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Baldur’s Gate 3’s Astarion Is Getting an Official Prequel Novel
Wizards of the Coast has partnered with Random House Worlds to expand the lore of Baldur's Gate 3, the acclaimed 2023 D&D role-playing game, through a new line of tie-in books. The first release is a prequel novel focused on the fan-favourite vampire character Astarion, part of a wider push that shows the game's popularity continuing to grow well beyond its original release.
Baldur's Gate 3: Astarion is written by bestselling fantasy author T. Kingfisher and arrives on 29 September, exploring the character's years enslaved to the vampire lord Cazador Szarr before the events of the game; the game's senior writer Stephen Rooney advised on lore consistency, and an audiobook will be narrated by Neil Newbon, who won a Game Award for voicing Astarion. Random House Worlds plans four titles in the initiative during 2026, with further books already published or upcoming, including a notebook replica of an in-game item, an official colouring book, and a cookbook due on 3 November. This follows HBO's February announcement of a Baldur's Gate television series from Craig Mazin, underlining the franchise's continued momentum across media.
In short
- Astarion prequel novel by T. Kingfisher out 29 September, with audiobook.
- Part of a new Wizards of the Coast/Random House Worlds book collaboration.
- Follows a colouring book, notebook and cookbook, plus HBO's planned TV series.
Explained simply
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a role-playing game set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, where players guide a group of characters through a fantasy adventure. Astarion is one of the companions they can meet: an elf vampire who has spent years under the control of Cazador Szarr.
The game was developed by Larian Studios and released in 2023, drawing on a setting and characters owned by Wizards of the Coast. Its success has led to more Baldur’s Gate books and other products, as well as plans for a television series. These adaptations let the franchise reach audiences beyond the game itself.
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