Liche

By Max Trebilcock (mtrebilco@aol.com)

Introduction

Thus far neither the Barghasts, Soul Collectors nor the new Barrow Hounds have located the renegade witch, although we have uncovered a Renegade Cell that was aiding him. Their Corpus is currently on its way back to you for Smelting. We also uncovered a number of Relic Tomes that seem to be some form of personal account and Grimoire; I have taken the liberty of digesting them as to know the enemy. My findings were of little surprise, as a former Consor of the Skinlands Mage Tradition the Euthanatos, this fact is presumably the reason you appointed me this position. However for the benefit of the Legion I submit the findings: the creature in question can, as we feared, use the ability of True Magick that he wielded in life. How he, and the others that we have learned of, have achieved this, is both unknown and according to the supposed rules of the supernatural world impossible; however I put forward this theorem. Somehow a few individuals who were mages in life, through force of will alone have retained a degree of their Avatar and an Awakened state called Arete in death. The only way for this to occur is through the retaining of a vestige of their life force. From what I have observed in this Witch, this Life Force is not kept within them, as they are dead; rather it is kept in a Vessel, usually the Witch's former heart, which has now become a Relic. This Vessel substitutes for their now inactive, although still present Arete, thus allowing them to access their former powers. The likeliest course of action is to destroy these Vessels, thus depriving them of their power. Unfortunately it would seem that these Vessels can both regenerate, be regenerated or can be replaced, so it would seem these Liche are dangerous to the extreme. I shall continue both to pursue, destroy this abomination and document as much as possible so we can destroy others that may come.
-- Marshal Dumas: Iron Legion: Witch Hunter. 1864.

Description

The Liche is not a Guild but rather a term given to a unique type of wraith. The unique aspect of these entities is that they are capable of wielding True Magick. The reasons for this are unknown; only one fact is constant: all Liche were mages in life. Somehow they have retained their power though how this has occurred is a mystery. As stated above Liche have retained both their Avatar and Arete in death but it is no longer within themselves but takes the form of a Relic, usually the Liche's former heart, which now appears in a mummified state. This Relic is generally called a Vessel. The Liche can be likened to an Abomination. In that it can utilise the Powers of both the living and the dead, however the price of this power is high, as follows.

The Benefits of Power

The Liche can, as stated above, use both the Spheres of True Magick and Wraith Arcanooi. The True Magick is powered in the Shadowlands with Pathos (ss this is the power of Reality in the Realms of the Dead). The Liche must find a source of Quintessance should they Visit the Skinlands. Needless to say the Liche can achieve many things that the ordinary Wraith cannot. However there is a high cost.

The Price of Power

Liche are handicapped by their Power. First, none of them can start with Wraith Arcanoi, and it costs twice as much to acquire and develop these powers. Second, the Liche can only use its Magick while it has possession of its Vessel. Should it lose its Vessel it must either retrieve or fashion a new one. The Vessel is one of the Liche's Fetters (which as you can imagine is both a blessing and a Curse).

Unfortunately Liche are still affected by the forces of Paradox. For some reason even in the Awakened Shadowlands the Technocracy's laws still apply. Some think this is due to the fact that most Wraiths were Sleepers in life and still fail to believe in True Magick. Special and powerful Paradox Spirits, called Reavers, enter the Shadowlands to deal with Liche who transgress. It is thought that these Spirits are in reality Wraiths chosen by the Weaver to deal with Liche. Many members of the Hierarchy point to this as a sure indication that Liche are an Unnatural Abomination even for the Shadowlands. Liche generate Paradox for any act of Magick, at least a point; Paradox effects the Liche in the usual ways (Paradox Flaws, Backlash, Spirits) or is converted into Angst, at the Storyteller's discretion. Also Liche retain any Paradox they had in Life, which manifests as either Paradox Flaws or permanent Angst. Acts of True Magick also generate a sort of Psychic Signal, a sort of disturbance in the Force. This works on a basis of a range of 1 mile per Level of Sphere used. This force can be tracked by Barghasts and Barrow Hounds. Liche can be distinguished by a sort of Golden Light that surrounds them. Despite the unusualness of most things in the Shadowlands Wraiths are both repulsed and attracted by it. The reason for this is that this is Quintessence Energy Manifesting from the Vessel and it retains a degree of Living Force which Remind other Wraiths of what they once had.

The final cross that the Liche must bear is that due to the Golden Aura and the strange, even Unnatural Power that they possess, they are Hunted and persecuted.

