Descent into Avernus

Descent into Avernus: A Prelude to Baldur's Gate 3

The events of "Descent into Avernus," a popular Dungeons & Dragons tabletop campaign, serve as a significant narrative precursor to Baldur's Gate 3. This campaign details the harrowing journey of the holy city of Elturel as it is dragged from the Material Plane into Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells. The story culminates in heroes saving the city from eternal damnation.

Baldur's Gate 3 takes place approximately 100 years after Baldur's Gate 2 and shortly after the conclusion of "Descent into Avernus." The lingering consequences and the heroes' actions in Avernus have repercussions that subtly influence the world and the events leading up to the player's predicament. Understanding this lore provides context for the game's overarching plot and the presence of certain factions and threats.

The Fall of Elturel

In "Descent into Avernus," the Archdevil Zariel orchestrates the descent of Elturel into the Blood War. This cataclysmic event plunges the city and its inhabitants into the infernal landscape of Avernus. A group of adventurers is tasked with undertaking a perilous quest to rescue the city and its people from the clutches of Zariel and the devils of the Nine Hells.

Impact on Baldur's Gate 3

While the direct events of "Descent into Avernus" are not the primary focus of Baldur's Gate 3, its conclusion has set the stage for the game's narrative. The heroes who succeeded in saving Elturel have left their mark on the Forgotten Realms. The knowledge gained and the alliances forged during that campaign may have implications for the characters and factions encountered in Baldur's Gate 3. The game's developers have confirmed that the events of "Descent into Avernus" are canon and directly precede the events of Baldur's Gate 3.

Key Lore Connections

• The Sword Coast: The primary setting for Baldur's Gate 3, which is directly affected by events in the wider Forgotten Realms.
• Avernus: The first layer of the Nine Hells, a place of constant war and infernal machinations. Characters and items originating from Avernus may appear.
• Zariel: The Archdevil who orchestrated the fall of Elturel. Her influence and the aftermath of her schemes can be felt.
• The Heroes of Avernus: The party that completed the "Descent into Avernus" campaign. Their deeds have shaped the current political and magical landscape.