Black Altar

The Black Altar is the temple complex devoted to the god Bane in the city of Zhentil Keep.

Architecture
Several of the many-paned windows are inset with rubies. The buildings of the complex are linked by railless spans of stone bridges, twenty man-heights above the ground.

Defenses
The Black Altar is filled with traps and guardian creatures.

Features
The Inner Chamber of Solitude is at the center of The Black Altar. The door to the chamber is heavy oak and bronze. It is said that within this chamber one is close to Bane. The floor of the chamber is highly polished marble. In the center of the chamber is a massive, giant black throne.

History
In 1263 DR, Fzoul Chembryl rose to power as high priest of Bane and rededicated the church of Bane in Zhentil Keep, The Dark Shrine. Fzoul remained highpriest of The Black Altar for much of his life.

In 1357 DR, warrior-priests of the High Imperceptor unsuccessfully attacked The Black Altar.

In 1358 DR The Black Altar was destroyed when the spirit of the god Bane fell to the Realms, directly on top of the temple. Bane quickly ordered The Black Altar to be rebuilt.

In 1361 DR, on the final night of Marpenoth, The Black Altar was destroyed by a huge column of flame that fell from a low hanging cloud. This was the signal that the Banedeath was to commence. Again it was quickly rebuilt, though as a temple to Cyric.

From 1361 DR until 1368 DR The Black Altar was a temple to Cyric. In 1368 DR The Black Altar was destroyed by a blast of powerful divine fire sent from the god Mask.

In a nine-day ritual in Mirtul in 1370 DR, consecrated The Black Altar ruins to Iyachtu Xvim and summoned the Tyrantfog.

With the return of Bane in 1372 DR, The Black Altar had not been rebuilt.