Liches
F
ew can bear the sting of death, and yet fewer still
can refuse death when it comes. Even of those
with the power to do so, many balk at the
sacrifices required, find at the end their ambition
or obsession insufficient when weighed upon
death's scales.
Those who pass through these trials are
known as Lich, reborn in undeath with all their living
faculties and more, with the vast knowledge of ages and
strength of immortality.
The spiritually cowed look upon the lich in disgust and
confusion, wondering why a mage would not seek a less
costly form of preservation, yet no means are sufficient to
those who meet their fear of death honestly. Liches pass
through those gates upon their journey, find them wanting,
and seek deeper magics.
The lich gazes unscaled at the true monstrosity of death,
knows it for the invincible terror that it is. Archmages with
their clones and wishes and true polymorphs are simply
another flavor of common coward, doomed for imagining
themselves masters of eternity.
Liches Lore
Arcana DC 15: The greatest feat of necromancy is that of the
transformation to lichdom; the seamless passage from life to
undeath in which a mage retains its full potency and mental
faculties. Though the route is fraught, those who acheve the
status of lich are made secure from aging and destruction,
able to endure any sort of peril without fear as they pursue
whatever obsession drove them to undeath.
History DC 10: Many of history's greatest terrors have
sought lichdom of one form or another, whether publicly or in
secret, as it is among the surest ways of avoiding death, and
few but the truly megalomaniacal have such lofty ambitions
that the centuries of a mere archmage's life are insufficient to
achieve.
Religion DC 15: There are many paths to lichdom, though
the seals upon some of the magics required are too great to
be overcome by mortal mages, typically requiring the
assistance of one of the greater dark powers. A lich's powers
are derived in combination from its abilities in life and the
means by which it sought undeath, so discovering either of
those facts can lend insight for those who wish to oppose
them.
Eldritch Lich Lore
Arcana DC 20: The eldritch lich contains within its withered
form a parasitic creature from the far realm whose intrusion
onto the material warps reality around it in horrifying ways.
Shortly after its host is destroyed, the parasite will depart
beyond the reach of mortal pursuit to restore the lich if not
immediately extracted and destroyed.
Religion DC 20: Eldritch lichdom is, nearly by definition, not
well understood even by the most learned sages, but it is
thought that the far realm parasites to which these mages
enter into covenant with are merely extentions of some
greater and still more incomprehensible elder evil, extending
its dread will from beyond the bounds of what the sane may
aprehend.
Eldritch Lich Tactics
Eldritch liches attack a different creature each turn with their
Touch of the Far Realm, using their legendary actions
evasively, with the last one saved to teleport to an enemy it
hasn't hit yet. Once it has affected at least two foes with its
Touch of the Far Realm, it starts using Detestable Clarion
each round, and swapping in Unspeakable Insight, targeting
creatures with reduced Wisdom. It uses Foetid Fusation only
if reliably caught in melee, and tries to fuse a melee PC with
a ranged-focused one, then focuses all its attacks on the fused
creature.
It typically uses its reaction for opportunity attacks
provoked by Unbearable Glimpse early in the fight, then
saves it for Psychic Rebound once it determines who the
party's heavy hitters are. It targets the creature with the
highest Wisdom score with its Batrachian Metamorphosis. Fungal Lich Lore
Arcana DC 20: The greatest dangers of a fungal lich are
their ability to colonize a space, spreading spore-borne rot
that spirals out of control if not quickly burned away, and the
multitude of fungal infirmities they inflict through the spores
they shed constantly.
Religion DC 20: Fungal liches were once thought to be
solely the providence of Zuggtmoy, the demon queen of rot,
granted as a grim reward to the most loyal of her exarchs.
Reports have surfaced, however, of the possiblity that certain
druidic circles have achieved an analogue to her ritual
independantly.
Fungal Lich Tactics
The fungal lich tries to spread out its Sprouting Doom,
centering it on the creature furthest from another area of it,
and tries to hit each creature with its Demonrot Barbs at
least once to strip away Poison resistance/immunity, starting
with creatures armed for melee. It uses its Sudden Wasting
whenever available, targeting the least-injured creature in the
early portions of the fight, or itself once reduced below 1/2 its
hit points. Once it is sure its foes can't resist its poison, it
Brittle Lung. Whenever an infected creature speaks
or performs the verbal components of a spell, it
begins giving spellcasters disadvantage on CON saves and
must succeed on a DC 21 Constitution saving closes to melee with them, hoping to infect them with Brittle
throw or be unable to speak or breathe until it Lung.
takes an action to catch its breath. A creature that WIth its legendary actions, it prioritizes Horrid Growth if it
fails this save by 5 or more instead loses the ability has available targets that aren't grappled, or Parasitic Ruin
to speak or breathe for 2d4 minutes. otherwise, using its Sporeflight only to escape a melee just
before its turn.
