Lich

A bony hand reaches out and a blue orb spawns from nothingness. Words in an ancient language are spoken and the thousands of warriors before him twitch and writhe and sieze until they are nothing but shambling mindless undead. This is the power of a lich, the masters of necromancy and planar magic.

Basic Information

Anatomy

While any intelligent species can become a lich provided it has the arcane knowledge to do so. There are however a few common denominators in a lich's anatomy. They are always skeletal as becoming a lich instantly kills the caster as the soul leaves the body and enters his phylactery. Their eyes usually glow a certain color (Typically either a dark red or a deep black/purple) their bones become fortified almost as if they were steel. However, they must use magic to keep decomposition from continuing or else they will turn to ash.

Genetics and Reproduction

Liches are not born, they are created. When an arcane caster, typically one of low morality, decides he wants the taboo ability of immortality they will begin the process. This involves traveling to a different plane of existence (or any other method) to speak to a great power who may , in exchange for a service gift them the knowledge of how to cast the complicated magical rituals to grant themselves lichdom. This can be anything from the sacrafice of a child or family member or the mass murder and damnation of hundreds of victims. The most extreme case known is Faz'narak Guzuul he was not only forced to destroy an entire town as an offering of souls to Asmodeus, but was also tasked with the destruction of all life, unlife, and planar life, including Asmodeus.

Growth Rate & Stages

A lich's first stage is that of discovery. He will begin to expand his knowledge and spell casting abilities at an exponential rate. After a century (sometiimes two) the lich will become an elder lich. This lich is capable of casting the eleventh tier of magic without too much trouble (provided he has the material components to cast the spell).

Dietary Needs and Habits

A lich doesn't need to eat food, but rather must consume souls to keep his power elevating as well to maintain his body.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

While liches are the masters of planar magic and necromancy they are not limited to this magic. They are granted permanent placeholder and any spells they were able to cast in life they can now cast at will, and are able to learn and master spells far beyond the limitations that mortality imposes.