Lich

Liches are powerful undead beings. On Azeroth, they are usually bound to the iron will of the Lich King, they mainly wield frost magic and necromantic spells. Typically appearing as large, floating, skeletal figures wrapped in long robes, they are often found in high-ranking positions within the Scourge.
Unlike many other forms of undead, a lich's soul is not imperfectly attached to its body; instead, liches bind their souls to special containers known as phylacteries, which then allows them to generate a physical form. This is why lich bodies look nothing like their former mortal selves, and also why one has to destroy a lich's phylactery to truly kill them; as long as a lich's phylactery and soul are allowed to remain intact, the being can never truly die and will always be able to regenerate their corporeal body.Nyorloth on the official forumsUltimate Visual Guide, pg. 168 - 169
Just like there are archmages and archdruids, there are also archliches. So far Kel'Thuzad and Amal'thazad are the only known archliches.
==History==
===Origins===
Maldraxxus is the birthplace of necromantic magic and home to the forces that were called upon by the Lich King and the Scourge on Azeroth. The House of Rituals is lead by necromancers and liches, and are constantly innovating and advancing the art of necromancy with new incantations and formulaeErrant Enchantments as well as more resilient phylacteries.Prototype Phylactery Mold
===The Third War===
While on Draenor, Ner'zhul, the orc who would later become the Lich King, commanded a number of orcish warlocks and spellwielding death knights. Yet, when Kil'jaeden and the Burning Legion captured these sorcerers after that world's destruction, they were transformed into twisted, spectral aberrations of their former selves. These newly born liches possessed tremendous magical powers, yet their immortal, undead bodies were bound to the iron will of Ner'zhul. As payment for their undying loyalty to Ner'zhul, the Lich King granted them control over the furious elements of Northrend. Now, the liches wield frost magic along with their own considerable necromantic spells.Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual#Lich
It is possible for mortals to become liches even without the aid of higher powers such as the Burning Legion. During the Third War, the leader of the Cult of the Damned, Kel'Thuzad, was reanimated as a lich by Arthas Menethil using the power of the high elves' Sunwell.The Fall of Silvermoon It appears, however, that the power of the individual being raised as a lich is directly proportional to the amount of power required to bring them back. For instance, Kel'Thuzad, being an extremely powerful individual, required a nexus of powerful ley-energies in order to be reanimated.Digging up the Dead
Following the defeat of the Burning Legion at Mount Hyjal and the weakening of the Lich King's hold over the Scourge, a few liches, such as Ras Splinterspine and Morbent Fell, chose to serve the Legion and sided with the dreadlord Balnazzar during the uprising of Sylvanas Windrunner.
===World of Warcraft===
Just prior to the war against the Lich King, Korialstrasz fought against a large Scourge army somewhere in Lordaeron. Among them were several lesser liches.Night of the Dragon, chapter 2
There are troll liches in Zandalar.
In Maldraxxus, liches are scheming skeletal sorcerers who use anima to fuel their potent magic and practice their craft in the House of Rituals. Margrave Sin'dane had been manipulated by her new Baron, Kel'Thuzad, who in turn was in service to the Jailer, causing a civil war within Maldraxxus and helping an invasion of Bastion and Revendreth.
Troll liches in service to Mueh'zala attempted to both invade Ardenweald and then later fight Bwonsamdi in order to release their master.
==Notable==
Name	Role 	Affiliation 	Status	Location
 	Arch-lich of Acherus, instructor of frost death knights 	Knights of the Ebon Blade 	 	Acherus: The Ebon Hold, Eastern Plaguelands
 	Ruler of Razorfen Downs, leader of Scourge forces in Kalimdor 	Scourge 	 	Spiral of Thorns, Razorfen Downs
 	Leader of Scourge forces in Andorhal 	Scourge 	 	Andorhal, Western Plaguelands
 	Leader of Scourge forces at the Sundered Shard 	Scourge 	* 	The Sundered Shard, Sholazar Basin
 	Baron of the House of Rituals 	Necrolord Covenant 	 	Seat of the Primus, Maldraxxus
 	Leader of Scourge Invasion forces in Stratholme 	Scourge 	* 	Stratholme
 	Teacher of the dark arts in Scholomance 	Cult of the Damned, Scourge 	* 	Reliquary, Scholomance
 	Master of Naxxramas, founder and former leader of the Cult of the Damned, former baron of the House of Rituals, servant of the Jailer	Scourge, Cult of the Damned, House of Rituals, Mawsworn	 	Various
 	Hero of the Scourge, killed during the Siege of the Sanguine 	Scourge 	 	Unknown
 	Supreme Overseer of the Cult of the Damned 	Scourge, Cult of the Damned 	 	Oratory of the Damned, Icecrown Citadel
 	Lich-lord of Talramas 	Scourge 	* 	Talramas, Borean Tundra
 	Master summoner of the Fleshwerks 	Scourge 	* 	Fleshwerks, Icecrown
 	Ruler of the undead of Duskwood 	Independent 	 	Dawning Wood Catacombs, Duskwood
 	Lieutenant of Balnazzar 	Dreadlord Loyalists, Burning Legion 	* 	Unknown
 	Traitor of Kirin'Var Village 	Independent 	 	Chapel Yard, Netherstorm
 	Leader of Scourge forces in Drak'Tharon Keep 	Scourge 	 	Temple of the Forgotten, Drak'Tharon Keep
 	Leader of Scourge forces during the Battle of Mount Hyjal 	Scourge 	 	Unknown
 	Former overseer of Scholomance 	Scourge, Cult of the Damned 	* 	Formerly Laboratory, Scholomance
 	Lieutenant of Balnazzar 	Dreadlord Insurgents, Burning Legion 	* 	Unknown
 	Leader of Scourge Invasion forces in Scarlet Monastery 	Scourge 	* 	Scarlet Monastery Graveyard
 	Margrave of the House of Rituals 	Necrolord Covenant 	 	Hall of Sorcery, Maldraxxus
 	Captive of Thassarian 	Scourge 	 	Wailing Ziggurat, Borean Tundra
 	Leader of Scourge forces assaulting Wintergarde Keep 	Scourge 	 	Wintergarde Mausoleum, Dragonblight
 	Raising corpses at the Court of Bones 	Scourge 	* 	Court of Bones, Icecrown
 	Former mage of the Scarlet Crusade 	Independent 	 	Thondroril River, Western Plaguelands
* Phylactery unaccounted for; defeat may be impermanent.
