Bane
The god worshipped by Rezlus, the main antagonist of Daggerdale.
Bane is a deity worshipped by the main antagonist of Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale. The game's primary villain, Rezlus, is a worshiper of Bane and an agent of the Zhentarim. In Daggerdale, a local conflict divides the Black Network into Banites loyal to Bane and Cyricists loyal to Cyric, but this is a specific plot point, not a permanent schism of the entire Zhentarim. Rezlus hopes to take over Daggerdale and restore the Zhentarim to their former glory, with the goal of making Bane the main deity again and crushing Cyric's influence.
- Affiliation
- The Dead Three (with Myrkul and Bhaal)
- Symbol
- A black right hand with a red center
Lore & Background
In Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale, Bane is the god served by the Banite faction of the Zhentarim. The Black Network has been divided into two sections in the Daggerdale region: the Banites (those loyal to Bane) and the Cyricists (those loyal to Cyric). The Zhentarim became extremely weak following the Spellplague, and the division of the Black Network weakened them further. Rezlus, a cleric/warlock of Bane, is hell-bent on taking over Daggerdale for his evil god. He states this goal at the beginning of the game. If Rezlus had succeeded, Zhentarim's control in the Dalelands would have been firm again, their empire would be feared, they would have a strong army, and Cyric's influence would be crushed, making Bane the main deity again. Lorin-Aria, who summons the main characters, is a Harper agent who opposes Rezlus and the Zhentarim.
In Their Own Story
In the Mines of Tethyamar in Daggerdale, in the year 1420 DR, the Zhentarim have constructed the Tower of Void as an attempt to take over the Dale. Rezlus, a worshiper of Bane, leads this operation. He is described as extremely grotesque. The heroes eventually reach the top of the Tower of Void, where Rezlus kills their allies and nearly kills them. The four heroes get the upper hand for a short time but are once again defeated when Rezlus calls on his red dragon, Incendius. The heroes manage to escape and kill Rezlus. The dying mage orders Incendius to raze Daggerdale, an order the dragon complies with. The human fighter jumps on the dragon's back as it destroys the dale and stabs it in the head, killing it. Both plummet to the destroyed dale. After the dragon crashes, the fighter is teleported to the Tower of Void by Lorin-Aria. Then Lorin-Aria is killed by Nezra, who reveals herself to be a Cyrcist Zhentarim Priestess. Nezra tells the heroes that rule of Daggerdale will go to Cyric's Zhentarim, and the Zhent Black Hand army marches into Tethyamar and kills them.
Reader's Guide
Bane is the god worshipped by the Banite faction of the Zhentarim in Daggerdale. The Black Network is divided between Banites (loyal to Bane) and Cyrcists (loyal to Cyric). Rezlus, the main antagonist, is a worshiper of Bane who hopes to take over Daggerdale and restore the Zhentarim to their former glory. If he succeeded, Bane would become the main deity again. Lorin-Aria was once a Banite Priestess loyal to Rezlus. The game's plot revolves around stopping Rezlus and the Zhentarim operations in the Tower of Void.
Did You Know?
- In Daggerdale, the Black Network is divided into Banites (loyal to Bane) and Cyricists (loyal to Cyric) as a local plot, not a permanent faction split.
- Rezlus, the main antagonist, is a cleric/warlock of Bane and hopes to make Bane the main deity again.
- Lorin-Aria, who summons the heroes, is a Harper agent who opposes Rezlus and the Zhentarim.
- The Zhentarim became extremely weak following the Spellplague, and the division of the Black Network weakened them further.
- If Rezlus had succeeded, Cyric's influence would be crushed, making Bane the main deity again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bane in Dungeons & Dragons lore?
Bane is the god of tyranny and evil order, serving as one of the three deities known as the Dead Three alongside Myrkul and Bhaal. His symbol is a black right hand with a red center, representing his absolute authority over those who serve him.
What role does Bane play in the game Daggerdale?
In Daggerdale, Bane is the deity worshipped by Rezlus, the primary antagonist who seeks to restore the Zhentarim's power. Rezlus aims to make Bane the dominant god again while crushing the influence of his rival, Cyric.
How does Bane connect to the Zhentarim faction?
The Zhentarim, or Black Network, historically split between followers of Bane and Cyric within the plot of Daggerdale. Rezlus leads the Banite faction in an attempt to reclaim the organization's former glory under Bane's rule.
Why is Bane considered a major deity?
Bane is crucial because he embodies absolute tyranny and commands fear among mortals, often leading cults that seek to impose strict order through force. His status as part of the Dead Three marks him as one of the most significant evil powers in the Forgotten Realms.
What are Bane's primary goals in the Daggerdale storyline?
Through his agent Rezlus, Bane seeks to take control of the region and re-establish the Zhentarim as a dominant force loyal only to him. This involves eliminating Cyricist influence and ensuring that tyranny remains the prevailing order.
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