Anyone?
Acererak achieved demi-lich status and created a nasty tomb that served as the killing field for many an adventurer.
Lyandrezed also made himself a pretty nasty dungeon but unlike Acererak seemingly invites visitors.
Just a minor correction:
Lyandrezed is actually "Lyzandred" (the Mad). Supposedly the mentor of Zagyg himself.
As for my Lyzandred gaffe :embarrass
-wn
We also have Dahlvier, who rules Dahlvier's County, an autonomous realm in the Empire of Iuz; Drokkas, who resides in the Necropolis of Unaagh in the Bright Desert; & Lerrek, a priest of Erythnul from Iuz the Evil.
Okay, so far we have:
Vecna: famed for the Eye and Hand artifacts, and ruling a rather large empire at some point in pre-history. Killed by his lieutenant Kas. He probably left behind some written works of necromancy, don't you think. I remember seeing an article in Dragon Magazine detailing some of Vecna's spells.
Azalin: carried off by the Mists of Ravenloft, but does anyone remember where and when in the Flanaess he came from? Did he have a chance to leave any writings?
Asperdies: detailed in decent into the depths of the earth (thanks, didn't know about this guy). Could he have left a written legacy?
Drokkas: who lives in the Bright Desert. Can I find him in Rary the Traitor? Does he have a written legacy?
Is Dahlvier found in Ius the Evil with Lerrek?
I would assume Xaene has a written legacy that might have been dispersed throughout the Great Kingdom before it fell. Detailed in Ivid the Undying or From the Ashes? Or both?
Acererak: tomb of horrors and return to the tomb of horrors. I don't remember if I own return or not. Hmm... And I don't remember if any of his spells were presented in the 1st one. Opinions on whether or not he has a written legacy?
I just read about Lyzandred today in the Lyzandred the Mad adventure. It doesn't seem likely that he left much of a written legacy to posterity, but some of his thoughts and philosophies might have been recorded by Zagyg.
I'm also interested in Liches or other powerful necromancers used in your personal campaigns, or that appear in the Oerth Journal or other semi-canon materials.
Thanks so much!
Originally posted by StevieS
Why would a Lich, who is very powerful & highly intelligent, just lay around waiting to be looted? That makes no sense surely?
Sounds like Gygax wrote the module...
Originally posted by Rumblebelly
I'm also interested in Liches or other powerful necromancers used in your personal campaigns...
Within the Dramidj Ocean, in the region of the Pinnacles of Azor'alq, dwells Syliah, a sea hag demi-lich witch. Having recently learned the path followed by fiends of blasphemy, Syliah commands four coveys of hags - thirteen hags in all. The most powerful covey, an epic level trio who call their group a covyn, have learned the secrets of creating a hideous abomination known as the Eye of the Damned. The least powerful covey, three sea hag newcomers, reside upon a ghost ship captained by Scrimshaw, a spellstitched dread pirate bone creature.
To aid a daring assemblage of adventurers, the neutrally-aligned spectral hag known as Xaetra, having recently been slain by her sea hag granddaughter Tempest, now acts as patron to a lesser covey known as a clutch. During this time, Tempest was restored to life in the ritual of the blood magus.
Ref: Tomb of Horrors, Return to the Tomb of Horrors
Vecna is now also residing in Ravenloft and has a domain right next to Kas. Unfortunately the mod, "Vecna Reborn" is a horrible rendition of would could have been an awesome adventure. Thx for nothing Monte Cook.
Ref: Vecna Lives! Die, Vecna Die!, Vecna Reborn
Lyzandred (the Mad) as you have stated isn't very popular. Sean Reynolds is a writer I usually deem as excellent, but this one really blows.... I dunno what the heck he was thinking when he wrote this one.
Ref: The Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad
Thanks.
I checked, don't have Return to the Tomb of Horrors. I remember thinking I should buy it when it came out, and for some reason I just didn't.
Thanks, Aeolius for the write-up of the hag coveys. I might use it if my PCs ever make it to that side of the world.
One other tidbit is that many powerful folks teleported to Rauxes shortly after it was reported that Ivid was dead, and although most of them presumably disappeared with the city, several noteworthy individuals claim to have been there, and escaped. Drax the Invincible and Delglath are just two that I can think of off the top of my head. It's possible that someone came across a tome or artifact of Xaene's, then teleported out of the city with the loot.
source: Ivid the Undying
From the Ashes may have more information about Xaene, but I don't own it, so I can't say for sure.
