Forgotten Realms

Forgotten Realms: The Setting of Baldur's Gate 3

The Forgotten Realms is a richly detailed and expansive fantasy campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons, and it serves as the primary world for Baldur's Gate 3. This setting is renowned for its diverse geography, complex history, numerous cultures, and a pantheon of gods that influence the lives of its inhabitants. Baldur's Gate 3 draws heavily on this established lore, bringing iconic locations and familiar elements to life.

Players will explore a portion of the Sword Coast, a well-known region within the Forgotten Realms, which includes the titular city of Baldur's Gate. The game's narrative is deeply intertwined with the political landscape, historical conflicts, and magical phenomena that define this beloved fantasy world. Understanding the basics of the Forgotten Realms provides crucial context for the game's events and characters.

Key Elements of the Forgotten Realms

The Forgotten Realms is characterized by:

• Geography: Vast continents dotted with kingdoms, empires, wilderness, and dangerous frontiers. The Sword Coast is a prominent coastal region known for its trade cities and proximity to wild lands.
• Races: A wide array of playable races, including Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, Gnomes, Dragonborn, Tieflings, and the unique Githyanki.
• Pantheon of Gods: A complex system of deities representing various aspects of life, death, magic, and nature. Worship of these gods influences cultures and individual actions.
• Magic: Magic is a pervasive force, wielded by wizards, sorcerers, clerics, and other spellcasters. It shapes the world and its conflicts.
• History: Millennia of history filled with wars, fallen empires, ancient evils, and heroic deeds.

The Sword Coast and Baldur's Gate

Baldur's Gate 3 is set approximately 100 years after the events of Baldur's Gate 2. The game begins on a Mind Flayer Nautiloid but quickly transitions to the Sword Coast. The city of Baldur's Gate itself is a major hub in the later stages of the game, a bustling metropolis known for its trade, politics, and underlying corruption. The surrounding regions, such as the Emerald Grove and the Shadow-Cursed Lands, are also integral parts of the Sword Coast.

Lore Connections

The game's narrative is influenced by several key lore elements:

• Mind Flayers (Illithids): Ancient enemies of many races, known for their psionic powers and their tadpole reproduction.
• The Absolute: A mysterious new threat that emerges, seemingly controlling the tadpole-infected individuals.
• Descent into Avernus: The events of this D&D campaign, which occurred shortly before Baldur's Gate 3, have had repercussions on the Sword Coast.
• Githyanki: A race with a history of conflict with Mind Flayers, playing a significant role in the early game.

By grounding itself in the rich tapestry of the Forgotten Realms, Baldur's Gate 3 offers a familiar yet fresh experience for fans of D&D lore.