How to properly roleplay a cleric of Bane?

Gnihar · Post by **Gnihar** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 9:50 am

Hello! I am not playing on this PW (I played in NWN1) but nevertheless... The title says it all. I have been searching the net for info on how to properly do that, but other than some general notes on Bane and his portfolio, and his clergy's will to dominate and spread fear in his name, I have found a litte.
I am looking for practical examples; code of conduct of banite clergy,reactions on certain things etc.

- how would a low level banite spread fear when he is simply too lowly to intimidate anyone?

- how would a lawful evil priest gain influence on town's common folk, ie convince them to renounce their beliefs and cast down their 'old' church? is he allowed to do "good" deeds, like helping people?in other words is is allowed to do a friendly deed in order to manipulate and not rely to simply spreading fear?

-is a banite allowed to party with LG characters, if nothing only to achieve his goal?

-can, under any circumstance, a banite cleric lie and falsely present himself?

-what's human banites' general stance towards the other races: dwarves(all subraces), elves(all subraces) etc. ?

Feel free to add in any information you posess. Thank you!

Inwintersshadow · Post by **Inwintersshadow** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:02 am

Feel free to wade in on my oversimplification folks but here's my take on Banites.

People of any race or class are tools - use them as you will to the greater glory of Bane (as well as yourself).

Emotions and situations are also tools. Lies and truths should be used as needed with no limitiations for use.

Your success is second only to that of Bane, in gaining glory as a follower of Bane you also garner more glory for Bane himself.

Failure is a sin!

One must choose one's battles in your rise to the top and defeat enemies when you are able to - not necessarily when you want to.

Fear can be caused by many things - again in this truth and lies are your friends

dergon darkhelm · Post by **dergon darkhelm** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:25 pm

DISCLAIMER--- I don't really know what I'm talking about

- how would a low level banite spread fear when he is simply too lowly to intimidate anyone?

Remember that the majority of folk out there are lvl 1 commoners (although playing in ALFA would lend you to believe that every farmer is a retired adventurer and 10th lvl ftr

). Your Cleric of Bane has holy powers given to him by a god! He also has the implicit authority of the entire church of Bane standing behind every word he says. Those things in and of themselves make him a person to be feared and listened to.

- how would a lawful evil priest gain influence on town's common folk, ie convince them to renounce their beliefs and cast down their 'old' church? is he allowed to do "good" deeds, like helping people?in other words is is allowed to do a friendly deed in order to manipulate and not rely to simply spreading fear?

On one PW on which I played a faction of Banite PCs came into power in a previously agrarian town on a "law and order" campaign. Use the folks natural fears and play to them. Xenophobia, unite them against an already known enemy, deliver them from some pestilence. "All those bloody, thieving hin! Those mingledblood elves that run the tavern! They're the ones that brought last season's blight to your crops! Opbey the Lord of Strife and know order and prosperity again! Deny and surely you will know death! etc etc etc"

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is a banite allowed to party with LG characters, if nothing only to achieve his goal?

In my opinion, as long as he can always work towards furthering the church of Bane.....go for it.

-can, under any circumstance, a banite cleric lie and falsely present himself?

I am not sure....but I thought it was a horrid Sin for a priest to deny Bane if directly asked. But perhaps more subtle misrepresentation....hmm...not sure.

-what's human banites' general stance towards the other races: dwarves(all subraces), elves(all subraces) etc. ?

"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." applies to humans as well as "lesser" beings I figure.

darrenhfx · Post by **darrenhfx** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:41 pm

Oh Vennndrin..... was his pc a cleric or fighter? Regardless a well-played Banite, as far as a I know. Maybe if you pm'd him or caught him in chat you could pick his brain.

Brimsar the Wanderer · Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:13 pm

darrenhfx wrote:Oh Vennndrin..... was his pc a cleric or fighter? Regardless a well-played Banite, as far as a I know. Maybe if you pm'd him or caught him in chat you could pick his brain.

Keith Mac as well played Bodi a High Priest of Bane. Recently retired I believe. Again perhaps a PM (I rarely see KM in chat) might be beneficial for you.

Keith Mac · Post by **Keith Mac** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:22 pm

I could give you an IG education if you want to make a PC even if only for this purpose....PM me and Make him on TPI....There is a Temple to Bane there and a variety of scenarios available to help you get a feel IG...IMO the best way to go about it...I knwo you have stated you are not playing here....but I would be willing to give you a few sessions just for your education if you take me up on the offer

My PC is retired now:

http://www.alandfaraway.org/phpbbforum/ ... hp?t=31260

Blackwill · Post by **Blackwill** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 7:12 pm

Hail Gnihar, and well met.

Keith Mac is about the best person I know to give you highly detailed examples through his own experience. He had a cleric of Bane for quite some time that had power over NPCs and PCs alike.

Now let me address your points in my own view.

A low level banite feels superior than anyone outside of his clergy. It wouldn't matter how powerfull they are. He wouldn't care, except if it would diminish his chances of his well-being.

Basically, strife, hatred, tyranny and fear is the way they feel and live for. Spreading it is how they make people worship Bane. Similarly like good people tend to worship Umberlee, out of fear of raw power, Bane feeds on oppression.

A banite would team up with anyone to reach his goals, as long as his aim and cause are true to his beliefs.

Banites would lie their ass off as much as they could as to make it suit their needs. They do believe however that lying should be done to further their goals significantly. If they are in a position to be open about their ways, like in Zhentil Keep, they would hardly lie, because their is simply no need to.

