I'm building a homebrew campaign with a warlock as the main villain as the players are levelling up it's becoming harder and harder to make the fight balanced, I looking for a way to keep the bbeg a threat and was thinking of a way more powerful, could their patron have them become a lich. How could I make it work
Villains, BBEGs, and NPCs in general don't need to play by the same rules that the players do. You mention that the campaign is homebrew, so I'd recommend sticking with that and just saying basically what you did in your post - the patron gave them the knowledge/power to become a lich.
As far as balancing the encounter that's a different story, but if all you're looking for is how to justify it; then as DM, you can justify anything with "old and powerful/lost magic" that the enemies have.
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I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
Have the patron do it as they watch. Have a fight, the villain is losing, he cries out for help:
Villain: Oh dark and horrible Master, help me! They have become too strong, help me serve you!
Patron: Oh, you snivelling weakling, your pathetic cries pain my ears and grate on my soul. You want more power? Even more than I already granted you? So be it!!!
And then in a pillar of black and purple flames the villains flesh is burned from his bones, and he stands transformed, ready to hand out unrighteos ass-whoopings.
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
From a narrative point of view I think it depends more on what or who the patron is, if the patron is someone such as such as Orcus or Kiriansalee then they would probably reveal the secrets of Lichdom to a suitable warlock or maybe consign them to unlife as a Skull Lord, although Skull Lords are more of a Sorcerer type caster. GOO patrons might instead turn the warlock into a Star Spawn Larva Mage.
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* Need a character idea? Search for "Rob76's Unused" in the Story and Lore section.
The process to become a lich is basically a lot of powerful spells and a potion. If the Warlock can cast the spells, then they can attempt the ritual.
The process to become a lich is not part of the rules. There could easily be multiple routes.
All the new MM has to say about the process is:
Some nefarious magic-users carry out forbidden necromantic rituals that sever their souls from their bodies to turn themselves into liches, masters of magic and undeath
Which clearly leaves it open to warlocks if the DM wishes for it to happen.
There is a wiki for liches (link here: https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Lich) which has a section on the creation process, rituals and maintenance side of things, it is taken from the ad&d edition though but would give a good basis to start from.
Failing that you could always just have the BBEG search out a copy of the Book of Vile Darkness which is said to hold all the info required to become a Lich.
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* Need a character idea? Search for "Rob76's Unused" in the Story and Lore section.
In the Forgotten Realms setting, becoming a lich is somewhat straight forward. One either journeys to the land of Thay and petitions Szass Tam to accept your eternal service in exchange for transformation into a lich, or one travels to the Moonsea area and seek out Larloch and make the same offer. Remember, though, that a lich is the ultimate embodiment of will and thought, sacrificing every else (a spouse, offspring, pleasant surroundings, etc.) in order to focus solely on the perfection of its arcana knowledge and prowess.
In the Forgotten Realms setting, becoming a lich is somewhat straight forward. One either journeys to the land of Thay and petitions Szass Tam to accept your eternal service in exchange for transformation into a lich, or one travels to the Moonsea area and seek out Larloch and make the same offer. Remember, though, that a lich is the ultimate embodiment of will and thought, sacrificing every else (a spouse, offspring, pleasant surroundings, etc.) in order to focus solely on the perfection of its arcana knowledge and prowess.
Most liches in the Forgotten Realms do not serve either of those two.
One thing to remember about warlocks is that after death, the warlock's soul usually is claimed by their patron. I'd expect that warlock liches would therefore have undergone the transformation in part as a means of avoiding this fate, which would make their patron enraged.
One thing to remember about warlocks is that after death, the warlock's soul usually is claimed by their patron. I'd expect that warlock liches would therefore have undergone the transformation in part as a means of avoiding this fate, which would make their patron enraged.
I don't believe that's established as canon anywhere. It might be likely for fiend patrons, and much less so for the rest. (What use does an Archfey have for a soul?) But the terms of the pact are left completely undefined. "Power for service" is the most likely one.
Depending on the patron, lichdom might be the inevitable result of the pact if the warlock lives long enough.
One thing to remember about warlocks is that after death, the warlock's soul usually is claimed by their patron. I'd expect that warlock liches would therefore have undergone the transformation in part as a means of avoiding this fate, which would make their patron enraged.
I don't believe that's established as canon anywhere. It might be likely for fiend patrons, and much less so for the rest. (What use does an Archfey have for a soul?) But the terms of the pact are left completely undefined. "Power for service" is the most likely one.
Depending on the patron, lichdom might be the inevitable result of the pact if the warlock lives long enough.
Yeah, the bargainer's soul isn't even mentioned in the descriptions for the 2024 or 2014 Warlock class; neither is ongoing service.
All that's required is that something was bargained that the player, DM, (and by proxy, character and the other party or parties on the bargain) believed at the time was worth the Warlock powerset.
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🎵I'm on top of the world, looking down on creation, wreaking death and devastation with my mind.
As the power that I've found erupts freely from the ground, I will cackle from the top of the world.🎵
One thing to remember about warlocks is that after death, the warlock's soul usually is claimed by their patron. I'd expect that warlock liches would therefore have undergone the transformation in part as a means of avoiding this fate, which would make their patron enraged.
