Editing Bhaal

{{PageSeo
| title = Bhaal
| description = Bhaal is the God of Murder and one of the members of the Dead Three.
| image = Bhaal_Icon.png
}}
{{Infobox creature
| name = Bhaal
| title = Lord of Murder
| image =  Bhaal_Icon.png
| va = Doug Cockle
| race = Deity
| faction = [[Dead Three]]
| family =  [[Orin the Red]] (daughter)<br>[[Sarevok Anchev]] (son)<br>[[The Dark Urge]] (child)<br>The [[Bhaalspawn]]
}}
'''Bhaal''' is the [[deities|God]] of Murder, a member of the [[Dead Three]] and the progenitor of all [[Bhaalspawn]] who are his children. He is associated with the domain of Death. Bhaal cannot be the deity of a player character [[Cleric]].
His worshippers in Baldur's Gate 3, the [[Cult of Bhaal]] also play a prominent role in [[Act Three]].
{{DiQ|Our lord does not care for beauty. Bhaal cares only for death. Death in numbers. Death in droves.|Sarevok}}
__NOTOC__
== Revelations ==
=== Act Two ===
{{CharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}} is revealed to be Bhaal's Chosen. In the [[Mind Flayer Colony]] underneath [[Moonrise Towers]], Orin is accompanied by {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}} and {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}}. Using her [[Orin's Netherstone|Netherese Stone]], the Lash of Bhaal, she issues the order to the [[Netherbrain]] to march the Absolute's armies on [[Baldur's Gate]].

=== Act Three ===
During the confrontation with Orin at the Temple of Bhaal, she can be told the truth about how {{CharLink|Sarevok Anchev}} was the one who ordered her mother {{CharLink|Helena Anchev}} to kill her when she was young. Orin will refuse to believe at first but if a succesful [[Deception]] or [[Religion]] [[check]] is passed Orin will have a mental breakdown, it is then that Bhaal himself personally intervenes and transforms a terrified Orin into the [[Slayer]].

After Orin the Red is defeated, {{CharLink|Sceleritas Fel}} will inform the Dark Urge that Bhaal is coming. Several blades will appear from Sceleritas's body, seeming to stab through him. Within the reflection of his blood is the Avatar of Bhaal, who appears identical to Sceleritas, albeit with glowing red eyes, and a deep, imposing voice. The Avatar will offer the Dark Urge to become their Chosen, whether they have been resisting or indulging their urge up to this point.

If accepting the offer, the Avatar will grant the player character the Slayer form if they did not previously have it, and will allow for the player character to pursue controlling the Absolute in the name of Bhaal.

If refusing the offer, the Avatar will drain the essence of Bhaal from the Dark Urge, killing them, before they are ultimately resurrected by {{CharLink|Withers}}, free of the Dark Urge forever, ending The Urge.

== Cult of Bhaal ==

The '''Cult of Bhaal''' is a faction of cultists that serve the Faerûnian [[deities|God]] of Murder, [[Bhaal]]. Characters belonging to this cult can be encountered at many points throughout ''[[Baldur's Gate 3]]'', but most frequently of all during [[Act Three]] where it can even be possible for the party to visit their temples of worship and become their ally.

The Cult of Bhaal has been a major antagonistic faction in prior ''Baldur's Gate'' franchise titles. Their actions in past centuries are well remembered, and often referenced in ''Baldur's Gate 3'' when characters acknowledge the history of the city.

=== Followers ===
The followers of the '''Cult of Bhaal''' are often referred to as '''Bhaalists''', but there are many potential roles within the cult and specific names that refer to them.

====Mundane rankings====
Bhaalist characters in ''Baldur's Gate 3'' often use displayable names that include their rank as a cultist. These ranks usually include the suffix of "of Bhaal." 

Ranks observed to exist in this manner include, but may not be limited to:
* ''[[Invoker of Bhaal|Invoker]]''
* ''[[Death's Head of Bhaal|Death's Head]]''
* ''[[Reaper of Bhaal|Reaper]]''
* ''[[Night Blade]]''

====Bhaalspawn====
{{main|Bhaalspawn}}
The ''Bhaalspawn'' are literally the "Children" of Bhaal, though they are not always 'born' in the same way that other people are. Although "Bhaalspawn" is not a "rank" that other Cultists can achieve, other cultists often treat the Bhaalspawn with great reverence for one reason or another. 

====Chosen of Bhaal====
Some Gods prefer to keep multiple Chosen<ref> A God's 'Chosen' are special agents, anointed by the deity and often granted special powers that allow them to carry out their God's will and spread their influence across planes like Faerûn. (''See Also: {{FRWiki|Chosen}})</ref>, but '''Bhaal''' is not one of them. If more than one contender for the role of 'Chosen' exists, '''Bhaal's''' doctrines demand that they duel to the death, until only one Chosen remains alive.<ref>Multiple sources in and out of game confirm this information is accurate. [[Volo]] is one of these ''in-game'' sources, if he survives long enough to share his knowledge with the player.</ref>

Orin the Red is Bhaal's "last Chosen standing" at the time of ''Baldur's Gate 3'', but in somewhat recent history, Orin served as the second-in-command to a different ''Bhaalspawn,'' before defeating them and taking over the Cult. The identity of Orin's predecessor is eventually revealed to be none other than the [[Dark Urge]], a playable Origin character.

