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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Iron_Chef" data-source="post: 622618" data-attributes="member: 4530">Excellent ideas, Thullgrim. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />Yes, I would want this hero dead (but martyred to play upon Zhent national pride), out of the way or loyal ASAP if I were Fzoul.Some thoughts: 1. The hero took orders from the Council of Lords, the rulers of Zhentil Keep. With the coming of Bane, the council was dissolved and Fzoul made rightful ruler of the Keep, therefore the hero's allegiance "must" be to the Keep's lawful ruler, as stated in his organization's charter and as sworn to by him and his troops.2. As Bane is back and has redeclared his supremacy over all other gods, and as patron and protector of the Keep, all non-Banites shall be dismissed from servce to the state. The hero's organization has some powerful (not Fzoul powerful, LOL, but around 10th level) priests of Tempus and Loviatar in it. Perhaps the Loviatans can remain as a special dispensation since their goddess is "allied" with Bane? At any rate, removing all non-Banites or those of non-allied faiths ensures Fzoul ultimate control over the hero's organization, as all Banites owe their first allegiance to Bane and therefore his Chosen, Fzoul. Now the hero, if he wishes to remain in power, must formally swear allegiance to Bane and Fzoul forsaking all others, or else be "dismissed from all state service with thanks from the citizens of the Keep and Church of Bane." Then he's either got to split fast or get killed--either way, he disappears from Keep politics.3. If he splits, even if it under the best of circumstances, with much of his wealth and organization intact, he's got problems. Cormyr and Hillsfar hates his guts (especially Cormyr), and where's he gonna go? Retire to his estate in Sembia? Without the threat of the Keep to back him up, he's like a mean old toothless dog, lol. He'll have all kinds of Cormyte assassins after him. 4. But by staying and throwing in his lot with Fzoul, he's really more of a puppet, and will only remain in power as long as Fzoul wishes, as his organization's loyalty will be eroded from within by all the loyal Banites Fzoul will plant in it.5. If the hero publically declares his support for Fzoul and Bane, then the hero will aliennate a bunch of his friends and allies, both in and outside of the Keep.6. Fzoul could have a daughter (priestess of Bane, no doubt, perhaps a tiefling or half-devil) and "force" the hero to marry her, thus cementing their ties by blood as well as oath. This was a common tactic in the real world. 7. The hero has always been enamored with the priestesses of Bane (lots of illicit liasons) and one or more of them loyal to Fzoul could be positioned to marry him or else spy on/manipulate him.</blockquote>

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