Vecna (EvilHack) - Revision history

Umbire the Phantom: temp

2026-02-27T13:37:15Z

temp

Umbire the Phantom: touch-ups

2026-02-23T22:55:00Z

touch-ups

Umbire the Phantom: pothole, reflink

2025-04-08T17:36:29Z

pothole, reflink

Umbire the Phantom: pothole et. al.

2025-04-08T13:22:01Z

pothole et. al.

Umbire the Phantom: ditto 3/4

2024-12-21T03:56:19Z

ditto 3/4

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2024-12-21T03:46:37Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2024-12-21T02:50:38Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: follow-up, thanks

2024-12-21T02:50:26Z

follow-up, thanks

Saltwaterterrapin: hand/eye always drops. add a bit to strategy

2024-12-21T02:35:17Z

hand/eye always drops. add a bit to strategy

Umbire the Phantom: split 2!

2024-12-21T00:58:33Z

split 2!

New page

{{ monster
|name=Vecna
|difficulty=50
|level=46
|experience=3012
|speed=12
|AC=-10
|MR=90
|align=-20
|frequency=Unique
|genocidable=No
|attacks=Touch 8d6 [[cold]], Touch 6d6 [[withering]], Gaze 3d4 [[Touch of death]], [[monster spell|Spell-casting]] 4d6 mage, [[monster spell|Spell-casting]] 4d6 clerical
|resistances conveyed=None
|resistances=fire, cold, sleep, electricity, poison, level drain
|attributes={{attributes|Vecna|fly=1|see_invis=1|breathless=1|humanoid=1|pois=1|regen=1|nopoly=1|stalk=1|hostile=1|pname=1|strong=1|magic=1|nasty=1|prince=1|male=1|wantsbook=1|waitforu=1|close=1|infravision=1|mh_undead=1|nocorpse=1}}
|size=Medium
|nutr=100
|weight=1200
|reference=[https://github.com/k21971/EvilHack/blob/v0.8.4/src/monst.c#L2266 EvilHack 0.8.4 - monst.c, line 2266]
}}

'''Vecna''', {{monsym|Vecna}}, is a [[unique]] [[monster]] that appears in [[EvilHack]]. He is a [[Lich (monster class)|lich]] that presides over [[Vecna's Domain|his own domain]] in [[GehennomGehennom]]: he is [[strong]] and capable of [[flight]], has [[infravision]], will pick up [[magical item]]s he comes across, and can [[follow]] a [[hero]] to other levels if he is adjacent. Vecna is [[covetous]] and capable of warping short distances across a level, and desires the [[Book of the Dead]]—he is also an [[overlord]] to his kind, and neither [[Lich (monster class)|liches]] nor [[Alhoon (EvilHack)|alhoons]] can be subjected to [[genocide]] until he is destroyed.

Vecna has a powerful [[cold]] touch attack, a strong [[withering]] touch attack, a [[gaze]] that subjects targets to death magic from the [[touch of death]], and will cast one mage [[monster spell]] and one clerical monster spell during each of his turns. Vecna possesses [[fire resistance]], [[cold resistance]], [[sleep resistance]], [[poison resistance]], [[shock resistance]], [[death resistance]], and [[drain resistance]].

Vecna is [[poisonous]] to consume, which primarily comes up if he is [[digested]] by another monster.

==Generation==
Vecna is always generated hostile, and is not a valid form for polymorph. As he is guaranteed to appear in each game, he will not appear in [[bones]] files.

Vecna is generated on the last floor of his domain at level creation, where he occupies the [[throne]] within his lair.

Vecna is [[Monster starting inventory|always generated with]] a cursed and rotted [[robe]] of [[drain resistance]] and a ring of slow digestion.

Vecna [[Corpseless|does not leave a corpse]] upon death: if he is killed in a manner that would ordinarily leave a [[corpse]], he will instead drop either [[The Hand of Vecna (EvilHack)|The Hand of Vecna]] or [[The Eye of Vecna]].

==Strategy==
[[The Sword of Kas]] is often a vital part of most heroes' 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]] heroes 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 hero'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, as it is a valuable asset for inevitable later fights against wraiths and vampires (including [[Vlad the Impaler]] and his [[Lifestealer]]).

