Bard Lich

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the bard-lich fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Rejuvenation. If destroyed, the bard-lich reforms near its phylactery in 1d10 days.

Undead Nature. The bard-lich doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Command the Dead (Recharge 5–6). The bard-lich plays its spectral instrument. Each undead of CR 5 or lower within 120 ft. that can hear the music must succeed on a DC 20 Charisma saving throw or fall under the bard-lich’s control for 1 hour.

Aura of Dissonance. At the start of each of its turns, each hostile creature within 30 ft. that can hear the bard-lich takes 10 (3d6) psychic damage.

Multiattack. The lich makes three attacks, using Eldritch Burst or Paralyzing Touch in any combination.

Necrotic Touch. Melee Spell Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: 21 (6d6) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 19 Constitution saving throw or have its hit point maximum reduced by the same amount until the next long rest.

Discordant Performance (Recharge 5–6). The bard lich unleashes a haunting melody. Each creature of the lich’s choice within 60 feet must succeed on a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. While frightened this way, a creature also takes 14 (4d6) psychic damage at the start of its turn. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Spellcasting

The bard lich is a 14th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 19, +11 to hit with spell attacks). The bard lich has the following bard spells prepared:

• Cantrips (at will): vicious mockery, minor illusion, mage hand, prestidigitation

• 1st level (4 slots): dissonant whispers, charm person, faerie fire, healing word

• 2nd level (3 slots): enthrall, suggestion, invisibility

• 3rd level (3 slots): hypnotic pattern, fear, counterspell

• 4th level (3 slots): greater invisibility, polymorph

• 5th level (2 slots): dominate person, hold monster

• 6th level (1 slot): mass suggestion

• 7th level (1 slot): forcecage

• 8th level (1 slot): feeblemind

Protective Magic. The lich casts Counterspell or Shield in response to the spell’s trigger, using the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting.

Legendary Actions

The bard lich can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The lich regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Cantrip. The lich casts a cantrip.

• Mocking Verse. The lich targets one creature it can see within 30 feet. That creature must succeed on a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on its next attack roll before the end of its next turn.

• Raise Chorus (Costs 2 Actions). The lich targets up to 3 corpses within 30 feet, animating them as zombies under its control.