Lich

As a former wizard, you were accustomed to keeping your arcane knowledge in written form. Using a spellbook allowed you a great many options at your fingertips. However, your transformation into a lich has changed that somewhat. On the one hand, you now have intimate knowledge of many of your spells, such that you are no longer fully reliant on your spellbook. On the other hand, you quickly learn to adapt your spell repertoire as you go (see the Forbidden Lore ability, below). You might feel restricted in your spells known, at least initially. Over time, this will become less of an issue as your ability to adapt grows further.

See chapter 10 of the PHB for the general rules of spellcasting.

If you are not already undead, then at 1st level your appearance begins to change. Your skin may take on a deathly pallor, your eyes begin to gloss over or perhaps your hair becomes gray (if it does not fall out entirely). As you increase your lich level, you begin to look less like a living person and more so like a true undead. You can use your innate magic to conceal these changes, though... for a time.

As an action, you can make yourself appear as a younger (and very much living) version of yourself. This otherwise functions like the disguise self spell. However, whenever a creature that had close knowledge of you before you became a lich (such a family member, a close colleague or long-time friend) comes within 30 feet of you and can see you, that creature can make an Insight check at the DM's discretion. The DC is equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier. If the creature succeeds on the check, they can see that you somehow look even better than they remember you-- which may be seen as a good thing, or just plain suspicious depending on how trusting the creature is. A dog that formerly loved you may suddenly think of you as a stranger, while a long time friend may find you more comely than ever before. In either case, they realize something is... different about you.

You may use this ability once per point of proficiency bonus, and you recover any expended use upon completion of a long rest.

Your hide is calloused by the touch of undeath. While you are not wearing any armor, your Armor Class equals 13 + your Dexterity modifier.

See chapter 10 of the PHB for the general rules of spellcasting and the end of this document for the Wizard spell list.

It is said that the methods used to achieve lichdom are both profane and deadly. There are also rumors of far-flung societies that have infused their honored dead with radiant immortality. At 2nd level, you choose an ascension rite to pursue-- the Dread Lord or the Transcendent-- and you gain unique abilities depending on the path you choose. Both of these ascension rites are detailed at the end of this class description.

As a lich, you can draw upon knowledge lost to generations of mortals. Your dark studies have given you a view of the very underbelly of magic-- its secrets are no longer beyond your ken.

Starting at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the arcana skill. If you are already proficient in arcana, you may instead choose another skill from the lich class proficiencies list. In addition, whenever you roll a 1 on an arcana skill check, you can instead treat the roll as though it were a natural 20.

As a lich, you can draw upon knowledge lost to generations of mortals. Your dark studies have given you a view of the very underbelly of magic-- its secrets are no longer beyond your ken.

Starting at 3rd level, you learn to inspire dread in those who oppose you. An ominous glow seeps from your eyes, halting your foe's advance as they become bathed in fear.

Whenever a hostile creature that you can see enters a space within 10 feet of you, you may use a reaction to glare at them. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your spellcasting save DC or have their movement speed reduced to 0 until the beginning of their next turn. On a failed save, the creature also becomes frightened of you for one minute. The frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Constructs and undead are immune to this effect. Whenever a creature succeeds on a saving throw against this ability or when the effect ends, that creature becomes immune to this ability for 24 hours.

You may use this ability twice, and recover any expended use upon completion of a long rest. When you have no uses remaining, you can continue to use this ability, but must expend 2 lore points and a 2nd-level spell slot each time you choose to do so.

When you reach 4th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

In addition to embracing undeath, a lich also gains profane knowledge of spells and spell-like abilities thought lost to the ages. At 5th level, you may use an action during your turn to blast your surroundings with raw negative energy. All living creatures of your choice within 20 feet of you must make a Constitution saving throw against your spellcasting save DC. A target takes 6d6 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If a target is at half of their normal maximum hit points or fewer, they roll their saving throw with disadvantage.

You may use this ability once, and recover any expended use upon completion of a long rest. When you have no uses remaining, you can continue to use this ability, but must expend 3 lore points and a 3rd-level spell slot each time you choose to do so.

At 6th level, you gain a feature granted by your Ascension Rite.

In addition to embracing undeath, a lich also gains profane knowledge of spells and spell-like abilities thought lost to the ages. At 5th level, you may use an action during your turn to blast your surroundings with raw negative energy. All living creatures of your choice within 20 feet of you must make a Constitution saving throw against your spellcasting save DC. A target takes 6d6 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If a target is at half of their normal maximum hit points or fewer, they roll their saving throw with disadvantage.

You may use this ability once, and recover any expended use upon completion of a long rest. When you have no uses remaining, you can continue to use this ability, but must expend 3 lore points and a 3rd-level spell slot each time you choose to do so.

When you reach 8th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

At 10th level, you gain a feature granted by your Ascension Rite.

When you reach 12th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

At 13th level, you gain a feature granted by your Ascension Rite.

As you ascend further into lichdom, you leave behind those who would litter the footnotes of history. At 14th level, you have immunity to diseases, as well as immunity to poison damage and the poisoned condition. In addition, you now count only as undead for the purposes of spells and abilities. As a result, you no longer age.

If you previously required air, food, drink or sleep... you need these things no longer. However, whenever you take a long rest you must spend at least four hours in a motionless, trance-like state. In this state, you appear asleep, but you are not unconscious, and you can see and hear as normal.

In addition, whenever you complete a long rest, you may choose one of the wizard spells you know and replace it with another spell from the wizard spell list, which also must be of a level for which you have spell slots.

When you reach 16th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

At 18th level, you gain a feature granted by your Ascension Rite.

When you reach 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Your ascension is now complete-- yet you understand more than ever that lichdom is the beginning of a new journey just as much as it is the end of your living existence. Looking upon the world of mortals, you may find that your momentary ambitions dwarf their most grandeur dreams. The power you wield is such that lesser beings could never comprehend you, let alone hope to stand against you.

Starting at 20th level, whenever you fail a saving throw, you can choose to succeed instead. You may use this ability once, and recover any expended use upon completion of a long rest.

In addition, you learn to infuse your spells with remnant soul energy, bypassing creatures' abilities to effectively resist you. Whenever you cast a spell or use an ability that requires a saving throw, you may force any number of affected targets to roll a Charisma save instead of the normal saving throw required by the spell or ability. The targets roll against the normal save DC of the spell or ability, and suffer the effects of a successful or failed save per the spell or ability's description. You may use this ability twice, choosing any number of affected targets each time, and recover any expended use upon completion of a long rest.