A reference to Vecna?
Moderators: DJ LaBoss, finarvyn, michaelcurtis, Harley Stroh
- nerdwerds
- Wild-Eyed Zealot
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:24 pm
- Location: Madison, WI
- Contact:
A reference to Vecna?
I'm in the middle of designing my own patron and I'm having a hard time devising some spells for them. Using the examples provided in the rulebook for inspiration I was finishing up some details on the first spell and I noticed what I think is a reference to Vecna.
On page 337 there is a picture of what I assume is a wizard invoking Sezrekan and at his feet are a hand and an eye. These could just be a couple of material components that the wizard is sacrificing, or using to make his spell work, but I couldn't help and think of the infamous hand and eye of Vecna. Especially of Sezrekan is the "wickedest of wizards" that he has somehow achieved a greater level of power than Vecna ever had.
On page 337 there is a picture of what I assume is a wizard invoking Sezrekan and at his feet are a hand and an eye. These could just be a couple of material components that the wizard is sacrificing, or using to make his spell work, but I couldn't help and think of the infamous hand and eye of Vecna. Especially of Sezrekan is the "wickedest of wizards" that he has somehow achieved a greater level of power than Vecna ever had.
"The Shamrock Shake is a frosty, minty symbol of all that we hold dear. It is shameful that we as a people cannot enjoy this proud, symbolic beverage any more than one week a year. Unless the British government loosens its iron grip on this most Irish of shakes, the streets will once again run red with English blood." - Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein, the IRA's political wing.
- DCCfan
- Steely-Eyed Heathen-Slayer
- Posts: 638
- Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:23 am
- FLGS: The Comics Club
- Location: Auburndale, FL
Re: A reference to Vecna?
Good eye.
I missed those details in the picture.
I missed those details in the picture.
"When creating your character,choose an ethical system that can justify nearly any fit of temper, greed, cowardice, or vindictiveness, for example, Chaotic Violent..."
THE PROTOCOLS, ADVANCED PROTOCOL #10
THE PROTOCOLS, ADVANCED PROTOCOL #10
- Ravenheart87
- Tight-Lipped Warlock
- Posts: 903
- Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:34 pm
- Location: Győr, Hungary
- Contact:
Re: A reference to Vecna?
Possible, although the idea of the hand and eye of Vecna were taken form an even earlier literary source: Moorcock's Corum stories.
Vorpal Mace: a humble rpg blog with some DCC-related stuff.
- nerdwerds
- Wild-Eyed Zealot
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:24 pm
- Location: Madison, WI
- Contact:
Re: A reference to Vecna?
I thought they were probably lifted from something even earlier than that.Ravenheart87 wrote:Possible, although the idea of the hand and eye of Vecna were taken form an even earlier literary source: Moorcock's Corum stories.
"The Raven" with Vincent Price has him making a potion with a dead man's hand and frog's eyes, or maybe it was a dead man's eyes and a frog's hand...
"The Shamrock Shake is a frosty, minty symbol of all that we hold dear. It is shameful that we as a people cannot enjoy this proud, symbolic beverage any more than one week a year. Unless the British government loosens its iron grip on this most Irish of shakes, the streets will once again run red with English blood." - Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein, the IRA's political wing.
-
- Deft-Handed Cutpurse
- Posts: 233
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:25 am
Re: A reference to Vecna?
And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
Purple Planeteers:
Jingles Coinclink, Halfling, hag-hacked into haggis
Nurzual the Faceter – M Jwlr - Wiz - L
S 12 A 8 (-1) S 9 P 11 I 15 (+1) L 10
AC 9 HP 6 Mv 30 Init -1 Ref 0 Fort 0 Will 1
Chalk 1pc, 20 gp Gem, Backpack, 10’ chain, 10 sheets parchment, Kith pouch, small hammer, ray-gun, Rope 50', 5gp 10sp 274 cp
shortsword +0(1d6)
Ch Psn (no MM), Clr Spr 65, Force Manip 81, Rd Mag 12, Spidr Cl 69
Pl.Common (basic)
Snooth Inksplot Scribe RIP under cave-in, a crushing loss
Qort Quiddlegit M Hlr - Cler - N(C?)
