Index Compilation of Lich Variants. [Archive] - Giant in the Playground Forums

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frogglesmash

2017-03-18, 02:04 AM

I'm trying to compile a list of different varieties of lich/lich like monsters. Pathfinder and 3rd Party are a-okay.

Here are the ones I've got so far and the book they're from as well as a brief description.

WotC

Alhoon - LoM: Lichdom for illithids.
Archlich - Monsters of Faerûn: Benevolent Lich.
Baelnorn - Monsters of Faerûn: Benevolent Elven Lich.
Banelich - Monsters of Faerûn: Clerics of Bane who were granted access to an improved version of Lichdom.
Beholder Lich - D&D Miniatures: Unhallowed set: It's all in the name.
http://ddm-images.s3.amazonaws.com/cards/Uh/31R.gifDemi Lich (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/monsters/demilich.htm) - ELH: Lichdom v2.0.
Dracolich - Draconomicon: Lichdom for Dragons.
Dry Lich - Sandstorm: Desert themed Mummy/Lich.
Good Lich - LM: Another benevolent Lich
Grim Psion (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20030628b) - Unofficial 3.5 Update (http://storm-shelter.minmaxforum.com/index.php?topic=504.0): A 3.0 psionic PrC that makes you a Lich in everything but name.
Grisgol (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20040905a&page=4) - MMIII: A construct made of spent/broken magic items, as well as a Lich's phylactery, and powered by the bound spirit of said lich.
Lich (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/lich.htm) - MMI: Lich v1.0.
Lich Fiend - LM: Lichdom for evil outsiders.
Sepulchral Thief - Cityscape: Lichdom for thieves.
Shadow Lich - ToM: A Shadow Caster Lich. Often uses a Gem of Night as a Phylactery.
Spectral Savant - CPsi: Psionic Lich/Ghost.
Suel Lich - Dragon Magazine #339: Ghost/Lich that possesses people to stay alive, and causes its host to age rapidly.
Worm that Walks (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/monsters/wormThatWalks.htm) - ELH: Soul and mind of a powerful spellcaster that has transferred itself to the worms and maggots that ate its corpse. It's technically not a Lich, but it's too cool not to include here

Ravenloft

Elemental Lich - Denizens of Dread: A Lich with a strong magical connection to the lands of Ravenloft.
Psilich - Ravenloft DMG: A psionic Lich.
Vassalich - Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II: A caster that is granted a lesser form of Lichdom by a true Lich in exchange for servitude. Becomes a true Lich at 11th level, but is dependent on its master for XP.

Pathfinder

Bardic Lich (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/extras/community-creations/epic-meepo-presents/monsters/lich-bardic/) - Epic Meepo Presents: Monsters: Pretty Self explanatory.
Demilich (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/undead/demilich/) - Bestiary III: Decrepit vestige of an ancient Lich
Demilich, Awakened (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/undead/demilich/demilich-awakened) - Bestiary III: Pathfinder version of the 3.5 Demilich.
Dread Lich (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/dread-lich-cr-1-or-3/) - Advanced Bestiary: Lich v1.5.
Familial Lich (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/familial-lich-cr-0/) - Horror Adventures: Lich that reanimates by possessing its descendants.
Forsaken Lich (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/forsaken-lich-cr-2/) - Adventure Path #48: Shadows of Gallowspire: Failed Lich transformation that has volatile consequences resulting in perma death after 1d10 days.
Graveknight (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/graveknight-cr-2/) - Bestiary III: Lichdom for warriors.
Lich (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/lich/) - Bestiary I: Lich but this time it's in Pathfinder.
Lich Shade (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/undead/lich-shade/) - The Tome of Horrors Complete: Victim of a failed lich transformation who has most of their power an memories.
Psychic Lich (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/lich-psychic-cr-2) - Occult Bestiary: A lich with an alternative Phylactery, and some psychic powers. Not a psionic Lich.
Mindborn (http://dsp-d20-srd.wikidot.com/the-mindborn) - Psionics Augmented: Seventh Path: Psionic manifester who has undergone a transformation that grants traits of both Liches, and the Unbodied.
Moss Lich (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/moss-lich-cr-2/) - Advanced Bestiary: A plant based Lich for nature lovers.
Worm that Walks (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/worm-that-walks-cr-2/) - Bestiary II: Worm that walks, but it's weaker and in Pathfinder.

3rd Party

Akalich - Immortals Handbook: Lich v3.0.
Dracolich - Complete Guide to Liches: Lichdom for Dragons. Where have I heard that before?
Drowlich - Complete Guide to Liches: A Lich that is also a Drow, and is therefore better because reasons.
Iron Lich - Monsternomicon I: A steampunk Lich that eats souls.
Lich - World of Warcraft RPG Monster Guide: The WoW version of a Lich.
Novalich - Complete Guide to Liches: A caster who seeks to temporarily avoid death to complete important, unfinished business. Comes with a one year time limit.
Philolich - Complete Guide to Liches: Lesser form of Lichdom granted by a Lich to their loved ones/most trusted servants.
Psionic Lich - Hyperconscious: A Lich, but this time it's psionic.
Semi-Lich - Complete Guide to Liches: A Lich who failed to properly store their life force during the transformation leaving them a shambling shell of their former selves.
Warlich - Complete Guide to Liches: Lichdom for warriors, but granted by casters.

