Tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons has been an integral part of Stranger Things since the Netflix original's very first episode. Throughout the series, the main characters - sometimes known as "the Party" - have had to face villains from the mysterious Upside Down who they have named after some of Dungeons and Dragons' most iconic enemies. Eleven, Mike, Will, and the rest of the gang faced off against the Demogorgon in the very first season of Stranger Things, then were later introduced to the even more powerful Mind Flayer. With Season 4 adding another iconic Dungeons and Dragons villain to the mix, fans have begun to look to the game for possible hints about how Season 5 will play out.
Season 4 of Stranger Things, which was released in two parts in May and July of 2022, centered around the fight against Vecna, a powerful being who targeted troubled children and teenagers in Hawkins and killed them in violent ways. Vecna's namesake, a powerful arch-lich who seeks immortality and godhood, has been a part of Dungeons and Dragons' history since the game's inception in 1974. As Season 4 ended with Vecna still alive and out there, it is possible his fate in Season 5 - which will be the show's final season - might draw inspiration from the story of his Dungeons and Dragons counterpart.
Max or Will Might Be Forced to Serve Vecna
One of Vecna's primary targets throughout Season 4 was Max Mayfield, who was experiencing feelings of isolation and depression following the death of her older stepbrother, Billy, in Season 3. The end of Season 4 saw Max in a coma despite Eleven's attempts to save her. While it has not yet been confirmed that Max will be returning in Season 5, fans hope that the character's story is not yet done. One of the ways in which she could return is as a brainwashed servant of Vecna , as the villain already has access to her mind and memories. While Dungeons and Dragons' Vecna had loyal cultists, the Stranger Things version seems more likely to accrue followers via mental manipulation and control.
Another character who could become a potential "Vecna cultist" in Season 5 is Will Byers, who has had a deep connection to the Upside Down ever since he became stranded there in Season 1. Previous seasons of the show revealed that the Mind Flayer could exert influence over Will, using him to spawn its "Demodog" underlings and gain greater power over Hawkins. As Season 4 implied that the Mind Flayer is in fact a creation of Vecna, it is possible that the villain could use that to take over Will's mind and obtain another brainwashed servant. This could have the added bonus of bringing Will back to Hawkins, as the character spent most of Season 4 outside of his hometown to the disappointment of many fans.
Someone Could Betray and Kill Vecna
Vecna's story in Dungeons and Dragons involves a betrayal from an unexpected source: the vampire Kas the Bloody-Handed, once his most loyal and fanatic lieutenant. Although Kas or a direct analogue to Kas has not yet appeared in Stranger Things, he was mentioned by Mike during the Dungeons and Dragons campaign run by Eddie and the Hellfire Club in Episode 1 of Season 4. This reference could be a deliberate hint by series creators The Duffer Brothers, indicating that Vecna in Season 5 could be betrayed by a follower just as his counterpart was.
If a Kas analogue is to appear in Season 5, Will and Max are once again the obvious choices due to their pre-existing connections to Vecna. Another option is Eleven, as she and Vecna (originally called Henry Creel or One) are both powerful psychics who were experimented on in Hawkins Laboratory. Although the character was seemingly killed off in the final episode of Season 4, the villainous Dr. Brenner could potentially return and serve as Kas, as he is deeply connected to Vecna's origin story. Yet another option would be Victor Creel, Henry's father, who was falsely accused of Vecna's murders and memorably played by Robert Englund in one episode of Season 4.
Vecna's Artifacts Might Come Into Play
Before Vecna himself ever made an appearance, Dungeons and Dragons players got to know the powerful lich through two artifacts: parts of his body that Vecna lost when he was betrayed and attacked by Kas. The Hand of Vecna granted its wielder the ability to cast the spells "Finger of Death," "Sleep," "Slow, and "Teleport," but would also subconsciously influence them to commit evil acts. The Eye of Vecna granted true sight as well as access to a lengthy list of spells including "Crown of Madness," "Disintegrate," and "Dominate Monster," but came with the risk that Vecna might try to take over the wielder's body.
If they appear in Stranger Things, these artifacts could be key to defeating Vecna for good. The Party and their allies could even go on a quest for them, which would suit the show's new, more global nature - Season 4, rather than being set primarily in Hawkins, also included plots in California, Nevada, and Russia. The Stranger Things versions of the artifacts might not be a literal hand and eye, as Vecna does not seem to be missing either one, but could instead be key items connected to him such as his drawings of the Mind Flayer or the clock from the Creel House where he committed his first murders.
An Even Bigger Villain Could Emerge
With five editions, decades of history, and multiple spin-offs, Vecna is far from the only antagonist Dungeons and Dragons has to offer. While he will likely put in an appearance in Season 5, as he was not yet fully defeated, it is also possible that a different villain might emerge as the final threat the citizens of Hawkins have to face. Possible contenders for the new Season 5 villain include the dragon Borys, the demon lord Orcus, the draconic queen Tiamat, or the iconic vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich. Even Kas could emerge as a villain, as his nature as a betrayer means that he could easily oppose both Vecna and the Party.
Unfortunately, fans will likely have to wait at least a year to find out how Dungeons and Dragons will inform the final season of Stranger Things, as no release date for Season 5 has been confirmed. However, Ross Duffer did say that the wait for Season 5 might be shorter, as Season 4 was plagued by delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ross and co-creator Matt Duffer also confirmed that they have already pitched the outline of Season 5 and had it approved by Netflix. The brothers are reportedly very excited for the show's final season, and fans likely should be as well.
Stranger Things seasons 1-4 are currently available to watch on Netflix.