Lichlord
The Immortal God-Colonists of First Age Materia
It's time for the inhuman race
You're down, you're down, you're down
You're down and outta this world
You've sold out your dream to the world
Stay dead, stay dead, stay dead
You're dead and out of this world
You're Dead
"Lichlord" is a general, ill-defined term for a group of First Age Material rulers who achieved immortality prior to ascending to demigodhood. They are generally categorized as Material demigods (as they were initially Material humanoids), and are contrasted mainly with their arch-nemeses, the Insurgent Gods, who sought to end their violent imperial spread. The central difference between the Colonial/Insurgent Gods versus all other Material deities is that the former were born off-plane, while the latter are native Materians.
The terms 'Lichlord' and 'Colonial God' are often used interchangably, however not all Lichlords, for example Morrigan, are/were Colonial in motivation.
The two major First Age civilizations were both ruled by Lichlords, and therefore could be considered "True Necrocracies": Alanthan'aravaut (also called the Kelpeater Empire) — ruled by the warlord and archhydromancer Inum'indiron'aravaut — and New Rozsa, which would eventually branch into Nireau and Nefirot under the rule of the siblings Nir and Nef respectively.
Some scholars argue that their methods varied in achieving immortality and as such weren't necessarily liches in a strict sense, making the term a misnomer. Nonetheless it has fallen into common use.Nature
There is little lingering knowledge on how Lichdom was achieved in Antedeluvian civilization; it may not even have been a single method. What is known is that they had the ability to transfer their "soul" between different bodies; what is meant by "soul", in turn, is hotly debated but at minimum it means a full accounting of the individual's thoughts, personality and memories.
Another aspect deemed necessary is a strong sense of purpose: undeath is a strong predictor of insanity and suggestibility, and as such only the strongest wills can maintain a sense of individuality, let alone leadership.
Most Lichlords kept extravagant "body wardrobes", able to transfer their consciousness between different bio-engineered bodies for different purposes, for example "warbodies" for combat or "galaskins" for sexual prowess and drug tolerance.Kelpeater Lichlords
The Lichlords of Alanthan'aravaut were known as Šaru'um ("Great Lords"), with the Šar'šara'ani ("Lord of Lords") Ina'ut at the summit. In polite company (or anywhere their ishka'ri inquisitors might be listening) their names were given the suffix "-ʑu". How exactly this sound is pronounced is unknown, but third-party accounts confirm some Ula'thau'la consonants involve bodily percussion (typically on the chest) with their second pair of vestigial arms, so this may be one such sound.
There was no differentiation between Kelpeater religion and the ruling Šaru'um: they were worshipped as landed gods, and practice of any outside Material or Duskscape religion was suppressed, violently if necessary.
For a complete list of the Kelpeater Lichlords, see the full article concerning the Colonial Gods.Lichlords of New Rozsa
The Lichlords of New Rozsa held the title Vierix (plural: Vierices; no known translation). Unlike the Kelpeaters, New Rozsan society was largely secular, with the Lichlords Nir and Nef ruling over a complex web of councils, senates and courts. They were seen more as (extremely powerful) nobles rather than gods to be worshipped, which by all accounts was their design.
Undeath was a daily reality in New Rozsa, with mindless undead making up a large part of the nation's labour and military force. This made them dire enemies of the death gods Overshepherd Rom and the Skull Knight, who represent the sanctity of the deceased. Lichdom was also granted to more nobles and Nir and Nef didn't hold these secrets as tightly as Ina'ut.
For a complete list of the Rozsan Lichlords, see the full article concerning the Colonial Gods.
Profile: Vierix Adepticus, nicknamed the Grinning Lion and Glad-O'-War, was a military commander and High Lichlord of the The New Rozsan Empire.
Profile art credit: Hogni J. Mohr
Banner: Na'ashu, The Eyes of Alanthan'aravaut, Šaruum to The God-Emperor.
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