Revenge of the Lich

02/15/1636 DR

In the land of Eldoria, there once lived a renowned and powerful wizard named Aric Pendragon. Aric possessed an insatiable thirst for knowledge and an unwavering ambition to surpass all mortal limitations. As he delved deeper into the arcane arts, his quest for power led him down a treacherous path that would ultimately transform him into a feared and immortal being—a lich. Aric spent years studying forbidden tomes and engaging in dark rituals, pushing the boundaries of magic beyond what was considered acceptable. His experiments grew increasingly dangerous, as he sought to unravel the secrets of life and death. Despite warnings from his peers and the voices of reason, Aric became obsessed with the idea of transcending mortality.   One fateful night, Aric discovered an ancient and long-lost grimoire hidden deep within the recesses of a forbidden library. This tome, known as the Codex Mortem, contained forbidden knowledge that promised the key to immortality and unparalleled power. Guided by his insatiable curiosity and his unquenchable thirst for power, Aric became consumed by the Codex's promises.   To achieve his dark desires, Aric embarked on a perilous journey to gather the rare and dangerous components necessary for the ritual of ascension. He ventured into treacherous lands, braved forgotten tombs, and even made dubious alliances with sinister beings.   With the gathered ingredients, Aric returned to his secluded tower, a place tainted by dark magic and infused with the essence of the void. He prepared for the ritual, drawing intricate sigils upon the floor, lighting forbidden candles, and chanting ancient incantations. The air grew heavy with anticipation, crackling with an otherworldly energy.   As the ritual reached its crescendo, the chamber filled with a sinister miasma, and a swirling vortex of dark energy manifested before Aric. In a final act of defiance against the natural order, he sacrificed his mortal form, offering his own life force as the catalyst for his transformation.   Aric's body disintegrated into ashes, while his essence merged with the overwhelming magic of the ritual. From the remains, a new form arose—a skeletal figure draped in tattered robes, his eyes gleaming with an unholy light. Aric Pendragon had become a lich, a being of immense power and undying existence.   Now, as a lich, Aric's thirst for knowledge was magnified, and his powers grew exponentially. He commanded the forces of necromancy and controlled the very fabric of death. He began amassing an army of undead minions, commanding them with the might of his dark magic.   However, immortality came at a terrible cost. Aric's once vibrant mind gradually succumbed to the insidious whispers of the Codex Mortem, its dark influence corrupting his soul. He became increasingly detached from the world of the living, his thirst for power overriding all other concerns.   The people of Eldoria soon discovered the presence of the lich, and tales of his dark reign spread like wildfire. Kingdoms united against the common threat, forming an alliance to eradicate the abomination that Aric had become. Powerful heroes and skilled sorcerers confronted the lich, but his mastery over necromantic forces proved formidable, and many fell before his unholy might.   As the battles raged on, an ancient prophecy resurfaced—a prophecy that foretold the destruction of the lich at the hands of a chosen champion. This champion, destined to wield the fabled Sword of Light, possessed the ability to sever the lich's ties to immortality and banish him from the mortal plane forever.   The prophecy stirred hope in the hearts of the beleaguered alliance. Heroes from different walks of life rose to the challenge