be appealing. Transferring my mind into a construct, OTOH, would be cool. Inspired by the Graphic Novel The Coffin, a suit of armor that trapped your soul within (got to be an artifact level item) would be interesting as well. In fact I once planned out a whole campaign based on the idea that a great wizard once did just that, but was killed before he could put it on and his apprentices each stole a piece of the item for themselves. The PCs were going to have to reclaim each before the BBEG did, but I never got around to running it.
I got a character who's bounced around in a few classes (for RP proposes :D ) but I plan on continuing alchemist up to 20. (Goblin Alchemist 6, Rogue 4, Shadow Dancer 1, Pathfinder Chronicler 1) I wanna take craft construct eventually and make the little gob-oh into a big bad boss "lich" :D
I got a character who's bounced around in a few classes (for RP proposes :D ) but I plan on continuing alchemist up to 20. (Goblin Alchemist 6, Rogue 4, Shadow Dancer 1, Pathfinder Chronicler 1) I wanna take craft construct eventually and make the little gob-oh into a big bad boss "lich" :D
What do you think the "golem," would look like?
Cool stuff there Phazzle.
I'd think though their phylactery could be anything they wished it to be...from the box you mention to an amulet to a weapon...or even their familiar.
I prefer the idea of it being one of the building blocks (or being inside one of them) of his tower/dungeon/castle. Then the chances of an adventurer finding it are pretty slim.
I got a character who's bounced around in a few classes (for RP proposes :D ) but I plan on continuing alchemist up to 20. (Goblin Alchemist 6, Rogue 4, Shadow Dancer 1, Pathfinder Chronicler 1) I wanna take craft construct eventually and make the little gob-oh into a big bad boss "lich" :DWhat do you think the "golem," would look like?
First thing that came to mind for me was a flesh golem but I suppose any tranference of a soul into an inanimate body could be considered a lich.
First thing that came to mind for me was a flesh golem but I suppose any tranference of a soul into an inanimate body could be considered a lich.I got a character who's bounced around in a few classes (for RP proposes :D ) but I plan on continuing alchemist up to 20. (Goblin Alchemist 6, Rogue 4, Shadow Dancer 1, Pathfinder Chronicler 1) I wanna take craft construct eventually and make the little gob-oh into a big bad boss "lich" :DWhat do you think the "golem," would look like?
The million dollar question is. Can a golem drink a potion?
The million dollar question is. Can a golem drink a potion?First thing that came to mind for me was a flesh golem but I suppose any tranference of a soul into an inanimate body could be considered a lich.I got a character who's bounced around in a few classes (for RP proposes :D ) but I plan on continuing alchemist up to 20. (Goblin Alchemist 6, Rogue 4, Shadow Dancer 1, Pathfinder Chronicler 1) I wanna take craft construct eventually and make the little gob-oh into a big bad boss "lich" :DWhat do you think the "golem," would look like?
I suppose if you gave it a system that mimicked the digestive abilities of a living creature. It might require that part to be organic.
Maybe kill a human, take out its digestive organs and animate them so that they function inside the golem.
The million dollar question is. Can a golem drink a potion?First thing that came to mind for me was a flesh golem but I suppose any tranference of a soul into an inanimate body could be considered a lich.I got a character who's bounced around in a few classes (for RP proposes :D ) but I plan on continuing alchemist up to 20. (Goblin Alchemist 6, Rogue 4, Shadow Dancer 1, Pathfinder Chronicler 1) I wanna take craft construct eventually and make the little gob-oh into a big bad boss "lich" :DWhat do you think the "golem," would look like?I suppose if you gave it a system that mimicked the digestive abilities of a living creature. It might require that part to be organic.
Maybe kill a human, take out its digestive organs and animate them so that they function inside the golem.
I wouldn't be suprised to find some gnome made a burping golem :)
?? why would a golem need to drink a potion ??
The human drinks the potion
If he makes his save, his essence would be transfered to the golem
If he failed his save.... True Death.
Becoming a lich has always been risky.
You mentioned an alchemical component.
People normally associate being a lich with being a wizard, cleric, or sorcerer. With the advent of the advanced player's guide- what do you think about the prospects of an alchemical lich?Wow good question...
Maybe they's shy away from undeath, and maybe develop an elixer like a Chinese immortal? or lock themselves into a superior mutagen form, or maybe both?
They don't have to. At level 20 they get an option for an Immortality Elixir so they no longer age. If I remember correctly.
The exact process is supposed to be different for each individual according the Lich entry in the Monster Manual. That does not mean having "one" method for everyone is wrong, just something I wanted to point out.
Regardless of the nature of the lich (arcane, divine or else), they all seem to have a phylactery.
This seems to be a big deal. Not only for protection, but the recurrence of the object suggests that it is a necessity; something essential to the transition from living to free-willed undead.
Of course their are other options, but they either seem somewhat accidental and therefore not reliable enough to bet your existence upon (such as acquiring the ghost template), heavily relying on others that can screw you up (mummification) or at the mercy of someone else's will (vampire spawning).
It seems that lichdom is the most "natural" avenue for the typical power-hungry and paranoid spellcaster, and that the key of the ritual goes through the fabrication of the said phylactery.
Now I think that the construction of a phylactery should be akin to the crafting of a minor artifact, but there's got to be some "standard" spells involved, which I think Phazzle identified accurately.
'findel
?? why would a golem need to drink a potion ??
The human drinks the potion
If he makes his save, his essence would be transfered to the golem
If he failed his save.... True Death.Becoming a lich has always been risky.
My point was that if he became a "golem lich," and could no longer drink potions as a result then that would kind of defeat the purpose of doing it in the first place.
Didn't someone in Jan Jansen's family create a turnip golem?
Just had another discussion with my friend about creating a golemlike lich.
So...here are the steps that I think would have to happen.
1)Create a simmilar phylactery.
2)Create a golem that is capable of speaking and making gestures. A flesh golem may actually be ideal since it has human components.
3)Transfer your soul into the golem via magic jar making your body lifeless and your phylactery the destination of your soul should the golem be destroyed.
4)Now there is the question of what to do with your perfectly good body. It is "lifeless," which is not dead so i think it would probably age. If your body dies, even of natural causes then you will die which is ok if you want to become a lich but not if you want to become a golem. So, you would have to find another way to keep your body alive indefinitely. This would be easily accomplished via temporal stasis, however, I would think that imprisonment would be even more effective since it would be harder to find your body. On the other hand though, that would mean that you would be stranded in your imprisoned body if your phylactery was destroyed!
The sensible thing is to Temporal Stasis your former body, then stick it in a bag of holding attached to your phylactery via Sovereign Glue.
Cloning yourself a few times and using Unguent of Timelessness on the lifeless copies is also highly sensible.