Eldritch Lich
Medium aberration/undead, any evil alignment
Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 165 (22d8 + 66)
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
11 (+0) 18 (+3) 16 (+3) 19 (+4) 14 (+2) 12 (+1)
Saving Throws INT +9, WIS +7
Skills Arcana +14, Perception +7
Damage Resistances All but Force and Psychic
Damage Immunities Necrotic, Poison
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened,
Paralyzed, Poisoned, Turned
Senses Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 17
Languages Common, Deep Speech, Telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 15 (13,000 XP)
Far Realm Parasite. The lich's body harbors a far realm
parasite which safeguards its consciousness. If the lich
is incapacitated, the parasite can be extracted with a
successful DC 16 Strength (Medicine) check, at which
point it can be attacked and damaged (AC 14; 50 HP).
If the lich starts its turn with 0 hit points, its body
implodes and the parasite Plane Shifts (7th Level Spell)
to the Far Realm, creating a new body for the lich in
1d10 days.
Impossible Angles. The space in a 10 foot radius around
the lich is difficult terrain for non-aberrations, as the
lich's presence warps it into incomprehensible
geometries, additionally causing the following effects:
A non-aberration creature that starts its turn in the
area, or enters it for the first time on a turn, must
succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or take
1d10 psychic damage and be Poisoned until the
beginning of its next turn.
Ranged attacks made by non-aberrations that pass
through the area are made at disadvantage.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the lich fails a saving
throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The lich uses its Touch of the Far Realm
twice, one of which it may replace with its Unspeakable
Insight or Fold Space.
Touch of the Far Realm. Melee Spell Attack: +12 to hit,
reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 18 (4d8) necrotic
damage and the creature's Wisdom score is reduced by
1d4, to a minimum of 1, until cured by Greater
Restoration or similar magic.
Fold Space (3rd Level Spell). The lich teleports up to 30
feet to an unoccupied space it can see, then each
creature within 10 feet of it must succeed on a DC 17
Wisdom saving throw or be Frightened until the end of
the lich's next turn.
Unspeakable Insight (3rd Level Spell). One creature
within 120 feet that the lich can see must succeed on
a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or gain 20 temporary
hit points.
While a creature has any of these temporary hit points,
its Intelligence score increased by 5, to a maximum of
25. At the end of its turn, a creature loses all of these
temporary hit points and takes psychic damage equal
to twice the temporary hit points lost.
Foetid Fusation (Recharge 5-6, 8th Level Spell,
Concentration). Each creature within 60 feet of the
lich's choice must make a DC 17 Charisma saving
throw. Each creature that failed has its initiative
reduced to 0, then teleports to an unoccupied space
that the lich can see within 60 feet.
The lich may teleport any two creatures that failed this
save into the same space, fusing them together into a
single malformed body for the next minute.
While fused, creatures act on the same turn, and only
one of them may use movement, use a bonus action,
or take reactions in a turn. Whenever one of them takes
damage, the other takes the same damage, and up to
one of the creatures may repeat this saving throw at
the end of their turn, ending the effect and moving to
the nearest unoccupied space on a success.
Reactions
Psychic Rebound (3rd Level Spell). As a reaction to
taking damage from an attack, the lich forces the
attacker to succeed on a DC 17 Intelligence saving
throw or take an equal amount of psychic damage.
Batrachian Metamorphosis (1/Day, 9th Level Spell). As a
reaction to being reduced below 83 hit points, the lich
forces one creature it can see within 30 feet to make a
DC 17 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the
creature's flesh begins to roll in upon itself as the
creature's body slowly turns itself inside out, gaining
vulnerability to all damage and disadvantage on all
attacks and saving throws.
An affected creature makes a DC 17 Charisma saving
throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect
after three successes, or transforming into a Gibbering
Mouther under the DM's control after three failures
until cured by a Wish spell or similar magic.
Legendary Actions
The lich can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
the options below.
Fold Space. The lich uses its Fold Space.
Unbearable Glimpse. One creature within 10 feet of the
lich must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or
use its reaction to move its full speed directly away
from it.
