The Dead Three

The Dead Three, also known as the Demons of the Red Wastes and primary deities of The Quaan Empire. The group is made up of Bane, Bhaal and Myrkul, with Bane serving as their leader. Originally members of The Eres, they were banished by the other gods, damned to the Underblaze for all eternity. They were named The Dead Three after they were defeated in battle by Torm and the other Eres.

History

The Age of Creation

Originally The Dead Three were members of the powerful race of creationist spirits; The Eres. These spirits presided over the creation of Naneth with The Mortal Plane. It was two Eres, named Eldath and Silvanus that began the process of creating this world, finally giving other Eres the chance to make their marks as well. However, in a bid to keep Naneth pure and free from danger and strife, Eldath and Silvanus denied Bane and the other Eres of veiled and immoral dispositions of the right to create life upon Naneth. They made it clear this world was not to be tainted with creations of fear and death.
Because of this, Bane, Bhaal and Myrkul fled from the eyes of Eldath and Silvanus, retreating into Naneth's southern region, an area that would eventually be known as The Red Wastes. Here, Bane and his companions began creating great pits, filling them with creatures born of hate and malice, letting them loose upon the world. It was around this time that Bane created the race of Chromatic Dragon and gave life to their terrible leader; Tiamat. This would all go virtually unnoticed by Eldath and the other Eres, until Bane made his final move of spite towards them.

The Betrayal

It was near the end of the Age of Creation that Bane made his greatest creation, a direct insult towards Eldath, Silvanus and the other Eres. In secret, Bane and Myrkul stole away a portion of Eldath's most loved and prized creations, the Eldar. Myrkul, using dark rituals, then corrupted them, mutating Eldath's beautiful race into creatures of hate; the Orc. These creatures soon multiplied all across Naneth's southern region, providing the Red Wastes with a population.
This was known as The Betrayal, an event that would forever change and shape Naneth's future. However, before this traitorous act was discovered by Eldath and Silvanus, Bane determined to undermine his enemies further. It was then that Bane and Bhaal set upon the Dwarves, the prized creation of Armok. They slew droves of dwarves within the mountain ranges of Naneth, their screams echoing for miles across the landscape. This caused Armok to investigate, where Bane and Bhaal ambushed him, mortally wounding the God of the Forge. They left him to die, before retreating, preparing for the reaction of the other Eres.
Upon discovery of Armok and the corruption of the Eldar, Eldath and Silvanus were filled with grief and anger. Together with the other Eres, they brought Bane, Bhaal and Myrkul before a great council, and put them on trial for their heinous deeds. It was during this gathering that Bane enacted his final sin, an act the would lead to open conflict among the gods. For Bane suddenly attacked Rainbow Crow slewing him with a great blow, in front of the other Eres. The God of Celebration died at Bane's feet.

Conflict of the Gods

The conflict of the gods began in true after the murder of Rainbow Crow. Bane, Bhaal and Myrkul joined together in combat against the other Eres. Eldath and Silvanus, joined by Armok, Sandrum, Torm, Sune, Virdi and Bekur, hunted Bane all across Naneth, engaging in several battles that thundered across the skies. Such a powerful race of beings, reduced to bloodshed and war. It is unknown how long the conflict lasted in true, perhaps lasting for a few days or a few years, as time to the Eres flows differently than it does to mortals.
Finally, the gods of life prevailed over the others, with Sandrum's capture of Bhaal, and Silvanus' defeat of Myrkul. Only Bane remained, more powerful than all others, resisting the attacks of the other Eres. This lasted until the Eres known as Torm challenged Bane to single combat. Filled with arrogance and hate, Bane accepted the challenge, greatly underestimating the power of Torm's courage and selflessness. The battle commenced, raging across the landscapes of Naneth. Each warrior landed critical blows against the other, with neither relenting. It was in the region later known as Torm's Fist, that the brave Eres finally felled his opponent among the ice and snow. Bane, the scourge of Naneth and corrupter of life had been defeated.

Aftermath

Banishment to The Underblaze

Upon the defeat of Bane, he and his companions were named The Dead Three. Though most of the Eres wished them to be destroyed forever, Eldath would not stoop to the level of murder, as Bane had done with the slaying of Rainbow Crow. Through much discussion, it was decided that The Dead Three would be banished to Naneth's underworld; The Underblaze. Within these nine levels of hell, The Dead Three would remain forever. Since then, Bane, Bhaal and Myrkul have not touched the mortal plane or Naneth.

Alignment of the Nine Hells

Once arrived, The Dead Three set to work on arranging the Underblaze as they saw fit, with each member conquering and ruling over their own level of hell. The devils and demons that already inhabited this plane quickly bent to the will of the more powerful, malevolent spirits of the fallen Eres. Soon The Dead Three would command rule over the entirety of the Underblaze, commanding it's legion of damned souls, devils, demons, and monsters.

For themselves, each of Bane, Bhaal and Myrkul commanded their own layer of hell. Myrkul, decided to make the rotting swamps of disease and poison his domain, He commanded Minauros the third level of the Underblaze. From here he studies the power of necromancy and dark rituals, providing those that follow his teachings with similar power. Within the rancid swamps of Minauros, Myrkul created horrid creatures to inhabit the toxic waters, creatures that the devils and demons of the third level would come to fear.
Bhaal, the Lord of Murder would claim the sixth level of The Underblaze for himself. The layer named Malbolge would become Bhaal's domain, home to his blood rituals and traitors acts of murder. The tumbling cliffs and choking deserts became the backdrop for Bhaal's activities, hiding his stronghold of Ossiea. The devils and demons under Bhaal's rule were among the most ruthless, and enjoyed trickery. When a mortal sells their soul to the power of The Underblaze, it is often to Bhaal that souls finds it's home.
Finally, the ninth level of The Underblaze was reserved for Lord of The Dead Three. Bane's domain is named Nessus, the lowest layer of hell. From here Bane has become Overlord of The Underblaze, commanding the attention and respect of all with the Underblaze. In his fortress of Malsheem, Bane awaits the age when he will once again ascend to Naneth, where he will destroy The Mortal Plane once and for all.

Followers on Naneth

Upon Naneth, The Dead Three commands a huge following. Starting with the Quaan Cult, a group of powerful magic users, including Liches, Warlocks and Necromancers. This group is obsessed with the goal of raising The Dead Three from their prisons within The Underblaze.
As time progressed, the cult grew into The Quaan Empire. An entire region filled with creatures that worshiped beings of The Underbalze and The Dead Three above all. This region is dominated by Orc, Tiefling and evil Humans. The legions present within the Quaan Empire pay tribute to The Dead Three with the regions crest; an ever open eye, painted in blood, with three triangles, signifying their three lords.

Creation/Founding Age of Creation, After The Betrayal
Leader Bane; The Black Hand
Members Bhaal, Myrkul
Current Dominion The Underblaze

The Symbol of The Quaan Empire and Cult, commonly associated with The Dead Three.