Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Blackloch 10-23-04, 12:07 PM	Cheers fellow DM's and PC's out there! One of the members in my d&d group will become a Lich on his next level. It's cool with me and the other members and so on, but, we all know that becoming a Lich is a GREAT POWER indeed. So I was wondering if any of u out there might have some advice on perhaps some drawbacks about becoming this Lich. (I don't want to ruin his gaming or any thing, by the contrast, but probably more like make it a thing he has to struggle to get if u know what I mean). I have already told him about that if/and when he contracts lichdom NPC's and so on will think twice about dealing with him face to face and etc, but this player is known to get out of hand sometimes also..so I need a reasurrance that with this power he gets there also is some negative side effects perhaps.. any tips ?! :) hope I made myself understandable hehe This is the party they have; 14(soon 15) lvl Cleric/Cryptlord(lich on lvl 15) fighter/samurai level 14 and Wizard/Arcane order lvl 15. there is also a discussion going on about some of this on this page, please check it out if u wanna :D : http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=4674401#post4674401
Grayson 10-23-04, 12:36 PM	Well, the most obvious drawback is that you're an undead monstrosity, that few people are going to think twice about before deciding you're an evil that must be destroyed. NPC's that discover your player is a lich are likely to react... poorly. Also, you can't be ressurected - you're dependant on your phylactery to bring you back, which takes 1d10 days. And if anything ever finds your phylactery... big problems. And, of course, you're undead, and thus subject to the spells that hurt them. One high-level cleric can destroy you with a single spell... or turn you ;)
Teltharis 10-23-04, 01:03 PM	I'm sure a new Lich marauding around the countryside is gonna draw some attention from a high level paladin/cleric of Pelor/Kelemvor/Lathander/Whatever god opposed Undead in your campaign. Or even a squadron of Do-Gooders. Or how about jealous rivals who hire out thieves to find and hold his phylactery hostage?
Blackloch 10-23-04, 01:21 PM	yes, I already know the people in my kingdom will react to this "new lich in town".. but im guessing he will probably go find a dark hole and hide in hehe =) thanks for all tips!! :D
Talanall 10-23-04, 02:10 PM	The problem with hiding in a dark hole is that when you're in your hole, you're not adventuring. Just as a while guess, I'd say you're in for a bumpy ride. You might smooth things out a little by taking a look around Savage Species and the WotC website for a lich template class. It'll bring him gradually into the powers of the template, and that will help keep him from suddenly and problematically outshining the other PCs in terms of his and their relative power.
Blackrazor 10-23-04, 03:05 PM	How exactly would joe schmoe farmer and his wife find out he was a lich or even the king or a paladin etc? Just cast Undectable Alignment and Gentle Repose and your pretty much set.
Grayson 10-23-04, 03:08 PM	How exactly would joe schmoe farmer and his wife find out he was a lich or even the king or a paladin etc? Just cast Undectable Alignment and Gentle Repose and your pretty much set. Not exactly hard to figure out, heh. A lich doesn't eat, breathe, bleed, feel pain, etc. Heck, a Detect Undead spell would do it. Or an NPC with Hide From Undead cast :D
Callista 10-23-04, 03:10 PM	And what, exactly, prevents said Lich from using any one of a myriad of disguising spells and items? Or, for that matter, researching a modified Gentle Repose to keep his body from decaying?
Blackloch 10-23-04, 03:21 PM	hehe I meant it as a figure of speech :) .. but anyway.. the campaign started at level 11 and should last to level 17.. the party is 14/15 now.. but when the cleric becomes a lich at level 15..what is his current level then?! ..equivelant etc...
Ualaa 10-23-04, 03:38 PM	Lich has an LA of +4, according to the MM I. 15 levels, plus 4 = ECL 19. If the character decides to hide that they're a Lich, with a combination of spells and/or items, they'll likely survive a lot longer then if they're openly a Lich. Assuming the Lich trusts the rest of the party to a high degree, or perhaps without the parties knowledge, (s)he can give their phylactery to the party for safekeeping... which also has a good chance of ensuring both the survival of the phylactery and that the lich can find the party in the future should something bad happen with their phylactery on the other side of the world. Maybe craft the phylactery into a powerful magical item of great use to the party... For example, craft the phylactery into the hilt of the party paladin's Holy Avenger, along with powerful enough magics to hide the aura of the hilt. Who is going to suspect that the (strongly good aligned) Holy Avenger in the hands of the LG Paladin is the phylactery for the Lich?
Bloodtide_the_Red 10-23-04, 03:58 PM	Being undead does have it's problems, along with all thoes fancy powers. -Immunity to mind-effects, including morale ones. There are helpful spells and effect that will no long work on him. -Healing. Undeat do not heal 'naturaly'. He has to take the time to use magic to heal up every time. And remember he can't use normal healing type spells at all, he has to use the negative energy spells. -some of spells only effect Living creatures. Naturaly, he can't use them. -He still has to Rest to get his spells back. BT
Lord_Gema 10-23-04, 04:48 PM	If he is a cleric he can wear a full helm and armor avoid eye contact,I have my lich cleric cough or sneeze once in a while too .Talk about roasted pork "mmmmm" and mention you are fasting to avoid the lack of eating.
Blackloch 10-23-04, 06:38 PM	thanks m8!!! reeeeally nice tips! never thought about those!! =) cheers!! :D