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

In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let Shadowheart kill the Nightsong is a pivotal moment in her personal questline and has significant consequences for both her character and the overall story. The Nightsong is a key figure tied to Shadowheart's past and her devotion to Shar, the goddess of darkness and loss. Allowing Shadowheart to kill the Nightsong is a choice that aligns with her Sharran faith, but it comes with major implications for her character development, your relationship with her, and the broader narrative.

To reach this decision, you must first progress through Shadowheart's personal quest, which involves uncovering her connection to Shar and the Nightsong. This questline is tied to the main story, particularly in Act 2, where you will encounter the Nightsong in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. The Nightsong is located in the Gauntlet of Shar, a dungeon filled with puzzles, traps, and enemies. Completing the Gauntlet of Shar is essential to advancing Shadowheart's story and reaching the moment where you must decide whether to let her kill the Nightsong.

The mechanics of this decision involve dialogue choices and approval mechanics. Shadowheart's approval of your character plays a significant role in whether she will follow through with killing the Nightsong or spare her. If Shadowheart has high approval of you, she may be more open to questioning her faith and sparing the Nightsong. Conversely, if her approval is low or if you encourage her Sharran beliefs, she will be more likely to kill the Nightsong. The decision is presented during a critical dialogue scene where you must choose to either support her in killing the Nightsong or persuade her to spare her.

To ensure Shadowheart kills the Nightsong, you should avoid persuading her to spare her. Instead, encourage her devotion to Shar and affirm her faith. This can be done by selecting dialogue options that align with Shar's teachings, such as emphasizing the importance of sacrifice and darkness. If you want to guarantee this outcome, avoid using persuasion checks or other means to sway her decision. Letting her make the choice on her own, without interference, will result in her killing the Nightsong.

There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, Shadowheart's approval of you is crucial. If you want her to kill the Nightsong, ensure that your actions and dialogue choices throughout the game have supported her Sharran beliefs. This includes respecting her privacy, agreeing with her views on darkness and loss, and avoiding actions that contradict Shar's teachings. Additionally, be prepared for the consequences of this decision. Killing the Nightsong will have a significant impact on the story, particularly in Act 3, where it will affect the fate of certain characters and the overall ending.

Common mistakes to avoid include trying to persuade Shadowheart to spare the Nightsong if you want her to kill her. Using persuasion checks or other means to influence her decision can lead to her sparing the Nightsong, which changes the outcome of her questline. Additionally, failing to build a strong relationship with Shadowheart or making choices that contradict her beliefs can make it harder to influence her decision in the way you want.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing your party composition and dialogue choices to align with Shadowheart's goals. For example, bringing companions who support her Sharran beliefs or who have high approval with her can reinforce her decision to kill the Nightsong. Additionally, using spells or abilities that enhance your persuasion or intimidation skills can help you guide her decision, though this is more relevant if you want to spare the Nightsong.

In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the decision to kill the Nightsong reflects the alignment and faith-based choices that are central to Shadowheart's character. As a cleric of Shar, her actions are guided by her devotion to her goddess, and killing the Nightsong is a significant act of faith. This aligns with the D&D 5E rules for clerics, who are often driven by their deity's will and the tenets of their faith.

Specific examples and scenarios include the dialogue scene where Shadowheart confronts the Nightsong. If you choose to support her, she will deliver the killing blow, solidifying her commitment to Shar. This moment is emotionally charged and has lasting consequences for her character arc. In contrast, if you persuade her to spare the Nightsong, she will begin to question her faith and potentially turn away from Shar, leading to a different path in her story.

In summary, letting Shadowheart kill the Nightsong is a choice that requires careful consideration of her approval, dialogue choices, and alignment with her Sharran beliefs. By supporting her faith and avoiding persuasion checks, you can ensure she follows through with this decision, which will have significant consequences for her character and the story. Be mindful of the impact this choice will have on the game's narrative and prepare for the challenges that come with it.