Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-60.230.35.86-20140512044045/@comment-26074798-20160122002300

Hmm, I would recommend reading the information here, if you haven't already. There's also some book on that details the process of becoming a Lich. The Lusty Dovahkiin wrote:

Anyways, I guess they are not called Liches in-game or in any books that appear in Skyrim or other games. Sorry if thats a bit old, I just want to jump off of that -- There is a Lich on, when obtaining the house in Anvil. And, although I haven't played Online, I believe Mannimarco becomes a Lich at the end of the main storyline, because, during The Great Battle it is said that he becomes one in lore. And, I've ~read~ (haven't seen) that they are common foes on, as well as Online.

As for the topics main question, "Are the dragon priests liches?", I would say that it's kind of a yes and a no. While Liches are undead beings (thus similar to the Dragon Priests), Dragon Priests gained a lot of power from their masks  that were granted to them by the dragons. Liches on the other hand, gain their power from souls -- Killing people as painfully as possible, in fact.

Oh, and regular Draugr get their power from the Dragon Priests.

Sources:
 * Mannimarco, King of Worms
 * Ascendency: Pathway to Lichdom
 * Loading screen on
 * "Legend holds that the highest ranking Dragon Priests were granted magical masks - strange artifacts that defy the laws of time, and grant their wearers powerful enchantments."
 * Events of
 * Events of