They can only be truly destroyed by evil powers that directly harm souls. If a church grim is killed, it will re-form above where its remains lay (even if they aren't there anymore) within 24 hours at night. The projection cannot attack (but may still cast spells that deal damage) or carry solid objects. The teeth traded places with the skeletal remains of the soldiers who then sprang up, re-animated as undead. The DM make take your character for the time of the possession. Bodoni makes two melee attacks. A target that succeeds its saving throw becomes immune to this effect for the next 24 hours. The baelnorn is capable of sustaining tremendous physical damage, and is immune to disease, poison, fatigue and other effects that affect only the living. You now have truesight out to 120 feet. The amulet does not negate class features that have no direct effect, such as a ranger's favored enemy feature. Becoming a baelnorn is a sacred oath of undeath. To the person who greatly fears their soul being ripped from the world of the living, Clone may be too unreliable, and being undead offers some resistances and abilties to further keep one's soul among the living. The inhabitants are former undead minions hiding from the evil necromancer that rose and enslaved them. An undead researcher may wish to see a cosmic phenomena that only occurs once every several thousand years, the founder of a movement may wish to become undead to see that her movement does not fall into corruption. You no longer require air, food, drink, or sleep, though you must still rest to restore your energy. 3rd level (3 slots): aura of vitality Mr. Bodoni can disattach a limb he is not using at the moment such as a leg, arm, or even just a hand, and wield it as a melee weapon that causes bludgeoning damage. She was not known as Nyx in life, it was a name she gave herself after her return to mark her new identity. Dradrelyn would be accepted into a wizard academy, but Torrendra would not, due to the lingering prejudices. By the time your party arrives, all the doors are shut and the windows are closed. Undeath can be a means of embracing life. The church grim can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. *The baelnorn can effect undead creatures with this spell. [8] The process did not generally require the use or creation of a phylactery, meaning that baelnorns wishing to evade destruction relied on the clone spell. *Conjuration spell of 1st level or higher. These represent the basic features all undead share: Condition Immunities. Customizing NPCs. So go ahead, remove this chunk of copy and tell everyone who inspired you. Records of the Ruins. 2e The reasons can vary beyond these. Dead Whisperer. Each humanoid must make a Constitution saving throw, upon failure the creature counts as undead for the effects of spells and abilities such as magic circle and turn undead, but is not actually undead. How does it affect their faith if they have one? The existence of good liches is harder to justify with the new requirement that liches feed souls to their phylacteries, yet there is still hope for them. Regardless of your reason for venturing out, it won't be easy. Becoming a wight has imbued her with a proficiency in Stealth. During life, she intimidated her demonic foes by sinking her teeth into their flesh. Nyx exhales a dark chilling blast in a 15-foot cone. Want to improve this question? Many baelnorn have no interest in combat, but they are both fearless and brilliant and will always do whatever best serves their task. She still retains her +2 in Intelligence as it is a basic gnome racial trait. This object can either be an open recepticle (such as a jar), a miniature house, a magical object, a trinket of sentimental value, a figure or doll of a humanoid, or a gemstone. Like non-evil undead, there can be ways to work around aspects of such necromancy that may be considered evil, consider the following adjustments to reanimating depending on how reanimation works in your setting: Mindless undead minions do not have the souls of the deceased nor entropic energies, they are little different from constructs except they are animated from the echoes of life in the way the speak with dead spell does. The ritual to create spartoi is incredibly rare, known by few and tucked away in vast libraries and lich lairs. Each undead creature must make a Constitution saving throw, upon failure the creature no longer counts as undead for the effect of spells and abilities such as turn undead and protection from good and evil. As of 5e, it seems the term "archlich" to denote a good (or just non-evil) lich has been dropped, and now used to refer to any extremely powerful lich like it is in other media such as World of Warcraft. Remove racial traits that give an edge in combat such as a Halflings Lucky and and Dwarven Toughness. You can use your action to bite a creature and drain blood from it if it has blood. You breathe a small semblance of life into an undead creature. Evil undead have plenty of divine backing for them in evil gods and demon lords, but the good-aligned undead hardly have any support. If your undead type has ability score bonuses and penalties if there are any, remove the subrace bonuses if your character has any, and replace them with those of the undead type. Spellcasting. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. You give relief to an undead creature that is under constant agony due to its condition such as a spectre. Most liches are foul, evil beings who are selfish and are willing to sacrifice others to prolong their presence on the Material Plane. However this might vary depending on setting. By the time the world became more accepting, and she found a more accepting place that would teach her, she was already well past her prime. That said, 5e is clearly trying to move away from typical alignment constraints on just about everything else, so your DM might be willing to alter their setting to include the possibility of homebrew non-evil lich-like creatures. A PC lich is an interesting prospect but something that could only be undertaken by an advanced evil character. This continues in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th levels. Even worse, her dwarven family still had at least a whole human lifetime ahead of them. She reported her findings to scholars on the Material Plane, some stuck to their prejudices, others would be more open-minded. They were described as being usually unconcerned about good and evil but could be encountered of any alignment. If a projection is damaged, the baelnorn takes half of that damage, a projection vanishes if reduced to 0 hit points. The first is to establish undead as free citizens in at least one country that is not heavily allied with evil. I believe the OP just required a "non evil lich" not a good lich specifically. And if they chose it, why did they choose it? Then we move onto an overview of how to put non-evil undead in a setting, such as motivatations, the state of undeath and necromatic energies, how it can effect the setting to have neutral or good undead, and philosophical viewpoints of the undead. Ancient Necromancy. Most baelnorns, however, preferred to avoid combat if possible. 4th level (3 slot): Evard's black tentacles*, stoneskin While the true reasons why Eberron: Rising from the Last War has this approach to monster's stat blocks is something only the design team involved can truly answer (and I couldn't find it online), this approach was firstly featured in Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus (the Skull Lasher of Myrkul being an example).. My best guess is that presenting such spells in . In ancient Myth Drannor, they stood watch against thieves, protected journeying elves, kept family lore, and tutored young wizards in magic. These spirits may have already consorted with creatures of the inner or outer planes or gods without fully becoming extraplanar creatures yet. Invisibility. The spartoi makes two melee attacks. However, Ezzie has resistance to poison damage, resistance to necrotic damage, and is immune to being exhausted or poisoned. Further investigation reveals something troubling: a letter written by the keeper of the treasure post-mortem! [8], In ancient elven realmssuch as Myth Drannor or Sharrvenbaelnorns served as councilors, guardians, and advisors. My studies and travels have led me to encounter various undead who were not evil monsters, but people, people with full sentience and no desire for evil. Undead Fortitude. A necromancer is forbidden from raising armies of enslaved undead, unless said undead are completely soulless. Etherealness. When Needed Most. Type It even relies on its actions to move; it doesn't have a move otherwise. Archliches do not have resistance to lightning damage, but instead are resistant to fire. She has the following paladin spells prepared: 1st level (4 slots): bane, detect good and evil, detect magic, hunter's mark Activity cycle Share your ideas or tweaks if any, we would love to hear it, all homebrew it's welcome. How is this process of becoming a "Dixie Flatline" in any way related to the question of "Is there a non-evil lich?"? I am determined to make the best use of my undeath. Spellcasting. Necropolitans in lore are people who choose to become undead and are transformed via a painful and agonizing ritual known as The Ritual of Crucimigration. Sneak Attack (1/Turn). Challenge 30 (155000 XP) Discorporation. Undead and those who work along with them who seek to aid undead rather than control them have adapted their magic to help. Hit: 5 (1d10) piercing damage, (Yes, the restless champion is so metal it can use a greatsword in one hand, but with a penalty.). The necromancer can contact the deceased for permission for use. The reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long rest. The church grim has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell. [8] They dedicated themselves completely to whatever task or duty had compelled them to seek unlife in the first place. 1st level (4 slots): detect magic, guiding bolt, shield of faith Greatsword. Dexter was driven to kill people periodically, which is normally an inherently evil act. Add details and clarify the problem by editing this post. The damage increases by 1d8 if the target is a fiend. In many settings, there are gods who believe that undead are unnatural abominations that disturb or disrespect nature or the cycle of life. Another possibility is to trade it for turn or command resistance against such abilities. Socio-economic class markers often give rise to other markers of prejudice, and the upper classes may find undead members of society who could not afford true resurrection an easy target; such undead people can pose a threat to an upper class who revel in living for centuries who just hope that their subjects forget atrocities they have committed generations before. In theory, a Lich could potentially be non-evil butit's going to be extremely complicated and require some.significant moral gymnastics. Cookie Notice The redeemed death knight has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Bone Attack. Undead who feel they can cast off the worries of things like mortality may begin to embrace life in a new way, they may become fearless and possibly even hedonistic, they may not mourn the pleasures of a living body, but instead relish the experiences their undead bodies offer to them. With its phylactery prepared, the future lich drinks a potion of transformation - a vile concoction of poison mixed with the blood of a sentient creature whose soul is sacrificed to the phylactery. On a critical hit, Mr. Bodoni takes 1d6 damage, if the damage exceeds the damage dealt, the limb breaks and cannot be used again until repaired. The baelnorn can project a wraith-like image of itself up to one mile away. What is the symbol (which looks similar to an equals sign) called? You are immune to being exhausted and immune to being poisoned. Your claw attack can reach one target