The Hierarchy, Renegades and Heretics

The Hierarchy: Liche represent a force that the Hierarchy can neither produce, understand nor control. Their view is that the Liche are to be captured, then either controlled or destroyed. The Hierarchy view these Witches, as they call them, as a grave threat. Their lack of success has caused them to create a new form of Moliated Creature called the Barrow Hound; these creatures can only be created from people who were some form of Gifted Mortal in life, (such as Psychics, Hedge Magicians, etc.). These creatures are also used to maintain surveillance on still living mages. The existence of Liches has so far been kept a closely guarded secret, only told to officials amongst the Legion of Fate and The Iron Legion; the latter of which has been assigned (by an undisclosed Deathlord) to monitor, track and if necessary destroy any Liche found. The Hierarchy's view on Liche and their eagerness to destroy them, is rumoured to be due to the fact that certain (high ranking) Members of the Hierarchy are thought to be Liche, (supposedly even a Deathlord).

The Renegades: Some of the more powerful Renegades are aware of the existence of Liche, they have instructed their more trusted subordinates to aid any Wraiths with a Golden Speckled Aura (despite their objections). Unfortunately many Renegades act in the same way as most Hierarchy citizens, with utter revulsion and often violence.

Heretics: Heretics end to react the worst to Liche, seeing them as an affront to the cause of Transcendence. They are creatures that are dead but retain forces of life, an Abomination. With this view it is not surprising the few Heretics who know of the Liche, will attempt to destroy them.

Other Kingdoms

Stygian spies have so far been unsuccessful in ascertaining whether or not Liche exist in the other Kingdoms of the dead. They do indeed exist in the Dark kingdom of Jade. In fact the Awakening of Liche is welcomed by the Administration and any Liche must be immediately reported to the Jade Palace. Virtually all Oriental Liche are in the service of the Emperor.

The Others

Camarilla: "Wraiths that can use the Mage Magick -- preposterous, however it is very interesting."
-- Aguirvane, 9th Generation Clan Tremere

Other Clans: "We have learned of these entities from our agents within the Shadowlands and of their Pariah status. We are now as we speak seeking to make contact, for the purpose of mutual benefit of course."

-- Lucious Giovani, 10th Generation Clan Giovani

Garou: "We know that these entities share the same status as the Abomination does within our society. We are also aware that some of these Liche serve themselves, while others serve the Wyrm."

-- Anam, Theurge, Silent Striders.

The Traditions: "An interesting notion, but one I fail to see any merit in discussing farther."

-- John Huxley, Order of Hermes

"We are aware that the formation of the Liche is a fairly recent creature to enter the World of Shadows. Perhaps it was even our experiments that led to their creation. We as always eager to learn more."

-- Jamar Porre, Euthanatos

The Technocracy: "Interrogation of a Death Mage, which we recently captured, has raised the notion that some mages have retained their powers after death. Needless to say these concepts of life after death, ghosts and immortality, must be eradicated from the imagination of the Masses. This matter shall be tasked to the Void Engineers, for investigation and Eradication."

-- Professor George Haimes, Information Analyst, New World Order

Changelings: "Look I do not like normal spookies, let alone ones you say can do Magic tricks, so tell us a nice story or sod off."

-- Gillespy Pooka Wilder

"Ssso far my travelsss, in the Ssshadowlandss, have not uncovered the creaturesss called Liche, but I am sssure they will, Oh yess."

-- Slither, Slaugh Grump and Sorceror.

Mummies: "I have met with a Liche while in my Death cycle; she was an astute lady who showed that she held great power in life and refused to let go of such in death. We talked a long while before those that sought to hunt her forced her to move on. However beware for there are some who served the Forces of Oblivion in life as mages and now do so again."

-- Tarku Arrana, Mummy

Game System and Character Generation

The Liche is a form of Abomination, (not that I would ever allow a Player Character to play an Abomination), however the Liche (at the Storyteller's discretion) allows a player to play a strange type of Wraith or continue to play an existing Mage, without losing all of its Power. The Liche is generated as per the standard Wraith, however Points assigned to Arcanos are used to buy Spheres. The Liche cannot start with standard Arcanoi and it takes twice as much Experience to Buy Arcanoi (in play) or develop them. The Liche must also purchase several starting Backgrounds: these include Avatar, Arete, Destiny, a level of Willpower, a Relic (The Character's Vessel) and the Background: Mage in Life.

Starting Backgrounds

Avatar: As per Mage Main Book.

Arete: As per Mage Main Book. It should be noted that the Liche does not actually use his Arete in the Shadowlands. He channels his power through his Vessel. However should he return to the Skinlands he will need his Arete to access his powers.

Destiny: To become a Liche in the first place the Mage must have a Destiny rating of at least 3. It is this driving goal or act of fate that allows the Mage to retain its powers.

Willpower: The Liche must have a Willpower of at least 5, to have retained its Power.

Relic: This Relic is the Liche's Vessel. The Vessel is almost always the Liche's mortal Heart (although some cultures it could be the brain). This Relic must be brought at a Level equal to the Mages former mortal Arete.

New Background: Mage in Life

Cost: 1 Point per Level of Arete.