Detestable Clarion (Costs 2 Actions). The lich
telepathically broadcasts a discordant melody that
brings reality into unbearable focus. Each creature
within 120 feet with a Wisdom score lower than 10
must use its reaction to make a melee attack against
itself.
Fungal Lich
Medium plant/undead, any chaotic alignment
Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 187 (22d8 + 88)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 20 (+5) 18 (+4)
Saving Throws CON +10, WIS +11, CHA +10
Skills Arcana +11, Nature +17, Religion +11, Survival
+10
Damage Resistances All but Fire and Radiant
Damage Immunities Poison, Necrotic
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened,
Paralyzed, Poisoned, Turned
Senses Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 19
Languages Common, Abyssal, Telepathy 30 ft.
Challenge 17 (18,000 XP)
Sickening Aura. Whenever the lich is hit with an attack,
each creature within 5 feet of it must succeed on a DC
18 Constitution saving throw or be Poisoned until the
end of the creature's next turn. A creature that fails this
save by 5 or more is infected with Brittle Lung.
Spore Seeding. When the lich is destroyed, it begins to
release spores. Unless the lich's body and the
surrounding area are cleansed with fire or acid within
the next minute, the spores drift far and wide, taking
root in a fresh corpse and raising it as a new body for
the lich after 1d10 days.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the lich fails a saving
throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The lich makes two attacks and uses its
Sprouting Doom.
Horrid Growth. Melee Spell Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5
ft., one creature. Hit: 21 (6d6) poison damage and
fungal growths root the creature in place, grappling it
to the nearest surface (escape DC 19).
Demonrot Barbs. Ranged Spell Attack: +11 to hit, reach
60 ft., one creature. Hit: 18 (4d8) piercing damage and
the target suffers one effect of the lich's choice:
The creature loses any resistance or immunity to
Poison damage or the Poisoned condition for the
next minute.
One spell effect on the creature ends.
The creature has disadvntage on the next
Constitution saving throw it makes in the next
minute.
Sprouting Doom. A roiling growth of multifarious
fungus that lasts for a minute bursts forth in a 5 foot
radius centered on a point the lich can see within 120
feet.
The area is difficult terrain for nonplant creatures, and a
nonplant creature that starts its turn in the area takes
20 poison damage. This effect ends if the area is dealt
20 or more fire or radiant damage from a single source.
Sudden Wasting (Recharge 5-6). One creature within 5
feet of the lich may expend any number of hit dice to
heal itself (without adding its Constitution modifier),
then the lich may force it to succeed on a DC 19
Constituion saving throw or take 88 (16d10) necrotic
damage, or half as much on a success.
If the target is killed by this damage, its flesh rots away
into a putrid slurry, and the lich immediately uses its
Sprouting Doom centered on the creature's corpse.
Reactions
Mycellia Snare. As a reaction when a creature ends its
turn within 15 feet of an area affected by Sprouting
Doom, the lich forces it to succeed on a DC 19
Strength saving throw or fall prone and be dragged up
to 15 feet towards the area.
Brainrot (1/Day). As a reaction to being reduced below
94 hit points, the lich forces one creature it can see
within 60 feet to make a DC 19 Constitution saving
throw.
On a failed save, the creature becomes hostile to all
creatures for the next minute, then dies. This effect can
be removed by any effect that cures disease.
Legendary Actions
The lich can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
the options below.
Horrid Growth. The lich uses its horrid growth against a
creature in its reach, or against one it can see in an area
affected by Sprouting Doom.
Parasitic Ruin. One creature grappled by the lich's
Horrid Growth takes 11 (2d10) necrotic damage. A
creature that takes 15 or more damage from a use of
this ability becomes restrained for as long as it remains
grappled.
Sporeflight (Costs 2 Actions). The lich transforms into a
cloud of spores and moves up to its speed without
provoking attacks of opportunity. It can pass through
the spaces of other creatures, and each creature the
lich moves through must save against its Sickening
Aura.
Frostlich Lore
Arcana DC 20: Frostliches maintain themselves by draining
the lifeforce of creatures trapped in eternal tombs of ice, and
cannot be truly destroyed so long as they have this source of
magical sustenance. Creatures encased in the frostlich's
glacier tomb have mere seconds to carve or burn the ice away
before their cold leaves them too weak to resist.
