# You Can Join the Undead. Which kind? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 13, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793 "2011-05-13T16:47:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2011, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/101 "2011-05-19T21:47:39Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > You’re thinking of a _demi_-lich, which wasn’t one of the options. 😛 Crikey… out-geeked. 😃 (Though wasn’t a demi-lich supposedly an ancient and uber-powerful lich rather than separate err… “species” of undead?) ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/102 "2011-05-19T22:00:48Z")
Is it stalkerish to want to be a ghost? I’d be a friendly ghost, but I want to spy on people, to see what makes them tick. If I can catch a glimpse of boobies, so much the better. Vampires is winning? No way! I am too claustrophobic to sleep in a coffin. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/103 "2011-05-20T04:47:15Z")
> [@Apollyon](#): > > Crikey… out-geeked. 😃 > > (Though wasn’t a demi-lich supposedly an ancient and uber-powerful lich rather than separate err… “species” of undead?) I vote that demi-lich is a sub-category of lich. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/104 "2011-05-20T07:46:25Z")
> [@Apollyon](#): > > Crikey… out-geeked. 😃 > > (Though wasn’t a demi-lich supposedly an ancient and uber-powerful lich rather than separate err… “species” of undead?) Demi-liches are sort of the next stage of a lich’s career. The transition requires its own ritual and preparation–notably the preparation of soul gems that act as both additional phylacteries and as a larder–and doesn’t leave much of the lich’s body. Kidding aside, I’d say it’s still a variety of lich (mostly because it’s still dependent on its phylactery), but the “experience” of being a demi-lich would be substantially different, which could plausibly affect one’s choice in the poll. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/105 "2011-05-20T17:18:40Z")
Wow, still no mummies! Is it the “barely sentient” description? But, seriously, who wouldn’t want to lie around in opulent crypts, waiting to CRUSH! DESTROY! random archaeologists and inveterate tomb-raiders? ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/106 "2011-05-20T18:59:32Z")
Briefly considered vampire, but yeah…lich for me. Like **kushiel** , I’ve been spending a lot of time in Icecrown lately and the Lich King is pretty damn cool. So is Kel’thuzad. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/107 "2011-05-20T21:50:16Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Wow, still no mummies! Is it the “barely sentient” description? > > But, seriously, who wouldn’t want to lie around in opulent crypts, waiting to CRUSH! DESTROY! random archaeologists and inveterate tomb-raiders? It’s the whole dessicated Penis thing, kinda depressing As a Lich it just isn’t there at all to be reminded of what your missing, plus the assume form deal when you feel like it. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/108 "2011-05-20T23:07:30Z")
The entire concept of a demi-lich like you are all talking about makes no sense to me. Wouldn’t that be a half lich, like how a demi-god is a half god? Or is it merely Demi Moore turned into a lich? What would Ashton think? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/109 "2011-05-20T23:09:00Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > It’s the whole dessicated Penis thing, kinda depressing > > As a Lich it just isn’t there at all to be reminded of what your missing, plus the assume form deal when you feel like it. That wasn’t a problem for the OG mummy, Osiris. He was torn to bits and resurrected, but they could find his penis. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/110 "2011-05-21T02:01:31Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > The entire concept of a demi-lich like you are all talking about makes no sense to me. Wouldn’t that be a half lich, like how a demi-god is a half god? Or is it merely Demi Moore turned into a lich? What would Ashton think? Well, it is kind of half lich. Or half _of_ a lich, anyway. Its physical form has mostly crumbled away, leaving only a few bones (usually including a skull) and maybe a pile of dust; moreover, the original demilich, Acerak, from the _Tomb of Horrors_ adventure module, was described as the fading soul of an ancient lich, and didn’t really do much other than annihilate adventurers. It was so hideously deadly, however, and clearly more powerful than a “typical” lich, that later versions of demiliches sometimes painted them as liches that had mostly transcended their mortal form, rather than ones that had sunk into decay. In those versions, the physical remains represent something like an anchor (with a nasty security system) for the demilich’s spirit, which roams other planes of existence at will. The [Pathfinder SRD version](http://www.d20pfsrd.com/extras/community-creations/brreitz-s-lab/conversions-1/tome-of-horrors-iii/demilich) appears to stick to the original intent, describing the demilich as sort of the ghost of a lich, possessing the crumbling remains of its body after its magically-sustained life force finally fades away. I find the description unsatisfying, since once again, the bloody thing is more deadly than it was before it “faded”. Also, it’s not clear why its teeth spontaneously turn into soul-devouring gemstones when it “fades”. I like the “wandering the planes” version best. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/111 "2011-05-21T04:42:46Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Wow, still no mummies! Is it the “barely sentient” description? > > But, seriously, who wouldn’t want to lie around in opulent crypts, waiting to CRUSH! DESTROY! random archaeologists and inveterate tomb-raiders? Do you have any idea how _boring_ it is, alone under a pyramid for eternity ? Corn mazes already wear thin by the end of the afternoon. And the one time you get some company, you’re contractually obligated to kill or curse them. Either that or they come prepared for your obvious weakness and burn you unalive. It’s a mug’s gig. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/112 "2011-05-21T04:59:52Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Do you have any idea how _boring_ it is, alone under a pyramid for eternity ? How does something that’s “barely sentient” get bored? ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/113 "2011-05-21T06:31:05Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > How does something that’s “barely sentient” get bored? I really can’t understand it myself. but I knew a whole buncha Liberal arts grads that were always bored. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/114 "2011-05-21T18:19:34Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > I really can’t understand it myself. but I knew a whole buncha Liberal arts grads that were always bored. Were they mummies? 'Cause that would be cool! ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/115 "2011-05-21T20:26:33Z")
A vampire, but can I have a year’s notice so I can get in even better shape first? I’m not doing to bad now, but I wouldn’t want to need to lose 10lbs for eternity, you know? ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/116 "2011-05-21T23:06:04Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > Well, it is kind of half lich. Or half _of_ a lich, anyway. Its physical form has mostly crumbled away, leaving only a few bones (usually including a skull) and maybe a pile of dust; moreover, the original demilich, Acerak, from the _Tomb of Horrors_ adventure module, was described as the fading soul of an ancient lich, and didn’t really do much other than annihilate adventurers. > > It was so hideously deadly, however, and clearly more powerful than a “typical” lich, that later versions of demiliches sometimes painted them as liches that had mostly transcended their mortal form, rather than ones that had sunk into decay. In those versions, the physical remains represent something like an anchor (with a nasty security system) for the demilich’s spirit, which roams other planes of existence at will. > > The [Pathfinder SRD version](http://www.d20pfsrd.com/extras/community-creations/brreitz-s-lab/conversions-1/tome-of-horrors-iii/demilich) appears to stick to the original intent, describing the demilich as sort of the ghost of a lich, possessing the crumbling remains of its body after its magically-sustained life force finally fades away. I find the description unsatisfying, since once again, the bloody thing is more deadly than it was before it “faded”. Also, it’s not clear why its teeth spontaneously turn into soul-devouring gemstones when it “fades”. > > I like the “wandering the planes” version best. Interesting, thanks for the info ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793/117 "2011-05-24T03:13:26Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > A vampire, but can I have a year’s notice so I can get in even better shape first? I’m not doing to bad now, but I wouldn’t want to need to lose 10lbs for eternity, you know? Nope, you gotta make the choice now! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-join-the-undead-which-kind/581793.md?page=5)