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Concerning The Lich
The most powerful elites of the Necromancer Sects has always been the Lich. A cast of ancient undead sorcerers who have nearly unlocked the secrets of immortality. The Lich hunger for power and knowledge like no other. Many started down their dark path with the noblest of intentions but the means they took to reach their goals were twisted beyond all recognition of good.
Among the armies of the undead The Lich rank second only to the Dracolich Kul’Nar, and their twisted messiah the Lich Lord Anubis himself. Though their abilities may lack the range of diversity enjoyed by the vampires they more than make up for it by sheer power and resources. The Lich differ from other forms of undead in that they actually retain their human souls.
The means by which a Lich maintains their soul varies wildly, most usually though it involves binding their soul to an anchor point in this world. Powerful Lichs typically have hundreds if not thousands of followers, all jockeying to find favor in their dark masters for even the slightest morsel of knowledge they might offer. This makes the life of a Lich a rather lucrative one as they will soon enough amass great resources with which to carry out their dark machinations. Between their Phylactery, undead minions, powerful attack spells, fanatical acolytes, and nigh infinite wealth, the Lich are among the most notoriously difficult of all undead to put back into the graves once and for all.
Lichs have been known to raise legions of the dead to ravage their opponents with impossible numbers. Others obliterated entire armies in swarms of magical searing fireflies. Some called down meteors from the heavens nuke entire cities in an instant. A few enhanced their bodies to effortlessly flitter throughout the battlefield carving a swatch of destruction through innumerable opponents with no possible end in sight. Yet despite their unfathomable power they are not invulnerable.
Among the armies of the undead The Lich rank second only to the Dracolich Kul’Nar, and their twisted messiah the Lich Lord Anubis himself. Though their abilities may lack the range of diversity enjoyed by the vampires they more than make up for it by sheer power and resources. The Lich differ from other forms of undead in that they actually retain their human souls.
The means by which a Lich maintains their soul varies wildly, most usually though it involves binding their soul to an anchor point in this world. Powerful Lichs typically have hundreds if not thousands of followers, all jockeying to find favor in their dark masters for even the slightest morsel of knowledge they might offer. This makes the life of a Lich a rather lucrative one as they will soon enough amass great resources with which to carry out their dark machinations. Between their Phylactery, undead minions, powerful attack spells, fanatical acolytes, and nigh infinite wealth, the Lich are among the most notoriously difficult of all undead to put back into the graves once and for all.
Lichs have been known to raise legions of the dead to ravage their opponents with impossible numbers. Others obliterated entire armies in swarms of magical searing fireflies. Some called down meteors from the heavens nuke entire cities in an instant. A few enhanced their bodies to effortlessly flitter throughout the battlefield carving a swatch of destruction through innumerable opponents with no possible end in sight. Yet despite their unfathomable power they are not invulnerable.
Lich Origins
The first Lichs were high ranking nobles and royals from Pioneering Age society. As if possessed by demons they fiendishly poured what resources they could gain a stranglehold over into advancing their space age technology. All to find some technological edge to usurp their political opponents aboard the other Pioneer Ships. Their ambitions were kept in check only by the ingenuity of the Aegis Security Forces, the men and women who would eventually give rise to their mortal, enemies the Paladin Order.
The Nobility soon became intoxicated by the potential returns the doctrine of Anubis promised, thus they became the first elites of the Necromancer Sects. Those that survived “The Fall” vanished into the chaos that erupted soon after, and built up their power away from the prying eyes of their Paladin pursuers. Though many were soon brought to justice the ones who evaded capture eventually succeeded in cracking the “Spell of Ascension”, taking their first steps toward immortality.
The Lich have ever since been one of the greatest threats the world has ever had to deal with. Through their actions society has technologically been set back thousands of years. The world left a rotted husk of its former self all while they continue to chip away at from the inside.
