Aran Linvail

Aran Linvail is the name of two distinctly different characters that play a very broadly similar role in the novel and game versions of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn.

The novel
Aran Linvail was an assassin who was killed by Abdel Adrian. Adrian needed a large sum of money to go after two of his friends, and Bodhi passed him the offer to gain the sum by killing Linvail. He hesitated at first, having decided never to kill for money again, but as he very much needed the money, he decided killing an assassin might be a form of justice. He infiltrated Linvail's house, waited in his closet for him to be finished with a lover, and finally killed him after a protracted, awkward fight.

Who wanted Linvail dead and why, or if there even was a genuine outstanding price on his head, is never explained. The only source of information on this was Bodhi, who had her own agenda.

The game
Aran Linvail was the Shadowmaster of Athkatla, the leader of the Shadow Thieves, and one of the most powerful people in all of Amn. In 1369 DR, the position of his entire guild in Athkatla was threatened when Bodhi formed her own, using vampire abilities to gain an advantage. Linvail and Bodhi both tried to gain the service of Gorion's ward and their party, whose choice ultimately turned the situation to the advantage of their allies.