Who is in Control of the Upside Down? Stranger Things

Vecna and the Mind Flayer are two of the most powerful and terrifying villains in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, as well as in pop culture, thanks to their inclusion in shows like Stranger Things. Here's a breakdown comparing them:
Vecna Origins: Originally a mortal wizard who ascended to godhood through sheer will, magic, and evil deeds. Vecna is a lich-a powerful undead being-and eventually became a god of secrets, undeath, and forbidden knowledge in D&D lore. Typically depicted as a skeletal figure, often missing one hand (the Hand of Vecna) and one eye (the Eye of Vecna), which are artifacts imbued with immense dark power. Immense magical power, especially over necromancy and forbidden magic.
Controls legions of undead. Master manipulator and schemer, often working through cults and subordinates. Driven by a thirst for power, Vecna seeks ultimate dominion over reality and the eradication of secrets he doesn’t control. In Stranger Things, Vecna is depicted as an entity controlling the Upside Down, with psychic powers and the ability to invade and torment his victims' minds.
Mind Flayer Origins: A race of psionic and aberrant beings known as illithids in D&D, the Mind Flayer is a collective term for their hive-mind leader or overlord in Stranger Things. The D&D version is connected to the Far Realm, a plane of unimaginable horrors. Tentacle-faced humanoids in D&D, while in Stranger Things, the Mind Flayer takes the form of a towering, shadowy creature with a spider-like, monstrous silhouette. Psionic mastery, able to control minds and dominate other creatures. Spawns minions to do its bidding, like Demogorgons in Stranger Things. Physically and mentally imposing, capable of overwhelming entire civilizations in D&D. Desires complete domination over reality, feeding on the minds of sentient beings and spreading its influence across planes of existence. In Stranger Things,
the Mind Flayer is a god-like entity of the Upside Down, orchestrating events to break through into the real world.

[@scientist368]

To be honest I like how they use dnd monster like names/ ideas

[@ParkerCS2]

The Mind Flayer and Vecna/Henry have a symbiotic relationship and are both the co rulers of the upside down.

[@mridlon1634]

The “Mind Flayer” is, basically, an “outer god”. I would say like Shub-Niggurath.

[@TheoryMR]

Never understood why people think that Vecna is the big bad. Mindflayer literally gives Henry his powers to begin with.

[@MrYarwood.]

What? No he doesn't, he gives him the free will of the upside down, not his powers, Vecna literally formed the mindflayer and gave him an idea of life.

[@TheoryMR]

@ Henry’s powers comes from the Dimension X particles in his blood, which comes from the Mindflayer. What we see is the series somewhat of a reunion for the two

[@ParkerCS2]

@@TheoryMR exactly

[@EnthusiasticMythicalCrea-jf2ur]

​@@TheoryMRWhat, no where did you get that idea from? I'm gonna guess you got from season 4 from him opening portals, and gaining power from killing people 1. Vecna is gaining power to kill because he is absorbing their minds or specifically their consciousness. 2. Making portals allows him to be able to travel faster, and allow the creatures he made (ie. the Demogorgon, and the demodogs) to have regained the ability to roam the material plane. 3.Vecna is the final boss (besides tiamat, at least.) He as I am currently writing this has destroyed literal worlds, and invaded the land of sigil which is the center of DND verse. He is that powerful so him not being the final boss will be a plot twist, and a half.

[@TheoryMR]

@@EnthusiasticMythicalCrea-jf2ur it’s the play, which is a prequel to the show

[@lilweetabix9137]

strokin it rn

[@hannibalwolffe506]

I have to say, this Mind Flayer guy seems like a really bad dude.

[@georgeolaroiu3807]

Make Creatures and God Japanese Mythology next!!

[@georgeolaroiu3807]

Do Make Stranger Things/Animated spinoff next month i guesa!!

[@miriamemanueleforneris3701]

First