A reference to Vecna?

If it doesn't fit into a category above, then inscribe it here, O Mighty One...

Moderators: DJ LaBoss, finarvyn, michaelcurtis, Harley Stroh

Post Reply
User avatar
nerdwerds
Wild-Eyed Zealot
Posts: 86
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:24 pm
Location: Madison, WI
Contact:

A reference to Vecna?

Post by nerdwerds »

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.
"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.
User avatar
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?

Post by DCCfan »

Good eye. :mrgreen:
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
User avatar
Ravenheart87
Tight-Lipped Warlock
Posts: 903
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:34 pm
Location: Győr, Hungary
Contact:

Re: A reference to Vecna?

Post by Ravenheart87 »

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.
User avatar
nerdwerds
Wild-Eyed Zealot
Posts: 86
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:24 pm
Location: Madison, WI
Contact:

Re: A reference to Vecna?

Post by nerdwerds »

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.
I thought they were probably lifted from something even earlier than that.
"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.
Bilgewriggler
Deft-Handed Cutpurse
Posts: 233
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:25 am

Re: A reference to Vecna?

Post by Bilgewriggler »

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
User avatar
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?

Post by Raven_Crowking »

Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
:shock: I cannot believe I never noticed that. :oops:
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.
User avatar
nerdwerds
Wild-Eyed Zealot
Posts: 86
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:24 pm
Location: Madison, WI
Contact:

Re: A reference to Vecna?

Post by nerdwerds »

Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
Over thirty years and I never made that connection... :shock: You have just blown my mind!
"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.
User avatar
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?

Post by Blood Axe »

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.
User avatar
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?

Post by Raven_Crowking »

Blood Axe wrote:Vecna would make an awesome patron.
As far as I know, Vecna is now WotC's IP. How about an anagram of Vecna? Let's see......Vance! :lol:
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.
User avatar
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?

Post by Blood Axe »

Well, any evil Wizard Lich missing a few body parts might serve. :D. 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.
User avatar
Pesky
Mighty-Thewed Reaver
Posts: 313
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:21 pm
Location: California, USA

Re: A reference to Vecna?

Post by Pesky »

Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
I totally missed that :oops: ... at least I'm not alone :wink:
Terry Olson
User avatar
Ravenheart87
Tight-Lipped Warlock
Posts: 903
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:34 pm
Location: Győr, Hungary
Contact:

Re: A reference to Vecna?

Post by Ravenheart87 »

Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
So many people missed it. I thought it was common knowledge. Even wikipedia mentions it. :)
Vorpal Mace: a humble rpg blog with some DCC-related stuff.
User avatar
nerdwerds
Wild-Eyed Zealot
Posts: 86
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:24 pm
Location: Madison, WI
Contact:

Re: A reference to Vecna?

Post by nerdwerds »

Ravenheart87 wrote:
Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
So many people missed it. I thought it was common knowledge. Even wikipedia mentions it. :)
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.
"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.
User avatar
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?

Post by finarvyn »

Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
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.
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
User avatar
nerdwerds
Wild-Eyed Zealot
Posts: 86
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:24 pm
Location: Madison, WI
Contact:

Re: A reference to Vecna?

Post by nerdwerds »

finarvyn wrote:
Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
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.
Wow! I didn't know that either.

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.
User avatar
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?

Post by Rick »

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.
User avatar
GnomeBoy
Tyrant Master (Administrator)
Posts: 4126
Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 1:46 pm
FLGS: Bizarro World
Location: Left Coast, USA
Contact:

Re: A reference to Vecna?

Post by GnomeBoy »

nerdwerds wrote:
finarvyn wrote:
Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
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.
Wow! I didn't know that either.

Nystul is pretty obvious.
But Mordenkainen?
Bigby?
Otiluke?
Tenser?
I can't imagine any of these are anagrams of real peoples' names.
...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...
...
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
Bilgewriggler
Deft-Handed Cutpurse
Posts: 233
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:25 am

Re: A reference to Vecna?

Post by Bilgewriggler »

Raven_Crowking wrote:
Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
:shock: I cannot believe I never noticed that. :oops:
nerdwerds wrote:
Bilgewriggler wrote:And of course, Vecna is an anagram for Vance.
Over thirty years and I never made that connection... :shock: You have just blown my mind!
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.
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
User avatar
GnomeBoy
Tyrant Master (Administrator)
Posts: 4126
Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 1:46 pm
FLGS: Bizarro World
Location: Left Coast, USA
Contact:

Re: A reference to Vecna?

Post by GnomeBoy »

Bilgewriggler wrote:...I'd tried one of Vance's books as a kid and thought it was just weird.
Wait -- you mean 'weird' isn't what I'm supposed to like about them...???
...
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
Bilgewriggler
Deft-Handed Cutpurse
Posts: 233
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:25 am

Re: A reference to Vecna?

Post by Bilgewriggler »

GnomeBoy wrote:
Bilgewriggler wrote:...I'd tried one of Vance's books as a kid and thought it was just weird.
Wait -- you mean 'weird' isn't what I'm supposed to like about them...???
:D

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
Post Reply

Return to “DCC RPG General”