Vecna's name origin - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Vecna's name origin

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
valharic
Apr 23, 2007 19:14:25 I'm trying to remember where Vecna's name came from. For example, Xagyg is Gygax's name backwards. I remember reading it somewhere before and I'm sure it has to do with the character creators name, but for the life of me I'm drawing a blank and had no look searching online.

EDIT: nevermind, found it....

Vecna was created by Brian Blume in the original D&D supplement Eldritch Wizardry in 1976. The name Vecna is an anagram of Jack Vance, the fantasy author whose "fire-and-forget" magic system is the default magic system used in Dungeons & Dragons.
#2
vormaerin
Apr 24, 2007 0:48:48 My understanding is that Vecna was the creation of Brian Blume, who was acting as editor in the early days of TSR. While some of the 1e artifacts were actually from EGG's campaign history, most were created to fill up that section. I seem to recall EGG saying Vecna was in that group.
#3
max_writer
Apr 24, 2007 10:47:16
Vecna was created by Brian Blume in the original D&D supplement Eldritch Wizardry in 1976. The name Vecna is an anagram of Jack Vance, the fantasy author whose "fire-and-forget" magic system is the default magic system used in Dungeons & Dragons.

I dumped that system in my own game. Never liked it.
#4
terraneaux
Apr 30, 2007 20:02:43 Too bad. I think it provides for a much more scientific approach to magic, as opposed to FR's fruity "Oh, it's all about the art and the power, and it's about how hard you *believe.* Unless you are a friend of Mystra, in which case you get a free pass on life. Tee-hee."

To which Vecna replies with a quickened greater dispel and a melt face spell, then goes off to develop the epic spell Dispel Weave, Planar.
#5
zombiegleemax
May 09, 2007 14:33:07 Wasnt Vecna the teacher of the lich from the Tomb of Horrors?
#6
ripvanwormer
May 09, 2007 17:30:27 The Vecna: Hand of the Revenant comic book claimed he was, yes. I'll let others debate how "canon" that is, if they so choose.
#7
zombiegleemax
May 11, 2007 14:11:32 I like Vecna and am happy to have the 2nd edition modules with him in them.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 valharic Apr 23, 2007 19:14:25	I'm trying to remember where Vecna's name came from. For example, Xagyg is Gygax's name backwards. I remember reading it somewhere before and I'm sure it has to do with the character creators name, but for the life of me I'm drawing a blank and had no look searching online. EDIT: nevermind, found it.... Vecna was created by Brian Blume in the original D&D supplement Eldritch Wizardry in 1976. The name Vecna is an anagram of Jack Vance, the fantasy author whose "fire-and-forget" magic system is the default magic system used in Dungeons & Dragons.
#2 vormaerin Apr 24, 2007 0:48:48	My understanding is that Vecna was the creation of Brian Blume, who was acting as editor in the early days of TSR. While some of the 1e artifacts were actually from EGG's campaign history, most were created to fill up that section. I seem to recall EGG saying Vecna was in that group.
#3 max_writer Apr 24, 2007 10:47:16	Vecna was created by Brian Blume in the original D&D supplement Eldritch Wizardry in 1976. The name Vecna is an anagram of Jack Vance, the fantasy author whose "fire-and-forget" magic system is the default magic system used in Dungeons & Dragons. I dumped that system in my own game. Never liked it.
#4 terraneaux Apr 30, 2007 20:02:43	Too bad. I think it provides for a much more scientific approach to magic, as opposed to FR's fruity "Oh, it's all about the art and the power, and it's about how hard you believe. Unless you are a friend of Mystra, in which case you get a free pass on life. Tee-hee." To which Vecna replies with a quickened greater dispel and a melt face spell, then goes off to develop the epic spell Dispel Weave, Planar.
#5 zombiegleemax May 09, 2007 14:33:07	Wasnt Vecna the teacher of the lich from the Tomb of Horrors?
#6 ripvanwormer May 09, 2007 17:30:27	The Vecna: Hand of the Revenant comic book claimed he was, yes. I'll let others debate how "canon" that is, if they so choose.
#7 zombiegleemax May 11, 2007 14:11:32	I like Vecna and am happy to have the 2nd edition modules with him in them.