Homebrew Nullified Demilich Species Details

Demiliches are terrifying beings, true articles of horror.. When they have magic, at least. If for whatever reason they lose their magic, they generally end up becoming little more than ornate paperweights. Some, however, overcome the odds and become adventurers, fighting on without their life or body.

An Ornate Paperweight

Demiliches can have many forms, but the general form is that of a humanoid skull decorated with various gems, precious metals, and engravings. These decorations are the main way of distinguishing demiliches of humanoid types, though obviously those who used to be creatures such as gnolls or yuan-ti have several distinctions inherent in their skull shape.

Ancient Minds

While their magic is gone, their endless history has not. Demiliches have ancient personal histories that delve further back than any natural living creature. Some have many eons to tell of great power, whereas others were struck down in their prime, and forced to spend most of their undeath as cancelled skulls. Either way, they are bound to have many a story to tell, and many more unnatural secrets to hide away.

While their methods of obtaining power are quite similar, their personal way to regain it will vary widely: Of course many will return to spellbooks and wizardry, others will turn to more powerful beings, or to some inborn power. Others may derive power from the gods, or rarely attempt to fight hand-to-skull in some way or another (though the latter rarely works out). 

Nullified Demilich Traits

Your nullified demilich has many powers and limitations from their nature as an undead skull.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2, and two other ability scores of your choice increase by 1.

Age

Demiliches are incredibly ancient, always more than a thousand years old. As they do not age, they can be much, much older than this.

Size

Demiliches are generally of a normal size for a humanoid skull, often about a foot. Your size is Tiny.

Darkvision

A slight echo of magic allows your eyes to see through darkness. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Mount

You have a small mount to help you get around. This can be any Small or Tiny Beast with a challenge rating of 0 and which has no flying, swimming, or burrowing speed. Your mount is totally under your control, and will return to you if you fall off. Your mount cannot make attacks. If your mount's species is normally Tiny, it is scaled up to be Small.

Undead

Your creature type is undead. You also have no need for food, drink, air, or sleep.

Ancient Knowledge

You gain proficiency in the History skill.

No Body

You have no body, and are limited in what you can do.

You cannot wield weapons, nor engage in fine manipulation without using magic. You can, however, cast spells with somatic components. 

In addition, your lack of body also gives you immunity to being Poisoned or feeling Exhaustion, and to poison damage.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and two extra languages of your choice.