View source for Vecna's Domain

'''Vecna's Domain''' is a dungeon [[branch]] that appears in [[EvilHack]]. It is made up of three levels: a forest of [[dead tree]]s filled with [[graveyard]]s, a stronghold ruled by his lieutenant, and the lair of [[Vecna]] himself, who prevents [[Alhoon (EvilHack)|alhoons]] and all types of [[Lich (monster class)|liches]] from being [[genocide]]d until he is defeated.

The entire branch is [[non-diggable]], [[no-teleport]], and [[dark]].

==Generation==
Vecna's Domain is accessible via a [[magic portal]] that appears on the level directly below the [[Valley of the Dead]]. 

===First level===
<div class="ttymap"><replacecharsblock rules="ttymap">
t=[[Dead tree|{{darkgray|#}}]]
L=[[Lich (monster class)|{{white|L}}]]
^=[[Magic portal|{{purple|^}}]]

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The first level is a withered forest, filled with six graveyards - three are situated on each side of the portal. Three of the four marked staircases (chosen at random) are [[giant mimic]]s mimicking staircases. Of the marked L, two will be standard [[lich]]es, and two will be [[demilich]]es, chosen at random. Scattered around the level are six random V, eight random Z, eight random M, four random {{mcsl| }}, and ten random [[trap]]s.

===Second level===
<div class="ttymap"><replacecharsblock rules="ttymap">
#=[[drawbridge|{{brown|#}}]]
:=[[salamander|{{orange|:}}]]
m=[[marilith|{{red|&}}]]
M=[[master lich|{{magenta|L}}]]
e=[[Beholder (EvilHack)|{{brown|e}}]]
w=[[weredemon|{{black|&}}]]
r=[[vampire royal|{{magenta|V}}]]
v=[[vampire mage|{{brightblue|V}}]]
b=[[balrog|{{red|&}}]]
D=[[demilich|{{red|L}}]]
V=[[Kas|{{black|V}}]]
R=[[revenant|{{brightblue|Z}}]]
Z=[[Z|{{white|Z}}]]
l=[[V|{{white|V}}]]
u=[[M|{{white|M}}]]
c=[[chest|{{brown|(}}]]
s=[[iron safe|{{cyan|(}}]]

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</replacecharsblock></div>
The second level is a stronghold surrounded by [[lava]], with the stairway up placed at the far east of the level; flanking it are two cells containing a [[marilith]] each. Both mariliths are generated with an [[uncursed]] [[orcish bow]] and 50 uncursed [[orcish arrow]]s. Placed in the courtyard are six random V, four random Z, seven random M, four random {{monsym|ghost}}, four [[revenant]]s, and two [[Beholder (EvilHack)|beholders]].

The north and south ends of the central section contain two [[master lich]]es each. Placed nearby are two random [[Zombie (EvilHack)|zombies]] and two random [[Mummy (EvilHack)|mummies]]. Guarding the bridge to [[Kas]]'s chamber is another marilith in a cell, generated with an uncursed orcish bow and 100 uncursed orcish arrows, and four [[salamander]]s are placed in the lava near the [[drawbridge]].

Kas is generated at the east end of his chamber, and stands directly on the down stairs. He is generated with [[The Sword of Kas|his cursed sword]], [[plate mail]], a [[helmet]], [[Gauntlets (EvilHack)|gauntlets]], [[dwarvish boots]], and a [[ring of slow digestion]]. Accompanying him are a [[weredemon]], a [[balrog]], two demiliches, five [[vampire royal]]s and a [[vampire mage]]. Adjacent to the stairs are an [[iron safe]] and a [[chest]], containing random loot.

