The Church of Bane

The Church of Bane was the organization dedicated to worshiping, as well as furthering the influence of the deity, Bane. Generally speaking, they were a cruel and power-hungry group of individuals who worshipped their deity under a strict hierarchy.
Banite priests took great pride in their ability to control their actions and avoid succumbing to emotional outbursts. Their outward demeanor was cold and thoughtful, they thought carefully before they spoke, often preferring sarcasm and "witty banter" rather than overt hostility.

Structure

The church of Bane attracted a great number of wizards as well as the typical clerics.

Assets

Many Banites bore baneswords, enchanted longswords that were forged in great number for the Black Lord's clergy. A banesword is a +1 lawful longsword that were commonly forged for the followers of the deity Bane, commonly found among their possessions. The blades and hilts of the swords were decorated with the symbols of the Black Lord.

History

The church of Bane began its entrenchment in Zhentil Keep, or what was then-called Flostren's Hold, in the mid-8th century DR.
Long before the beginning of the Era of Upheaval, due in part to the ambitions of one Fzoul Chembryl, there was a great schism within the church of Bane. A fierce rivalry emerged between the orthodox and Transformed sects of his worship.

Tenets of Faith

The church of Bane believed in subservience and submission within their hierarchy, with junior members bowing, kneeling, or even kissing the feet of their superior, depending on their rank. Superior members were to be followed and obeyed at all times. The rules in the church were of the utmost importance, but those from any other lands or faith were entirely meaningless.
Bane's authority and divinity were revered above all else. According to his priests, Bane was to be feared by his faithful and even more feared by the unfaithful. It was the duty of every member of the church of Bane to "spread (his) fear".
The overarching goal of Bane's clergy was the charge of seizing or manipulating their way into power in every nation, city-state or freehold in all of Faerûn, to bring them under his influence. Using emotionally manipulative tools such as fear, hatred or greed to sow conflict, war and chaos would allow the Black Hand to maintain control over lands too distressed to maintain stability. To this end, priests and followers were encouraged to commit acts such as torture, political infiltration or inciting mayhem with subtlety, cruelty and overall, fear.

Priesthood

Titles

• High Imperceptor

Serving as the apex in the hierarchy of Bane's church, this leader was the supreme servant of the Black Lord.

• Deep Mystery

A general rank for the higher-tier clergy members including (in descending order) High Inquisitor, Grand Bloodletter, Dark Imperceptor, Imperceptor, Lord/Lady of the Hand, Lord/Lady of Mysteries and Vigilator.

• Dreadmaster

A title granted to certain priests of Bane that mostly kept low-level positions within the church.
Lower tiered ranks within the church of Bane were:
Higher Doom • Dark Doom • Masked Death • Vigilant Talon • Striking Hand • Black Fang • Hooded Menace • Willing Whip • Trusted Servant • Deadly Adept • Watchful brother/sister • Slave

BANE (Greater God)
The Black Lord, the Black Hand, the Lord of Darkness

• Symbol

Uright left hand in black on a red field.

• Alignment

Lawful Evil

• Clergies Alignment

Lawful Evil, Neutral Evil, Chaotic Evil

• Worshippers Alignment

Lawful Neutral, Neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Lawful Evil, Neutral Evil, Chaotic Evil

• Portfolio

Strife, hatred, tyranny, fear

• Domains

Evil, Destruction, Hatred, Law, Tyranny

• Favored Weapon

"The Black Hand of Bane" (spiked gauntlet/morningstar)

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Demonym

Banites

Leader Title

High Imperceptor