Bhaal is one of the gods in Dungeons & Dragons. He was once an evil adventurer, an assassin rogue alongside his companions Bane and Myrkul. The three of them sought to become immortal and all powerful gods and they were able to wrest the power from Jergal, God of the Dead. The three of them divided Jergal's portfolio and became a Triumvirate of Gods known as The Dead Three. When dividing, Jergals power, the three of them played a game of Knucklebones to decide who would rule and who would serve. Bane came in first place and became the God of Tyranny, Hatred, and Strife. Myrkul came in second place and became the God of Death and Necromancy. Bhaal came in last place, and became the God of Murder and Blood.

Bhaal is the overarching antagonist of the Baldur's Gate series. During the Time of Troubles, Bhaal was killed along with several other gods by the upstart mortal who also sought to become a God: Cyric. As a result, in each game Bhaal attempts to resurrect himself or restore himself to fully divine status through his children: The Bhaalspawn. In each game a Bhaalspawn attempts to cause a great deal of death and strife in the hopes that all the murder caused in Bhaal's name will empower him and enable his resurrection.