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  SACRED ALLIANCES
  A Nefarious Coalition Supplement
  All the lore your character needs to join the Coalition Ranks
  
  02
  CREDITS
  Design: Marcelo Morais
  Development: Marcelo Morais
  Art: Caroline Simões, Sergio Roma 
  Graphic Design: Sergio Roma
  Proofreading: Carolina Negrão
  Production: Carolina Negrão
  Editing: Marcelo Morais
  Special Thanks: Daniel Oliveira, Santiago Minetti, and all 
  the people from the community that reached us with their 
  feedback.
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  DISCLAIMER - Specus Draconis Publisher is not responsible for the fanaticism of the devotees in Faerûn, not even for those who do not believe in the gods, 
  even less for those who dishonor such deities, because Kelemvor’s judgment will send those souls to the walls of the faithless, were the fiends will torture 
  them for all eternity.
  
  03
  The Nefarious 
  Coalition 
  “The chaos is over, Shar’s attempt to rule all over Toril had failed, 
  the Black Hand had spoken on a new moon's clouded night sky. 
  It is time to impose a new form to rule through tyranny and fear, 
  where the mightiest individuals will give the cards in Faerûn. Our 
  first target is the Dales because it is ready to fall; these stuck-
  up farmers will kneel down to the Nefarious Coalition’s divine 
  influence soon.
     The dungeon of Castle Kilgrave, northeast of Cormyr, had been 
  rebuilt under the supervision of Bane’s exarch himself, Fzoul 
  Chembryl, to work as the Forest Kingdom main base and strong-
  hold for the Alliance and the Zhentarim in the Heartlands. From 
  there, we will be swift and nimble to crush any treat that could 
  hurt our cause.
     Fzoul had appointed me to lead the church and alliance through 
  the stronghold that we named as The High-handedness’ Bastion. 
  Now I must work hard, with an iron mind and a black heart, to 
  honor this privileged position.”
  Vonkilm Whitebane
  High Inquisitor of the High-handedness’ Bastion
   
  Right after The Sundering, Lord Ao had rewritten the Gods’ du-
  ties on the Tablets of Fate, therefore the more organized deities 
  forged alliances to strengthen their celestial positions, as men-
  tioned on page 6 of Sacred Alliances.
     Bane, Bhaal, Myrkul and Loviatar are long-standing allies, but 
  only recently, they had decided to form an organized alliance. It 
  had begun when The Old Lord Skull’s undead agents spied on 
  the findings of a knight of Myth Drannor called Harth Talop. Right 
  after the second fall of Netheril, he had found an ancient tome 
  that details the connection between relics and deities — the Tome 
  of Relics. Its unique and crucial information was the spark to the 
  creation of organized divine alliances. 
     Immediately, The Lord of Bones shared the information with 
  the Dark One, who dispatched his exarch Fzoul Chembryl to 
  steal the tome. Even with Fzoul’ success, they had lost the mo-
  mentum to create the first organized alliance and take advantage 
  of it, since Mystra, Oghma, Tyr and Silvanus had already creat-
  ed their own alliances. Regardless of this fact, the Coalition is 
  strong enough to gain ground even starting its operations after 
  the others.
     Now in possession of the tome, Bane knows how to create the 
  unholy alliance’ structure. Therefore, he gathered with the other 
  three deities and explained that in order to gain influence within 
  the alliance, their devotees will perform tasks and gain ranks to 
  spread the alliance’s control. In exchange for their achievements, 
  more power will be granted to them.
     In essence, Lord Ao ordered all gods to be as close as possible 
  to their devotees, otherwise risking falling into oblivion. Besides, 
  the Coalition’s deities dislike being submitted to Lord Ao, but will 
  act as instructed until they find a way to subdue the overgod.
     One night later, all clergy leaders had received instructions 
  through dreams or their god’s avatars. The Coalition’s clergy is 
  disciplined, so they organized the alliance’ structure, and had 
  rallied its affiliated orders just in time to start the operations, as 
  expected by their deities. The Zhentarim and the Red Wizards 
  will be crucial for the alliance’ success.
  Temples as Base of Operations
  Temples and shrines of Bane, Bhaal, Myrkul or Loviatar are usu-
  ally hidden in the underdark or the wilderness, with very few ex-
  ceptions for Bane and Loviatar. These places supports alliance’s 
  members, the Zhentarim, the Red Wizards, and other affiliated 
  orders and monasteries’ members.
     The Gore’s House in southern Shadowdale Woods is an unholy 
  place full of sick-minded assassins devoted to Bhaal. The temple 
  is also the main base for the alliance in Daggerdale, Shadowdale 
  and Mistledale. Everything within this region is reported to Shor-
  luzne Bloodpike, the High Primistress. For more information 
  about the temple’ structure and clergy, stay tuned for our future 
  solo adventure Newborn Legends part 2, and also Adventuring in 
  Shadowdale part 1.
     The Fall of Stars in Harrowdale Town is a place where torture 
  is encouraged and treated as a pleasure. The High Whipmistress 
  Lorricha Straintalon leads this Coalition’s main base of opera-
  tions in the Dalelands (except to Daggerdale, Shadowdale and 
  Mistledale). For more information about the temple’ structure 
  and clergy, stay tuned for our future solo adventure Newborn Leg-
  ends part 5, and also Adventuring in Harrowdale part 1.
     In the sewers of Sembia’s capital, Selgaunt, a fetid and decayed 
  structure was raised to shelter Myrkul’s devotees. The temple 
  called the Sentient Bones is the Coalition’s main base of oper-
  ations for the Merchant State, and there sits the wicked High 
  Tombwarden, Nared Zohrem. He commands the Coalition’s un-
  dead forces, which had increased considerably with the casual-
  ties of the unsuccessful incursion against Myth Drannor.
     North of Arabel in Cormyr, the Castle Kilgrave had played its 
  part during The Time of Troubles. Now, its once ruined dungeon 
  is active again serving as a temple dedicated to Bane, and was 
  assigned as the Coalition’s base in the Forest Kingdom. The 
  High-handedness’ Bastion is also the Coalition’ seat of power in 
  the Heartlands.
     Rumor has it that all four high priests had agreed to concentrate 
  their efforts on weakening the Trinity, the Keepers, the Juncture 
  and the Manifesto’s activities over  Daggerdale, Shadowdale and 
  Mistledale. They believe these three dales are increasing in power 
  too fast to be countered if they do nothing quickly. To make things 
  worse, their allied incursion to retake the Mines of Tethyamar, 
  with the help of the barbarian tribe Earthquake and a dwarven 
  legion, was successful. So now is the time to create intrigues and 
  wipe out the heads of this pitiful insurgency before it is too late.
  Goals and Motivations
  The alliance focuses its efforts in three different areas: 
  • Tyranny. Only the strongest and unbending-minded indi-
  viduals have the right to rule, while the weakest ones must 
  kneel or be sentenced to a violent death, serving as exam-
  ple to others;
  • Fear. It has the power to maintain the population’s obedi-
  ence. Violent acts and the supernatural are usually enough 
  to afflict people’s minds;
  • Pain. Sadomasochism is a depiction of art and find many 
  sympathizers among the alliance members, while torture 
  is a proved efficient method to extract useful information 
  from enemies. And also to punish those who had failed to 
  accomplish their tasks, or even had disrespected their su-
  periors.
  According to the mentioned goals, it is clear that their motivation 
  is the creation of a perverted and frightful society ruled by tyrants.
     Therefore, it is established that the alliance’ structure shapes 
  experts in the ways of the tyranny, that will help the church’s ex-
  pansion over the realms as its members ascend into the Alliance 
  Piety Rank. To keep up with the church’s expansion growing, the 
  Zhentarim, the Red Wizards, and other affiliated monasteries 
  and orders are backing the Coalition with its vile agents.
  nefarious coalition
  
