Category:Psionic Lich: Difference between revisions
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A psionic lich, also variously known as the mentalist lich<ref name="VRGttL p. 64-69">[[Van Richten's Guide to the Lich]] p. 64-69</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 161-166">[[Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium II]] p.161-166</ref>, psilich<ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 123">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 123</ref>, or hushyar lash (the latter term used by the [[Rajian]]s<ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 123">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 123</ref>), is a type of [[lich]] created through [[psionic]] as opposed to traditional magical means]<ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 123">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 123</ref><ref name="MC III p. 75">[[Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III]] p. 75</ref>. As such, psionic liches are powerful [[psionicist]]s instead of magical [[spellcaster]]s (though specific individuals may have both because psionic liches retain all the [[special abilities]] and skills they had as mortals<ref name="VRGttL p. 96">VRGttL p. 96</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 193">VRMHC II p.193</ref>.) | A psionic lich, also variously known as the mentalist lich<ref name="VRGttL p. 64-69">[[Van Richten's Guide to the Lich]] p. 64-69</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 161-166">[[Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium II]] p.161-166</ref>, psilich<ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 123">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 123</ref>, or hushyar lash (the latter term used by the [[Rajian]]s<ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 123">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 123</ref>), is a type of [[lich]] created through [[psionic]] as opposed to traditional magical means]<ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 123">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 123</ref><ref name="MC III p. 75">[[Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III]] p. 75</ref>. As such, psionic liches are powerful [[psionicist]]s instead of magical [[spellcaster]]s (though specific individuals may have both because psionic liches retain all the [[special abilities]] and skills they had as mortals<ref name="VRGttL p. 96">VRGttL p. 96</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 193">VRMHC II p.193</ref>.) | ||
The psionic lich described in [[Van Richten's Guide to the Lich]], largely through the diaries of the Kartakan bard [[Matthew Swiftsinger]].<ref name="VRGttL p. 64-69">[[Van Richten's Guide to the Lich]] p. 64-69</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 161-166">[[Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium II]] p.161-166</ref> The first known psionic lich in the [[Land of Mists]] is thought to have appeared in [[Kartakass]] near the border to [[Bluetspur]]. Some evidence suggests that [[Harkon Lukas]] encountered and destroyed the psionic lich, though it is more likely the lich manaaged to live through the encounter<ref name="VRGttL p. 96">VRGttL p. 96</ref> Swiftsinger refers to the lich as [[Master Ulathar]].<ref name="VRGttL p. 64-69">[[Van Richten's Guide to the Lich]] p. 64-69</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 161-166">[[Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium II]] p.161-166</ref>. Given that psionic liches are also native to the prime material world of [[Athas | The psionic lich described in [[Van Richten's Guide to the Lich]], largely through the diaries of the Kartakan bard [[Matthew Swiftsinger]].<ref name="VRGttL p. 64-69">[[Van Richten's Guide to the Lich]] p. 64-69</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 161-166">[[Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium II]] p.161-166</ref> The first known psionic lich in the [[Land of Mists]] is thought to have appeared in [[Kartakass]] near the border to [[Bluetspur]]. Some evidence suggests that [[Harkon Lukas]] encountered and destroyed the psionic lich, though it is more likely the lich manaaged to live through the encounter<ref name="VRGttL p. 96">VRGttL p. 96</ref> Swiftsinger refers to the lich as [[Master Ulathar]].<ref name="VRGttL p. 64-69">[[Van Richten's Guide to the Lich]] p. 64-69</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 161-166">[[Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium II]] p.161-166</ref>. Given that psionic liches are also native to the prime material world of [[Athas]]<ref name="MC III p. 75">[[Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III]] p. 75</ref>, {{Spec|it is possible or even likely that other psionic liches unknown to [[Van Richten]] or his associates existed in [[Kalidnay]] beforehand.}} | ||
==Special Abilities== | ==Special Abilities== | ||
A lich possesses the defensive abilities common to most liches, including a supernaturally resilient flesh impervious or resistant to damage from most [[weapon]]s<ref name="VRGttL p. 96">VRGttL p. 96</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 193">VRMHC II p.193</ref><ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 124">Ravenloft | A lich possesses the defensive abilities common to most liches, including a supernaturally resilient flesh impervious or resistant to damage from most [[weapon]]s<ref name="VRGttL p. 96">VRGttL p. 96</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 193">VRMHC II p.193</ref><ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 124">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 124</ref>. The psionic lich possesses the immunities common to normal liches, including immunity to [[cold]], [[electricity]], [[mind-affecting effects]], and [[polymorph]] effects<ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 124">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 124</ref>. Despite these immunities, a psionic lich can utilize any of the psionic powers known in life<ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 124">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 124</ref>. Like all liches, the psionic lich has a [[:category:Lich's Phylactery|phylactery]] for which to house the life essences<ref name="VRGttL p. 96">VRGttL p. 96</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 193">VRMHC II p.193</ref><ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 124">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 124</ref>. | ||