I don't believe that's established as canon anywhere. It might be likely for fiend patrons, and much less so for the rest. (What use does an Archfey have for a soul?) But the terms of the pact are left completely undefined. "Power for service" is the most likely one.
Depending on the patron, lichdom might be the inevitable result of the pact if the warlock lives long enough.
Yeah, the bargainer's soul isn't even mentioned in the descriptions for the 2024 or 2014 Warlock class; neither is ongoing service.
All that's required is that something was bargained that the player, DM, (and by proxy, character and the other party or parties on the bargain) believed at the time was worth the Warlock powerset.
Yeah. The nature of the pact is left firmly in the realm of roleplay.
It's entirely possible that the patron is just offering power to people with the right personalities, in the hopes that they'll do things the patron approves of. Or the patron got what they wanted at the time of the bargain, which could be the soul, but could also be any number of things. (Archfey offers power for your name. That won't come bake to bite you, right?) Or you stole power from your patron. Etc.
"You will serve me after your death" is another possible bargain, and if you get powerful enough, could end up a warlich.
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I'm building a homebrew campaign with a warlock as the main villain as the players are levelling up it's becoming harder and harder to make the fight balanced, I looking for a way to keep the bbeg a threat and was thinking of a way more powerful, could their patron have them become a lich. How could I make it work
Villains, BBEGs, and NPCs in general don't need to play by the same rules that the players do. You mention that the campaign is homebrew, so I'd recommend sticking with that and just saying basically what you did in your post - the patron gave them the knowledge/power to become a lich.
As far as balancing the encounter that's a different story, but if all you're looking for is how to justify it; then as DM, you can justify anything with "old and powerful/lost magic" that the enemies have.
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
Have the patron do it as they watch. Have a fight, the villain is losing, he cries out for help:
Villain: Oh dark and horrible Master, help me! They have become too strong, help me serve you!
Patron: Oh, you snivelling weakling, your pathetic cries pain my ears and grate on my soul. You want more power? Even more than I already granted you? So be it!!!
And then in a pillar of black and purple flames the villains flesh is burned from his bones, and he stands transformed, ready to hand out unrighteos ass-whoopings.
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
From a narrative point of view I think it depends more on what or who the patron is, if the patron is someone such as such as Orcus or Kiriansalee then they would probably reveal the secrets of Lichdom to a suitable warlock or maybe consign them to unlife as a Skull Lord, although Skull Lords are more of a Sorcerer type caster. GOO patrons might instead turn the warlock into a Star Spawn Larva Mage.
The process to become a lich is basically a lot of powerful spells and a potion. If the Warlock can cast the spells, then they can attempt the ritual.
The process to become a lich is not part of the rules. There could easily be multiple routes.
All the new MM has to say about the process is:
Which clearly leaves it open to warlocks if the DM wishes for it to happen.
There is a wiki for liches (link here: https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Lich) which has a section on the creation process, rituals and maintenance side of things, it is taken from the ad&d edition though but would give a good basis to start from.
Failing that you could always just have the BBEG search out a copy of the Book of Vile Darkness which is said to hold all the info required to become a Lich.
In the Forgotten Realms setting, becoming a lich is somewhat straight forward. One either journeys to the land of Thay and petitions Szass Tam to accept your eternal service in exchange for transformation into a lich, or one travels to the Moonsea area and seek out Larloch and make the same offer. Remember, though, that a lich is the ultimate embodiment of will and thought, sacrificing every else (a spouse, offspring, pleasant surroundings, etc.) in order to focus solely on the perfection of its arcana knowledge and prowess.
An Eldritch lich can be made from a great old one patron warlock https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/2506152-eldritch-lich?srsltid=AfmBOoqUhMNLH0891tS6tZzPcT2nojyIr_asg1gY_cv8LjfeydJXMchb
Most liches in the Forgotten Realms do not serve either of those two.
One thing to remember about warlocks is that after death, the warlock's soul usually is claimed by their patron. I'd expect that warlock liches would therefore have undergone the transformation in part as a means of avoiding this fate, which would make their patron enraged.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I don't believe that's established as canon anywhere. It might be likely for fiend patrons, and much less so for the rest. (What use does an Archfey have for a soul?) But the terms of the pact are left completely undefined. "Power for service" is the most likely one.
Depending on the patron, lichdom might be the inevitable result of the pact if the warlock lives long enough.
Yeah, the bargainer's soul isn't even mentioned in the descriptions for the 2024 or 2014 Warlock class; neither is ongoing service.
All that's required is that something was bargained that the player, DM, (and by proxy, character and the other party or parties on the bargain) believed at the time was worth the Warlock powerset.
🎵I'm on top of the world, looking down on creation, wreaking death and devastation with my mind.
As the power that I've found erupts freely from the ground, I will cackle from the top of the world.🎵
Charisma Saving Throw: DC 18, Failure: 20d6 Psychic Damage, Success: Half damage
Yeah. The nature of the pact is left firmly in the realm of roleplay.
It's entirely possible that the patron is just offering power to people with the right personalities, in the hopes that they'll do things the patron approves of. Or the patron got what they wanted at the time of the bargain, which could be the soul, but could also be any number of things. (Archfey offers power for your name. That won't come bake to bite you, right?) Or you stole power from your patron. Etc.
"You will serve me after your death" is another possible bargain, and if you get powerful enough, could end up a warlich.