Gods and Their Specialty Priests

Bane (The Black Lord)

Greater Power of Acheron, LE

Portfolio: Strife, hatred, tyranny Requirements: Wisdom 10, Strength 12 Major Spheres: All, Combat, Divination, Elemental, Guardian, Healing, Necromantic, Summoning Minor Spheres: Sun (reversible effects only), Creation

Weapons Allowed: All nonmissile bludgeon weapons and javelins Armor Allowed: Any Magical Items Allowed: Same as clerics

Granted Powers

• Specialty priests of Bane may not turn or command undead. Clerics who worship Bane may turn and command undead normally.
• Priests of Bane are unaffected by fear spells, though they may be affected by other emotion-affecting spells and spell-like abilities.
• Priests of Bane at 5th level may generate an aura of fear, stretching 10 feet away for every level of the priest. Everything within the area which fails its saving throw will try to escape the area (70%) or attack the source of their fear (30%--the DM may modify these chances based on the situation). Those who pass their saving throw vs. spells or are unable to escape are affected by ill-ease and a great desire to be somewhere else (no modification to hit or damage dice). This aura of fear can be created at will, once per day. It lasts one round per level of the caster. It is often used when questioning suspects or bullying less powerful individuals. Priests of Bane are immune to this effect.

Other Notes

Specialty priests of Bane have a variety of titles within their organization, depending on location and position. They tend to be grandiose and threatening (high imperceptor, grand bloodletter, etc.).

Ceremonial dress for Banites is black armor with blood-red capes. The more prosperous the priest, the finer the workmanship of the armor. Facial tattoos are common among Banites, which unfortunately makes them stand out in cities. High-level officers in the hierarchy wear gems on their foreheads.

When adventuring, priests of Bane retain the black armor. Wizards who follow Bane prefer long, flowing, black and red robes. Neither group would wear such gear if it would expose them to persecution or hamper their service to their god. Usually, extensive facial tattoos among Banites is enough to identify them.