Homebrew

Sangrolu (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=15804591&postcount=5)- By Arcanist: Vampire/Lich combo.
Sangrolu, Broken (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=15799666&postcount=1) - By Rolep: Vampire who failed the ritual to become a Sangrolu, or a Sangrolu whose phylactery has been destroyed.
Sangrolu (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=15799666&postcount=1) - By Rolep: Vampire/Lich combo.
Zolhkaarolu (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=15804591&postcount=5)- By Arcanist: Vampire/Demilich combo.
Zolhkaarolu (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=15799670&postcount=2) - By Rolep: Vampire/Demilich combo.

Other Goodies for Liches

-The Ravenloft Core Rulebook introduces two new abilities that all liches possess in that setting, as well as a variety of salient abilities that Liches can acquire based on their Int Score.

-The Death Master (Dragon Compendium) grants Lichdom at 20th level, this applies to to all creature types except undead. Undead instead gain most of the benefits of the Lich template, but do not gain a phylactery or the template itself.

Biffoniacus_Furiou

2017-03-18, 02:29 AM

Dracolich in the Draconomicon

Inevitability

2017-03-18, 02:34 AM

Alhoon are basically illithid-liches.

Buufreak

2017-03-18, 02:39 AM

I remember reading about a type of elfish lich that was always good. Can't for the life of me remember the name, though.

frogglesmash

2017-03-18, 02:46 AM

I remember reading about a type of elfish lich that was always good. Can't for the life of me remember the name, though.

I found the Baelnorn in Monsters of Faerun, it seems to fit that description.

Venger

2017-03-18, 02:46 AM

I remember reading about a type of elfish lich that was always good. Can't for the life of me remember the name, though.

I assume you're talking about baelnorns.

Uncle Pine

2017-03-18, 04:48 AM

Advanced Bestiary (3rd party, Green Ronin Publishing) has the Dread Lich.

Buufreak

2017-03-18, 08:20 AM

I found the Baelnorn in Monsters of Faerun, it seems to fit that description.

I assume you're talking about baelnorns.

AYE! Baelnorn. I always found them interesting in terms of etymology. I happened to forget they were fairly setting specific.

Sergio

2017-03-18, 08:52 AM

apart from mages\paladin\clerics

how feasible would be for a warrior\barbarian to become a lich?

Inevitability

2017-03-18, 09:10 AM

apart from mages\paladin\clerics

how feasible would be for a warrior\barbarian to become a lich?

It is possible, though not without some cheese.

Essentially, becoming a lich requires the Craft Wondrous Item feat, a CL of 11, and the ability to cast spells. The CL (and by extension the feat) can be gained by being a shadow-walker human or something similar. The ability to cast spells can be gained by taking Magical Training. Any character with these things could theoretically craft a phylactery and become a lich.

Sergio

2017-03-18, 09:30 AM

It is possible, though not without some cheese.

Essentially, becoming a lich requires the Craft Wondrous Item feat, a CL of 11, and the ability to cast spells. The CL (and by extension the feat) can be gained by being a shadow-walker human or something similar. The ability to cast spells can be gained by taking Magical Training. Any character with these things could theoretically craft a phylactery and become a lich.

apart from bane, which god would give such a 'prize' to his most devoted followers?

Inevitability

2017-03-18, 11:51 AM

apart from bane, which god would give such a 'prize' to his most devoted followers?

Any of the dozens of evil deities associated with death, battle, or death and battle?

Karl Aegis

2017-03-18, 10:16 PM

If we're doing third party liches Akaliches from Immortals Handbook are pretty nasty buggers.

Calthropstu

2017-03-19, 02:56 AM

Any of the dozens of evil deities associated with death, battle, or death and battle?

There is also the goddess of love and undeath, which uses undead creation to link people with their true love beyond death who is not evil.

Edit: found her. Her name is Evening Glory. Libres Mortis.

ksbsnowowl

2017-03-19, 07:25 AM

Cityscape has a cool Rogue-Lich template, called the Sepulchral Thief. Basically a 5th level Rogue could qualify, and become one if they die while trying to pull off a big heist. They don't get a typical phylactery, but rather, when they die, their soul inhabits the most expensive item they are carrying.

