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 players to visit their temples of worship and become their ally.
One possible main menu screen for Baldur's Gate 3 also features The Temple of Bhaal that can be encountered during Act Three.
 | Spoiler warning: The following content contains unhidden spoilers for Act 3. |  |
Background[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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)[edit | edit source]
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.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 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.