Dead Three

The Dead Three, also known as the Dark Gods, was a collective of three, death-themed deities: Bane, the Lord of Darkness, Bhaal, the Lord of Murder and Myrkul the Lord of Bones. Originally, they were powerful mortal adventurers who sought the path to godhood, and were known as the Dark Three. They found it in the form of Jergal, who acquiesced to their demands as he was tiring of his life as god of the dead. He gave up his portfolios to the three of them, apotheosizing them in the process. Bane ruled tyranny and strife, Bhaal became the god of murder & Myrkul, the dead.
They earned their name of the Dead Three when they all perished during the Time of Troubles. Bane and Torm killed each other in 1358 DR, Myrkul was killed by the mortal mage Midnight while Bhaal was slain by Cyric, using the sword Godsbane, an avatar of Mask.

History

In the mists of the past, the Dead Three were three power-hungry mortals: Bane the tyrant, Myrkul the necromancer, and Bhaal the assassin. The three forged a pact to achieve godhood or die trying. With their eyes on the ultimate prize of the portfolio of Jergal, Lord of the End of Everything. The three traveled the lengths of Faerûn, endured epic quests and obstacles until they finally destroyed one of the Seven Lost Gods and took a portion of its divine essence for themselves.
Their ascension was recorded in the book, History of the Dead Three.

As Deities

The Dead Three reigned over their respective realms for many years. True to his word, Bane spread hate and tyrannical rule across Faerûn, inspired a network of zealous wizards and thralls in the Zhentarim during the 13th century DR, and within a century later would come to be one of the most hated deities and face of evil across the continent. Myrkul never enjoyed the widespread, dreadful veneration as was found among the followers of Bane but he was given constant offerings at funerals, by mourning loved ones full of fear and sorrow. Bhaal on the other hand had become a god of immense power, having garnered the servitude of Loviatar and Talona in the divine realm.