Exactly who was Bhaal?
Exactly who was Bhaal?
Is he a made up God or did/does he exist in the D&D world? I have never heard of him.
You can't handle the truth!
-
Masteraleph
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2001 10:00 pm
- Contact:
Bhaal was basically the God of Assassins/murderers- a "moderate" power.
The other two dead Gods (with relation to bhaal) are Myrkul, God of the dead, and Bane, God of Strife. I'm not certain which of the other two was really Bhaal's "overseer", although I have a suspicion that it may have been Myrkul. At any rate, Cyric took over all of their portfolios, and one other I believe?
Meanwhile, Midnight took over Mystra's portfolio (magic), while Kelemvor has managed to somewhat claw his way back from the dead and take over the portfolio of Death (which incidentally greatly changed the balance...Myrkul and Cyric were both evil, Kelemvor is very, very Good).
Cyric's comment about "I didn't need it, I didn't want it" (in relation to the Throne of Bhaal) relates to the fact that he was making the realm of the dead his stomping grounds up until Kelemvor defeated him.
The other two dead Gods (with relation to bhaal) are Myrkul, God of the dead, and Bane, God of Strife. I'm not certain which of the other two was really Bhaal's "overseer", although I have a suspicion that it may have been Myrkul. At any rate, Cyric took over all of their portfolios, and one other I believe?
Meanwhile, Midnight took over Mystra's portfolio (magic), while Kelemvor has managed to somewhat claw his way back from the dead and take over the portfolio of Death (which incidentally greatly changed the balance...Myrkul and Cyric were both evil, Kelemvor is very, very Good).
Cyric's comment about "I didn't need it, I didn't want it" (in relation to the Throne of Bhaal) relates to the fact that he was making the realm of the dead his stomping grounds up until Kelemvor defeated him.
Information on the Gods from the Forgotten Realms can be found in the 2nd Edition Forgotten Realms book.
I haven't seen the third edition book yet, but I suspect that data is available there too.
^_^
I haven't seen the third edition book yet, but I suspect that data is available there too.
^_^
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
P.ath o.f M.ost R.esistance
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
- No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades will seriously cramp his style. (Vlad Taltos - in the book Jhereg by Steven Brust)
P.ath o.f M.ost R.esistance
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
- No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades will seriously cramp his style. (Vlad Taltos - in the book Jhereg by Steven Brust)
The word you’re thinking of is Intermediate. Bhaal was an Intermediate power.Originally posted by Gaxx_Firkraag:
<STRONG>No, IIRC he was a "moderate" (sorry couldn't think of a word) diety. Not lesser nor greater.</STRONG>
Nope, Bane was the one with direct authority over Bhaal. Though all three were a tight posse, since they rose to power together.Originally posted by Masteraleph:
<STRONG>I'm not certain which of the other two was really Bhaal's "overseer", although I have a suspicion that it may have been Myrkul.</STRONG>
Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul were once three extremely powerful mortals who went about killing weaker or forgotten powers (gods) in an attempt to become gods themselves. They finally hit the jackpot with Jergal, an ancient god who had grown bored with his existence. He freely gave them his divine essence and (after a convoluted game of chance to determine how they would divide his power) Bane became god of Strife, Tyranny, and Hatred, Myrkul got rulership of the Dead, Wasting, Decay, Corruption, Parasites, and Old Age, while Bhaal got Death; especially violent or ritual death.
The Time of Troubles was caused when Bane and Myrkul stole the Tablets of Fate from Ao and all the other gods were cast down as punishment for it. All of Dead Three were killed during the ToT but Bane has since returned (with Fear replacing Strife, which Cyric now holds) and Myrkul's personality is within an artifact known as the Crown of Horns (Myrkul enjoys the freedom he has to cause grief). Bhaal however is still dead and gone.
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
If you are a person who doesn't want to waste money on the rulebooks which will be out and about pretty soon (read: obsoleted with newer rulesets), then the easiest way to know about Bhaal is to launch your BG1 and read the book named "History of the Dead Three". There's the story written for all the eyes to see...
I haven't actually checked, but maybe that book is in BG2 as well? I don't know personally for sure tho, but before installing the BG1 you could check it. On the Net are sites which list all the items in the game and from there you can check whether the book is in the game or not.
