How do I trigger Shadowheart's personal quest in Baldur's Gate 3?

Shadowheart's personal quest in Baldur's Gate 3, titled "The Chosen of Shar," is a significant part of her character arc and involves uncovering her mysterious past and her connection to the goddess Shar. To trigger and progress this quest, you need to build a strong relationship with Shadowheart, make specific story choices, and explore key locations in the game. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, to trigger Shadowheart's personal quest, you need to recruit her early in the game. She can be found on the Nautiloid ship during the prologue, and if you miss her there, she will appear near the Ravaged Beach after the crash. Recruiting her is straightforwardÔÇösimply talk to her and agree to let her join your party. Once sheÔÇÖs in your group, youÔÇÖll need to build her approval by making choices that align with her values. Shadowheart favors pragmatism, secrecy, and a certain level of ruthlessness. Avoid being overly altruistic or revealing too much about yourself, as this can lower her approval.

As you progress through Act 1, Shadowheart will occasionally share bits of her backstory during camp conversations. Pay attention to these moments, as they provide clues about her connection to Shar and her mysterious artifact. To advance her quest, youÔÇÖll need to reach the Goblin Camp and the Shattered Sanctum. During your exploration, youÔÇÖll encounter a group of Absolute cultists who are searching for a "relic." Shadowheart will reveal that she is carrying this relic, which is central to her quest. This revelation is a key moment in her story and will set the stage for further developments.

In Act 2, Shadowheart's quest becomes more prominent as you enter the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Here, youÔÇÖll encounter the Gauntlet of Shar, a dungeon dedicated to the goddess. This location is crucial for Shadowheart's personal quest. To access the Gauntlet, youÔÇÖll need to navigate through the Shadow-Cursed Lands and deal with the various threats there, including the curse itself and the hostile inhabitants. Once inside the Gauntlet, youÔÇÖll face a series of trials that test your devotion to Shar. These trials involve solving puzzles, defeating enemies, and making moral choices that align with SharÔÇÖs teachings.

One of the most important moments in Shadowheart's quest occurs at the end of the Gauntlet, where youÔÇÖll find the Nightsong, a mysterious entity tied to her past. The choice you make hereÔÇöwhether to spare or kill the NightsongÔÇöwill have significant consequences for ShadowheartÔÇÖs character and the overall story. This decision is influenced by your relationship with her and the choices youÔÇÖve made throughout the game. If youÔÇÖve built a strong bond with Shadowheart and encouraged her to question her devotion to Shar, she may choose to spare the Nightsong, leading to a more positive outcome. Conversely, if she remains loyal to Shar, she will kill the Nightsong, which will have darker consequences.

Throughout this quest, itÔÇÖs important to manage ShadowheartÔÇÖs approval and make dialogue choices that support her growth. Avoid pushing her too hard to reveal her secrets, as this can lower her trust in you. Instead, let her open up at her own pace. Additionally, consider her class and abilities when building your party. Shadowheart is a Cleric, so she excels in healing and support. Make sure to equip her with gear that enhances her spellcasting and survivability, as the Gauntlet of Shar can be challenging.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting ShadowheartÔÇÖs approval, rushing through her dialogue options, or failing to explore the Gauntlet of Shar thoroughly. Taking the time to understand her character and the lore surrounding Shar will enhance your experience and lead to more satisfying outcomes. Advanced techniques involve optimizing her build for the trials in the Gauntlet, such as focusing on spells that provide utility and crowd control.

In terms of D&D 5E rules, ShadowheartÔÇÖs abilities are based on the Trickery Domain for Clerics, which emphasizes stealth, deception, and versatility. Understanding these mechanics can help you make the most of her skills in combat and exploration. For example, her Channel Divinity ability, Invoke Duplicity, can be used to create a distracting duplicate that aids in combat.

In summary, triggering and completing ShadowheartÔÇÖs personal quest requires careful attention to her approval, thoughtful dialogue choices, and thorough exploration of key locations like the Gauntlet of Shar. By building a strong relationship with her and making choices that align with her values, you can guide her through a transformative journey that reveals her true self and impacts the story in meaningful ways.