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

Plot
You have left Baldur's Gate with Imoen, Khalid, Jaheira, Minsc & Dynaheir after rumours surrounding your heritage started spreading around the city that could have got you and your friends in trouble.

During your travels, you are set upon by a group of men who overpower the party. You wake up in a dungeon where a mysterious mage is magically experimenting on you. Luckily, he has to leave for a while which provides Imoen, who managed to escape using her skills as both a mage and a theif, to set you free.

Khalid was killed when you were ambushed and Dynaheir was tortured until death by the wizard, who you discover is called Irenicus. You escape the dungeon amidst the sounds of battle, an explosion destroys the passage behind you and you see Irenicus battling some men. A group of Cowled Wizards teleport in and arrest Irenicus and Imoen as both were using magic without a licence. You discover that you are in Athkatla in Amn and you set off to rescue Imoen and find out what Irenicus was trying to do to you.

You are approached by two groups who offer you passage to Imoen for a hefty price and services rendered. You have to choose to ally yourselves with the infamous Shadow Theives guild or with the Vampire Bodhi and her guild. The two groups are vying for power and your influence will tip the balance in the favour of your choice. After completing your tasks, you are taken to Brynnlaw, one of the smaller Nelanther Isles, where there is an asylum operated by these Cowled Wizards called Spellhold. Unknown to you, Irenicus has taken over. He captures you again and steals your Bhaalspawn essence then throws you into another dungeon beneath Spellhold. You discover that Imoen is your half-sister and also a Bhaalspawn. Irenicus has also stolen Imoen's powers and infused them into Bodhi, who turns out to be Irenicus' own sister.

Bodhi hunts you in this dungeon until you prove to her that your essence has not completely left you by turning into an avatar of Bhaal himself! You escape the asylum and have to follow Irenicus and Bodhi into the Underdark. You aid a Svirfnebli town and are shown to the Silver dragon, Adalon who sends you into the Drow city of Ust Natha to retrieve her stolen eggs which are to be used to summon a great Tanar'ri. You do so and escape the Underdark, finding yourself in an Elven war camp. After persuading them to let you go they ask you to steal an item called the Lanthorn, which was stolen by Bodhi. Gathering allies for an assault (including the Companions of the Hall!) you attack and take back the Lanthorn, killing Bodhi and getting Imoen's divine essence back. Using the Lanthorn, you gain entrance to the elven city of Suldanessalar which is under seige from an army of Drow, Rakshasa and golems, led by Irenicus. He was drained of his Elven heritage as punishment for his crimes long ago and seeks to get it back by force. You kill him but are taken into the afterlife with him due to the fact that he has your spirit. You face him again and this time defeat him properly, gaining your essence back. Finally, you can rest for a while but the adventure isn't over yet...