Vecna - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: and disambig!

2024-12-21T03:55:36Z

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Umbire the Phantom: potholes et. al.

2024-03-06T05:28:12Z

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Umbire the Phantom: /* Origin */ word choice, pothole, etc.

2024-03-04T15:24:26Z

‎Origin: word choice, pothole, etc.

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2023-10-29T23:26:03Z

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2023-09-24T01:41:59Z

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2023-08-21T22:41:59Z

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Netzhack: /* Description */

2022-08-03T15:51:19Z

‎Description

Umbire the Phantom at 04:37, 9 July 2022

2022-07-09T04:37:50Z

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 '''Vecna''', {{monsym|Vecna}}, is a unique boss monster that often appears in variants of ''[[NetHack]]''. He first appears in [[NetHack Plus]], and also appears in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]]. [[EvilHack]] and [[Hack'EM]]. He is a powerful [[spellcasting]] [[Lich (monster class)|lich]], typically found waiting at the end of an optional dungeon branch.
 ==Common traits==
-In all appearances, Vecna [[corpseless|never leaves a corpse]] and will instead drop an artifact body part upon defeating him, unless he is destroyed in a way that would not leave a [[corpse]] with any other monster (e.g., [[digestion]] or [[disintegration]]). In SLASH'EM and its variants, he drops the [[Hand of Vecna]]; in EvilHack, he drops either the [[Hand of Vecna|Hand]] or the [[Eye of Vecna]].
+In all appearances, Vecna [[corpseless|never leaves a corpse]] and will instead drop an artifact body part upon defeating him, unless he is destroyed in a way that would not leave a [[corpse]] with any other monster (e.g., [[digestion]] or [[disintegration]]). In SLASH'EM and its variants, he drops [[The Hand of Vecna (SLASH'EM)|The Hand of Vecna]], while in EvilHack he drops either [[The Hand of Vecna (EvilHack)|The Hand of Vecna]] or [[The Eye of Vecna]].
 ==Description==