S 11 temp 14 (+1) A 11 temp 14 (+1) S 6 (-1) P 5 (-2) I 6 (-1) L 5 (-2)
AC 10 temp 11 HP 8 Mov 30 Init 0 Ref t+1 Fort 0 Will -1
club +0 (1d4+1t) - hand mirror, holy wtr, wtrskin Kith drink 12 oz drunk, 31 cp
-2 Ms fire damage
Det Magic
Brandybland Shoetree F Coblr N
S 10 A 9 S 10 P 8 (-1) I 9 L 9
AC 14 HP 1 Mov 30 Init 0 Ref 0 Fort 0; Will -1
gldtr glaive +0 (1d10) - gldtr ch mail - Fe spike, shoehorn, 48 cp
Prof: dagger
Jingles Coinclink, Halfling, hag-hacked into haggis
Nurzual the Faceter – M Jwlr - Wiz - L
S 12 A 8 (-1) S 9 P 11 I 15 (+1) L 10
AC 9 HP 6 Mv 30 Init -1 Ref 0 Fort 0 Will 1
Chalk 1pc, 20 gp Gem, Backpack, 10’ chain, 10 sheets parchment, Kith pouch, small hammer, ray-gun, Rope 50', 5gp 10sp 274 cp
shortsword +0(1d6)
Ch Psn (no MM), Clr Spr 65, Force Manip 81, Rd Mag 12, Spidr Cl 69
Pl.Common (basic)
Snooth Inksplot Scribe RIP under cave-in, a crushing loss
Qort Quiddlegit M Hlr - Cler - N(C?)
S 11 temp 14 (+1) A 11 temp 14 (+1) S 6 (-1) P 5 (-2) I 6 (-1) L 5 (-2)
AC 10 temp 11 HP 8 Mov 30 Init 0 Ref t+1 Fort 0 Will -1
club +0 (1d4+1t) - hand mirror, holy wtr, wtrskin Kith drink 12 oz drunk, 31 cp
-2 Ms fire damage
Det Magic
Brandybland Shoetree F Coblr N
S 10 A 9 S 10 P 8 (-1) I 9 L 9
AC 14 HP 1 Mov 30 Init 0 Ref 0 Fort 0; Will -1
gldtr glaive +0 (1d10) - gldtr ch mail - Fe spike, shoehorn, 48 cp
Prof: dagger
- Raven_Crowking
- Cold-Hearted Immortal
- Posts: 3159
- Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:41 am
- FLGS: The Sword & Board
- Contact:
Re: A reference to Vecna?
I cannot believe I never noticed that.Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
SoBH pbp:
Cathbad the Meek (herbalist Wizard 1): AC 9; 4 hp; S 7, A 7, St 10, P 17, I 13, L 8; Neutral; Club, herbs, 50' rope, 50 cp; -1 to melee attack rolls. Hideous scar.
Cathbad the Meek (herbalist Wizard 1): AC 9; 4 hp; S 7, A 7, St 10, P 17, I 13, L 8; Neutral; Club, herbs, 50' rope, 50 cp; -1 to melee attack rolls. Hideous scar.
- nerdwerds
- Wild-Eyed Zealot
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:24 pm
- Location: Madison, WI
- Contact:
Re: A reference to Vecna?
Over thirty years and I never made that connection... You have just blown my mind!Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
"The Shamrock Shake is a frosty, minty symbol of all that we hold dear. It is shameful that we as a people cannot enjoy this proud, symbolic beverage any more than one week a year. Unless the British government loosens its iron grip on this most Irish of shakes, the streets will once again run red with English blood." - Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein, the IRA's political wing.
- Blood Axe
- Cold-Blooded Diabolist
- Posts: 530
- Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:58 am
- FLGS: The Portal
- Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Re: A reference to Vecna?
