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Template:Greyhawk magic item

This article is about the artifact. For the monster, see Hand of Vecna (monster).

The Hand of Vecna, the severed left hand of the arch-lich-cum-deity Vecna, is a powerful artifact.

Description

The Hand of Vecna appears as a severed left human hand, blackened and charred, with long, claw-like fingernails.

Powers

To use the Hand, it must be touched to the stump of one's own left forearm — most would-be users must chop off their own left hand to do so. The hand magically grafts itself to the person's stump, and from then on can be used as a normal hand, though it retains its charred and rotting appearance. It grants an array of magical powers, such as the ability to conjure forth missiles of magical force. Additional abilities become evident if the user also possesses the Eye of Vecna.

The abilities the Hand bestow on its user have varied with different editions of Dungeons & Dragons. In the second edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, the Hand gave the user superhuman strength, the ability to damage plant-based creatures by touch, and fifteen other spell-like abilities, each being activated by a unique gesture. In 'Dungeons & Dragons third and 3.5 editions, the Hand dealt cold damage to whomever it touched, could drain the abilities of others and transfer them to the user, and could be used to daze, weaken, paralyze, or kill non-evil creatures. In the fourth edition, the Hand grants a number of powers based on how pleased it is with the host. It defaults with a bonus to checks made with the Athletics skill, as well as a trinity of Warlock powers (Diabolic Grasp as an At Will, Sign of Ill Omen as an Encounter, and Spider Climb as a Daily), as well as greater competence in battle. When satisfied, it increases the Athletics boon and can hurl explosive globes of necrotic energy, and when pleased it can create an aura of death around the host. A displeased Hand will occasionally try to throttle the host, while an angry one will also attempt to attack the host's allies.

History

Once the left hand of the arch-lich, Vecna, the Hand, and its sister artifact, the Eye of Vecna, were all that remained of the lich-king after his battle with his renegade lieutenant, Kas the Bloody-Handed.

The Hand of Vecna, as depicted in Vecna Lives! (1990). Art by Ken Frank.

Disaster followed the Hand of Vecna as it moved from owner to owner in the following centuries. Paddin the Vain used the Hand to begin the Insurrection of the Yaheetes, in the Dreadwood. The tyrant who called himself Vecna II ruled the city of Tyrus with the Hand for 100 years. The Gnomelord of Blemu was the next individual known to have used the Hand. Miro the Paladin-King was also corrupted by the Hand of Vecna. Each time, the Hand failed its owner at some crucial moment.

In the fifth century CY, both the Hand and the Eye fell into possession of a Shield Lands warlord known as Halmadar the Cruel, who terrorized the region from 420-455 CY. Halmadar was defeated only after being drugged and interred alive in a tomb the Kron Hills.

In 581 CY, Halmadar escaped with the help of Vecna himself, who had by this time become a god, and sought to become even more powerful with the aid of the artifacts, which he reclaimed after destroying Halmadar. Vecna's plans were thwarted by adventurers, and the artifacts once more became separated from his body, vanishing into the Flanaess.

The Hand resurfaced in 595 CY in the possession of a man named Darl Quethos, a powerful cleric of the Whispered One who used the artifact to take control of a Vecnan cult known as the Disciples of Darkness. Darl now seeks knowledge leading to the recovery of the Eye of Vecna.

The Hand of Vecna in Living Greyhawk

In the Living Greyhawk campaign, the Hand resurfaced in 594 CY, in the possession of a cultist of Vecna known as Pacanan. Pacanan performed an ancient Ur-Flan ritual and proclaimed himself the Voice of Vecna.

In 594-595 CY Pacanan acquired the Eye of Vecna. He then sent one of his servitors to reclaim the Sword of Kas from an ancient Baklunish fortress. During a ceremony at Tovag Baragu, Pacanan completed a ritual whereby he seemed to call forth and become the Ruler of the Spider Throne. This ceremony was overseen by Wilf Hewitt (a Thought of Vecna), and Diraq Malcinex, the Heart of Vecna. Those cultists who survived the ceremony accompanied Pacanan/Vecna through one of Tovag Baragu's dimensional portals.

Bibliography

  • Cook, David. Book of Artifacts. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
  • -----. Dungeon Master's Guide. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
  • -----. Vecna Lives!. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990.
  • Cook, Monte, Skip Williams, and Jonathan Tweet. Dungeon Master's Guide. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
  • -----. Dungeon Master's Guide Core Rulebook II v.3.5. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
  • Gygax, Gary. Dungeon Master's Guide. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1979.
  • Henson, Dale, and Doug Stewart, eds. Encyclopedia Magica Vol 2. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995.
  • Hinds, Michael. Immortal Longings. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005.
  • -----. A Wretched Soul. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004.
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