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.
@Marcus-ki1en Absolutely agree! It's fun to make your own monsters more interesting, just remember to keep things balanced. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment.
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.
@sologamer6863 I appreciate you watching! Liches are definitely at the top of my list... I mean i named the channel after them :) Thanks for the kind words my friend!
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.
@rykercabler9756 - that is actually a really good point, I was pretty focused on the "dark fantasy evil" but that was a bit myopic since there are "less than evil" liches like the Archlich. Not to mention that if I am going to say not all liches are the same, means that all alignments and their sponsors should be represented. And you're not being "that guy" at all, I can only get better if i listen to community feedback, so thank you!!!
Here's a hot take that might shake things up: What if the Lichdom wasn't from a single intentional act? What if a powerful wizard or Druid or cleric started out with good intentions and a passionate determination; and over years and years, slowly made small sacrifices here and there. At each turn, a slight, almost imperceptible loss of humanity for the greater good. As each year goes by, the wizard feels slightly closer to their goal but must seek darker and darker means to hold on for just one more decade to find that elusive secret that could be just around the corner. Each tiny sin, each forbidden incantation, each innocent life lost, "it's tragic, but it must be done for the greater good... besides, you've already done so much worse. Should taking those lives have been in vein?" Hundreds of years pass, and the wizard's mind has rotten away, his necritized flesh dripping from his bones, but the magic keeps him going. Consumed by madness, he no longer has any recollection of his own name nor the "good" for which he once dedicated his life and nor does he care. All that remains is the hunger and the hate.
Pointy Hat (another channel) has done a whole series on lich variants coming from other classes. Many of them, but the druid lich in particular, incorporate that idea of well meaning people getting corrupted along the way. Not saying that's how it has to be done but fyi that might be a useful jumping off point.
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)
That's exactly what I was going say. Even if the mechanics require some tweaking the ideas for building unique liches and their layers are still pretty directly applicable. Personally I also love the pseudolich and demilich concepts in that book . That's been done by other books since but the Van Richten's take is always going to be my personal head cannon.
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.
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].
Yes that was one of the main inspirations along with a lich from the Lovecraft verse. I'm blanking on the exact story but I remember seeing Gygax mention that in an old interview..
I love the Litch story line, but it feels like I saw this before did you do a remaster of it? it was very good, but I thought we were looking at Ravenloft? Oh well its fine either way, it's a Great video, Litches are some of my favorite D&D monsters in the game! I remember making house Rules years ago that would allow players to become a Litch with a pretty crazy amount of effort.
@smoore6461 All excellent questions and great observation! :) This started out as a remaster but then I just kept adding to it, so it is 100% all new art and 100% all new voice recording/audio but I kept about 20% of the script (particularly the Osiris Myth - Chapter 4). That said the rest is brand new chapters or heavily revised and the next volume (homebrew + phylacteries) will be all new except a story revision. As for the Ravenloft question, I put a community post update out explaining that when I do back to back videos of the same subject, the YT alogrithm really penalizes me, so I am starting to alternate content. The Ravenloft vol 3 is coming though and a lot more! :) Great feedback thank you for watching and sharing!
@dannyakins7677 Vecna for sure, hopefully sooner rather than later. ;) Orcus has a video, its not a full lore volume (which he needs I agree) but it covers his death to Kiaransalee (link below) ua-cam.com/video/j4DW0VNB2GI/v-deo.html
"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."
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
@@tyler420durdenAkI've been playing since 1e (albeit the very end of it) myself and I absolutely agree with you about the channel being great and 3/3.5 being the best. Great minds and all that 😉
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
Some people ask: Why would anyone become a Lich? The simple answer is because Liches get Bitc-no no no haha Thank you for the video! Im a DnD noob but im a huge fan of the Undead, I figure its the coolest magic out there so the more I know the happier I am :D
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.
@Marcus-ki1en
Absolutely agree! It's fun to make your own monsters more interesting, just remember to keep things balanced.
Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment.
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
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.
@sologamer6863
I appreciate you watching! Liches are definitely at the top of my list... I mean i named the channel after them :)
Thanks for the kind words my friend!
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.
@rykercabler9756 - that is actually a really good point, I was pretty focused on the "dark fantasy evil" but that was a bit myopic since there are "less than evil" liches like the Archlich.
Not to mention that if I am going to say not all liches are the same, means that all alignments and their sponsors should be represented.
And you're not being "that guy" at all, I can only get better if i listen to community feedback, so thank you!!!
