D&D 5E Warlock liches?

[CapnZapp]

Is this a flavor question or a crunch question?

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[Li Shenron]

I understand, in most D&D lore, it's possible for both wizards and clerics to become liches. However, would it be possible for warlocks to achieve lichdom? I don't see why not, since many lich-hopefuls get their ritual from Orcus (a Demon Lord) anyway.

This is totally a story thing... there isn't any "rule" in the books that tell you who can become a lich and how, right? If the DM has to make up the how, then the who can also be discussed. Different fantasy settings may provide their own details and rules.

Maybe? Now, its possible in warlock-lore to become a devil, or a archfey, or whatever their Patron is.

Also this is a narrative decision. Personally I've never even considered this possibility.

 

[Mephista]

Also this is a narrative decision. Personally I've never even considered this possibility.

There were lots of storyhooks, as well as powers and epic destinies, in 4e towards this very effect. Its part of the game's lore, even if you've never done it for your game. Just sayin'.

In terms of 5e, warlocks do get the Imprisonment spell as well as the True Polymorph spell at 18th level. You can turn yourself into a fiend or fey if you want, and you have the necessary spell to sustain lichdom. So, its entirely possible to do as a warlock (though using your level 9 magic to just sustain lichdom hurts).

 

[jgsugden]

Finger of death is also available to create undead...

 

[Soul Stigma]

To my knowledge, Liches become what they are by imbibing a potion that is created under very strict and nefarious conditions. It doesn't always work - the potion will kill the drinker either way, but a successfully-made potion will result in undeath and the transfer of the lich's soul to its chosen phylactery.

With all of that in mind, the lich doesn't have to be a wizard, it just tends to be. Certainly it would have to be a caster and one who took the time to research the details of becoming a lich in the first place. As wizards are the bookish sort, it tends to be them.


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[Corwin]

To my knowledge, Liches become what they are by imbibing a potion that is created under very strict and nefarious conditions. It doesn't always work - the potion will kill the drinker either way, but a successfully-made potion will result in undeath and the transfer of the lich's soul to its chosen phylactery.

With all of that in mind, the lich doesn't <i>have</i> to be a wizard, it just tends to be. Certainly it would have to be a caster and one who took the time to research the details of becoming a lich in the first place. As wizards are the bookish sort, it tends to be them.

Back in an old, long-running 2e AD&D campaign, my LE necromancer warlock (wizard with the witch kit) painstakingly concocted one of these fabled potions of lichdom in secret. It took a while, both in character and game time. But eventually it would be worth it. It wasn't for him, though. The NG cleric in the party needed a serious attitude adjustment or there would eventually have to be reckoning. The cleric didn't know what he was drinking at the time. Might not have drank it if he had. But to my warlock, whether the potion "worked" or not, it would be a vast improvement on their relationship.

In the end, the cleric indeed became a lich. Our characters got along much better after that...

 

[Li Shenron]

There were lots of storyhooks, as well as powers and epic destinies, in 4e towards this very effect. Its part of the game's lore, even if you've never done it for your game. Just sayin'.

That explains why I haven't heard about it, since I went straight from 3e to 5e. But I suppose anything that's ever been printed on an official book or magazine is part of the game's lore...

Anyway, back to Lichdom, anybody ever considered the possibility that a Monk might have a way to achieve it?

I know that a Lich-Monk doesn't immediately seem to make sense... and yet in the real world we have Sokushinbutsu, check this out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokushinbutsu

Edit: the wikipedia page doesn't say much, this is better, particularly the "How to mummify yourself" section: http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-gruesome-and-excruciating-practice-of-mummifying-yo-1515905564

 

[Caliban]

I understand, in most D&D lore, it's possible for both wizards and clerics to become liches. However, would it be possible for warlocks to achieve lichdom? I don't see why not, since many lich-hopefuls get their ritual from Orcus (a Demon Lord) anyway.

Why not? New types of undead and monsters show up all the time.

I had an idea for a character... A LE/NE half-orc warlock. His goal would be the unification and domination of the orc tribes through a proxy. On the surface it would appear the orcs are uniting behind a mighty warlord, but in actuality that warlord is being subtly "guided" by the warlock in his quest for power and eventually immortality. The glory of the orcish race would just be a bonus.

This is more a question for your DM than a forum of strangers not involved in your game.

In my homebrew campaign, I have a kingdom ruled by "The Lich King" - a warlock who became a lich as a result of additional bargains made with his patron (above and beyond the basic bargain that made him a warlock). He also has to sacrifice a certain number of living souls to his patron every year, which is why the kingdom is known for sending out ships to raid other locations for slaves and sacrificial victims.

 

[steeldragons]

Sure. Why not? Sounds like a pretty awesome story and character concept/motivations. I see no reason they couldn't.

 

[SkidAce]

I don't feel the patron necessarily has to have anything to do with becoming a lich.

Warlock decides "I want to be immortal" finds or develops the appropriate ritual...BAM...lich.

Granted the patrons will have varying responses to this as folks have listed above, but they are not required for the transformation.