This Background basically reflects the fact that the Liche was a Mage in life. It demonstrates his learning, development and Magickal Power that he possessed in life, and has carried unto death. The Liche must also take any Paradox Flaws he had in life and the Flaw Hunted. The Liche gains no Freebie Points for these Flaws.

Finishing Touches

The rest of the Character Generation is as per Wraith. Any applicable Backgrounds, Merits and Flaws can be chosen from either Wraith or Mage (At the Storytellers Discretion). Should the Liche have had the Arcane or Awareness Backgrounds they can purchase them again. They work as written in the Shadowlands. Note: Due to probably high cost just for the starting requirements, I would suggest allowing the Player a lot of Flaws and basic Spheres to balance this.

Sphere Magic in the Shadowlands

True Magick affects the Shadowlands in the same way as it would in the Skinlands. The only differences are that in order to use Life on a Wraith it must be combined with Entropy; alternately it can be combined with Spirit.

Correspondence: Works normally, except in the Tempest or Labyrinth, where it is redundant.

Entropy: Works normally; the Shadowlands are its elements.

Forces: Work normally. This is one reason the Hierarchy fear Liche.

Life: Must be combined with either Entropy or Spirit to affect Wraiths. It is impossible to create Life within the Shadowlands.

Matter: Works Normally, but create and molds Plasm rather than actual Skinland Matter.

Mind: Must be combined with Spirit to affect denizens of the Shadowlands.

Prime: Cannot be used to gather Quintessence in the Shadowlands. It will instead drain Pathos. However Pathos is only found in either Wraiths or Relics. It could be possible to puncture the Shroud and drain Quintessence.

Spirit: Only Wraiths, Spectre and other Denizens of the Shadowlands can be summoned. Spirits of life cannot be summoned or rather they can but will refuse to answer. It should be noted that some Totems, notably Owl, may answer Summons from the Shadowlands if it is in their interest to do so.

Time: Works as normal, except for some reason Future Travel is impossible.

The Vessel

The Vessel is a special type of Relic, similar to a Risen's Conduit. In fact it bears a great similarity to the Conduit; both are a form of remnant from the wraith'slLiving days now used to allow the Wraith access to abilities normally only available in life. The Risen's Conduit allows it to Rise while the Vessel allows the Liche to utilise its lifetime Sphere Magick. The Liche, in order to work its powers, must have its Vessel, which is usually the Liche's heart, although as stated above it can be the brain, eyes or even an inanimate object. Initially the Liche does not choose its Vessel. Through a combination of Force of Will and Destiny, it manifests according to rituals from the Liche's original culture. The Vessel has to be bought as a Relic at the same Level as the Liche's Arete, thus should a Liche have access to Level one Spheres then he will require a level one Vessel, and so on. The Vessel has as many Health/Corpus Levels as does the Liche. It will also regenerate 1 Health/Corpus per hour of Slumber/Inactivity. The Vessel counts as one of the Liche's Fetters. Should the Vessel be destroyed then the Liche can replace it. While it is destroyed the Liche cannot access its Spheres. To construct a new Vessel the Liche must somehow access the Skinlands (Puppetry, Embody, etc.). It must then find another small Fetter or personal Object (Another part of the Liche's body will do if it is fairly intact, however it should be a part of the body that has some symbolic representation: heart, brain, eyes, etc.). The Liche can then use one of two methods to construct a new Vessel. The first is that should the Liche be able to remain in the Skinlands (i.e. it has become Risen) it can use its Spheres to construct a new link. This would require something like Correspondence: 3, Entropy: 3, Life: 2, Matter: 3 and Spirit: 3 or find an allied mage to do so. The second method only really applies to Liches that have had time to learn Arcanoi. By using Inhabit: 4: Claiming and Lifeweb: 3: Splice Strand, the Liche can construct a new Vessel. The cost of initially purchasing a Vessel is bought from Background points. To upgrade the Vessel costs 7x per Level in Experience Points and to replace a Vessel costs 9x per Level. (These should take fairly elaborate Rituals and as much Pathos as the Storyteller requires.)

Liche and The Skinlands

Needless to say many Liche, due to their control of the powers of life do not feel that they belong in the Shadowlands. Many seek to return to the Lands of the Living (now you see why their Hunted). Liche can primarily do so through either the relevant Arcanos or through replicating these effects via their Spheres. Some manage to become Risen or to achieve similar states to the Risen via True Magick. Many attempt to establish contact with mage friends in life, although most are justifiably suspicious of such an act; this hesitation also applies to other denizens of the World of Darkness. There are rumours that a particularly high Rank Black Spiral Dancer has a Liche within a Fetish. Both the Tremere and the Giovanni are very keen to locate a Liche, so you see both the lands of the Living and the Dead are hazardous for the Liche. Needless to say the Liche can often gain access to the Skinlands in a variety of ways. While in the Skinlands, the Liches' access to True Magick depends on their method of getting there. Should the Liche have used Arcanos then he must use his Vessel. This also applies should the Liche have used True Magick to emulate these powers. If the Liche has Risen (or a similar state) he can use his Spheres, Avatar and Arete, normally until he returns to the Shadowlands.

