View source for SRD:Demilich Template

=Creating a Demilich=

[[Summary::Demilich is a template that can be added to any [[SRD:Lich|lich]]]]. It uses all the lich’s statistics and [[SRD:Special Abilities|special abilities]] except as noted here. A demilich’s form is concentrated into a single portion of its original body, usually its skull. Part of the process of becoming a demilich includes the incorporation of costly gems into the retained body part; see Creating Soul Gems, below.  

'''Size:''' Medium-size and Large liches become Diminutive demiliches, Huge liches become Small demiliches, Gargantuan liches become Medium-size demiliches, and Colossal liches become Large demiliches.[[Type::Undead| ]]

'''[[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]]:''' As lich.  

'''Speed:''' Replace with fly 180 ft. (perfect) or the lich’s supernatural (not natural) fly speed, whichever is better.  

'''[[SRD:AC|AC]]:''' The demilich retains the lich’s +5 [[SRD:Armor Class|natural armor]] bonus and gains an insight bonus equal to [[SRD:AC|AC]] equal to its [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]], as well as a probable size adjustment to [[SRD:AC|AC]].  

'''Attack:''' The demilich gains an insight bonus equal to its [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] as a bonus on its [[SRD:Touch Attack|touch attacks]].

'''Damage:''' The demilich gains an enhanced [[SRD:Touch Attack|touch attack]] over that of its previous lich form (it now uses its entire flying skull to make the [[SRD:Touch Attack|touch attack]]), including paralyzing touch. The demilich’s [[SRD:Touch Attack|touch attack]] uses negative energy to deal 10d6+20 points of damage to living creatures (no [[SRD:Saving Throw|saving throw]]). Liches with other natural attacks lose them.  

'''Special Attacks:''' The demilich retains all the lich’s special attacks and also gains those described below.  

'''''Trap the Soul ([[SRD:Su|Su]]):''''' A demilich can [[SRD:Trap the Soul|trap the soul]]s of up to eight living creatures per day. To use this power, it selects any target it can see within 300 feet. The target is allowed a fort=[[SRD:Saving Throw|saving throw]] ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 10 + demilich’s [[SRD:Hit Dice|HD]] + demilich’s [[SRD:Charisma|Cha]] modifier). If the target makes its [[SRD:Saving Throw|saving throw]], it gains four [[SRD:Energy Drain, Negative Levels, and Level Loss#Energy Drain (Su)|Energy Drain]]s (this does not count as a use of [[SRD:Trap the Soul|trap the soul]]). If the target fails its save, the soul of the target is instantly drawn from its body and trapped within one of the gems incorporated into the demilich’s form. The gem gleams wickedly for 24 hours, indicating the captive soul within. The soulless body collapses in a mass of corruption and molders in a single [[SRD:Round|round]], reduced to dust. If left to its own devices, the demilich slowly devours the soul over 24 hours—at the end of that time the soul is completely absorbed, and the victim is forever gone. If the demilich is overcome before the soul is eaten, crushing the gem releases the soul, after which time it is free to seek the afterlife or be returned to its body by the use of either ''[[SRD:Resurrection|resurrection]]'', ''[[SRD:True Resurrection|true resurrection]], [[SRD:Clone|clone]],'' or ''[[SRD:Miracle|miracle]].'' A potential victim protected by a ''[[SRD:Death Ward|death ward]]'' spell is not immune to [[SRD:Trap the Soul|trap the soul]], but receives a +5 bonus on its fortitude [[SRD:Saving Throw|saving throw]] and is effective against the level loss on a successful save.  

'''''[[SRD:Fear|Fear]] Aura ([[SRD:Su|Su]]):''''' Demiliches are shrouded in a dreadful aura of death and evil. Creatures of less than 5 [[SRD:Hit Dice|HD]] in a 60- foot radius that look at the demilich must succeed at a [[SRD:Saving Throw|Will save]] ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 14 + demilich’s [[SRD:Charisma|Cha]] modifier) or be affected as though by ''[[SRD:Fear|fear]]'' as cast by a 21st-level caster.  