Vecna would make an awesome patron.
To defend: This is the Pact.
But when life loses its value,
and is taken for naught -
then the Pact is to Avenge.
But when life loses its value,
and is taken for naught -
then the Pact is to Avenge.
- Raven_Crowking
- Cold-Hearted Immortal
- Posts: 3159
- Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:41 am
- FLGS: The Sword & Board
- Contact:
Re: A reference to Vecna?
As far as I know, Vecna is now WotC's IP. How about an anagram of Vecna? Let's see......Vance!Blood Axe wrote:Vecna would make an awesome patron.
SoBH pbp:
Cathbad the Meek (herbalist Wizard 1): AC 9; 4 hp; S 7, A 7, St 10, P 17, I 13, L 8; Neutral; Club, herbs, 50' rope, 50 cp; -1 to melee attack rolls. Hideous scar.
Cathbad the Meek (herbalist Wizard 1): AC 9; 4 hp; S 7, A 7, St 10, P 17, I 13, L 8; Neutral; Club, herbs, 50' rope, 50 cp; -1 to melee attack rolls. Hideous scar.
- Blood Axe
- Cold-Blooded Diabolist
- Posts: 530
- Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:58 am
- FLGS: The Portal
- Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Re: A reference to Vecna?
Well, any evil Wizard Lich missing a few body parts might serve. . It doesn't have to be an anagram.
To defend: This is the Pact.
But when life loses its value,
and is taken for naught -
then the Pact is to Avenge.
But when life loses its value,
and is taken for naught -
then the Pact is to Avenge.
Re: A reference to Vecna?
I totally missed that ... at least I'm not aloneBilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
Terry Olson
- Ravenheart87
- Tight-Lipped Warlock
- Posts: 903
- Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:34 pm
- Location: Győr, Hungary
- Contact:
Re: A reference to Vecna?
So many people missed it. I thought it was common knowledge. Even wikipedia mentions it.Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
Vorpal Mace: a humble rpg blog with some DCC-related stuff.
- nerdwerds
- Wild-Eyed Zealot
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:24 pm
- Location: Madison, WI
- Contact:
Re: A reference to Vecna?
Oh sure, NOW it does! I remember a time when there was no reference to Vecna on wikipedia, nor did he have his own page.Ravenheart87 wrote:So many people missed it. I thought it was common knowledge. Even wikipedia mentions it.Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
"The Shamrock Shake is a frosty, minty symbol of all that we hold dear. It is shameful that we as a people cannot enjoy this proud, symbolic beverage any more than one week a year. Unless the British government loosens its iron grip on this most Irish of shakes, the streets will once again run red with English blood." - Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein, the IRA's political wing.
- finarvyn
- Cold-Hearted Immortal
- Posts: 2599
- Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:42 am
- FLGS: Fair Game, Downers Grove IL
- Location: Chicago suburbs
- Contact:
Re: A reference to Vecna?
Gygax, et all, did that a lot. I know that in the Greyhawk campaign there are a couple dozen names which, if descrambled, turn out to be regular names. Drawmij, for example, is "Jim Ward" backwards and is ironic because as I understand it Jim can't even use his own name backwards in a gaming product because WotC owns the IP for the name.Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
Marv / Finarvyn
DCC Minister of Propaganda; Deputized 6/8/11 (over 11 years of SPAM bustin'!)
DCC RPG playtester 2011, DCC Lankhmar trivia contest winner 2015; OD&D player since 1975
"The worthy GM never purposely kills players' PCs, He presents opportunities for the rash and unthinking players to do that all on their own."
-- Gary Gygax
"Don't ask me what you need to hit. Just roll the die and I will let you know!"
-- Dave Arneson
"Misinterpreting the rules is a shared memory for many of us"
-- Joseph Goodman
DCC Minister of Propaganda; Deputized 6/8/11 (over 11 years of SPAM bustin'!)