-wn
Originally posted by abysslin
Vecna is now also residing in Ravenloft and has a domain right next to Kas. Unfortunately the mod, "Vecna Reborn" is a horrible rendition of would could have been an awesome adventure. Thx for nothing Monte Cook.
Ref: Vecna Lives! Die, Vecna Die!, Vecna Reborn
I have the adventure right here next to me and well... Your not up-to-date.
.............Spoilers....................................................
The first thing you should know is that Die, Vecna, Die is a sort of triple threat adventure that is designed to end your 2ed game and leave you open to start a 3ed game.
The plot entails a romp through greyhawk, (Well starts in Greyhawk, You jump through a magic gate there thats part of a very large artifact) chasing Iuz in his mad dash for power to steal Vecna's Demigod power away from him. To do so, he has to traverse through an of world shrine to Vecna and steal one of the infamous artifacts the eye of Vecna. The players will also come upon the lesser known relics of Vecna and the Hand of Vecna. The will actually have to use them to get through the adventure.
The players arive to late to stop him, but they give chase through the gate into the shire into.....
Ravenloft.
Once there the players get there, it gecomes a bit of a hackfest which is a bit uncaracteristic for Ravenloft as the player have to use skill luck and guile as well as plenty of smackdown abilites to find the throne room of Vecna and witness Iuz's undoing.
Metagame side note.
In the the adventure "Vecna Lives", Vecna nearly pulled of taking full control of Oerth from the rest of the Gods. The players of the game frantically to stop him, but ultimately Iuz was the only God on the planet at the time and through a god like struggle in the skies, through Vecna into Ravenloft. (Don't ask about the other dieties that might have been on Oerth at the time, Who knows why St. Cuthbert or Beory didn't step in.)
That as a set back for Vecna, but being slow and calculating he fostered another plan. The adventure Vecna, Reborn was supposed to be a plot to escape Ravenloft by being reborn, but once again, it would seem that he was foiled again by adventurers. Die, Vecna Die reviels this to be just a ruse. To make sure that Iuz would be able to reach Vecna, he wanted to appear less than prepared for such an situation, to make it appear that he couldn't focus a plan to far in advance. Allowing the Mists of Ravenloft to bring Iuz right to him instead of trapping the old one in his own domain. That the Dark Powers of Ravenloft been prepared for such duplicity, Flanness would be a much better place indeed.
So Iuz finds out what Kas had to learn the hard way. Using the Sword of Kas will not bring Vecna down and Iuz it sucked up into Vecna. Vecna takes the opportunity and at that very moment, sunders his shackles in Ravenloft and in the split second of his apotheosis transports himself to where else but Sigil.
Since Gods may not enter Sigil, He enters just before he is one, but just afterwards he becomes a Greater God. The players pretty much have to follow in Vecna's wake, as this domain is destroyed. (More than likely, so is Kas's) Once in Sigil the players are asked to do something about it by representatives of the Lady of Pain.
At that point, players learn that they have to give Vecna the smack down and send him out of Sigil. Once that is complete a few meta game things happen.
Vecna, falls to Oerth, and on the way down Iuz breaks free of him. Iuz is still a Demi-God, but Vecna is a Lesser God. Even though he didn't succeed, he still comes out ahead.
The players are actually acknowledged by the Lady of Pain. (That will leave them scratching thier heads if they know anything about Planescape. They are also given a home in Sigil.
The Lady of Pain reorganizes the Planes. Some world and Demiplanes are destroyed Some worlds change. ect, ect. Much like a comicbook line going through a disaster to recon the story line, WOTC has given themselves a blank slate to handly how the planes work. The Great Wheel for the most part belongs to Greyhawk, Forgotton Realms has thier great tree and the two don't really mix ecept if you allow the Shadow Plane to connect in your games.
Sigil still exists, and is linked to the Great Wheel, but little is known if connect to all the places it once did. In many wasys Planescape was swollowed up by Greyhawk.
Anyways. Long story short it is a story with alot of detail, but pretty much railroads the characters, but then again it has alot of cinamatic feel to it. I have to say I really like it.
I could give a full review, but opinions would no doubt vary... it was written by Monte after all.