'''''Paralyzing Touch ([[SRD:Su|Su]]):''''' Any living creature a demilich touches must succeed at a [[SRD:Saving Throw|fortitude save]] ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 10 + demilich’s [[SRD:Hit Dice|HD]] + demilich’s [[SRD:Charisma|Cha]] modifier) or be permanently [[SRD:Paralyzed|paralyzed]]. ''[[SRD:Remove Paralysis|remove paralysis]]'' or any spell that can remove a curse can free the victim. The effect cannot be dispelled. Anyone [[SRD:Paralyzed|paralyzed]] by a demilich seems [[SRD:Dead|dead]], though a successful [[SRD:Spot Skill|Spot]] check ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 20) or [[SRD:Heal Skill|Heal]] check ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 15) reveals that the victim is still alive.  

[[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|Spells]]: The demilich can cast any [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|spells]] it could cast as a lich.  

''Perfect Automatic [[SRD:Still Spell|Still Spell]]:'' The demilich can cast all the [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|spells]] it knows without gestures.  

'''Spell-Like ''' At will—''[[SRD:Alter Self|alter self]], [[SRD:Astral Projection|astral projection]], [[SRD:Create Greater Undead|greater create undead]], [[SRD:Create Undead|create undead]], [[SRD:Death Knell|death knell]], [[SRD:Enervation|enervation]], [[SRD:Greater Dispel Magic|greater dispell magic]], harm'' (usually used to heal itself ), ''[[SRD:Summon Monster I|summon monster i]]–IX, [[SRD:Telekinesis|telekinesis]],'' and ''[[SRD:Weird|weird]];'' 2/day— ''[[SRD:Greater Planar Ally|greater planar ally]].'' Demiliches use these abilities as casters of a level equal to their spellcaster level, but the save [[SRD:DC|DCs]] are equal to 10 + the demilich’s [[SRD:Hit Dice|HD]] + the demilich’s [[SRD:Charisma|Charisma]] modifier.  

'''Special Qualities:''' The demilich retains all the lich’s special qualities and also has those described below.  

'''''Magic Immunity ([[SRD:Ex|Ex]]):''''' Demiliches are immune to all magical and supernatural effects, except as follows. A ''[[SRD:Shatter|shatter]]'' spell affects a demilich as if it were a crystalline creature, but deals half the damage normally indicated. A ''[[SRD:Dispel Evil|dispel evil]]'' spell deals 3d6 points of damage ([[SRD:Saving Throw|Fortitude]] save for half damage). ''[[SRD:Holy Smite|Holy smite]]'' [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|spells]] affect demiliches normally.  

'''''Phylactery Transference ([[SRD:Su|Su]]):''''' Headbands, belts, rings, cloaks, and other wearable items kept in close association with the demilich’s phylactery transfer all their benefits to the demilich no matter how far apart the demilich and the phylactery are located. The standard limits on types of items utilized simultaneously still apply.  

'''''[[SRD:Undead Type|Undead]] Traits:''''' Immune to [[SRD:Poison|poison]], ''[[SRD:Sleep|sleep]],'' [[SRD:Paralysis|paralysis]], [[SRD:Stunned|stunning]], [[SRD:Disease|disease]], [[SRD:Death Effect|death effects]], [[SRD:Necromancy School|necromantic effects]], [[SRD:Mind-Affecting Effect|mind-affecting]] effects, and any effect requiring a [[SRD:Saving Throw|fortitude save]] unless it also works on objects. Not subject to [[SRD:Critical Hit|critical hits]], [[SRD:Nonlethal Damage|nonlethal damage]], [[SRD:Ability Score Loss#Ability Damage|ability damage]], [[SRD:Ability Score Loss#Ability Drain|ability drain]], or [[Energy Drain, Negative Levels, and Level Loss (SRD Special Ability)#Energy Drain (Su)|Energy Drain]]. Negative energy heals. Not at risk of death from massive damage, but destroyed at 0 [[SRD:Hit Points|hit points]] or less. [[SRD:Darkvision|Darkvision]] 60 ft. Cannot be raised; [[SRD:Resurrection|resurrection]] works only if creature is willing.  

