1Pirate
2018-07-03, 04:04 AM
So, group of 5 PCs: Dragonborn Paladin(Ancients, sword and board), V. Human Rogue(Arcane Trickster), High Elf wizard(Abjuration), Half-elf Shadow Sorcerer, and V. Human Cleric(Life). All are capable of inflicting damage that doesn't run afoul of the Lich's immunities and resistances(although the Rogue might have to get into melee if he shoots more than 3 crossbow bolts) and they are currently immune to fear. They won't exactly be fresh before the encounter, but they have a pretty good idea that they should be saving their high level spells and other long rest resources. The cleric is familiar with Lich capabilities, but they won't know they're facing a Lich until the actual encounter.
Situation: The Lich is attempting to assemble a MacGuffin and has broken into a temple(so no lair actions) that contains two pieces of said MacGuffin. He has gotten one and is attempting to get the second when the PCs encounter him. He will have just fought the temple's senior clergy and won't be at his full strength.
My thinking is the Lich will fight for 3-4 rounds. If he hasn't bested the PCs by then, he'll cut his losses and use a teleport scroll to leave with the one piece. If the PCs beat him, they regain the one piece, and set back the Lich's plans(his phylactery is far away and the PCs are in no position to find it at this point).
I want the fight to be difficult, but winnable if the PCs play smart and have a couple rolls go their way. So, I'm thinking the Lich will be tapped out on his high level spells and maybe have lost some of his legendary resistances, and down some hit points. My question is how much should I weaken him? Should I just clear out his 5-9th level slots or do you think a Lich could wipe them out with just his cantrips and legendary actions? How many hit points should I leave him at? Should I scrap this idea entirely?(in terms of the narrative, the PCs had been hearing about this guy and his plans, but no one seemed to know he was a Lich)
Situation: The Lich is attempting to assemble a MacGuffin and has broken into a temple(so no lair actions) that contains two pieces of said MacGuffin. He has gotten one and is attempting to get the second when the PCs encounter him. He will have just fought the temple's senior clergy and won't be at his full strength.
My thinking is the Lich will fight for 3-4 rounds. If he hasn't bested the PCs by then, he'll cut his losses and use a teleport scroll to leave with the one piece. If the PCs beat him, they regain the one piece, and set back the Lich's plans(his phylactery is far away and the PCs are in no position to find it at this point).
I want the fight to be difficult, but winnable if the PCs play smart and have a couple rolls go their way. So, I'm thinking the Lich will be tapped out on his high level spells and maybe have lost some of his legendary resistances, and down some hit points. My question is how much should I weaken him? Should I just clear out his 5-9th level slots or do you think a Lich could wipe them out with just his cantrips and legendary actions? How many hit points should I leave him at? Should I scrap this idea entirely?(in terms of the narrative, the PCs had been hearing about this guy and his plans, but no one seemed to know he was a Lich)