The Nobility soon became intoxicated by the potential returns the doctrine of Anubis promised, thus they became the first elites of the Necromancer Sects. Those that survived “The Fall” vanished into the chaos that erupted soon after, and built up their power away from the prying eyes of their Paladin pursuers. Though many were soon brought to justice the ones who evaded capture eventually succeeded in cracking the “Spell of Ascension”, taking their first steps toward immortality.
The Lich have ever since been one of the greatest threats the world has ever had to deal with. Through their actions society has technologically been set back thousands of years. The world left a rotted husk of its former self all while they continue to chip away at from the inside.
Phylactery
A Lich's anchor, or Phylactery, can take many forms. Most often it is a relic of great importance to the individual. For some a rare ornate jewel may suffice, others may use seemingly mundane trinkets that hold deep psychological value to the individual. The near infinite forms a Phylactery could take makes it insidiously difficult to identify one even. These Anchor points will be painstakingly hidden away from even the Lich’s closest allies.
Depending on a Lich’s skill level their powers may start to wane if they end up putting too much distance between themselves and their Phylactery. Sometimes this depletion of power is a necessary sacrifice to ensure that no one even so much as suspects what or were the item may be. In rare cases some Lichs have been so incredibly confident in their combat abilities that they would actually carry their Phylactery on their person killing any pursuers who they even catch wind of being on their trail.
Depending on a Lich’s skill level their powers may start to wane if they end up putting too much distance between themselves and their Phylactery. Sometimes this depletion of power is a necessary sacrifice to ensure that no one even so much as suspects what or were the item may be. In rare cases some Lichs have been so incredibly confident in their combat abilities that they would actually carry their Phylactery on their person killing any pursuers who they even catch wind of being on their trail.
Hunger Of The Undead
When a person is first turned into a Lich they suffer the Hunger of the Undead. A three day period where they must ravenously consume the flesh of the living. The quality of a Lich's physical appearance upon turning undead is entirely dependent on how well they are able to sate this period of hunger. Much research has been poured into determining why the Lich must suffer this period of hunger like a common Ghoul, but the best they've been able surmise is that their desire to feed is due to their own waning attachments to humanity.
Once the Hunger of the Dead is endured, a Lich will rarely ever have to deal with such issues again, so long as they are able to maintain their forms properly. Though uncommon, it is possible for a Lich to fail to endure their period of hunger. If the guilt of what they've done is too great their will to live could be shattered, breaking their anchor to the world and killing them instantly. In some exceedingly rare cases A person will so profoundly fail their attempt to ascend into Lichdom that they will become a Demi Lich.
Once the Hunger of the Dead is endured, a Lich will rarely ever have to deal with such issues again, so long as they are able to maintain their forms properly. Though uncommon, it is possible for a Lich to fail to endure their period of hunger. If the guilt of what they've done is too great their will to live could be shattered, breaking their anchor to the world and killing them instantly. In some exceedingly rare cases A person will so profoundly fail their attempt to ascend into Lichdom that they will become a Demi Lich.
Will To Live
The phylactery alone isn't enough to keep a Lich alive indefinitely though, their will to live plays a huge role in how much their able to maintain their souls bond to their anchor point. Their will to live also directly affects their physical body's rate of decay. The appearance of a Lich might vary wildly one from another based on their strength of will.
Some relatively young Lichs might look absolutely horrid, while others might appear as if they are only recently deceased. Some Lichs at the end of their tether might only be capable of maintaining a few of their original bones, where others might find themselves limited to astral projecting themselves into the world of the living. Medicinal herbs and venoms can be used to aid in their body's preservation and in some cases reverse decay and injuries, however the most effective proven measure is to always keep their mind occupied with new schemes and ambitions. So long as a Lich's will to live and their anchor are well maintained it should be capable for them to extend their lifespan for thousands of years.