'''''Immunities ([[SRD:Ex|Ex]]):''''' Demiliches are immune to cold, electricity, [[SRD:Polymorph (Spell)|polymorph]], and [[SRD:Mind-Affecting Effect|mind-affecting]] attacks.  

'''''[[SRD:Turn Resistance|Turn Resistance]] ([[SRD:Ex|Ex]]):''''' A demilich has [[SRD:Turn Resistance|turn resistance]] +20.  

'''''[[SRD:Damage Reduction|Damage Reduction]] ([[SRD:Su|Su]]):''''' A demilich loses any previous [[SRD:Damage Reduction|damage reduction]] and instead has [[SRD:Damage Reduction|damage reduction]] 15/Epic and bludgeoning (15 points of damage is subtracted from all [[SRD:Melee Attack|melee attacks]] unless the weapon used is both an epic and a bludgeoning weapon). Vorpal weapons, no matter their enhancement bonus, ignore this [[SRD:Damage Reduction|damage reduction]] but do only half damage to a demilich (demiliches cannot be beheaded).  

'''''Resistances ([[SRD:Ex|Ex]]):''''' Demiliches have acid resistance 20, fire resistance 20, and sonic resistance 20.  

'''[[SRD:Saving Throw|Saving Throws]]:''' Same as the [[SRD:Lich|lich]].  

'''Abilities:''' A demilich gains +10 to [[SRD:Intelligence|Intelligence]], [[SRD:Wisdom|Wisdom]], and [[SRD:Charisma|Charisma]].  

'''Skills:''' Demiliches receive a +20 racial bonus on [[SRD:Hide Skill|Hide]], [[SRD:Listen Skill|Listen]], [[SRD:Move Silently Skill|Move Silently]], [[SRD:Search Skill|Search]], [[SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive]], and [[SRD:Spot Skill|Spot]] checks. Otherwise same as the lich (this overlaps with the previous racial bonus gained by the lich; it does not stack).  

'''[[SRD:Feats|Feats]]:''' Same as the [[SRD:Lich|lich]].  

'''Epic [[SRD:Feats|Feats]]:''' Demiliches gain the [[SRD:Feats|feats]] [[SRD:Blinding Speed|Blinding Speed]], [[SRD:Tenacious Magic|Tenacious Magic]], and [[SRD:Automatic Quicken Spell|Automatic Quicken Spell]].  

'''Environment:''' Same as the [[SRD:Lich|lich]].  

'''Organization:''' Solitary or consistory (1 demilich and 3–6 [[SRD:Lich|liches]]).  

'''Challenge Rating: ''' Same [[Challenge Rating::as the base [[SRD:Lich|lich]] +6]].  

'''Treasure:''' Same as the [[SRD:Lich|lich]].  

'''Alignment:''' Any evil.  

'''Advancement:''' By [[SRD:Classes|character class]].

=Demilich Characters=
The process of becoming a demilich can be undertaken only by a lich acting of its own free will. The demilich retains all [[SRD:Class|class]] abilities it had as a lich.  

=Creating Soul Gems=
Liches have phylacteries that allow them to reappear 1d10 days after their apparent death, as do demiliches. Demiliches also have eight soul gems, each of which acts like a phylactery in its own right. If all the soul gems, as well as the demilich’s phylactery, are not destroyed after a demilich is downed, the demilich reappears 1d10 days after its apparent death. The soul gems also allow the demilich to use its most devastating ability, [[SRD:Trap the Soul|trap the soul]] (see above). Each demilich must make its own soul gems, which requires the [[SRD:Craft Skill|Craft]] Wondrous Item [[SRD:Feats|feat]]. The lich must be a [[SRD:Sorcerer|sorcerer]], [[SRD:Wizard|wizard]], or [[SRD:Cleric|cleric]] of at least 21st level. Each soul gem costs 120,000 gp and 4,800 XP to create and has a [[SRD:Caster Level|caster level]] equal to that of its creator at the time of creation. Soul gems appear as egg-shaped gems of wondrous quality. They are always incorporated directly into the concentrated form of the demilich.  

{{SRD Template Footer}}
Challenge Rating	as the base lich +6 +
Summary	Demilich is a template that can be added to any lich +
Title	Demilich Template +
Type	Undead +