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Bhaal
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“ | Our lord does not care for beauty. Bhaal cares only for death. Death in numbers. Death in droves. |
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| — Sarevok |
Revelations
Act Two
Orin the Red is revealed to be Bhaal's Chosen. In the Mind Flayer Colony underneath Moonrise Towers, Orin is accompanied by Enver Gortash and Ketheric Thorm. Using her 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 Sarevok Anchev was the one who ordered her mother 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, 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 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 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:
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[1], 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.[2]
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
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 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.
Related literature
A is for Azuth, and other Gods III
A Promising Candidate
Baldur's Gate Temple Of Bhaal- Bhaal Cult Resurgence
- Concerning Orin the Red
Death & Divinity: A Godly Guide- Exploits of the Order of Keen Strike
Our Enemies' Fate
Orders from J
Parchment (Undercity Ruins)- Surveillance Notes
The Ecstasy of Murder
The Lord of Murder's Songbook- URGENT - Bhaalist Resurgence
Related characters
Related locations
Quotes
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“ | You should not ever pray to Bhaal, |
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| — A is for Azuth, and other Gods III |
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“ | Come to me, Father. Set my flesh to your unholy purpose. |
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| — Orin the Red about Bhaal |
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“ | Once judged, ascended, then vanquished as one and as three. |
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| — Withers |
Gallery
Bhaal's symbol
Bhaal's Symbol in the Temple of Bhaal.
Concept art.
Bhaal's true form.
Sceleritas Fel's body posessed by Bhaal.
Bhaal avatar.
Notes
- Bhaal is voiced by Doug Cockle. This is the third actor to play Bhaal. Bhaal was peviously voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson in Baldur's Gate and 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 Bane and Myrkul.
- The main menu screen for Baldur's Gate 3 also features The Temple of Bhaal that can be encountered during Act Three.
References
- ↑ 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:
Chosen)
- ↑ 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.
External links
- Bhaal on the Forgotten Realms Wiki