DCC RPG playtester 2011, DCC Lankhmar trivia contest winner 2015; OD&D player since 1975
"The worthy GM never purposely kills players' PCs, He presents opportunities for the rash and unthinking players to do that all on their own."
-- Gary Gygax
"Don't ask me what you need to hit. Just roll the die and I will let you know!"
-- Dave Arneson
"Misinterpreting the rules is a shared memory for many of us"
-- Joseph Goodman
- nerdwerds
- Wild-Eyed Zealot
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:24 pm
- Location: Madison, WI
- Contact:
Re: A reference to Vecna?
Wow! I didn't know that either.finarvyn wrote:Gygax, et all, did that a lot. I know that in the Greyhawk campaign there are a couple dozen names which, if descrambled, turn out to be regular names. Drawmij, for example, is "Jim Ward" backwards and is ironic because as I understand it Jim can't even use his own name backwards in a gaming product because WotC owns the IP for the name.Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
Nystul is pretty obvious.
But Mordenkainen?
Bigby?
Otiluke?
Tenser?
I can't imagine any of these are anagrams of real peoples' names.
"The Shamrock Shake is a frosty, minty symbol of all that we hold dear. It is shameful that we as a people cannot enjoy this proud, symbolic beverage any more than one week a year. Unless the British government loosens its iron grip on this most Irish of shakes, the streets will once again run red with English blood." - Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein, the IRA's political wing.
- Rick
- Cold-Blooded Diabolist
- Posts: 481
- Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:36 am
- FLGS: Gateway Games & More
- Location: N KY / Greater Cincinnati area
- Contact:
Re: A reference to Vecna?
Mordenkainen's name was inspired by Finnish mythology.
Tenser is an anagram for Ernest (as in Ernest "Ernie" Gygax, Gary's son and Tenser's player).
Otiluke may be a reference to both a PC of Gygax's named Otis and his son Luke.
Tenser is an anagram for Ernest (as in Ernest "Ernie" Gygax, Gary's son and Tenser's player).
Otiluke may be a reference to both a PC of Gygax's named Otis and his son Luke.
- GnomeBoy
- Tyrant Master (Administrator)
- Posts: 4127
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 1:46 pm
- FLGS: Bizarro World
- Location: Left Coast, USA
- Contact:
Re: A reference to Vecna?
...And in this vein, it is probably redundant of me to mention that Melf (of the Acid Arrow fame) was what a player of Gygax's came up with when he needed a name for his character, a male Elf...nerdwerds wrote:Wow! I didn't know that either.finarvyn wrote:Gygax, et all, did that a lot. I know that in the Greyhawk campaign there are a couple dozen names which, if descrambled, turn out to be regular names. Drawmij, for example, is "Jim Ward" backwards and is ironic because as I understand it Jim can't even use his own name backwards in a gaming product because WotC owns the IP for the name.Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
Nystul is pretty obvious.
But Mordenkainen?
Bigby?
Otiluke?
Tenser?
I can't imagine any of these are anagrams of real peoples' names.
...
Gnome Boy • DCC playtester @ DDC 35 Feb '11. • Beta DL 2111, 7AM PT, 8 June 11.
Playing RPGs since '77 • Quasi-occasional member of the Legion of 8th-Level Fighters.
Link: Here Be 100+ DCC Monsters
bygrinstow.com - The Home of Inner Ham
Gnome Boy • DCC playtester @ DDC 35 Feb '11. • Beta DL 2111, 7AM PT, 8 June 11.
Playing RPGs since '77 • Quasi-occasional member of the Legion of 8th-Level Fighters.
Link: Here Be 100+ DCC Monsters
bygrinstow.com - The Home of Inner Ham
-
- Deft-Handed Cutpurse
- Posts: 233
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:25 am
Re: A reference to Vecna?
