BG3 Nightsong Quest: Free Shadowheart & Complete Key Missions

Unlocking the Nightsong Mystery

The Gauntlet of Shar in Baldur's Gate 3 is a pivotal Act 2 dungeon. It serves as both a main story driver and Shadowheart's personal quest.

Location and Trials

The Gauntlet is located within the Thorm Mausoleum. This ancient Shar temple demands players complete four distinct trials to collect the Umbral Gems needed to reach the Nightsong.

These trials include:

• The Faith-Leap Trial
• The Soft-Step Trial
• The Self-Same Trial
• Obtaining a fourth gem by dealing with Raphael's old enemy

Bringing Shadowheart is crucial for additional dialogue and story context.

Reaching the Nightsong

After gathering the gems, players must also acquire the Spear of Night from the Silent Library.

Placing the gems in the Pedestals of Reckoning reveals a path to the Shadowfell.

The Critical Choice

In the Shadowfell, the mystery unravels. The Nightsong is not an object, but a celestial named Dame Aylin.

This moment presents a critical choice with lasting consequences. Players can choose to free Nightsong. This requires a difficult DC 30 Persuasion check but leads to Shadowheart's redemption and gains a powerful ally against Ketheric Thorm.

Alternatively, killing or allowing Balthazar to take her locks Shadowheart into a darker path and complicates the story. According to guides, freeing her is the optimal choice for character development and narrative cohesion. It is a point of no return that resolves key Act 2 quests.

Shadowheart's Redemption Path

Shadowheart's journey from Shar's dark influence to redemption spans all three acts. It contains pivotal moments that define her future.

The First Turning Point

The first major turning point occurs in the Shadowfell. This happens during the confrontation with the Nightsong.

Here, players can begin her redemption by persuading her to spare the Nightsong rather than becoming a Dark Justiciar. This requires a DC 21 Persuasion Check.

The specific dialogue choices are:

• "Choose your own way, Shadowheart. You cannot allow your goddess to control you"
• Followed by "This is wrong... but I can't afford to lose you. Do what you must."

Success means Shadowheart abandons her lifelong quest. She throws away the Spear of Lady Shar and gains Selûne's favor.

The Ultimate Choice in Act 3

Her redemption culminates in Act 3 at the House of Grief. There, Shar reveals the prisoners are Shadowheart's parents, Arnell and Emmeline Hallowleaf.

For a Selûnite Shadowheart, this presents the ultimate choice. She can sacrifice her parents to completely break free from Shar's curse. Alternatively, she can attempt to save them through Religion or Persuasion checks.

Players can also guarantee their survival with 50+ approval points. This is achieved by triggering specific memories during Act 3 conversations.

This path offers complete freedom from Shar's influence, preserved romance possibilities, and Shadowheart embracing her true identity as Jenevelle Hallowleaf.

Investigating Kagha's Corruption

Uncovering Kagha's secret alliance with the Shadow Druids is a compelling early-game quest. It reveals the political turmoil within the Emerald Grove.

Starting the Investigation

The investigation begins when players either read the "Rite of Thorns" scroll in the druid enclave. Alternatively, they can discover Kagha's hidden chest in the Servants' Quarters behind an inconspicuous bookshelf.

Inside this chest, players find a "Half-Torn Note" and the "Shadow Druid Doctrine" book. These provide the first clues to her radical affiliations. The chest can be accessed by pickpocketing Kagha's key or lockpicking it.

Following the Trail

The trail leads southwest to the Sunlit Wetlands. Players must navigate past hostile Wood Woads and Mud Mephits to a specific tree.

Behind it lies a "Wooden Crevice" containing the definitive "Letter to Kagha." This letter proves her conspiracy with the Shadow Druids to take over the Emerald Grove and expel the tiefling refugees. As detailed by The Gamer, it mentions "Archdruid Aelis" and exposes Kagha's motivations.

Confrontation and Resolution

Armed with this evidence, players can confront Kagha with multiple resolution paths. These include persuasion, combat, or even sparing her under certain conditions.