I personally have BG1 installed too, because when I create a new char I like to get them thru the whole game, that is from BG1 to BG2: ToB
I personally have BG1 installed too, because when I create a new char I like to get them thru the whole game, that is from BG1 to BG2: ToB
-
King Leoric
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Sun May 13, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
- Contact:
It exists in SoA, i checked with SK. It's really nice... Here it goes:
History of the Dead Three: 'KNUCKLEBONES, SKULL BOWLING, AND THE EMPTY THRONE'
In ages past there was but one god of strife, death, and the dead, and he was known as Jergal, Lord of the End of Everything. Jergal fomented and fed on the discord among mortals and powers alike. When beings slew each other in their quest for power or in their hatred, he welcomed them into his shadowy kingdom of eternal gloom. As all things died, everything came to him eventually, and over time he built his power into a kingdom unchallenged by any other god. Eventually, however, he grew tired of his duties for he knew them too well. Without challenge there is nothing, and in nothingness there is only gloom. In such a state, the difference between absolute power and absolute powerlessness is undetectable.
During this dark era, there arose three powerful mortals - Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul - who lusted after the power Jergal wielded. The trio forged an unholy pact, agreeing that they would dare to seek such ultimate power or die in the attempt. Over the length and breadth of the Realms they strode, seeking powerful magic and spells and defying death at every turn. No matter what monster they confronted or what spells they braved, the three mortals emerged unscathed at every turn. Eventually the trio destroyed one of the Seven Lost Gods, and they each seized a portion of his divine essence for themselves.
The trio then journeyed into the Gray Waste and sought out the Castle of Bone. Through armies of skeletons, legions of zombies, hordes of noncorporeal undead, and a gauntlet of liches they battled. Eventually they reached the object of their lifelong quest - the Bone Throne.
"I claim this throne of evil," shouted Bane the tyrant. "I'll destroy you before you can raise a finger," threatened Bhaal the assassin. "And I shall imprison your essence for eternity," promised Myrkul the necromancer.
Jergal arose from his throne with a weary expression and said, "The Throne is yours. I have grown weary of this empty power. Take it if you wish - I promise to serve and guide you as your seneschal until you grow comfortable with the position." Before the stunned trio could react, the Lord of the Dead continued: "Who among you shall rule?"
The trio immediately fell to fighting amongst themselves while Jergal looked on with indifference. When eventually it appeared that either they would all die of exhaustion or battle on for an eternity, the Lord of the End of Everything intervened. "After all you have sacrificed, would you come away with nothing? Why don't you divide the portfolios of the office and engage in a game of skill for them?" asked Jergal.
Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul considered the god's offer and agreed. Jergal took the heads of his three most powerful liches and gave them to the trio that they would compete by bowling the skulls. Each mortal rolled a skull across the Gray Waste, having agreed that the winner would be he who bowled the farthest.
Malar the Beastlord arrived to visit Jergal at this moment. After quickly ascertaining that the winner of the contest would get all of Jergal's power, he chased off after the three skulls to make sure that the contest would be halted until he had a chance to participate for part of the prize. Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul again fell to fighting as it was obvious their sport was ruined, and again Jergal intervened. "Why don't you allow Lady Luck to decide so you don't have to share with the Beast?"
The trio agreed, and Jergal broke off his skeletal finger bones and gave them to the players. When Malar returned from chasing the skulls, he found that the trio had just finished a game of knucklebones.
Bane cried out triumphantly, "As winner, I choose to rule for all eternity as the ultimate tyrant. I can induce hatred and strife at my whim, and all will bow down before me while in my kingdom."
Myrkul, who had won second place, declared, "But I choose the dead, and by doing so I truly win, because all you are lord over, Bane, will eventually be mine. All things must die - even gods."
Bhaal, who finished third, demurred, "I choose death, and it is by my hand that all that you rule Lord Bane will eventually pass to Lord Myrkul. Both of you must pay honor to me and obey my wishes, since I can destroy your kingdom, Bane, by murdering your subjects, and I can starve your kingdom, Myrkul, by staying my hand."
Malar growled in frustration, but could do nothing, and yet again only the beasts were left for him.
And Jergal merely smiled, for he had been delivered.