Religion DC 20: One of the rarer forms of lich, frostliches
often make their way to service of archfiends such as
Levistus or Kostchtchie, though it is thought that the ritual by
which they enter into undeath is the exclusive domain of the
archomental Cryonax.
Frostlich Tactics
Frostliches begin combat with their Bleak Aurora, catching
as many foes as possible in it, then skirt around the
sides of it, using it as cover while casting into it with
their Ice Needle Hail and Glacier Tomb. They typically use
Bitter Stride to jump into the tightest concentration of
enemies if their Aurora isn't active or if it's being evaded,
then Polar Burst just before their turn. They preferentially
target melee threats with their Freeze the Blood, since
spellcasters can more easily ignore the effects of exhaustion.
Frostbite. When a creature contracts frostbite, it
loses the use of one of its limbs of its choice until
this disease is cured, as the limb goes stiff and pale
and the creature loses feeling in it. The creature
cannot rest, and loses 5 hit points at the end of
each hour. This disease is cured if the affected limb
is removed.

Archlich Lore
Arcana DC 20: Archliches maintain a sanctified space to
which their remains magically retreat if they are ever
destroyed. While such locations are invariably warded against
magical detection, their escape can be interrupted with
countermagic.
Religion DC 20: Archliches are those who forgo their
destined rest for an eternity of service and guardianship,
often standing solitary vigil for centuries in long-forgotten
holy places. Few seek this fate out, but rather are called to it
at the end of their natural lives by divine providence.
Archlich Tactics
Archliches prioritize the mission they have devoted their
undeath to over their own pride or security, whether that
means merely frightening adventurers away or killing every
one of them so they cannot reveal some secret.
They begin combat with their Spiritual Arsenal, then follow
up with Turn the Living, using Blessed Unrest whenever a
creature falls prey to their soporific Aura.
Their primary defensive tactic is using Misdirection with
copies created with their Projected Likeness, though in the
early stages of a fight they try to use Bring Low each turn
against an unharmed enemy. They use Transporting Touch as
an action only if a foe persistently resists their aura,
afterwards moving away so it cannot easily close the distance
again.
Frostlich
Medium undead, any evil alignment
Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 212 (25d8 + 100)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 15 (+2) 18 (+4) 19 (+4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2)
Saving Throws CON +10, INT +10, WIS +7
Skills Arcana +16, History +10, Insight +7, Perception
+7
Damage Resistances All but Fire and Radiant
Damage Immunities Cold, Poison
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened,
Paralyzed, Poisoned, Turned
Senses Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 19
Languages Common plus up to five other languages
Challenge 19 (22,000 XP)
Cryonic Return. If the frostlich is destroyed, its spirit
possesses the corpse of a humanoid creature trapped
in its Glacier Tomb after 1d10 days, consuming the
creature's soul in the process.
Ice Walk. The frostlich can move across and climb icy
surfaces without needing to make an ability check.
Additionally, difficult terrain composed of ice or snow
doesn't cost it extra movement.
Black Ice Aura. The area in a 10 foot radius around the
frostlich is difficult terrain. A creature that enters it for
the first time on a turn or ends its turn there must
succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or fall
prone.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the lich fails a saving
throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The frostlich uses its Ice Needle Hail twice,
one of which it may replace with a use of its Bleak
Aurora or Glacier Tomb, if available.
Frostbite Touch. Melee Spell Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5
ft., one creature. Hit: 35 (10d6) cold damage and the
target must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving
throw or be afflicted with Frostbite.
Ice Needle Hail (4th Level Spell). Needles of glittering
ice rain down in a 10 foot-radius, 40 foot-tall cylinder
centered on a point the frostlich can see within 120
feet.
Each creature in the area takes 10 cold damage, then
must succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or
take 21 (6d6) piercing damage, or half as much on a
success.
Bleak Aurora (5th Level Spell, Concentration). Dull,
shifting lights fill the air in a 40 foot radius centered on
a point within 120 feet the frostlich can see, flaring
brightly when they contact magic.
Ranged attacks that pass through the area are made at
disadvantage, and a creature that casts a spell in the
area must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving
throw or be Blinded until the end of its next turn.
Glacier Tomb (7th Level Spell, Recharge 5-6). One
creature within 30 feet that the frostlich can see must
succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or gain
40 temporary hit points as translucent ice begins to
encase it, or half as much on a success.
While a creature has any of these temporary hit points,
it suffers the following effects:
It is restrained and has vulnerability to fire damage.
It cannot speak or breathe.
It cannot rest or die.
