Lich

Lich
Mithra Sphere atwork
First appearance	Final Fantasy Adventure (1991)
Latest appearance	Trials of Mana (remake) (2020)
Species	Undead
Counterpart(s)	Deathbringer
Background music	"The Oracle"SeoM

The Lich, also known as the Dark Lich, is a recurring boss in the Mana series. Portrayed as a sentient skeletal being shrouded in a dark cloak, the Lich is often depicted as being extraordinarily gifted in magic, often of the dark variety. Its cloak varies in style and color, but is usualy show as a dark-red or purple mantle tattered at the seams. In some games, the garnment is decorated with a star and moon patterns while others depict it as plain with some jewel accents. The Lich's core is sometimes shone as a glowing orb, hinting at it being its magic source.

Being a wielder of dark-elemental magic, the Lich is known fear Light and everything related to it. In Secret of Mana Lumina's magic is the Dark Lich's only weakness, while its Trials of Mana HD iteration can change its weakness at will by using the Barrier Change spell after sustaining enough damage. The undead is portrayed an important boss as the Dark Lich and as a regular boss when simply known as Lich.

Appearances

Final Fantasy Adventure/Adventures of Mana

Main article: Lich (Adventures of Mana)

The Lich is found in the Sealed Cave. Defeating it unlocks the Book of Flare, necessary to open the path to the Buried Ruins in the Crystal Desert.

In the original Game Boy version, the Lich moves around the arena by looping twice before leaving and reappearing from another side. It continuously shoots skulls at Sumo while moving.

In Adventures of Mana, the Lich circles around Sumo and either shoots ghosly skulls at him or energy boomerangs in a straight line. It disappears the reappears in a different location. After losing enough health, the Lich will throw three red skulls in a straight line.

Secret of Mana

Main article: Dark Lich (Secret of Mana)

The party confronts Thanatos inside the Mana Fortress as he is about to transfer his soul into Dyluck's body. However, Dyluck uses the last of its energy to destroy his own flesh, leaving the evil sorcerer without a host to inhabit. Enraged at his plans being foiled at the last minute, the turns to the party in desperation.

Trials of Mana

Main article: Dark Lich (Trials of Mana)

The Dark Lich is the final boss of Kevin & Charlotte's story. After destroying the Mana Tree and the Mana Goddess along with it, the Masked Mage declares himself the ruler of the world before the party. He unveils his true form as the Dark Lich and unleashes his power to put the heroes to submission. However, Faerie sacrifices herself to revive her allies and weaken the evil overlord. Together, they manage to vanquish the Dark Lich along with his nightmarish empire.

Legend of Mana

While neither the Lich nor the Dark Lich appear in the game, the Deathbringer could be considered their spiritual successor both in role and design.

Sword of Mana

Main article: Lich (Sword of Mana)

In a similar fashion to Final Fantasy Adventure, the Lich is found deep within the Sealed Cave, this time guarding the Mana spirit or shadow. The Hero and Heroine must defeat the Grave Keeper of Darkness in order to unseal the way to the Ruined Path.

Circle of Mana

The Lich makes a cameo appearance in the online game, along with several other characters from the Mana series. He appears in 1 set of cards.

Rank	Attribute	Name	Classes				Quote
SSUR	魔	リッチ	不死者	死者の王	[光]命奪う大鎌	[闇]闇の墓守	「封印に触れし者、闇の墓守の鎌にその魂を捧げよ。」 "Those who have touched the seal, offer your soul to the scythe of the Dark Tombkeeper."

Echoes of Mana

Trials of Mana's Dark Lich made a cameo in the online game. The undead appears in the Facing Death's Conqueror Memory Gem.

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Lich.

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  Seiken Densetsu mobile

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  Secret of Mana

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  Trials of Mana

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  Sword of Mana

Etymology

Liches are animated corpses often wielding powerful magic. They first appeared in various works of fantasy fiction, such as Clark Ashton Smith's "The Empire of the Necromancers" (1932), and were popularized by the Dungeons & Dragons game.

The name is also an homage to the Fiend of Earth in the original Final Fantasy.

Names

Game	Japanese	Meaning	English
Final Fantasy Adventure	リッチ	Lich	Lich
Secret of Mana	ダークリッチ	Dark Lich	Dark Lich
Trials of Mana	ダークリッチ	Dark Lich	Dark Lich
Adventures of Mana	リッチ	Lich	Lich