a love of ridiculous drama, a penchant for overcomplicated schemes, and a strong tendency to frequently disappear to conduct secretive ‘archmage business’
Lying in order to craft a Necromantic Power Potion is certainly a bad sign, but still compatible with him being some other dark wizard type rather than the “Loathsome Lich” in particular.
Regarding your proposal in second comment: even if he is undead he might not need to drink it to tell what it is. Still, could be worth a shot! (now three different potion types to figure out how to make...)
I think your theory about
him switching the Barkskin and Necromantic Power potions
is completely correct and I feel dumb for not thinking of it; ditto your proposed reaction. On reflection, I suspect that this is because
he’s actually the Loathsome Lich in disguise
so your right-ness is a lot more important than it might seem at first glance. Good catch!
Maybe...
a love of ridiculous drama, a penchant for overcomplicated schemes, and a strong tendency to frequently disappear to conduct secretive ‘archmage business’
Lying in order to craft a Necromantic Power Potion is certainly a bad sign, but still compatible with him being some other dark wizard type rather than the “Loathsome Lich” in particular.
Regarding your proposal in second comment: even if he is undead he might not need to drink it to tell what it is. Still, could be worth a shot! (now three different potion types to figure out how to make...)
Wait . . . actually, if we’re in the mood for galaxy-brained moves, we could go one better and try to
con the lich into brewing & drinking a regen potion.
Potentially? I’d be worried that that would be too obvious of us and he’d notice immediately. I think I weakly prefer giving him
actual Barkskin using the two woods and three magically charged ingredients coding for no potion
instead—no use complaining about getting what you asked for!