Category:Psionic Lich
 |
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
|
|
|
|
||
|
Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium III - pp 75-76 | |
|
Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium III - pp 75-76 | |
|
Lich, Psionic |
Pages in category "Psionic Lich"
The following 2 pages are in this category, out of 2 total.
