Lich 5e | DnD Bestiary

Secrets of the Lich 5e: The Undying Masters

Author - Maciej Klima Klimczak

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Time to read - 5 min


Type

Monster | Undead



Alignment

Lawful evil | Neutral evil | Chaotic evil


Domains

Underground Crypts | Ruins | Towers



Challenge Rating

21 | Legendary Duel

Secrets of the Lich 5e: The Undying Masters
                                             Forgotten Realms

Arguably the Most Powerful Known Form of Undeath.


In the shadowy realms of DnD, a Lich 5e is a necromancer who has defied death itself. These ancient undead wield forbidden magic, their bodies twisted by dark rituals. Obsessed with power, they guard their phylacteries, making them nearly immortal. Beware - facing a Lich means confronting a being with centuries of dark wisdom and unearthly power.



In this guide you'll learn:

Secret ways to slay Lich 5e

Best Lich Practices for DMs

The forgotten power of necromancy

Lich 5e - The Origin Story

Born From the Dead


A Lich is a spellcaster who has sought immortality through the dark arts. Unlike vampires or other undead, a Lich isn’t cursed or transformed against its will; instead, it actively pursues the transition into undeath. This metamorphosis is achieved through the creation of a phylactery —a magical vessel that houses the Lich’s soul. As long as the phylactery remains intact, the Lich cannot be truly destroyed, even if its physical form is obliterated. Over time, a Lich’s body decays into a skeletal, mummified husk, but its magical powers only grow stronger.

Exiled to the Shadows


The process of becoming a Lich is fraught with danger and moral corruption. The would-be Lich must concoct a potent elixir of undeath , requiring rare and sinister ingredients, often harvested from the remains of powerful creatures or from the souls of the innocent. After drinking the elixir and performing a series of dark rituals, the spellcaster dies, only to rise again as a Lich 5e, with its soul tethered to the phylactery. This transformation grants the Lich incredible longevity and power, but it also strips away its humanity, leaving behind a cold, calculating, and often malevolent being.

Who was Lich 5e?

"Never, never hope to defeat a lich with a raise dead spell."

~ Ransair of Silverymoon

Physical Characteristics and Enviroment

Naked in Death


Liches are not just fearsome because of their power, but also because of the eerie environments they inhabit. Typically, a Lich will make its lair in places steeped in dark history and magic. These locations often reflect the Lich's own personality and background.


Crypts Habitant


  • Ancient Crypts: Hidden deep underground, these crypts are often filled with the remnants of forgotten civilizations, cursed treasures, and the restless dead.
  • Abandoned Castles: Once grand fortresses, now overrun with undead and dark magic, these castles are the perfect strongholds for a Lich plotting its next move.
  • Forbidden Libraries: Packed with ancient tomes and arcane secrets, these libraries offer a wealth of knowledge that a Lich 5e would protect at all costs.
  • Underground Labs: These are filled with twisted experiments and unholy creations, reflecting the Lich's ongoing pursuit of arcane mastery.

Naked in Death


Liches are not just fearsome because of their power, but also because of the eerie environments they inhabit. Typically, a Lich will make its lair in places steeped in dark history and magic. These locations often reflect the Lich's own personality and background


Crypts Habitant


  • Ancient Crypts: Hidden deep underground, these crypts are often filled with the remnants of forgotten civilizations, cursed treasures, and the restless dead.
  • Abandoned Castles: Once grand fortresses, now overrun with undead and dark magic, these castles are the perfect strongholds for a Lich plotting its next move.
  • Forbidden Libraries: Packed with ancient tomes and arcane secrets, these libraries offer a wealth of knowledge that a Lich 5e would protect at all costs.
  • Underground Labs: These are filled with twisted experiments and unholy creations, reflecting the Lich's ongoing pursuit of arcane mastery.

These environments are often designed to thwart intruders. Traps, undead guardians, and wards are just a few of the defenses a Lich might employ to protect its phylactery and lair. The atmosphere within these places is usually thick with the Lich’s magic, making them treacherous and otherworldly, with reality itself sometimes warping under the Lich’s influence.

Different Versions of Lich 5e

Eldritch

Refers to something eerie, otherworldly, and terrifying, often connected to ancient and unknowable cosmic horrors.

Vecna

A powerful undead lich and god of secrets in DnD, known for his missing eye and hand, symbolizing betrayal and dark magic.

Alhoon

An illithid (mind flayer) who has undergone a transformation into an undead lich, combining psionic powers with arcane magic to extend its unnatural life.

Dungeon Master Tips & Tricks: Lich 5e


Unique Loot and Rewards

Battling a Lich requires careful preparation and strategy. Adventurers must locate and destroy the phylactery to prevent the Lich's regeneration, a challenging task given its well-guarded, remote hiding place. Moreover, heroes must navigate the Lich’s lair, often filled with traps, undead minions, and other deadly perils.


Encounter Design

Fighting a Lich is the culmination of many D&D campaigns—a test of both the players’ wits and their characters’ strength. Success means vanquishing one of the greatest evils in the world, but failure can spell doom not only for the adventurers but for entire civilizations.

How to defeat Lich 5e?

Defeating a Lich in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) is no small feat. These powerful undead beings are some of the most dangerous enemies that adventurers can face, with a vast array of spells, resistances, and the ability to return to life if their phylactery remains intact

How to become a Lich dnd 5e?

Becoming a Lich in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) is a dark and dangerous path, reserved for those who are willing to sacrifice their humanity in pursuit of immortality and immense magical power. The process is complex, involving forbidden rituals, the creation of a phylactery, and a willingness to embrace undeath.

How to play a Lich 5e?

Playing a Lich as a Dungeon Master (DM) in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) can be a thrilling experience for both you and your players. A Lich is one of the most iconic and powerful villains in the D&D universe, offering a complex and multifaceted challenge.

Lich 5e in Depth

Liches Are Immortal, but Not Invincible

  • Phylactery Dependency: A Lich’s immortality is tied to its phylactery, an object where it stores its soul. Even if its body is destroyed, the Lich can regenerate a new one from the phylactery unless the phylactery itself is destroyed.
  • Weakness: This dependency is also a weakness. If adventurers discover and destroy the phylactery, they can permanently defeat the Lich.
  • Dark Transformation: Liches were once mortal spellcasters (usually wizards) who sought to extend their lives indefinitely. They undergo a dark ritual involving the consumption of a special potion and the creation of a phylactery to achieve undeath.

Available Lich 5e Characters

Other Undead 5e Miniatures

Maciej Klima Klimczak

Maciej Klima Klimczak
Dungeon Master, RPG Enthusiast, and RPG Guild owner.

Comments

Loved that! Lich figure was one of the reasons I became a… nerd hahah

Jan from Waterdeep

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