Bane

Bane, the Black Lord

"You enter the shadowed Tower of the Black Hand in Mulmaster, the air thick with the scent of blood and iron, the clank of chains echoing through the hall. At the center looms a massive altar of black stone, stained red, dominated by a statue of Bane—a towering figure in spiked armor, his helm concealing all but glowing green eyes that bore into your soul. A black gauntleted fist, clutching emerald rays, adorns the altar, radiating an aura of dread that chills your bones. A Black Hand priest, clad in black armor with red trim, raises a spiked morningstar, his voice a snarl as he chants, “All will bow to the Black Lord, or be crushed beneath his fist!” Around him, worshippers kneel, their branded fists raised in submission, fear etched into their faces. This is Bane’s domain—a place of tyranny where hope is snuffed out, and the weak are broken, all to sate the Lord of Darkness’s unending hunger for control."

Overview
Bane, known as the Black Lord, the Black Hand, or the Lord of Darkness, is the god of tyranny, hatred, and fear in Faerûn, a malevolent deity of lawful evil alignment who seeks to dominate all life through oppression and terror. In 1372 DR, Bane’s influence is a dark stain across the continent, his cult thriving in regions where power and control are prized, such as the Moonsea, Thay, and among the Zhentarim of the Darkhold. Bane embodies the iron fist of tyranny, inspiring despots, warlords, and those who crave dominion over others, his name synonymous with unrelenting cruelty and the subjugation of the weak. His return after the Time of Troubles (1358 DR) has solidified his grip on Faerûn, making him a fearsome adversary to the forces of good and a rival to other evil gods like Cyric and Shar.

Origins and History
Bane’s origins trace back to the early days of Faerûn’s pantheon, when he arose as a greater deity of strife and tyranny, his power fueled by the primal emotions of hatred and fear. Alongside Myrkul (god of death) and Bhaal (god of murder), Bane formed the Dark Triad, a trio of evil deities who sought to dominate Toril. During the Time of Troubles in 1358 DR, Bane’s ambition led him and Myrkul to steal the Tablets of Fate, an act that provoked Ao, the Overdeity, to cast the gods down to Toril as mortals. Bane was slain in this period, killed by Torm in Tantras during a cataclysmic battle that leveled much of the city, his essence scattered. However, Bane’s death was not the end—his portfolio was claimed by Cyric, but in 1369 DR, Bane was resurrected through the machinations of his son, Iyachtu Xvim, the Godson. Xvim, born of Bane’s essence and a demon, served as a vessel for Bane’s return, allowing the Black Lord to reclaim his divine mantle and destroy Xvim in the process. By 1372 DR, Bane has reestablished his dominance, his church stronger than ever, particularly through the Zhentarim, who worship him as their patron and spread his influence across Faerûn.

Portfolio and Domains
Bane’s portfolio encompasses tyranny, hatred, and fear, reflecting his desire to control through oppression and terror. He governs despotic rule, the enforcement of order through cruelty, and the spread of dread as a tool of domination. His domains align with his lawful evil nature:

• Evil: His malevolent essence, fueling acts of cruelty and malice.
• Law: His obsession with order, albeit through tyrannical means.
• Destruction: Reflecting his delight in crushing opposition.
• Hatred: His core emotion, driving conflict and division.
• Tyranny: His primary domain, embodying absolute control.
  Bane’s favored weapon is the morningstar, often depicted as a black, spiked mace dripping with blood, symbolizing his brutal authority. His holy symbol is a black, gauntleted fist clutching green rays, set against a red field, representing his iron grip and the fear he instills.

Personality and Symbolism
Bane is a cold, calculating deity, utterly devoid of compassion, driven by an insatiable desire for control. He is the epitome of lawful evil—methodical, ruthless, and unrelenting, viewing emotions like love or mercy as weaknesses to be exploited. Bane delights in the suffering of others, particularly the terror of those who defy him, and he rewards loyalty with power while punishing failure with death. He often appears as a towering, armored figure cloaked in black, his face hidden behind a spiked helm, glowing green eyes piercing through the darkness. His voice is a low, menacing growl that instills dread, and his presence radiates an oppressive weight, as if the air itself bows to his will. Bane’s gauntleted fist is a recurring motif, symbolizing his unyielding authority, while the green rays of his symbol evoke the paralyzing fear he spreads. Temples to Bane are grim, fortified structures, often adorned with iron spikes, chains, and statues of the Black Lord crushing his enemies underfoot.

