The continued triumph of Baldur’s Gate 3 can, in part, be attributed to Larian Studios’ daring to experiment with the elements of the Forgotten Realms, stepping beyond the conventional fantasy archetypes. This bold direction has opened up exciting new possibilities for future titles in the franchise to explore. By diving into an illithid crisis and the recently conceived lore of the Dead Three, alongside a colorful tapestry of factions integrated into the story and characters, Baldur’s Gate 3 proves the series can venture beyond the familiar Bhaalspawn legacy. Baldur’s Gate 4 could certainly pick up and explore many of these open narrative threads, but there’s even greater potential in taking the franchise on a different path, perhaps stretching beyond the city limits of Baldur’s Gate into the shadowy expanse of Thay.
Though the Red Wizards of Thay don’t take center stage in BG3’s broader storyline, they’re intriguing figures in the tapestry of Faerun’s political landscape. Cited sporadically like other cult-like groups within the game’s universe, these enigmatic spellcasters come from a rich background intertwined with the history of Dungeons and Dragons. While they might initially strike one as stereotypically malevolent, the complexity of their past over many years makes them perfect candidates for a fresh, innovative take on the CRPG model pioneered by Baldur’s Gate.
The Red Wizards offer a fascinating backdrop steeped in conquest, civil strife, and the long reach of lichdom under Szass Tam’s rule. Originally forming a magocratic elite, these necromancers saw their organized society fracture under the influence of power struggles and the dark ambitions of Szass Tam, who once seized control and transformed into a lich. This coup led to the recruitment of undead rulers, setting the stage for the widespread use of undead labor in Thay.
As Tam’s control intensified, many Red Wizards who opposed him were forced into exile, where they carved out reputations as skilled arcane merchants. The rebel Thayan Resurrection would later rise, capturing the imaginations of those familiar with the setting and illustrating the deep mythos within the Forgotten Realms.
Examining the Red Wizards in-depth provides a ripe opportunity for a Baldur’s Gate spin-off entirely devoted to their complexities. Their lack of direct ties to Baldur’s Gate itself makes them ideal candidates for a standalone narrative. Whether this story unfolds in the vibrant city of Athkatla or within the territories of Thay itself, it could echo the successes of BG3 while blazing its own trail with a unique roster of characters. Thanks to the cinematic introduction of Sofina, a villain shrouded in intrigue in the “Honor Among Thieves” movie, the Red Wizards have risen in profile, offering fertile ground for major narrative roles and dynamic character arcs.
Exploring these possibilities, players might take on roles within the Red Wizards themselves, navigating internal conflicts and external pressures that foster deep moral and emotional layers. Characters like the rule-bound Edwin Odesserion from the earlier Baldur’s Gate games exemplify the rich storytelling potential involved with such a faction. Investigating the fractured order of the Red Wizards promises compelling personal and ideological narratives, pushing the series to further explore the human elements at its heart.
Baldur’s Gate 3, released on August 3, 2023, with its cutting-edge Divinity 4.0 engine, has set a high bar for storytelling and player engagement, spotlighting the intricacies of character interactions against the sprawling landscape of the Forgotten Realms. As the series continues to expand and reinterpret the fantastical realms it inhabits, the potential for engaging new stories seems limitless, even welcoming players to join the enigmatic and morally intricate world of the Red Wizards of Thay.
