Bane
Bane, the God of War and greater deity of the Light Pantheon, is a deity of brutal strength, unrelenting conquest, and iron-fisted domination. Known as The Iron Fist, The Merciless General, and Lord of Conquest, Bane embodies the ruthless, strategic aspects of war and imposes order through force and fear. He distances himself from mortals, preferring to rule from afar, as a cold and calculated master of the battlefield.
While Bane believed himself the rightful ruler of all the planes and could not tolerate subservience to anyone, the god was willing, unlike many evil deities, to work with others if it served his interests and the god formed multiple alliances. Some of these include, Mask, Tiamat, and Malar.
Statues and depictions of Bane often show him gripping a massive weapon or holding his hand in a fist, as if preparing to strike or claim dominion over all before him. His aura exudes cold authority and malice, warning those who might oppose him of the futility of resistance.
During one critical battle, Bane sought to take a strategic position that would turn the tide of war. In a decisive moment, he engaged Edrik, the Relentless Blade, a demi-god known for his unmatched ferocity and relentless prowess. Bane’s victory over Edrik impressed XXXXXXXXX, who recognized in him the qualities of a war god: ruthlessness, power, and unwavering resolve. XXXXXXXXX offered Bane the Rite of Rebirth, and Bane accepted. After enduring the trial’s challenges, he emerged as the God of War. This ascension transformed him into a distant, brutal deity who now embodies war’s darkest aspects, ruling his followers with cold, malevolent authority.
Pursue Power Relentlessly: Strength and skill are the most valuable traits. Followers must hone their skills and seek power to secure their place above others.
Enforce Discipline: Chaos is weakness, and only through rigid control and discipline can true strength be achieved. His followers see themselves as soldiers in his eternal army, bound to his strict commands.
Exact Vengeance: Every defeat or insult must be avenged. Bane’s followers believe in showing no forgiveness or tolerance for opposition, crushing all who stand in their way.
These beliefs foster a culture of ambition and aggression among his followers, who believe that by following Bane’s tenets, they can achieve ultimate control over their surroundings, embodying his ruthless and calculated approach to conquest.
Mercenaries and Soldiers: Some of Bane’s followers are soldiers and mercenaries who respect his focus on strength and discipline. They see themselves as tools of his war machine, honoring his doctrine by taking on challenges and seeking glory in battle.
Tyrants and Rulers: Bane’s doctrine appeals to rulers who seek absolute control. These followers use intimidation, military might, and strict laws to maintain their power and crush dissent.
Avengers and Enforcers: Bane attracts individuals who have been wronged and seek revenge. These followers find purpose in his doctrine of retribution, believing that vengeance brings order by punishing those who oppose them.
Bane’s followers are known for their cruelty, efficiency, and discipline. They are feared within their communities, often ruling through force and instilling a culture of obedience and fear. Those who oppose Bane’s followers find them relentless and unyielding, as they wield his teachings with brutal efficacy.
Holy Day: The Day of Conquest is a day of martial displays, competitions, and rituals in which followers celebrate victories and honor Bane’s doctrines. It is often observed by reenacting significant battles or holding tournaments to test strength and skill.
Through his dark and fearsome presence, Bane inspires mortals to dominate, control, and conquer. His doctrine fosters a relentless drive for power and a brutal approach to order, casting him as a cold, merciless figure of the battlefield and the iron fist of absolute rule. His followers continue his legacy, imposing his vision of war and control on the world, unfazed by the suffering they cause in their quest for supremacy.
While Bane believed himself the rightful ruler of all the planes and could not tolerate subservience to anyone, the god was willing, unlike many evil deities, to work with others if it served his interests and the god formed multiple alliances. Some of these include, Mask, Tiamat, and Malar.
Physical Description
Bane is depicted as a towering figure shrouded in shadows, his form clad in an imposing suit of dark, jagged armor. The armor resembles ancient, battle-worn metal, etched with patterns and runes of domination and conquest. His face is often obscured by a helmet or by shadows, lending him an air of menace and mystery. One of his most iconic features is his jeweled, dark gauntlet—a symbol of power and control. His eyes are sometimes shown as glowing embers beneath his helm, and his presence alone is enough to instill fear and submission.Statues and depictions of Bane often show him gripping a massive weapon or holding his hand in a fist, as if preparing to strike or claim dominion over all before him. His aura exudes cold authority and malice, warning those who might oppose him of the futility of resistance.
History
Bane’s rise began during the War of the Divine, a time of great turmoil as mortals rebelled against the gods whom they believed sought to control their destinies. Bane was once a human Icon, a powerful and charismatic leader among mortals, and served as the chief strategist and military commander for The Free Covenant—the alliance of gods and mortals who resisted the dominance of the Divine Triad. Bane’s skills on the battlefield and his unyielding will made him a revered figure, feared and respected by allies and enemies alike.During one critical battle, Bane sought to take a strategic position that would turn the tide of war. In a decisive moment, he engaged Edrik, the Relentless Blade, a demi-god known for his unmatched ferocity and relentless prowess. Bane’s victory over Edrik impressed XXXXXXXXX, who recognized in him the qualities of a war god: ruthlessness, power, and unwavering resolve. XXXXXXXXX offered Bane the Rite of Rebirth, and Bane accepted. After enduring the trial’s challenges, he emerged as the God of War. This ascension transformed him into a distant, brutal deity who now embodies war’s darkest aspects, ruling his followers with cold, malevolent authority.
Beliefs
Bane’s doctrine is one of absolute strength, discipline, and unyielding domination. He believes that true power is earned through conquest, that weakness deserves no mercy, and that a leader’s role is to command and conquer. Bane’s teachings are steeped in the idea that all aspects of society, life, and war should be organized under a strict, martial order—one that rewards the strong and punishes the weak. His philosophy encourages self-interest, strength, and the use of fear as a tool to enforce loyalty.Core Tenets of Bane’s Faith:
Dominate Without Mercy: Those who are strong should lead, and those who are weak must submit. Bane’s followers believe that conquest is the purest form of order.Pursue Power Relentlessly: Strength and skill are the most valuable traits. Followers must hone their skills and seek power to secure their place above others.
Enforce Discipline: Chaos is weakness, and only through rigid control and discipline can true strength be achieved. His followers see themselves as soldiers in his eternal army, bound to his strict commands.
Exact Vengeance: Every defeat or insult must be avenged. Bane’s followers believe in showing no forgiveness or tolerance for opposition, crushing all who stand in their way.
These beliefs foster a culture of ambition and aggression among his followers, who believe that by following Bane’s tenets, they can achieve ultimate control over their surroundings, embodying his ruthless and calculated approach to conquest.
Followers
Bane’s followers, known as The Ironbound or Bane’s Legion, are drawn to his teachings of power, conquest, and discipline. His worshipers include warlords, generals, soldiers, and even ruthless politicians who admire his philosophy of control and unyielding authority. Followers of Bane tend to value strength, loyalty, and the imposition of order, and many view fear as a tool to secure dominance over others.Types of Followers:
Warlords and Commanders: Many of Bane’s followers are military leaders and strategists, using his teachings to gain control over territories and people. They wield their power mercilessly and enforce strict discipline within their ranks.Mercenaries and Soldiers: Some of Bane’s followers are soldiers and mercenaries who respect his focus on strength and discipline. They see themselves as tools of his war machine, honoring his doctrine by taking on challenges and seeking glory in battle.
Tyrants and Rulers: Bane’s doctrine appeals to rulers who seek absolute control. These followers use intimidation, military might, and strict laws to maintain their power and crush dissent.
Avengers and Enforcers: Bane attracts individuals who have been wronged and seek revenge. These followers find purpose in his doctrine of retribution, believing that vengeance brings order by punishing those who oppose them.
Bane’s followers are known for their cruelty, efficiency, and discipline. They are feared within their communities, often ruling through force and instilling a culture of obedience and fear. Those who oppose Bane’s followers find them relentless and unyielding, as they wield his teachings with brutal efficacy.
Temples and Worship
Temples to Bane are often built like military fortresses, heavily guarded and adorned with dark stone and iron. They serve both as places of worship and as training grounds where Bane’s followers practice martial skills, refine strategies, and learn the ways of domination. Rituals in his name often involve offerings of blood or symbolic victories, such as the taking of territory or resources.Symbols and Holy Days:
Symbols: Bane’s symbols include an iron gauntlet clutching a bloodstained sword and a claw with three talons pointing down. His symbols are worn by his followers as pendants or engraved on their armor.Holy Day: The Day of Conquest is a day of martial displays, competitions, and rituals in which followers celebrate victories and honor Bane’s doctrines. It is often observed by reenacting significant battles or holding tournaments to test strength and skill.
Sacred Texts:
Bane’s holy text, the Manual of Domination, outlines his teachings of war, conquest, and power. Followers study it as a guide to mastering tactics and maintaining control through fear and strength.Through his dark and fearsome presence, Bane inspires mortals to dominate, control, and conquer. His doctrine fosters a relentless drive for power and a brutal approach to order, casting him as a cold, merciless figure of the battlefield and the iron fist of absolute rule. His followers continue his legacy, imposing his vision of war and control on the world, unfazed by the suffering they cause in their quest for supremacy.
Type
Greater DeityTitle(s)
The Black HandThe Iron Fist
Lord of Conquest
The Merciless General
Alignment
Lawful EvilSymbol
Claw with three talons pinting downEdicts
seek dominance and victory in all battles; enforce discipline among your allies and troops; show no mercy to those who oppose your conquest.Anathema
act with mercy or compassion in warfare; allow yourself to be dishonored or defeated without retribution; abandon a goal of conquest due to fear or weakness.Areas of Concern:
war, conquest, strength, disciplineD&D Domains
WarP2 DEVOTEE BENEFITS
Divine Ability
Strength or ConstitutionDivine Font
harmDivine Skill
IntimidationDivine Sanctification
can choose holy or unholyFavored Weapon
flailDomains
ambition, destruction, might, zealAlternate Domains
confidence, tyranny,Cleric Spells
1st: burning hands 2th: enlarge 6th: blessed boundaryDivine Intercession
Bane rewards those who achieve victory through strength and punishes those who show mercy or retreat without cause.Minor Boon: Warrior’s Resolve
Once per day, you gain a +2 status bonus to a single Fortitude or Will saving throw to resist being forced to surrender, frightened, or retreat. You must declare this before rolling.Moderate Boon: Conqueror’s Stamina
Once per day, you can enter a state of relentless endurance for up to 1 minute, gaining temporary Hit Points equal to your level. This state grants you immunity to the fatigued condition while active, symbolizing Bane’s unbreakable spirit.Major Boon: Bane’s Wrath
Once per day, you can cast wrathful smite as an innate divine spell against a foe you have marked for conquest or vengeance. This smite is heightened to one level above your highest spell level and grants a +2 bonus to its attack roll and damage.Minor Curse: Weight of Cowardice
If you flee from battle or show mercy without cause, Bane curses you with a sense of weakness. You take a -1 penalty on all Strength-based skill checks until you stand your ground in a battle or achieve a significant victory.Moderate Curse: Brand of the Dishonored
Bane marks you with a visible, searing brand that signifies dishonor. This mark causes a -1 penalty to your Charisma-based skill checks, and lawful-aligned creatures with military training treat you as Unfriendly or Hostile on sight.Major Curse: Pariah of War
Bane curses you with the shame of a warrior who has failed, denying you access to training and resources. Allied or neutral combatants, regardless of alignment, sense your failure and refuse to train or fight alongside you, leaving you isolated and stripped of their support.
Children
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