Lich
Basic Information
Anatomy
Liches come in all shapes and sizes as people of any race can become a lich. The only consistency is that they’re found is various stages of decay. Some may look recently dead, actively rotting, or are just completely skeleton.
Genetics and Reproduction
As long as they still have the parts, they can actually reproduce. Unlike vampires though, their spawn are already born undead and they must mate with a compatible species. Theoretically, it’s been said that there is a way to reproduce with those outside of the compatible races, but there’s no known such case yet.
Dietary Needs and Habits
All they require is souls
Biological Cycle
Every 100 years the bodies of liches will start to decay, their own soul no longer able to stay stable in the undead vessel it’s in. To keep the decay at bay, liches can either consume the souls of others, or they can possess the bodies of living beings. The latter process is much more complicated, so instead they usually just consume souls.
Additional Information
Social Structure
They tend to follow a strict hierarchy based on age, with the oldest being on top. Even in areas that don’t follow that specific hierarchy, the ones they follow tend to be strict and immovable. They view this as a necessity because any wrong steps can lead to being smitten by the gods themselves.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
As long as their eyes haven’t rotted out, they can retain their natural sight. Once lost though they become blind. It’s usually an easy remedy for them as they can make fake eyes, or steal the eyes of living mortals.
Because of what it takes to become a lich, they all possess inherently supernatural magical abilities. Some of the more powerful ones can even be compared to demigods.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
After death, they like to adopt new names for themselves. They do it in case the gods do discover them, in which case they’re more likely to be protected from being erased from existence. What name they choose varies in different covens. Some may choose a regular name, though many love to give themselves titles.
Beauty Ideals
It varies depending on the coven, but it always revolves around the idea of life and death. Some may view looking alive to be desirable, while others may view looking like rotting zombies or bedazzled skulls to be beautiful.
Relationship Ideals
If they choose to pursue romantic or sexual relationships, they often go through a rigorous process to determine who may be their best match. Who’s likely to not betray them, how much of their interests align, if they can even reproduce, etc…
Average Technological Level
Largely, liches are extremely technologically advanced. Many love to find new ways to imbue magic into tech and other things. It’s rumoured that the idea for the Sign Post was given to its creator from a lich through a dream.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
They have their own version of a runic language, adopted from Nirilf.
Common Etiquette Rules
Many tend to follow a no-nonsense kind of policy. They do understand it’s important to be polite when possible, but many just don’t have the patience to tolerate bullshit.
Common Dress Code
Some covens may follow dress codes, though usually it involves wearing a symbol of sorts for their coven. Some covens might be more strict or lax on what liches can wear, especially if the coven is actively hiding in plain sight.
Common Taboos
It’s considered extremely taboo to go against the demands of those in higher social standing than you. It’s also forbidden from telling any regular mortal about liches without authorisation from higher ups.
History
Liches are said to originate from Hell, as the vampiric ambassador possesses the knowledge to perform such a ritual. At least, that’s the justification regular people have.
When it was just the liches in Hell, they lived a lot more freely, and only did the ritual to protect themselves and others. Things like necromancy and the likes didn’t become associated with liches until they started popping up in Mirthae. It was the quickest way for them to amass people for their causes. It became more difficult for them as Lord Uvie ascended to godhood.
Currently, they’re working hard to hide their existence from the gods. It’s definitely not easy, but one such lich is able to mingle in the Highking’s Court in Darʌkys surprisingly well. No one even suspects there might be a lich, as they’re possessing one of them. It won’t be long though before the truth is revealed.
Common Myths and Legends
They believe in The Depressed Sun mythos, to a much more detailed extent. They might be willing to trade that information, but it’ll cost a hefty price for the right person.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Liches are so little known about on Mirthae that they’re considered to be merely mythological beings. Elves who lived in the beginning of Mirthae are more likely to acknowledge their existence. Regardless though, liches are treated within the same respect as the Void, as literal malevolent demons.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Their flesh often appears as grey, green or even purple, though it’s just because of the decay.
Discovered by
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