Temple of Bhaal (Forest of Wyrms)

The temple of Bhaal in the Forest of Wyrms was used by Bhaalists for some time before being taken over by cultists devoted to Cyric some time during or before the.

Location
The temple was located deep within a rocky hill within the forest. The underground path leading to its entrance had a number of branching tunnels and caves.

Interior
The temple itself featured a large gathering hall, several rooms of living quarters, a laboratory, a small library, and a dedicated ritual room.

Activities
"Others of Bhaal's orders took me away, to hide us in the darkest temple, away from prying eyes. Others of the Children were there...and when our great Bhaal died did we begin our task."

- Aliana, priestess of Bhaal.

This temple was one of the locations wherein Bhaalist priests kept the Bhaalspawn children, who were to be used in the ritual that would resurrect the Lord of Murder.

While it was held by Cyricists, the temple was used to imprison and torture several of their captives, including Madele, the priestess of Bhaal the had blinded, and several members of the Shining Crusade including the dwarf Keherrem.

History
In either the or the the following year, a band of Harpers raided the temple then dedicated to Bhaal and stole away the children born to the Lord of Murder. During the raid, the Harper Gorion was surprised to encounter Alianna, a former lover who unbeknownst to him had turned to the worship of Bhaal. While her life was spared for a moment by Gorion's inaction, she was struck down by an arrow shortly thereafter. While some of the babes were slain then and there, Alianna's child was rescued by Gorion and at least one other was able to flee amid the chaos.

When Bhaal died during the Time of Troubles in the, and his portfolio claimed by the mortal Cyric, the former Lord of Murder's clergy continued their worship for some time. Two years later, in the, the temple was assailed again, that time by the Cyricist Akanna and her fellow devotees of the Dark Sun. While many Bhaalists were slain once more, the priestess Madele was left alive.

The Cyricists laid claim on the Forest of Wyrms temple for nearly a decade, until some time after Uktar 1 of the, after Cyric's Inquisition of Zhentil Keep. Head priestess Akanna became afflicted by terrible dreams and withdrew herself from her fellow acolytes. This persisted for weeks until she began working on some unknown ritual. In truth her mind was being bombarded by the illithid Darskhelin, who sought to bring forth a neothelid and prepare the temple to be used as the lair of an elder brain.

Inhabitants
The caverns just outside the temple were home to a tribe of bugbears and the lair of the green dragon Morentherene.

Rumors & Legends
Hidden within the hall south of the laboratory were six alcoves each decorated with a different mask. Pressing against three of the masks in the correct order opened a hidden treasury.

Appearances

 * Video Games:
 * Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear