Bhaal

The Lord of Murder

The folk of Faerûn don't normally pray to or acknowledge Bhaal. He is seen as a deeply evil and destructive deity who hungers for death - meaning the death of any sentient beings through unlawful means.

Some people pray to Bhaal when they want to commit murder. A person might have good reason to resort to murder, such as when one is unable to redress some injustice through lawful means. But it's far more common for prayers to Bhaal to be uttered by those who seek to kill someone out of jealousy, greed, or wrath. It's rare for anyone but assassins or compulsive killers to take Bhaal as a patron, and clerics who revere Bhaal often qualify on both counts.

Murder cults of Bhaal have arisen in the past, each led by a charismatic, self-styled priest of Bhaal, but organized worship of the Lord of Murder is extremely uncommon. Temples and shrines are similarly rare. Those who erect a shrine to Bhaal usually do so to thank him for a successful murder. Such shrines typically feature a skull or a severed head surrounded by drops of blood (often both from the murdered victim).

The Faith

Bhaalist worship usually consists of murder. Not random, not wanton, but often carefully planned and ritualized. Individual worshippers or groups will often spend their nights in secret prayers and preparations for such acts. During an act of killing another creature, Bhaalists recite a prayer: “Bhaal awaits thee, Bhaal embraces thee, none escape Bhaal.”

The Feast of the Moon. A feast where gathered Bhaalyn celebrate notable slayings by boasting of their own deeds or reciting well-known tales of murders committed by historic Bhaalists.

Temples and Shrines. The best-known temple is The Tower of Swift Death in Tyraturos, in Thay. In any formal temple of Bhaal, worshippers gather for nightly prayers before retiring for the evening, called the Day’s Farewell.

Symbol of Bhaal

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Alignment:

Neutral evil

Symbol

Skull surrounded by ring of bloody droplets

Portfolio

Murder

Domains:

Death

Worshippers:

Assassins, compulsive killers

Worshipper Alias:

Bhaalist or Bhaalyn