It must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving
throw at the end of each of its turns or have its
Strength and Dexterity scores reduced by 7 (2d6), to
a minimum of one, until it is released.
Reactions
Numbing Torpor. As a reaction to being hit with a
melee attack with a metal weapon, the frostlich forces
the attacker to succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving
throw or drop its weapon. If the attacker picks up the
weapon this turn, the frostlich may make a melee
attack against it.
Freeze the Blood (1/Day, 9th Level Spell). As a reaction
to being reduced below 107 hit points, the frostlich
forces one creature it can see within 60 feet to
succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or take
5 (2d4) points of exhaustion, or half as many on a
success.
Legendary Actions
The frostlich can take 3 legendary actions, choosing
from the options below.
Polar Burst. Each creature within 10 feet of the frostlich
must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or
take 13 (3d8) cold damage and be pushed up to 10
feet away.
Sapping Cold. One creature the frostlich can see must
succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be
unable to gain advantage on any roll for the next
minute.
Bitter Stride (Costs 2 Actions). The frostlich teleports up
to 60 feet to an unoccupied space it can see and
makes an attack with its Frostbite Touch.
Archlich
Medium undead, any good alignment
Armor Class 20 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 170 (20d8 + 80)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 12 (+1) 19 (+4) 17 (+3) 21 (+5) 18 (+4)
Saving Throws CON +10, INT +9, WIS +11
Skills Arcana +19, History +12, Insight +9, Perception
+9
Damage Resistances All but Force and Radiant
Damage Immunities Poison, Bludgeoning, Piercing, and
Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened,
Paralyzed, Poisoned, Turned
Senses Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 19
Languages Common plus up to five other languages
Challenge 20 (25,000 XP)
Fated Escape. A destroyed archlich's remains Teleport
(7th Level Spell) away to the location its essence is
hidden. If it is able to teleport and its essence is
undisturbed, a destroyed archlich gains a new body in
1d10 days, regaining all its hit points and becoming
active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of the
essence.
Soporific Aura. A creature within 30 feet of the archlich
that hits it with an attack must succeed on a DC 19
Constitution saving throw or fall asleep until the end of
the archlich's next turn, or until the creature takes any
damage.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the archlich fails a
saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Transporting Touch (2nd Level Spell). Melee Spell Attack:
+11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 16 (3d10)
force damage and the target must succeed on a DC 19
Charisma saving throw or be teleported up to 30 feet
to an unoccupied space the archlich can see.
Spiritual Arsenal (5th Level Spell, Concentration). Melee
Spell Attack: +11 to hit, reach 60 ft., any number of
creatures. Hit: 13 (3d8) radiant damage. The archlich
may repeat this attack as a Bonus Action on each of its
turns for the next minute.
Blessed Unrest (6th Level Spell). The archlich impels the
soul of one sleeping creature it can see within 5 feet to
depart from its body, forcing it to make a DC 19
Charisma saving throw.
On a failure, the creature remains sleeping until woken,
its body rises under the archlich's control for as long as
it is asleep, and it repeats this saving throw whenever it
takes damage, remaining asleep on a failure.
Turn the Living. The archlich forces each living creature
of its choice within 30 feet to succeed on a DC 19
Wisdom saving throw or be Frightened for the next
minute. While Frightened in this way, a creature must
use its action to dash away from the archlich, and
repeats this save at the end of each of its turns, ending
the effect on a success.
Reactions
Misdirection (4th Level Spell). As a reaction to seeing a
creature cast a spell within 60 feet, the archlich and
one of its illusory copies within 60 feet teleport to
switch places. If the spell targeted the archlich, its new
target becomes the copy.
Hallowed Balance (1/Day, 9th Level Spell). Each creature
of the archlich's choice that it can see within 60 feet
must succeed on a DC 19 Constitution saving throw or
lose half its current hit points.
The archlich may restore a number of hit points up to
the total amount lost this way, divided as it chooses
between creatures in range.
Legendary Actions
The archlich can take 3 legendary actions, choosing
from the options below.
Transporting Touch. The archlich makes an attack with
its Transporting Touch.
Projected Likeness. The archlich creates an illusory copy
of itself in its space, then moves up to half its speed.
The copy lasts for a minute and uses the archlich's
statistics but dissipates if it takes any damage.
The archlich can see and hear through this copy, may
move each of them up to 30 feet on its turn, and when
the archlich casts a spell it may do so through one of
its copies.
