History of Vecna in Timeline

Vecna is a prominent fictional villain in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, widely recognized as one of its greatest antagonists. He is known for his pursuit of forbidden knowledge and dark magic, ultimately transforming into a powerful lich. Vecna's lore often involves plots to achieve godhood and dominate the world. Key symbols associated with him include his left hand and eye, which are potent magical artifacts. Vecna's enduring popularity has made him a recurring figure in D&D campaigns and related media.

1976: Invention of the Hand and Eye of Vecna in Eldritch Wizardry

In 1976, Brian Blume invented the Hand and Eye of Vecna in Eldritch Wizardry, the third supplement to the original Dungeons & Dragons rules. They were described as remnants of an evil lich named Vecna.

1976: Original Appearance of the Eye and Hand of Vecna in Eldritch Wizardry

In 1976, the original appearance of the Eye and Hand of Vecna was in Eldritch Wizardry, where it was said that Vecna was long-since destroyed.

1979: Mention of the Hand and Eye of Vecna in the Dungeon Master's Guide

In 1979, the Hand and Eye of Vecna were mentioned in the first edition Dungeon Master's Guide. Vecna was regarded as a legend, a long-destroyed legendary lich.

1989: Expansion of Vecna's History in the Dungeon Master's Guide

In 1989, Vecna's history was expanded in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition's Dungeon Master's Guide, specifically under the description of his Hand.

1990: Vecna's Appearance in Vecna Lives!

In 1990, Vecna appeared in person in the adventure Vecna Lives!, reimagined as a demigod. At the end of the adventure, Vecna is transported to the Ravenloft campaign setting.

1991: Highlight of the Vecna Lives Module

The article highlights the Vecna Lives module.

1993: Further Development of Vecna's History in Book of Artifacts

In 1993, Vecna's history was further developed in the supplemental sourcebook Book of Artifacts via his artifacts.

1997: Confirmation of Vecna's Location in Ravenloft in Domains of Dread

In 1997, Domains of Dread confirmed Vecna's new location in the realm of Ravenloft.

1998: Ravenloft-centered Follow-Through with Vecna Reborn

In 1998, there was a Ravenloft-centered follow-through with Vecna Reborn.

1999: References to Vecna in Planescape: Torment

In 1999, the Dungeons & Dragons video game Planescape: Torment included references to Vecna. Morte claims to be the head of Vecna, and the Eye of Vecna appears as a rare item drop.

2000: Use of Vecna in Die Vecna Die!

In 2000, Alex Lucard highlighted the use of Vecna in Die Vecna, Die.

2000: Vecna Listed as a Lesser Deity in Player's Handbook and Described in Living Greyhawk Gazetteer

In 2000, Vecna was listed as a Lesser deity in the Player's Handbook for the Third Edition of Dungeons & Dragons. His role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was also defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer.

2000: Release of Die Vecna Die! and Vecna's Rank as a Lesser God

In 2000, Wizards of the Coast released Die Vecna Die!, the last adventure for the 2nd edition ruleset, which tied Greyhawk to Ravenloft and Planescape. In this adventure, Vecna was given the rank of a lesser god.

2000: Appearance of the Head of Vecna in Die Vecna Die!

In 2000, the Head of Vecna made a canonical appearance in the AD&D 2nd edition module Die Vecna Die!

2002: Vecna Detailed in Deities and Demigods

In 2002, Vecna was detailed in the Deities and Demigods book.

2003: Vecna Appears in the Revised Player's Handbook

In 2003, Vecna appears in the revised Player's Handbook for Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition.

2004: Vecna's Priesthood Detailed in Complete Divine and Featured in Libris Mortis

In 2004, Vecna's priesthood is detailed in Complete Divine, and Vecna was one of the deities featured in Libris Mortis.

2007: Short Adventure Featuring the Head of Vecna on Wizards of the Coast Website

In 2007, The Head of Vecna was the subject of a short adventure on the Wizards of the Coast website.

2007: Vecna and his Priesthood Expanded Upon in Dragon #348

In 2007, Vecna and his priesthood were expanded upon in Dragon #348, in the "Core Beliefs" column.

2008: Vecna Appears in the Dungeon Master's Guide for 4th Edition

In 2008, Vecna appears as one of the deities described in the Dungeon Master's Guide for Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition. He is primarily the god of secrets.

2014: Vecna Appears in the 5th Edition Dungeon Master's Guide and Player's Handbook

In 2014, Vecna appears as a member of the "Dawn War Pantheon" in the 5th Edition Dungeon Master's Guide and is included in the Player's Handbook as one of the deities of Greyhawk. In both, he is listed as the god of evil secrets.

2015: Vecna Mentioned in the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

In 2015, Vecna is mentioned in the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide as a possible God for the Arcana Cleric Domain and a Warlock patron of the Undying.

2018: Vecna Ranked #2 on Screen Rant's "Dungeons & Dragons: The 15 Most Powerful Villains, Ranked" List

In 2018, Vecna was ranked #2 on Screen Rant's "Dungeons & Dragons: The 15 Most Powerful Villains, Ranked" list, highlighting the Vecna Lives module.

2019: Arkhan's Storyline in Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus

In 2019, Arkhan's storyline in Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus involves him attempting to master the Hand of Vecna in hopes of freeing Tiamat, with the artifact corrupting his left side.

2019: Jeremy Thomas's Article on Vecna for 411Mania

In 2019, Jeremy Thomas wrote an article for 411Mania, stating Vecna is one of D&D’s most well-known villainous characters

2019: Arkhan Added to Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus, Adding Critical Role Events to D&D Canon

In 2019, Joe Manganiello's character Arkhan was added to the adventure module Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus, adding the events of Critical Role to the official Dungeons & Dragons canon.

2020: Vecna Ranked #4 on CBR's "10 Unique (& Powerful) Villains To Spice Up A High Level Dungeons & Dragons Campaign" List

In 2020, Vecna was ranked #4 on CBR's "10 Unique (& Powerful) Villains To Spice Up A High Level Dungeons & Dragons Campaign" list, noting his ascension from necromancer to lich to god.

2020: Vecna Ranked #4 on Game Rant's "10 Must-Have NPCs In Dungeons & Dragons Lore To Make Your Campaigns Awesome" List

In 2020, Vecna was ranked #4 on Game Rant's "10 Must-Have NPCs In Dungeons & Dragons Lore To Make Your Campaigns Awesome" list.

2020: Details on Vox Machina's Fight with Vecna Included in Explorer's Guide to Wildemount

In 2020, further details on Vox Machina's fight with Vecna were included in the official campaign sourcebook Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, along with details on Vecna's enemies and his commandments.

June 2022: Release of the Vecna Dossier on D&D Beyond

In June 2022, Wizards of the Coast released the Vecna Dossier as a digital exclusive on D&D Beyond. This included background information and a 5th Edition statblock for Vecna as an archlich before his ascension to godhood.

May 2024: Release of Vecna: Eve of Ruin Adventure Module

In May 2024, the adventure module Vecna: Eve of Ruin was released, launching a new storyline that will play out over a five-year period.

2024: Mention of the Sword in the Dungeon Master's Guide

In 2024, the sword is listed as an artifact in the Dungeon Master's Guide.

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