====Unholy Assassins====
{{see also|Impress the Murder Tribunal}}
An unholy assassin is a specially anointed rank of Cultist, achieved by the rare few who can follow the strict murderous rituals to earn it, and win the favour of the overseeing ''Murder Tribunal.''

Unholy assassins will be able to trade with {{CharLink|Echo of Abazigal}} in the [[Murder Tribunal]].

====The Murder Tribunal====
A special governing body that serves the Cult of Bhaal, evaluating the actions of Cultists who want to become 'unholy assassins.' The 'current' members of this Tribunal during Baldur's Gate 3 are revealed during Act Three, such as during the quest ''[[Impress the Murder Tribunal]]''.

====Bhaalist Echoes (Red Ghosts)====
The Cult of Bhaal sometimes employs the spirits of its dead cultists in various roles, and many characters like this appear in-game. They are distinguishable from other Cultists by the red, blood-like sheen covering their entire body. However, some of these Bhaalist spirits are observed to revert to their "original" form at specific times, for reasons uncertain.

== Items related to Bhaal ==
{{div col}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Amulet of Bhaal}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Assassin of Bhaal Cowl}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Bhaalist Armour}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Bhaalist Gloves}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Bloodthirst}}
{{div col end}}
== Related literature ==
{{div col}}
* {{MdRarityItem|A is for Azuth, and other Gods III}}
* {{MdRarityItem|A Promising Candidate}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Baldur's Gate Temple Of Bhaal}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Bhaal Cult Resurgence}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Concerning Orin the Red}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Death & Divinity: A Godly Guide}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Exploits of the Order of Keen Strike}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Our Enemies' Fate}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Orders from J}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Parchment (Undercity Ruins)}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Surveillance Notes}}
* {{MdRarityItem|The Ecstasy of Murder}}
* {{MdRarityItem|The Lord of Murder's Songbook}}
* {{MdRarityItem|URGENT - Bhaalist Resurgence}}
{{div col end}}

== Related characters ==
{{div col}}
* {{MdCharLink|Abby}}
* {{MdCharLink|Cirian}}
* {{MdCharLink|Echo of Abazigal}}
* {{MdCharLink|Echo of Amelyssan}}
* {{MdCharLink|Echo of Illasera}}
* {{MdCharLink|Echo of Sendai}}
* {{MdCharLink|Elda}}
* {{MdCharLink|Farslayer of Bhaal Ghislev}}
* {{MdCharLink|Grimlark}}
* {{MdCharLink|Helena Anchev}}
* {{MdCharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}}
* {{MdCharLink|Sarevok Anchev}}
* {{MdCharLink|Spaulder}}
* {{MdCharLink|Strangler Luke}}
* {{MdCharLink|Velki}}
{{div col_end}}

== Related locations==
* {{Loc|Temple of Bhaal}}

== Quotes ==
{{Q|You should not ever pray to Bhaal,

The savage Lord of Murder,

His worshippers are killers all

who spread His darkness further.|[[A is for Azuth, and other Gods III]]|image=Book Generic A Unfaded.png}}
{{DiQ|Come to me, Father. Set my flesh to your unholy purpose.|Orin| the Red about Bhaal|}}
{{DiQ|Once judged, ascended, then vanquished as one and as three.|Withers}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery heights="200px" mode="packed">
Bhaal_Icon.png|Bhaal's symbol
Bhaal_Symbol_Cinematic.webp|Bhaal's Symbol in the [[Temple of Bhaal]].
Bhaal Concept Art.png|Concept art.
Bhaal_True_Form.png|Bhaal's true form.
Avatar in Blood.webp|[[Sceleritas Fel]]'s body posessed by Bhaal.
Avatar of Bhaal.webp|Bhaal avatar.
</gallery>

== Notes ==
{{notebegin}}
* Bhaal is voiced by [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0168339/ Doug Cockle]. This is the third actor to play Bhaal. Bhaal was peviously voiced by [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0724656/ Kevin Michael Richardson] in ''Baldur's Gate'' and [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000373/ Michael Dorn] in ''Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn''. Kevin Michael Richardson was also the original voice of Sarevok.
*Bhaal was originally available as a deity for [[Cleric]] in [[Early Access]], but the option was cut in the full release of the game.
** Much of the dialogue a Cleric of Bhaal has remained in the game files, and can be accessed with mods.
* Bhaal is allied with {{CharLink|Bane (God)|Bane}} and {{CharLink|Myrkul}}.
* The main menu screen for ''Baldur's Gate 3'' also features The [[Temple of Bhaal]] that can be encountered during Act Three.
{{noteend}}

== References ==
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{{reflist}}
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== External links ==
*{{FRWiki|Bhaal|long}}
{{Factions}}
[[Category: Gods]]
[[Category:Cult of Bhaal]]
[[Category: Returning Characters]]