@@ Line 103: / Line 103: @@
 Vecna is an original creation of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', where he originally was a background figure that became popular enough to feature as a major antagonist. He is named for fantasy author [[Jack Vance]], who among other achievements developed the "fire-and-forget" magic system that would come to be used in ''D&D'' and many other fantasy works.
-Vecna was first mentioned in ''[[Wikipedia:Eldritch Wizardry]]'', the third supplement to the original ''Dungeons & Dragons'' game co-developed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. [[wikipedia:Brian Blume|Brian Blume]], who co-authored the supplement with Gygax, introduced the Hand and Eye of Vecna as the only remnants of a long-destroyed evil lich - no details of the artifacts were ever revealed to Gygax, and the only other fact known was that he had a bodyguard known as Kas. The descriptions of the artifacts in the 2nd edition's ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' released in 1989 further expanded on his history, before he finally appeared in person within the 1990 adventure ''Vecna Lives!''; here, he was revealed to be a demigod and the chief antagonist of the adventure. Among the various details of his life, the ''Greyhawk'' setting reveals that Kas had ultimately turned traitor and brought about Vecna's (temporary) downfall.
+Vecna is first mentioned in ''[[Wikipedia:Eldritch Wizardry|Eldritch Wizardry]]'', the third supplement to the original ''Dungeons & Dragons'' game co-developed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. [[wikipedia:Brian Blume|Brian Blume]], who co-authored the supplement with Gygax, introduced the Hand and Eye of Vecna as the only remnants of a long-destroyed evil lich - no details of the artifacts were ever revealed to Gygax, and the only other fact known was that he had a bodyguard known as Kas. The descriptions of the artifacts in the 2nd edition's ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' released in 1989 further expanded on his history, before he finally appeared in person within the 1990 adventure ''Vecna Lives!''; here, he was revealed to be a demigod and the chief antagonist of the adventure. Among the various details of his life, the ''Greyhawk'' setting reveals that Kas had ultimately turned traitor and brought about Vecna's (temporary) downfall.
 At some point, Vecna had either created or procured The Sword of Kas for his most trusted lieutenant, depending on the edition; details of Kas's service to Vecna and subsequent betrayal likewise vary. What remains consistent across tellings is that Kas used the sword against his former master in a pitched battle that left neither standing: Vecna was destroyed save for his hand and left eye, and Kas had been flung into faraway planes, with the Sword, Hand and Eye as the only remaining objects in the area after the fight.
-During the various editions of ''Dungeons & Dragons'', Vecna has served as a lesser deity with dominion over the undead; he has also appeared as a god of secrets. It has been suggested that the Hand and Eye were inspired by similar items from the ''Eternal Champion'' series of works by [[Michael Moorcock]] (specifically, the Hand of Kwll and the Eye of Rhynn). Vecna also took the half-demon child known as [[Acererak]] under his tutelage, leading to Acererak himself becoming a powerful lich in his own right.
+During the various editions of ''Dungeons & Dragons'', Vecna has served as a lesser deity with dominion over the undead; he has also appeared as a god of secrets. It has been suggested that the Hand and Eye were inspired by similar items from the ''Eternal Champion'' series of works by [[Michael Moorcock]] (specifically, the Hand of Kwll and the Eye of Rhynn). Vecna also took the half-demon child known as [[Acererak]] under his tutelage, leading to Acererak becoming a powerful lich in his own right.
 ==Other variants==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Vecna''', {{monsym|Vecna}}, is a unique boss monster that often appears in variants of ''[[NetHack]]''. He first appears in [[NetHack Plus]], and also appears in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]]. [[EvilHack]] and [[Hack'EM]]. He is a powerful [[spellcasting]] [[lich]], typically found waiting at the end of an optional dungeon branch.
+'''Vecna''', {{monsym|Vecna}}, is a unique boss monster that often appears in variants of ''[[NetHack]]''. He first appears in [[NetHack Plus]], and also appears in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]]. [[EvilHack]] and [[Hack'EM]]. He is a powerful [[spellcasting]] [[Lich (monster class)|lich]], typically found waiting at the end of an optional dungeon branch.
 ==Common traits==
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 His main weakness is not any particular set of traits, but a constraint imposed by his location: the Chaotic Quest entrance is a portal rather than a staircase, and Vecna is [[covetous]]. Vecna will therefore readily warp to you, but will not teleport away to heal. Vecna respects [[Elbereth]], and a permanent engraving alongside a well-enchanted weapon can potentially trivialize matters - even more so if you have [[cold resistance]], [[drain resistance]] and/or [[magic resistance]]. However, the branch and its denizens are still quite difficult, as is Vecna himself, and unless you take appropriate measures (including obtaining additional resistances) he is unlikely to face you by himself.
-Vecna and other spellcasters within the level, such as the more-evasive liches, can and will [[summon nasties]] including Elbereth-ignoring [[minotaur]]s or [[couatl]] to surround you with if given the opportunity - Vecna himself can cast the spell at a higher base level than even an arch-lich. Additionally, the random {{mcsl|V}} that generate upon the level's creation can include [[vampire mage]]s, who are vicious nasty-summoning spellcasters in their own right, or even [[fire vampire]]s that can tear through a character lacking [[fire resistance]] with their alarming speed and abundant hit die. This will almost necessitate drain resistance, which thankfully has more sources in SLASH'EM. On top of it all, you may want a source of [[reflection]] to deal with other potential summons, as well as a means of [[levitation]] or [[water walking]] to survive or avoid a potential drowning attempt thanks to the [[create pool]] spell.
+Vecna and other spellcasters within the level, such as the more evasive covetous liches, can and will [[summon nasties]] including Elbereth-ignoring [[minotaur]]s or [[couatl]] to surround you with if given the opportunity - Vecna himself can cast the spell at a higher base level than even an [[arch-lich]]. Additionally, the random {{mcsl|V}} that generate upon the level's creation can include [[vampire mage]]s, who are vicious nasty-summoning spellcasters in their own right, or even [[fire vampire]]s that can tear through a character lacking [[fire resistance]] with their alarming speed and abundant hit die. This will almost necessitate drain resistance, which thankfully has more sources in SLASH'EM. On top of it all, you may want a source of [[reflection]] to deal with other potential summons, as well as a means of [[levitation]] or [[water walking]] to survive or avoid a potential drowning attempt thanks to the [[create pool]] spell.
 Like most other monsters, Vecna may receive a [[wand of teleportation]] upon generation; if so, he will use it to try and evade you like any other intelligent monster, which may allow him to heal in line with more typical covetous behavior. Wands in SLASH'EM and its variants also possess more charges on average compared to vanilla - if you cannot dispatch him quickly, it may be worth it to double back later, especially if you lack a means to destroy or steal the wand. He may also have a [[scroll of teleportation]] on hand; this is especially aggravating if the scroll is cursed, and also makes for potentially disastrous corner cases where you can confuse him before he gets the chance to read it (e.g. with [[Magicbane]]) - in either case, you will then have to track him down throughout the main dungeon.
@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 ===Strategy===
-Vecna is an even more vicious adversary in this variant, with two powerful touch attacks, a death gaze, and two spellcasting attacks per round. One is a powerful touch of cold that is standard for liches, while the other induces withering similar to [[mummy|mummies]].
+Vecna is an even more vicious adversary in this variant, with two powerful touch attacks, a death gaze, and two spellcasting attacks per round. One is a powerful touch of cold that is standard for liches, while the other induces withering similar to [[mummies]].
 [[The Sword of Kas]] is often a vital part of most players' kits for dealing with Vecna, due to [[Kas]] himself residing on the previous floor; said [[artifact weapon]] can provide a very useful means of offense for a player that excels in [[two-handed sword]]s or otherwise lacks options, as any damage it deals against Vecna is tripled. However, [[lawful]] characters take alignment penalties for using poisoned weapons, while [[Priest]]s of any kind suffer a -30 to-hit penalty from trying to use it, on top of potentially [[anger]]ing their [[god]]. Alignment penalties in EvilHack also weigh far more heavily against the player's fortunes, especially if they have not yet completed their [[Quest]].