within 5 feet and uses your Dexterity modifier to hit. Such necropolises may be hidden in places away from the living such as in extraplanar locations or within demiplanes. Any creature with hitpoints added this way is also becomes resistant to necrotic, fire, and cold damage and immune to becoming poisoned or poison damage for 1 hour. If you already have proficiency in Constitution saving throws or Arcana (Intelligence), you now add twice your proficiency bonus. Maybe she fed a very powerful soul last and she has half a century of "battery". Undead that are completely soulless automatons still have restrictions on use and violations of such restrictions such as the use for pranks on the living or acts of desecrating the dead are not considered evil but in very very poor taste. Lay on Hands. This link transcends physical and all known magical barriers, and it can even cross the boundaries between the Prime Material and Ethereal Planes. Basic Undead traits count as a feat, even if the character is not ready to take one yet, and will count against the feat slot when the character progressives to their next level they can take a feat. Such a person likely has some allies who know of their undeath and are willing to do things on their behalf that are difficult to do without revealing their undeathor in the case of vampires, also during the daytimes. Let us, for a moment, imagine a process whereby someone in a near-modern scenario might accomplish the purpose of becoming a lich. Projection (3/Day). utterly.. (MM 203). The party may accept the undead companion, except for one or two due to their devotion to a god who absolutely detests undead such as Kelemvor or the Raven Queen. Although you have died, you remain clinging to the world of the living. In 2nd edition Monstrous Compendium Volume One, liches and demi-liches were listed as having any alignment. Renwick Caradoon, brother of Samular Caradoon and Amphail Caradoon the Just. Magic Resistance. Undeath stunts the growth of children in mind and soul, and can damage the soul after a long period of time even if said child is fully sentient with free will. 3rd Edition Statistics[2][3] There are many easy ways to customize the NPCs. Brave. It cannot cast any spells on its next turn after using this lair action. On a failed save, the creature magically begins to turn to stone and is restrained. Some chose it to extend their experience or because they had unfinished business. Let us pull inspiration from some of Roger Zelazny's work. There is an outside force that corrupts any undead in Toril. -What would you grant your players if they go down that path, in order to keep it interesting and balanced? Death knights were often once paladins that turned to evil, and after death were either raised into an agonizing undeath or to continue service in undeath to an evil overlord. An undead craftsman is the one of only a handful of people who is exceptionally skilled at a very rare trade or skill, and knows that with his own passing it means the extinction of this skill. Yet, baelnorn are still counted as undead and do animate dead in battle. They were called spartoi in legend, but the name still applied to skeletal undead created by a ritual that either was the one in the legend, or inspired by the legend, which came first is lost to history. A guardian spirit can bind itself to that object and move any movable parts the object has. The ruins of places such as abandoned elven cities are where baelnorn are likely to be found. It has the following paladin spells prepared: 1st level (4 slots): bless, cure wounds, shield of faith Incorporeal undead may have the most difficult time with interaction, but if one sticks to a haunt, it could be registered as the undeads property, or if it overlaps with someone elses property, an agreement has to be made. 3rd level (2 slots): aura of vitality, revivify It depends on how creative your DM wants your canon to be. Multiattack. A baelnorn who served as a guardian might spend centuries laying and checking traps, always ready for a fight. When you cast this with a 6th level spell slot or higher, the duration becomes permanent until dispelled. A common concern is if an undead creature would be vulberable to turning themselves. You may target up to four undead creatures within a range of 60 feet that are of Large or smaller size. On the other hand it could be a conflict the party must overcome and realize they have to work together for the greater good against a common foe. The baelnorn magically summons two werewolves with the following changes: the werewolves' alignment is chaotic good, the werewolves have the fey ancestry trait, and cannot transmit werewolf lycanthropy. In more current times another demonic invasion was brewing, and so Nyx crawled back from the netherworld to continue what she could not accomplish. Mr. Bodoni has a habit of spilling out skeleton puns whenever he deems necessary, which is often. A holiday might span a month, a scholar might have centuries of study before becoming a master, a transaction may take years to complete. Such words seemed so contradictory to me, but my mother told me that such rare exceptions to the typical, wretched state of undeath are slightly better known to elves than humans. The archlich can telepathically communicate a message lasting no longer than 1 minute to a creature it knows is present within 500 feet of it. The gaurdian spirit can see 60 feet into the Ethereal Plane when it is on the Material Plane and vice versa. The second is to gain the favor of a good-aligned god. Need to respect the DM's ruling and keep playing with the rest of the group. Mr. Bodonit's Amulet is a very rare wondrous magical item that requires attunement. When you multiclass into the baelnorn class, you gain the following proficiencies: History, Religion. This procedure is done in the city of Nocturnus, which is a necropolis of undead located in the Shadowfell that allows living visitors but not living residents, any living resident who