Demilich
Source: Monster Manual (2024) p. 96
Demilich
What Lies beyond Lichdom
A demilich is a skull harboring the remnants of a lich’s wicked essence. If the burden of immortality overwhelms a lich, its consciousness turns inward as its body rots away. But if its remains are disturbed, a demilich rises. Demiliches usually appear as skulls adorned with gems or arcane sigils.
Demilich Lairs
Demiliches jealously guard their deathtrap-laden sanctums. The most notorious of these is the Tomb of Horrors, lair of the infamous Acererak.
"name": "Demilich (XMM)"
"size": "Tiny"
"type": "undead"
"alignment": "Neutral Evil"
"ac": !!int "20"
"hp": !!int "180"
"hit_dice": "72d4"
"modifier": !!int "17"
"stats":
- !!int "1"
- !!int "20"
- !!int "10"
- !!int "20"
- !!int "17"
- !!int "20"
"speed": "5 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)"
"saves":
- "constitution": !!int "6"
- "intelligence": !!int "11"
- "wisdom": !!int "9"
"damage_resistances": "bludgeoning, piercing, slashing"
"damage_immunities": "necrotic, poison, psychic"
"condition_immunities": "[charmed](../../../Compendium/rules/conditions#charmed), [deafened](../../../Compendium/rules/conditions#deafened),\
\ [exhaustion](../../../Compendium/rules/conditions#exhaustion), [frightened](../../../Compendium/rules/conditions#frightened),\
\ [paralyzed](../../../Compendium/rules/conditions#paralyzed), [petrified](../../../Compendium/rules/conditions#petrified),\
\ [poisoned](../../../Compendium/rules/conditions#poisoned), [prone](../../../Compendium/rules/conditions#prone),\
\ [stunned](../../../Compendium/rules/conditions#stunned)"
"senses": "[Truesight](../../../Compendium/rules/senses#truesight) 120 ft., passive Perception\
\ 13"
"languages": ""
"cr": "18"
"traits":
- "desc": "If the demilich fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead."
"name": "Legendary Resistance (3/Day, or 4/Day in Lair)"
- "desc": "If the demilich is destroyed, it reforms and regains all its [Hit Points](../../../Compendium/rules/variant-rules/hit-points-xphb)\
\ in 1d10 days unless a [Wish](../../../Compendium/spells/wish-xphb) spell is cast\
\ on its remains."
"name": "Undead Restoration"
"actions":
- "desc": "The demilich makes three Necrotic Burst attacks."
"name": "Multiattack"
- "desc": "*Melee or Ranged Attack Roll:* +11, reach 5 ft. or range 120 ft. *Hit:*\
\ 24 (7d6) Necrotic damage."
"name": "Necrotic Burst"
- "desc": "*Constitution Saving Throw:* DC 19, each creature in a 30-foot [Emanation](../../../Compendium/rules/variant-rules/emanation-area-of-effect-xphb)\
\ originating from the demilich. *Failure:* 70 (20d6) Psychic damage. *Failure\
\ or Success:* The target has the [Frightened](../../../Compendium/rules/conditions#frightened)\
\ condition until the start of the demilich's next turn."
"name": "Howl (Recharge 5-6)"
"regional_effects":
- "desc": "The region containing a demilich's lair is twisted by its presence, creating\
\ the following effects:\n\n- **Enervating Domain.** Whenever a creature other\
\ than the demilich or one of its allies finishes a [Long Rest](../../../Compendium/rules/variant-rules/long-rest-xphb)\
\ within 1 mile of the lair, the creature must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution\
\ saving throw or have its [Hit Point](../../../Compendium/rules/variant-rules/hit-points-xphb)\
\ maximum reduced by 1d4. This reduction lasts until the creature finishes\
\ a [Long Rest](../../../Compendium/rules/variant-rules/long-rest-xphb) outside that\
\ area. \n- **Travel Ward.** Creatures can't use teleportation or planar travel\
\ to enter or exit the lair. \n\nIf the demilich dies or moves its lair elsewhere,\
\ these effects end immediately."
"name": ""
"legendary_description": "Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after\
\ another creature's turn, the demilich can expend a use to take one of the following\
\ actions. The demilich regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns."
"legendary_actions":
- "desc": "*Constitution Saving Throw:* DC 19, one creature the demilich can see\
\ within 120 feet. *Failure:* The target's [Hit Point](../../../Compendium/rules/variant-rules/hit-points-xphb)\
\ maximum decreases by 14 (4d6). *Failure or Success:* The demilich can't\
\ take this action again until the start of its next turn."
"name": "Energy Drain"
- "desc": "The demilich flies up to its [Fly Speed](../../../Compendium/rules/variant-rules/fly-speed-xphb),\
\ shedding grave dust. Each creature within 5 feet of the demilich as it moves\
\ is targeted once by the following effect. *Constitution Saving Throw:* DC\
\ 19. *Failure:* The target has the [Blinded](../../../Compendium/rules/conditions#blinded)\
\ condition until the end of the demilich's next turn. *Failure or Success:*\
\ The demilich can't take this action again until the start of its next turn."
"name": "Grave-Dust Flight"
- "desc": "The demilich makes one Necrotic Burst attack."
"name": "Necrosis"
"source":
- "XMM"
"image": "Compendium/bestiary/undead/token/demilich-xmm.webp"
