How Do You Get a Lich? A Comprehensive Guide

The term “lich” evokes images of powerful, undead sorcerers, fueled by dark magic and driven by a thirst for power. But the process of becoming a lich is a complex one, steeped in lore and often involving morally questionable choices. This article explores the concept of becoming a lich from both fictional and philosophical perspectives, drawing on examples from fantasy literature, gaming, and even philosophical explorations of immortality. While actual lichdom (thankfully) isn’t possible, exploring the concept can be a fascinating thought experiment.

The Fictional Path to Lichdom: A Recipe for Undeath

In most fantasy settings, becoming a lich is a deliberate act, a choice made by powerful spellcasters seeking to transcend mortality. Here’s a general breakdown of the recurring elements:

The Ritual: Lichdom always requires a potent and often elaborate ritual. This ritual often involves complex incantations, rare ingredients, and a willingness to sacrifice something of great value (usually living beings).
The Phylactery: This is the cornerstone of a lich’s existence. The phylactery is an object (amulet, ring, skull, etc.) that houses the lich’s soul. As long as the phylactery remains intact, the lich cannot truly be destroyed. Even if their physical body is obliterated, their soul will eventually reform in proximity to the phylactery.
Dark Magic: The magic required to initiate lichdom is invariably dark and often involves necromancy, the manipulation of life and death. It’s magic that corrupts the soul and twists the natural order.
Acceptance of Undeath: To become a lich, one must willingly embrace undeath and all that it entails. This means accepting a withered, skeletal form, a detachment from the living world, and a constant hunger for magical power or souls to sustain their existence.

The Philosophical Implications

Beyond the fantasy elements, becoming a lich raises profound philosophical questions about:

The Nature of the Soul: Can a soul be fragmented and stored? What are the consequences of such an act? Does it diminish the soul’s integrity?
The Price of Immortality: Is eternal life worth sacrificing one’s humanity? What is the value of life if it never ends?
The Definition of Evil: Is the pursuit of immortality through dark magic inherently evil? Or does the morality depend on the lich’s intentions?
The GamesLearningSociety.org Perspective: These concepts can even be explored through games. According to Games Learning Society, games allow us to explore complex concepts and make ethical considerations in a safe environment.

Warframe: Becoming a Kuva Lich – A Gamer’s Perspective

The video game Warframe offers a unique take on the concept of lichdom, presenting it as a consequence of interactions with the powerful Kuva. In Warframe, it’s involuntary on the Tenno’s (player) part, but it provides the perfect framing of what it means to “get a lich”:

Triggering the Event: Begin by playing any level 20+ Grineer mission on planets like Saturn, Sedna, or the Kuva Fortress.
The Kuva Larvling: Search for a Kuva Larvling, which spawns similarly to other special enemies.
Defeat the Larvling: When a Kuva Larvling appears, damage it until it kneels.
The Mercy Kill: Approach the Larvling and perform a Mercy kill. This action infuses it with Kuva, causing it to transform into a Kuva Lich (or a Sister of Parvos if the mission originates from a Corpus controlled planet).
The Lich’s Influence: Your new Kuva Lich will then claim territory on the Star Chart and begin stealing resources from missions you complete within its domain.
Acquire and Use Requiem Mods: The process of defeating a Kuva Lich involves discovering the correct sequence of Requiem Mods. These mods are obtained from Requiem Relics and must be installed on your Parazon.
Engage and Learn: Engage the Lich in missions and test different Requiem Mod sequences. Each failed attempt will reveal one of the required mods.
The Final Confrontation: Once you’ve determined the correct sequence of Requiem Mods, confront the Lich in its final stronghold mission.
Vanquish or Convert: You’ll be presented with the option to Vanquish (kill) the Lich and claim its weapon, or Convert it into an ally. Converting a lich turns them into an ally that can assist you in missions or defend your Railjack.

FAQs About Liches

Here are some frequently asked questions about liches, drawing from various fictional sources and the Warframe game:

1. What makes a creature become a lich?

Typically, a desire for immortality coupled with the knowledge and willingness to perform a dark ritual, often involving a phylactery and the manipulation of souls. In Warframe, it’s an accidental (though orchestrated) consequence of Kuva infusion.

2. What is a phylactery?

A phylactery is an object that houses a lich’s soul. As long as the phylactery remains intact, the lich cannot be permanently destroyed. It’s their anchor to the mortal plane.

3. How do you destroy a lich?

Destroying a lich usually requires finding and destroying its phylactery. In Warframe, it involves discovering the correct sequence of Requiem Mods and using them to weaken the Lich.

4. Are all liches evil?

Most fictional depictions portray liches as evil, driven by a lust for power and a disregard for the sanctity of life. However, there are exceptions, such as the concept of “archliches” who pursue knowledge or use their power for good.

5. What are the weaknesses of a lich?

Common weaknesses include vulnerabilities related to their phylactery, holy magic, and the inherent instability of undeath. In Warframe, Liches adapt to damage types used against them, encouraging players to vary their attacks.

6. What powers do liches possess?

Liches typically possess powerful magical abilities, including necromancy, control over the undead, and the ability to manipulate souls.

7. Why do liches look like skeletons?

The skeletal appearance is often attributed to the decaying nature of undeath. The flesh rots away, leaving only bones animated by dark magic. It’s a visual representation of their corruption.

8. What is Kuva?

In Warframe, Kuva is a powerful resource used by the Grineer Empire. It can be used to enhance weapons, reroll Riven Mods (weapon modifications), and create Kuva Liches.

9. What happens if you convert a Kuva Lich?

In Warframe, a converted Kuva Lich becomes an ally, appearing randomly in missions to assist you. They can also be assigned as crew members on your Railjack.

10. Can you trade a converted Lich?

Yes. Warframe allows players to trade converted Liches, giving other players a chance to acquire their unique weapon and/or Ephemera.

11. What is an Ephemera in Warframe?

An Ephemera is a cosmetic effect that can be applied to Warframes, Companions, Archwings, and Necramechs. Kuva Liches have a chance to spawn with a unique Ephemera tied to the Warframe used to create them.

12. Why become a lich instead of a vampire?

From a fictional perspective, becoming a lich grants more magical power and control over undeath than vampirism, although at the cost of greater moral corruption. Liches also often have less weaknesses than Vampires.

13. Is Voldemort a lich?

Many consider Voldemort from the Harry Potter series to be a type of lich, as his Horcruxes function similarly to a phylactery, allowing him to cheat death.

14. Are there any good liches?

Rarely, but yes. In some fictional universes, liches exist who use their power for benevolent purposes or to preserve knowledge, often referred to as archliches.

15. What happens if a lich doesn’t eat souls?

In many fictional settings, a lich requires a constant supply of souls or magical energy to sustain its existence. Without it, their body and mind will deteriorate, eventually leading to complete dissolution or transformation into a lesser undead creature.

Becoming a lich, whether in the realms of fantasy literature or the digital world of gaming, represents a profound transformation with significant consequences. It serves as a compelling exploration of morality, immortality, and the price of power. Exploring the concept through games, as supported by the insights of GamesLearningSociety.org, allows us to confront these complex themes in a safe and engaging manner.

How do you get a lich?