| Vecna | |
|---|---|
| Greyhawk character | |
 As portrayed in the 3rd Edition sourcebook Deities and Demigods. | |
| First appearance | Eldritch Wizardry (1976) |
| Created by | Brian Blume |
| In-universe information | |
| Race | Deity[1] |
| Gender | Male |
| Title | The Arch-Lich, the Chained God, the Maimed God, Master of the Spider Throne, the Whispered One, the Dying King, the Lord of the Rotted Tower, the Undying King |
| Alignment | Neutral Evil |
| Home | Prime Material (Oerth) |
| Power level | Greater |
| Portfolio | Destructive and Evil Secrets, Magic, Hidden Knowledge, Intrigue |
Vecna (/ˈvɛk.nɑː/ VEK-nah[2]) is a fictional character appearing in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Vecna has been named one of the greatest villains in the Dungeons & Dragons franchise.[3][4]
Originally appearing in the Greyhawk campaign setting, Vecna was described as a powerful wizard who became a lich.[4] He was eventually destroyed, and his left hand and left eye were the only parts of his body to survive. Even after the character achieved godhood[4]—being a member of the third edition's default pantheon of D&D gods (the pantheon of Oerth)[5]—he is still described as missing both his left eye and left hand. Vecna's holy symbol is an eye in the palm of a left hand.
Vecna's "right-hand man", who ultimately became his betrayer, is Kas the Bloody-Handed, a vampire whose sword, the Sword of Kas, is also an artifact.
- ^ Dungeons and Dragons and Philosophy: Read and Gain Advantage on All Wisdom Checks. Robichaud, Christopher. Chichester, West Sussex. 5 August 2014. ISBN 978-1-118-39764-0. OCLC 881280343.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Mentzer, Frank. "Ay pronunseeAY shun gyd" Dragon #93 (TSR, 1985)
- ^ Bulmahn, Jason; Jacobs, James; Mike McArtor; Mona, Erik; Schneider, F. Wesley; Todd Stewart; Jeremy Walker (September 2007). "1d20 Villains: D&D's Most Wanted; Preferably Dead". Dragon. 32(4) (359). Pazio: 54–69.
- ^ a b c Callahan, Tim (15 July 2013). "Advanced Readings in D&D: Jack Vance". TOR.com. Tor Books. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
- ^ Tweet, Jonathan, Cook, Monte, Williams, Skip. Player's Handbook (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)