Ad placeholder

Bhaal Temple

From bg3.wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Altar at the centre of Bhaal Temple
(by Martijn Petersen)
Undercity
Undercity Ruins ← Bhaal Temple
The Bhaal Temple is a Location within the Undercity in Act Three of Baldur's Gate 3.
“
Gods, who knew such a vile abcess lurked in the bedrock of the city. The very stone reeks of misery and despair.
„
— Gale, upon entering the temple

Overview[edit section | visual editor]

The entrance to the Bhaal Temple.[1]

Bhaal Temple is located deep under the city of Baldur's Gate, in the northeastern part of the Undercity Ruins. As such, it is accessible only through the Lower City Sewers and past the ruins itself.

The temple is the innermost sanctum to the followers of the Cult of Bhaal⁠Bhaal. Though the cult has been destroyed in the past,[2] the temple's subterranean cavernous halls remain functionally intact. The temple was preserved by the efforts of Sarevok Anchev Sarevok Anchev and the ghostly members of the Murder Tribunal[3] and now serves as a home base for the cult risen from its slumber.

Currently the Cult of Bhaal is headed by Orin the Red Orin the Red. However, for the most time in the temple's recent history she had been only the second-in-command. Orin became the acknowledged leader of the cult after a treachery committed against the true Bhaal's Chosen - the Dark Urge Dark Urge. Thus, the events unfolding in the temple serve a culmination point in the story of this unique game origin.

Access[edit section | visual editor]

A large stone door prevents access to the temple and can only be opened with the  Amulet of Bhaal, which can be acquired at the end of the quest Impress the Murder Tribunal⁠Impress the Murder Tribunal: as a reward for earning the title of the Unholy Assassin, granted from Sarevok Anchev Sarevok Anchev, or looted from him, should the party confront the Murder Tribunal.

The Dark Urge Dark Urge can enter the temple without the Amulet, as their butler Sceleritas Fel Sceleritas Fel opens the door for them.

When the doors to the temple are unsealed, one or more of the following inspirations is granted:

While inside the temple the party cannot fast travel or go to camp.

Temple layout[edit section | visual editor]

The large effigy of Bhaal, which reinforces Orin during the fight
(by Frédérick Senesael)

The temple grounds consist of the outer perch with several alcoves along it. From the perch, three wide stairs lead down to the centre, where is the round platform with an altar in the middle (one of the stairs is destroyed).

On the cavern wall above the altar a colossal bas-relief depiction of Bhaal's symbol is chiselled in stone. It takes a special part in the party's confrontation with Orin (see Involvement section). Another stone stairway from the altar leads down and into the archway beneath the symbol. Following it, the party can reach the Chosen's Room – the private chambers of the cult leader.

Outer perch[edit section | visual editor]

The Bhaal Temple consists of a large main area with a forked higher ground. This surrounds a lower situated platform upon which the Altar of Bhaal rests. The upper area has alcoves with bodies on display. The alcoves located in the northwestern corner at X: 35 Y: 1035 and the one in the southwestern corner at X: 35 Y: 976 both potentially contain up to two corpses of characters who Orin impersonated in Rivington during the current playthrough. Her potential victims are:

One of the alcoves on the upper level. On the right the 'library' can be seen.

On the northern side around X: 43 Y: 1032 is a stack of scrolls with a plaque leaned against which calls it "A Lending Library". Interacting with it prompts a comment from the Narrator. The stack contains only one item,  The Ecstasy of Murder.

One more alcove behind the library contains the skeleton of Manip Antyra Thorpe, executed by the cult for interfering in their activity in the city.

In the northernmost side of the perch at X: 75 Y: 1032 is a hidden passageway which allows access to the Chosen's Room without going through the altar (and the potential fight). This allows the party to explore Orin's chambers before confronting her, giving additional options in that dialogue.

Descending either of the extant stairways brings the party to the altar of Bhaal.

Altar ground[edit section | visual editor]

Situated at X: 59 Y: 1007, the altar of Bhaal is at the center of the platform where Orin and her retinue of several cultists are waiting for the party to arrive. Orin's victim – if there is one –} is chained to the altar. The Altar itself can be opened using the  Altar Key carried by Orin, lockpicked with a DC 25 Sleight of Hand Check DC 25 Sleight of Hand Check, or opened with Knock Knock.

