What happens if I let the Shadow Curse consume Last Light Inn in Baldur's Gate 3?

If you allow the Shadow Curse to consume Last Light Inn in Baldur's Gate 3, the consequences are severe and far-reaching, impacting both the story and your party. The Shadow Curse is a malevolent force that spreads darkness and corruption, and Last Light Inn is one of the few safe havens in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Letting the curse consume it will drastically alter the game's narrative and your interactions with key characters.

To achieve this outcome, you must fail to protect Isobel, the cleric who maintains the protective barrier around Last Light Inn. Isobel is a key figure in the story, and her survival is directly tied to the safety of the inn and its inhabitants. If she dies or is captured, the barrier falls, and the Shadow Curse will consume the area. HereÔÇÖs how this can happen:

First, you need to reach Act 2 and progress the story until you arrive at Last Light Inn. This is a critical location where many refugees and important NPCs, including Jaheira, are gathered. Isobel is found in the innÔÇÖs upper floor, and she is the source of the magical barrier that keeps the Shadow Curse at bay. Shortly after meeting her, the inn will be attacked by Marcus, a winged horror working for the Absolute. Marcus will attempt to kidnap Isobel, and you must defend her.

To let the Shadow Curse consume the inn, you must either fail to protect Isobel during this attack or choose not to intervene. If Marcus succeeds in capturing her, the barrier will collapse, and the Shadow Curse will immediately spread throughout the area. This will result in the death or transformation of most NPCs at the inn, including Jaheira, who will turn into a shadow-cursed undead if she is not in your party. The inn will become a hostile environment, and you will lose access to its services and quests.

There are a few strategies to ensure this outcome. One approach is to simply not engage in the fight against Marcus. If you avoid combat or fail to protect Isobel, the barrier will fall. Alternatively, you can actively side with Marcus by attacking Isobel yourself or allowing him to take her without resistance. This will also result in the barrier collapsing.

Important tips and considerations include understanding the consequences of your actions. Letting the Shadow Curse consume Last Light Inn will lock you out of several quests and storylines, including those involving Jaheira and other NPCs who rely on the innÔÇÖs safety. Additionally, this choice will make the Shadow-Cursed Lands even more dangerous, as you will lose a key safe zone. If you are playing a morally ambiguous or evil character, this might align with your roleplay, but it will significantly alter the gameÔÇÖs narrative.

Common mistakes to avoid include accidentally saving Isobel if you intend to let the curse consume the inn. Be cautious during the fight with Marcus, as even a single successful attack on him can turn the tide in IsobelÔÇÖs favor. If you want to ensure the barrier falls, avoid using powerful crowd-control spells or abilities that could incapacitate Marcus or protect Isobel.

Advanced techniques or optimizations involve planning your party composition and abilities to minimize interference in the fight. For example, avoid bringing characters with healing spells or protective abilities that could inadvertently save Isobel. You can also position your party away from the action to reduce the chances of accidentally engaging Marcus.

In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the Shadow Curse operates similarly to environmental hazards in the tabletop game. It represents a persistent threat that requires specific conditions or magic to counteract. IsobelÔÇÖs barrier functions like a powerful ward spell, and its collapse is akin to losing a protective enchantment in a dangerous area.

Specific examples and scenarios include the immediate aftermath of the barrier falling. The once-safe inn will be overrun by shadow-cursed creatures, and any NPCs who were relying on the barrier for protection will be lost. This includes Dammon, the tiefling blacksmith, who plays a key role in KarlachÔÇÖs companion quest. If he dies, KarlachÔÇÖs storyline will be significantly impacted.

In summary, letting the Shadow Curse consume Last Light Inn is a major story choice with profound consequences. It requires failing to protect Isobel or actively allowing her capture, leading to the collapse of the protective barrier and the spread of the curse. This decision will alter the narrative, lock you out of certain quests, and make the Shadow-Cursed Lands even more perilous. Plan carefully and consider the long-term implications before proceeding.