What happens if I let Shadowheart kill Aylin in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let Shadowheart kill Aylin is a pivotal moment in the game's story, particularly in Act 2. This choice has significant consequences for both Shadowheart's personal storyline and the overall narrative. Aylin, also known as Dame Aylin, is a key character tied to the Nightsong, a powerful artifact that plays a central role in the game's plot. Shadowheart, a companion and a cleric of Shar, is deeply connected to this storyline due to her devotion to the goddess of darkness and loss. Allowing Shadowheart to kill Aylin is a choice that aligns with her Sharran faith, but it comes with major repercussions.
To reach this decision point, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the Shadow-Cursed Lands in Act 2. Here, you will encounter the Gauntlet of Shar, a dungeon filled with trials and puzzles that Shadowheart must complete to prove her devotion to Shar. The final trial leads you to the Nightsong, where you discover that it is not an object but a person: Dame Aylin, a celestial being and a daughter of Sel├╗ne, Shar's eternal enemy. This revelation sets up the climactic choice where Shadowheart must decide whether to kill Aylin or spare her.
The mechanics of this choice are tied to dialogue and role-playing. When you reach the Nightsong, Shadowheart will confront Aylin, and the game will present you with dialogue options. To allow Shadowheart to kill Aylin, you must choose dialogue options that encourage her to follow through with her Sharran duty. This typically involves supporting her decision and not trying to persuade her to spare Aylin. The game will then trigger a cutscene where Shadowheart kills Aylin, fulfilling her mission for Shar.
One important tip is to ensure that Shadowheart's approval of you is high enough before this moment. If her approval is low, she may not trust your guidance, and the outcome could differ. Building a strong relationship with Shadowheart through dialogue choices, quests, and actions that align with her beliefs will make it easier to influence her decision. Additionally, if you have been consistently supporting her Sharran faith throughout the game, she will be more likely to follow through with killing Aylin.
A common mistake to avoid is trying to persuade Shadowheart to spare Aylin if you want her to kill her. The game gives you multiple opportunities to influence her decision, and choosing the wrong dialogue options can lead to her sparing Aylin instead. If you want Shadowheart to kill Aylin, you must avoid any dialogue that suggests mercy or questions Shar's will. This requires careful attention to the dialogue choices presented during the confrontation.
From a D&D rules perspective, this moment reflects the alignment and moral choices that are central to the game. Shadowheart's decision to kill Aylin is a reflection of her devotion to Shar, a deity associated with darkness, loss, and secrecy. In D&D terms, this choice aligns with an evil or neutral alignment, depending on how you interpret her motivations. Allowing her to kill Aylin reinforces her commitment to Shar and can lead to her becoming a Dark Justiciar, a powerful servant of Shar. This transformation has significant implications for her character development and abilities.
Advanced techniques for this scenario involve understanding the long-term consequences of your choice. Killing Aylin will have a major impact on the story, particularly in Act 3. Aylin is a powerful ally, and her death removes her from the narrative, potentially making certain challenges more difficult. However, it also solidifies Shadowheart's role as a Dark Justiciar, granting her unique abilities and altering her interactions with other characters. If you are aiming for a specific ending or character arc, this choice can be a key part of your strategy.
In summary, allowing Shadowheart to kill Aylin is a significant story choice that requires careful consideration of dialogue options, character relationships, and long-term consequences. By supporting Shadowheart's Sharran faith and ensuring her approval is high, you can guide her to make this decision. This choice not only impacts Shadowheart's personal storyline but also shapes the broader narrative of Baldur's Gate 3, making it one of the most memorable moments in the game.
To reach this decision point, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the Shadow-Cursed Lands in Act 2. Here, you will encounter the Gauntlet of Shar, a dungeon filled with trials and puzzles that Shadowheart must complete to prove her devotion to Shar. The final trial leads you to the Nightsong, where you discover that it is not an object but a person: Dame Aylin, a celestial being and a daughter of Sel├╗ne, Shar's eternal enemy. This revelation sets up the climactic choice where Shadowheart must decide whether to kill Aylin or spare her.
The mechanics of this choice are tied to dialogue and role-playing. When you reach the Nightsong, Shadowheart will confront Aylin, and the game will present you with dialogue options. To allow Shadowheart to kill Aylin, you must choose dialogue options that encourage her to follow through with her Sharran duty. This typically involves supporting her decision and not trying to persuade her to spare Aylin. The game will then trigger a cutscene where Shadowheart kills Aylin, fulfilling her mission for Shar.
One important tip is to ensure that Shadowheart's approval of you is high enough before this moment. If her approval is low, she may not trust your guidance, and the outcome could differ. Building a strong relationship with Shadowheart through dialogue choices, quests, and actions that align with her beliefs will make it easier to influence her decision. Additionally, if you have been consistently supporting her Sharran faith throughout the game, she will be more likely to follow through with killing Aylin.
A common mistake to avoid is trying to persuade Shadowheart to spare Aylin if you want her to kill her. The game gives you multiple opportunities to influence her decision, and choosing the wrong dialogue options can lead to her sparing Aylin instead. If you want Shadowheart to kill Aylin, you must avoid any dialogue that suggests mercy or questions Shar's will. This requires careful attention to the dialogue choices presented during the confrontation.
From a D&D rules perspective, this moment reflects the alignment and moral choices that are central to the game. Shadowheart's decision to kill Aylin is a reflection of her devotion to Shar, a deity associated with darkness, loss, and secrecy. In D&D terms, this choice aligns with an evil or neutral alignment, depending on how you interpret her motivations. Allowing her to kill Aylin reinforces her commitment to Shar and can lead to her becoming a Dark Justiciar, a powerful servant of Shar. This transformation has significant implications for her character development and abilities.
Advanced techniques for this scenario involve understanding the long-term consequences of your choice. Killing Aylin will have a major impact on the story, particularly in Act 3. Aylin is a powerful ally, and her death removes her from the narrative, potentially making certain challenges more difficult. However, it also solidifies Shadowheart's role as a Dark Justiciar, granting her unique abilities and altering her interactions with other characters. If you are aiming for a specific ending or character arc, this choice can be a key part of your strategy.
In summary, allowing Shadowheart to kill Aylin is a significant story choice that requires careful consideration of dialogue options, character relationships, and long-term consequences. By supporting Shadowheart's Sharran faith and ensuring her approval is high, you can guide her to make this decision. This choice not only impacts Shadowheart's personal storyline but also shapes the broader narrative of Baldur's Gate 3, making it one of the most memorable moments in the game.