Druid-class characters receive unique dialogue options and rewards, as noted by BG3 Wiki.

This quest exemplifies the game's moral complexity. It offers redemption even for seemingly villainous characters. However, the investigation automatically fails if players rescue Halsin and return him to the grove before completing it, according to Game Revolution.

Crafting the Masterwork Weapon

The "Finish the Masterwork Weapon" quest offers a rewarding early-game crafting challenge. It provides powerful silenced weapons ideal for countering enemy spellcasters.

Finding the Clues

Begin your journey in the Blighted Village. Find Highcliff's Journal hidden behind a wooden barrel to the left of the fireplace. The journal is in the house east of the windmill.

Use fire spells or torches to burn through the calcified web hole in the eastern room. Grab the Old Key on a wooden crate near the fireplace before descending into the basement.

Locating Sussur Bark

In the basement, you'll face a Perception check to detect a booby-trapped chest. It contains Highcliff's Blueprints, which reveal the need for a rare material called Sussur Bark.

Your quest then leads to the treacherous Underdark, accessible via the Defiled temple at the goblin camp.

Navigate to the Dread Hollow area. Head southwest from the Myconid Colony to locate the glowing Sussur Tree. Be prepared for level 4 enemies with high health totals as you climb roots and ledges to obtain the precious bark.

Forging the Weapon

Return to the Blighted Village basement forge to complete your weapon.

• Use the blacksmith's bellows to light the furnace.
• Add Sussur Bark to transform the flames from red to blue, indicating magical readiness.
• Combine the enchanted flames with one of three base weapons—a plain dagger, greatsword, or sickle.

This crafts your choice of a Sussur Dagger, Sussur Greatsword, or Sussur Sickle. Each weapon features a +1 enchantment and the invaluable ability to silence on hit.

Strategic Quest Completion Guide

Mastering Baldur's Gate 3's intricate questlines requires careful sequencing. This maximizes rewards and avoids catastrophic consequences.

Early Game Strategy

For optimal progression, begin with initial Grove exploration. Investigate the Beach, save Arabella, and build rapport with druids before investigating Kagha's suspicious activities. This approach establishes crucial trust and narrative context.

The Masterwork Weapon quest demands precise timing. Clear the Blighted Village first and locate Highcliff's Journal in the blacksmith's house. Find the proper blueprints. Journey to the Underdark via Whispering Depths for Sussur Tree Bark. Then, return to forge the weapon before confronting goblin leaders or making major Grove decisions. According to the Baldur's Gate 3 Wiki, this anti-magic weapon provides critical advantages against spellcasting enemies in Act 2.

The Pivotal Act 2 Choice

The Nightsong decision represents Act 2's pivotal moment. It dramatically affects Shadowheart's character arc. TheGamer recommends saving Nightsong.

This choice preserves Shadowheart's original alignment and ensures Last Light Inn's survival. This includes Dammon, who's essential for Karlach's quest. Killing Nightsong permanently ends Shadowheart's romance and destroys the inn with all inhabitants.

As PC Gamer suggests, build high approval with Shadowheart throughout Act 1. Choose "tell her to do what she thinks is best" when discussing Nightsong to avoid the difficult DC 30 persuasion check. This strategy, outlined by Game Rant, ensures optimal narrative flow while avoiding game-altering consequences.

Conclusion

Baldur's Gate 3's interconnected quest system creates a rich tapestry of narrative choices. These choices resonate throughout your entire playthrough.

The Nightsong decision stands as one of the game's most impactful moments. It shapes Shadowheart's destiny and the fate of multiple characters. Meanwhile, investigating Kagha provides early insight into the game's moral complexity. The Masterwork Weapon offers practical combat advantages against magical threats.

By following this strategic approach—building relationships methodically, timing quest completion carefully, and making informed choices at critical junctures—you'll experience the most rewarding version of Larian Studios' masterpiece. Remember that these choices aren't just about optimal outcomes; they're about crafting your unique story in a world where every decision matters.