Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Lich & Demi-Lich...
From: gajensen@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu
Date: 5 Oct 92 12:02:54 -0500
Organization: Miami University Academic Computer Service"

In article <Qen9xn200Uh_051CEr@andrew.cmu.edu>, "Jordan M. Wolbrum" <jw67+@andrew.cmu.edu> writes:
> What's all the commotion about a Lich?  It's just a monster, not even
> the most powerful undead!  Now a Type VI demon, that's a monster!  
> 
> If you really need to kill a lich, have your henchman break the Staff of
> the Magi near it.  It will never survive.

I am quite sure that you will be receiving several other responses to this, but
I simply must insert my two cents.

The commotion about a lich is the fact that not only is it an undead monster,
(and yes, it is the single most powerful undead), it used to be at least an
arch-mage. To top it off, it still has _all_ of the powers it possessed as an
arch-mage, plus a few bonuses. Not losing con points for casting permanency and
not having to worry about aging for the casting of wish are the two that come
to mind most easily. If you also consider that the lich has had _lots_ of time
to prepare his defenses, they are untouchable.

Example:

Sincro Fashad, arch-mage turned lich has been undead for four centuries.

He was a 25th level mage before he "died"

Permanently on his body are the following spells:
	protection from normal missiles, shield, infravision, invisibility,
read magic, and minor globe of invulnerability. Plus, he has cast the spell
contingency that will then dimension door him to a safe room if he is brought
below half hit points, plus he has cast the spell chain contingency (9th level
spell from Tome of magic) that will teleport w/o error the lich to a safe place
very far away in the event of hit points being brought to below a quarter.

He has also used wish multiple times to ensure that all of his magical items
cannot be used by anyone other than himself, as they will teleport to his lair
if being touched by someone other than himself. 

He will also have created lots of magical items specifically designed for
causing the destruction of adventurers. He would know quite a bit how they
operate, because he used top be one. Plus, he will _use_ these items, not let
them sit on his treasure pile. Use it or lose it, babe.

Plus, he will have had quite a bit of time to formulate battle plans. He does
not need to sleep, so he wouldn't be taken by surprise. He can't be silenced,
because of the minor globe, nor can he be hurt by any other 1st-3rd level
spell. He also probably has his entire abode covered with some type of
proximity alarm that will go off if anything enters, aside from those beings
that serve him.

I could go on, but I think you can see my point.

For those of you who say this is slightly munchkin. Well, it is. In my opinion,
however humble it is, liches are one of the best munchkin killers that exist.
This is for the simple reason that if a munchkin can have it, a lich almost
definately does.

Greg Jensen

BTW, concerning the thread on how to kill a troll. Just put it in a 10 by 10
room with your nearest munchkin. Chances are the munchkin has at least ten ways
to reduce the troll to quarks in half a nanosecond.
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd