Bane
The Black Hand, the Lord of Darkness
Bane has a simple ethos: the strong have not just the
right but the duty to rule over the weak. A tyrant who
is able to seize power must do so, for not only does the
tyrant benefit, but so do those under the tyrant's rule.
When a ruler succumbs to decadence, corruption, or decrepitude, a stronger and more suitable ruler will rise.
Bane is vilified in many legends. Throughout history, those who favor him have committed dark deeds in his name, but most people don't worship Bane out of malice. Bane represents ambition and control, and those who have the former but lack the latter pray to him to give them strength. It is said that Bane favors those who exhibit drive and courage, and that he aids those who seek to become conquerors, carving kingdoms from the wilderness, and bringing order to the lawless.
At many times and in many places in Faerûn, the faithful of Bane have been seen as saviors for their efforts in slaughtering raiders, throwing down corrupt rulers, or saving armies on the brink of defeat. But in just as many other places, the worship of Bane has created or supported cruel dictatorships, aided mercantile monopolies, or brought about the practice of slavery where before it didn't exist.
The Black Altar. This is a plain, stone slab draped with black cloth where congregations to Bane perform private rituals. A symbol of Bane is made to hover over the altar, if possible. Many of these rituals involve a subject who is tortured and humiliated before being sacrificed.
Temples and Shrines. Bane’s presence is strong around the Moonsea. The House of the Black Lord in Mulmaster is one of the largest openly celebrated temples. In other areas, such as along the Sword Coast, Banites are less publicly accepted and tend to make their meetings and rituals secret.
Bane is vilified in many legends. Throughout history, those who favor him have committed dark deeds in his name, but most people don't worship Bane out of malice. Bane represents ambition and control, and those who have the former but lack the latter pray to him to give them strength. It is said that Bane favors those who exhibit drive and courage, and that he aids those who seek to become conquerors, carving kingdoms from the wilderness, and bringing order to the lawless.
At many times and in many places in Faerûn, the faithful of Bane have been seen as saviors for their efforts in slaughtering raiders, throwing down corrupt rulers, or saving armies on the brink of defeat. But in just as many other places, the worship of Bane has created or supported cruel dictatorships, aided mercantile monopolies, or brought about the practice of slavery where before it didn't exist.
The Faith
Banites generally celebrate no marked calendar days as holy ones. However, many of the faithful revel on Midwinter as the day when Bane was resurrected from death by bursting through the body of his son and now-dead lesser deity, Iyachtu Xvim.The Black Altar. This is a plain, stone slab draped with black cloth where congregations to Bane perform private rituals. A symbol of Bane is made to hover over the altar, if possible. Many of these rituals involve a subject who is tortured and humiliated before being sacrificed.
Temples and Shrines. Bane’s presence is strong around the Moonsea. The House of the Black Lord in Mulmaster is one of the largest openly celebrated temples. In other areas, such as along the Sword Coast, Banites are less publicly accepted and tend to make their meetings and rituals secret.
Symbol of Bane
Children
Alignment: Lawful evil
Symbol Upright black right hand, thumb and fingers together
Portfolio Tyranny, ambition, control
Domains: War
Worshippers: Conquerors, dictators
Worshipper Alias: Banite
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