That means they can easily cast Polymorph Any Object on themselves, and transform themselves into what amounts to 'living' humans, elves, etc permanently...
With some basic nifty alignment and other anti-detection items, they can hide themselves completely from anyone.
How many lichs do you think are scattered across the realms pretending to be mortals?
I mean there are plenty of evil wizards out there and plenty could make it to level 11 to become a lich and 15 to use polymorph any object...
What if all those lichs you and your various adventuring buddies come across and kill are merely the retards of the bunch, never bothering to actually fully conceal their own existance.
I think it would be a pretty cool hook to have a character find hints about various evil wizards seeking to become lichs just 'dissapearing', with no one able to find their rotting undead bodies, and no evidence to suggest that they failed in their bid for lichdom. Just them falling off the face of Toril.
It could lead to the eventual revelation that there is an entire underground society of lichs living beneath everyones noses. They could pick and choose lichs to join them, and leave the crazy megalomanical ones on their own to stir up enough trouble to attract enough adventurers, one of whom may eventually get lucky.
Hell, a 'senior' lich could apprentice newly 'born' level 11 lichs, until they can make themselves their first mortal body.
Thoughts?
Anyone have any additions or refinements to the idea?
It seems highly likely that our Polymorphed lich would lose most or all of his lich abilities and so would be unlikely to try such a plan. It might make a good mod, or a way to extend use of a particular boss monster, but it shouldn't be common.
Nor should we expect much in the way of lich organizations. Lions and wolves can exist in small packs, but the numbers don't get very large before they are killing off other lions and wolves. And many predators are completely solitary. Others of their species are just competition for the food [us]. Other liches are not going to be friends.
I largely agree with David Argall. On the whole, Liches work together in small groups or individually.
If I am not mistaken, what you're describing is exactly what Szass Tam did for a long time, and other Liches likely do the same every now and then as needed. On the whole, though, unless you intend to go and mingle among the plebs there is little reason to do it. Most intelligent wizards aren't going to be working out in the open - whether or not they're liches is irrelevant to that fact - they're going to use others.
If you've uncovered the "evil wizard" and are going after them... they're either going to avoid the fight, or if not then they've really lost nothing by allowing themselves to be revealed as a lich.
Now, to a broader point... why don't most evil wizards become Liches? Because it involves sacrifice. Your corporeal body decays, your sense of reality changes... you're no longer yourself. You're changed. Many of the things that would drive you in life are now non-existent. It's not just a physical change, its a change that involves the mind, the body, and the soul. In short, this is an option for many who fear death or seek power, but it does not come without a heavy sacrifice.
If your interested in groups of liches that work together I'd suggest looking up the Twisted Rune. That organization could suit your needs nicely.
Flesh to Stone, become a lich, Stone to Flesh. Your Phylactery is the heart of a princess. Good luck adventurers :33.
Sounds like a job for the Winchester Bros. (of Supernatural)
Flesh to Stone, become a lich, Stone to Flesh. Your Phylactery is the heart of a princess. Good luck adventurers :33.
Not too hard. Seduce princess. Run off with her maid. Princess' heart is broken and lich dies.
Doctor Who?
....... DR. Venture sir... you have a problem, not enough Dethklok in your diet
GO TEAM VENTURE!!!!! ,V..
....... DR. Venture sir... you have a problem, not enough Dethklok in your diet
Murmaid Vampire Liches...
Laser beams, check!
He used the spell "gente repose" to preserve his body against decay.
He used the spell "gente repose" to preserve his body against decay.
That's strange, I could swear that he's described as being a skeleton in some of th more recent, post spell plague, novels.
He used the spell "gente repose" to preserve his body against decay.
That's strange, I could swear that he's described as being a skeleton in some of th more recent, post spell plague, novels.
I was talking about 3.x lore sir.
Shoon was a nasty foe and when Sharp Fangs learned what was happening it gave the adventurers a chance to run with the stolen staff while the dragon and lich had another battle over the lands east of Murann. The only way the adventurers were able to escape Shoon VII the demi-lich was to return the Staff of the Unicorn to a Goddess Lurue at the summit of the Star Mounts in High Forest.
The NPC moon elf female wizard Demi-Lich, Shoon VII pretty much was over powering and dominated the PC's easy just because they did not understand the nature of the powerful demi-lich within. They retired those PC's after reaching there goal but I often wonderer what ever became of Shoon VII.
Or could this be another Manshoon sighting!
Most wizards choose this path as a way of being able to study their spells and experiments without need for rest and food. Humans being so short lived is sometimes not enough time for our evil wizards to achieve all the power they wished. Nothing like venerable effects messing up spell casting with trembling hands, aching body pains, failing memory, etc..
It seemed like there use to be alot of materials required for a mortal to become a lich and the success was based on their ability to survive the horrid transformation and their required spells, potion brewing, and saves. Would make for an intresting skill challenge for whoever decided to do it. I wouldn't let a character simply become a lich, they'd have to earn it. Paying the price of immortality.