Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3has become one of the biggest games of the year, and developer Larian Studios' passion for adapting the Forgotten Realms has played an important role in its success. Even with several expansive maps that are dense with handcrafted content, the titular city of Baldur’s Gate is the highlight of the game for many players. Exploring the Lower City in Act 3 is one ofBaldur’s Gate 3’s most impressive parts, and a future expansion from Larian could find a similar appeal in another one ofDungeons and Dragons’ famous cities.
The Forgotten Realms’ take on the dark elf archetype, the Drow, has risen to prominence like never before due to their presence inBaldur’s Gate 3. Minthara, the evil Paladin companion along with several other NPCs and even the option for custom characters to be the race represent a lesser-known side of the world, andBG3’s Underdarktakes this even further. The home of the Drow, the Underdark is a massive subterranean region beneath Faerun. One of the most atmospheric areas inBG3, but only a small part of it is seen in the game. As discussions of potential DLC content have started to build, the Underdark’s capital city of Menzoberranzan could be the perfect fit for a new setting.
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Menzoberranzan in the Forgotten Realms
With deep ties to the race of the Drow that built it,the city of Menzoberranzanhas conventions that defy the typical standards of surface-dwellers. Centered around the worship of the spider goddess Lolth, the entire city is dedicated to serving her, as evident through the spiderweb motif that honors her throughout. A twisted society of royal houses and deception, Menzoberranzan’s culture is in line with the naturally evil alignment that most Drow possess. With House Baenre in power for much of its history, the city even holds a direct connection toBaldur’s Gate 3.
Players who delved into her lore are sure to already know her origin, but the companion Minthara is actually a Baenre herself. Far from her home in brutal nobility, her deep connections to Menzoberranzan show in her more tender dialogue. A setting that would have huge implications for just one party member that most players are likely to have killed may seem to be an unlikely prospect when it comes to DLC, butMinthara’s status inBG3also makes her the character most in need of further development.
Menzoberranzan DLC is a Natural Fit for Baldur’s Gate 3
Beyond the development it provides for the Drow of the game, Menzoberranzan is still an impressive example of an alternative civilization to the likes of other major Forgotten Realms locations. The surreal and dark nature of the city showcases a striking contrast to even the bloodier side of Baldur’s Gate, and it could offer the perfect chance to expand uponBG3’s evil choices. In a place that essentially encourages lawful evil behavior as its norm, Menzoberranzan could finally provide more for darker characters that can end up missing out on a lot of content.
Locations like the cities of Waterdeep and Athkatla are all settings worth exploring in a new adventure, but Menzoberranzan has the unique advantage of being an expansion on an existing aspect of the game. The Duergar in the Grymforge to the Deep Gnomes encountered across the map are some of the most memorable NPCs inBG3, and exploring the Underdark’s capital could bring these races to the forefront along with the Drow. With a rich history established across many years ofDungeons and Dragonslore, Menzoberranzan could be the best setting for aBaldur’s Gate 3expansionno matter what direction Larian takes with it.
Baldur’s Gate 3is available for PC and PS5. A version for Xbox Series X|S is currently in development.
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