Sword of Kas
Encyclopedia
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting
for the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, the Sword of Kas was the mighty blade used by Kas the Bloody-Handed
, the dreaded lieutenant of Vecna
. It was by this blade, some say, that Vecna lost his Hand
and Eye
.
. It was one of the first artifacts detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game. The Sword of Kas was also mentioned in the original 1979 Dungeon Master's Guide
. The Sword has been updated many times, such as with the 1993 Book of Artifacts
, and has even been the object of quests as in the adventure Vecna Lives.
, or greatsword, was crafted by Vecna (or just procured by him for his lieutenant, if one follows the first edition Dungeon Master's Guide). Other false Swords of Kas have also been created as decoys by Vecna's minions. The actual blade is said to have been magically honed to a razor's edge, enhanced the wielder's strength, and could be used to call down lightning bolts
from any stormclouds that might be overhead. The sword itself is intelligent, possessing a vile and murderous spirit. It is also said to be the only thing that can truly wound Vecna, though only if the user wields it with the Hand of Vecna
.
In 4th edition, the Sword of Kas is described in supplement Open Grave, is a short sword suitable for Epic level characters (Level 20 or more). The Sword also gains a property if the character wields it with the Hand of Vecna
.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, the Sword of Kas was the mighty blade used by Kas the Bloody-Handed
Kas the Bloody-Handed
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Kas the Bloody-Handed was the most trusted lieutenant of the despotic arch-lich Vecna, who wielded the Sword of Kas in his master's name.-Kas the Betrayer:...
, the dreaded lieutenant of Vecna
Vecna
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Vecna was a powerful wizard who became a lich. He was eventually destroyed, and his left hand and left eye were the only parts of his body to survive...
. It was by this blade, some say, that Vecna lost his Hand
Hand of Vecna
The Hand of Vecna is a powerful artifact in many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Originating in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Hand appears as a severed left human hand, blackened and charred, with long, claw-like fingernails.-Dungeons & Dragons...
and Eye
Eye of Vecna
The Eye of Vecna is an artifact of great power in many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Originating in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Eye appears as a small red pebble or shriveled grape....
.
Publication history
The Sword of Kas first appeared in the Original D&D supplement, Eldritch WizardryEldritch Wizardry
Eldritch Wizardry is a supplementary rulebook by Gary Gygax and Brian Blume, written for the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, which included a number of significant additions to the core game.-Contents:...
. It was one of the first artifacts detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game. The Sword of Kas was also mentioned in the original 1979 Dungeon Master's Guide
Dungeon Master's Guide
The Dungeon Master's Guide is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
. The Sword has been updated many times, such as with the 1993 Book of Artifacts
Book of Artifacts
The Book of Artifacts is a supplemental sourcebook to the core rules of the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. This book, published by TSR, Inc. in 1993, details 50 different artifacts, special magic items found within the game at the Dungeon Master's...
, and has even been the object of quests as in the adventure Vecna Lives.
Description
The sword, variously described as a short sword, longswordLongsword
The longsword is a type of European sword designed for two-handed use, current during the late medieval and Renaissance periods, approximately 1350 to 1550 .Longswords have long cruciform hilts with grips over 10 to 15 cm length The longsword (of which stems the variation called the bastard...
, or greatsword, was crafted by Vecna (or just procured by him for his lieutenant, if one follows the first edition Dungeon Master's Guide). Other false Swords of Kas have also been created as decoys by Vecna's minions. The actual blade is said to have been magically honed to a razor's edge, enhanced the wielder's strength, and could be used to call down lightning bolts
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
from any stormclouds that might be overhead. The sword itself is intelligent, possessing a vile and murderous spirit. It is also said to be the only thing that can truly wound Vecna, though only if the user wields it with the Hand of Vecna
Hand of Vecna
The Hand of Vecna is a powerful artifact in many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Originating in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Hand appears as a severed left human hand, blackened and charred, with long, claw-like fingernails.-Dungeons & Dragons...
.
In 4th edition, the Sword of Kas is described in supplement Open Grave, is a short sword suitable for Epic level characters (Level 20 or more). The Sword also gains a property if the character wields it with the Hand of Vecna
Hand of Vecna
The Hand of Vecna is a powerful artifact in many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Originating in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Hand appears as a severed left human hand, blackened and charred, with long, claw-like fingernails.-Dungeons & Dragons...
.
Additional reading
- Cook, MonteMonte CookMonte Cook is a professional table-top role-playing game designer and writer. He is married to Sue Weinlein Cook.-Roleplaying:Cook has been a professional game designer since 1988, working primarily on role-playing games. Much of his early work was for Iron Crown Enterprises as an editor and writer...
, Skip WilliamsSkip WilliamsRalph Williams, almost always referred to as Skip Williams, is an American game designer. He is married to Penny Williams, who is also involved with the games industry...
, and Jonathan TweetJonathan TweetJonathan Tweet is a game designer who has been involved in the development of the role-playing games Ars Magica, Everway, Over the Edge, Talislanta and the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons, as well as the Collectible Miniatures Game Dreamblade.-Early life:Jonathan Tweet started playing D&D in...
. Dungeon Master's GuideDungeon Master's GuideThe Dungeon Master's Guide is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
(Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, 1999).
- Henson, Dale, and Doug Stewart, eds. Encyclopedia MagicaEncyclopedia MagicaThe Encyclopedia Magica is a series of four volumes of accessories for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1994-1995....
Vol 4. (TSR, 1995).
- Thorsson, Modi, and Kevin McCann. Vecna: Hand of the Revenant (Iron Hammer Graphics, 2002).