Summary
- A fan created a Candlekeep Inn model for a tabletop game based on original Baldur's Gate.
- Candlekeep Inn almost made a return in Baldur's Gate 3, showcasing its iconic status in the D&D universe.
A talented Baldur’s Gate fan has meticulously crafted an iconic location, Candlekeep Inn, as part of a vision to create a tabletop version of the game. While Candlekeep, the fortress library, is featured in Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks, the fantasy tabletop game makes no mention of the Candlekeep Inn. The inn first appeared in the original installment of the massively popular Baldur’s Gate franchise back in 1998. In the game, the tavern sits right next to the famous library, and now one dedicated fan has put in the work to bring the inn to life.
The original game has spawned a collection of mainline sequels and spin-offs over the years, with the latest installment widely regarded as the best of the lot. Baldur’s Gate 3 has spent two years atop the Steam Global Top Sellers chart, an impressive feat not just for the series but compared to any video game on the market. The phenomenal success of Baldur’s Gate 3 has also sparked excitement among its many fans, with some putting their energy into interesting projects such as the tabletop recreation.
Baldur's Gate 3 Releases Massive Patch 8 as 'Final Major' Update
Larian finally rolls out the enormous Patch 8 for Baldur's Gate 3, marking the end of an era for the 2023 CRPG.
In a video recently posted to the YouTube channel Wyloch’s Armory, a fan showcased an incredible real-life model of the Candlekeep Inn from Baldur’s Gate as part of their larger plan to create a tabletop version of the game. The video shows the inn’s step-by-step construction, which comes fitted with playable interiors. The model is almost an exact replica of the famous tavern, featuring its trademark wooden roof and exposed timber beams on the exterior and two floors decorated with simple furnishings within. Many in the comments praised the creator for their attention to detail and impressive craft skills.
Baldur's Gate Fan Builds Candlekeep Inn From the Game
In the intro to the video, the fan plays the role of narrator, explaining that the Candlekeep Inn is the very first thing players see in Baldur’s Gate, which they describe as one of the best video games of all time. While the tavern and its owner, Winthrop, don’t feature in the latest installment, that wasn’t always going to be the case. Last year, the game’s lead writer, Adam Smith, admitted that Larian was on the brink of returning to the classic location in Baldur’s Gate 3, but the idea was eventually scrapped for logistical and narrative reasons.
The history of Candlekeep is long and revered in the D&D universe, and its near comeback in Baldur’s Gate 3 reflects the fact that, for many, including one ingenious fan, Candlekeep and its inn remain one of the most famous locations in the Forgotten Realms.
While there has been no confirmation regarding another entry in the franchise, the massive success and cultural impact of the last installment have left the door open for a hypothetical Baldur’s Gate 4. Until then, it seems one creative fan will continue their work building a tabletop version of the original game.
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
