Refined over years of Early Access, Baldur's Gate 3 comes with three massive acts chronicling the events of an Illithid invasion set firmly within the lore of the Forgotten Realms. Bringing more attention to the setting and the game of Dungeons and Dragons with its popularity, Baldur's Gate 3 has even inspired some players to venture into the tabletop experience for the first time with a module of its namesake.

The plethora of campaign modules available for Dungeons and Dragons’ fifth edition can make getting into the TTRPG a daunting prospect for newcomers, but one adventure has direct ties to BG3. Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus is a 2019 module that focuses on the titular city and its relationship to the fall of Elturel into the first layer of the Nine Hells. This adventure appears to be the perfect transition from the video game to the table on paper, but it isn't universally beloved within the Dungeons and Dragons community. With some enhancements from the DM, however, it can still be a great experience for new and experienced players alike.

How Descent into Avernus Connects to Baldur's Gate 3

The Lower City of Baldur’s Gate 3 is sure to be one of its most memorable late game areas for most players, but Descent into Avernus approaches it differently. Intended for beginning at Level 1 in the city, Descent sees its players uncovering secrets as they get through the early part of a campaign. Fans of BG3 will recognize the cultists of the Dead Three that attack the citizens, but the mention of the missing Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard obviously ties into the story of Wyll later on. The truth of Elturel’s fall into Avernus is eventually revealed as the party is guided out of Baldur’s Gate and into the Nine Hells, but this sequence is generally seen to have some problems.

While it is an engaging setting in its own right, many players and DMs alike have expressed that the Baldur’s Gate section of Descent into Avernus ultimately feels inconsequential. Essentially a rather roundabout exposition and leveling portion, it really only serves to set up the actual focus of the module in Avernus. The core worldbuilding and atmosphere of the city are strong enough that some have even recommended running an entire modified campaign in Baldur’s Gate alone, meanwhile parties more interested in Avernus can choose to start the adventure around Level 5 and bypass the city entirely.

Descent into Avernus Can Bring the Best out of DMs

The true quality section of the module, the titular Avernus can offer a compelling adventure that brings the archdevil Zariel to the forefront. Players of BG3 may recognize that name from the emotional backstory of Karlach, a soldier who suffered under the archdevil’s control. While her fate may be sealed by the time of the game’s story, Zariel’s arc can be heavily influenced by the players of Descent. If a table’s DM is able to present the module in an engaging fashion through emphasizing its sandbox nature and narrative strengths with outside resources like “The Alexandrian Remix”, Descent into Avernus can stand on its own and potentially provide months of fun.

It may not have the most unanimously positive reception among fans of the tabletop, but Descent is still one of the best introductions a BG3 player could ask for. Providing context for BG3's Tiefling refugees and the troubled backstories of two companions, it acts as a strong prequel to the story of Baldur’s Gate 3 despite its shortcomings. With the right Dungeon Master handling its delivery, however, Descent into Avernus is capable of reaching comparable quality to some of fifth edition’s best modules.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available now for PC and PS5, with Xbox Series X/S versions also in development.

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