The main events concerning the Get Orin's Netherstone⁠Get Orin's Netherstone, Rescue Orin's Victim⁠Rescue Orin's Victim and The Urge⁠The Urge unfold around the altar. Here the party must confront Orin and her allies, which inevitably leads to a fight. The layout of the initial dialogue with the Orin and of the resulting conflict depends on several conditions:

  • Whether the player character is the Dark Urge Dark Urge
  • Whether the party promised Orin to kill Enver Gortash Enver Gortash first and whether they kept their promise
  • Whether the party managed to find out the proof of Orin's incestous lineage while exploring the Murder Tribunal chambers or the temple itself
  • Whether the party managed to free the victim unnoticed by Orin

Further details on the consequences of each of these decisions are described in the Involvement section.

The Chosen's Room[edit section | visual editor]

The Chosen's Room in the back of the temple
(by Martijn Petersen)

A stairway behind the altar leads to the Chosen's Room, which serves as Orin's private quarters. It can alternatively be entered from the north side of the upper area, avoiding the altar, the entrance is around X: 75 Y: 1032. Three cultists guarding the room pay no attention if the party explore it, even if they ferret about Orin's chest or interrogate corpses nearby.[5]

In the northern part of the room is Orin's office with a desk, wardrobe, and an elaborated display case behind the desk. On the desk is  Orin's Chest Key and a  book containing Orin's vows to glorify Bhaal's cult.

In the display case is the mummified corpse of Orin's mother Helena Anchev Helena Anchev. It lacks one hand, which may possibly have born the idea of the ritual trophies taken from the cultists' victims.[6] The party can commune her via Speak with Dead Speak with Dead to gain additional background information on Orin's childhood. The facts concerning Sarevok's part in orchestrating it can later be used to convince Orin to free her abducted victim.

At the far end of the room is a bed. To one side of is the dead body of an imp-like creature named Cruor Cruor. The  book laying aside it explains this creature played the same role to Orin as Sceleritas Fel Sceleritas Fel plays to the Dark Urge, and relates of Orin's attempts to rid herself of the creature.

If the Dark Urge was not picked as origin, a dead body of a white Dragonborn white Dragonborn lies to the other side of the bed in a ritual circle. The circle is drawn in blood and mirrors the one which the Dark Urge (if played) uses to sacrifice Alfira in the campsite. Upon interacting with the body, any party member comments on its horrendous death. If the player character is the Dark Urge, there is no body and no circle, implying they are the same character.

Next to the bed is a locked Wooden Chest which can be opened with  Orin's Chest Key. It contains a skull and two random coatings from Uncommon to Very rare quality. The wardrobes contain several pieces of common jewelry.

Several documents around the room concern  Orin's and the  Dark Urge's clash of opinions on proper worshipping Bhaal. A vase near Helena's body contains a note from Sceleritas Fel.

Involvement[edit section | visual editor]

The Bhaal Temple serves as base of operations for the followers of the Cult of Bhaal and their leader Orin the Red. It is the place where Get Orin's Netherstone⁠Get Orin's Netherstone and its sub-quest Rescue Orin's Victim⁠Rescue Orin's Victim are resolved. A pivotal decision must be made for the Dark Urge Dark Urge in regards to their personal quest The Urge⁠The Urge. Whether or not the Dark Urge is picked also influences the way the other two quests are resolved.

In the center of the temple lies the kidnapped victim of Orin, chained to the altar. Orin wanders around, bantering with the closest cultists. Her retinue consists of a Death's Head of Bhaal, an Invoker of Bhaal, and six Reapers of Bhaal.