Acererak {Devourer}(Lich)(Male)[NPC]
COLTM Pg# - 29
DRG#225 Pg# - 49,53,54
DRG#241 Pg# - 75,79
DRG#249 Pg# - 38,39,41,43
DRG#256 Pg# - 46
DRG#258 Pg# - 47
FTAA Pg# - 61
LGG Pg# - 154
LOG Pg# - 5
PGTG Pg# - 18,27
RTOH Pg# - 3,5,6,10-12,17,22,24-27,30,34,35,37,38
,40,43,45,48,51,52,54-56,58,59,61,63,65,67-69
,73,78,79,90,92-94,96,97,103,106,108,110,115-120
122-124,126-128,131-133,135-141,143,144,146-150
154,155,157,158
S1 Pg# - 2,3,6,7,8,9,10
TSB Pg# - 4,31
WOGA Pg# - 51
Acererak, Conventicle of [ORG]
DRG#258 Pg# - 47
Acereraks Libram [BK]
DRG#225 Pg# - 53,54
DRG#241 Pg# - 75
RTOH Pg# - 140
Asberdies (Lich)[NPC]
D1 Pg# - 9
D1-2 Pg# - 9
GDQ Pg# - 58
LGG Pg# - 135
Azalin (Lich)[NPC]
LOG Pg# - 5
VR Pg# - 14
Dahlvier (Count)(Lich)[M18][3eM18][NPC]
DRG#191 Pg# - 68
LGG Pg# - 17,61
WGR5 Pg# - 37,38,56,57,82,91
Darkstar (Dracolich)[NPC]
COG:C# - 16,24
Dragotha (Dracolich)[NPC]
DRG#293 Pg# - 91
DUN#77 Pg# - 37
RWPM Pg# - 2,8,15,42
S2E Pg# - 3
TD Pg# - 11,45
Drokkas (Lich)[NPC]
WGR3 Pg# - 28
Gloomwhisper (Dracolich)[NPC]
COG:C# - 16,24
Haas'Baalbar (Lich)[NPC]
COG:C# - 10
Hathamriz (Lich)[NPC]
DRG#291 Pg# - 96
Imprimus (Smirtch the Gloam)(Lich)[NPC]
CED Pg# - 74,378
COH Pg# - 264,265,266,267,268,269,270,271,273,297,298,301
305,306,307,314,315,316,318,322,325,326,330,333,335
337,338,339,340,341,342,343,345,348
Karzalin (Lich)[M18][NPC]
WGR4 Pg# - 14,40
WGR6 Pg# - 10,11,12,13,14,16,62
Krakev (Lich)[NPC]
JAM Pg# - 19
Lerrek (Lich)[C19][NPC]
WGR5 Pg# - 31,93
Lich [MON]
OCA Pg# - 6
Lyzandred (Lich)[NPC]
COLTM Pg# - IC,BC,1-6,9,23,29,30,33,34,41,44,46-48
FTAC Pg# - 38,
PGTG Pg# - 25,50
TAB Pg# - 8
TD Pg# - 2,5,6,42,44,45
TSC Pg# - 4
Maerynae {Merynae}(Marquess)(Suel Lich)[M17][NPC]
(Lady of Mysteries, Lady of Shadows, Queen of Ghouls)
DUN#70 Pg# - 66,76
DUN#72 Pg# -
Ranial (Lich)[NPC]
LGG Pg# - 34
Rexifer (Lich)[NPC]
IVID
Vecna {Chained God}{Dying King}{Maimed Lord}{Whispered One}
(Lich)[Deity][NPC]
COG:FFF Pg# - 80
DMG1 Pg# - 161
DRG#82 Pg# - 59
DRG#188 Pg# - 37,32
DRG#225 Pg# - 49,50,51,53
DRG#241 Pg# - 75
DRG#292 Pg# - 68,71,72
DRG#294 Pg# - 77,92
DRG#298 Pg# - 77
DRG#299 Pg# - 101,103
DVD
EW Pg# - 41,43,44
FTAC Pg# - 38
IVID
LGG Pg# - 13,15,50,51,58,64,104,131,133,173,180,186
LGJ#0 Pg# - 6
LGJ#2 Pg# - 19
LGJ#3 Pg# - 18
LGJ#4 Pg# - 12,13,16
LOG Pg# - 5
PGTG Pg# - 18-21,23,26,27,36
SLV Pg# - 10,17,18,90,95
TAB Pg# - 2,3,65,98
TAB:AM Pg# - 5
TD Pg# - 7
VR
WGA4
WGR2 Pg# - 32,39
Vecna, Bracers of [ITM]
COG:FFF Pg# - 80
DRG#299 Pg# - 101
Vecna, Clutch of [TMP]
VR Pg# - 5,6,13
Vecna, Cult of [ORG]
LGJ#4 Pg# - 16
TAB Pg# - 62,119
VR Pg# - 6,36
WGA4 Pg# - 24,25,26,27,28,29,31,33,34,35,36,38,42,43,74,76
77,82
Vecna, Eye of [ITM]
DMG1 Pg# - 124,157
DRG#292 Pg# - 72
DRG#294 Pg# - 92
DRG#299 Pg# - 101,102
EW Pg# - 44
LGG Pg# - 104,186
LGJ#4 Pg# - 16
LOG Pg# - 5
Vecna, Fingers of [ORG]
VR Pg# - 8,9,45
WGA4 Pg# - 18,19
Vecna, Hand of [ITM]
DMG1 Pg# - 124,157,158
DRG#292 Pg# - 72
DRG#294 Pg# - 92