Elves are viewed with much suspicion. They usually are chaotic and up to no good. Hardly any elves are allied with Banites, hence a dislike. Dwarves are usually ignored, but some dwarves (rarely) are seduced by Bane's ways, and become a Banite. Dwarves in comparison to all other races (except for human) have the "best" relation with Bane AFAIK.

Fionn · Post by **Fionn** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 7:28 pm

bah - Pu'Q got on well with the Zhents out on the Black Road. Better than he did with the damn Tyrrians and their damn Abbot in Arabel.

Burnside7676 · Post by **Burnside7676** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:13 am

I think I've become a bit of an authority on Banites as well. Perhaps not as much as Bodi or Ved, but I've been playing them for awhile. There are a number of different types, however. The strictly honorable, LN-ish one who believes in strong government to corral the weak and self destructive for the good of society on one side of the spectrum and the more NE characters who are backstabbing opportunists who have devoted themselves to Bane out of a desire for power and authority rather than a genuine desire to spread his will.

- how would a low level banite spread fear when he is simply too lowly to intimidate anyone?

Consider how tyrants have operated historically. Your successful despot would probably translate into a low-level priest of Bane with a decent charisma score more often than an high level, devil summoning imperceptor of dread pheare. As others have noted, establish an outgroup and demonize it while offering a solution.

- how would a lawful evil priest gain influence on town's common folk, ie convince them to renounce their beliefs and cast down their 'old' church? is he allowed to do "good" deeds, like helping people?in other words is is allowed to do a friendly deed in order to manipulate and not rely to simply spreading fear?

Capitalize on a problem that the city is facing. Did a bad season ruin the city's farmlands? Open a breadline and serve those willing to offer a prayer to Bane and sit through your priest's sermon. Is crime a problem? Have some of your agents kill the occasional person out after dark and capture a few known criminals, torture them until they confess, and declare that Bane's touch has restored law and order to the area. The resulting fear from the mini-crime wave will work in your favor as well.

The key is to capitalize on what people hate and fear. Using this, you can rule over anything.

-is a banite allowed to party with LG characters, if nothing only to achieve his goal?

I'd say so. A tricky priest of Bane could likely manipulate others who are concerned with law and order into doing a great deal of his bidding. It's CG people who may cause problems...

-can, under any circumstance, a banite cleric lie and falsely present himself?

To a certain extent. There's a big difference between misrepresenting yourself and saying 'no, I do not worship Bane. He is a vile god.'

Use doublespeak and phrase your words so that they have multiple interpretations. I'm pretty sure that Bane would favor someone who used a mild amount of trickery when the situation calls for it (like being appointed advisor to a ruler whose court is largely composed of characters following good gods) and gets the job done rather than someone who lets power slip through their fingers because they're not smart enough to know how to artfully dodge a question.

Burnside7676 · Post by **Burnside7676** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:16 am

[double post]

Joos · Post by **Joos** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 4:06 am

Banites would lie their ass off as much as they could as to make it suit their needs.

I would think that a true LE Banite would bend the truth (to the point of breaking if necessary) rather than to lie outright. This obviously doesnt ban them from lying if its necessary, but why risk a lie when a halftruth is easier to use?
A true banite would never lie about his faith.

hollyfant · Post by **hollyfant** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:43 pm

What Would Bane Do?

Nyarlathotep · Post by **Nyarlathotep** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 4:28 am

how would a low level banite spread fear when he is simply too lowly to intimidate anyone?

You do not necessarily need them to be afraid of you, there are plenty other things out there to be afraid of, just be sure to remind people of those things. Spread fear of Bane's power and how he triumphed over death itself and of the terrible things that are sure to befall his enemies. In the beginning you just need them to be afraid, that fear can be utilized later.

- how would a lawful evil priest gain influence on town's common folk, ie convince them to renounce their beliefs and cast down their 'old' church? is he allowed to do "good" deeds, like helping people?in other words is is allowed to do a friendly deed in order to manipulate and not rely to simply spreading fear?

Sure but its what you do with that power once attained that matters. A useful way to undermine the dominant religion would be to get people to question the faith's ability to keep them safe. Make them afraid and then position your priest as the answer.

-is a banite allowed to party with LG characters, if nothing only to achieve his goal?

Certainly, as long as they do not prove to be a hidrance.

-can, under any circumstance, a banite cleric lie and falsely present himself?

I'd say yes, Bane himself has done so quite a few times as has Fzoul. Lying is a bit trickier in the modern Realms however since it is under Cyric's control and he thus knows every lie before it is even uttered. So I would think the ywould favor misdirection and ommission rather than outright lies unless absolutely necessary.

One thing to keep in mind is that a priests of Bane will differ greatly in their motivations. Many will be of the traditional power seeking variety, but other types will exist. It would not be unthinkable for a coward to serve Bane, not out of a desire for power or a love of domination but rather due to a faith of Bane's ultimate triumph and a resignation to serve now rather than be destroyed.

fluffmonster · Post by **fluffmonster** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 5:27 am

real people have a character weakness too. a good baneite will feel fear personally as much as he will want to exploit the fear of others. A baneite will think (perhaps subconsciously) very much about how insecure they themselves are I would think...fear of the consequences of failure, fear of appearing weak or vulnerable. Whereas a cyricist might weave a web of lies, a baneite might fear the consequences of a lie revealed. Because baneites operate more in the open, credibility will be important to them.

Joos · Post by **Joos** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 8:31 am

Yes, a banite live in constant fear himself, it is in his dogma. However, he knows that the knowledge of his fear gives him strength that few posesses. Who can look into the eye of what they fear most and look back? A cleric of Bane fears only Bane, and faces his fears every day in his prayers to harden his soul. Thus, he knows he is far superior to any other un-enlightened creature and this molds his persona suitably obnoxious bastard.

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