Black Hand Holy Symbols

[Gamling]

I'm wondering how plausible it would be to have the amulets for the Black Hand be open to more religions than just the basic three in the church.

There are many people who have expressed interest in joining the Black Hand but getting to the citadel is impossible without their religion being switched.

I understand that the point is to convert, but Bane has many deities serving him so I wouldn't see the problem with other followers of different religions serving him (within reason).

[[DM] Grinning Death]

I'm not so certain. There are reasons the religions that follow Bane do so, and it's usually because the god of the religion owes him big time for their divinity. I can see other players acting as agents of Bane for a specific reason, or for the purpose of fulfilling their god's goals. But sharing a semi-secret fortress faction base may be a bit beyond what's reasonable, in my opinion.

[Yevelian]

I am with GD. Giving the spoils away to enter the citadel would seem a little premature before we know who is who. Sestra can be gotten to for meetings.

[Seheren]

I see no problem with agents of Bhaal/Loviatar/some select others. Bhaal was a subservient deity to Bane, as was Loviatar if I remember right.

[[DM] Grinning Death]

Lovitar and Talona served Bhaal, who was Bane's rival, I think.

[Lotus]

Loviatar is Bane's consort. Not sure on the timeline on that.

Either way, Citadel access will remain restricted to the big three. Exceptions may be made, but those will be approved on a one-to-one basis and overseen by staff.

[Dispater]

While Bane believed himself the rightful ruler of all the planes and could not tolerate subservience to anyone,[24] the god was willing, unlike many evil deities, to work with others if it served his interests and the god formed multiple alliances. Most notable perhaps was his alliance with Myrkul, which stretched back to when both were mortals and which continued until both of their deaths during the Time of Troubles. Bane also had working relations with the gods Loviatar, Talona, and Mask;[27] when Bane returned to life in 1372 DR, he quickly went about reforging these alliances, primarily by reasserting their fears of him.[11] Besides allies, Bane also had servants, such as Bhaal and his own son, Iyachtu Xvim during his first life as a god,[27] and Abbathor, Maglubiyet, Hruggek, and Tiamat during his second.[31] Malar was also known to work along with Bane at times.[32]

So states the wiki. I think people serving Bhaal should be allowed. The others I agree on a case by case. We are departing from a strictly faith controlled faction to one centered around might as I understood it. I see a Zhent-style thing going on, only it is research/creation of weapons as opposed to mercenary/spy network stuff they are doing. They want to dominate, but they have other concerns as well.

[OnyxTigress]

Maybe at least change the banner drop off point then to Sestra?

[Seheren]

I like it.

[Gamling]

See, the point of this suggestion is to broaden the Black Hands members. IC actions have pushed the faction to change its' lore. That alone is worth changing a system or two.

And there's no incentive to join a faction when you have to transition 11 times through a level 18 plus area to get any of the staple weapons/armor/gear.

As for the citadel being secret, well... maybe three years ago it was.

[Dispater]

The new store is not located in the Citadel. That would solve much of the issue. I suppose I can see not letting them into the Citadel.. Make Sestra the hub of non-faith members. Add the flag-drop to Sestra, as well as the main faction store. Keep the faith-specific goodies in the hidden fortress.

[OnyxTigress]

There is still a general faction store for BH members in the Citadel, though there is the Sestra one that sells other various things.

[Doubtful]

Perhaps keep Sestra as the open fronted establishment of bane. Add the stores and banner drop points to that location and keep the citadel for the truly faithful. Everyone gets the fun toys and the repability while keeping the unfaithful hangers on from getting in Elric's way.

Plus if it all goes tits up in sestra the faithful can fall back while the friends part of Bane and friends get to demonstrate their expendability.

Edit: cor, sudden post rush!

[Redjack]

I foresee a black leather clad Loviatar worshiping female cracking a bull whip.
"Crawl on your belly and lick my boots!"
It would be perfectly natural in the Citadel. After all who would be in charge of dishing out the punishments?

[Talleyman99]

I don't see a Problem with others being aloud to be blackhand, they just only get access to sestra. the Fortress of doom is for the big Three. Really though, I'd think those people would be pressed upon RP wise to turn to one of the evil three, anyways.