The psionic lich's other [[special abilities]] are somewhat different from those of its spellcaster kindred. The aura of dread that surrounds a psionic does not send weaker creatures running, but instead may interfere with other creatures' abilities to attack, resist attacks, or use [[skill]]s<ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 124">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 124</ref>. Although the touch of a psionic lich inflicts physical harm upon its [[victim]]<ref name="VRGttL p. 96">VRGttL p. 96</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 193">VRMHC II p.193</ref><ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 124">Ravenloft | The psionic lich's other [[special abilities]] are somewhat different from those of its spellcaster kindred. The aura of dread that surrounds a psionic does not send weaker creatures running, but instead may interfere with other creatures' abilities to attack, resist attacks, or use [[skill]]s<ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 124">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 124</ref>. Although the touch of a psionic lich inflicts physical harm upon its [[victim]]<ref name="VRGttL p. 96">VRGttL p. 96</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 193">VRMHC II p.193</ref><ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 124">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 124</ref>, the touch does not inflict [[paralysis]] but instead saps mental energy, psionic points for a [[psionic creature]]<ref name="VRGttL p. 96">VRGttL p. 96</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 193">VRMHC II p.193</ref><ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 124">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 124</ref> or the mental faculties of a nonpsionic creature<ref name="Ravenloft DMG p. 124">[[Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide]] p. 124</ref>. | ||
As one might expect, most psionic liches employ psionic powers from multiple psionic disciplines. Psiliches may also have developed over the course of their unnatural lives psionic powers of their own invention not seen elsewhere<ref name="VRGttL p. 64">VRGttL p. 64</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 161">VRMHC II p.161</ref>. | As one might expect, most psionic liches employ psionic powers from multiple psionic disciplines. Psiliches may also have developed over the course of their unnatural lives psionic powers of their own invention not seen elsewhere<ref name="VRGttL p. 64">VRGttL p. 64</ref><ref name="VRMHC p. 161">VRMHC II p.161</ref>. | ||
Latest revision as of 11:49, 11 January 2021
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This section contains canon info from officially published sources |
A psionic lich, also variously known as the mentalist lich[1][2], psilich[3], or hushyar lash (the latter term used by the Rajians[3]), is a type of lich created through psionic as opposed to traditional magical means][3][4]. As such, psionic liches are powerful psionicists instead of magical spellcasters (though specific individuals may have both because psionic liches retain all the special abilities and skills they had as mortals[5][6].)
The psionic lich described in Van Richten's Guide to the Lich, largely through the diaries of the Kartakan bard Matthew Swiftsinger.[1][2] The first known psionic lich in the Land of Mists is thought to have appeared in Kartakass near the border to Bluetspur. Some evidence suggests that Harkon Lukas encountered and destroyed the psionic lich, though it is more likely the lich manaaged to live through the encounter[5] Swiftsinger refers to the lich as Master Ulathar.[1][2]. Given that psionic liches are also native to the prime material world of Athas[4],
it is possible or even likely that other psionic liches unknown to Van Richten or his associates existed in Kalidnay beforehand.
Special Abilities
A lich possesses the defensive abilities common to most liches, including a supernaturally resilient flesh impervious or resistant to damage from most weapons[5][6][7]. The psionic lich possesses the immunities common to normal liches, including immunity to cold, electricity, mind-affecting effects, and polymorph effects[7]. Despite these immunities, a psionic lich can utilize any of the psionic powers known in life[7]. Like all liches, the psionic lich has a phylactery for which to house the life essences[5][6][7].
The psionic lich's other special abilities are somewhat different from those of its spellcaster kindred. The aura of dread that surrounds a psionic does not send weaker creatures running, but instead may interfere with other creatures' abilities to attack, resist attacks, or use skills[7]. Although the touch of a psionic lich inflicts physical harm upon its victim[5][6][7], the touch does not inflict paralysis but instead saps mental energy, psionic points for a psionic creature[5][6][7] or the mental faculties of a nonpsionic creature[7].
As one might expect, most psionic liches employ psionic powers from multiple psionic disciplines. Psiliches may also have developed over the course of their unnatural lives psionic powers of their own invention not seen elsewhere[8][9].
Encountering Psionic Liches
Psionic liches are known to exist on the prime material world of Athas[4], making it likely they also exist in the domain of Kalidnay. Elsewhere in the Land of Mists, psionic liches are most commonl found in Sri Raji, where they are terribly dreaded[3].
Van Richten comments that psionic liches are exceptionally rare, with only four psionic liches (including Ulathar) supposedly in existence according to his knowledge[8][9].
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Van Richten's Guide to the Lich p. 64-69
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium II p.161-166
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide p. 123
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III p. 75
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 VRGttL p. 96
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 VRMHC II p.193
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 Ravenloft Dungeon Master's Guide p. 124
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 VRGttL p. 64
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 VRMHC II p.161
Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue
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Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium III - pp 75-76 | |
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Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium III - pp 75-76 | |
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Lich, Psionic |
Pages in category "Psionic Lich"
The following 2 pages are in this category, out of 2 total.