{{todo|Finish out this section.}}

==History==
Vecna is first introduced to EvilHack in version 0.7.0 as part of three commits that add Vecna's Domain as a new branch.<ref>[https://github.com/k21971/EvilHack/commit/59f3575fb1130f3cf051663f81bc851106f4a928 EvilHack commit 59f3575 - "New branch: Vecna's domain (part one)."]</ref><ref>[https://github.com/k21971/EvilHack/commit/f0d135255a6060adbe82a095efdcfc402218866e EvilHack commit f0d1352 - "New branch: Vecna's domain (part two) - artifacts, Kas (unique monster)."]</ref><ref>[https://github.com/k21971/EvilHack/commit/919cd959f737dd6791411dfda7e93c0ddb1c6756 EvilHack commit 919cd95 - "New branch: Vecna's domain (part three) - levels, minor tweaks."]</ref>

==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 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 becoming a powerful lich in his own right.

==Encyclopedia entry==
{{encyclopedia|
Vecna's early life was clouded in legend and contradiction.
Most accounts stated that he was originally a human wizard
from Oerth, although some reports claimed that he was a half-elf.
After having become an extremely powerful wizard and starting to
fear for his own mortality, Vecna was taught by Orcus how to
achieve undeath, later becoming one of the most powerful liches
ever in existence.

During his reign, Vecna trusted his lieutenant Kas with most
administrative tasks. He forged the powerful Sword of Kas as an
instrument of his lieutenant's authority. However, Vecna's evil,
manifested in the sword, seduced Kas into usurping and killing his
master.
}}

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:EvilHack monsters]]

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
   |frequency=Unique
   |genocidable=No
-  |attacks=[[Touch]] 8d6 [[cold]], Touch 6d6 [[withering]], Gaze 3d4 [[Touch of death|death]], [[monster spell|Spell-casting]] 4d6 [[Mage monster spell|mage]], [[monster spell|Spell-casting]] 4d6 [[Clerical monster spell|clerical]]
+  |attacks=[[Touch attack|Touch]] 8d6 [[cold]], touch 6d6 [[withering]], [[gaze]] 3d4 [[Touch of death|death]], [[Monster spell|spell-casting]] 4d6 mage, spell-casting 4d6 clerical
   |resistances conveyed=None
   |resistances=[[fire resistance]], [[cold resistance]], [[sleep resistance]], [[poison resistance]], [[shock resistance]], [[drain resistance]]

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
   |frequency=Unique
   |genocidable=No
-  |attacks=Touch 8d6 [[cold]], Touch 6d6 [[withering]], Gaze 3d4 [[Touch of death]], [[monster spell|Spell-casting]] 4d6 mage, [[monster spell|Spell-casting]] 4d6 clerical
+  |attacks=[[Touch]] 8d6 [[cold]], Touch 6d6 [[withering]], Gaze 3d4 [[Touch of death|death]], [[monster spell|Spell-casting]] 4d6 [[Mage monster spell|mage]], [[monster spell|Spell-casting]] 4d6 [[Clerical monster spell|clerical]]
   |resistances conveyed=None
   |resistances=fire, cold, sleep, electricity, poison, level drain
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
   |nutr=100
   |weight=1200
-  |reference=[https://github.com/k21971/EvilHack/blob/v0.8.4/src/monst.c#L2266 EvilHack 0.8.4 - monst.c, line 2266]
+  |reference=[https://github.com/k21971/EvilHack/blob/0.9.0/src/monst.c#L2413 EvilHack 0.9.0 - src/monst.c, line 2413]
 }}
 {{for|the monster in other variants|Vecna}}
 '''Vecna''', {{monsym|Vecna}}, is a [[unique]] [[monster]] that appears in [[EvilHack]]. He is a [[Lich (monster class)|lich]] that presides over [[Vecna's Domain|his own domain]] in [[Gehennom (EvilHack)|Gehennom]]: he is [[strong]] and capable of [[flight]], has [[infravision]], will pick up [[magical item]]s he comes across, and can [[follow]] a [[hero]] to other levels if he is adjacent. Vecna is [[covetous]] and capable of warping short distances across a level, and desires the [[Book of the Dead]]&mdash;he is also an [[overlord]] to his kind, and neither [[Lich (monster class)|liches]] nor [[Alhoon (EvilHack)|alhoons]] can be subjected to [[genocide]] until he is destroyed.
@@ Line 41: / Line 40: @@
 Vecna will not be drawn into combat by most methods of aggravating monsters, but a drum of earthquake or [[Gjallar]] will still work.
-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, and it is also a valuable asset for the inevitable later fights against wraiths and vampires (including [[Vlad the Impaler]] and his [[Lifestealer (EvilHack)|Lifestealer]]).
+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, and it is also a valuable asset for the inevitable later fights against wraiths and vampires (including [[Vlad the Impaler (EvilHack)|Vlad the Impaler]] and his [[Lifestealer (EvilHack)|Lifestealer]]).
 {{todo|Finish out this section.}}