DRG#299 Pg# - 101,102
EW Pg# - 43,44
LGG Pg# - 104,186
LGJ#4 Pg# - 16
LOG Pg# - 5
Vecna, Temple of (Cavitius)[TMP]
VR Pg# - 9,43,44,45
Vecna, Temple of (Erelhei-Cinlu)[TMP]
DRG#298 Pg# - 77
Vecna, Temple of (Highport)[TMP]
SLV Pg# - 90,95
Vecnas Ineffable Variorum [BK]
DRG#225 Pg# - 49,50,51
Xaene (The Accursed)[NPC]
DRG#59 Pg# - 24
DRG#206 Pg# - 44
DRG#291 Pg# - 90
IVID
LGJ#0 Pg# - 8
PGTG Pg# - 26
TAB Pg# - 24
WG8 Pg# - 69,72,73,74,75,78,79,80,81,82,127
Zhawar Orlysse (Lich)[M25][NPC]
DUN#77 Pg# - 33,34,35,36,45,46,47,49,50,53,55,56
RWPM Pg# - 23
I hope that helps :D
In my campaign world there (un)lives a dwarven lich by the name of Farin Stoneseer, cursed by Moradin to dwell forever in the Beautious Cones of the Baklarran and guard the Codex of the Infinite Planes from those who would seek to use it. IMC, historians mistakenly assume it was the Bakluni that destroyed the Suel Imperium in retaliation for the Invoked Devestation, but actually, it was Farin Stoneseer using the Codex who brought down the Rain of Colorless Fire as punishment for their crimes (enslavement and such) against dwarven kind. However, he couldn't stop using the book and eventually destroyed the Dwarven civilization that dwelled there, and for this Moradin made him a lich. The Codex was stolen once or twice, but Farin Stoneseer always managed to get it back and there it rests to this very day.
Farin's ancestor, a Sha'ir acquired the Codex from a Dao who stole it from the City of Brass and wanted to hide it from the Efreet.
Halber
Isn't there a dwarven cleric lich in TSR Jam. Its details the Pits of Azak Sil or some such.
Haven't paid it too much much mention.
Also, I believe that in the sourcebook The Marklands there's a lich mentioned (or implied) within Furyondy's own borders.
There is also a ultra-powerful lich mentioned in the Living Greyhawk Jourlnal's guide to Zeif and the Baklunish West.
Originally posted by Rumblebelly
[b]Thank you guys so much; it really helps. I almost think we should start the Great Lich Project and make-up spells, artifacts, legends, and/or tomes that various Liches and those aspiring to become liches have made up or inspired; or Liches that you have made up for your various campaigns.
In that case you'll definitely want to check out Robert Mullin's article "Three Greyhawk Grimoires" in Dragon 225, which contains Vecna's Ineffable Variorum, Iggwilv’s Nethertome, and Acererak’s Libram (he followed this up in Dragon 241 with tomes from Keraptis, Slerotin, and the Mage of the Valley).
Originally posted by abysslin
Oh, I'm "quite up to date," as you say. Vecna Reborn was simply horrible. Decent storyline, horrid composition and execution.
I could give a full review, but opinions would no doubt vary... it was written by Monte after all.
Then why didn't you place Vecna on Oerth instead of Ravenloft?
The City of Greyhawk has some adventure cards, one of which has a lich in it.