Worshippers and Clergy
Bane’s followers are those who crave power through control—tyrants, warlords, slavers, and those who thrive on fear and oppression. In 1372 DR, his cult is strongest among the Zhentarim, a powerful organization based in the Moonsea and Darkhold, whose leaders, like Fzoul Chembryl, are high priests of Bane. The Zhentarim’s network of spies, mercenaries, and mages spreads Bane’s influence through trade, conquest, and subterfuge, making them a feared force in Faerûn. Beyond the Zhentarim, Bane attracts those in Thay, where Red Wizards admire his tyrannical ideals, and in the Moonsea cities like Mulmaster, where his church operates openly. Common folk rarely worship Bane willingly, but those under despotic regimes may offer prayers out of fear, hoping to avoid his wrath.

Bane’s clergy, known as the Black Hands or Tyrants of the Black Lord, are lawful evil, with some neutral evil exceptions among those who prioritize personal gain over strict order. Clerics of Bane wear black armor or robes adorned with red and green accents, often bearing spiked gauntlets as a symbol of their authority. They are cruel, disciplined, and hierarchical, enforcing Bane’s will with an iron fist, often acting as enforcers, inquisitors, or advisors to tyrants. Temples to Bane, called Black Altars or Halls of Tyranny, are fortress-like structures, filled with the sounds of clanking chains and the screams of the punished, their altars stained with the blood of sacrifices. Major temples exist in Zhentil Keep (despite its partial destruction in 1368 DR), Mulmaster, and Darkhold, where the Zhentarim hold court. Smaller shrines are hidden in the lairs of slavers or the courts of corrupt nobles, often marked by a black gauntlet statue.

Holy Sites and Festivals
Bane’s holy sites are places of oppression and control, often built in regions where his influence is strongest. The Black Lord’s Altar in Zhentil Keep, though damaged, remains a focal point for his worship, its iron spires and bloodstained altar a testament to his cruelty. In Mulmaster, the Tower of the Black Hand serves as a temple and fortress, its dungeons filled with prisoners whose fear fuels Bane’s power. Bane’s followers celebrate The Day of the Black Sun, held on the 1st of Eleint, where they perform rituals of domination—public executions, oaths of loyalty, and sacrifices of enemies—to honor their god. These ceremonies often involve branding followers with the black fist symbol, a painful rite that binds them to Bane’s will.

Mechanical Aspects (Pathfinder 1e)
For Pathfinder 1e, Bane’s domains and cleric abilities are adapted from his 3rd Edition Forgotten Realms profile:

• Alignment: Lawful Evil.
• Domains: Evil, Law, Destruction, Hatred, Tyranny.
• Favored Weapon: Morningstar (1d8 damage, x2 crit, bludgeoning/piercing).
• Symbol: Black gauntleted fist clutching green rays on a red field.
• Cleric Abilities:
• Evil Domain: Gain Touch of Evil (touch inflicts -1 penalty on attack, saves, or checks, 3 + Wis modifier uses/day) and Scythe of Evil (weapon gains unholy property 1/day at 8th level).
• Law Domain: Gain Touch of Law (touch makes rolls treated as 11 for 1 round, 3 + Wis modifier uses/day) and Staff of Order (weapon gains axiomatic property 1/day at 8th level).
• Destruction Domain: Gain Destructive Smite (+1/2 cleric level to damage on one melee attack, 3 + Wis modifier uses/day) and Destructive Aura (+4 damage to all within 30 ft., 1 round, 1/day at 8th level).
• Hatred Domain: Gain Hateful Strike (touch inflicts -2 penalty on saves vs. fear, 3 + Wis modifier uses/day) and Aura of Hatred (enemies within 30 ft. take -2 on saves vs. fear, 1 round, 1/day at 8th level).
• Tyranny Domain (custom, adapted from 3e): Gain Commanding Presence (as command, 3 + Wis modifier uses/day, DC 10 + 1/2 cleric level + Wis modifier) and Oppressive Will (as dominate person, 1/day at 8th level).