FAILED LICH - By Bill Silvey
Frequency: Very Rare
Number Appearing: 1
Armor Class: 3
Move: 15"
Hit Dice: 8
% In Lair: 35%
Treasure Type: G (x2)
No. Of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attack: 1-8
Special Attacks: See Below
Special Defense: See Below
Magical Resistance: Standard
Intelligence: Genius
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Size: M
Psionic Ability: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
Level/XP Value: VIII/7500 + 15/HP
A "subtype" of the dreaded Lich (q.v.), the Failed Lich (sometimes called a "Damned Soul") is the condition that can arise when a Magic User or Magic User/Cleric acquires the spells and lore needed to attain Lichdom, but lacks the magical power to bind itself to both the physical and spiritual planes, and/or lacks the mental discipline to maintain the state of mind required to focus it's magical ability to the task of becoming a Lich - that is, maintaining it's will to remain living long enough.
The Failed Lich is in many ways like a normal Lich in appearance, although a careful examination will reveal that it lacks a
Phylactery - one of the symptoms of it's failure. It has a somewhat lessened power of it's "cousin", the Lich, in that it can strike for cold damage of 1-8 points. Since the body of the Failed Lich has not yet received the full benefit of having it's sinews and tissues re-knit by the evil dweomer of lichdom, Fire and Cold based spells do normal damage. A Raise Dead Fully spell will utterly destroy the Lich, while a Magic Jar will only enrage it.
In behavior, the Failed Lich is manifold more dangerous than the normal Lich. It will, while it's body is still in fair condition, attempt to use guile and offer payment to adventurers who will work for it and quest to find certain magical artefacts which will help it complete it's transition before the lich-body decays completely and forces the evil spirit to a plane of Hell. In pursuit of this goal, it is diabolic. The Failed Lich will stop at nothing to attain what it wants, and if it means the death of it's hirelings or anyone who stands in it's way, so be it. If found in it's lair (which is
identical to that of a "normal" Lich in that it will be in a desolate place filled with traps), the Failed Lich will defend it fanatically, using virtually every trap, magic item, and bribe at it's disposal. If the Failed Lich is destroyed, there is a 10% chance it will come back as an evil spirit equivalent in abilities to a Ghost, and seek to slay whomever destroyed it's physical body.
If it encounters a powerful magic user or cleric or combination thereof, it will attack relentlessly, seeking to take whatever spells, spell components, magic items or artefacts to use to complete it's transition. It's lair is usually littered with the belongings of those unfortunate enough to have met their demise at the hands of this creature.