Raven_Crowking wrote:I cannot believe I never noticed that.Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
My DM in college pointed that out to me to convince me to read Vance. I'd tried one of Vance's books as a kid and thought it was just weird.nerdwerds wrote:Over thirty years and I never made that connection... You have just blown my mind!Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
Purple Planeteers:
Jingles Coinclink, Halfling, hag-hacked into haggis
Nurzual the Faceter – M Jwlr - Wiz - L
S 12 A 8 (-1) S 9 P 11 I 15 (+1) L 10
AC 9 HP 6 Mv 30 Init -1 Ref 0 Fort 0 Will 1
Chalk 1pc, 20 gp Gem, Backpack, 10’ chain, 10 sheets parchment, Kith pouch, small hammer, ray-gun, Rope 50', 5gp 10sp 274 cp
shortsword +0(1d6)
Ch Psn (no MM), Clr Spr 65, Force Manip 81, Rd Mag 12, Spidr Cl 69
Pl.Common (basic)
Snooth Inksplot Scribe RIP under cave-in, a crushing loss
Qort Quiddlegit M Hlr - Cler - N(C?)
S 11 temp 14 (+1) A 11 temp 14 (+1) S 6 (-1) P 5 (-2) I 6 (-1) L 5 (-2)
AC 10 temp 11 HP 8 Mov 30 Init 0 Ref t+1 Fort 0 Will -1
club +0 (1d4+1t) - hand mirror, holy wtr, wtrskin Kith drink 12 oz drunk, 31 cp
-2 Ms fire damage
Det Magic
Brandybland Shoetree F Coblr N
S 10 A 9 S 10 P 8 (-1) I 9 L 9
AC 14 HP 1 Mov 30 Init 0 Ref 0 Fort 0; Will -1
gldtr glaive +0 (1d10) - gldtr ch mail - Fe spike, shoehorn, 48 cp
Prof: dagger
Jingles Coinclink, Halfling, hag-hacked into haggis
Nurzual the Faceter – M Jwlr - Wiz - L
S 12 A 8 (-1) S 9 P 11 I 15 (+1) L 10
AC 9 HP 6 Mv 30 Init -1 Ref 0 Fort 0 Will 1
Chalk 1pc, 20 gp Gem, Backpack, 10’ chain, 10 sheets parchment, Kith pouch, small hammer, ray-gun, Rope 50', 5gp 10sp 274 cp
shortsword +0(1d6)
Ch Psn (no MM), Clr Spr 65, Force Manip 81, Rd Mag 12, Spidr Cl 69
Pl.Common (basic)
Snooth Inksplot Scribe RIP under cave-in, a crushing loss
Qort Quiddlegit M Hlr - Cler - N(C?)
S 11 temp 14 (+1) A 11 temp 14 (+1) S 6 (-1) P 5 (-2) I 6 (-1) L 5 (-2)
AC 10 temp 11 HP 8 Mov 30 Init 0 Ref t+1 Fort 0 Will -1
club +0 (1d4+1t) - hand mirror, holy wtr, wtrskin Kith drink 12 oz drunk, 31 cp
-2 Ms fire damage
Det Magic
Brandybland Shoetree F Coblr N
S 10 A 9 S 10 P 8 (-1) I 9 L 9
AC 14 HP 1 Mov 30 Init 0 Ref 0 Fort 0; Will -1
gldtr glaive +0 (1d10) - gldtr ch mail - Fe spike, shoehorn, 48 cp
Prof: dagger
- GnomeBoy
- Tyrant Master (Administrator)
- Posts: 4127
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 1:46 pm
- FLGS: Bizarro World
- Location: Left Coast, USA
- Contact:
Re: A reference to Vecna?
Wait -- you mean 'weird' isn't what I'm supposed to like about them...???Bilgewriggler wrote:...I'd tried one of Vance's books as a kid and thought it was just weird.
...
Gnome Boy • DCC playtester @ DDC 35 Feb '11. • Beta DL 2111, 7AM PT, 8 June 11.
Playing RPGs since '77 • Quasi-occasional member of the Legion of 8th-Level Fighters.
