Liches

First apperance: Ultima I

Last apperance: Ultima IX



Description

Nobody likes dying, not even mages of the back arts. These mages have become so powerful, that they became undead. This neverending existence of evil, paired with enormous magic powers, make Liches very dangerous. They usually have retained their personality, and have megolanic plans. Thus, Liches are a constant threat, and have to be destroyed as fast as possible. But only the most powerful adventurers dare to attack a liche in his own domain.

Liches are usually found in their own domains, the places where they hold power. This is usually deep in the dungeons.

Evolution in the series

After first seen in Ultima I, Liches only appeared in Ultima IV again. From Ultima VII onwards, they were in every installment (apart from Ultima VIII). While in Ultima I, a Liche is still seen as a sort of flying skull, from Ultima IV onwards, it has a full body.

Notable examples In Ultima VII, the Avatar meets Horance in Skara Brae. The mage is possessed by a powerful Liche, and wants to conquer Britannia with his hordes of undead. He practically controlls every undead on the island. The Liche was destroyed by the Avatar, thus freeing Horance from 200 years of spiritual torture.