Baldur’s Gate 3features a brief cameo from a character who not all players may be familiar with, but is an icon in theDungeons and Dragonsfranchise capable of leading a title of his own. There are several figures from the media of the wider Forgotten Realms who appear throughout the game, but few could ever hope to compare to the wizard Elminster Aumar. While it initially seemed outlandish that his appearance in a modern title likeBaldur’s Gate 3could set the tone for an entire spin-off focused on Elminster, Larian Studios’ departure from the IP might make this kind of paradigm shift one of the best directions to takeDnDin terms of gaming.
Baldur’s Gate4is apparently on the way, but Larian is confirmed to be done with the franchise for the foreseeable future. It’s going to be up to a different studio to build on that foundation, but leaving that format alone in favor of fresh ideas could be a better course than attempting to emulate the magic ofBG3. Elminster has the potential to be one of the most compelling protagonists out of the existing characters in the universe if a new game ends up ditching character creation, an unlikely but creatively exciting prospect.
Elminster Aumar’s Rich Source Material Offers Several Routes for a Spin-Off
Becoming an Agent of Mystra
He’s known as a legendary sage who is well over a millennium old, but there are stories of Elminster which also chronicle his journey towards attaining his power. Before becoming a mythical figure, Elminster was a street brigand who hated mages, which changed when he was visited bythe deity Mystra. He then underwent his training while transformed into a woman named Elmara, emerging as a man once again after years in that state. There’s no shortage of inspiration to pull from in terms of crafting a playable narrative out of this origin story.
Playing as One of the Forgotten Realms’ Most Powerful Magic Users
Primarily known for his multitude of adventures and presence during several key events in theDungeons and Dragonstimeline, Elminster is strongly associated with a goddess whose own experiences have reached a cosmic scale.Previous Elminster Aumar cameos inBaldur’s Gatetitles have alluded to this through his display of some seemingly omniscient traits, but playing as him could involve a level of spectacle hardly seen in typical RPG progression.
An Elminster Game Could Benefit from Discarding Baldur’s Gate 3’s Formula
Recapturing the Magic of Titles like Planescape: Torment with BG3’s Gameplay
Fans of the triumphs ofBaldur’s Gate 3might be disappointed with an Elminster game that features less customization, but it also has the opportunity to call back to a hit release which also had a set protagonist.Planescape: Torment’s acclaimed storyhas been regarded as one of the best in gaming by some players, and this is due in part to the strength of being able to write around a pre-defined player character. Being locked in as a wizard has its limitations, but it also allows for possibilities like a streamlined focus on turn-based combat thatBG3proved can be appealing to a wide demographic.
Leaning into the Strengths of a New Studio
While all the inherent differences an Elminster spin-off comes with could risk alienating some CRPG fans, future games finding a unique identity under an already-iconic character arguably has even more of a chance of expanding the audience forDnDmaterial as a whole. Between his beginnings and many different outings across the franchise, there’s easily enough material to inspire an entire Elminster trilogy and beyond.Baldur’s Gate 3has made its players aware of severalfaces from the Forgotten Realms, and Elminster Aumar is just one aspect of its lore that is waiting to be explored further.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
