Official Prequel Novel for Baldur’s Gate 3’s Astarion Announced

The expansive universe of Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 continues to grow ever larger. Following its historic sweep as the first critically acclaimed 2023 Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game to capture Game of the Year honors across all five major industry ceremonies, Wizards of the Coast has forged a partnership with Random House Worlds. This exciting publishing initiative will bring four distinct literary titles to shelves throughout 2026, laying the groundwork for further expansions in 2027 and beyond.

Hitting bookstores on September 29, Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion is penned by award-winning, New York Times bestselling fantasy author T. Kingfisher. This official prequel explores the haunting backstory of the fandom’s favorite High Elf rogue, chronicling his grueling years enslaved by the sadistic vampire lord Cazador Szarr prior to the events of the main game. To preserve absolute authenticity within the established canon, Baldur’s Gate 3 senior writer Stephen Rooney actively consulted on the project. Fans can also look forward to an accompanying audiobook from Penguin Random House Audio, brought to life through the narration of Neil Newbon—whose tour-de-force performance earned him the Best Performance trophy at The Game Awards 2023.

Earlier this year in July, Clarkson Potter released Baldur’s Gate 3: The Necromancy of Thay, a meticulously crafted blank grid notebook that mirrors the iconic in-game artifact. Complete with intricate foil stamping, an embossed skull emblem, and stylized faux “clasps,” it provides a clever way to keep your personal notes securely guarded. This was followed in August by Ten Speed Press’s release of The Official Baldur’s Gate 3 Coloring Book, featuring 40 stunning black-and-white line illustrations by artist Jaki King that capture the unforgettable characters, environments, and monsters of the Sword Coast.

The culinary journey arrives on November 3 courtesy of Ten Speed Press with A Feast for a Tenday: The Official Baldur’s Gate Cookbook by Andrew Wheeler. Designed to delight any adventurer, this volume compiles 65 recipes systematically categorized by course and camp location. In a delightful nod to the community, dishes suited for sharing are playfully designated as “Romanceable,” offering a charming touch for dedicated Baldur’s Gate 3 enthusiasts.

This multi-medium expansion underscores just how enduring the cultural footprint of Baldur’s Gate 3 truly is. Earlier this past February, HBO revealed plans to produce a television series set chronologically after the events of the game. Simply titled Baldur’s Gate, the upcoming adaptation will be spearheaded by visionary showrunner Craig Mazin, acclaimed for his work on Chernobyl and The Last of Us. Whether through interactive gameplay, gripping literature, or prestige television, fans of the franchise have plenty of rich content to look forward to in the years ahead.

I had no choice!

Source: Polygon