@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 Vecna will not be drawn into combat by most methods of aggravating monsters, but a drum of earthquake or [[Gjallar]] will still work.
-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, as it is a valuable asset for inevitable later fights against wraiths and vampires (including [[Vlad the Impaler]] and his [[Lifestealer]]).
+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, and it is also a valuable asset for the inevitable later fights against wraiths and vampires (including [[Vlad the Impaler]] and his [[Lifestealer (EvilHack)|Lifestealer]]).
 {{todo|Finish out this section.}}

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
   |reference=[https://github.com/k21971/EvilHack/blob/v0.8.4/src/monst.c#L2266 EvilHack 0.8.4 - monst.c, line 2266]
 }}
 '''Vecna''', {{monsym|Vecna}}, is a [[unique]] [[monster]] that appears in [[EvilHack]]. He is a [[Lich (monster class)|lich]] that presides over [[Vecna's Domain|his own domain]] in [[Gehennom (EvilHack)|Gehennom]]: he is [[strong]] and capable of [[flight]], has [[infravision]], will pick up [[magical item]]s he comes across, and can [[follow]] a [[hero]] to other levels if he is adjacent. Vecna is [[covetous]] and capable of warping short distances across a level, and desires the [[Book of the Dead]]&mdash;he is also an [[overlord]] to his kind, and neither [[Lich (monster class)|liches]] nor [[Alhoon (EvilHack)|alhoons]] can be subjected to [[genocide]] until he is destroyed.

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 Vecna is generated on the last floor of his domain at level creation, where he occupies the [[throne]] within his lair.
-Vecna is [[Monster starting inventory|always generated with]] a cursed and rotted [[robe]] of [[drain resistance]] and a ring of slow digestion.
+Vecna is [[Monster starting inventory|always generated with]] a cursed and rotted [[robe]] of [[drain resistance]] and a [[ring of slow digestion]].
 Vecna [[Corpseless|does not leave a corpse]] upon death, and will instead always drop either [[The Hand of Vecna (EvilHack)|The Hand of Vecna]] or [[The Eye of Vecna]] with an equal probability of each, even if his death would not usually leave a corpse (e.g. by stoning, disintegration, or dying over [[lava]]).

