Bhaal Cult Resurgence
A Report by Devella Fountainhead: Pursuant to an investigative order from Blaze Liara Portyr, a cross-indexing of points of similarity in unsolved murders in Baldur's Gate leads to the inescapable conclusion that we are witnessing a resurgence of the cult of the murder god Bhaal. As the textbooks tell us, over 100 years ago, during the 1360s, the criminal organisation known as the Iron Throne was taken over by a brutal new leader, Sarevok Anchev. This Sarevok provided to be what is called a 'Bhaalspawn', and with the powers granted by his semi-divine blood he nearly brought ruin upon the entire city before his defeat by the hero known as Gorion's Ward. After that, the Iron Throne was brought down, the Bhaal Temple was suppressed, and the murder cult receded into the background. Now, however, corpses that bear the hallmark of Bhaalist murders are once again being discovered in Baldur's Gate's streets, several per tenday, and the rate is increasing. Citizens are anxious, some on the verge of panic, and the proud Flaming Fist corps, which usually depends on a show of force to discourage criminal activity, now finds our usual methods unsuccessful. The location of the old Bhaal Temple in the ruins of the Undercity has now been lost, so a raid is out of the question. Recommendation: a Bhaal Murder Response Force should be organised as soon as feasible to provide a visible reaction to cultist incursions in the Lower City.