  04
     Very often one alliance’s goals are opposed to the ones from another. The infamous Coalition’s and affiliated orders members are al-
  ways working to weaken the opposed alliances, through relics theft, sabotage and murdering very important characters (this one being 
  always for the bloodlust pleasure of the followers of Bhaal). The Nefarious Coalition strongly opposes the Divine Trinity of Justice 
  and vice versa. There is a cold war among them across Faerûn. The Coalition opposes the other alliances too, but in minor degree.
     The alliance has no class restrictions, but only the most powerful and perverted individuals are chosen to join the Coalition’s ranks.
  Nefarious Coalition Piety Rank
  According to their rank within the alliance, the members are called:
  • Rank one. Drudge
  • Rank two. Stooge
  • Rank three. Subdued
  • Rank four. Ripper
  • Rank five. Oppressor
  Divine Gossips
  Rumor has it that Bane is using the Red Wizards to retake his position as Moonsea’s overlord. In contrast, the Red Wizards of Thay 
  had said that the annexation of Mulmaster was necessary to retaliate faction’s doings. They would discuss the annexation of Mulmas-
  ter with the faction’s leaders after five winters had passed.
     Despite its chaotic essence, Malar works as an affiliated deity when the Coalition needs him. Also, Hoar works as an affiliate too, 
  usually inspiring Coalition’s members with a vengeful spirit when needed.
     Bane himself had invited Mask to join the Coalition, but the Shadow Lord has other interests for a while, though he had offered his 
  help when the Coalition needs to plant intrigue within their enemies. Mask truly enjoys causing intrigue on both/all sides Bwahaha-
  hahaha.
     A band called Order of the Ethereal Walkers serves as spies for the Lord of Bones. Thanks to them the Coalition had been formed. 
  Also, Bhaal has a group of assassins called Shadow Rippers that infiltrate enemy ranks to murder very important characters with 
  brutal violence. And finally, Loviatar has at her service a group of female torturers known as Maidens of the Truthful Agony, that had 
  been recognized to extract the deepest thoughts of their victims’ minds through perpetual pain.
  What Comes Next?
  More supplements about the other alliances will come shortly, as well as a guide to help you to introduce Sacred Alliances on your 
  ongoing campaigns. The next supplement will introduce you to The Relentless Keepers of the Weave. Stay tuned!
  nefarious coalition
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Dungeons & Dragons [multi]/5th Edition (5e)/3rd Party/Specus Draconis/Sacred Alliances -A Nefarious Coalition Supplement.pdf