Cosmic Liches

A celestial navigation chart from the Age of Shadows marking the known domains of various cosmic liches across the night sky

Cosmic liches represent a rare and extraordinarily powerful class of undead entities who have transcended conventional physical existence to claim dominion over vast regions of space. Unlike traditional terrestrial liches, who preserve their mortal forms through various magical means, cosmic liches exist in a state of perfect entropy, their consciousness spread across the very fabric of space-time. The most well-documented of these beings is Goreleph, the Void Sovereign, though historical records suggest the existence of several others throughout the known universe.

Nature and Transformation

The process of becoming a cosmic lich differs significantly from the methods used by conventional practitioners of undying corruption. While traditional liches maintain their existence through phylacteries and regular infusions of magical energy, cosmic liches achieve their state through a complex process known as stellar ascension - a dangerous and poorly understood ritual that requires the complete dissolution of physical form and the binding of consciousness to cosmic forces.

The transformation typically requires centuries of preparation and involves the mastery of both void magic and advanced entropy manipulation. According to recovered fragments of the Codex of Forbidden Exchanges, aspiring cosmic liches must first achieve a perfect understanding of the fundamental forces that govern space itself. This knowledge is then used to create a specialized form of phylactery known as a stellar anchor - typically a dying star or black hole that has been magically modified to serve as a consciousness repository.

Powers and Abilities

Cosmic liches possess abilities that far surpass those of their terrestrial counterparts. Their mastery over the fundamental forces of space allows them to manipulate gravity, dark matter, and even the passage of time within their chosen domains. The Academy of Spectral Studies has documented numerous cases of cosmic liches bending the laws of physics to create pocket dimensions, alter the flow of time, and even reshape the very structure of space itself.

One of the most distinctive abilities shared by all known cosmic liches is their power to maintain consciousness across vast distances through what thaumaturgical scholars term "void-thread networks." This ability allows them to simultaneously exist and exert influence throughout their entire domain, which often spans multiple star systems or even entire galactic regions. The Department of Cosmic Entity Research has theorized that this distributed consciousness may be what allows cosmic liches to maintain their immortality without the need for traditional phylacteries.

Known Cosmic Liches

An artist's rendering of a cosmic lich holding court among the stars, based on descriptions from the Grimoire of Impossible Pigments

While Goreleph remains the most thoroughly documented cosmic lich, historical records mention several others of note. The entity known as Nexus the Many-Minded is said to maintain dominion over a cluster of neutron stars in the galactic core, while the mysterious Void Queen Morthalis reportedly rules a vast region of dark matter in the outer spiral arms. Each cosmic lich appears to establish a unique domain that reflects their particular magical specialties and interests.

The relationships between cosmic liches are complex and often antagonistic. The Astral Codex describes numerous conflicts between these entities, typically fought through proxies and manifestations rather than direct confrontation. These conflicts can last for millennia and often result in dramatic celestial phenomena such as supernovas, gamma-ray bursts, and the creation of new void realm manifestations.

Servants and Hierarchies

Cosmic liches typically maintain elaborate courts of servants and lesser entities. The most prominent among these are the Void Attendants, mortals who have been transformed through exposure to their master's power. Below these are various ranks of stellar specters, null heralds, and other cosmic entities that serve as extensions of the lich's will throughout their domain.

The hierarchy within a cosmic lich's court often mirrors the structure of space itself, with more powerful servants claiming authority over larger celestial regions. This organization has been extensively studied by the Guild of Systematic Thaumaturgy, which has identified common patterns in how cosmic liches delegate power and maintain control over their vast territories.

Influence on Magical Theory

The existence of cosmic liches has profoundly influenced the development of magical theory, particularly in the fields of void magic and entropy manipulation. Their unique state of being has led to numerous breakthroughs in understanding the relationship between consciousness, space, and magical energy. The Theory of Chromatic Interconnection draws heavily from observations of how cosmic liches manipulate the fundamental forces of reality.

The Meridian Institute of Chromatic Sciences has devoted considerable resources to studying the methods by which cosmic liches maintain their distributed consciousness, hoping to apply these principles to various fields of magical research. This work has led to several significant advances in temporal stasis fields and the development of new theories regarding extra-dimensional space.

Containment and Monitoring

The monitoring of cosmic lich activity falls under the jurisdiction of several organizations, primarily the International Council of Chromatic Control and the Department of Cosmic Entity Research. These agencies maintain a network of specialized void chambers and observation posts throughout known space to track and analyze the movements and influences of these powerful entities.

Containment of cosmic liches is generally considered impossible due to their vast scale and fundamental integration with space itself. Instead, regulatory efforts focus on preventing unauthorized contact and controlling the spread of knowledge regarding stellar ascension rituals. The Darkness Protocols established after the Umbral Incident include specific provisions for managing interactions with cosmic liches and their servants.

Cultural Impact

The concept of cosmic liches has captured the imagination of scholars, mystics, and the general public alike. Various religious movements, including the Order of the Eternal Void, incorporate aspects of cosmic lich mythology into their beliefs. The epic poem "Songs of the Void" contains several passages describing the majesty and terror of these space-spanning entities.

In academic circles, the study of cosmic liches has spawned numerous specialized fields of research, from void consciousness studies to stellar necromancy. Their influence continues to shape our understanding of both magical theory and the fundamental nature of space itself.

See Also

• Void Consciousness
• Stellar Necromancy
• Laws of Null Thaumaturgy

References

• Codex of Forbidden Exchanges
• Grimoire of Impossible Pigments
• Void Entity Classification Manual
• Proceedings of the Academy of Spectral Studies