You say "Astarion backstory" and I'll show you a very Long list of fanfics, but for anyone who's already exhausted that catalog: today is a big day. An official Astarion prequel novel is arriving this September to satisfy our cravings for more drama. To make things even better, Neil Newbon will be recording the audiobook version himself.

Inside the Astarion Prequel Novel

As reported by Polygon, Wizards of the Coast and Random House Worlds have announced a partnership to publish four projects centered around the game's immersive lore and unforgettable characters. This lineup begins with Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion, though the other three projects include a cookbook, a coloring book, and a journal. The partners also plan for more collaborations to be revealed for 2027 and beyond.

Published by Random House Worlds, this Astarion prequel novel takes place prior to the events of the 2023 game. It follows the fan-favorite High Elf during his years of servitude under the vampire lord Cazador Szarr, according to Polygon. To ensure consistency with the game's world-building, Baldur's Gate 3 senior writer Stephen Rooney consulted on the project.

Why T. Kingfisher is the Perfect Choice for this Story

If you need a (spoiler-filled) refresher on his history, you can find it discussed in our interview with Neil Newbon. While seeing a massive RPG get a tie-in novel might initially feel like a "WotC cash grab," that fear disappears when you realize the book is being written by T. Kingfisher.

Kingfisher is a wildly prolific and popular author known for her horror series What Moves The Dead, twisted fairytales like Thornhedge, and romances like the Paladin series. She is the ideal writer for this Astarion prequel novel because her work frequently explores themes of abuse, trauma, and autonomy, all of which are central to Astarion's history.

Even if you haven't played the game, Kingfisher notes that the reading experience will be intense. In her opinion: "The problem here is that if you play BG3, this book is 'wow, it’s the tragic backstory!' If you don’t play it, the book is 'wtf, why did Kingfisher write a book about this vampire being tormented that has such a downer ending?!?'"

Upcoming Baldur's Gate 3 Merchandise

Beyond the novel, Random House and Wizards have announced several other releases for this year:

  • July 21: Baldur’s Gate 3: The Necromancy of Thay — a blank notebook recreation of the in-game item.
  • Summer: The Official Baldur's Gate 3 Coloring Book — featuring 40 black & white illustrations by Jaki King.
  • November 3: A Feast for a Tenday: The Official Baldur’s Gate Cookbook — containing 65 recipes by Andrew Wheeler.

If you haven't played the game yet, you have plenty of time to finish an Honour Mode run before September arrives.