The Rescue[edit section | visual editor]

The player character has several options to secure the abductee's life when they approach the altar:

  • Succeeding a DC 25 Deception, Intimidation, or Persuasion Check DC 25 Deception, Intimidation, or Persuasion Check during the initial conversation with Orin
  • Distracting Orin from killing the victim by revealing her true lineage. Convincing her requires a DC 25 Deception, Persuasion, or Religion Check DC 25 Deception, Persuasion, or Religion Check and information learned from  A page from Sarevok's book and / or by speaking with the corpse of Helena Anchev in Orin's private chambers.
  • Unlocking the victim's bindings (regardless of the way) while approaching the altar stealthily or using invisibility invisibility
  • Beginning a combat with Orin by attacking her or any member of her retinue

If the interacting player character chooses the dialogue options "Go ahead. I won't stop you." or "His/her fate is of no interest to me", or fails any check, or (as the Dark Urge) refuses to duel, Orin immediately murders her hostage. If the abducted victim is a companion, and they are executed by Orin or die in the subsequent fight, they cannot be revived afterwards by any means, including Withers' resurrecting powers, and their personal quest (if active) is completed.

If the victim is freed before or during the combat, they join the fight as a controllable ally (with available attacks and class actions but without access to the personal inventory). If they survive, they prompt a dialogue afterwards with the player character and leave for camp.

Deceiving Orin about killing Gortash when the party did not do so is one of the possible opportunities to gain the Always Trust a Dishonest Person⁠Always Trust a Dishonest Person inspiration for characters with the Charlatan Charlatan background, if it was not earned earlier.[7]

Fighting Orin[edit section | visual editor]

Eventually, Bhaal claims Orin's body to confront the party
See also: Orin/Combat

As mentioned, fight with Orin occurs regardless of whether the Dark Urge is picked as origin or not. However, the layout of the battle depends on whether the Dark Urge is chosen as origin, and also on whether the party initiates the dialogue or attacks Orin and / or members of her retinue from afar.

If the Dark Urge is not played as origin, Orin calls on Bhaal's power to transform into the Slayer and attacks (she may do so anyway depending on dialogue choices). If the party attacks first, Orin turns into a Slayer on her first turn. If the player character is the Dark Urge and acquired the Slayer form themselves before Act Three, they are given the option to transform into it during their dialogue with Orin before their duel, in which case she fights against them in her native humanoid form.

If Orin does not duel with the Urge, there is a unique component to the battle. When the battle begins, the Reapers of Bhaal begin chanting a prayer to Bhaal, which activates the the Boon of Bhaal Boon of Bhaal from the bas-relief effigy above the altar. At the end of the turn, it casts its spell, Boon of the Unstoppable Boon of the Unstoppable, which renews Orin's Unstoppable Unstoppable condition up to full stack (7 charges on Explorer and Balanced difficulty levels, 12 on Tactician and above). This continues for as long as the cultists are chanting. The cultists start the battle with Sanctuary Sanctuary, but still can be disrupted by conditions such as Prone Prone, Silenced Silenced, Hypnotised Hypnotised, Fearful Fearful, or Stunned Stunned, or killed with various area-of-effect.[8]

None of the other cultists in the temple participate in the combat unless they are attacked directly. However, their reactions if spoken to differ depending on whether the interacting party member is not the Dark Urge, and – in the case of the Dark Urge – whether they reject or accept their legacy.

Killing Orin grants one or both of the following inspirations:

The quest Get Orin's Netherstone⁠Get Orin's Netherstone resolves upon looting  Orin's Netherstone from her corpse. Although the player character loots  Netherstone-Pommelled Bloodthirst from Orin's remains, it immediately separates into two components in the player character's inventory.

The Dark Urge[edit section | visual editor]

Before the duel, Orin tries to unsettle her Bhaalspawn rival, mirroring their form

If the player character is the Dark Urge, Orin challenges them for a duel. To rile them up, she shapeshifts into their form and mocks them, revealing her treachery of ambushing them in the Mind Flayer Colony, mutilating and infecting them with a tadpole.

If the Dark Urge is picked, Orin challenges them to one-on-one duel, with none of their comrades interfering per the Bhaalist tradition. If the Dark Urge refuses to duel, the party must then fight the standard version of the boss encounter. Following the battle, the story proceeds as if the Dark Urge had lost the face-to-face fight.

If the Dark Urge accepts the challenge, at the beginning of the fight a visible ring arises around the altar. If another party member passes it, the duel is cancelled and the battle continues as normal with the participation of the sanctuaried Reapers of Bhaal as well as the Boon of Bhaal Boon of Bhaal.

