What happens if I let Shadowheart kill Aylin in Baldur's Gate 3?

In Baldur's Gate 3, Shadowheart's personal questline revolves around her devotion to Shar, the goddess of darkness and loss. One of the pivotal moments in her story occurs when she is faced with the decision to kill Aylin, the daughter of Sel├╗ne, Shar's eternal enemy. Allowing Shadowheart to kill Aylin has significant consequences for her character, your relationship with her, and the overall story. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of what happens and how to navigate this situation.

To reach the point where Shadowheart can kill Aylin, you must first progress through her personal questline. This involves finding the Nightsong in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, which is tied to the main story. The Nightsong is revealed to be Aylin, an immortal being and a key figure in the conflict between Shar and Sel├╗ne. When you finally confront Aylin in the Shadowfell, Shadowheart will be faced with a critical choice: to kill Aylin and fully embrace SharÔÇÖs teachings or to spare her and potentially turn away from Shar.

If you choose to let Shadowheart kill Aylin, she will undergo a significant transformation. This act solidifies her commitment to Shar, and she will gain new abilities and powers as a result. Specifically, Shadowheart will receive the Dark Justiciar class, which enhances her combat capabilities and grants her unique spells and abilities tied to SharÔÇÖs domain. This choice also deepens her connection to Shar, making her more resolute in her faith and more willing to carry out SharÔÇÖs will.

However, this decision comes with consequences. AylinÔÇÖs death will anger certain characters and factions, particularly those aligned with Sel├╗ne. This can lead to conflicts and alter the dynamics of your party. For example, if you have other companions who are sympathetic to Sel├╗ne or oppose Shar, they may disapprove of your decision, potentially leading to tension or even their departure from the party. Additionally, AylinÔÇÖs death removes a powerful ally from the story, which could impact your ability to resolve certain conflicts later in the game.

To ensure that Shadowheart kills Aylin, you must support her decision during the dialogue and cutscene in the Shadowfell. This involves choosing dialogue options that encourage her to follow through with SharÔÇÖs will. ItÔÇÖs important to note that ShadowheartÔÇÖs approval of you plays a role in this decision. If she has high approval, she will be more likely to listen to your guidance. Conversely, if her approval is low, she may resist your influence and make a different choice.

One common mistake players make is not fully understanding the implications of this decision. Killing Aylin locks Shadowheart into a specific path, and there is no turning back. If you are unsure about the long-term consequences, it may be wise to save your game before making this choice so you can explore both outcomes. Additionally, some players may not realize that ShadowheartÔÇÖs approval rating can influence her decision, so itÔÇÖs important to build a strong relationship with her throughout the game.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing ShadowheartÔÇÖs build to take full advantage of her new abilities as a Dark Justiciar. This includes selecting spells and feats that complement her enhanced powers, such as those that deal necrotic damage or manipulate darkness. You can also use her new abilities to control the battlefield, such as casting Darkness to obscure enemy vision or using her enhanced melee capabilities to deal significant damage in close combat.

From a D&D rules perspective, ShadowheartÔÇÖs transformation into a Dark Justiciar aligns with the concept of a character undergoing a significant alignment shift. In traditional D&D, this would involve a change from a neutral or good alignment to an evil one, reflecting her deeper commitment to Shar. This shift can impact her interactions with other characters and the world, as well as her eligibility for certain spells and abilities tied to her new alignment.

In summary, allowing Shadowheart to kill Aylin is a major decision that shapes her character and the story. It grants her powerful new abilities but also comes with significant consequences. To achieve this outcome, support her decision in the Shadowfell, ensure her approval is high, and be prepared for the long-term impacts on your party and the story. By understanding the mechanics and implications, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your desired playthrough.