The Church of Bane

The Black Lord

The deity of hatred, fear, and tyranny. Was once a mortal who devoted his life to gaining godhood by any means necessary. He has never been seen but is rumored to have a black taloned hand and eyes of blazing fire spread.
One may ask why anyone would worship the deity of hatred, fear, and tyranny. Often he is followed by delusional and venerable people who believe that the end is nigh and think it is their responsibility to inform the common folk to seek the salvation of Bane before they are smote. However, there are more sinister reasons than geriatric delusions of grandeur. Bane offers much to be desired by those who are forgotten by society.

"...I choose to rule for all eternity as the ultimate tyrant. I can induce hatred and strife at my whim, and all will bow down before me while in my kingdom."

- The Tome of Bane Vol. II, transcribed from Bane himself.

Holy Books & Codes

The Tomes of Bane (3 volumes): A three-part collection that covers Bane's mortal life, ascension to godhood, death, and rebirth.
A Hearth of Leafs and Hearts: A collection of sermons that preach the importance of elevating your status in the social and political hierarchies in order to subvert governments and carry out Bane's adgenda under the cover of the rule of law. This book enforces the idea that the goal of politics is to appear clean in the eye of the public. However, covert torture, beatings, and calculated assassinations frequently come into play in such operations, and rare indeed is the initiate of the Lord of Darkness who does not possess at least rudimentary skill in such enterprises.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

There are two symbols used by the church of Bane. The first shows green rays squeezed forth from a black fist. The second is a right handprint on a surface using black ink.

Tenets of Faith

• Serve no one but Bane.
• Fear him always and make others fear him even more than you do.
• The Black Hand always strikes down those who stand against it in the end. Defy Bane and die -- or in death find loyalty to him, for he shall compel it.
• Submit to the word of Bane as uttered by his ranking clergy, since true power can only be gained through service to him.
• Spread the dark fear of Bane. It is the doom of those who do not follow him to let power slip through their hands.
• Those who cross the Black Hand meet their dooms earlier and more harshly than those who worship other deities.

Holidays & Rituals

Clerics of Bane pray for spells at midnight. Their religion recognizes no official holidays, though servants give thanks to the Black Hand before and after major battles or before a particularly important act of subterfuge. Senior clerics often declare holy days at a moment's notice, usually claiming to act upon divine inspiration granted to them in dreams. Rites include drumming, chanting, and the sacrifice of intelligent beings, usually upon an altar of black basalt or obsidian

Divine Goals & Aspirations

Though Bane transcended mortality centuries ago, his primary goal remains notably human. He seeks nothing short of the total domination of the Known World.
When his servants sit upon the throne of every land, when commoners serve their masters in fear for their very lives, and when altruism and hope have been erased from the world, only then will Bane rest. Until that dark day, however, the Black Hand has eternity to hatch demented plots and vile intrigues. Eventually, he will rule all of the Known World, but there's no hurry. Getting there will be half the fun.
Bane prefers to keep to the shadows, allowing his servants to carry out his intricate plans. He has no tolerance for failure and seldom thinks twice about submitting even a loyal servant to rigorous tortures to ensure complete obedience to his demanding, regimented doctrine. Though possessed of an unforgiving wrath when aroused, Bane is slow to anger, existing in a perpetual state of controlled burn.

Alignment: Lawful Evil
Worshipper Align: LE, NE, CE
Order Name: The Church of Bane
Follower Name: Priest of Bane
Order Locations: Osset, Brekka
Symbol: Green rays squeezed forth from a black fist
Priest Class Names: Cleric (Evil Philosophy), Cleric (War), and Cleric (Death)

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Related Historical Events

• 1916 P.M.E
  Death of Snasall Eirfin

Related Articles:

The Tome of Bane Vol. I