After defeating Orin, Sceleritas Fel appears at the altar platform, praises the Dark Urge and then is killed as several blades protrude from inside his body. His reflection in the pool of blood speaks to the Dark Urge as the Avatar of Bhaal. This serves as the event horizon for the Dark Urge's personal quest where they may restore themselves as Bhaals's Chosen, or refuse the title.

If the Urge refuses to become Bhaal's chosen they are drained of their father's blood and essence and die immediately. However, they are soon brought back from death by Withers Withers, who personally appears at the altar to revive them. He explains that Bhaal killed only the part of his wayward child known to him, while the rest can still be restored. Reborn anew, the player character is free of their Urge, and their personal quest⁠personal quest is complete. They lose access the Slayer form Slayer form if they had previously obtained it in Act Two.

If denied, Bhaal takes back all power he has bestowed onto his wayward spawn

If the Dark Urge accepts their Bhaalspawn legacy, they are instead tasked to control the Netherbrain Netherbrain in the name of Bhaal, and gain access to the Slayer form if they did not already.

Taking the ultimate decision concerning their legacy grants the Dark Urge one of the following mutually exclusive inspirations:

Also, accepting Bhaal's gift and blessings is considered an oathbreaking action for Paladins of any Oath subclass, if they are the Dark Urge themselves.

If the Dark Urge embraces their Bhaalspawn legacy while inside the temple, upon leaving it the party is confronted by Jaheira Jaheira and Minsc Minsc, who appear on the bridge to the entrance, accompanied by a small squad of Harpers. Defeating Jaheira at this point grants the Dark Urge characters the Forced Retirement⁠Forced Retirement inspiration as well.

Waypoints[edit section | visual editor]

This location has the following Waypoint Waypoint nearby:

  • caption = Temple of Bhaal Temple of Bhaal X: -60 Y: 1007

Related locations[edit section | visual editor]

Related quests[edit section | visual editor]

Achievements[edit section | visual editor]

First Blood
Kill Orin while her cultists are performing their ritual chant.

Characters[edit section | visual editor]

Notable[edit section | visual editor]

Abducted companions / camp followers[edit section | visual editor]

One of these characters is abducted by Orin prior in the playthrough and can be found chained to the altar in the centre of the temple.

Cult of Bhaal followers[edit section | visual editor]

Orin's victims[edit section | visual editor]

Up to two of these deceased characters are displayed in the alcoves on the outer perch of the temple, depending on the party's encounters with Orin in Rivington.

Related literature[edit section | visual editor]

Gallery[edit section | visual editor]

Notes and references[edit section | visual editor]

  1. ↑ The large Bhaal⁠Bhaal icon at the temple's entrance is the backdrop for the game's main menu.
  2. ↑ The final battle of the original Baldur's Gate game takes place at the Temple of Bhaal, which is ultimately destroyed. See also Temple of Bhaal⁠Temple of Bhaal
  3. ↑ As Sarevok relates himself when first met. Source: LOW_MurderTribunal_Sarevok_Trial.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Appears only if the party met Orin's impersonations only once, or did not meet any of them at all.
  5. ↑ If the player character is not the Dark Urge, these three succumb to death instantly after Orin and her retinue are defeated, unlike all other followers of the cult within the temple. If the player character is the Dark Urge, they survive regardless of the outcome of the fight and the further events.
  6. ↑ This also dovetails with the story of Helena's death as told by Sarevok.
  7. ↑ This only applies to the potential of gaining this inspiration in Act Three. If the inspiration with the same name is granted in Act Two for exposing an Absolute's spy in Last Light Inn it cannot be obtained again here.[verify]
  8. ↑ Harming them with any spell does not stop their chant.
  9. ↑ Appears only if the Dark Urge is not picked as origin.
  10. ↑ If the Dark Urge is picked as origin.
  11. ↑ If the Dark Urge is picked as origin, and they rejected Bhaal's legacy and blessings.
  12. ↑ Though not formally wearing the title within the game, Bloodmopper has the archetype and the abilities of a Night Blade.

External links[edit section | visual editor]

Spotted an issue with this page? Leave a comment! Note that your IP address will be publicly logged unless you create an account. You can also edit the page to fix the issue. See How to Contribute to get started, and maybe join our Discord so we can coordinate our efforts.
Retrieved from "https://bg3.wiki/w/index.php?title=Bhaal_Temple&oldid=387972"