A couple of questions - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

A couple of questions

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Oct 24, 2003 10:22:18 I recently had the opportunity to buy a 2e Ravenloft set (black box). And I remember some of the stories from the 2e days of the set. After seeing the 3e stuff for RL I have decided to stick with the 2e for now and convert but will eventually get the 3e stuff.

Now I have a few questions reguarding Vecna's appearance in RL (my group disolved around this time).

#1 how did he get there?

#2. What domain was his and how did he rule it?

#3. I know he left RL in "Die Vecna Die", what were the effects of Vecnas escape, if any?

I thank you all very much for you rhelp in this.
#2
zombiegleemax
Oct 24, 2003 12:13:44 I'll try to help ya as much as I can.

You got the Black Box? Awesome! That's like, Reason #1 we all love Ravenloft so much. Kudos to you on your discovery. Myself, I'm still working my players through the beginning of the line, but we do use 3.5 rules. My players are Ravenloft virgins with no prior exposure to the Land of Mists. I didn't want to TELL them about the history of the land, I wanted to SHOW it to them. That's why I started in the Summer of 735, and I'm working them through Hyksosa's Hexad (my campaign summary on this board)

OK, moving on.

Vecna. This is what I know about the guy.

I discovered him through the 2E DMG, when it was talking about the Hand. I actually DO have a copy of Vecna Lives!, that old Greyhawk adventure where he slaughters the 8.

I can say with 99.9% accuracy that Vecna's first appearance in a Ravenloft product was the hardcover Domains Of Dread book (which I HIGHLY suggest you cop, it's the best Ravenloft sourcebook I've ever seen). His domain of Cavitus (sp?) was detailed there, as well as Lord Kas and HIS domain (name escapes me at the moment).

For some reason, most hardcore RL fans panned the idea of Vecna and Kas in the game, citing the fact they were "too high-fantasy". Rubbish. They're both wicked appropriate for RL, especially if you got some high-level PCs. And even so, both of them were on obscure Islands of Terror, so you could just ignore them if you wanted.

Shortly thereafter, Vecna Reborn was published. This was like, the last official Ravenloft full-length module. Despite some harsh words from the critics, I think this adventure was awesome. Despite the fact you don't actually encounter either Darklord. But you get explore their lands. That's cool.

And yeah, I guess Vecna did "escape" in Die Vecna Die, as he never again made in appearence in Ravenloft 3E. If I recall correctly, wasn't Die Vecna Die supposed to be the BIG adventure that took EVERYBODY'S game from 2E to 3E? I know the module took you from Greyhawk to Ravenloft to Planescape, so it kinda covered the spectrum.

But for sources on Vecna in Ravenloft, you could check Domains of Dread and Vecna Reborn.

peace, Plunderer!

MSD
#3
zombiegleemax
Oct 25, 2003 2:49:08 To fill in a few of MSDs gaps.

Vecna has a *LONG* history in Greyhawk. Originally just a powerful Lich who left behind two major evil artifacts (his hand and his eye) after being destroyed (in large part due to treachery by his evil lieutenant Kas whose sword also survived as an evil artifact). Vecna's spirit eventually attained the rank of demigod on Oerth with the portfolio of secrets. As a demigod he hatched a plan to become the over-god of Oerth by somehow blocking away the other dieties leaving him alone and uncontested on Oerth. The plan ultimately failed. Somehow by binding himself to the prime material plane he then opened himself up to the dark powers who grabed him.

In his domian (a tiny cluster) at war with Kas again Vecna began scheming for a way to escape. Despite initial failure he ultimately learned the all the secrets of the Dark Powers. Knowing all the DPs secrets gave him power over the DPs. He then created a planar rift that apparently destroyed the cluster and left him in Sigil of the PS setting, reforming somehow as a Lesser God (a nifty promotion to be sure). There his presence caused the multiverse to begin to unravel (heralding the changes to 3.5). Supposedly he was defeated by PCs weilding his hand and eye while most of his power was being spent holding off the Lady of Pain.