===Third level===
<div class="ttymap"><replacecharsblock rules="ttymap">
t=[[Dead tree|{{darkgray|#}}]]
{=[[forge (dungeon_feature)|{{orange|{}}]]
:=[[salamander|{{orange|:}}]]
U=[[shambling horror|{{cyan|U}}]]
h=[[Alhoon (EvilHack)|{{gray|h}}]]
d=[[demilich|{{red|L}}]]
H=[[elder minotaur|{{black|H}}]]
s=[[skeleton|{{white|Z}}]]
m=[[master lich|{{magenta|L}}]]
a=[[arch-lich|{{magenta|L}}]]
l=[[lich|{{brown|L}}]]
v=[[Vecna|{{purple|L}}]]
(=[[crystal chest|{{white|(}}]]
c=[[chest|{{brown|(}}]]

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The third level is Vecna's lair, and is inhabited by various liches and other powerful monsters. The stairs up are placed at the southeast corner of the map. To the northeast, there is a small room inhabited by an [[Alhoon (EvilHack)|alhoon]]; this room is considered a graveyard. Four salamanders inhabit the lava river, and there is a {{frac|4}} chance of a [[forge (dungeon feature)|forge]] being placed far north of the stairs. Farther to the north, a singular master lich sits on a small island. Randomly scattered throughout the level are four random Z, four random M, two random V, two random &, two random {{monsym|ghost}}, twelve revenants, four liches, two demiliches, and a beholder. There is also a {{frac|7|20}} chance of a random alhoon being created. Additionally, there are eight random objects, twelve random traps, an [[axe]], and a [[corpse]] of every type of [[player monster]], excluding [[Monk (player monster)|monks]].

Past the lava river is Vecna's lair proper. There is a {{frac|2}} chance of the secret door to the north being generated; otherwise the only way in is through the drawbridge to the east. Past the drawbridge is a [[shambling horror]], two [[skeleton]]s and an [[elder minotaur]]. Near the middle of the building is a storeroom that contains an iron safe and two chests, all containing random loot, with a demilich stationed atop the safe. Guarding Vecna are four liches and an [[arch-lich]], with Vecna himself occupying a [[throne]] directly past them. He is always generated with a cursed, rotted [[robe]] of [[drain resistance]] and a ring of slow digestion. 

Behind Vecna's throne is a [[crystal chest]] containing 20000 zorkmids, four uncursed [[gem]]s, two uncursed [[scroll]]s, one blessed scroll, a single [[ring]] of each beatitude, an uncursed [[amulet]], a blessed amulet, a cursed [[potion]], a blessed potion, three uncursed [[spellbook]]s, one cursed spellbook, and one blessed spellbook. This chest also has a {{frac|5}} chance of containing a [[magic marker]].

==Strategy==
The abundance of [[covetous]] [[monster spell]]casters makes [[boulder fort]] tactics attractive to prevent being swarmed: a single lich casting [[aggravate]] can easily alert many dangerous monsters to your location at once. Cursed [[potion of invisibility|potions of invisibility]] can attract the various master liches, arch-liches and alhoons, but will not wake up Vecna. A [[drum of earthquake]] can reach Vecna if the player is high enough level, but the [[pit]]s it creates can make creating a boulder fort more difficult.

Nearly every monster in Vecna's Domain is either [[demonic]] or [[undead]], so weapons such as [[Sunsword]] or [[Demonbane]] work well - the [[Hammer of the Gods]] in particular, created by fusing Sunsword and Demonbane, will make quick work of most threats and works as a very strong ranged option. In addition to the Hammer of the Gods, spells such as [[Spell of magic missile|magic missile]] are also powerful ranged options - be aware that high-level spell-casters can cast reflection, so [[ray]]-type attacks will not always be effective. Due to the high number of zombies present and the  as well as one or more alhoons, it is prudent to [[grease]] your headwear to avoid forgetting spells or [[skills]].

==History==
Vecna's Domain is introduced in EvilHack 0.7.0. 

==Messages==
{{message|You hear a mysterious chanting.<br>You hear the tortured cries of the damned.|There is a portal to Vecna's Domain on the level.}}
{{message|You enter a desolate landscape, completely devoid of life.<br>Every fiber of your being tells you to leave this evil place, now.|These messages are displayed upon entering the branch for the first time.}}<!--{{variant-36X}}-->
[[Category:EvilHack dungeon branches]]