The House of Hope is one of the most intriguing and mysterious locations in Baldur’s Gate 3, often associated with dark bargains, powerful entities, and moral dilemmas. As players journey through the game’s sprawling world filled with gods, demons, and shifting realms, many find themselves wondering about the House of Hope’s true location. Is the House of Hope in Avernus? To answer that, one must dig deep into the lore, observe the environment, and understand the nature of devils and their domains. The answer isn’t simple, but it is rooted in the layers of the multiverse that shape the entire setting of the game.
Understanding the Planes in Baldur’s Gate 3
What Is Avernus?
Avernus is the first layer of the Nine Hells, a fiery battlefield where devils clash in the endless Blood War against demons. It is a scorched wasteland, riddled with rivers of lava, rusting war machines, and suffering souls. Avernus serves as the gateway to deeper levels of Hell and is governed by archdevils who constantly seek power and souls.
This infernal realm is significant not only in Baldur’s Gate 3 but also in broader Dungeons & Dragons lore. It’s a place of damnation, war, and devilish contracts, and it forms the backdrop of several key storylines, particularly those involving the city of Elturel and the events of Descent into Avernus.
The Role of the House of Hope
In Baldur’s Gate 3, the House of Hope is introduced as the domain of the devil Raphael. It’s an opulent and unsettling place, full of secrets, temptations, and powerful items. It plays a central role in the game’s narrative, especially when it comes to decisions involving soul pacts and moral choices.
Despite its alluring design and beauty, it is still a prison for trapped souls. The House of Hope is not merely a fancy mansion it is a reflection of Raphael’s manipulative and cunning nature, serving as both a seat of power and a trap for the unwary.
Is the House of Hope Located in Avernus?
Geographical and Planar Context
Although Avernus is the first and most accessible of the Nine Hells, there is no definitive in-game confirmation that the House of Hope is physically located within it. What makes this confusing is the overall theme and atmosphere of the House of Hope it shares infernal aesthetics with what one might expect in Avernus: darkness, ominous architecture, and devilish presence. However, upon closer inspection, key environmental clues suggest otherwise.
The House of Hope seems to exist in a separate demi-plane or a pocket dimension, rather than being a structure built directly in Avernus. When players visit the House of Hope, they do so through a portal. This portal is not described as leading directly to Avernus but rather to Raphael’s personal domain. Devils, especially powerful ones like Raphael, often carve out their own sub-realities, spaces that exist adjacent to the core layers of the Nine Hells.
How Devils Operate
In Dungeons & Dragons lore, powerful devils such as archdevils or unique entities often create demiplanes or pocket realms as their personal lairs. These spaces serve as sanctuaries, thrones, and prisons. While they are infernal in nature, they are not bound to the geography of Avernus itself. This aligns with what players observe in the game: the House of Hope is disconnected from the broader war-torn world of Avernus.
Thus, it’s reasonable to conclude that the House of Hope is not located in Avernus, but rather in a private demiplane controlled by Raphael. This demiplane likely touches or reflects the infernal qualities of the Nine Hells but exists on its own layer of reality.
Environmental Differences Between Avernus and the House of Hope
Atmosphere and Visuals
When comparing the visuals of Avernus and the House of Hope, key differences arise. Avernus is characterized by:
- Burning skies and a constant orange-red hue
- War machines, wreckage, and endless battlefields
- Bleak, rocky terrain with rivers of blood and fire
In contrast, the House of Hope is far more elegant and structured. It features:
- Lavish decor, stained glass, and gothic arches
- An eerie calm, as opposed to the chaos of Avernus
- Spatial manipulation, such as floating platforms and magical doors
These differences support the theory that the House of Hope is not truly in Avernus. Instead, it resembles the type of controlled environment a cunning devil like Raphael would build to impress and manipulate his guests.
The Importance of Lore in Determining the Location
Dialogue and NPC Clues
Throughout the game, there are numerous conversations that hint at the nature of the House of Hope. Raphael refers to it as his ‘home’ or ‘domain’ rather than associating it directly with Avernus. He never once mentions that it lies within the first layer of Hell. Additionally, the method of travel through a portal created by ritual or pact suggests movement through planes, not just within a single level of Hell.
Furthermore, characters who are familiar with the Nine Hells make no direct reference connecting the House of Hope to Avernus. This absence is telling. If the location were Avernus, such characters would likely remark upon the danger or familiarity of the environment, especially given the city of Elturel’s history there.
Game Design Perspective
From a design perspective, creating a unique realm like the House of Hope allows developers more freedom than setting it in a pre-established location like Avernus. They can introduce new aesthetics, new rules, and unique story choices that aren’t bound by the expectations of the Nine Hells. This creative freedom benefits both narrative and gameplay.
Not in Avernus, But Still Infernal
While the House of Hope certainly carries the scent of Hell and mirrors the twisted grandeur of the infernal realms, all available evidence points to it not being located in Avernus. Instead, it exists in a separate demiplane created and maintained by Raphael himself. It’s a personalized prison, throne room, and trap, all wrapped in an illusion of grace and charm.
Players exploring Baldur’s Gate 3 should not mistake infernal themes for literal geography. In a world of layered planes and devilish deception, the true location of a domain like the House of Hope is rarely straightforward. So while it may feel like Avernus, the House of Hope stands apart a realm shaped entirely by Raphael’s design, yet fully tied to the dark power and deception of the Nine Hells.