Constructs instead of undead as lich body [Archive] - Wizards Community

Constructs instead of undead as lich body [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BobtheBiotitan
12-12-05, 07:41 PM I wish to fine tune my idea before I chuck it to my dm. Which is this. When a spellcaster becomes a lich it is my understanding that he places his soul within an object which is universally called a phylactery. After that is complete he takes his life and posses or takes control of the corpse again as his own. So, why could he not posses or take control of a specialy made construct for his body instead? If so would the character not keep all of his skills and feats in life *which makes sense to me*. Would he not lose any dependant upon his form, such as a dragons ability to breath fire? *yet again it makes sense*

Any replies would be grateful, because if this is possible it will greatly help to improve my characters depth. Who never wants to die due to an unpleasant few hours being torn apart by demons in the afterlife, because he has no god to protect him.

Please correct me if I happen to have made a dreadful mistake due to my limited knowledge of the process of lichdom. It seems to me that this could actually be plausable, unless there is something stating otherwise.
Millenia
12-12-05, 08:35 PM While I'm not sure about your query of a construct-lich dude, I would suggest looking at the Green Star Adept found in Complete Arcane, which allows one to turn into a construct and thus gain immortality, among other benefits.
BobtheBiotitan
12-12-05, 09:06 PM I did consider the green star adept for some time, but the hindered spell casting is just too much in a game with only three PCs. An arcanist *me*, a melee cleric, and a scout/ranger. I have to deal out some serious damage, and the spell level cut is just too much. Thanks for the thought though. Perhaps there are other ways to become immortal? Like dragon disciple... no no that wont do, too much of a cut in spell level. Just thinking out loud, any help is appreciated.
Thurbane
12-13-05, 04:08 AM The Iron Lich template in the Privateer Press d20 book "Monsternomicon - Vol 1" is almost exactly what you describe...

"In an attempt to attain immortality, the iron lich has sold it's flesh and replaced it with a complex, mechanikal apparatus that sustains its existence".

http://privateerpress.com/images/warmachine/gallery/concepts/book_ironlich.jpg
Conners_of_Sharptooth
12-13-05, 10:44 AM I don't see why you couldn't put your soul in a golem. You ever watch the Gargoyles cartoon? One episode an old man transfered his soul in a golem. Hey if it's good enough for them then you can do it too. My only concern is that in creating a lich, you apply the template to the creature that you already are. So under those circumstances you couldn't make a golem into a lich. I think you could make a lich or you could put your soul in a golem but not both. Also the problem with the golem not being a lich is that if you hit 0 hp then your soul is lost, your party can't ressurect you. Reincarnate yes but not ressurect. My call as the dm would be one or the other but not both. On the other hand, thar Iron Lich template looks pretty sweet. Maybe the dm will let you do that.
Wyrd Bearer
12-13-05, 04:58 PM Well, in the past, I've entertained the idea of allowing elemental savants who fully become elementals to willingly bind themselves to a golem body. Basically, they become a willing elemental soul for the golem instead of having to trap and bind a random elemental spirit.

I have the same requirements as the lich, in that they have to be a spellcaster with at least 11 caster levels and that they must construct the body themselves (having the proper spells and caster level for the golem in question). Then they prepare the golem as a recepticle for their soul using a proper gem (as per the HD requirement of the spell trap the soul, and by inscribing their name on the gem), the gem is buried within the body of the golem like a heart, within a special armoured chamber. In addition to the cost of the body of the golem, the caster must also spend 120,000 gp and 4800xp to prepare this special chamber and gemstone (the cost of the focus of trap the soul is included in this extra cost). This cost (equal to creating a lich's phylactery) covers modifying the golem's body to allow speech and be agile enough to perform somatic components of spells.

The caster then mediates with the gem for 24 uninterrupted hours, then places it within the armoured internal chamber of the golem body. They speak the final command word for trap the soul and the caster dies. Their soul is trapped within the heartgem of the golem and the golem is animated and a free creature. The caster loses one level, as per the normal rules for coming back to life, and is irrevocably part of the golem now.

His type changes to construct (do not recalculate HD, saves, BAB except as gained by the additional HD) and he gains all the qualities of the chosen golem with the following exceptions.
-No Con score (adjust Hp accordingly). Gains bonus Hp as per the size of the golem body.
-No immunity to mind-affecting effects.
-Immunity to poison, paralysis, stunning, disease, extra damage from sneak attacks, death effects, and necromancy effects.
-No longer heals damage on his own and cannot be healed by spells or effects that heal living creatures. However, he gains the Rapid Repair ability of a GSA and maugs.
-Immune to crits, non-lethal, ability damage, ability drain, or energy drain.
-Immune to effects that require Fort saves unless it also works on objects, or is harmless.
-No massive damage but is destroyed if reduced to 0 Hp. However, any spell that would have returned him from the dead as a living creature will restore his soul to the heartgem, unless the golem body is dismantled and the heartgem destroyed.
-No longer ages. Is effectively immortal.

There are considerable advantages to this. However, the disadvantages are the caster's ECL shoots skyward to phenomenal numbers, so anyone who does this should expect to never level up again until Epic play comes along.

