lich

A terrible entity of necromantic horror, plucked from the slumber of death and plunged into the service of its master: the Gloom King. In ancient books of the occult, this service is sometimes referred to as the “Sorcerer's Song.” Differing from mindless shambling skeletons, a lich is a direct vessel for the will of the Gloom King, an extension of his agency and malevolence, making them incredibly powerful foes. Legends tell that liches come from ancient royalty or those with notable, noble accomplishments, and that their unnatural resurrection is, in fact, a kind of mockery. No power, not lords nor heroes, is more preeminent than that of the Gloom King.

Names: Unknown

abilities

Will of the Master

All liches command a Horde of skeletons as minions. Additionally, once every round, a lich may ENSORCELL a skeleton character (Mettle Check with Disadvantage to resist).

Dark Sorcery

Liches wield powerful magic. Roll 4d12 or select the lich's 4 Abilities:

• 1. Gloom Eidolon. Twice every Combat, may cause a Hit to pass through them harmlessly.

• 2. Horrifying Visage. At the start of a Conflict, all characters must make a Mettle Check with Disadvantage. On a 5-, they suffer Dread and become FRIGHTENED.

• 3. Spectral Lightning. Uses all 4 Actions of the lich. Target suffers 3d6 Dread and is STUNNED; if this would Defeat the target, they Resist Wounds and Defy Death with Disadvantage. Dead targets are turned to lifeless skeletons.

• 4. Lich's Vanguard. The lich is flanked by two Level 8 skeleton Champions in black robes and armor. No one can get Close to the lich until the vanguard is Defeated.

• 5. Withering Touch. On Critical Miss against the lich in melee, the attacker's weapon arm blackens and withers.

• 6. Erode. Once every round, may destroy a Mundane or Magnificent item.

• 7. Song of the Sorcerer. Once every round, may resurrect and control any corpse within Distant range.

• 8. Gaze of the Gloom King. Once every round, may CURSE a target to suffer Disadvantage for 1d4 rounds.

• 9. Veil of Darkness. Shroud the location in an aura of unnatural darkness. All characters who are not undead are BLINDED while there.

• 10. Sword of Shadows. May make a Sword of Shadows Attack. On a 9+ Hit, roll Dread with Advantage.

• 11. Impossible Strength. Any physical Skill Checks made against the lich suffer -3.

• 12. Forgotten Crown. Once every round, summon 1d4 Level 1 skeleton Goons.

social

Liches are the ultimate evil in the Land of Eem. As servants of the Gloom King, they exact his terrible will and wield immense magic power. They do not Parley with just anyone; they have no need. Only when an individual or faction has something the lich cannot acquire by force would they ever entertain diplomacy. Even then, a lich does not think or speak as mortals do. Every word is tortured, every gesture veiled. They cannot be reasoned with and once their mind is set on destruction they unleash their spectral sorcery without hesitation. Only a skeleton PC would truly fascinate a lich enough to speak with them at length.

combat

Liches outright destroy any challenger that does not serve them for some purpose. Liches never flee and make little effort to avoid dangers on the battlefield. They merely stand almost statue-like, turning in place to destroy their targets, as more than likely an army of skeletons aid their assault.

defeat

Liches are nearly invulnerable, but if Defeated their evil spirits cease to persist and their gloomy aspects vanish from the world. At no point can they betray the will of their master.

victory

When the dust has cleared, there is the very real possibility that the dead are resurrected and transformed into undead thralls. For those that remain alive, one can be sure that the lich must desire some knowledge or item to further the Gloom King's goals.