It becomes increasingly difficult for any Lich to maintain their physical form in events that lead to their physical body’s destruction. Their body can reconstituted but the process takes between a day to a couple of weeks, depending on their skills or availability of external aid. Doing so, however, will deal a significant amount of degradation to their physical form. This sort of degradation could manifests as simply as a graying in appearance to an overall withering of their body.
It is entirely possible for a Lich to restore themselves back to the last point of quality they had before their most recent slaying, but doing will force their body to undergo a new period of hunger. The ravenous hunger of undeath grows significantly with each attempted restoral thus some would rather just accept the hit in the looks department than risk failing to endure another period of hunger.
Some relatively young Lichs might look absolutely horrid, while others might appear as if they are only recently deceased. Some Lichs at the end of their tether might only be capable of maintaining a few of their original bones, where others might find themselves limited to astral projecting themselves into the world of the living. Medicinal herbs and venoms can be used to aid in their body's preservation and in some cases reverse decay and injuries, however the most effective proven measure is to always keep their mind occupied with new schemes and ambitions. So long as a Lich's will to live and their anchor are well maintained it should be capable for them to extend their lifespan for thousands of years.
It becomes increasingly difficult for any Lich to maintain their physical form in events that lead to their physical body’s destruction. Their body can reconstituted but the process takes between a day to a couple of weeks, depending on their skills or availability of external aid. Doing so, however, will deal a significant amount of degradation to their physical form. This sort of degradation could manifests as simply as a graying in appearance to an overall withering of their body.
It is entirely possible for a Lich to restore themselves back to the last point of quality they had before their most recent slaying, but doing will force their body to undergo a new period of hunger. The ravenous hunger of undeath grows significantly with each attempted restoral thus some would rather just accept the hit in the looks department than risk failing to endure another period of hunger.
Weaknesses
The Lich are some of the hardiest forms of undead in existence and are notoriously difficult to put down permanently. Most usually, accomplishing such a feat involves a heavy cost, most usually in human lives. Failed attempts will only serve to bolster their power and resources, despite this, they are not invulnerable.
You’ll never see a Lich brought down by a bit of silver or a wooden stake. Though such tools may be required to bring down their closest allies. Destroying a Lich is much like peeling an onion. You have to strip them of their outer defenses until they are backed into a corner. Where they will either launch an all-out assault or vanish into the pages of history never to be heard from again by that generation of pursuers.
Lichs have centuries to plan for nearly every possible contingency imaginable so it takes an incredible amount of resources, intense planning, and precise timing to properly strike at their innate weaknesses. Like all undead, blessed weaponry can cause intense searing damage to the body and spirit of a Lich, however striking at their body alone will never bring true success. To destroy a Lich absolutely one must find and destroy their anchor to this world, and or, know their mind well enough to or chip away at their will to live. If one of the two can be broken then the Lich will turn to ash. Any further attempts to resurrect said Lich afterwards will only result in a comparatively frail Demi Lich that will lack their original human soul.
You’ll never see a Lich brought down by a bit of silver or a wooden stake. Though such tools may be required to bring down their closest allies. Destroying a Lich is much like peeling an onion. You have to strip them of their outer defenses until they are backed into a corner. Where they will either launch an all-out assault or vanish into the pages of history never to be heard from again by that generation of pursuers.
Lichs have centuries to plan for nearly every possible contingency imaginable so it takes an incredible amount of resources, intense planning, and precise timing to properly strike at their innate weaknesses. Like all undead, blessed weaponry can cause intense searing damage to the body and spirit of a Lich, however striking at their body alone will never bring true success. To destroy a Lich absolutely one must find and destroy their anchor to this world, and or, know their mind well enough to or chip away at their will to live. If one of the two can be broken then the Lich will turn to ash. Any further attempts to resurrect said Lich afterwards will only result in a comparatively frail Demi Lich that will lack their original human soul.
Demi Lich
A Demi Lich is a Necromancer who, through one of several possible circumstances, became a Lich despite loosing their connection to their human soul. The most common methods for a Demi Lich to be created are...