Here's a hot take that might shake things up:
What if the Lichdom wasn't from a single intentional act? What if a powerful wizard or Druid or cleric started out with good intentions and a passionate determination; and over years and years, slowly made small sacrifices here and there. At each turn, a slight, almost imperceptible loss of humanity for the greater good. As each year goes by, the wizard feels slightly closer to their goal but must seek darker and darker means to hold on for just one more decade to find that elusive secret that could be just around the corner.
Each tiny sin, each forbidden incantation, each innocent life lost, "it's tragic, but it must be done for the greater good... besides, you've already done so much worse. Should taking those lives have been in vein?"
Hundreds of years pass, and the wizard's mind has rotten away, his necritized flesh dripping from his bones, but the magic keeps him going. Consumed by madness, he no longer has any recollection of his own name nor the "good" for which he once dedicated his life and nor does he care. All that remains is the hunger and the hate.
Pointy Hat (another channel) has done a whole series on lich variants coming from other classes. Many of them, but the druid lich in particular, incorporate that idea of well meaning people getting corrupted along the way.
Not saying that's how it has to be done but fyi that might be a useful jumping off point.
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)
That is correct, I explictly called out the article and dragon mag #26, thanks for the feedback!
Every DM needs to aquire the 2nd Ed books Van Richtens Guides the Lich especially
That's exactly what I was going say.
Even if the mechanics require some tweaking the ideas for building unique liches and their layers are still pretty directly applicable.
Personally I also love the pseudolich and demilich concepts in that book . That's been done by other books since but the Van Richten's take is always going to be my personal head cannon.
Of course, the theme of the Lich comes with one unspoken question:
Would YOU, if you could?
Just in time for bed! Thanks R&L! ☠💀
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.
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].
Yes that was one of the main inspirations along with a lich from the Lovecraft verse. I'm blanking on the exact story but I remember seeing Gygax mention that in an old interview..
I love the Litch story line, but it feels like I saw this before did you do a remaster of it? it was very good, but I thought we were looking at Ravenloft? Oh well its fine either way, it's a Great video, Litches are some of my favorite D&D monsters in the game! I remember making house Rules years ago that would allow players to become a Litch with a pretty crazy amount of effort.
@smoore6461
All excellent questions and great observation! :)
This started out as a remaster but then I just kept adding to it, so it is 100% all new art and 100% all new voice recording/audio but I kept about 20% of the script (particularly the Osiris Myth - Chapter 4).
That said the rest is brand new chapters or heavily revised and the next volume (homebrew + phylacteries) will be all new except a story revision.
As for the Ravenloft question, I put a community post update out explaining that when I do back to back videos of the same subject, the YT alogrithm really penalizes me, so I am starting to alternate content. The Ravenloft vol 3 is coming though and a lot more! :)
Great feedback thank you for watching and sharing!
Great video, again 🎉
Any chance you'll be discussing more specifically about Vecna (the 1st Lich) or Orcus in your your Lore videos?
@dannyakins7677
Vecna for sure, hopefully sooner rather than later. ;)
Orcus has a video, its not a full lore volume (which he needs I agree) but it covers his death to Kiaransalee (link below)
ua-cam.com/video/j4DW0VNB2GI/v-deo.html
"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."
OG Tomb of Horrors survivor. OMG! If my character made it out, would it be a win?
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
DnD first gen until current here😂😂😂 thank you for your work great job
Awesome! I never played much pre-2e but wish I had!
Thank you for sharing.
@ 3rd and 3.5 were the very best
@@tyler420durdenAkI've been playing since 1e (albeit the very end of it) myself and I absolutely agree with you about the channel being great and 3/3.5 being the best.
Great minds and all that 😉
@ agreed miss the golden age
@ I have a few characters that made the journey to 5 from 1st edition. Trying to break down to a Dm the levels from 3.5 was crazy work😂🤣
This was really well done.
I mean they always are but in particular this one.
Can't wait for the next volume! 👍👍
Loved It! 💀👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
OHH HELL YES!!!
Lets GOOOOOOOOOO!
Mind if I post a way to long story of a Lich I ran?
Not at all!
I am sure the community would enjoy it.
Thank you for asking. /bow
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
❤❤❤❤❤
Some people ask: Why would anyone become a Lich? The simple answer is because Liches get Bitc-no no no haha
Thank you for the video! Im a DnD noob but im a huge fan of the Undead, I figure its the coolest magic out there so the more I know the happier I am :D
YT Algorithm ❤
Cool
6:56 - That would be a awesome cover, if it were real.
👆Old Thac0 user 🤚
Love this!
Brother!