Liches are powerful undead spellcasters, often associated with necromancy and immortality. To understand what a lich is, we need to delve into the concepts of vessels and soul binding. In the world of Eora, the term “vessel” is often used interchangeably with “undead,” indicating a soul artificially connected to a body. This connection is usually unstable, requiring regular infusions of soul essence to maintain.
However, a lich transcends this limitation through a complex combination of magic and surgery, creating a state of near-permanent undeath. The path to becoming a lich, known as lichification, is a dark and transformative process.
The Lichification Process
The transformation into a lich involves a specific ritual. First, the aspiring lich carves arcane runes and symbols into their own skull. These markings act as a magical network, binding their soul to their physical body through intricate spells. This step is crucial in preventing the soul from escaping or dissipating.
Next, a hole is drilled into the skull, and a piece of adra is used to plug the opening. Adra, a mysterious and potent substance found throughout Eora, plays a vital role in the lich’s immortality. According to Concelhaut, the phylactery, the object that sustains a lich’s immortality, is actually the skull itself. The lichification process effectively stops the soul from leaking, granting a form of undeath that surpasses that of typical vessels.
The Cost of Immortality
While lichification offers a solution to the problem of soul leakage, it comes at a significant cost. The process causes the body to gradually become cold, dead, and emaciated. A lich’s physical form deteriorates over time, reflecting the unnatural state of their existence. Their vanity is sacrificed for the sake of immortality.
Liches in Eora and Beyond
The concept of a lich as a powerful undead wizard is common in many fantasy settings. Concelhaut, a notable figure in the Pillars of Eternity universe, exemplifies this archetype. His use of a phylactery to sustain his immortality echoes the traditions found in Dungeons & Dragons settings like the Forgotten Realms.
In Eora, vessels often need to feed on living soul essence to survive. Liches, however, circumvent this requirement through the magical binding of their soul to their physical form. While constructs and animats can also achieve extended lifespans, they lack the inherent magical resilience of a lich. Constructs eventually break down, and animats rely on fanatical devotion, which is not a reliable path to immortality.
Conclusion
A lich is a powerful undead wizard who achieves a form of near-permanent immortality through a combination of magic and surgery. They undergo a process called lichification, which involves carving arcane runes into their skull and using a piece of adra to seal the soul within. While this process prevents soul leakage, it comes at the cost of their physical form, which gradually deteriorates over time. Liches represent a potent and enduring force in the realms of necromancy and undeath.