History of the Dead Three: 'KNUCKLEBONES, SKULL BOWLING, AND THE EMPTY THRONE'
In ages past there was but one god of strife, death, and the dead, and he was known as Jergal, Lord of the End of Everything. Jergal fomented and fed on the discord among mortals and powers alike. When beings slew each other in their quest for power or in their hatred, he welcomed them into his shadowy kingdom of eternal gloom. As all things died, everything came to him eventually, and over time he built his power into a kingdom unchallenged by any other god. Eventually, however, he grew tired of his duties for he knew them too well. Without challenge there is nothing, and in nothingness there is only gloom. In such a state, the difference between absolute power and absolute powerlessness is undetectable.
During this dark era, there arose three powerful mortals - Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul - who lusted after the power Jergal wielded. The trio forged an unholy pact, agreeing that they would dare to seek such ultimate power or die in the attempt. Over the length and breadth of the Realms they strode, seeking powerful magic and spells and defying death at every turn. No matter what monster they confronted or what spells they braved, the three mortals emerged unscathed at every turn. Eventually the trio destroyed one of the Seven Lost Gods, and they each seized a portion of his divine essence for themselves.
The trio then journeyed into the Gray Waste and sought out the Castle of Bone. Through armies of skeletons, legions of zombies, hordes of noncorporeal undead, and a gauntlet of liches they battled. Eventually they reached the object of their lifelong quest - the Bone Throne.
"I claim this throne of evil," shouted Bane the tyrant. "I'll destroy you before you can raise a finger," threatened Bhaal the assassin. "And I shall imprison your essence for eternity," promised Myrkul the necromancer.
Jergal arose from his throne with a weary expression and said, "The Throne is yours. I have grown weary of this empty power. Take it if you wish - I promise to serve and guide you as your seneschal until you grow comfortable with the position." Before the stunned trio could react, the Lord of the Dead continued: "Who among you shall rule?"
The trio immediately fell to fighting amongst themselves while Jergal looked on with indifference. When eventually it appeared that either they would all die of exhaustion or battle on for an eternity, the Lord of the End of Everything intervened. "After all you have sacrificed, would you come away with nothing? Why don't you divide the portfolios of the office and engage in a game of skill for them?" asked Jergal.
Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul considered the god's offer and agreed. Jergal took the heads of his three most powerful liches and gave them to the trio that they would compete by bowling the skulls. Each mortal rolled a skull across the Gray Waste, having agreed that the winner would be he who bowled the farthest.
Malar the Beastlord arrived to visit Jergal at this moment. After quickly ascertaining that the winner of the contest would get all of Jergal's power, he chased off after the three skulls to make sure that the contest would be halted until he had a chance to participate for part of the prize. Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul again fell to fighting as it was obvious their sport was ruined, and again Jergal intervened. "Why don't you allow Lady Luck to decide so you don't have to share with the Beast?"
The trio agreed, and Jergal broke off his skeletal finger bones and gave them to the players. When Malar returned from chasing the skulls, he found that the trio had just finished a game of knucklebones.
Bane cried out triumphantly, "As winner, I choose to rule for all eternity as the ultimate tyrant. I can induce hatred and strife at my whim, and all will bow down before me while in my kingdom."
Myrkul, who had won second place, declared, "But I choose the dead, and by doing so I truly win, because all you are lord over, Bane, will eventually be mine. All things must die - even gods."
Bhaal, who finished third, demurred, "I choose death, and it is by my hand that all that you rule Lord Bane will eventually pass to Lord Myrkul. Both of you must pay honor to me and obey my wishes, since I can destroy your kingdom, Bane, by murdering your subjects, and I can starve your kingdom, Myrkul, by staying my hand."
Malar growled in frustration, but could do nothing, and yet again only the beasts were left for him.
And Jergal merely smiled, for he had been delivered.
Being an Evil Overlord seems to be a good career choice. It pays well, there are all sorts of perks and you can set your own hours. However every Evil Overlord I've read about in books or seen in movies invariably gets overthrown and destroyed in the end. I've noticed that no matter whether they are barbarian lords, deranged wizards, mad scientists or alien invaders, they always seem to make the same basic mistakes every single time. Therefore, if I ever happen to become an Evil Overlord, ...
http://br.geocities.com/medicina011/
http://br.geocities.com/medicina011/