Over the years,Dungeons & Dragonshas built up one of the largest and most iconic rosters of the villains and monsters in gaming. From basic goblins and kobolds to fearsome dragons and the bizarre beholders, the amount of antagonists and threats a Dungeon Master can set before their party is practically infinite. While the classic tabletop role-playing game took inspiration for these creatures from many old stories and myths, other properties have themselves been inspired byD&D’s rogues' gallery. Series likeFinal FantasyandThe Elder Scrollswould likely not have as rich a tapestry of monsters withoutDungeons & Dragons.
The overarching meta plots for each addition and setting ofDungeons & Dragonsare not terribly important at most players' tables, but a lot of good stories and challenges can be gleaned from them. One of the most famous is Vecna the Arch-Lich, a character who has been referenced sincebeforeDungeons & Dragons' popularity took off. Over the years, Vecna has gained so much recognition that multiple works using or referencingD&Dhave included his name, the most recent beingStranger Things. While Vecna is shrouded in mystery, his real-life path to recognition is better documented.
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How Dungeons & Dragons Introduced Vecna Corpse-First
The first time Vecna was referenced inDungeons & Dragonscame two years after the 1974 release of the originalDungeons & Dragonsboxed set. InEldritch Wizardry, D&D’s third supplement, co-writer Brian Blume introduced two magical artifacts called the Hand of Vecna and the Eye of Vecna. Vecna’s name was an anagram of “Vance,” referencing the works of Jack Vance thatinspired D&D’s magic system and setting, and the artifacts themselves were inspired by similar items in Michael Moorcock’sEternal Championsseries. Inthe initial Greyhawk lore, these trinkets were all that remained of the evil lich, but they went on to inform nearly everything about him. The only other detail provided for Vecna was that he employed a bodyguard named Kas.
The Hand and Eye of Vecna became staples ofDungeons & Dragons, often serving as high-level magical items that granted enormous power. The only downsides were that the user had to replace their own eye or hand with the artifact, and doing so would slowly turn their alignment to Evil. One or both of these artifacts have appeared in every edition ofD&D, and after over a decade oforiginal andAdvanced Dungeons & Dragons, Vecna himself was finally able to join them. The 2nd edition’sDungeon Master’s Guidein 1989 began fleshing out Vecna’s backstory and goals.
Vecna’s Slow Ascension Through Dungeons & Dragons
There have been a few rewrites of Vecna’s backstory, but the gist is the same. Vecna’s mythical origins involve him studying the dark arts in the World of Greyhawk’s Oerth. Becoming a lich, Vecna formed a great army and set his sights on godhood. He bestowed the legendary Sword of Kas upon his servant of the same name, and contributed significantly to the Book of Vile Darkness. Some renditions even see him employing theTomb of Horrors-creator Acererakbefore the latter became an Arch-Lich, though these two iconicD&Dvillains parted on bad terms. Vecna succeeded in ascending, but his ritual was interrupted by Kas. Though his artifact-ridden corpse was left behind, Vecna’s spirit began walking the multiverse to gain followers and power.
Vecna was later added toD&D’s core pantheon as the Chained God of evil secrets. His exploits are told across many adventure modules, including an invasion of Planescape’s multidimensional city Sigil and imprisonment in Ravenloft. His cult is a viable antagonist for any setting, and in 5th edition, Clerics and Warlocks can serve him as a patron deity. Vecna featured prominently in theD&Dweb seriesCritical Roleas the Whispered One, a portrayal that introduced him to a new generation of fans. WithStranger Things’ fourth season naming an appropriately corpse-like villain after theDungeons & Dragonsentity, it seems like Vecna’s reign of terror is far from over.