Link: Here Be 100+ DCC Monsters
bygrinstow.com - The Home of Inner Ham
Gnome Boy • DCC playtester @ DDC 35 Feb '11. • Beta DL 2111, 7AM PT, 8 June 11.
Playing RPGs since '77 • Quasi-occasional member of the Legion of 8th-Level Fighters.
Link: Here Be 100+ DCC Monsters
bygrinstow.com - The Home of Inner Ham
-
- Deft-Handed Cutpurse
- Posts: 233
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:25 am
Re: A reference to Vecna?
GnomeBoy wrote:Wait -- you mean 'weird' isn't what I'm supposed to like about them...???Bilgewriggler wrote:...I'd tried one of Vance's books as a kid and thought it was just weird.
At 10 or 12, I was a very literal reader with a tendency to skip descriptive paragraphs. Not great qualities for appreciating Vance.
Purple Planeteers:
Jingles Coinclink, Halfling, hag-hacked into haggis
Nurzual the Faceter – M Jwlr - Wiz - L
S 12 A 8 (-1) S 9 P 11 I 15 (+1) L 10
AC 9 HP 6 Mv 30 Init -1 Ref 0 Fort 0 Will 1
Chalk 1pc, 20 gp Gem, Backpack, 10’ chain, 10 sheets parchment, Kith pouch, small hammer, ray-gun, Rope 50', 5gp 10sp 274 cp
shortsword +0(1d6)
Ch Psn (no MM), Clr Spr 65, Force Manip 81, Rd Mag 12, Spidr Cl 69
Pl.Common (basic)
Snooth Inksplot Scribe RIP under cave-in, a crushing loss
Qort Quiddlegit M Hlr - Cler - N(C?)
S 11 temp 14 (+1) A 11 temp 14 (+1) S 6 (-1) P 5 (-2) I 6 (-1) L 5 (-2)
AC 10 temp 11 HP 8 Mov 30 Init 0 Ref t+1 Fort 0 Will -1
club +0 (1d4+1t) - hand mirror, holy wtr, wtrskin Kith drink 12 oz drunk, 31 cp
-2 Ms fire damage
Det Magic
Brandybland Shoetree F Coblr N
S 10 A 9 S 10 P 8 (-1) I 9 L 9
AC 14 HP 1 Mov 30 Init 0 Ref 0 Fort 0; Will -1
gldtr glaive +0 (1d10) - gldtr ch mail - Fe spike, shoehorn, 48 cp
Prof: dagger
Jingles Coinclink, Halfling, hag-hacked into haggis
Nurzual the Faceter – M Jwlr - Wiz - L
S 12 A 8 (-1) S 9 P 11 I 15 (+1) L 10
AC 9 HP 6 Mv 30 Init -1 Ref 0 Fort 0 Will 1
Chalk 1pc, 20 gp Gem, Backpack, 10’ chain, 10 sheets parchment, Kith pouch, small hammer, ray-gun, Rope 50', 5gp 10sp 274 cp
shortsword +0(1d6)
Ch Psn (no MM), Clr Spr 65, Force Manip 81, Rd Mag 12, Spidr Cl 69
Pl.Common (basic)
Snooth Inksplot Scribe RIP under cave-in, a crushing loss
Qort Quiddlegit M Hlr - Cler - N(C?)
S 11 temp 14 (+1) A 11 temp 14 (+1) S 6 (-1) P 5 (-2) I 6 (-1) L 5 (-2)
AC 10 temp 11 HP 8 Mov 30 Init 0 Ref t+1 Fort 0 Will -1
club +0 (1d4+1t) - hand mirror, holy wtr, wtrskin Kith drink 12 oz drunk, 31 cp
-2 Ms fire damage
Det Magic
Brandybland Shoetree F Coblr N
S 10 A 9 S 10 P 8 (-1) I 9 L 9
AC 14 HP 1 Mov 30 Init 0 Ref 0 Fort 0; Will -1
gldtr glaive +0 (1d10) - gldtr ch mail - Fe spike, shoehorn, 48 cp
Prof: dagger