Dungeons & Dragons is set to go back to the Forgotten Realms in its upcoming release, and many fans are excited about this return to form. The Heroes of Faerun and Adventures in Faerun books provide essential resources for Dungeon Masters and players ready to hop into a new campaign. And with such great companion manuals on the way, it seems that Wizards of the Coast is dedicated to delivering a collection that will delight Dungeons & Dragons fans during this tabletop gaming renaissance. And the Forgotten Realms Ultimate Bundle is one of the top ways to experience this new series.
Yet, one title in this bundle stands to cause more waves than most. From the fact that many consider it to be a “DLC book” to its subject matter, Astarion’s Book of Hungers is making waves among both Baldur’s Gate 3’s and Dungeons and Dragons’ overlapping circles. For Astarion fans, this seems like a dream come true. But for some players looking toward the future of the BG franchise, this release can cause some anxiety.
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What is Astarion’s Book of Hungers?
Available for those purchasing the Forgotten Realms Ultimate Bundle, Astarion’s Book of Hungers is a bonus manual framed as a vampire-themed expansion (to later be a separate release, according to a tweet made by WotC’s customer service X page). It expands on the Dhampir species, fresh feats, and offers brooding backgrounds for players to sink their teeth into. But its biggest hook is that it’s narrated in-universe by Baldur’s Gate 3’ s irreverent camp jester, Astarion. That instantly sets it apart from the two other bonus releases in the line, turning what could have been just another rules supplement into a piece of fiction carrying all the weight of canon. And that’s where the stakes rise.
If Astarion is “writing” from his own perspective, then when and where he’s writing it matters. Any casual remark about his fate after the events of BG3 or any references to what choices he's made could cement a canon path years before a potential Baldur’s Gate 4. For a character whose story is defined by player choice, locking in a single ending is a gamble: one that some fans will embrace, and others will fight against tooth and nail.
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Astarion’s Place in the Dungeons and Dragons World
Now that Baldur’s Gate 3 has received its final patch, it seems like a chapter is closed on the grand adventure many players undertook with Larian Studios’ game. And with Baldur’s Gate 4 remaining unannounced, the future of BG3’s companions is up to Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro. So it is entirely reasonable to expect WotC to capitalize on the game’s wildfire success. And the low-hanging fruit of this endeavor rests within the stars of the show themselves.
It is not the first time that Astarion has peered his white bed of hair into official Dungeons and Dragons materials. In Dungeons and Dragons’ 2024 Player Handbook, he was featured as a neat Easter Egg in the bottom right corner of an official artwork made by fantasy illustrator David Astruga. The piece depicts a presumed cleric using a Daylight spell to defeat vampires. Astarion stands out, holding a rapier, in a sea of vampires that are actively burning up due to the effects of the spell.
However, a playful cameo showing him in some sort of trouble is very different from what fans will encounter in Astarion’s Book of Hungers. A BG3 Easter Egg might even be just an artistic portrayal of a fan-favorite character, implying nothing definitive. An entire book narrated by said character will encourage fans to read between the lines. And what they may find there could have permanent consequences.
Why Canonizing Astarion’s Story Early Is Risky
In a game that encourages exploration, experimentation, and creativity, player choice is at the forefront. From the way that a gamer approaches some of BG3’s hardest puzzles to the advice given to a companion during a vulnerable moment, every choice matters. Every decision influences the endgame. And some options are more popular than others in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Player Choice in Astarion’s Case
Astarion is a beloved character in the Baldur’s Gate 3 community for good reason. He’s funny, sharp, and an excellent Rogue capable of helping his party out of trouble. Yet, he is also complex, cruel, haunted, and deeply traumatized. Player choices significantly influence how he handles his struggles, directly affecting whether Astarion ascends or stays a spawn. These outcomes are starkly different.
In one ending, he remains a spawn. Still, he recognizes his potential for goodness beyond the man who condemned him to darkness. In another, he becomes so powerful that he can never be harmed again, but only by surpassing the evil that initially caused his suffering. So, whether Astarion is romanced, redeemed, or corrupted is entirely up to what the player believes is right for his path. Others may choose endings based on circumstances, like increasing the chances of survival during Honour Mode.
And while these choices are still fresh in the minds of fans who might be just starting or optimizing their first playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s a gamble to canonize such a tough player decision so early. And perhaps that weight shouldn’t be on a risky title like Astarion’s Book of Hungers.
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Eventually, players may be able to look forward to the day they play Baldur’s Gate 4. Although Larian has stated that they will not take the helm of the project, Wizards of the Coast may be looking for a developer that will bring Baldur’s Gate 4 to life.
If Baldur’s Gate 4 follows in the tradition of its predecessors, that means that characters from previous games will make an appearance. Whether they be returning cast members like Jaheira or formidable foes like Sarevok, it is hard to imagine that a Baldur’s Gate 4 would not feature some BG3 characters in some capacity.
Astarion’s popularity makes him an easy character to come back for BG4. Regardless of whether he’s a charming mentor figure or simply another corrupt threat in Baldur’s Gate, his canon fate was out of sight and out of mind, especially since Baldur’s Gate 4 isn't officially in production. However, Astarion’s Book of Hungers might reveal more than just stats for new life forms and creatures. It may reveal too much soon.
Astarion’s Book of Hungers: One Slippery Slope Away
Astarion’s Book of Hungers confirms that the titular character will narrate the guide. However, as a special treat for fans, it will also offer a glimpse into Astarion’s shadowy past and a tale or two from his favorite tavern. While fans will get to fill in the blanks on the broad strokes of Astarion’s story, the character narration part of the guidebook is actually its most dangerous feature.
Because it’s “written” by Astarion himself, this isn’t just another player option supplement. It’s an in-universe artifact. That framing means his every quip, recollection, or moment of self-indulgence is presented as truth within the Forgotten Realms. Suddenly, what might seem like harmless flavor text becomes loaded with implications. Each sentence has the potential to anchor one version of his life into official canon, whether that was the intent or not.
Even the smallest details could cause a ripple effect among Baldur’s Gate 3 fans. A casual mention of a traveling companion, a sly allusion to a romance with an endearing “my partner,” or even a throwaway note about his fate along the lines of “I left my palace” or “as I hid from the sun” could ignite heated debates about which ending has been set in stone. And once Wizards of the Coast commits those choices to print, especially for a player-shaped protagonist, it may find that those cards can’t be pulled back off the table.
- Franchise
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Original Release Date
- 1974
- Publisher
- Wizards of the Coast
- Designer
- E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
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