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
   |attacks=[[Touch]] 8d6 [[cold]], Touch 6d6 [[withering]], Gaze 3d4 [[Touch of death|death]], [[monster spell|Spell-casting]] 4d6 [[Mage monster spell|mage]], [[monster spell|Spell-casting]] 4d6 [[Clerical monster spell|clerical]]
   |resistances conveyed=None
-  |resistances=fire, cold, sleep, electricity, poison, level drain
+  |resistances=[[fire resistance]], [[cold resistance]], [[sleep resistance]], [[poison resistance]], [[shock resistance]], [[drain resistance]]
   |attributes={{attributes|Vecna|fly=1|see_invis=1|breathless=1|humanoid=1|pois=1|regen=1|nopoly=1|stalk=1|hostile=1|pname=1|strong=1|magic=1|nasty=1|prince=1|male=1|wantsbook=1|waitforu=1|close=1|infravision=1|mh_undead=1|nocorpse=1}}
   |size=Medium
@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 '''Vecna''', {{monsym|Vecna}}, is a [[unique]] [[monster]] that appears in [[EvilHack]]. He is a [[Lich (monster class)|lich]] that presides over [[Vecna's Domain|his own domain]] in [[Gehennom (EvilHack)|Gehennom]]: he is [[strong]] and capable of [[flight]], has [[infravision]], will pick up [[magical item]]s he comes across, and can [[follow]] a [[hero]] to other levels if he is adjacent. Vecna is [[covetous]] and capable of warping short distances across a level, and desires the [[Book of the Dead]]&mdash;he is also an [[overlord]] to his kind, and neither [[Lich (monster class)|liches]] nor [[Alhoon (EvilHack)|alhoons]] can be subjected to [[genocide]] until he is destroyed.
-Vecna has a powerful [[cold]] touch attack, a strong [[withering]] touch attack, a [[gaze]] that subjects targets to death magic from the [[touch of death]], and will cast one mage [[monster spell]] and one clerical monster spell during each of his turns. Vecna possesses [[fire resistance]], [[cold resistance]], [[sleep resistance]], [[poison resistance]], [[shock resistance]], [[death resistance]], and [[drain resistance]].
+Vecna has a powerful [[cold]] [[touch attack]], a strong [[withering]] touch attack, a [[gaze]] that subjects targets to death magic similar to the [[touch of death]], and the ability to cast one mage [[monster spell]] and one clerical monster spell during each of his turns. Vecna possesses [[fire resistance]], [[cold resistance]], [[sleep resistance]], [[poison resistance]], [[shock resistance]], [[death resistance]], and [[drain resistance]].
-Vecna is [[poisonous]] to consume, which primarily comes up if he is [[digested]] by another monster.
+Vecna is [[poisonous]] to consume, which primarily comes up if he is [[digested]] by another monster (which cannot instantly kill him).
 ==Generation==
-Vecna is always generated hostile, and is not a valid form for polymorph. As he is guaranteed to appear in each game, he will not appear in [[bones]] files.
+Vecna is always generated hostile, and is not a valid polymorph form or genocide target. As he is guaranteed to appear in each game, he will not appear in [[bones]] files.
-Vecna is generated on the last floor of his domain at level creation, where he occupies the [[throne]] within his lair.
+Vecna is generated on the last floor of his domain during level creation, where he occupies the [[throne]] within his lair.
-Vecna is [[Monster starting inventory|always generated with]] a cursed and rotted [[robe]] of [[drain resistance]] and a [[ring of slow digestion]].
+Vecna is [[always generated with]] a cursed and rotted [[robe]] of [[drain resistance]] and a [[ring of slow digestion]].
-Vecna [[Corpseless|does not leave a corpse]] upon death, and will instead always drop either [[The Hand of Vecna (EvilHack)|The Hand of Vecna]] or [[The Eye of Vecna]] with an equal probability of each, even if his death would not usually leave a corpse (e.g. by stoning, disintegration, or dying over [[lava]]).
+Vecna [[Corpseless|does not leave a corpse]] upon death, and will instead always drop either [[The Hand of Vecna (EvilHack)|The Hand of Vecna]] or [[The Eye of Vecna]] with an equal probability of each, even if destroying him would not normally leave a corpse (e.g. by stoning, disintegration, or being defeated over [[lava]]).
 ==Strategy==
@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 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 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.
 ==Encyclopedia entry==
 {{encyclopedia|
-	Vecna's early life was clouded in legend and contradiction.
+Vecna's early life was clouded in legend and contradiction.
-	Most accounts stated that he was originally a human wizard
+Most accounts stated that he was originally a human wizard
-	from Oerth, although some reports claimed that he was a half-elf.
+from Oerth, although some reports claimed that he was a half-elf.
-	After having become an extremely powerful wizard and starting to
+After having become an extremely powerful wizard and starting to
-	fear for his own mortality, Vecna was taught by Orcus how to
+fear for his own mortality, Vecna was taught by Orcus how to
-	achieve undeath, later becoming one of the most powerful liches
+achieve undeath, later becoming one of the most powerful liches
-	ever in existence.
+ever in existence.
-	During his reign, Vecna trusted his lieutenant Kas with most
+During his reign, Vecna trusted his lieutenant Kas with most
-	administrative tasks.  He forged the powerful Sword of Kas as an
+administrative tasks.  He forged the powerful Sword of Kas as an
-	instrument of his lieutenant's authority.  However, Vecna's evil,
+instrument of his lieutenant's authority.  However, Vecna's evil,
-	manifested in the sword, seduced Kas into usurping and killing his
+manifested in the sword, seduced Kas into usurping and killing his
-	master.
+master.
 }}

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 Vecna is [[Monster starting inventory|always generated with]] a cursed and rotted [[robe]] of [[drain resistance]] and a ring of slow digestion.
-Vecna [[Corpseless|does not leave a corpse]] upon death: if he is killed in a manner that would ordinarily leave a [[corpse]], he will instead drop either [[The Hand of Vecna (EvilHack)|The Hand of Vecna]] or [[The Eye of Vecna]].
+Vecna [[Corpseless|does not leave a corpse]] upon death. However, he will instead drop either [[The Hand of Vecna (EvilHack)|The Hand of Vecna]] or [[The Eye of Vecna]], even if his death would not usually leave a corpse (e.g. by stoning, disintegration, or dying over [[lava]]).
 ==Strategy==
 [[The Sword of Kas]] is often a vital part of most heroes' 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]] heroes 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 hero'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, as it is a valuable asset for inevitable later fights against wraiths and vampires (including [[Vlad the Impaler]] and his [[Lifestealer]]).