Cult of Vecna
Structure
There was no greater organization amongst the temples as of 1200 AC, as the faith was generally not accepted publicly; the structures were individual to every cult. Each member of the cult was named after a different body part. Lay members of the cult consist of the Teeth, Fingers, Blood, and Spawn of Vecna. The Teeth of Vecna are made up of wizards, and specialize in arcane spellcasting and crafting magical items for the cult. The Fingers of Vecna consist mainly of thieves, who engage in various forms of subterfuge. The Blood of Vecna are mainly warriors charged with protection and enforcement of the cult and its goals. The Spawn of Vecna are the lowest in the cult hierarchy, and consist of the common people who honor the Lich Lord.
Individual congregations are known as organs. Each organ is led by a Thought of Vecna. Lesser priests are known as Memories of Vecna. The Highest authority in the church was the Voice of Vecna. Immediately below the Voice of Vecna are two bizarre monsters known as the Hand and the Eye, created by the loss of Vecna's own Eye and Hand, serving below the Voice and Heart. Lastly, at the top, is the Heart of Vecna, which can only be Vecna's Mortal Incarnation.
Culture
Vecna's faithful viewed themselves as chosen apostles and visionaries who deserved to hoard the secrets and knowledge of deeper necromancy. They believed that their true power existed in the obscure zone that lay between life and death. Knowledge was increased in the pursuit to extend the mortal condition of the physical form. They believed any sacrifices made during their dark pursuits were justified in the long run. Knowledge was power, and the knowledge of life and death granted power over all beings.
Public Agenda
The public activities of the Cult of Vecna are almost entirely unknown. Most worshipers of Vecna spent the vast majority of their time in pursuit of necromantic research. Undead servitors were common and were released to wander the land when their purpose had been served. The cult of Vecna was responsible for the creation of many kinds of unique undead, including Fear Guards. Some sages also claimed that Vecna had laid out traps for wizards seeking forbidden secrets in their quest for power. Those wizards that stumbled upon those traps were transformed into nothics. It was common to find nothics in cults to Vecna serving as guardians or jesters, as well as spies to Vecna himself, who could always see through their single eyes.
Senior priests of Vecna sometimes practice a ritual known as the Reaping. The priest will put on a grey robe and arm himself with a vorpal scythe. The priest then heads out into the world to cause as much death and destruction as he can before he is driven back to his sanctuary. They believe that if Vecna is pleased by the outcome of the ritual, he will grant a boon to the priest. Antipaladins dedicated to Vecna are creatures of the night who bring disease and leave only death in their wake. They hope to emulate their patroness by hastening all to their unavoidable graves, and see undead as the ultimate expression of existence, as they have transcended both life and death. If not undead themselves, his antipaladins strive to emulate them and destroy all who oppose them. Unrepentant gluttons, they seek to feed their hunger and base desires whenever possible.
Worship
Clerics of Vecna pray for their spells at midnight, when the secrets of the night are best unearthed.
I have but one warning before I leave you to your awakening. Resist not the truths and secrets we hide. Open your mind and heart to the secret knowledge. Only then will you understand and receive the wisdom darkness provides