@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 ===Generation===
-In EvilHack, Vecna is found on the last floor of [[Vecna's Domain|his own domain]], meditating on a [[throne]] in the deepest room of his lair. Vecna will always generate with a [[ring of slow digestion]] and wears a cursed, [[erosion|eroded]] [[robe]] of drain resistance.
+In EvilHack, Vecna is found on the last floor of [[Vecna's Domain|his own domain]], meditating on a [[throne]] in the deepest room of his lair. Vecna will always generate with a [[ring of slow digestion]] and wears a cursed, [[Erosion|rotted]] [[robe]] of drain resistance.
 ===Strategy===

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:41, 24 September 2023
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	'''Vecna''', {{~~magenta~~\|L}}, is a unique boss monster that often appears in variants of ''[[NetHack]]''. He first appears in [[NetHack Plus]], and also appears in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]]. [[EvilHack]] and [[Hack'EM]]. He is a powerful [[spellcasting]] [[lich]], typically found waiting at the end of an optional dungeon branch.	+	'''Vecna''', {{monsym\|Vecna}}, is a unique boss monster that often appears in variants of ''[[NetHack]]''. He first appears in [[NetHack Plus]], and also appears in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]]. [[EvilHack]] and [[Hack'EM]]. He is a powerful [[spellcasting]] [[lich]], typically found waiting at the end of an optional dungeon branch.

