Spelljammer is returning to Dungeons & Dragons this year and it will feature a new take on the lich that makes it even scarier and more horror-themed than before. In D&D, a lich is an undead monster spellcaster, who was once a living being that gained their new state through performing a magic ritual, allowing them to become near-immortal and removing biological distractions, such as the need for sleep. In Spelljammer, there are liches who gained power by making a deal with an unknowable being, turning them into the monstrous Eldritch Lich.
The D&D multiverse is home to many gods, some of whom are mythological figures from Earth's history, while others were created for each campaign setting. These deities even hang out in the same places in the afterlife, such as Ysgard hosting the Norse gods, Kord from Oerth, and Selune from Faerun. There are gods who exist in the Far Realm beyond the planes and whose names inspire fear when spoken, such as Cthulhu, Nyarlathotep, and Hastur. Not all of these gods were created by H.P. Lovecraft, as the D&D campaign worlds have similar deities, such as Tharizdun in Greyhawk, who wishes to return all existence to oblivion.
The Spelljammer campaign setting is returning to D&D in 2022, with a box set called Spelljammer: Adventures in Space, that contains a campaign book, a bestiary, and an adventure book. Wizards of the Coast has already released some Spelljammer content ahead of the launch, with D&D Beyond featuring the "Monstrous Compendium Vol 1: Spelljammer Creatures" article, containing stats for new monsters from the Spelljammer setting. One of these creatures is the eldritch lich, and it offers a new take on one of D&D's most terrifying foes.
Eldritch Liches Gain Their Power From Lovecraftian Horrors
The new Spelljammer monsters include the Eldritch Lich, which was created through a rather unusual method. The standard lich is a spellcaster who puts their soul into a phylactery, and they remain alive so long as it remains unharmed. The Eldritch Lich attains their undead state by absorbing a parasite granted by an Elder God that takes over their body, causing a tentacle and mouth to sprout from their abdomen. This method of undeath would suit one of D&D's Great Old One warlock patrons, as it fits their theme perfectly.
The Eldritch Lich's parasite acts in a similar manner to a phylactery, as it will revive its host 2d4 days after it was destroyed. This might seem like the superior choice, but it comes with a catch, as slaying the Eldritch Lich within the boundaries of a magic circle spell will cause it to revive as a mindless Otyugh, robbing it of its power. In combat, the Eldritch Lich has access to some powerful spells, like lightning bolt, but its real strength lies in its unusual abilities. The Eldritch lLch can use Psychic Whispers twice a round, forcing a DC 17 Wisdom save on a target, with failure resulting in 6d6+4 damage and the stunned condition. By far the most dangerous move used by the Eldritch Lich is Parasitic Tentacle, which can poison the target. If the target fails their poison save three times, they die and their body transforms into a gibbering mouther.
Spelljammer introduced Archliches to D&D, which are some of the only good liches that have appeared in the game. The Eldritch Liches are the furthest thing away from Archliches, as even the standard evil liches can be bartered or reasoned with, as their own self-preservation and the hunt for arcane knowledge have value to them. The Eldritch Liches are twisted abominations and any D&D party that runs afoul of one should turn their spelljammer around and drive in the opposite direction, lest they be turned into gibbering mouthers.
The Spelljammer: Adventures in Space campaign set for Dungeons & Dragons will launch on August 16, 2022.
Source: D&D Beyond