The Return of the Dark Man

The sound of clinking armour typically heralds the arrival of Zhentarim Soldiers. On this day, the dark sentinel has two Battleaxes about his belt. One made of Adamantine, the other is Iron. His iron axe seems to glow slightly with a white energy, and he warns no one to touch it. The man stops in the Center of town and speaks to the citizens.

"Today marks an important day. Now, before you start, I already know what some of you are thinking: 'But Sergeant, Drow attack the Surface all the time'. Well, I have news for you!

Yes, Drow did raid the surface. Some of you brave souls volunteered your lives to beat them back to their caves. We suffered many wounds, but luckily, no losses. Your brave Sergeant rallied not only you brave few, but the aid of the Druid Circle. Together, we prevailed over those that would see our civilization burn. However, during the battle, an event happened that will forever change my opinion of the individuals I'm about to speak about.

During the battle, I suffered some pretty serious wounds. I managed to pull myself together, however, I had naught the strength to fight. I hurried off to find aid for those that had been wounded more gravely than I had. Do you know I happened upon? Fohgar Ironhouse, the leader of Clan Ironhouse. After deflecting his barbaric mating call that he claims to be threats, I had informed him that Drow had been hurting innocents along the roads, and the Arch Druid required back-up. Do you know what he did next?

He spat in my face and refused to help. That's right! He refused to help the brave hearted souls who pledged themselves to aid the Zhentarim and the Druid Circle. The very Dwarves who claim to uphold Honor, who claim to fight for the oppressed, who claim to hate the Drow. The leader of these very same Dwarves REFUSED to help you!

But I'm only scratching the surface.

I was also speaking to one of the local farmers, an Aasimar, in fact. He told me a story.

He had informed me that Elves, the very same Loyal to Myth Drannor, burned down his crops and destroyed his farmhouse. I will repeat that, in case you heard incorrectly. Elves, loyal to Myth Drannor, burned his crops, despite them claiming to free you from Zhentarim oppression.

It is clear to me who the Oppressors are. It is clear to me who truly has your best interest in mind. I'll give you a hint, it's not the Dwarves who refuse to stop Drow from hurting the innocent. And it's not the Elves who burn your crops. It is Bane, but to a larger extent, Loviatar.

She knows the pain you go through, but the rebels blind you from the truth. I am here, to pull you out of the cave you are shackled in. The Rebels whisper sweet lies in your ears while they stab you in the back. They create false flag events in order to bolster their reputation.

You don't have to take this lying down. You need vengeance. You need justice.

You need blood.

Commit yourself to the Black Hand and Loviatar will grant you mercy from the profligates."

The black sentinel looks around the square. His unseen eyes dart back and forth through the eye slits under the helmet as he gauges the general mood and atosmphere. Without another word, he makes his exodus.

Standing back in a nearby shadow, Hector smirks under his red facemask scanning about the town for anyone who would dare disagree with the Sergeant's speech.

After the Drow, Shyntra Hunt't'tars, is burned as an offering to Bane and left in the middle of town, the dark man appears once more.

"Citizens of Shadowdale.. This much.. I promise. The history of these days will be written in blood, by destroying our enemies, by forcefully removing their arms and armour, we are fighting for your freedom! But there are those who would wish to deny us peace, and deny us our rightful place in Toril, and we must unleash such terrible vengeance that the generations yet unborn shall cry out in anguish!

Even now, rebels slither like snakes from the woods, and Drow crawl out from their holes like the spiders the are, to try and take by force what they cannot claim by right! They know not what awaits them!"

He pauses and motions to the scorched Drow

"We will SMITE the profligates that dare venture in our homes! Though they may plague our lands like locusts, never will we give them an inch! Never will we endure their Chaos!

We will strike back without mercy, without fear! We fight as one hand, one heart, one vision. We shall crush their aspirations and haunt their nightmares... Drenching our legacy in blood. We will fight them untill our last breath.."

He grabs the corpse of the burnt Drow, holding it up for everyone to see

"When they stare up at us on their backs in a pool of their blood, they will know...

Faerun. Belongs. To BANE!"

The large Swordhand lips turn up into his twisted smirk from all the battle scars, that he wears proudly.

"Hail Bane!" Turk exclaims, his eye gazing to others at the scene.

The Dark Man returns to the square again. Standing beside him is a small, dwarf-sized being. However, this dwarf seems a bit more lean and muscular than a normal dwarf. (DC50 Lore)

"My people. I have most glorious news. The path for A better tomorrow is stretched out before us. The past is our faith, the present is our strength, and the future is our birthright. A future that is Golden and Eternal. Stand with us, and we all shall spread the might of the Black Hand.

Our enemies know us, but they are not to be underestimated. They cower in their inn, under the veneer of freedom, but they are soulless and hollow. They make promises of liberty and righteousness, but all the while, they look upon the face of Shadowdale with loathing and disgust.

