Liches are powerful undead, usually necromancer wizards, who have achieved a form of immortality through undeath. Unlike most undead, Liches retain their personality and intelligence after death, and all liches are powerful spellcasters. Liches store their souls in an object, their soul vessel, and if their body is destroyed it will reform at their soul vessel. The only way to destroy a Lich permanently is to destroy their soul vessel, and then destroy their body.
Most people on Eberron are not familiar with the specific abilities of a lich, though they will be aware of the basic concept of an undead wizard that doesn't die. Liches are the rarest form of undead on Eberron, a necromancer cannot make another person into a lich, the ritual has to be performed on oneself. Becoming a lich requires a deep understanding of necromancy, and more so than any other undead, an iron will. The soul is pulled to Dolurrh, and an absolute conviction to persist is required to resist this pull long enough to transfer the soul into its soul vessel. Most people just don't have the necessary knowledge, power, or willpower to attempt it, and failure results in the casters death.
Notable liches that have left their mark on history include:
- Lady Illmarrow of Farlnen, one of the oldest liches in the world. She's been active in Khorvaire's history, and was once slain by the hero Harryn Stormblade.
- Duran, oldest member of the Crimson Covenant and first lich to be produced by the Blood of Vol.
- Gath, the subject of many Brelish fairy tales.
- Saeria Lantol, who was confined to Dreadhold after rampaging across Karrnath and the Lhazaar Principalities.