Unlike MSD I loathe this piece of work from start to finish. Yes Vecna is too high fantasy for me. PCs going mano-a-mano with a deity isn't my cup of tea. Grabbing and holding a demigod doesn't sound like the DPs or fit RLs style. As an evil God Vecna is pretty much beyond human morality issues, taking huim out of what i consider to be gothic motiffs. Further the PS setting wasn't treated with much respect (one, the Lady of Pain should have been able to handle Vecna IMO if she has the power to Off the God Aoskar. Two in the module Harbinger House there potentially is a Demi-God who appears w/o causing any disturbance similiar to what happens with Vecna).

Unless you're a fan of Vecan IMO you're better off leaving him out of the RL camapaign.
#4
zombiegleemax
Oct 25, 2003 9:33:25 I really want to thank you guys, you really have helped me alot. I haven't got my game started but I have ben bidding on other RL stuff so I can play through the 2e history sorta like what MSD is doing.

I may not run it exactly to cannon but then again when have I ever done that? :D
#5
zombiegleemax
Oct 25, 2003 18:52:23 Ok another question...does anyone know what happened to Kas after Vecna left.....

On a side note I may be redoing the history of Vecna's time there where Die Vecns Die never happened and play off a possible rivalry between him and Azalin.
#6
zombiegleemax
Oct 27, 2003 23:57:06 No. Kas has never been mentioned again.

Presumably destroyed along with his domian (Torvag I think) as part of the cluster with cavitus. It sucks to go up against a Demi-god when you're only a "supremely high level Vampire" with an artifact for a sword. =)
#7
MidwayHaven
Nov 13, 2003 3:09:36 SPOILERS!!!

Vecna and Kas had their own Ravenloft Continent called The Burning Peaks. (Cavitius and Tovag, respectively.) After the events of Vecna Reborn they were I think released from Ravenloft.