The enemies are not true Liberators. Look into their eyes and you will see scared children with swords in feeble hands. To the enemy, we are but abominations fit only for killing. We are sub-human, but they will know their mistake. We will show them the thunder in our souls. We shall dash them along the rocks of our collective will. We shall make them realize the truth that generations to come will know: That all shall kneel before Bane."

Keirgan standing near the well grins under his hood. "They're nothing but fools that cower behind a shield of righteousness. The only strive to disrupt the order that the Dark Lord has created. And for your safety we shall tear these heretics apart and show them the meaning of fear. And they will feel the brunt of our hatred for injustice. HAIL BANE!"

The dark sentinel returns to the public square in Shadowdale

"My fellow citizens, I bring news fresh from the battlefield. Our soldiers, their hearts tempered in the fires of war, took the fight directly to the enemy, this day. They have beaten the rebels back. Sent them running!

But know this. Though we are victorious this day, the path we have chosen is not an easy one. Struggle is the father of all things and true virtue lies in bloodshed. We will never tire, we shall remain steadfast. We will not fail! In the blood of our brethren comes the price we must pay. It is blood that turns the wheels of history and we will be resolute! We will bear any sacrifice necessary to secure our place in destiny!

Today, the Zhentarim stand triumphant!"

Justin walks out of the barracks, in his hand is a ten foot pole with the flag of Bane upon it.

Citizens of Shadowdale, I envy you. To help you fight against an enemy who would even deny us our right to live is an honour. This flag means nothing if it is not held aloft by the righteous, and it is you who now bears the banner. We all must stand and fight against the rebels.

Citizens, Swordhands, brothers, sisters.. You are the sword that strikes. You are the claws that tear. You are the gauntlet about the Fist as it spreads its influence throughout Fearun. The greatest weapon that Shadowdale possesses are it's people. Seeing you all stand here, ready to fulfill the will of the Dark Lord, it should be clear to all. You are Shadowdale!

We stand at the dawn of a new era, at the threshold of Destiny. The rebels attack us, but just on the horizon is a glorious sun that signals a new day... And it will bathe the Infidels in it's flames. The Rebels have convinced themselves we are evil, they wish to deny us the rights that they have so freely granted to others, they use this to justify their blasphemies! But remember, those who seek excuses for their actions is doomed to fail.

People speak about the cost of war as if it were a simple equation. Let us remind them that no life lost in service to Bane is wasted, let them know that blood spilled for a worthy cause should be mourned. In the end we do what we must because we believe it necessary to do so.

A few days ago, I was asked 'Are you not afraid?'. My reply is this: 'I know why I am here, I only fear Bane. To fear anything else is to be uncertain of it. I only fear Bane because I am not uncertain, the Path is clear before us and our destiny is certain.'

To fear only Bane is to know who truly rules Faerun, for it gives you strength. We prevail because we are free from uncertainty, free from doubt. We are free and secure in the knowledge that Bane alone is the one true Ruler of Faerun.

Sometime ago, a Titan had come to Shadowdale. It had wished us to make some sort of deal with it, or it would destroy the citizens of Shadowdale. We, followers of Bane, understand the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the individual. The rebels speak of the individual, they preach of the rights of every man.... Of one man. Who is this man? And why is he more important than the rest? Why do the needs of the few come before the needs of many? Let me say this: How can one man hope to stand against the glorious army united under the Gauntlet.

The rebels are sick, plagued with uncertainty. They come here and debate, and question, and doubt Bane, themselves and others. They are unwilling to see what is right before them. And we will make them see. And as we hold their heads in our hands, they will stare into the face of tomorrow. They are Blind to the troubles if Shadowdale, and in their ignorance, they find insouciance.

Some call this war unnecessary. Is it unnecessary to protect the Children? Is it unnecessary to defend the untrained farmer? We do this because we must! For if we let the Rebels come through and have their way, they will deny you the liberties that we have worked hard to obtain. Don't believe me?

I have proof of this. For you see, the Titan coming to Shadowdale was no mere coincidence. It was brought here! By whom you ask? A rebel by the name of Ivy. It seems this rebel will do whatever is necessary to eliminate the faithful of Bane, even if at the cost of dead farmers and children, the people they claim to protect. It's obvious, you slaughter all those faithful to Bane, what's a few innocent women and children?

What is one more corpse amongst foundations?"

A disciple of a faith opposed to Bane, the Child of the Passive Voice, Keria Shala stands in disciplined silence, hands behind her back as she regarded Justin during the speech. Her expression unreadable, her posture straight and trained, the little Oghmanyte monk turned and moved with her usual quickness towards her camp. Her feet were nearly a blur, but as she left the crowds, her expression showed irritation.

Keria will go from door to door among the farmers and commoners, offering each individual, regardless of age or physical capabilities, the chance to be taught basic self-defensive techniques, just in case they are affronted by rebels. She is a patient teacher, but will not force her teachings on the unwilling...

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