Bane - Lord of War
Victory, Honor, Strength
Gameplay:
Followers of The Old Gods have the most diverse set of beliefs and gods on the Sword Coast. As such all religious classes (clerics, paladins, and druids) are open to them. Listed below, in order of importance, are the most important deities in the pantheon, but there are too many to list. You may choose one of them as your character’s deity, or you may design your character’s deity and religion. If you wish to play as a follower of The Old Gods, work with your DM to design your character’s beliefs and the nature of the religion and the god(s) she serves.
A Note to Players:
There is a lot of room for players develop their characters' religious beliefs and to expand on the brief summaries of each deity presented below. Players are invited to help expand or ammend what is written below.
Beliefs:
What Bane demands of his followers can vary wildly from region to region and culture to culture. In times of peace and prosperity, Bane calls for strong defense. In larger empires, he calls for honor and discipline, and the adventurous spirit needed to subdue wild lands. In those wild places, Bane is said to demand fearlessness and ferocity in battle.
The Test of War:
Clerics and paladins of Bane are all fighting men (and some women) who spend their whole lives training for war. However, there are many interpretations as to the place of war in society. Some of Bane’s clergy teach that war is the great forge in which strong peoples are forged. They teach that war tests us with hardship that makes us strong. That war weeds out the weak, and it pushes men to great acts of heroism and honor. These clergy teach that while peace might be pleasurable it makes a people weak and decadent.
Reluctant Warriors:
Others of Bane’s clergy characterize themselves as “reluctant warriors”. These clergy teach that war is a horror that should be the absolute last resort of a people. These clergy teach that the best way to secure peace is through strength and to avoid war a people must never show weakness to their enemies. So one must always be prepared for war. Finally, they teach that the best way to end a war is with quick and decisive victory.
Places of Worship:
Altars and chapels to Bane are erected in military barracks, forts, and any place fighting men gather. Temples to Bane act as military training academies, where soldiers and warriors train and study the art of war.
Many families of fighting men keep small altars to Bane in their homes to protect their loved ones who are away fighting.
Characterization:
Bane is depicted in the garb and uniform of the fighting men of the host culture or nation. He is depicted as everything from a raging berserker, to a armored general leading troops into battle.
Worshippers:
Soldiers, warriors, and their families.
Rival:
Lanal - Goddess of Peace, Good Harvests, and Fertility
Entry for WorldEmber 2019
