When Nathaniel dies, instead of being dismissed, Bartimaeus goes to the afterlife with him. When he sees someone he loves, he isn't as happy as you might think. Takes place after The Gate of Ptolemy. Ptolemy/Bartimaeus, also a bit of Nathaniel/Kitty.

Yes, you can start reading at Part III. You'll only miss out on learning why the giant ranger protagonist is romancing Xzar, why Edwin and Imoen keep /snuggling/, why Xan and Branwen are so adorable, and who the hell told Viconia and Ajantis they were in charge of keeping each other from party infighting. Lots of dark violence and cute bonding moments, ahoy! [Hiatus]

Baldur's Gate, IN SPACE. Lionstone XIV, the Empress, rules as a tyrant from the Iron Throne. The warrior Ourawang, daughter of Bhaal, seeks to overthrow her, but not without help from a cyberrat, an esper, a thug, and a mad terrorist. Fusion crossover with Simon R. Green's Deathstalker series. Don't need to know canon.