	==Common traits==		==Common traits==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Vecna''', {{magenta|L}}, is a unique boss monster that often appears in variants of ''[[NetHack]]''. He first appears in [[NetHack Plus]], and also appears in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]] and [[EvilHack]]. He is a powerful [[spellcasting]] [[lich]], typically found waiting at the end of an optional dungeon branch.
+'''Vecna''', {{magenta|L}}, is a unique boss monster that often appears in variants of ''[[NetHack]]''. He first appears in [[NetHack Plus]], and also appears in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]]. [[EvilHack]] and [[Hack'EM]]. He is a powerful [[spellcasting]] [[lich]], typically found waiting at the end of an optional dungeon branch.
 ==Common traits==
@@ Line 93: / Line 93: @@
 ==History==
-In NetHack Plus, he was known as '''Master Vecna''', and acted as the [[Undead Slayer]] [[quest nemesis]]. Master Vecna's base level was 25, and his melee attack did only 3d6 damage; he still had enchantment resistance to weapons below +4.
+In NetHack Plus, Vecna was known as '''Master Vecna''', and acted as the [[Undead Slayer]] [[quest nemesis]]. Master Vecna's base level was 25, and his melee attack did only 3d6 damage; he still had enchantment resistance to weapons below +4.
 Vecna was made into a unique boss lich starting with [[SLASH 6]], presiding over his own lich-populated [[special level]] similar to other monsters such as the [[Rat King]] and [[Grund the Orc King]]. In this game, killing Vecna produces either the Hand of Vecna or the Eye of Vecna, with a 50% chance of each.
@@ Line 103: / Line 103: @@
 Vecna is an original creation of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', where he originally was a background figure that became popular enough to feature as a major antagonist. He is named for fantasy author [[Jack Vance]], who among other achievements developed the "fire-and-forget" magic system that would come to be used in ''D&D'' and many other fantasy works.
-Vecna was first mentioned in the third supplement to Gary Gygax's original ''Dungeons & Dragons'', where the Hand and Eye of Vecna were introduced by its co-author [[wikipedia:Brian Blume|Brian Blume]] as the only remnants of a long-destroyed evil lich. The only other fact known about Vecna at the time was that Kas was his bodyguard, and no details of the artifacts were ever revealed to Gygax; the descriptions of the artifacts in the 2nd edition's ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' released in 1989 further expanded on his history, before he finally appeared in person within the 1990 adventure ''Vecna Lives!'', where he was revealed to be a demigod and the chief antagonist. Among the various details of his life, the ''Greyhawk'' setting reveals that Kas had ultimately turned traitor and brought about Vecna's (temporary) downfall.
+Vecna was first mentioned in ''[[Wikipedia:Eldritch Wizardry]]'', the third supplement to the original ''Dungeons & Dragons'' game co-developed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. [[wikipedia:Brian Blume|Brian Blume]], who co-authored the supplement with Gygax, introduced the Hand and Eye of Vecna as the only remnants of a long-destroyed evil lich - no details of the artifacts were ever revealed to Gygax, and the only other fact known was that he had a bodyguard known as Kas. The descriptions of the artifacts in the 2nd edition's ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' released in 1989 further expanded on his history, before he finally appeared in person within the 1990 adventure ''Vecna Lives!''; here, he was revealed to be a demigod and the chief antagonist of the adventure. Among the various details of his life, the ''Greyhawk'' setting reveals that Kas had ultimately turned traitor and brought about Vecna's (temporary) downfall.
 At some point, Vecna had either created or procured The Sword of Kas for his most trusted lieutenant, depending on the edition; details of Kas's service to Vecna and subsequent betrayal likewise vary. What remains consistent across tellings is that Kas used the sword against his former master in a pitched battle that left neither standing: Vecna was destroyed save for his hand and left eye, and Kas had been flung into faraway planes, with the Sword, Hand and Eye as the only remaining objects in the area after the fight.
@@ Line 119: / Line 119: @@
 [[Category:SlashTHEM monsters]]
 [[Category:EvilHack monsters]]

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 Although he is the second-highest level spellcaster in SLASH'EM, Vecna is less difficult than that status may imply - he is somewhat slow at 9 speed, and has only two attacks per turn of his: a powerful cold touch and a single spellcasting attack. However, he does [[Need +x weapon to hit|require a +4 or better weapon]] in order for you to even deal damage, and his high base level lends some serious power to his spells, particularly his [[psi bolt]]s.
-His main weakness is not any particular set of traits, but a constraint imposed by his location: the Chaotic Quest entrance is a portal rather than a staircase, and Vecna is [[covetous]]. As such, he will readily warp to you, but will not teleport away to heal. Vecna respects [[Elbereth]], and a permanent engraving alongside a well-enchanted weapon can potentially trivialize matters - even more so if you have [[cold resistance]], [[drain resistance]] and/or [[magic resistance]]. However, the branch and its denizens are still quite difficult, as is Vecna himself, and unless you take appropriate measures (including obtaining additional resistances) he is unlikely to face you by himself.
+His main weakness is not any particular set of traits, but a constraint imposed by his location: the Chaotic Quest entrance is a portal rather than a staircase, and Vecna is [[covetous]]. Vecna will therefore readily warp to you, but will not teleport away to heal. Vecna respects [[Elbereth]], and a permanent engraving alongside a well-enchanted weapon can potentially trivialize matters - even more so if you have [[cold resistance]], [[drain resistance]] and/or [[magic resistance]]. However, the branch and its denizens are still quite difficult, as is Vecna himself, and unless you take appropriate measures (including obtaining additional resistances) he is unlikely to face you by himself.
 Vecna and other spellcasters within the level, such as the more-evasive liches, can and will [[summon nasties]] including Elbereth-ignoring [[minotaur]]s or [[couatl]] to surround you with if given the opportunity - Vecna himself can cast the spell at a higher base level than even an arch-lich. Additionally, the random {{mcsl|V}} that generate upon the level's creation can include [[vampire mage]]s, who are vicious nasty-summoning spellcasters in their own right, or even [[fire vampire]]s that can tear through a character lacking [[fire resistance]] with their alarming speed and abundant hit die. This will almost necessitate drain resistance, which thankfully has more sources in SLASH'EM. On top of it all, you may want a source of [[reflection]] to deal with other potential summons, as well as a means of [[levitation]] or [[water walking]] to survive or avoid a potential drowning attempt thanks to the [[create pool]] spell.

