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 choice.
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 who is being held captive by Ketheric Thorm. After defeating Ketheric in Act 2, you will have the opportunity to confront Aylin in the Shadowfell. This is where ShadowheartÔÇÖs loyalty to Shar is tested.
When you enter the Shadowfell, Shadowheart will be faced with a choice: kill Aylin to prove her devotion to Shar or spare her and potentially turn away from SharÔÇÖs teachings. If you want Shadowheart to kill Aylin, you must support her decision during the dialogue. This involves choosing dialogue options that encourage her to follow through with SharÔÇÖs will. For example, you can say things like, ÔÇ£This is what Shar wants,ÔÇØ or ÔÇ£You must do this.ÔÇØ Shadowheart will then proceed to kill Aylin, which has several immediate and long-term consequences.
First, ShadowheartÔÇÖs appearance will change. Her hair will turn white, and she will gain a new set of abilities tied to SharÔÇÖs dark blessings. This transformation signifies her complete devotion to Shar and her acceptance of her role as a Dark Justiciar. Additionally, her relationship with you will deepen if you supported her decision, as she will see you as an ally in her devotion to Shar.
However, killing Aylin also has broader implications for the story. Aylin is a key ally in the fight against the Absolute, and her death removes a powerful asset from your side. This can make certain battles more challenging, as you lose her support in future encounters. Furthermore, AylinÔÇÖs death affects the balance of power in the world, as she is a symbol of Sel├╗neÔÇÖs light and hope. Her absence can lead to darker outcomes in the overall narrative.
There are a few important tips to consider when making this choice. First, ensure that ShadowheartÔÇÖs approval of you is high before reaching this point. Her approval influences how likely she is to follow your guidance. If her approval is low, she may resist your suggestions, making it harder to steer her toward killing Aylin. Second, be prepared for the consequences of this decision. While it strengthens your bond with Shadowheart, it also removes a valuable ally and alters the story in significant ways.
A common mistake players make is not fully understanding the long-term consequences of this choice. Killing Aylin locks you into a darker path, which may not align with your characterÔÇÖs goals or the outcomes you desire. ItÔÇÖs important to weigh the benefits of strengthening your relationship with Shadowheart against the loss of AylinÔÇÖs support and the potential for a more hopeful ending.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing ShadowheartÔÇÖs build to take full advantage of her new abilities as a Dark Justiciar. After killing Aylin, Shadowheart gains access to powerful dark magic and enhanced combat abilities. You can respec her class or adjust her spell selection to maximize her effectiveness in battle. For example, focusing on spells that deal necrotic damage or enhance her survivability can make her a formidable force in your party.
From a D&D rules perspective, ShadowheartÔÇÖs transformation aligns with the concept of a cleric fully embracing their deityÔÇÖs will. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, clerics gain their powers from their devotion to a deity, and their abilities can change based on their alignment and the nature of their deity. SharÔÇÖs influence over Shadowheart is a clear example of how a characterÔÇÖs choices can reshape their class features and role in the story.
In summary, allowing Shadowheart to kill Aylin is a significant decision that impacts her character, your relationship with her, and the overall narrative. By supporting her choice, you strengthen your bond with her and unlock new abilities, but you also lose a powerful ally and alter the storyÔÇÖs trajectory. Carefully consider the consequences, optimize ShadowheartÔÇÖs build, and ensure her approval is high to make the most of this choice.
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 who is being held captive by Ketheric Thorm. After defeating Ketheric in Act 2, you will have the opportunity to confront Aylin in the Shadowfell. This is where ShadowheartÔÇÖs loyalty to Shar is tested.
When you enter the Shadowfell, Shadowheart will be faced with a choice: kill Aylin to prove her devotion to Shar or spare her and potentially turn away from SharÔÇÖs teachings. If you want Shadowheart to kill Aylin, you must support her decision during the dialogue. This involves choosing dialogue options that encourage her to follow through with SharÔÇÖs will. For example, you can say things like, ÔÇ£This is what Shar wants,ÔÇØ or ÔÇ£You must do this.ÔÇØ Shadowheart will then proceed to kill Aylin, which has several immediate and long-term consequences.
First, ShadowheartÔÇÖs appearance will change. Her hair will turn white, and she will gain a new set of abilities tied to SharÔÇÖs dark blessings. This transformation signifies her complete devotion to Shar and her acceptance of her role as a Dark Justiciar. Additionally, her relationship with you will deepen if you supported her decision, as she will see you as an ally in her devotion to Shar.
However, killing Aylin also has broader implications for the story. Aylin is a key ally in the fight against the Absolute, and her death removes a powerful asset from your side. This can make certain battles more challenging, as you lose her support in future encounters. Furthermore, AylinÔÇÖs death affects the balance of power in the world, as she is a symbol of Sel├╗neÔÇÖs light and hope. Her absence can lead to darker outcomes in the overall narrative.
There are a few important tips to consider when making this choice. First, ensure that ShadowheartÔÇÖs approval of you is high before reaching this point. Her approval influences how likely she is to follow your guidance. If her approval is low, she may resist your suggestions, making it harder to steer her toward killing Aylin. Second, be prepared for the consequences of this decision. While it strengthens your bond with Shadowheart, it also removes a valuable ally and alters the story in significant ways.
A common mistake players make is not fully understanding the long-term consequences of this choice. Killing Aylin locks you into a darker path, which may not align with your characterÔÇÖs goals or the outcomes you desire. ItÔÇÖs important to weigh the benefits of strengthening your relationship with Shadowheart against the loss of AylinÔÇÖs support and the potential for a more hopeful ending.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing ShadowheartÔÇÖs build to take full advantage of her new abilities as a Dark Justiciar. After killing Aylin, Shadowheart gains access to powerful dark magic and enhanced combat abilities. You can respec her class or adjust her spell selection to maximize her effectiveness in battle. For example, focusing on spells that deal necrotic damage or enhance her survivability can make her a formidable force in your party.
From a D&D rules perspective, ShadowheartÔÇÖs transformation aligns with the concept of a cleric fully embracing their deityÔÇÖs will. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, clerics gain their powers from their devotion to a deity, and their abilities can change based on their alignment and the nature of their deity. SharÔÇÖs influence over Shadowheart is a clear example of how a characterÔÇÖs choices can reshape their class features and role in the story.
In summary, allowing Shadowheart to kill Aylin is a significant decision that impacts her character, your relationship with her, and the overall narrative. By supporting her choice, you strengthen your bond with her and unlock new abilities, but you also lose a powerful ally and alter the storyÔÇÖs trajectory. Carefully consider the consequences, optimize ShadowheartÔÇÖs build, and ensure her approval is high to make the most of this choice.