wants to live in Nocturnus must become a necropolitan first. Affected undead also are immune to holy water. The biggest threats from evil undead come from those who wish to subjugate and rule over undead, and thus loathe undead who will not fall under their sway; such undead are typically liches, death knights, and demons whom undeath is part of their preview. You have advantage on saving throws against attempts to turn you using Turn Undead, as well as any spells or abilities that can specifically ward or trap undead such as magic circle. You may be taking up adventuring for a number of reasons, to sate your slaughter or revenge against the necromancer who did this to you, or maybe you have had a change of heart and decide to make it up with heroic deeds. So here are the Skaven stat blocks I've been working on. They employ spells as they did in life (most were 15th-level wizards), using spellbooks and magical components, but many develop variant spells that dont require material components. You can continue gaining levels in this class as long as you maintain your oath with the deity. Archliches can be found secreted away in abandoned places that have stood a great test of time such as old monastaries. What were the most popular text editors for MS-DOS in the 1980s? Finally, the king who sent them went on a mission to face the dragon himself and was able to kill it. Whenever a spell is cast on you that restores hit points that specifically has no effect on undead, you may instead use your hit dice to recover hit points. Her spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 16, +8 to hit with spell attacks). Each creature of the church grim's choice that it can see must suceed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. The only good undead is a slain one!" Instead, the blood slept in her body, even after it was consecrated and preserved through gentle repose, but one day it would break those spells that prevented reanimation. Statblock5e provides an easy way to display a creature statblock that looks almost exactly like the statblocks from the 5th edition D&D Monster Manual. Alternatively, the redeemed death knight can expend 5 hit points from the pool to cure a target of one disease or neutralize one poison affecting it. The redeemed death knight has a pool of healing power that it can use to restore a total of 95 hit points. A non-evil necromancer knows the better way is to bargain and negotiate with them. One might be able to use magic to somewhat restore these pleasures however. The church grim can see 60 feet into the Ethereal Plane when it is on the Material Plane, and vice versa. Spellcasting. Undead creatures are resistant to poison damage and immune to being poisoned and exhausted. Alignment Hit 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage. If the gods become involved in this debate it could even threaten to shatter many faiths or the cosmos as a whole. Jarlaxle is a swashbuckling drow who leads a renegade drow faction called Bregan D'aerthe. Cantrips (at will): chill touch, mage hand, thaumaturgy, spare the dying* Maybe even those who did not choose to be undead eventually find a strange sort of gnosis or peace in being undead and so do not wish to be resurrected for real. To join the Order, one must first prove to agree with its ideals that undead are to be treated with personhood if they have a soul. Thanks to the near limitless time they could devote to studying magic, baelnorns inevitably became extraordinarily powerful spellcasters. The baelnorn has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Life would be hard on Torrendra. Etherealness You can spend an action to enter the Material Plane, the Ethereal Plane, or the Border Ethereal. One must be very cautious if this occurs, it can decrease cooperation an cause the party to split. A Lich is defined as always evil in every iteration of the Monster Manual that I have read. At 1st level, you have taken an oath to a deity to grant you undeath as you progress. Lay on Hands heals the living, but could it harm the undead who might have this power? 3. Fey The bite attack is an unarmed melee attack with a reach of 5 ft. You have proficiency with this attack and can use either your Dexterity or Strength modifier to attack. Flaw: I did something terrible in life, so I went into a dungeon to see if I could redeem myself with some great act. If such undead are lucky, they may be highly revered and serve as advisers or councilors. point instead. The baelnorn is a 20th-level spellcaster. The same power that put their bones back together from the dragon's gut and resolve to fight on continues to protect them. Example: Ezzie was a forest gnome, at home with her lovely grove she protected as a druid. Baelnorn do not eat, drink, excrete, or breathe, and nothing preys upon them. Sometimes a minion in an undead army suddenly breaks free from the bond of their master. In 4e, the archlich is re-introduced as an epic destiny available to level 21 arcane classes. Due to no alignment restriction and little adjustments, they are and still remain the most recommended way to play an undead character. Rolled damage from a limb with a humerus or femur stacks, rolled damage from other limbs does not stack (for example an entire leg is 1d4 + 1d6 + Con modifier). The dog may vow to protect its caretaker's remains even long after it expired. week drinking 21 pints (9.9 liters) of blood to recover from exhaustion, if you fail to recover from exhaustion but still meet your regular blood requirement, you remain at that level of exhaustion. You may target up to four living humanoids within a range of 60 feet. A lich lord who has recently joined a band of evil undead is not who he appears to be, and is secretly harboring heroes that will slaughter the rest of the coalition. Over the years, Tarian has turned his skill in hunting into becoming a full-fledged ranger, he stalks the wilds for evil necromancers and other monsters who abduct the minds and souls of other creatures.