One of my PCs is wearing a Lich's phylactery!

[Lord Kyuss]

My question to the boards is what happens next?! The PC doesn't know it's a lich's phylactery and I don't know what happens now that the Lich's body was destroyed.

Does it just appear next to him in X days?
Does it possess him?
Does it animate the nearest corspe?
Does it have all it's spells?

The latest addition of the MM3.5 is pretty vague and I can't recall what used to happen in previous editions.

Can someone help?!
Lord Kyuss

 

[Crothian]

The Lich reforms near where it died. Now, the Lich will scry its phylactery and see the PC wearing it. The Lich will eiter try to steal it back or highly more interesting protect the PC from afar. So, if the PC gets in trouble plan some Lich allies that come to aid or something like that.

 

[Lord Kyuss]

Eeeeexcellent. Thank you Smit.... I mean Crothian. The mental gears are turning, planning, conspiring....
Lord Kyuss

 

[Sandain]

PC's have an annoying habit of getting into very dangerous situations. I do not think a Lich will be happy to have its phylactery going to various planes, being involed in AoE spells, or subject to various supernatural abilitys of creatures the PC may fight.

However, the PC is probably a very good guardian of the phylactery, so maybe the Lich will go on a subtle campign to convince the PC to retire from adventuring. A few suggestions to the PC's allies and family may go a long way.

 

[Arkhandus]

You're the DM. You can change your original intention of having that particular item be the phylactery, and choose something else to be it. The PCs don't know that it is the lich's phylactery, therefore, you're not cheating or anything. You're just adapting your plot to fit with the unexpected turn of events so as to not to ruin everything. Then again, 'no plan survives contact with the enemy', or in RPGs, 'no plot survives contact with the PCs'.

 

[wedgeski]

You're the DM. You can change your original intention of having that particular item be the phylactery, and choose something else to be it. The PCs don't know that it is the lich's phylactery, therefore, you're not cheating or anything. You're just adapting your plot to fit with the unexpected turn of events so as to not to ruin everything. Then again, 'no plan survives contact with the enemy', or in RPGs, 'no plot survives contact with the PCs'.

You're right, but... nah, the mysterious lich-y benefactor protecting his new number-one son is much more fun!

 

[Arkhandus]

Just had to be said. Someone was gonna eventually......figured it may as well be me. Strictly following original plans does not often a good DM make. Still, I like having overall plans, and I have no problem going along with strange developments if they won't ruin the game for the group (but if the PCs really want to check out the famous ancient red dragon's lair when they're 10th-level......well, red dragons have to eat, too).

 

[blargney the second]

What would happen if the lich's enemies found out where the phylactery was?

 

[philreed]

What would happen if the lich's enemies found out where the phylactery was?

That's exactly what I was thinking. It's gonna suck to be that PC when an elite squad of Paladins swarm over him.

 

[Tsillanabor]

Though being paladins they hopefully won't shoot (or stab, slice, bash, etc.) first and ask questions later.