Lich
- Size: Medium
- Type: Undead (Wizard)
- Alignment: Neutral Evil
- AC: 20
- Initiative: +17 (27)
- HP: 315 (42d8+126)
- Speed: 30 ft.
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 11 | +0 | +0 |
| DEX | 16 | +3 | +10 |
| CON | 16 | +3 | +10 |
| INT | 21 | +5 | +12 |
| WIS | 14 | +2 | +9 |
| CHA | 16 | +3 | +3 |
- Skills: Arcana +19, History +12, Insight +9, Perception +9
- Resistances: Cold, Lightning
- Immunities: Necrotic, Poison; Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned
- Gear: Component Pouch
- Senses: Truesight 120 ft.; Passive Perception 19
- Languages: All
- CR: 21 (XP 33,000, or 41,000 in lair; PB +7)
Traits
Legendary Resistance (4/Day, or 5/Day in Lair). If the lich fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Spirit Jar. If destroyed, the lich reforms in 1d10 days if it has a spirit jar, reviving with all its Hit Points. The new body appears in an unoccupied space within the lich's lair.
Actions
Multiattack. The lich makes three attacks, using Eldritch Burst or Paralyzing Touch in any combination.
Eldritch Burst. Melee or Ranged Attack Roll: +12, reach 5 ft. or range 120 ft. Hit: 31 (4d12+5) Force damage.
Paralyzing Touch. Melee Attack Roll: +12, reach 5 ft. Hit: 15 (3d6+5) Cold damage, and the target has the Paralyzed condition until the start of the lich's next turn.
Spellcasting. The lich casts one of the following spells, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 20):
At Will: Detect Magic, Detect Thoughts, Dispel Magic, Fireball (level 5 version), Invisibility, Lightning Bolt (level 5 version), Mage Hand, Prestidigitation
2/Day Each: Animate Dead, Dimension Door, Plane Shift
1/Day Each: Chain Lightning, Finger of Death, Power Word Kill, Scrying
Reactions
Protective Magic. The lich casts Counterspell or Shield in response to the spell's trigger, using the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting.
Legendary Actions
Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after another creature's turn, the lich can expend a use to take one of the following actions. The lich regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns.
Deathly Teleport. The lich teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space it can see, and each creature within 10 feet of the space it left takes 11 (2d10) Necrotic damage.
Disrupt Life. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 20, each creature that isn't an Undead in a 20-foot Emanation originating from the lich. Failure: 31 (9d6) Necrotic damage. Success: Half damage. Failure or Success: The lich can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.
Frightening Gaze. The lich casts Fear, using the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting. The lich can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.
Lore & Background
Liches are undead spellcasters of immense power who have achieved immortality through dark magic and the creation of a phylactery. These ancient beings were once mortal wizards who chose to sacrifice their humanity in pursuit of eternal life and unlimited magical power. The transformation into lichdom is a complex and evil process that binds the caster's soul to a physical object, allowing them to return from death indefinitely.
Liches are among the most dangerous undead creatures, retaining all their magical knowledge and abilities while gaining the immunities and powers of undeath. They are typically driven by obsessions that motivated their transformation: the pursuit of knowledge, revenge against ancient enemies, or the completion of magical research that spans centuries.
Combat Tactics
Liches are devastating spellcasters who use their vast magical arsenal to control the battlefield and eliminate threats. They prefer to fight from range, using powerful spells to devastate groups of enemies while maintaining distance. Liches often have undead minions to serve as bodyguards and distractions.
Encounter Ideas
Ancient Tower: A lich conducts magical research in a tower filled with undead guardians and magical traps. Phylactery Hunt: Heroes must find and destroy a lich's phylactery to permanently defeat it. Undead Army: A lich raises an army of undead to conquer the living world. Magical Bargain: A lich offers forbidden knowledge in exchange for dangerous favors.
Environmental Effects
Lich domains become places of death and decay where negative energy flows freely. Plants wither, animals flee, and the very air carries the chill of the grave.
Treasure
Liches possess vast collections of magical items, spellbooks, and arcane knowledge accumulated over centuries. Their hoards often include unique artifacts and the results of their magical research.
Plot Hooks
The Lich's Regret: A lich seeks to reverse its transformation and return to life. Ancient Knowledge: A lich possesses information crucial to preventing a catastrophe. Phylactery Guardian: Heroes must protect a lich's phylactery from those who would use it. Immortal Enemy: A lich pursues an ancient vendetta that threatens innocent lives.