=Lich=

The lich, or revenant, once ruled as a king, duke, or prince, possessing great wisdom and tact. Somehow, however, the lich defiled the royal throne through his reign and was subsequently cursed by his surviving heirs: a good example is the English King John, signatory to the Magna Carta, who remains the eldest extent lich on earth.

Lichs revel in argument and enlightened discussion, medieval legend transforming the lich's love of philosophy and alchemy to a remarkable skill in "magic". This is absolute nonsense, the lich's power lies in his intellect rather than in anything so petty and common as a spellbook.

The lichs, like the Sphinx, are rather fond of riddles. The three encountered by this author (including the aforementioned John) asked first the following riddle: The man who made it gave it away, the who bought it didn't need it, and the man who uses it doesn't know it. If you are capable of solving this rather elementary puzzle you'll be treated to a night of elucidating discussion, in fact much of the research for this volume has its roots in discussions with the dead royalty of Europe.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and the rising of the sun will lead the lich to present you with an impossible riddle. Rather than puzzling over it, immediately upend a container of rice, tacks, or coins and demand the lich give you the exact number. The lich will immediately become engrossed in counting, and you can flee. If he is still counting when the sun rises, he will be immolated in the manner of a vampire.

King John is the only lich known to this author able to ignore this query. Rather than counting them, the King refused and demanded an answer to his riddle. I was reduced to spending a mortifying hour inside the bell-tower of Worcester Cathedral. The lich ceased banging on the door and (presumably) returned underground. This author has not since returned to England.

-HTK