Larian Studios' critically acclaimed RPG, Baldur's Gate 3, is set to receive an official prequel novel centered on the character Astarion. The book, written by T. Kingfisher and published by Random House Worlds, will explore Astarion's history as a vampire spawn serving the sinister Cazador Szarr.
Baldur's Gate 3: Astarion is slated for release on September 29 and is part of a larger initiative by Wizards of the Coast and Random House Worlds to expand the game's universe through literature. The novel's narrative takes place before the events of the 2023 game, delving into Astarion's years of servitude. To ensure fidelity to the game's established lore, Stephen Rooney, a senior writer on Baldur's Gate 3, provided consultation for the project. An audiobook version, narrated by Neil Newbon—who won Best Performance at The Game Awards 2023 for his role as Astarion—will also be available from Penguin Random House Audio.
This forthcoming novel is one of four titles planned for publication in 2026, with further publications intended for 2027 and beyond. The collaboration aims to immerse fans further into the rich world and compelling characters of Baldur's Gate 3. The popularity of the game, which swept Game of the Year awards at five major ceremonies, continues to drive expanded media projects.
Other Baldur's Gate 3 tie-in products are also in development or have recently been released. Baldur’s Gate 3: The Necromancy of Thay, a blank notebook mimicking an in-game item with decorative features, was published in July by Clarkson Potter. In August, Ten Speed Press released The Official Baldur's Gate 3 Coloring Book, featuring 40 line drawings of characters and settings from the game, illustrated by Jaki King.
Looking ahead, Ten Speed Press will release A Feast for a Tenday: The Official Baldur’s Gate Cookbook by Andrew Wheeler on November 3. This cookbook will feature 65 recipes, categorized by course and camp location. Dishes suitable for multiple players will be marked with a "Romanceable" tag, a nod to in-game relationship mechanics.
These literary and culinary expansions follow HBO's earlier announcement of a Baldur's Gate television series. The show, simply titled Baldur's Gate, will be developed by Craig Mazin and is set to take place after the events of the game, further extending the franchise's reach into various media formats.