This is generally better for a unique NPC than it is for players. For PC's, I heartily reccommend the GSA PrC, at 20th level, you keep your full caster level, but you cast as a 15th level caster from inside a powerful body.
BobtheBiotitan
12-15-05, 07:53 PM :bump: Keep the ideas coming!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BobtheBiotitan 12-12-05, 07:41 PM	I wish to fine tune my idea before I chuck it to my dm. Which is this. When a spellcaster becomes a lich it is my understanding that he places his soul within an object which is universally called a phylactery. After that is complete he takes his life and posses or takes control of the corpse again as his own. So, why could he not posses or take control of a specialy made construct for his body instead? If so would the character not keep all of his skills and feats in life which makes sense to me. Would he not lose any dependant upon his form, such as a dragons ability to breath fire? yet again it makes sense Any replies would be grateful, because if this is possible it will greatly help to improve my characters depth. Who never wants to die due to an unpleasant few hours being torn apart by demons in the afterlife, because he has no god to protect him. Please correct me if I happen to have made a dreadful mistake due to my limited knowledge of the process of lichdom. It seems to me that this could actually be plausable, unless there is something stating otherwise.
Millenia 12-12-05, 08:35 PM	While I'm not sure about your query of a construct-lich dude, I would suggest looking at the Green Star Adept found in Complete Arcane, which allows one to turn into a construct and thus gain immortality, among other benefits.
BobtheBiotitan 12-12-05, 09:06 PM	I did consider the green star adept for some time, but the hindered spell casting is just too much in a game with only three PCs. An arcanist me, a melee cleric, and a scout/ranger. I have to deal out some serious damage, and the spell level cut is just too much. Thanks for the thought though. Perhaps there are other ways to become immortal? Like dragon disciple... no no that wont do, too much of a cut in spell level. Just thinking out loud, any help is appreciated.
Thurbane 12-13-05, 04:08 AM	The Iron Lich template in the Privateer Press d20 book "Monsternomicon - Vol 1" is almost exactly what you describe... "In an attempt to attain immortality, the iron lich has sold it's flesh and replaced it with a complex, mechanikal apparatus that sustains its existence". http://privateerpress.com/images/warmachine/gallery/concepts/book_ironlich.jpg
Conners_of_Sharptooth 12-13-05, 10:44 AM	I don't see why you couldn't put your soul in a golem. You ever watch the Gargoyles cartoon? One episode an old man transfered his soul in a golem. Hey if it's good enough for them then you can do it too. My only concern is that in creating a lich, you apply the template to the creature that you already are. So under those circumstances you couldn't make a golem into a lich. I think you could make a lich or you could put your soul in a golem but not both. Also the problem with the golem not being a lich is that if you hit 0 hp then your soul is lost, your party can't ressurect you. Reincarnate yes but not ressurect. My call as the dm would be one or the other but not both. On the other hand, thar Iron Lich template looks pretty sweet. Maybe the dm will let you do that.
Wyrd Bearer 12-13-05, 04:58 PM	Well, in the past, I've entertained the idea of allowing elemental savants who fully become elementals to willingly bind themselves to a golem body. Basically, they become a willing elemental soul for the golem instead of having to trap and bind a random elemental spirit. I have the same requirements as the lich, in that they have to be a spellcaster with at least 11 caster levels and that they must construct the body themselves (having the proper spells and caster level for the golem in question). Then they prepare the golem as a recepticle for their soul using a proper gem (as per the HD requirement of the spell trap the soul, and by inscribing their name on the gem), the gem is buried within the body of the golem like a heart, within a special armoured chamber. In addition to the cost of the body of the golem, the caster must also spend 120,000 gp and 4800xp to prepare this special chamber and gemstone (the cost of the focus of trap the soul is included in this extra cost). This cost (equal to creating a lich's phylactery) covers modifying the golem's body to allow speech and be agile enough to perform somatic components of spells. The caster then mediates with the gem for 24 uninterrupted hours, then places it within the armoured internal chamber of the golem body. They speak the final command word for trap the soul and the caster dies. Their soul is trapped within the heartgem of the golem and the golem is animated and a free creature. The caster loses one level, as per the normal rules for coming back to life, and is irrevocably part of the golem now. His type changes to construct (do not recalculate HD, saves, BAB except as gained by the additional HD) and he gains all the qualities of the chosen golem with the following exceptions. -No Con score (adjust Hp accordingly). Gains bonus Hp as per the size of the golem body. -No immunity to mind-affecting effects. -Immunity to poison, paralysis, stunning, disease, extra damage from sneak attacks, death effects, and necromancy effects. -No longer heals damage on his own and cannot be healed by spells or effects that heal living creatures. However, he gains the Rapid Repair ability of a GSA and maugs. -Immune to crits, non-lethal, ability damage, ability drain, or energy drain. -Immune to effects that require Fort saves unless it also works on objects, or is harmless. -No massive damage but is destroyed if reduced to 0 Hp. However, any spell that would have returned him from the dead as a living creature will restore his soul to the heartgem, unless the golem body is dismantled and the heartgem destroyed. -No longer ages. Is effectively immortal. There are considerable advantages to this. However, the disadvantages are the caster's ECL shoots skyward to phenomenal numbers, so anyone who does this should expect to never level up again until Epic play comes along. This is generally better for a unique NPC than it is for players. For PC's, I heartily reccommend the GSA PrC, at 20th level, you keep your full caster level, but you cast as a 15th level caster from inside a powerful body.
BobtheBiotitan 12-15-05, 07:53 PM	:bump: Keep the ideas coming!