Black Hand

Summary

Bane has only recently taken an interest in Sundren and why is still yet to be known. The immediate appearance of the Triumvirate following the appearance of banites though has led many to believe that these shadowy agents of the great tyrant are heralds of terrible things to come.

Typical Member Traits:

• LE alignment
• Egotistical and authoritative
• Seeks to use strategy, fear, subterfuge, and politics to win a situation; resorts to violence if necessary

Origin/History

The origins of Bane speak for themselves. However, the somewhat recent arrival of the Banite clergy is mysterious in nature to most common people. No one quite understands why the Banites have come to Sundren, but they have felt and seen the results of their tyrannic designs. All throughout Sundren's history since their arrival have been attacks and signs of their presence, ones that have cowed the people time and time again.

Base(s) of Operations

No one knows where the Banites have a settled fortified area besides a rare few. But rumors speak in hushed whispers of the Mossdale forest, and how the orc infested woods slowly give way to blasted lands and pools of fire. There, in this hellish nightmare of a vision, people may sob into their drinks and speak of a terrible citadel, a tower representing Bane's fist.

More recently and well known is the attack and occupation of Mirakus Post. Banites have taken over the former outpost, and now claim it as their own.

Leadership/People of Note

High Imperceptor Elric Blackhand, Grand Leader of Bane's Presence in Sundren
Imperceptor Markus
Lord of the Hand Lord Gen'Deimos, warlord, overseer of armies (deceased)
Lord of the Black Advance Ditus Ill'Koresh
Lady of the Black Advance Mestra Ill'Koresh
Tifton Holyguard
Clive Tarsus, Deep Mystery

Objectives

Bane's objectives are pure and simple: the subjugation of every living person under his iron fist. To this end the Banites have been extremely active in Sundren's events, always seeking a possible avenue of power and fear spreading that will make the people cower in their homes.

Rumor also speaks of influence in the higher levels of the Sundren nobility. They say that the Black Hand has infiltrated high up, so far up that there is a direct influence of the Hand's wishes on the government itself. Of course, this is hearsay and no one really takes such rumors seriously.

Ranks

Novices of Bane's clergy were addressed as "slave", but if named by Bane from a speaking altar or in a dream vision, they became full priests of the god and granted the title of Watchful Brother / Watchful Sister. From there they ascended through the rankings.

Deeper Mystery
Deep Mystery
Higher Doom
Dark Doom
Masked Death
Vigilant Talon
Striking Hand
Black Fang
Hooded Menace
Willing Whip
Trusted Servant
Deadly Adept
Watchful Brother / Watchful Sister

The "Deeper Mystery" title was a general one held by all clergy members of 12th level and greater (in Sundren only DMs can promote a PC into Deep Mystery, all other ranks are gained from reputation, not levels). A priest of this rank addressed fellow clergy members of higher ranks as "Deeper Mystery" (not to do so was regarded as a deliberate insult). Known individual titles among the Banites of Deeper Mysteries included:

Vigilator
Lord / Lady of Mysteries
Lord / Lady of the Hand
Imperceptor
Dark Imperceptor
Grand Bloodletter
High Inquisitor
High Imperceptor

All except the last title were self-bestowed, but such self-given titles had to be confirmed and used upon the bestower by a higher ranking priest before they were formally recognized.

Banites addressed each other only by title unless the mix of individuals present would cause confusion without the addition of a surname. Banite clergy bowed, knelt to, or kissed the boots of superiors, depending on the difference in their ranks - and what they would be ordered to do. When in the presence of non worshipers of Bane, Banite clergy addressed each other as "Brother / Sister Faithful" unless speaking to a superior of considerably greater rank, whereupon "Dread Brother / Sister" would be used.

Timeline/Historical Events of Note

The Black Hand have been involved with many events concerning Sundren. But perhaps an example of the power of Bane is the life of Tifton Holyguard, former paladin of Helm.

In life, Tifton Holyguard was an honorable, loyal, driven, successful, and dependable Paladin of Helm. He began serving Helm in the Western Heartlands, where he met a young Orlan Proskus. The two quickly became lifelong friends. Though they defended the people against many villains, the two dark souls that posed the greatest threat were Ditus and Mestra Ill'Koresh, of the Black Hand. Tifton was instrumental in creating the crystal prison that Orlan would use to ultimately imprison them.

Years later and after earning his abbot-ship, It was Orlan who convinced Tifton to come to Sundren. In the city of the Sunderer, Orlan, Tifton, and their group of vigilant Everwatch knights set out to defend the city and all it held dear.

When the Ill'Koresh were liberated, Tifton set out to create another crystal to house their incorporeal selves. However, Kemnebi, Neradnal, and the vampire child Rosey cursed several of the ju ju blades that were to be used in creating the crystal. When Tifton went to render the items to dust, an explosion occurred and shards and dust from the blades entered his body. The cursed dust had the effect of negating any healing the Abbot tried to provide. In a last ditch attempt to save Tifton, a group of adventurers led by Cadmus of Helm bombarded Tifton with dispelling magic to make the cursed dust ineffective; it would have worked, had Kemnebi not sabotaged that delicate casting process and filled the room with his unholy aura and dispelled the casting members. This act led to Tifton's death, and Kemnebi's imprisonment.

Ultimately, the sabotage of the new crystal prison, the death of Tifton, and the long legal trial were distractions to delay the Helmites so that Neradnal could return the Ill'Koresh to corporeal form. It was very effective. In the dark ritual that sacrificed 33 children returned the Ill'Koresh to form, Tifton's corpse and soul were offered as tribute to Bane. Rather than taking the Paladin, Bane returned him to life as a twisted version of himself.

Tifton loathes himself, and what he has become, especially that he requires blood to sustain himself. Originally, he wanted only to be left alone within the Necropolis amongst the other undead. To see the living reminded him of what he lost, and what he had become. However, when adventurers started entering the Necropolis on his watch and slaughtering the sentient undead, he grew very upset. He informed the adventurers that they were not welcome in the City of the Dead, and that he would punish any who entered. Stay out, he declared. Unknown to Tifton, Ditus used this opportunity to search the Necropolis for artifacts and secrets.

Though he does not agree with the fear mongering aspects of Bane's faith, he is starting to buy into the fact that the forces of good are at times reckless, and some often do great evil in their supposed pursuit of good. He references how the adventurers came and slayed sentient undead when they really just wanted to be left alone; why should he be killed, simply because he is something other than what the adventurers are?

Miscellaneous Information

The Knights of the Black Gauntlet are the military order of cavaliers and holy knights dedicated to Bane. The Knights work as guards for holy sites of Bane, as well as leading the armies of the numerous military campaigns the church of Bane undertakes.

The faith of Bane makes regular use of undead, either provided by the clergy or the wizards that follow The Tyrant Lord.