It’s never been a better time to revisit Faerun in the Forgotten Realms than it is now in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. This is largely thanks to two new books, Adventures in Faerun and Heroes of Faerun, recently published by Wizards of the Coast that explore that exact region. If the name sounds familiar, it’s also because it’s the same area that Larian Studios’ game Baldur’s Gate 3 takes place in.
Let’s break down the Heroes of Faerun, which sells for $49.99 (physical). There’s a lot to unpack in just this one alone. In short, it comes with the following: 8 subclasses, over 50 new player options, an in-depth guide to how Faerun functions, and a large map of Faerun. Players may notice Karlach and Minsc on the cover right off the bat.
This book really leans into Baldur’s Gate 3. Here you’ll find various snippets of lore from all sorts of characters from the game, and even some new original art. This was something I found extremely enjoyable because, like a lot of other players, I have spent a lot of time getting lost in Baldur’s Gate 3. If you’ve ever been curious about what other gods or factions are running around in the area, then Heroes of Faerun has you covered on that front. A nice bonus is that it’s packed with all sorts of magical items that you should absolutely be bugging your DM (Dungeon Master) for in your next session.
Now, let’s quickly look into the Adventures of Faerun. This book sells for $59.99 (physical). This one is a bit beefier than the other, and that’s because it’s mainly meant for DMs. Inside the book, you’ll find the following info on all sorts of stuff, which includes: low-level adventures, five campaign backdrops, 51 mini campaigns, 39 monster and villain stat sheets, 51 illustrated maps, and tips on how to navigate through Faerun.
As a DM, it’s hard not to love this book because it comes with so much valuable info. One of the things I really appreciate is how it’s so packed with mundane info that really makes the world pop. This is especially helpful because nothing hurts more than when a player asks a simple question about something I never even thought of. It has just about everything laid out similar to Heroes of Faerun; it tells you everything you need to know about a city, how it functions, and what they love/hate. It does a lot of the heavy lifting for you so that you can just jump right into whatever story you’re trying to tell.
If you’re someone like me who writes a lot of homebrew stories, this is a great way to find inspiration and cherry-pick what you like, really making it your own. Since every chapter is broken off into different regions, it makes doing that so much easier, and even if you do get stuck, the DM’s Toolbox may answer whatever leftover questions you may have.
All in all, both of these books are great. With Faerun being as popular as it is right now, I can’t think of a reason why a D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) fan wouldn’t want to look into these books. On the player side, they give you some great info on lots of powerful items and factions you should be keeping your eye out for, and on the DM side, they really help make the world you and your players are in more alive.
