Becoming a Lich
Across the Multiverse, there are many ways to become a Lich, each determining the type of Lich the mortal becomes. However, within Etharis, there is only one type of Lich, as there is only one known method of ascending to Lichdom: The Ritual of Dread. The process of this ritual is a well-guarded secret, entrusted to only a handful of mortals at any one time. The process of the ritual involves several despicable acts, including murder, the brewing of a vile concoction, and even one’s own death. However, it is the process of tearing one’s soul from the body that is most despised, for this process involves the sacrifice of something truly dear to a mortal, and no substitute will be accepted. For some, it is the death of a cherished loved one. For others, it is a family legacy. Regardless of the sacrifice, unless the Dreadscape spirits deem it worthy, Lichdom will not be granted.
Transformation Features
A Lich has the following transformation features:
Prerequisites
- Ability Scores: Intelligence 16
- Spellcasting Ability: You must have the ability to cast 7th-level spells.
- Roleplay: You must complete the Ritual of Dread. The process of this ritual is partially described but left intentionally vague so it can be tailored to your setting and campaign. Discuss with your GM how you can achieve this in-game.
Some of your abilities require your target to make a saving throw to resist their effects. The saving throw DC is calculated as follows:
Transformation save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier
Level Milestones
The following are examples of possible level milestones for the Lich:
- Discover ancient and dark arcane knowledge.
- Consume the soul of an exceptionally powerful spellcaster.
- Build a monument to your power to serve as a giant arcane focus.
- Create an army of undead.
- Kill a god.
Transformation Level 1
At 1st level, you gain the following Transformation Boons and this level’s Transformation Flaw.
Transformation Boon: Harvester of Souls
You have gained the ability to tear the soul out of creatures you kill and consume it for its invigorating effects. Whenever you reduce a creature to 0 hit points, if you are on the same plane of existence as your phylactery, its soul is captured and your phylactery becomes charged. On your turn, as an action, you can consume any number of charge levels from your phylactery to regain a single spell slot. When you regain a spell slot in this way, the spell slot’s level is equal to one-third of the charge you consumed, rounded down.
Transformation Boon: Undead Form
Your Intelligence score increases by 4 and your Wisdom score increases by 2. An ability score cannot be increased beyond 22 this way. You become an Undead in addition to any other creature types you are. Spells and abilities that state effects or conditions specifically regarding Undead of a specific CR have no effect on you. If a spell or ability other than your own would cause you to gain Hit Points, you gain that many temporary Hit Points instead. If you are reduced to 0 hit points and fall unconscious as a result, any healing you receive will stabilize you and leave you on 1 hit point and unconscious. You stop aging, are immune to any effect that would age you, and cannot die from old age. You do not require air, food, drink, or sleep.
Transformation Flaw: Phylactery
You have successfully torn your soul from your body and trapped it in a suitable object. The object must be a trinket or item no larger than 1 square foot in size. This item becomes your phylactery.
Phylactery. A phylactery is an enchanted vessel containing a Lich’s soul. Additionally, a phylactery is a conduit for the Lich to feed on captured souls.
A phylactery has the following statistics:
- Armor Class: 18
- Hit Points: 90
- Speed: 0
- Damage Immunities: Poison, psychic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from non-magical sources.
- Damage Resistances: Necrotic, cold, thunder, lightning, force, fire.
While a soul is stored in your phylactery, the phylactery is considered charged. Its charge level is equal to the CR of all the creatures whose souls you have captured. To store a new soul in your phylactery, add the CR of the creature you killed to your phylactery’s charge level. The souls of creatures with a CR of less than ¼ are not great enough to charge your phylactery. Your phylactery’s charge level cannot exceed 27.
If your phylactery is reduced to 0 hit points, your soul is lost; you crumble to dust and are killed outright.
If you are killed and you control a charged phylactery on the same plane of existence, your phylactery’s charge is consumed, and your body is reconstructed within 5 feet of your phylactery 7 days later. If you are killed and your phylactery does not have a level of charge, you are reanimated 7 days later as a Demilich under the GM’s control.
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