D&D Lore: Lich - Secrets of Lichdom (Vol 1)

This is part one of an all new Lich series dedicated to discovering and unlocking the secrets of lichdom for this Dungeons and Dragons lord of the undead.

Origins, history, ritual lore, potion of lichdom, the phylactery soul vessel and homebrew creations, all in this multi-part series!

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Twitter: @ RichesandLiches

Timecodes
02:42 Chapter 1 - Meet The Lich
06:42 Chapter 2 - RPG Lich Is Born
13:55 Chapter 3 - Myths And Folk Tales
17:46 Chapter 4 - Osiris Myth
21:23 Chapter 5 - Modern Undead
24:30 Chapter 6 - All Liches Are Not The Same
29:58 Chapter 7 - Role Of The Lich
36:04 Chapter 8 - In Case Of Emergency

Additional Video Links:

The Shadow Series

[le.domello]

Outstanding work, incredible narration, every piece of lore and lore-oriented pieces you share with us, scholars, are just true gems.

I do also appreciated the part about origins and stories of lich-like creatures in the real Earth mythologies. And the parts focused on making a Lich a unique character, not just another statblock enemy.

[Marcus-kien]

Well said. As a 1E DM, the Lich is one of my apex foes. The old adage has always been true: Your Table, Your Rules. If you do tinker, and you definitely should, just make sure you don't make yours into a God level monster.

[JasonBridgman-JAB]

2e's Van Richten's Guide to the Lich also gave tremendous details on becoming a Lich and variations including Priest and Psionic based lichs before 3e.

[Hakar]

She doesn't say it explicitly but Tom Riddle in Harry Potter is very much a lich

[Sawsan]

As an Egyptian let me shed some more light on the Osiris-Isis myth. In the beginning there was Geb God if Earth and Nut Goddess of the sky. They were siblings and mates. Their offsprings were Osiris, Set, Isis and Nephtys. They were Gods not rulers. Osiris and Isis were wed, so were Set and Nepthys. Set was sterile so Nephthys disguised herself as Isis and slept with Osiris because she wanted to conceive. She bore Anubis. Set sought revenge when he discovered this. The rest of your story is fairly accurate.

[uzunaruMelonness]

"A mortal seeking immortality by unnatural means... a tale quite familiar to many. Trading their humanity, looks, and anything else of value for the longevity." Set shakes his head. "It would be so funny if tragedy haven't followed these fools."

The slender soul slithers with inhuman speeds towards a worn, greenish-rusted blade. Set nods, "Not even immortality can stave off the cold, indifference of Death, itself."

Upon the damp, dark wall, lies the mummified flesh of a serpent. "This I knew... all too well."

[BuboStabbins]

Every RP book, ESP the DMGs and Monster manuals all say at the very beginning of the book that "everything after this page is a loose guide line and everything can and likely should be changed to fit your world and story."

People who worry about sticking to the exact rules often, in my experience, over look this *first* and most important rule.

If the rules were so perfect, there wouldn't be new additions, and rewrites. There is no balance. The balance is what you make it.

[goatsuckervonsasquatch]

You make the best D&D Undead videos they're so good even my wife stops and listens for a bit I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas

[tylerdurdenAk]

DnD first gen until current here😂😂😂 thank you for your work great job

[sologamer]

Love your videos. The presentaion is top notch. Plus your voice work is entertaining. Thank you for this current series. The Lich is my favorite villain. Always been scared to run one.

[DmSereb]

There is a common character in slavic folklore, the names vary, but there is always the word "immortal" in the name. Usualy he is a king or king-like figure, who commands other forces of evil. The hero of those tales is usualy to know that the death of this creature is at the end of a needle, the needle is kept inside the egg, the eg is inside the duck, the duck is inside the rabbit, the rabbit here is your quest, go find it and save the world.

[AGS]

Of course, the theme of the Lich comes with one unspoken question:

Would YOU, if you could?

[vechcron]

Every DM needs to aquire the 2nd Ed books Van Richtens Guides the Lich especially

[Thom]

Well before 3rd ed there was Best of Dragon Vol. 2 which gave the recipe for the Lich potion, plus random tables of effects in the article entitled: "Blueprint for a Lich" p. 62 written by Lenard Lakofka (originally from Dragon #26 June 1979)

[joephelps]

I believe one of the inspirations for the D&D Lich was the character Afgorkon, a Lich that appears in Gardner Fox’s book Kothar, Barbarian Swordsman (published 1969].

[samuelnewton]

Just in time for bed! Thanks R&L! ☠💀

[That_guy_]

When i hear lich i think of a few things Samaster, bane of gods, soul eater, Aumvor, Larloch, Baelnorn, paralyze, fear, and the twizted rune. Ive built a boatload of epic monsters for 5e . The lich is a classic arch villain. Ive always liked the thought of their phalactory being niche objects like buildings and artifacts making

[CharlesOakes-ju]

ok LANTERN
IM speachless..thank u for the star..lmao. at 50 yrs of age.i tip my hat to u sir..and i agree..its about playing...not killing charters...rules are gide lines..and a D.M. must be on their toes..im mean try runing a group of 6 where poor chris just has to be a black mage ....i had as much fun with it as my players..i love this vedio..EVERY WORD, yall listen now cause rich has it right...❤ u man..this was so great i have no words..and even if you didnt know it..youve covered those reason for arch lichtom as well.
THANK YOU RICH.or sir if rich isnt ur real name..lol
what else can i say
BRAVO..BRAVO

[rykercabler]

On the "dark sponsor" topic, they're not always dark. For instance, just about every incarnation of the Faerun God of magic has not only employed but also protected certain liches, so I think neutral powers could also be used. Love your videos and I'm not trying to be "that guy", I just wanted to add to that part.

[josephsorrendino]

OG Tomb of Horrors survivor. OMG! If my character made it out, would it be a win?