The Lich's Lair
Far below ground level, under the Landzide Mountains, lies Kukiri Depths; a massive subsidence chasm more than thirty five miles long, and as much as a mile deep in some spots. It is an ancient mine that the Dwarves abandoned generations ago.
Some of the galleries and mine tunnel tail-ends are perfect habitation for all manner of dark-dwelling creatures, and have been repurposed as such. Ropers and Cloakers roam the stalagmite and detritus filled halls, always searching for prey, and there are much more dangerous things in the deepest places of the Chasm.
The Ritual
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Anaemonaestorsynalax's body was wracked with pain as he completed the ritual. The poisons he had been obliged to drink, the ascetisism he had been forced to endure, had all led him here, to this point. A living mind in an undead frame...a lich. If he survived, that is. The thought flitted across his consciousness as he wretched again, so hard that he passed out, this time. He did not wake again for over a century. |
The TransformationWhen he did, his perspective had altered significantly. He had known many of the changes would happen, but he had not been quite prepared for truesight; nor his newfound lifesense. The fact that the ritual had worked at all was nearly unbelievable, and yet here he was. His time of self discipline and self denial were over! His appetites had evolved! He beheld his reflection in the mirror of one of the underground lakes littering the area around his lair. Crystal clear and clean many of them were...too many for his liking. He would have to do something about that. For he was now, and forever would be, Anaemonae the Dracolich! Wizard extraordinaire, fearful master of lightning and destruction! Anaemonae went about consolidating his power, and fortifying his lair, for the next thousand years. |
The LairAnaemonae's lair reflects his orderly and expansive mind and curious personality. He has an obsession with the anatomy of different races, and his state of the art dissection laboratory is well stocked and tooled as a result. His libraries, also, contain numerous volumes about dissection, and sapient humanoid anatomy. His favorite volumes, dog-eared and well loved, are Anatomy Volumes from various medical schools around Tellus. The lair is rife with traps, both mundane and magical, and there are summoned creatures lurking in corners, or possessing surprising items, such as books or torch sconces. Demons that Anaemonae has made diabolical pacts with inhabit various books in the libraries, and his potions instructor was a powerful Lord of Hell named Gog'magogh, who now inhabits the Lair's alchemy lab full time, and assists Anaemonae with his "live dissection" projects. Anaemonae's treasure horde is also located in this lair, in a locked and magically trapped vault along the north wall. There are kingdoms with less cash on hand than there is in this vault. |
Lair Initiative
On inititive 20, losing ties with characters, Anaemonae can have the Lair take one of several actions:- Roll 1d8 , regaining a spell slot of that level or lower.
- Alternatively, Anaemonae can target one creature he can see within his lair, causing a crackling cord of black energy to spring up between him and the target. Whenever Anaemonae takes damage, the connected target must make a DC20 Constitution Saving Throw. On a failed save, Anaemonae will take half damage, and the connected target will take the remaining half. This lasts until initiative 20 on the next turn.
- Anaemonae can instead call forth the spirits of the dead that perished in the chasm, which materialize and attack one character that Anaemonae can see, within sixty feet. That character must make a DC20 Constitution Saving Throw, taking 15d6 on a failed Save, or half as much on a Success.
Lair Legendary Actions
The lair can make three legendary actions per round, but only at the end of another creature's turn.- The Lair casts Chain Lightning from a torch sconce closest to one of the characters. Electrical bolts arc from this target to up to five others, each within 30' of the next, forcing a DC20 Dexterity Saving Throw. The characters take 10d8 points of lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. (PHB p.221)
- Anaemonae directs the lair to cast the Slow spell on up to six creatures he can see. Make a DC18 Wisdom Saving Throw, or suffer -2 to AC, and Dexterity Saves, and you cannot take reactions. Additionally, You can take an action or a Bonus Action, not both. (PHB p.277)
- The Lair autonomously casts Imprisonment on one character within thirty feet of the Treasury. It casts the spell using one action. The target must make a DC18 Wisdom Saving Throw, or become trapped in the Lich's phylactery as a Soul Sacrifice (MM p.203).
Anaemonae's Horde
- 12d6 x 1000 gold pieces, and 8d6 x 1000 platinum pieces, bearing the likeness of at least twenty different kings and queens.
- 1d8 gems worth 1,000 gold pieces each, 1d6 gems worth 5,000 gold pieces each, and 2d100 gems worth 50 gold pieces each.
- A potion of Superior Healing, a potion of Cloud Giant Strength, a potion of Invisibility, a potion of Longevity, and potion of Vitality.
- A scroll of Antimagic Field, a scroll of Feeblemind, and a scroll of Dominate Monster.
- A Portable Hole, an Immovable Rod, and a Figurine of Wondrous Power (Bronze Griffon).
- A +1 Chain Shirt, a round +2 Shield, and Gloves of Missile Snaring
- A +1 Sword of Vengeance, a Hammer of Thunderbolts, a Javelin of Lightning, and a Holy Avenger long sword.
- A Crystal Ball (very rare version), a Carpet of Flying, and an Instrument of the bards (Anstruthharp)
- Additionally, hidden in the libraries are a Manual of Bodily Health, a Manual of Quickness of Action, a Tome of Leadership and Influence, and a full set of Ioun Stones.
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