Liches and the Shadow

Liche and their shadow have a strange relationship. Paradox often manifests as Angst therefore powering the Shadow. Also, for an unknown reason the Liche's True Magick has no affect on the Shadow although the Shadow has full access to it should it take over.

Liche and Oblivion

Unfortunately some mage die in such a manner that they awaken as spectres. Even more frightening, Nephandus have died and become Liche. However thus far there have been no instances of Marauder Liche. In the battle to ward off Oblivion, the Liche could prove a powerful force, so far every side that has learned of their existence has sought to either enslave or destroy them.

The Witch Hunters

Many forces, both within the Shadowlands or the Skinlands. seek the Liche. Fortunately for them most forces of the WOD are so far unaware of them. The most relentless hunters of the Witch are the Hierarchy, for it is they who have the most to lose to this Abomination, or so they perceive. Due to inner cynicism, the Hierarchy views the Liche as a force that cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of another faction, be it Living or Dead, Unfortunately they have had very little success in tracking down these creatures. The Hierarchy also fears that their own ranks may have been infiltrated, that in order to hide the Liche have chosen the most obvious place, the Hierarchy's own Ranks. This fear is so great they suspect that high ranking members could be Liche. So fearful of this, the Hierarchy members aware of the Liche have informed only the Lady of Fate and the leader of the Legion of Iron. In the latter Sixteenth Century the Iron Legion was instructed to assemble a small Squad called the Witch Hunters. The Witch Hunters are led by a former Skinlands English Witch Hunter, Richard Dumas. Dumas has had limited success, but enough to satisfy the somewhat paranoid Hierarchy Officials. In the mid 19th Century reports reached the Hierarchy from the Ferrymen, stating that they had encountered far more tales of the Liche. In response Dumas was assigned more Guild Wraith with specialist Arcanos and a newly created Moliated creature called the Barrow Hound. The Barrow Hound is similar to a Barghast, except they are created from Wraiths who were Gifted while Mortal, usually psychics, hedge magicians, but mages have been known to have been used. The difference from the Barghast is that the Barrow Hound can intuitively sense/track those with True Magick, both within the Shadowlands and (via their Arcanoi) the Skinlands. The Hierarchy has also begun a policy of monitoring living mages (When possible) and has used Barrow Hounds to do so.

Barrow Hound

Barrow Hounds are similar to Barghasts in that they are Moliated and lobotomised to their present forms. They resemble a basically humanoid form which has been squashed into a Mastiff, complete with glowing eyes. They share all of the common abilities with the Barghast. The process of Moliating such beings and at the same time accessing their former powers is reputed to be in the hands of the Hierarchy's most senior Masquers (Moliate of level 5 or above). It is also rumoured that in addition to the one Gifted Wraith many others must be expended just to achieve the desired end result. Barrow Hounds are kept in Braces similar to Barghasts with a Hierarchy Keeper. Unlike Barghasts they are quite ferocious and handlers are always skilled in Keening to sooth the savage beast. They are also skilled in Embody (ss to be able to reign in the dogs should they cross the Shroud). The Barrow Hound was originally designed to track Liche but its role has expanded to hunting Wraiths with more exotic Arcanos (Including Wraiths from the Jade Kingdom) and living Awakened who have ventured into the Shadowlands and may pose a threat. On a darker note they have also been used to break Charon's Code and enter the Skinlands to attack Risen and Awakened forces that may pose a threat to the Hierarchy.

Attributes: Strength 6, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5, Charisma 0, Manipulation 3, Appearance 0, Perception 5, Intelligence 1, Wits 3.

Abilities: Alertness 5, Brawl 4, Intimidation 4,Stealth 3, Tracking 5.

Arcanos: Argos 2, Keening 4, Moliate 3, Outrage 3, Puppetry 2. Powers: The Barrow Hound can track Liche, wraiths actively using Arcanos, Spectres and Malfeans. This ability requires a Perception + Alertness Roll, Difficulty decided by the storyteller. Barrow Hounds can track (with the use of Puppetry) Psychics Diff: 5, Hedge Magicians Diff: 6, Kindred and Garou Diff: 8, and Mages or Changelings Diff: 9. Requires a Perception + Puppetry.

Willpower: 5

Angst: 7/5

Corpus: 10

Equipment: Muzzle, Stygian Steel spiked collar

Author's Final Note

I have not play tested the Liche and would welcome any thoughts or constructive criticisms. There is a great deal more to think about and many Storytellers are going to outlaw these creatures as too powerful.