A Demi Lich is rather frail compared to a true Lich. Due to their lacking a "Will To Live" or "Phylactery" they will be permanently put down once their body is destroyed. They lack the creative capacity of a full fledged Lich thus their spell casting potential is greatly reduced but not entirely nonexistent.
Demi Lich's have a ravenous hunger for human flesh. They wont stop pursuing it until their bodies are completely destroyed. Towards that end will cast any number of spells to acquire it, to include raising other high ranking forms of undead to bring it to them.
If all of these traits weren't bad enough High ranking Lichs have been known to keep Demi Lichs imprisoned until they find need of them. Sometimes leaving them to roam about guarding particular points of interest. They typically wont bring them under Dominance because still being considered an elite rank of undead they have little trouble shaking the hold of their master and could pose a significant threat to the controlling Lich should they break free in an inopportune moment.
- A high ranking Necromancer turns undead outside of the Ritual of Ascension.
- A Necromancer fails the Ritual of Ascension.
- A Servus Necromancer/Lich misjudges their upper limits of control and their soul is consumed by their contracted Phantoms.
A Demi Lich is rather frail compared to a true Lich. Due to their lacking a "Will To Live" or "Phylactery" they will be permanently put down once their body is destroyed. They lack the creative capacity of a full fledged Lich thus their spell casting potential is greatly reduced but not entirely nonexistent.
Demi Lich's have a ravenous hunger for human flesh. They wont stop pursuing it until their bodies are completely destroyed. Towards that end will cast any number of spells to acquire it, to include raising other high ranking forms of undead to bring it to them.
If all of these traits weren't bad enough High ranking Lichs have been known to keep Demi Lichs imprisoned until they find need of them. Sometimes leaving them to roam about guarding particular points of interest. They typically wont bring them under Dominance because still being considered an elite rank of undead they have little trouble shaking the hold of their master and could pose a significant threat to the controlling Lich should they break free in an inopportune moment.
Lich Lord
There have only ever been 2 true Lich Lords, though many have attempted to take the title for themselves. The first was the progenitor of the order, the Demon Lich Anubis who was slain by the Dragon Kin during "The Fall". The second was the Lich Lord Baulter who seized power during the Crimson Age.
Though no other Lichs existed during the short reign of Anubis he is still considered by many to be the true Lord of all Necromancers. His remains were sealed away in the Temple of Anubis a desolate place resided over by the Dragon Kin who immolate any and all humanoids who try to go anywhere near the temple.
Much speculation has been raised by the Inner Council in the past concerning which of the two lords is the more powerful. Those absolutely faithful to Anubis claim he is the strongest Lich, while those who have experienced Baulter's wrath first hand are quick to claim him the stronger.
Between Baulter and Anubis, Baulter has the much more hands off approach to leading the Inner Council. So long as they are not at each others throats, putting their sects at risk, or causing undue harm to the wider populace he is content to allow them to continue their pursuit for the "Spell of Resurrection".
Though no other Lichs existed during the short reign of Anubis he is still considered by many to be the true Lord of all Necromancers. His remains were sealed away in the Temple of Anubis a desolate place resided over by the Dragon Kin who immolate any and all humanoids who try to go anywhere near the temple.
Much speculation has been raised by the Inner Council in the past concerning which of the two lords is the more powerful. Those absolutely faithful to Anubis claim he is the strongest Lich, while those who have experienced Baulter's wrath first hand are quick to claim him the stronger.
Between Baulter and Anubis, Baulter has the much more hands off approach to leading the Inner Council. So long as they are not at each others throats, putting their sects at risk, or causing undue harm to the wider populace he is content to allow them to continue their pursuit for the "Spell of Resurrection".
Prominent Lichs
- Lich Lord Baulter
- Lucidnae The Feint
- Vicar Mortanis
- Demon Lich Anubis
- Barrow The Stormblade
- Baroness Katrina Gale
- Dancing Morbis
- Cerdrych The Bear
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