The Burning Peaks cluster only has a line or two mentioned in RLd20, in the History section: "mystics saw the fiery destruction of a faraway cluster" or something like that.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Oct 24, 2003 10:22:18	I recently had the opportunity to buy a 2e Ravenloft set (black box). And I remember some of the stories from the 2e days of the set. After seeing the 3e stuff for RL I have decided to stick with the 2e for now and convert but will eventually get the 3e stuff. Now I have a few questions reguarding Vecna's appearance in RL (my group disolved around this time). #1 how did he get there? #2. What domain was his and how did he rule it? #3. I know he left RL in "Die Vecna Die", what were the effects of Vecnas escape, if any? I thank you all very much for you rhelp in this.
#2 zombiegleemax Oct 24, 2003 12:13:44	I'll try to help ya as much as I can. You got the Black Box? Awesome! That's like, Reason #1 we all love Ravenloft so much. Kudos to you on your discovery. Myself, I'm still working my players through the beginning of the line, but we do use 3.5 rules. My players are Ravenloft virgins with no prior exposure to the Land of Mists. I didn't want to TELL them about the history of the land, I wanted to SHOW it to them. That's why I started in the Summer of 735, and I'm working them through Hyksosa's Hexad (my campaign summary on this board) OK, moving on. Vecna. This is what I know about the guy. I discovered him through the 2E DMG, when it was talking about the Hand. I actually DO have a copy of Vecna Lives!, that old Greyhawk adventure where he slaughters the 8. I can say with 99.9% accuracy that Vecna's first appearance in a Ravenloft product was the hardcover Domains Of Dread book (which I HIGHLY suggest you cop, it's the best Ravenloft sourcebook I've ever seen). His domain of Cavitus (sp?) was detailed there, as well as Lord Kas and HIS domain (name escapes me at the moment). For some reason, most hardcore RL fans panned the idea of Vecna and Kas in the game, citing the fact they were "too high-fantasy". Rubbish. They're both wicked appropriate for RL, especially if you got some high-level PCs. And even so, both of them were on obscure Islands of Terror, so you could just ignore them if you wanted. Shortly thereafter, Vecna Reborn was published. This was like, the last official Ravenloft full-length module. Despite some harsh words from the critics, I think this adventure was awesome. Despite the fact you don't actually encounter either Darklord. But you get explore their lands. That's cool. And yeah, I guess Vecna did "escape" in Die Vecna Die, as he never again made in appearence in Ravenloft 3E. If I recall correctly, wasn't Die Vecna Die supposed to be the BIG adventure that took EVERYBODY'S game from 2E to 3E? I know the module took you from Greyhawk to Ravenloft to Planescape, so it kinda covered the spectrum. But for sources on Vecna in Ravenloft, you could check Domains of Dread and Vecna Reborn. peace, Plunderer! MSD
#3 zombiegleemax Oct 25, 2003 2:49:08	To fill in a few of MSDs gaps. Vecna has a LONG history in Greyhawk. Originally just a powerful Lich who left behind two major evil artifacts (his hand and his eye) after being destroyed (in large part due to treachery by his evil lieutenant Kas whose sword also survived as an evil artifact). Vecna's spirit eventually attained the rank of demigod on Oerth with the portfolio of secrets. As a demigod he hatched a plan to become the over-god of Oerth by somehow blocking away the other dieties leaving him alone and uncontested on Oerth. The plan ultimately failed. Somehow by binding himself to the prime material plane he then opened himself up to the dark powers who grabed him. In his domian (a tiny cluster) at war with Kas again Vecna began scheming for a way to escape. Despite initial failure he ultimately learned the all the secrets of the Dark Powers. Knowing all the DPs secrets gave him power over the DPs. He then created a planar rift that apparently destroyed the cluster and left him in Sigil of the PS setting, reforming somehow as a Lesser God (a nifty promotion to be sure). There his presence caused the multiverse to begin to unravel (heralding the changes to 3.5). Supposedly he was defeated by PCs weilding his hand and eye while most of his power was being spent holding off the Lady of Pain. Unlike MSD I loathe this piece of work from start to finish. Yes Vecna is too high fantasy for me. PCs going mano-a-mano with a deity isn't my cup of tea. Grabbing and holding a demigod doesn't sound like the DPs or fit RLs style. As an evil God Vecna is pretty much beyond human morality issues, taking huim out of what i consider to be gothic motiffs. Further the PS setting wasn't treated with much respect (one, the Lady of Pain should have been able to handle Vecna IMO if she has the power to Off the God Aoskar. Two in the module Harbinger House there potentially is a Demi-God who appears w/o causing any disturbance similiar to what happens with Vecna). Unless you're a fan of Vecan IMO you're better off leaving him out of the RL camapaign.
#4 zombiegleemax Oct 25, 2003 9:33:25	I really want to thank you guys, you really have helped me alot. I haven't got my game started but I have ben bidding on other RL stuff so I can play through the 2e history sorta like what MSD is doing. I may not run it exactly to cannon but then again when have I ever done that? :D
#5 zombiegleemax Oct 25, 2003 18:52:23	Ok another question...does anyone know what happened to Kas after Vecna left..... On a side note I may be redoing the history of Vecna's time there where Die Vecns Die never happened and play off a possible rivalry between him and Azalin.
#6 zombiegleemax Oct 27, 2003 23:57:06	No. Kas has never been mentioned again. Presumably destroyed along with his domian (Torvag I think) as part of the cluster with cavitus. It sucks to go up against a Demi-god when you're only a "supremely high level Vampire" with an artifact for a sword. =)
#7 MidwayHaven Nov 13, 2003 3:09:36	SPOILERS!!! Vecna and Kas had their own Ravenloft Continent called The Burning Peaks. (Cavitius and Tovag, respectively.) After the events of Vecna Reborn they were I think released from Ravenloft. The Burning Peaks cluster only has a line or two mentioned in RLd20, in the History section: "mystics saw the fiery destruction of a faraway cluster" or something like that.