I know you want to capitalize on the phenomenal success of BG3 (for good reason!), which you didn’t see coming (also understandable). I know Larian isn’t planning to move forward and that deal doesn’t seem to be yielding much for you directly, but you DO own the rights to these characters and story, and I KNOW several of the voice actors from BG3 are working with you to promote the 2024 D&D build.

As a major fan of both your game and BG3, as well as a long-time author and designer for you, I have a multi-pronged pitch.

Hear me out.

1) Publish fiction starring the companion characters from BG3.

Not a novelization of the game itself. We know that can be dicey for an RPG, especially one where the player/reader’s experience can vary so widely. But the companion characters have discreet personalities, backstories, and characterization, and people LOVE them.

Also, hire the voice actors to read the stories about their characters. Neil Newborn won awards for his portrayal of Astarion, and we know he’s down to portray the character more. Even better, commission an ensemble piece and have it read by a full cast, including the amazing Amelia Tyler as the narrator.

Commission this work from your own long-time authors and fans of the game. Contact masterful tie-in writers like Rosemary Jones, Jaleigh Johnson, Joe Carriker, ED GREENWOOD, oh, and yours truly, Erik Scott de Bie. Our rates are very reasonable.

I would nail a Shadowheart story. You know I would.

2) Publish “Out of the Hells” (working title): a high-level (13-20) follow-up adventure to Descent into Avernus and Baldur’s Gate 3.

Cap off this epic trilogy of stories with the PCs taking the fight to Zariel the way BG3 didn’t let them. The community is DYING for a finale to Karlach’s story, and Larian seems to be leaving that on the table for you. Snatch it up.

Specifically, after the downfall of Raphael, Astarion’s infernal scarification brand sees him dragged to Avernus and imprisoned by Zariel. There, Karlach and Wyll, blade of Avernus, bust in to rescue him as part of their campaign against Zariel. (Yes, I have damseled Astarion. Neil would KILL it.)

Also, Avernus has no sun, so that whole vampire thing still works for him there. 🙂

Provide options for the players to produce original PCs for the adventure OR play the companion characters from the game, which plenty of people will want to do. Heck, you already have their character sheets on D&D Beyond. This is literally an hour of work each to update them to a higher level.

I would, of course, like to work on this campaign, but I also recommend a number of extremely talented designers/editors you should reach out to, including veteran designers Eytan Bernstein, Robert J Schwalb, Joseph D. Carriker, Jennifer Kretchmer, Ari Marmell, and many others who would do SUCH GOOD WORK here.

(And yes, I acknowledge that you’ve released a follow-up hell-based adventure called CHAINS OF ASMODEUS to limited fanfare and mixed reviews. I don’t mean to replace or ignore that adventure. I’m presenting a different idea to capitalize on BG3’s popularity. Lean into the game’s story and create an indispensable follow-up!)

In conclusion:

Not only will these two ideas produce EXCELLENT art that brings a LOT of happiness to a LOT of your fanbase, earning you a considerable amount of good will, but both of these will make you LOTS of money.

It is literally a win-win-win for everyone.

Thank you for your consideration! Best of luck.

Erik de Bie
Author, Game Designer, Lifelong D&D Geek