Lich

A lich is the re-animated corpse of a necromancer that has had it's soul restored. Contrary to popular believe, becoming a lich is not a required step towards becoming an Ever-Living Lich.

Process

To go from living, breathing necromancer to lich can take as much as a decade to complete. First, upon death, the necromancer's remains must be carefully mumified and preserved. From there, it is placed in a special sargophogus while rites are carried out. The mumification process may take anywhere from 120 days to 3 years, depending on the importance of the individual and the level of detail involved.

The spells and enchantments that form the lich can be completed in as little as thirty days, however they require much of the temple's stored energy. Typically the process will be space out over a number of years.

The completed lich is fully autonomous and no longer requires the support of the tempe or an otherwise enchanted area to survive. The soul, complete with the memories and abilities of the original necromancer, is fully installed in the lich.

They can live for centuries and often continue to carry out roles within the temple community. Liches are also typically more powerful than living Necromancers.

Selection

Typically only moderately high-ranking priests have the option to become liches. Because the process relies on other necromancers completeing the rituals after the death of the individual wishing to become a lich, it is uncommon for those who were not community leaders to be given those rites.