Yesterday I asked about how you all make cults stand out from one another.

This is a thread on the Dead Three, and how I plan to portray them in my Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus campaign!

I'll add to it throughout the morning.
#dnd #ttrpg

First off, a lot of this information comes from Lore You Should Know, a segment on D&D's Dragon Talk. It's a fantastic segment.

Here's the LYSK video of Chris Perkins and Greg Tito talking the Dead Three.


Give it a watch! Now, some history!

So, the Dead Three is composed of three mortals who made a pact to ascend godhood together or die trying.

Bane: a tyrant
Myrkul: a necromancer
Bhaal: an assassin

They actually had this random game of "skull bowling" with Jergal, who then split his portfolio and made them gods.

All three of the gods actually died at some point, but with 5e, they're back, baby and in the flesh!

Rather than become gods, the Dead Three are actually very powerful mortals. They can be killed, have lairs, etc. It's unclear if others know this or if they're more Boogiemen.

Let's break them down. First, we have Bane, the tyrant Lord of Darkness. Bane is the brains of the operation.

His followers often wear a single black gauntlet on their right hands. They use their network to obtain positions of power and control in Faerun.

To me, the Banites are the most "normal" of the Dead Three cultists. When ascending in power, you have to play to society's rules to some extent.

I imagine that this is where some of the more redeemable cultists may be, like brainwashed children of Banite BG patriars (nobles).

Then you have Myrkul, the Lord of Bones. He is quite literally a skeleton in black robes.

Like any good necromancer, Myrkul and his followers don't let anything go to waste. They're the ones who ask "Are you going to finish that?" after a battle, creating an undead thrall.

Myrkulites (?) try to make themselves look more like corpses. So they may use paint, wear masks, or utilize other motifs of death. They are often associated with graves—undertakers, clergy, etc.

I imagine they aren't big talkers, but their few words are deliciously macabre.

Lastly, we have probably the most recognizable of the Dead Three: Bhaal, god of murder. Usually a bare-chested man with a skull for a face. Simple. Elegant. Murderous.

Chris described Baldur's Gate as a place of apathy. Murderers do well here. It's basically fantasy Gotham.

Baldur's Gate is known for it's fog. People like escorts when walking through it, even in daytime. Good idea, too, bc Bhaal's followers like to use up-close weapons, like curved daggers. They're nasty and like to get in your face when they kill you.

See that fog? Murder zone.

I've always liked small adventuring parties, and the Dead Three actually have some great synergies.

BANITE: here's how we get power

BHAALITE: [presents dagger]

BANITE: go murder this dude because—

BANITE: [murders that dude and 3 more]

MYRKULITE: i'd like a doggy bag pls

Also, cults are secretive. In Baldur's Gate, you'll definitely see some of the Dead Three, especially if you go walking in that fog.

However, I think you should drop some hints. Include some regular NPCs, and make them cultists. If characters like the NPC, start dropping hints.

A worshipper of Bhaal might be a butcher.

Myrkulites could be morticians, run a pet store, or a local poet who visits the cemetery on the weekend to respect the dead.

Banites could be anyone looking to climb the ladder. A businessperson, a noble, maybe a newspaper editor.