Arcane Formula for a Dracolich (Magical Liquid)

The creation of a dracolich is a complex process involving the transformation of an evil dragon by arcane magical forces, the most notorious practitioners of which are members of the Cult of the Dragon. The process is usually a cooperative effort between the evil dragon and the wizards, but especially powerful wizards have been known to coerce an evil dragon to undergo transformation against its will.
Any evil dragon is a possible candidate for transformation, although old dragons or older with spellcasting abilities are preferred. Once a candidate is secured, the wizards first prepare the dragon's host, an inanimate object that holds the dragon's life force. The host must be a solid item of no less than 2,000 gp value, resistant to decay (wood, for instance, is unsuitable). A gemstone is commonly used as a host, particularly a ruby, pearl, carbuncle, and jet, and is often set in the hilt of a sword or other weapon. The host is prepared by casting enchant an item upon it and speaking the name of the evil dragon; the item may resist the spell by successfully saving vs. spell as an 11th-level wizard. If the spell is resisted, another item must be used for the host. If the spell is not resisted, the item can then function as a host. If desired, glassteel can be cast upon the host to protect it.
Next, a special potion is prepared for the evil dragon to consume. The exact composition of the potion varies according to the age and type of dragon, but it must contain precisely seven ingredients, among them a potion of evil dragon control, a potion of invulnerability, and the blood of a vampire. When the evil dragon consumes the potion, the results are determined as follows (roll percentile dice):
Roll 	Result
01-10	No effect.
11-40	Potion does not work. The dragon suffers 2d12 points of damage and is helpless with convulsions for 1d2 rounds.
41-50	Potion does not work. The dragon dies. A full wish or similar spell is needed to restore the dragon to life; a wish to transform the dragon into a dracolich results in another roll on this table.
51-00	Potion works.
If the potion works, the dragon's spirit transfers to the host, despite the distance between the dragon's body and the host. A dim light within the host indicates the presence of the spirit. While contained in the host, the spirit cannot take any actions; it cannot be contacted nor attacked by magic. The spirit can remain in the host indefinitely.
Once the spirit is contained in the host, the host must be brought within 90' of a reptilian corpse; under no circumstances can the spirit possess a living body. The spirit's original body is the ideal, but the corpse of any reptilian creature that died or was killed within the previous 30 days is suitable.
The wizard who originally prepared the host must touch the host, cast a magic jar spell while speaking the name of the dragon, then touch the corpse. The corpse must fail a saving throw vs. spell for the spirit to successfully possess it; if it saves, it never accepts the spirit. The following modifiers apply to the roll:
* -10 If the corpse is the spirit's own former body (which can be dead for any length of time)
* -4 If the corpse is of the same alignment as the dragon
* -4 If the corpse is that of a true dragon (any type)
* -3 If the corpse is that of a firedrake, ice lizard, wyvern, or fire lizard
* -1 If the corpse is that of a dracolisk, dragonne, dinosaur, snake, or other reptile
If the corpse accepts the spirit, it becomes animated by the spirit. If the animated corpse is the spirit's former body, it immediately becomes a dracolich; however, it does not regain the use of its voice and breath weapon for another seven days (note that it is unable to cast spells with verbal components during this time). At the end of seven days, the dracolich regains the use of its voice and breath weapon.
If the animated corpse is not the spirit's former body, it immediately becomes a protodracolich. A protodracolich has the mind and memories of its original form, but the hit points, immunities to spells, and priestly turning of a dracolich. A protodracolich can neither speak nor cast spells. Furthermore, it cannot cause chilling damage, use a breath weapon, or cause fear as a dracolich. Its Strength, movement, and Armor Class are those of the possessed body.
To become a full dracolich, a protodracolich must devour at least 10% of its original body. Unless the body has been dispatched to another plane of existence, a protodracolich can always sense the presence of its original body, whatever the distance. A protodracolich tirelessly seeks its original body to the exclusion of all other activities. If its original body has been burned, dismembered, or otherwise destroyed, the protodracolich need only devour the ashes or pieces equal to or exceeding 10% of its original body mass (total destruction of the original body is possible only through use of a disintegrate or similar spell; the body could be reconstructed with a wish or similar spell, so long as the spell is cast in the same plane as the disintegration). If a protodracolich is unable to devour its original body, it is trapped in its current form until slain.
A protodracolich transforms into a full dracolich within seven days after it devours its original body. When the transformation is complete, the dracolich resembles its original body; it can now speak, cast spells, and employ the breath weapon of its original body, besides having all of the abilities of a dracolich.
The procedure for possessing a new corpse is the same as explained above, except that the assistance of a wizard is no longer necessary (casting magic jar is required only for the first possessions). If the spirit successfully repossesses its original body, it again becomes a full dracolich. If the spirit possesses a different body, it becomes a protodracolich and must devour its former body to become a full dracolich.
A symbiotic relationship exists between a dracolich and the wizards who create it. The wizards honor and aid their dracolich, and provide it with regular offerings of treasure items. In return, the dracolich defends its wizards against enemies and other threats, as well as assisting them in their various schemes. Like dragons, dracoliches are loners, but they take comfort in the knowledge that they have allies.
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Arcane Formulae