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 His main weakness is not any particular set of traits, but a constraint imposed by his location: the Chaotic Quest entrance is a portal rather than a staircase, and Vecna is [[covetous]]. As such, he will readily warp to you, but will not teleport away to heal. Vecna respects [[Elbereth]], and a permanent engraving alongside a well-enchanted weapon can potentially trivialize matters - even more so if you have [[cold resistance]], [[drain resistance]] and/or [[magic resistance]]. However, the branch and its denizens are still quite difficult, as is Vecna himself, and unless you take appropriate measures (including obtaining additional resistances) he is unlikely to face you by himself.
-Vecna and other spellcasters within the level, such as the more-evasive liches, can and will [[summon nasties]] including Elbereth-ignoring [[minotaur]]s or [[couatl]] to surround you with if given the opportunity; Vecna himself can cast the spell at a higher base level than even an arch-lich. Additionally, the random {{mcsl|V}} that generate upon the level's creation will almost necessitate drain resistance, which thankfully has more sources in SLASH'EM - they can also include [[vampire mage]]s, who are vicious nasty-summoning spellcasters in their own right, or even [[fire vampire]]s that can tear through a character lacking [[fire resistance]] with their alarming speed and abundant hit die. On top of it all, you may want a source of [[reflection]] to deal with other potential summons, as well as a means to survive or avoid a potential drowning attempt thanks to the [[create pool]] spell.
+Vecna and other spellcasters within the level, such as the more-evasive liches, can and will [[summon nasties]] including Elbereth-ignoring [[minotaur]]s or [[couatl]] to surround you with if given the opportunity - Vecna himself can cast the spell at a higher base level than even an arch-lich. Additionally, the random {{mcsl|V}} that generate upon the level's creation can include [[vampire mage]]s, who are vicious nasty-summoning spellcasters in their own right, or even [[fire vampire]]s that can tear through a character lacking [[fire resistance]] with their alarming speed and abundant hit die. This will almost necessitate drain resistance, which thankfully has more sources in SLASH'EM. On top of it all, you may want a source of [[reflection]] to deal with other potential summons, as well as a means of [[levitation]] or [[water walking]] to survive or avoid a potential drowning attempt thanks to the [[create pool]] spell.
-Like most other monsters, Vecna may receive a [[wand of teleportation]] upon generation; if so, he will use it to try and evade you like any other intelligent monster, which may allow him to heal in line with more typical covetous behavior. Wands in SLASH'EM and its variants also possess more charges on average compared to vanilla - if you cannot dispatch him quickly, it may be worth it to double back later, especially if you lack a means to destroy or steal the wand. He may also have a [[scroll of teleportation]] on hand; this makes for potentially disastrous corner cases where you can confuse him before he gets the chance to read it (e.g. with [[Magicbane]]), and you will then have to track him down throughout the main dungeon.
+Like most other monsters, Vecna may receive a [[wand of teleportation]] upon generation; if so, he will use it to try and evade you like any other intelligent monster, which may allow him to heal in line with more typical covetous behavior. Wands in SLASH'EM and its variants also possess more charges on average compared to vanilla - if you cannot dispatch him quickly, it may be worth it to double back later, especially if you lack a means to destroy or steal the wand. He may also have a [[scroll of teleportation]] on hand; this is especially aggravating if the scroll is cursed, and also makes for potentially disastrous corner cases where you can confuse him before he gets the chance to read it (e.g. with [[Magicbane]]) - in either case, you will then have to track him down throughout the main dungeon.
-While the branch (and by extension Vecna) is entirely optional since you only need two of three alignment keys, the Hand of Vecna is quality artifact that may well be worth the trouble: it is a semi-guaranteed source of hungerless [[regeneration]] and [[half physical damage]] (both rare intrinsics on their own), and may even serve as a wielded source of drain resistance in a pinch.
+While the branch (and by extension Vecna) is entirely optional since you only need two of three alignment keys, the Hand of Vecna is a quality artifact that may well be worth the trouble: it is a semi-guaranteed source of hungerless [[regeneration]] and [[half physical damage]] (both rare intrinsics on their own), and may even serve as a wielded source of drain resistance in a pinch.
 |-|
 EvilHack|{{ monster
@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 ===Generation===
-In EvilHack, Vecna is found on the last floor of [[Vecna's Domain|his own domain]], meditating on a [[throne]] in the deepest room of his lair. Vecna will always generate with a ring of [[slow digestion]] and wearing a cursed, [[erosion|eroded]] [[robe]] of drain resistance.