ShurikVch

2017-03-19, 07:35 AM

Grim Psion (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20030628b) is psionic lich in all but name

http://ddm-images.s3.amazonaws.com/cards/Uh/31R.gif

Anyone and anything (except Undead) can become Lich at the 20th level of Death Master class (Dragon Compendium)

Calthropstu

2017-03-19, 04:15 PM

frogglesmash

2017-03-19, 09:58 PM

Grim Psion (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20030628b) is psionic lich in all but name

Was there ever a 3.5 update for this? I normally wouldn't care, but it uses the 3.0 psionics rules.

atemu1234

2017-03-20, 10:07 AM

Complete Guide to Liches (3rd Party) had Philoliches, which are loved ones a lich has bound to themselves in undeath, some kind of warrior lich (Warlich?) another type of dracolich, a kind of lich that only lasts for a year, and a template for what happens if a lich accidentally becomes good.

ATHATH

2017-03-20, 10:46 AM

Pathfinder had some kind of Death Knight that was bound to its armor; I remember it from Kaveman's excellent Undead Cowboys campaign log.

Inevitability

2017-03-20, 02:02 PM

Pathfinder had some kind of Death Knight that was bound to its armor; I remember it from Kaveman's excellent Undead Cowboys campaign log.

It's Graveknight (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/graveknight-cr-2/), for those desiring a link.

frogglesmash

2017-03-21, 02:56 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've added all of them, as well as a few others that I found on my own. I've also added brief descriptions. If anything is unclear/inaccurate/missing, please let me know.

zergling.exe

2017-03-21, 05:49 AM

Forsaken Lich-Adventure Path #48: Shadows of Gallowspire: Failed Lich transformation that has volatile consequences resulting in perma death after 1d10 days.

Missed some bolding here. Also, is MoF Monsters of Faerun or Magic of Faerun? I would assume Monster, but with liches it could go either way.

ksbsnowowl

2017-03-21, 11:55 PM

Missed some bolding here. Also, is MoF Monsters of Faerun or Magic of Faerun? I would assume Monster, but with liches it could go either way.

MoF = Monsters of Faerun
MaF = Magic of Faerun

frogglesmash

2017-03-22, 04:21 AM

Do you guys think that any of these are lich like enough to include in the list?
Huecuva-Fiend Folio
Death Knight-MMII
Any of the deathless creatures from the eberron campaign setting.

Missed some bolding here. Also, is MoF Monsters of Faerun or Magic of Faerun? I would assume Monster, but with liches it could go either way.

I've fixed both problems. Thanks for the help.

Inevitability

2017-03-22, 06:28 AM

frogglesmash

2017-03-22, 01:37 PM

I'd say a core of lichdom is having a phylactery, so no.

That's fair, though the Spectral Savant is often mentioned when people ask for a psionic Lich variant, and it does not have a phylactery. The Iron Lich also has no phylactery, though it's not printed by WotC so you may consider that a less relevant fact.

RedMage125

2017-03-24, 08:57 AM

frogglesmash

2017-03-24, 09:42 AM

The "Beholder Lich", properly called a Death Tyrant, comes from the 3e supplpement Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting.

The Unhallowed Miniatures set is not the primary source. FRCS will get you the actual template.

Death tyrants don't have an int score and can only take one action per round, so they're more like zombies than Liches.

atemu1234

2017-03-26, 01:00 AM

Death tyrants don't have an int score and can only take one action per round, so they're more like zombies than Liches.

Folklorically speaking, liches and zombies are kind of the same thing depending on who you talk to.

frogglesmash

2017-03-26, 01:37 AM

Folklorically speaking, liches and zombies are kind of the same thing depending on who you talk to.

Yeah, but as far as most fantasy settings are concerned liches are about as different from zombies as two undead can be.

Geigan

2017-03-26, 01:56 AM

Only truly lich-like in that it has a pseudo-phylactery, transcends mortality, and is as great for relevant manifesters as lich tends to be for casters, the Mindborn from Psionics Augmented: Seventh Path is a pretty good Pathfinder psionic lich variant imo. Not sure if it's quite close enough for personal preference though.

frogglesmash

2017-03-26, 02:15 AM

ShurikVch

2017-04-01, 07:19 AM

Another variant of Lichfiend was in the Shackled City Adventure Path.
It required evil outsider with Evil Brand and at least 11 levels in a spellcasting class.
This variant of Lichfiend, unlike a "usual" Lich (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/lich.htm), got Insanity Touch instead Paralyzing Touch, and don't need a phylactery: whichever Evil power it serves will restore it until the Lichfiend "outlives" it's usefulness
The only way to permanently slay a lichfiend is to use a miracle or wish within one round of the lichfiend's destruction to prevent its life force from returning to its patron, or to convince its patron to destroy the lifeforce rather than restore it to a body.

"Wells of Darkness" (Savage Tide Adventure Path, Dungeon #148) have three "Male arcanist varrangoin lich binder 3/anima mage 2", who are "discovered a method of attaining lichdom that bypasses the need of a phylactery."
Their "communal phylactery" is the Wells of Darkness - 73rd layer of the Abyss
Also, their method "also capable of allowing non-humanoid creatures to become liches" (Varrangoins are Magical Beasts)