Vecna has been a longtime character in the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse but the recent attention he is getting extends far beyond the game itself. While signs point to Stranger Things 4 being the primary reason for Vecna's resurgence, the D&D character has long been a notable character for players of the tabletop game. Here is some of the history of the famous lich and why he may have become so popular recently.
Vecna has been present in the world of Dungeons & Dragons from its earliest incarnation. The Hand and Eye of Vecna in D&D are powerful magical objects that players could wield, provided they replaced their current appendage with them. As D&D developed, Vecna became more fleshed out as a character and began to make appearances as a powerful villain in some campaign scenarios. Vecna is a very powerful undead lich that achieved godhood, usually serving as an end-of-campaign foe for player characters. While Vecna's eye and hand have been artifacts since the 1st edition of D&D, Vecna himself has not been a major character in the tabletop game for several years.
While not usually a big part of the tabletop game, the Cult of Vecna is a major D&D villain in the Greyhawk setting, where Vecna resides as a god. Additionally, other media has kept the lich alive (in memory). Vecna's appearances in popular games and shows like Critical Role and Magic: The Gathering has allowed Vecna to stay relevant despite his lack of appearances in the tabletop game. Recently, the public eye has been on Vecna due to his name being used in Season 4 of Stranger Things, which has revitalized the character in more ways than one. Stranger Things' Vecna may be the most famous and well-done of his appearances to date and is likely the largest reason for his recent surge in popularity.
Is Dungeons & Dragons Planning Something With Vecna?
Stranger Things has always been steeped in D&D references from its first season, with each season naming its villains after notable creatures and villains from the tabletop game. Season 4 of Stranger Things is no exception. The main villain is named after Vecna, one of the most feared villains in D&D. While the villain is superficially reminiscent of D&D's Vecna, the similarities run a bit deeper than that. While details will not be spoiled, there are many homages to the tabletop version of Vecna that are sure to intrigue any knowledgable D&D player's curiosity.
The latest season of Stranger Things has received critical acclaim from both critics and audiences, and Vecna is a huge reason why. Vecna's use in the show is very reminiscent of old-school horror, namely harkening back to classics like Nightmare on Elm Street. As a villainous force that uses supernatural ability to torment the town and its denizens, Vecna is inspired by Freddy Krueger and Pennywise. The show's kid heroes must race against time to solve the mystery of how Vecna is committing these acts and find a way to stop them. The latest season calls back to its well-received first, with Vecna as a clear stand-out villain. As Stranger Things is an immensely popular show, it is a small wonder why Vecna's appearance in that show is helping draw the public eye to the eponymous D&D villain.
Wizards Of The Coast, the makers of Dungeons & Dragons, have recently announced a creepy statue of a fully-assembled Vecna. While this may have been done to capitalize on Vecna's appearance in Stranger Things, it does hint that Vecna could return in a new capacity. With the popularity of Vecna now, it is possible that WOTC could be gearing up to bring the lich back in a new adventure that could see his introduction to the modern 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons, though only time will tell.
