Should a Lich's phylactery be on the same plane?

[jgsugden]

Rules wise, there is no statement indicating that the lich may not use another plane to house his phylactery. OTOH, there is no statement indicating that it may, so it is up to the DM.

Different lichi ... errr liches .... errr lichen? Different skeletal spellcasters will have different mental abilities. You should consider those mental ability scores (and their skills) when considering where a lich hides his phylactery.

Some will be very wise, but not very intelligent. They might be able to figure out the best place to hide their phylactery in their tower, but they don't know enough about other planes or secret ruins to find a safe place to hide their essence. They'll figure out ingenious traps to protect the phylactery. They'll figure out ways to mislead those looking for the item.

Some will be very intelligent, but not very wise. They may know of thousands of planes, ruins or other safe locations, but they may lack the wisdom to select the best one. They may think that just dropping it anywhere on the negative energy plane will keep it safe as most of their foes will be anable to survive there.

Some will be both foolish and dumb (mostly sorcerers). They'll keep the phylactery on a chain around their neck, because if they didn't, they'd lose it.

Some will be intelligent and wise. These are the tricky ones. They'll find a safe place. They'll provide strong safeguards. They'll make finding the location a real challenge.

These are just guidelines. A sorcerer lich with an intelligence of 5 and a wisdom of 6 might ask something intelligent and wise to hide his phylactery for him. A brilliant and devious lich might think that the best was to hide his phylactery would be in plain sight: right out in the open so that enemies will assume it is a trap and ignore it. Anything is possible. It would just be nice for DMs to keep the mental abilities of their monsters when considering their actions.

 

[gfunk]

Some will be both foolish and dumb (mostly sorcerers). They'll keep the phylactery on a chain around their neck, because if they didn't, they'd lose it . . . A sorcerer lich with an intelligence of 5 and a wisdom of 6 might ask something intelligent and wise to hide his phylactery for him.

Hmm, someone doesn't like sorcerers, eh?

Well, if a Lich sorcerer really had such low stats, it could only mean that he was min-maxed and used Int and Wis as his dump stats. In that case, I think we could safetly assume that he had a Cha ~ 40 or so.

In this case, I'm sure there would be no shortage of super-genius lackeys to invent ingenious ways to hid his phylactery.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Given the distinct lack of empirical evidence for people existing on the ethereal plane in real life, the DM has plenty of latitude to decree that nobody exists on the ethereal plane in fantasy as well.

Wow! The DM can just make something up.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Limper]

Stone shape rock around it and throw it in the sea or a stream or something.

Hell you could put it in the garden as a flagstone and its doubtful anyone can find it. if detect magic is an issue wrap it in lead first then make it a rock.

 

[Endur]

shhhh! I thought of that first!

I'd hide it in a copper coin. With a bunch of other coins. In a Leomund's Secret Chest. If your fighting a lich why would you want copper coins?

 

[green slime]

I'd hide it in a copper coin. With a bunch of other coins. In a Leomund's Secret Chest. If your fighting a lich why would you want copper coins?

Because with your permanent arcane sight, you notice that this little chest of copper pieces is more than it first appears... In fact, quite a bit more.

The same goes for hiding it on the beach. Are you going to feel safe knowing that the first 11th level wizard that comes strolling along the beach is going to find your most treasured possession easier than he can open a door?

 

[green slime]

Stone shape rock around it and throw it in the sea or a stream or something.

Hell you could put it in the garden as a flagstone and its doubtful anyone can find it. if detect magic is an issue wrap it in lead first then make it a rock.

I'd go place it in a sheet of lead, under 6 feet of dirt, underneath a shrine, and then grow a forest over the lot... Then I might feel safe enough to leave the area, for a few moments...

 

[FrankTrollman]

You should put it somewhere with the slow time trait. Then put a dimensional alarm aournd it. If anyone gets anywhere close to your phylactery you'll know - and have about a day to figure out something to do about it (so you can prepare a bunch of spells and go in swinging).

Protecting things in a place where time moves more slowly than it does where you are living is always easier.

-Frank

 

[green slime]

You should put it somewhere with the slow time trait. Then put a dimensional alarm aournd it. If anyone gets anywhere close to your phylactery you'll know - and have about a day to figure out something to do about it (so you can prepare a bunch of spells and go in swinging).

Protecting things in a place where time moves more slowly than it does where you are living is always easier.

-Frank

That could be just what they were planning on though... They are baiting you! Now they have both you and your phylactery in the same place...

 

[Ferret]

I was going to add about nystal magical marker (you know what I mean). But i didn't know if it would have a specific aura.... Perhaps a cursed item...