Bring Low (3rd Level Spell, Costs 2 Actions). One
creature the archlich can see within 60 feet must
succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or take 22
(5d8) radiant damage, or 36 (8d8) radiant damage if it
has more than half its hit points.
 Arcane Lich Lore
Arcana DC 15: Arcane liches are often capable of killing
with a single dread word, are resilient to nearly all forms of
attack aside from magics of divine light, and can paralyze
their foes with a mere touch, making them among the most
feared of all undead.
Arcana DC 20: As part of the ritual by which they enter
undeath, arcane liches secure their essence within a
phylactery, a small rune-inscribed vessel. So long as the
phylactery remains intact and well-fed with stolen souls, a
destroyed lich will always return to undeath.
Religion DC 20: Arcane liches most frequently were wizards
in life, aided in their quest for lichdom by greater powers of
undeath such as Orcus or Vecna in exchange for some great
service or sacrifice.
Arcane Lich Tactics
Arcana Liches use their Finger of Death whenever available,
preferentially targeting any creature that deals radiant
damage or unconscious creatures that have already taken
damage. Early in a fight they cast Fireball each turn,
switching to Immolation once enemies are softened up so the
lingering damage will trigger failed death saves. They save
their disintegrate for the first creature to be healed while
unconscious, afterwards using their counterspell against any
healing.
They typically use Shield only against a paladin's attacks or
those empowered by Holy Weapon, otherwise saving their
reaction for Counterspell. If a creature fails its save against
the lich's paralyzing aura, it uses its last legendary action just
before its turn for a Freezing Claw attack.

Baelnorn Lore
Arcana DC 20: Baelnorns are among the most resilient of
liches, as any elf of their bloodline can restore one to undeath
through the sacrifice of its own life.
Religion DC 20: Baelnorns are ancestral guardians of elven
clans, entered into undeath as an act of eternal service to
their bloodline with the aid of the Seldarine.
Baelnorn Tactics
Baelnorns are typically supported by others of their clan.
They prioritize the general security of the clan above all else,
but are perfectly willing to sacrifice individual members for
the greater good.
In combat, baelnorns use Lignify against a different
creature each turn until each is affected, first reducing the
movement of melee combatants and giving spellcasters the
effect that punishes dealing fire damage. It focuses its attacks
on the most heavily armored creature it can reach, reducing
it to 0 hit points before moving on to another.
If enemies cluster too closely, or attack from the air, it
alternates between Forced Growth and Splinterburst
whenever it can catch at least two enemies with one of them.
With its Legendary Actions, it uses Deadwood awakening
early in the fight if available, then Wraithstorm Charge on
later turns, preparing with Zephyr step if it needs it to reach a
flying enemy.
Arcane Lich
Medium undead, any evil alignment
Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 204 (24d8 + 96)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
11 (+0) 16 (+3) 19 (+4) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 16 (+3)
Saving Throws CON +11, INT +12, WIS +9
Skills Arcana +19, History +12, Insight +9, Perception
+9
Damage Resistances All but Radiant
Damage Immunities Poison, Bludgeoning, Piercing, and
Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened,
Paralyzed, Poisoned, Turned
Senses Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 19
Languages Common plus up to five other languages
Challenge 21 (33,000 XP)
Rejuvenation. If it has a phylactery, a destroyed lich
gains a new body in 1d10 days, regaining all its hit
points and becoming active again. The new body
appears within 5 feet of the phylactery.
Paralyzing Aura. A creature that hits the lich with a
melee attack must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution
saving throw or be Paralyzed until the end of the lich's
next turn, or until the creature takes any damage.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the lich fails a saving
throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Wilting Ray. Ranged Spell Attack: +12 to hit, reach 60
ft., one creature. Hit: 18 (4d8) necrotic damage.
Freezing Claw. Melee Spell Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5
ft., one creature. Hit: 21 (6d6) cold damage.
Fireball (3rd Level Spell). An explosion of arcane flame
erupts in a 20 foot radius centered on a point within
120 feet that the lich can see. Each creature in the area
must succeed on a 20 Dexterity saving throw or take
28 (8d6) fire damage, or half as much on a success.
Dimension Door (4th Level Spell). The lich and one
willing creature within 5 feet teleport up to 500 feet.
Immolation (5th level Spell, Concentration). One creature
the lich can see within 90 feet must succeed on a DC
20 Dexterity saving throw or take 30 (7d6 + 5) fire
damage and catch fire, or take half as much damage on
a success.
