Lich
Species | undead |
No. Appearing | 1 |
Behaviour | malevolent |
Range | ruin |
Size | 6 ft. 1 in. tall |
Weight | 160 lbs. |
Intelligence | 18 |
Armour Class | 0 |
Hit Dice | 11+4 |
Action Points | 5 |
Max. Stride | {{{stride}}} |
THAC0 | 13 |
Hp/Die | d8 |
Attack Forms | touch |
Damage | 1–10 |
Special Attacks | fear, magic to hit, paralysation, Possession, immunities, spellcasting |
The lich, also "litch" or "lych," meaning a body or a corpse, is sometimes addressed as lichama, "the undead spirit using the body as a covering." The lich appears as a skeleton swathed in clothes that have rotted over time, with eyesockets that are black pools with glowing points of light, from which the undead soul looks outwards. They are often confused at first glance for a wight.
Origin
The existence of a lich derives from the use of powerful and arcane magics, which allow a wizard of sufficient power to transfer their own mind into a magic jar, while yet retaining consciousness. From this place — and the jar is indeed well hidden, for once the wizard's consciousness is placed there, it cannot be moved again — the wizard is able to manipulate the body, and feel what the body feels, while remaining safe from harm; for if the body is killed, the wizard cannot be so long as the jar is not discovered and destroyed.
However, after the passing of a normal lifespan, the magic jarred entity loses all touch with humanity, becoming deranged and darkly malevolent. While it could exchange its mortal body for another, the new body must be brought into contact with the jarred entity. This is dangerous for the lich, and worse, demands a body that is strong enough to endure the lich's malignance, which can age a common young body to a corpse in a mere three years. Over time, then, while a lich may have exchanged bodies many times, it is usually in some state of being a cadaver, as it awaits its next victim.
See Bestiary