Baldur’s Gate 3saw massive success upon its release for the game’s broad scope and world building, not just within the video game franchise, but by incorporating new elements fromDungeons & Dragons. Though a new game seems unlikely, a hypothetical follow-up toBaldur’s Gate 3should do the same as its predecessor and dive deeper into the world ofDungeons & Dragons.
With a vast history lasting fifty years,Dungeons & Dragonshas expanded its canon universe and many lands. A key expansion to the lore of the hit roleplaying game introduces a boundless wheel-shaped multiverse thatBaldur’s Gateshould be unafraidto explore.
Dungeons & Dragons' Many Planes of Existence
Dungeons & Dragons’ 5th editionrefers to its multiverse as the planes of existence. Most stories and campaigns take place on the Material Plane, includingBaldur’s Gate, though it is sometimes referred to as the Physical or Prime Material Plane. The Material Plane is the core of the planes of existence, with all other planes being defined by their relationship to the Material Plane.
The Feywild and Shadowfellare two parallel dimensions to the Material Plane and are therefore often referred to as Mirror Planes. Since they exist on the same level as the Material Plane, their appearances are seemingly similar, though they present a more mystical or twisted version of the plane most heroes are familiar with.
Surrounding these three dimensionsare the Ethereal and Astral Planes. These featureless realms are called Transitive Planes as they primarily act as liminal spaces during travel. For example, a player that casts etherealness or astral projection can enter these planes to explore these dimensions or travel beyond.
Enveloping these Transitive Planesare the Inner Planes, sometimes referred to as the four Elemental Planes, as each dimension is tied to either earth, wind, fire, or air. Even beyond these realities are the Outer Planes, which house deities. The Outer Planes are inherently abstract and time has no meaning across the dimensions. This is similar to the Astral Plane or Sea, which separates the Inner and Outer Planes and acts as a graveyard for gods. Additionally, the Outer Planes are divided into the Upper and Lower Planes based on alignment. Creatures with good natures reside in the Upper Planes, while creatures with more evil alignments reside in the Lower Planes.
Baldur’s Gate is Unafraid to Explore the Planes of Existence
Several of these dimensions have been explored or discussed over the course ofBaldur’s Gate. Namely,Githyanki are warriorsof the Astral Plane. As one of the main companions inBaldur’s Gate 3, Lae’zel acted as a key tie to the dimension. The game’s plot also forces players to explore the Astral Plane several times in Act 2 and Act 3, with combat even breaking out in some instances. This sets a precedent for planar exploration inBaldur’s Gateinstallments moving forward. Similarly to the Astral Plane, Shadowfell has a key plot connection toBaldur’s Gate3. Players enter the dark region as they try to either kill or save the Nightsong.
Other planes included in the franchise are the Elemental Plane of Air (Baldur’s Gate II: Shadow of Amn) and the Nine Hells (bothBaldur’s Gate 2and3),with Avernus specifically having relevancein the franchise’s latest installment. The Elemental Plane of Air is manifested in Irenicus’ Dungeon inBaldur’s Gate 2, meaning players don’t literally travel to the Elemental Planes in the game. However, the Hells hold a much more concrete relationship to the franchise inBaldur’s Gate 3with players engaging in combat with Raphael in his House of Hope in Act 3. The House of Hope is located in Avernus, which is also Karlach’s home.
The easiest option for the nextBaldur’s Gateventure would be to keep focusing on the Hells and aspects of the Prime Material Plane. Expanding the lore of the Hells would beef up Karlach, Wyll, and Mizora’s storylines and could feature references to theBaldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernusmodule. Including Shadowfell would obviously tie into Shadowheart’s storyline. Even the Feywild feels like an easy way out, as hags, like Auntie Ethel, are a dominant species there. Instead, the nextBaldur’s Gateinstallment should focus on the mysterious Outer Planes.
How Baldur’s Gate Could Explore the Planes of Existence Even Further
There are seventeen Outer Planes inDungeons & Dragons5th edition. Some of these realms, likethe aforementioned Nine Hells, Limbo, Elysium, and Pandemonium, have fairly discernible methods of being included inBaldur’s Gate 4. If this next installment really wants to stand out, it needs to dive deeper.
Mechanus
The Clockwork Nirvana ofMechanus falls under a lawful neutral alignment. This is baked into the very fabric of the realm, as everything is equal in the realm, such as amounts of light and dark, heat and cold, etc. Mechanus’ environment also lives up to its name as the realm is made up of country-sized circular interlocking gears. Modrons, and Maruts are native to the mechanical realm.
These creatures could act as great enemies for combat.Baldur’s Gate 3set a precedent for mechanical creatures as combatants duringAct 3 with the Steel Watch. While Modrons and Maruts obviously wouldn’t feature the same exact mechanics, a twist on the Steel Watch could call back to preexisting game play while still requiring some puzzle solving. Mechanus could also act as an excuse for the artificer class to be officially introduced into the franchise.
Carceri
Carceri, also known as Tarterus, is another plane that could be explored. The plane resides between chaotic and neutral evil and is situated in between the Lower Planes of Hades and the Abyss. Because of its location,Carceri acts as a plane of contention between demonsand devils.
This makes Carceri the perfect alternative to returning to the Nine Hells. Like the Hells, Carceri is a multifaceted Plane, with six layers instead of the Hells’ nine regions. Game play would likely be kept to the first layer of Carceri, Othrys, as the layer is accessible via the Astral Plane. WithBaldur’s Gate 3already establishing planar travelthrough the Astral Plane, including Othrys specifically feels realistic. The layer also has portals to the Abyss, Hades, and the Concordant Opposition, which opens doors to even more Outer Planes to explore.
Despite anotherBaldur’s Gateinstallmentseeming unlikely, the franchise has plenty of source material to explore if it ever returns. Until that fateful day, players should explore beyond the Material Plane as much as possible inBaldur’s Gate 3.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
