Dungeons and Dragons' newly released books, Heroes of Faerun and Adventures in Faerun, feature a wealth of information for players and Dungeon Masters alike. They effectively cater to Baldur's Gate 3 players without losing the fact that they are Dungeons and Dragons books at their core. Fans of Larian Studios' hit RPG will recognize familiar names and faces, but it is made clear the Forgotten Realms are more than just Baldur's Gate 3. However, when it comes to the Baldur's Gate 3 connection, there is one glaring omission that's particularly strange.
DnD's Faerun Books Ignore Several Baldur's Gate 3 Companions
Two of Baldur's Gate 3's recruitable companions, Karlach and Minsc, are featured characters in the book and show up regularly. Karlach in particular is frequently cited in Adventures' section about the city of Baldur's Gate, while Minsc (and Boo) appear in multiple art pieces. Astarion and Shadowheart also cameo in some art alongside Karlach, and the former stars in his own digital Dungeons and Dragons supplement, Astarion's Book of Hungers.
The books' bizarre decision to focus only on this limited set is evident from the very first lines of Heroes of Faerun:
"The world of Faerun is filled with countless heroes who have undertaken amazing adventures — Drizzt Do'Urden...Alustriel Silverhand...Karlach Cliffgate, Astarion and Shadowheart, and many more."
The other six members of Baldur's Gate 3's party are nowhere to be seen, not even name-dropped once. Some cases make a bit more sense — githyanki aren't a focus, so Lae'zel's absence is understandable, and Halsin is a fairly isolated character with few connections outside his grove. The others, however, are notable omissions who could easily have been referenced by name:
- Ulder Ravengard is repeatedly named as the Grand Duke of Baldur's Gate, with no reference to his son, companion Wyll Ravengard.
- A list of the Chosen of Mystra names "the Seven Sisters...Elminster Aumar, and other legendary spellcasters," neglecting Gale of Waterdeep.
- Heroes of Faerun includes a detailed guide to the Harper faction with no mention of current High Harper Jaheira — a particularly frustrating absence, as Jaheira is a companion in all three Baldur's Gate games.
- A section on drow in Adventures of Faerun could have easily mentioned Minthara Baenre, especially as her House member Jarlaxle Baenre appears.
Minor BG3 Characters Get Cameos — But Not The Companions
The absence of Wyll, Gale, Lae'zel, Jaheira, Halsin, and Minthara is especially notable given that many minor and secondary characters from Baldur's Gate 3 do appear. Enver Gortash is used as an example of a Dead Three Chosen (although Ketheric and Orin are not). Leadership of Baldur's Gate — official and underground — includes the aforementioned Ulder Ravengard, Guildmaster Nine-Fingers Keene, and, most interestingly, Duke Belynne Stelmane, who is unavoidably killed during the events of Baldur's Gate 3.
The section describing the city of Baldur's Gate in Adventures in Faerun is rife with references, ranging from Flood Tide Allandra Grey, head of the Water Queen's House, to merchants like Alan Alyth, Entharl Danthelon, and Gyldo Angleiron. Even the pirate Captain Grisly, proprietor of the Blushing Mermaid, seemed to be alive, not yet possessed by the hag Auntie Ethel. While spotting these references in that section will be quite a treat for fans, it's decidedly odd to see such names mentioned while Wyll, Gale, and Lae'zel are ignored.
It's not that the companions of Baldur's Gate 3 needed to be a major element. These are Forgotten Realms books, after all, not Baldur's Gate books. Overall, focusing on the broader Realms and limiting Baldur's Gate 3 to small references was a good choice. But mentioning that Ulder Ravengard has a well-known son, or including Gale's name on the list of Mystra's Chosen would help make the game feel more connected to the Forgotten Realms setting as a whole. It could provide more familiar territory for Baldur's Gate 3 players using these books as an entrance into the wider world of Dungeons and Dragons.
Baldur's Gate 3
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
