Baldur's Gate series

Originally a computer game by Bioware corp. and the now defunct Black Isle Studios, the Baldur's Gate series has become one of the most respected RPGs to date. Followed by a trilogy of novels that weren't recieved nearly as well the game is still played by a large, devoted group. The modding community is also still fairly vibrant as are the official (and several unofficial) forums.

Plot
The great sage Alaundo foretold the death of the god of murder, Bhaal and also of his many children. The prophet's words rang true as always. Before the Time of Troubles, Bhaal saw his death coming as well and forced himself upon the women of every race in Faerûn, hoping to spawn vessels through which he could resurrect himself. These children of the dead god are now coming of age, unbenknownst to nearly everyone.

Meanwhile, an iron shortage is crippling the southern Sword Coast region. All of the ore coming out of the local mine near Nashkel rots soon after it has been smelted, turning whatever it is made into, be it weapons or armour, useless. The resulting iron shortage has resulted in items made of iron becoming more valuable than gold. Bandits now plague the roads in an attempt to steal what is left from those who paid far more than usual for it in the first place. The city of Baldur's Gate sends out Flaming Fist mercenaries in a near-futile attempt to police the roads but otherwise closes it's gates and harbours to all traffic. Accusations are hurled at the state of Amn despite their pleas of innocence and war seems to be on the horizon while a youngster from the library-fortress of Candlekeep is told to prepare for travel...

You play the youngster and, after watching your father, Gorion die at the hands of a mysterious armoured figure you begin an adventure that will affect the Sword Coast from Baldur's Gate to Tethyr.

After curing the iron shortage and taking care of the bandits you discover that the Iron Throne is the perpetrator of the entire mess in an effort to force people to buy iron from them at hugely inflated prices from an old Dwarven mine they found in the Cloakwood forest. Foiling their plans again, you discover the armoured figure that killed your father is taking over the local Iron Throne operations and installing himself as a Grand Duke of Baldur's Gate so he can force a war between the city and Amn that will cause the deaths of thousands which, in turn will cause him to ascend as the next god of Murder through the divine blood in his veins, that of Bhaal's! You discover that you share that divine blood and that, the armoured figure, Sarevok is your half-brother. You have to either stop him from being apotheosised before you do or simply put a stop to his evil, either way, you must kill him.

interwiki & internet links
http://www.bioware.com/games/baldurs_gate

NPCs of Baldur's Gate