The Black Hand follows the god Bane. They are fanatical zealots who stop at nothing to appease their god. There are different sects of the Black Hand and even at times fight each other.

Structure of the Black Hand

Bane desires that his clerics and worshippers acquire positions of power inside society, by strength or cunning, using this power to incite hatred, fear and destruction. The cabal prefers that members overthrow governments and reach their goals in secrecy, under cover, and without attracting too much attention. The Black Hand is set up as several parallel groups, whose size can vary from a handful to several dozen members. Inside the cabal a rigid hierarchy applies – challenging or disobeying a superior’s order is an insult to the authority of Bane himself and torture, disfigurement or death are likely consequences.

Members of the cabal are noted for their dark purple clothes, even though in public they dress and act like common people.

The Tenets of the Black Hand

1. You will not serve anyone besides Bane.
2. Always fear and honor Bane and make it so that others fear the god more than you.
3. Betray Bane and you will die. In death, you will end up pledging allegiance anyway, since he will make you do so.
4. Submit to Bane, since real power can only be gained by serving him.
5. The Black Hand always wins against those who oppose it.
6. Spread the name of Bane and the fear of him.
7. Whoever opposes the Black Hand will meet Bane’s hand before all others.

Tenets of the Black Hand Paladin Order seared on left pectoral:

1. You will not serve anyone other god other than Bane.
2. Never allow your fear to gain mastery over you, but drive it into the hearts of your foes.
3. Punish insubordination and disorder.
4. Hone your combat skills to perfection.

Ranks of the Black Hand Order (Paladin)

Level:

1. Squire  (Circle)
2. Companion-At-Arms (Filled in Circle with black)
3. Sergeant (1 Chevron)
4. Staff Sergeant  (2 Chevron)
5. Sergeant 1st class (3 Chevron)
6. Sergeant Major (4 Chevron)
7. Knight (Shield added below)
8. Knight of Law (Sword going behind shield)
9. Knight of Justice (Scales of Justice on Shield)
10. Knight Sergeant (1 Chevron added below Shield)
11. Knight Lieutenant (2 Chevrons added below Shield)
12. Knight Captain (3 Chevrons added below Shield)
13. Knight Commander (4 Chevrons added below Shield)
14. Templar (Flames Added to sword)
15. Deputy Prior (1 Star added below bottom Chevron)
16. Prior (Leads at least 30 knights) (2 Stars added below bottom Chevron)
17. Deputy National Prior (3 Stars added below bottom Chevron)
18. National Prior (Leads at least 100 knights)  (4 Stars added below bottom Chevron)
19. Deputy Grand Prior (5 Stars added below bottom Chevron)
20. Grand Prior (Leads at least 200 knights) (5 Stars added below bottom Chevron)
21. +Boon Granted – Grand Master of the Black Hand (Black Gauntlet with all prior emblems inside it)