+In EvilHack, Vecna is found on the last floor of [[Vecna's Domain|his own domain]], meditating on a [[throne]] in the deepest room of his lair. Vecna will always generate with a ring of [[slow digestion]] and wears a cursed, [[erosion|eroded]] [[robe]] of drain resistance.
 ===Strategy===
-Vecna is a far more vicious adversary in this variant, with two powerful touch attacks, a death gaze, and two spellcasting attacks per round. One is a powerful touch of cold that is standard for liches, while the other induces withering similar to mummies.
+Vecna is an even more vicious adversary in this variant, with two powerful touch attacks, a death gaze, and two spellcasting attacks per round. One is a powerful touch of cold that is standard for liches, while the other induces withering similar to [[mummy|mummies]].
-[[The Sword of Kas]] is often a vital part of most players' kits for dealing with Vecna, due to [[Kas]] himself residing on the previous floor; said [[artifact weapon]] can provide a very useful means of offense for a play lacking options, as any damage it deals against Vecna is tripled.
+[[The Sword of Kas]] is often a vital part of most players' kits for dealing with Vecna, due to [[Kas]] himself residing on the previous floor; said [[artifact weapon]] can provide a very useful means of offense for a player that excels in [[two-handed sword]]s or otherwise lacks options, as any damage it deals against Vecna is tripled. However, [[lawful]] characters take alignment penalties for using poisoned weapons, while [[Priest]]s of any kind suffer a -30 to-hit penalty from trying to use it, on top of potentially [[anger]]ing their [[god]]. Alignment penalties in EvilHack also weigh far more heavily against the player's fortunes, especially if they have not yet completed their [[Quest]].
 The robe of drain resistance Vecna generates with is likely to be very useful for those seeking aid in maintaining casting power while in [[Gehennom]], making it a valuable asset for inevitable later fights against wraiths and vampires (including [[Vlad the Impaler]] and his [[Lifestealer]]).
@@ Line 103: / Line 101: @@
 ==Origin==
 {{wikipedia|Vecna}}
-Vecna is an original creation of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', where he originally was a background figure that became popular enough to feature as a major antagonist. He is named for fantasy author [[Jack Vance]], who among other achievements developed the "fire-and-forget" magic system that would come to be used in ''D&D'' and many other fantasy works. Vecna was first mentioned in the third supplement to Gary Gygax's original ''Dungeons & Dragons'', where the Hand and Eye of Vecna were introduced by its co-author [[wikipedia:Brian Blume|Brian Blume]] as the only remnants of a long-destroyed evil lich.
+Vecna is an original creation of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', where he originally was a background figure that became popular enough to feature as a major antagonist. He is named for fantasy author [[Jack Vance]], who among other achievements developed the "fire-and-forget" magic system that would come to be used in ''D&D'' and many other fantasy works.
-The only other fact known about Vecna at the time was that Kas was his bodyguard, and no details of the artifacts were ever revealed to Gygax; the descriptions of the artifacts in the 2nd edition's ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' released in 1989 further expanded on his history, before he finally appeared in person within the 1990 adventure ''Vecna Lives!'', where he was revealed to be a demigod and the chief antagonist. Among the various details of his life, the ''Greyhawk'' setting reveals that Kas had ultimately turned traitor and brought about Vecna's (temporary) downfall.
+Vecna was first mentioned in the third supplement to Gary Gygax's original ''Dungeons & Dragons'', where the Hand and Eye of Vecna were introduced by its co-author [[wikipedia:Brian Blume|Brian Blume]] as the only remnants of a long-destroyed evil lich. The only other fact known about Vecna at the time was that Kas was his bodyguard, and no details of the artifacts were ever revealed to Gygax; the descriptions of the artifacts in the 2nd edition's ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' released in 1989 further expanded on his history, before he finally appeared in person within the 1990 adventure ''Vecna Lives!'', where he was revealed to be a demigod and the chief antagonist. Among the various details of his life, the ''Greyhawk'' setting reveals that Kas had ultimately turned traitor and brought about Vecna's (temporary) downfall.
 At some point, Vecna had either created or procured The Sword of Kas for his most trusted lieutenant, depending on the edition; details of Kas's service to Vecna and subsequent betrayal likewise vary. What remains consistent across tellings is that Kas used the sword against his former master in a pitched battle that left neither standing: Vecna was destroyed save for his hand and left eye, and Kas had been flung into faraway planes, with the Sword, Hand and Eye as the only remaining objects in the area after the fight.