The Archlich Vecna is moving to enact a hideous and terrible plot to reshape the multiverse as he sees fit in the upcoming adventure Vecna: Eve of Ruin. However, all is not lost as heroes gather to move against the Whispered One. But more than mere heroics will be needed to save the day.

In this adventure celebrating D&D’s 50th anniversary, you’ll go on a classic artifact hunt to gather the fabled relic known as the Rod of Seven Parts. Here’s what you need to know about this famous artifact.

• What Is the Rod of Seven Parts?
• The History of the Rod of Seven Parts in D&D
• The Powers of the Rod of Seven Parts

What Is the Rod of Seven Parts?

Eons ago, the gods and the primordials clashed in a war that scarred the very planes themselves. At the head of the primordial forces was the demon lord general Miska the Wolf-Spider, a towering figure with a spider's torso, four arms wielding powerful weapons, and three heads (one human and two wolflike). Miska pushed the adversaries of the primordials to the edge of defeat and complete destruction. A plan was desperately needed.

Artist: David Auden Nash

Enter the Wind Dukes of Aaqa, powerful elemental beings of pure law, descendants of the vaati, and former rulers of a planar empire. Rising to stand against Miska, the Wind Dukes forged a relic of pure order, the Rod of Law. An obsidian staff with a jade-colored crystal adorning each end, the Rod of Law contained the power of seven of the greatest champions the Wind Dukes could assemble, and the potential to defeat Miska and end the war.

A brave warrior, their name lost to time, stood against Miska wielding the Rod of Law, and the two clashed. The warrior plunged the rod into Miska and two things happened: Miska was banished to a prison on Pandemonium, and the rod shattered. With the rod’s destruction, the Rod of Seven Parts was born.

The History of the Rod of Seven Parts in D&D

One of the first artifacts ever described in D&D, the Rod of Seven Parts was first mentioned in the 1976 original edition D&D supplement Eldritch Wizardry. Appearing alongside such mainstays as the Axe of the Dwarvish Lords and Orcus, each piece of the rod had its own special power, which would grow stronger as more pieces were assembled. In a classic D&D Easter egg moment, the command words for each piece were Latin words that when combined in order, make the Latin phrase, "Though chaos reigns, let justice be done. Behold! Law is king."

In 1996, the rod received its own dedicated supplement for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition. Simply titled The Rod of Seven Parts, this four-book set not only included a two-book adventure but a whole book dedicated mostly to the rod itself. The adventure takes players in search of the seven fragments of the rod, traveling across the planes and even into the depths of the Abyss. But it seems that won’t be the last time heroes of the multiverse will be needed to assemble the rod.

The story around the Rod of Seven Parts has been described as "the greatest story" by lead designer of Elder Scrolls’s Morrowind and Oblivion games Ken Rolston, and the Rod itself has been attributed as the basis for "corporealizing and then atomizing" the game narrative by game designer Hal Barwood. This is a concept familiar to many D&D Dungeon Masters and players where a powerful item is broken into many pieces and the players must race to reassemble them.

The Powers of the Rod of Seven Parts

Made whole, the Rod of Law is a powerful artifact, allowing its wielder to cast powerful spells and strike mighty blows. But even in its shattered state, each fragment still possesses power of its own. While in possession of a fragment of the Rod of Seven Parts, you can cast a spell associated with that fragment once per day. The spells are:

• Commune
• Arcane Gate
• Reverse Gravity
• Regenerate
• Find the Path
• Mirage Arcane
• Simulacrum

Once made whole, you can cast these spells more than once per day, as well as cast the Detect Evil and Good spell. But be warned, the Rod of Seven Parts is a powerful relic of pure order and those who wield it often find themselves being swayed to a more lawful alignment.

But that’s not all there is to the Rod of Seven Parts, for it holds secret powers that make it a worthy prize for many. Legend tells that as the relic that bound Miska to his prison in Pandemonium, once made whole the Rod of Law is the only way to liberate the demon lord. Should this prove true, and the forces of chaos should somehow lay claim to all seven parts of the rod, they could unleash one of the most fearsome generals in the multiverse once more.

Save the Multiverse One Piece at a Time

You can seek out the Rod of Seven Parts in the adventure Vecna: Eve of Ruin. What powers does it hold and what is its role in the protection of the multiverse against one of its greatest evils? The only way to find out is through this thrilling level 10 to 20 adventure!

Vecna: Eve of Ruin is available for preorder on D&D Beyond. Those who preorder a digital copy automatically unlock the level 3 prequel adventure Vecna: Nest of the Eldritch Eye. Upon release, the book will be integrated into D&D Beyond Maps, a VTT where Master-tier subscribers can run online game sessions with their players.

This article was updated on May 2, 2024. It previously stated that digital + physical bundle preorders receive early access to the adventure on D&D Beyond. Only preorders for digital + physical bundles made before April 30 are eligible for early access.

Davyd is a moderator for D&D Beyond. A Dungeon Master of over fifteen years, he enjoys Marvel movies, writing, and of course running D&D for his friends and family, including his wife Steph and his daughter Willow (well, one day). They live with their two cats Khatleesi and Mollie in the south of England.