Originally posted by grodog
In that case you'll definitely want to check out Robert Mullin's article "Three Greyhawk Grimoires" in Dragon 225, which contains Vecna's Ineffable Variorum, Iggwilv’s Nethertome, and Acererak’s Libram (he followed this up in Dragon 241 with tomes from Keraptis, Slerotin, and the Mage of the Valley).
Damn, damn, damn. I used to have that issue, then in a mad fit of spring cleaning because my wife and I moved into a smaller apartment I got rid of all my Dragon magazines. Not a day goes by that I don't kick myself for getting rid of those.
But these tomes are exactly what I had in mind when setting about to create some written legacies that modern day necromancers can study.
Do the CD Rom Dragon Archives have these issues in them?
Originally posted by Rumblebelly
Do the CD Rom Dragon Archives have these issues in them?
AFAIK, the CD-ROM contains issues #1-250.
(Thank God, I still have both of them. :-)
Glorfinden
Originally posted by Glorfinden
AFAIK, the CD-ROM contains issues #1-250.
(Thank God, I still have both of them. :-)
Glorfinden
Do you know if the CD-ROM is still available?
Originally posted by cwslyclgh
Dragotha predates the forgotten realms and the cult of the dragon by some time... first being mentioned in module S2 White Plume Mountain... his lair is someplace north east of the Great Rift. not far from the mountian of the modules name (although Dragotha himself, nor his lair is not detailed in the module).
I have this module, but I have to dig it out. Do you happen to have a page reference handy? If not, I'm sure I'll come across it.
he is talked about slightly more in Return to White Plume Mountian... and I think that a designer made an adventure detailing his lair for the RPGA or something (although it is a 2e adventure).
the Dragotha'slair adventure can be downloaded >>>HERE<<<
Originally posted by cwslyclgh
he is simply listed on the map, showing his domain.
he is talked about slightly more in Return to White Plume Mountian... and I think that a designer made an adventure detailing his lair for the RPGA or something (although it is a 2e adventure).
the Dragotha'slair adventure can be downloaded >>>HERE<<<
THanks for the link! I downloaded the adventure, though I haven't had a chance to look through it yet.
More liches or necromancers anyone?
Originally posted by Rotipher
Was Dragotha positively identified as a *lich* dragon, in that Dragon magazine article that gave his statistics...? I could've sworn that he was described as an unique creature with abilities that outclassed the FR dracoliches. The original S2 map comment just called him an "undead dragon", not a draconic lich specifically.
Yes, in addition to Bruce Cordell's version (the download on CF! linked to above), you'll also want to check out Dragon 134's article "Lords & Legends: Fabulous Riches and Hideous Death" by William Simpson, which details his version of Dragotha (who is rather different from the standard FR dracolich IIRC).
And, to rumblebelly's question about the Dragon archive CD, it's not sold retail by WotC anymore, though it does often turn up on eBay and you can certainly get it from online retailers, regular retailers, and OOP specialty places like www.nobleknight.com.
Originally posted by grodog
And, to rumblebelly's question about the Dragon archive CD, it's not sold retail by WotC anymore, though it does often turn up on eBay and you can certainly get it from online retailers, regular retailers, and OOP specialty places like www.nobleknight.com.
I couldn't find the CD on nobleknight.com, but I'll keep my eye out on ebay for the set.
I'm still open to history and stats for liches past, future or present that you have created for your own campaigns, or necromantic legacies of other sorts.
Azalin's chief necromantic innovation as a mortal was in collecting the lifeforce of the dying and channeling it into the living, to heal or restore youth. He spent his entire unlife on Oerth in search of a way to truly resurrect his executed son -- an *arcane* way, as he scorned divine magic -- but never found it; once in Ravenloft, he was equally unsuccessful in trying to leave the demiplane, and was eventually cursed to fail in all his efforts to learn new magic.
If you're looking to trace specific Necromancy spells to a source, I'd suggest that Firan Zal'honan might've invented the Vampiric Touch spell. Other than that, between his preoccupation with rulership and conquest, and his final imprisonment in Ravenloft, Azalin never got the chance to make many breakthroughs.
Originally posted by Rotipher
If you're looking for dates for your history, Azalin -- real name Firan Darcalus Zal'honan -- ruled Knurl from 283 CY until 391 CY.
If you're looking to trace specific Necromancy spells to a source, I'd suggest that Firan Zal'honan might've invented the Vampiric Touch spell.
These are exactly the kinds of things I was looking for! Thank you, Rotipher. I hope your example inspires others.