Unveiling the Mysteries of Avernus: What You Need to Know about Baldur's Gate 3

This article contains spoilers for Baldur's Gate 3 and the Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus adventure module for Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. Set in the popular Forgotten Realms, Baldur's Gate 3 explores a vast cosmology of hundreds of planes of existence. Among these planes, the Nine Hells stand out as some of the most perilous for mortal beings.

Referred to as circles or layers, the Nine Hells start with the highest circle known as Avernus. Avernus serves as the gateway into the Nine Hells, a place of torment that all who seek passage to the lower circles must endure, including travelers, invaders, petitioners, and condemned souls.

The First Circle of Hell

Avernus, the largest of the Nine Hells, embodies the quintessential image of a hellish realm. Its landscape is dominated by raging volcanoes, desolate and scarred rock, and rivers of blood and lava that flow through vast fortresses drenched in gore. The absence of sunlight and stars is replaced by a perpetually turbulent sky veiled in dark clouds, intermittently illuminated by fiery flashes and an everlasting reddish glow.

Serving as the gateway connecting the Nine Hells and the Abyss, Avernus plays a pivotal role in the never-ending Blood War, the eternal conflict between Devils and Demons. The Lawful Devils and Chaotic Demons have engaged in a relentless struggle for control over their respective domains since time immemorial, ceaselessly sacrificing millions of monsters, soldiers, and slaves. This eternal battle has left its indelible mark on Avernus, with every inch of its land soaked in blood, and the only significant settlements belonging to the expansive fortresses of the Devils.

Although Avernus serves as the primary battleground for the Blood War, commanders on both sides continually seek solutions in other realms to break the permanent stalemate. Skirmishes between Demons and Devils can erupt unexpectedly anywhere, and it is through one of these strategies that the events of Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus unfold. This highly popular adventure module for Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition thoroughly delves into the blood-soaked first circle.

Avernus in Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3's narrative unfolds shortly after Descent into Avernus, immersing players in an unwanted journey to Avernus. Stranded aboard a mind flayer nautiloid, players embark on their first foray into Baldur's Gate 3 while hurtling through the chaotic realm of Avernus. They are relentlessly pursued by both Githyanki dragon-riders and the fierce combatants of the Blood War. Although the tutorial section concludes with the nautiloid's return to the Sword Coast, players will undoubtedly encounter Avernus once again.

In Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus, the descent refers to the tragic fall of Elturel, a holy city on the Sword Coast that was dragged into the hellish plane of Avernus by the cunning Archdevil Zariel. Although Elturel has been returned to the surface before the events of Baldur's Gate 3, its Tiefling residents have been exiled from the city due to their demonic lineage. In Act 1 of the game, players will come across a large group of these Tiefling refugees and have the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of Elturel's descent into Avernus.

Shortly after, players will have a chance to delve deeper into the mysteries of Avernus through their encounters with Karlach, a Tiefling Barbarian and one of Baldur's Gate 3's Origin characters. Karlach, who was once a slave-champion serving Zariel in the Blood War, saw the arrival of the nautiloid as an opportunity to escape her life of servitude and the ceaseless violence of Avernus. Despite being implanted with a tadpole in the process, she managed to successfully flee. However, in the mortal realm, she remains pursued by Zariel's vengeful agents. As players build a closer relationship with Karlach and fulfill her personal quests, they will gain a deeper understanding of Avernus and the horrifying nature of the Blood War.

Baldur's Gate 3 is out now for PC with a PS5 version coming September 6. An Xbox version of the game is also in development.