Blog (A5E) Level Up’s Archlich: The Mouthless One

With millions of people watching Stranger Things this month, you might be curious what the Level Up version of an archlich might look like. Well, we’re working on one for an as-yet-unannounced project, and we thought we’d give you a preview. If you want a truly challenging end boss, give it a try. Just don’t blame me if your characters learn secrets they weren’t meant to know.

Level Up’s Archlich: The Mouthless One — Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition (A5E)

With millions of people watching Stranger Things this month, you might be curious what the Level Up version of an archlich might look like.

www.levelup5e.com

 

[dave2008]

Wish didn’t really compare to them, they really were a different type of casting entirely.

Spoiler: here are a few effects for them from the old ELH

• create a true breeding creature
• create an island in the sea
• ten adult red dragons appear & attack....
• contingent resurrection
• creature or object permanently warded from spells
• you achieve remote control over the target
• Animated ghoul of slain victim fools its companions
• spells ranging from things like 20d6(and less) to 205d6(and more)

They were all over the place powerwise because casting them was an insane arcana check ()like dc30-200+++ with various things that could theoretically be done to lower the DC like burning spell slots/adding extra casters/spending days casting/ritually sacrificing people during the casting/burning exp/etc. The named spells were packaged up collections of seeds & mitigating factors into end results that were generally insane but it provided a framework a powerful caster could look at to apply into custom & one off "spells." Even with the differences that chapter is a useful light in the dark for getting casters to apply their character's knowledge & abilities beyond mere button mashing "the spell does X & we need X done"

Isn't the ELH from 3e? @Stalker0 mentioned 1e in their post. I think you are talking about different things.

 

[WarDriveWorley]

Isn't the ELH from 3e? @Stalker0 mentioned 1e in their post. I think you are talking about different things.

ELH is 3rd edition.

That said, looking at wish in the 1E Player's Handbook, I don't see 20th level limit on it.

 

[dave2008]

ELH is 3rd edition.

That said, looking at wish in the 1E Player's Handbook, I don't see 20th level limit on it.

View attachment 251375

You would have to ask @Stalker0 as they are the one who mentioned the limit. We never made it to a high enough level in 1e to cast 9th level spells!

 

[Selganor]

I asked this on the discord but maybe someone here knows about it (or has plans):

Is there a "Whispered One vs. Mouthless One" already somewhere online?

I'll probably have an Archlich duel with the "I almost always play wizards" player from my regular group as Vecna. I am wondering if I should tell him to check what the Book of Vile Darkness (that Vecna has in his chest but apparently doesn't use) could do to help him

 

[noodohs]

Question about the Wrest Spell ability: can it be counterspelled? I mean I actually think it's better if it can be since the original caster would end up losing a slot for the original spell and a slot for counterspelling it, but I'm just curious what the intention here is.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

Question about the Wrest Spell ability: can it be counterspelled? I mean I actually think it's better if it can be since the original caster would end up losing a slot for the original spell and a slot for counterspelling it, but I'm just curious what the intention here is.

Not the author, so I don’t know the RAI, but it is not a spell so it technically can’t be countered

 

[noodohs]

Not the author, so I don’t know the RAI, but it is not a spell so it technically can’t be countered

So it's an ability, but it specifically says the Mouthless One can then cast the spell. The implication being that they are taking your spell and casting it back at you without having to spend their own slots.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

So it's an ability, but it specifically says the Mouthless One can then cast the spell. The implication being that they are taking your spell and casting it back at you without having to spend their own slots.

I will look again, but I didn’t see that it said it casts a spell. If it does, then yes it can be countered. I’ll check again

Edit: you are correct it says “cast the spell” so it can be countered and I am sure that is the intent as it is specifically called out as a spell.

 

[Selganor]

BTW: Whispered One vs. .Mouthless One ended in a "Do we really want to do this the next hours?"

MO has better stats (almost everything including a multiple of HP), but a shorter range for the only attack that is pretty sure to cause damage which causes him to be in range for WO's attacks.
WO has more range with his attacks and Counterspells, can cause damage besides his attacks AND can heal himself (which MO can't)...

So unless MO manages to keep out of WO's healing "attack" for a few rounds while still managing to be in range to cause damage it's only a matter of time till MO's HP run out before WO's (way less but still enough to be up for a while)

Regarding spell "duels"... both have an unlimited Counterspell variant, but WO also causes damage with this counterspell and only has to see the target, while MO could theoretically Counterspell/Wrest a spell but only within 60 fr. and then this spell could be Counterspelled (which almost surely causes him damage again)