A letter is sent in an elegant, flowing script:

Greetings, esteemed defenders of Sanctuary.

I am the Imperator, priest of Bane. I realize what that statement alone must do to your impressions of me. But I ask you to judge me not by my faith alone. I am not a common thug, no petty tyrant. I do not enslave others, nor do I murder them in the streets of Lower.

This city is a cosmopolitan one, filled with many different faiths. Some, obviously, do not agree. Do not be swayed by the separatists of New Dunwarren. They have abandoned Sanctuary to form their own settlement, and when it is expedient for them to do so, they will leave you entirely.

You have another option. Bane is a powerful god, and he is not without benevolence. Should this city acknowledge Bane as a patron deity, should they show their fear and reverence towards the Black Hand, he will give us his power. The power we need to crush those external threats that surround us daily and stand poised to snuff out this ever-brightening light, Sanctuary.

Bane can save this city from falling into anarchy and lawlessness. The example that Lower sets shames us all. If Sanctuary is to survive, nay, not flourish, then we require the might and righteousness that only Bane can provide. If we fear the Black Hand, we need fear nothing else.

If any of you are interested in discussing this further, you may reach me at the Stand. I understand that there are those of you who may have stopped reading at "priest of Bane," and crushed this letter into their fists out of rage and ire. Should that be you, you probably wouldn't have even gotten this far, so there's no need for me to explain myself further.

If you wish to uphold your reputation as defenders of Sanctuary, know that the followers of Bane offer something no other faith can provide - the righteous mailed fist of the Black Hand.

In service to the Black Hand,

The Imperator

'Imperator',

Come by the Town Hall in the near future, and we can talk.

Councillor Elaueth

Banite,

On what basis shall we name Bane the patron deity of this city?

Name one single act of strength, or valour, of courage, of sacrifice, that a Banite has ever been known in this city for. Name one incidence where Bane or any one of his followers has ever done this city a good deed or brought us a great boon.

All I have seen from Bane is a slew of petty little children with grandiose dreams of rulership. Suffice to say, we will certainly not be declaring Bane the patron deity of this city.

And just so we're clear, if your name so much as even gets a passing mention in any involvement with murder or any other misdeed, I'll come down on you like a tonne of bricks. You will know the righteous might of Tempus then.

Consider this your only warning, and be on your best behaviour during your stay in Sanctuary.

There is no need for further correspondence.

- Reev

Imperator,

The Spellguard has no issue with Bane, or any other diety. Nor will it support any one diety as a patron. If you wish to speak in person, you are welcome at the Tower.

*the Seal of the Spellguard*

((signed with a flourish)) Agent Blake Order of the Spellguard

A reply is sent to Reev:

I merely said "a" patron deity, not "the" patron deity. And your hostility is understandable - others of my faith have been little more than cutthroats.

I respect your faith in Tempus, Reev. His prowess in battle and skill in war is worthy of admiration. Allow me to use the strengths of *my* god in service to Sanctuary, and I will prove your conceptions about the Banites wrong.

*The letter is received at the watch house. Arthur glances over the scribbled words and frowns. Quickly he crumbles it up and deposits it in the rubbish bin.*