===Other liches===
==As a companion pet==
*Landro's Lichling is obtained from a rare loot card in the TCG (War of the Elements).
*Lil' Phylactery is purchasable from the Battle.net Store.
==In the RPG==
A lich is a powerful undead sorcerer who possesses tremendous magical power. During his mortal life as the warchief of the orcish Horde of Draenor, Ner'zhul commanded a number of orcish warlocks and even some of Gul'dan's death knights. When these wicked sorcerers were captured by Kil'jaeden and the Burning Legion after the destruction of Draenor, they were transformed into twisted aberrations of their former selves. Ner'zhul became the Lich King at this time. The sorcerers' new, undead bodies, though immortal, were bound to the iron will of Ner'zhul. Since the liches showed unswerving loyalty to their master, Ner'zhul granted them control over the furious elements of the cold north. Now, the liches wield frost magic along with their own considerable necromantic spells.Monster Guide, pg. 95Manual of Monsters, pg. 142
"Lich" is an acquired template in the Warcraft RPG and World of Warcraft RPG.
===Service to the Scourge===
Liches are among the most powerful spellcasters and allies of the undead Scourge, serving their master with evil intent and great power. Often, they command armies as generals, surrogates for the Lich King himself. They are deeply entwined with the cold power of the grave. As a rule, these creatures are power-hungry, devious, and vicious. They utilize their great intellect and dark powers not only to serve the Lich King, but also to defeat each other in subtle political machinations, gaining strength and renown from each opponent's death. A lich resembles a skeleton with a chill blue glow emanating from within its bones. Liches often dress in flowing robes. These creatures are fond of pageantry and deception; they will often dress in the robes of a king or priest and expect their followers to call them by powerful-sounding names. Sometimes, they claim extraordinary powers granted directly from Ner'zhul himself, acting as though Ner'zhul were a god and they were his chosen priests or prophets. Instead of walking on the ground as mortals do, liches float above it on frosty mist. A lich floats from 6 -12 inches above the ground. Liches cannot trigger pressure plates or similar traps, nor do they leave footprints. Most difficult terrain does not inhibit liches, and they can cross calm water and other liquids with this ability. This movement is otherwise similar to normal movement, so liches can still fall down pits, for instance.
Typically, the Lich King elevates only necromancers to lichdom, but rumors speak of the occasional mage or shaman who also attains this status. Some tales imply that a spellcaster with enough personal and magical strength can willingly turn himself into a lich, but these reports are unsubstantiated. Some powerful necromancers can temporarily transform themselves into a lich.Monster Guide, pg. 95 - 97More Magic and Mayhem, pg. 69
===Rogue liches===
The rogue liches walk Kalimdor with no intention of raising an army as when they were under the command of the Legion. Even a single undead draws attention; putting together a large group will surely get the local populace upset. Instead, these liches harbor a single, driving goal; revenge. They seek out those who helped bring about their downfall, first destroying all that they held dear and then bringing ultimate retribution upon the target.Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 239
===Human liches===
Human necromancers are the most likely candidates for liches. Chilling mist billows from this skeletal figure. It floats in a cloud of mist, and black robes flow from its evil form. These liches are evil, cunning, and loyal to the Lich King. They serve as generals of armies and as advisors to other powerful members of the Scourge. These liches are somewhat inexperienced and probably new to undead existence, but they are filled with power and arrogance. Liches prefer to have hordes of undead minions surrounding them. These lesser undead creatures protect the lich while he casts spells from a distance. Liches have no qualms about fleeing if the situation warrants.Monster Guide, pg. 97
==Notes and trivia==
*Taam, a rune used in various death magic rituals, is known as "the mark of the Lich".Invocations of the Scourge
*Gunther Arcanus has been consistently referred to as a lich,The Prodigal LichThe Lich's Identity even though he has the appearance of a standard Forsaken.
