Cowled Wizards

The Cowled Wizards are an organization that places magic laws upon Athkatla. They are also one of the Council of Five.

The Cowled Wizards place strict laws where almost any spell is forbidden, and the use of any of them will be mean a punishment of arrest. If they resist, they will be killed. After they are arrested the go on trial in a building in the Athkatla Government, where the leader decides what punishment they get. They can be killed on the spot or sent to the Asylum, a magical prison.

Baldur's Gate II
The Cowled Wizards are first seen when Jon Irenicus uses illegal magic to kill three escaped prisoners. Six Cowled Wizards appear and attempt to arrest him, though Jon fights back and kills three of them. Eventually he lets himself be taken as he has no time for continuously fighting them, though demands Imoen be taken prisoner as well, for she used a couple of Magic Missile spells on Irenicus. They are both taken to a trial meeting and it is decided that they are left to rot in the Asylum.

The first time you or a party member casts an illegal spell, a Cowled Wizard will appear and warn you not to do it again. Any time you cast an illegal spell after being warned, a Cowled Wizard will appear, say you have been warned and summon three more wizards to attack you.