A burning creature repeats this saving throw at the end
of each of its turns, taking 10 (3d6) fire damage on a
failure, or ending the effect on a success.
Finger of Death (Recharge 5-6, 7th Level Spell). The lich
extends its finger toward a creature it can see within
60 feet and the creature is engulfed in a sickly green
light. The target must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution
saving throw or take 62 (7d8 + 30) necrotic damage,
or half as much on a success. A creature killed by this
damage rises at the beginning of the lich's next turn as
a zombie under the lich's control.
Disintegrate (1/Day, 6th Level Spell). One creature within
60 feet that the lich can see must succeed on a DC 20
Dexterity saving throw or take 80 (10d6 + 45) force
damage, or half damage on a success. If this damage
reduces a creature to 0 HP, they are disintegrated.
Reactions
Shield (1st Level Spell). As a reaction to being targeted
with an attack, the Lich may add 5 to its AC until the
beginning of its next turn.
Counterspell (3rd Level Spell).As a reaction to seeing a
creature cast a spell within 60 feet, the lich may make
an Intelligence check with DC equal to 10 plus the
spell's level, negating the spell on a success. If the spell
is 3rd level or below, the lich succeeds automatically.
Murderous Glare (1/Day, 9th Level Spell.) As a reaction
to a creature reducing it below 51 hit points, the lich
unleashes a torrent of negative energy at it. If the
creature has fewer than 100 HP, it dies.
Legendary Actions
The lich can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
the options below.
Wilting Ray. The lich uses its Wilting ray
Freezing Claw. The lich uses its freezing claw.
Shadow Walk The Lich teleports 30 feet to a location it
can see.
Drain Magic (Costs 2 Actions) The lich ends a spell of
3rd level or below affecting a target it can see within
60 feet.
Baelnorn
Medium undead, any lawful alignment
Armor Class 19 (Bladesong)
Hit Points 221 (26d8 + 104)
Speed 50 ft., climb 50 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 21 (+5) 18 (+4) 17 (+4) 22 (+6) 14 (+2)
Saving Throws CON +11, INT +11, WIS +13
Skills Arcana +18, History +11, Insight +13, Perception
+13
Damage Resistances All but Fire and Radiant
Damage Immunities Poison, Bludgeoning, Piercing, and
Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened,
Paralyzed, Poisoned, Turned
Senses Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 22
Languages Common plus up to five other languages
Challenge 22 (41,000 XP)
Norn Rejuvenation. If the baelnorn is destroyed, one of
its descendants may perform a ritual in which they
invite the baelnorn's spirit to assume their body. The
descendant remains for a time as a passenger in its
former body, and may pass into death at will at any
point.
Entangling Aura. A creature that hits the lich with a
melee attack must succeed on a DC 21 Strength saving
throw or be restrained (escape DC 21) until the end of
the lich's next turn as vines burst forth from the
nearest surface to entangle it.
Water Walk The baelnorn can walk across any liquid
surface as if it was solid ground.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the baelnorn fails a
saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The baelnorn uses its Lignify and makes
three attacks with its Wraithblade, one of which it may
replace with a use of its Forced Growth or
Splinterburst.
Wraithblade. Melee Spell Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature. Hit: 24 (4d8 + 6) necrotic damage. This
attack treats the target as unarmored (An unarmored
creature's AC is usually 10 plus its Dexterity modifier).
Lignify (5th Level Spell). One creature within 120 feet
the baelnorn can see must succeed on a DC 21
Constitution saving throw or have its flesh begin to
turn to wood, gaining the Plant type in additon to its
other creature types, plus one additional effect of the
baelnorn's choice until cured by Greater Restoration or
similar magic:
The creature's movement speed is reduced by half
and it cannot fly.
The creature can't take bonus actions or reactions.
The creature gains vulnerability to fire damage.
The creature takes 11 (2d10) fire damage whenever
it deals fire damage.
Forced Growth (Recharge 5-6). The lich causes a tree 15
feet across and up to 100 feet tall to burst forth from
the ground at a point it can see within 120 feet. Each
creature in the tree's space when it appears and each
flying creature within 20 feet of it must make a DC 21
Dexterity saving throw, moving to the nearest
unoccupied space on a success.
On a failed save, a creature takes 22 (4d10)
bludgeoning damage is launched to the tree's top. A
creature that failed this save by 5 or fewer may use its
reaction to grasp a branch and avoid falling.
Splinterburst (Recharges when the baelnorn uses its
Forced Growth). One tree the baelnorn can see within
60 feet explodes in a hail of massive splinters. Each
creature within 15 feet of the tree must succeed on a
DC 21 Dexterity saving throw or take 27 (6d8)
piercing damage, or half as much on a success.
Reactions
Briar Shield. As a reaction to being targeted with an
attack, the baelnorn conjures a barrier of thorny vine,
gaining 20 temporary hit points that last until the
beginning of its next turn.
While it has any of these temporary hit points, a
creature that hits it with a melee attack takes 5
piercing damage.
Withering Wail (1/Day, 9th Level Spell). As a reaction to
being reduced below 112 hit points, the baelnorn
sings out a cruel and keening note. Each plant within
60 feet withers and blackens, and each plant creature
in the area must succeed on a DC 21 Constitution
saving throw or drop to 0 hit points.
Legendary Actions
The baelnorn can take 3 legendary actions, choosing
from the options below.
Zephyr Step. The baelnorn gains a fly speed equal to its
movement speed until the beginning of its next turn
and moves up to half its speed.
Hollowheart Harvest. One plant creature or elf the
baelnorn can see within 5 feet loses up to 3
unexpended hit dice. The baelnorn regains 1d8 hit
points for each hit die lost in this way.
Deadwood Awakening (Costs 2 Actions). The baelnorn
reanimates the wooden portion of a weapon or shield it
can see, transforming it into a Vine Blight that acts on
the baelnorn's turn under its control.
If the weapon was magical, it transforms back after the
vine blight is destroyed, and cannot be affected by this
ability again.
Wraithstorm Charge (Costs 2 Actions). The baelnorn
moves up to its speed and makes two attacks with its
Wraithblade. It may pass through solid objects and
creatures with this movement and does not provoke
attacks of opportunity.
Art Credits Johnathan Chavez
Joseph Donley
Narfi, Betrayer King by Daarken Josh Huston
Underrealm Lich by Anna Steinbauer Justin King
Eldritch Lich copyright Wizards of the Coast Kelsii Weber
Draugr Necromancer by David Rapoza Kyle Cove
Archlich by Matias Tapia Lascifrass
Phylactery Lich by Michael Komarck Lawrence Courtrelle
Baelnorn by Mats Minnhagen Luke Wheeler
Malacandrian
Marc Adelman
The Part Where I Shill My Patreon Matt Herbert
Want to support the creation of content like this? I post new Matt Pierce
monsters with lore and tactics to my patreon five times a Matthew Cullen
week, joining the more than 1000 already there, indexed in a Matthew S
big PDF along with formats for Foundry and 5eTools. Mauricio Garcia
Maximilian Bizjak
Mehul Gupta
Michael Taylor
Mike Nicolan
Milo Baraclough
Mitch Whitehead
Moritz Hackl
Nathan Johnson
Nathanial Schnebly
Also check out my website and instagram, where my wife and Niall
I make handmade dice and dice bags, and where I post free Nick I
books as I get them polished up. I'm trying to get a new free Niki S
book like this out every other month or so. ObsessiveModelmaker
If you've got any monsters you'd like to see statted up by Ondřej Kříž
me, leave me a comment over in the permanent thread in Oscar Mangandid
r/bettermonsters and I'll put something together for you. Patrick
Phoenix Daniels
Supported By Primarily Daniel
Aaron Rosenberg Rae Judd
AHorseWithNoName Rici
Alex Bogart Robert Martin
Alex Gillies Robin Bjälmsjö
Alex O'Donnell Robin Roberts
Alex O'Hanlon Ronan Battistoni
Alisha Herbitter Rowan
Allis RuggerFoodie
Benji Morris Sandy Hogg
Bernhard Fritz SardScroll
Blueberryperson saternoutlaw
Bradley Webb Saz
Brandon Malofsky Shadowfield
David Jose Shane
Delport Breckland Sharelle D Larsen
Ex Nihilo Sheila Dietrich
Flipp Simen Lande
Fletcher Herring Simon Bell
George Hughes simon Jørgensen
GramPositive Simon Weller
Harrison Phillips SirApetus
Helltroll Sylphreni
Hoswell Tanner F Moen
Jack O'Keefe The Coffee Bean GM
Jacob Gist Victor Navone
Jake Serna Vince Margaretich
James Hawthorne Walter Downard
James McBride William Dixon
Zach Kozel