*Lichling is a term with unclear meaning, as it has been used both to refer to a miniature lichLandro's Lichling and to Highborne Lichlings, a type of wraith formerly found in Azshara.
*During the Warcraft III alpha, their skull was shaped differently. Their description also said that they were the former warlocks and shamans of Ner'zhul instead of being former warlocks and death knights.2001 Lich FAQ This is because originally, the death knights of Warcraft III were supposed to be the same as those of the Second War.
*Despite the Warcraft III manual stating that the original liches were made from orcs, there are no named liches known to have been created in this manner.
===Shadowlands quotes===
These apply to most liches in the Shadowlands. Balmedar and Margrave Sin'dane have unique quotes.
;Greeting
*The margrave's benevolence upon you.
*Why have you interrupted me?!
*Excellent, a new test subject.
*What can you do for me?
*This is hardly the time for idle conversation.
*Has your weapon found a target today?
;Farewell
*In service of the margrave.
*Be bold and your enemies will falter.
*The bulwark shall never fall.
*May your purpose be fulfilled.
*Victory at any cost.
*May your anima be plentiful.
;Irritated
*Must the rabble be so needy?
*You know, only one of us has a phylactery.
==Gallery==
;World of Warcraft
Ras Frostwhisper.jpg|A lich in World of Warcraft.
Kel'thuzad Ingame.png|Kel'Thuzad in World of Warcraft.
Kel'Thuzad Maldraxxus.jpg|Kel'Thuzad in Shadowlands.
Lady Deathwhisper.jpg|Lady Deathwhisper
Margrave Sin'dane.png|thumb|Margrave Sin'dane
Balmedar.png|Baron Balmedar
Baroness Ninadar.jpg|Baroness Ninadar
Mor'Bitan.jpg|Mor'Bitan
Nalthor the Rimebinder.jpg|Nalthor the Rimebinder
Scrapper Minoire.png|A Maldraxxi lich.
Maldraxxus lich concept.jpg|Concept art for Maldraxxi liches.
Zalazane the Lich.jpg|A troll lich
;Warcraft III
BTNLichVersion2.png|Lich portrait in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.
Lichii.gif|A lich model in Warcraft III.
BTNHeroLich-Reforged.png|Lich portrait in Warcraft III: Reforged.
BTNHeroLich.png|Kel'Thuzad portrait in in Warcraft III.
Kel'thuzad5.jpg|Kel'Thuzad in Warcraft III.
BTNKelThuzadCin.png|Kel'Thuzad portrait in Reforged.
Kel'Thuzad Lich Reforged.png|Kel'Thuzad in Reforged.
Reforged credits art 7.png
Lich WC3 concept.png|Lich concept
Lich WC3 concept 2.jpg|Lich concept
Warcraft 3 concept art Lich.jpg|Original appearance concept art.
Warcraft III Box - Kel'Thuzad.jpg|Warcraft III box artwork featuring Kel'Thuzad.
Undead Campaign WC3 wallpaper.jpg|Undead Campaign wallpaper in Warcraft III.
Undeadcar.gif|Lich "Swifticle" in Azeroth Grand Prix.
;Hearthstone
Lich Baz'hial HS.jpg|
Kel'Thuzad hero.jpg|
Kel'Thuzad, the Inevitable.jpg|
Kel'Thuzad, the Inevitable hero.jpg| alternate
Lady Deathwhisper HS PoA.jpg|
Sister Deathwhisper HS.jpg|
Margrave Baz'hial.jpg|
Spellbound Baz'hail HS.jpg|
Dreadlich Tamsin HS.jpg|
Lil' K.T. HS.jpg|
Deathborne HS.jpg|
Full-Blown Evil HS.jpg|
Seeds of Destruction HS.jpg|
;Other
Ashbringer4CoverSampleA.jpg|Kel'Thuzad in World of Warcraft: Ashbringer.
Lady Deathwhisper TCG.jpg|Lady Deathwhisper in the Trading Card Game. 
Kel'Thuzad HotS Art - Alternate.jpg|Kel'Thuzad artwork from Heroes of the Storm.
Kel'Thuzad HotS.jpg|Kel'Thuzad in Heroes of the Storm.
Kel'Thuzad HotS Star Lich.jpg|Star Lich Kel'Thuzad in Heroes of the Storm.
Statue Araj Boss Pose.png|Araj the Summoner from Warcraft Arclight Rumble.
ArajtheSummoner-ArclightRumble.png|Araj the Summoner concept art for Warcraft Arclight Rumble.
Lich Starcraft II editor.jpg|Unique Starcraft II editor remodeled asset from Warcraft III.
==References==
 
Category:Monster Guide
Category:Manual of Monsters
Category:More Magic and Mayhem
es:Exánime
pl:Lich