In Baldur’s Gate 3, the fate of Nightsong is more than just a choice-it’s a pivotal moment that can reshape your entire journey. Will you save the enigmatic Nightsong and unlock powerful rewards and deeper ties to Shadowheart, or will you embrace darkness by killing her, unleashing a darker path with its own formidable power? The decision lies in your hands, and its consequences will echo through the Forgotten Realms.
In this Baldur’s Gate 3 guide, we’ll tell you what happens if you save or kill The Nightsong, and what to do about Aylin when you reach Lorroakan in act 3.
Should you save or kill the Nightsong in BG3?
In Baldur’s Gate 3, the decision to save or kill the Nightsong is a pivotal moment in the “Find the Nightsong” quest that unfolds across multiple acts. Killing the Nightsong aligns with Shadowheart’s initial intent and gains favor with Lady Shar, but it leads to the Shadow Curse overwhelming the land and the loss of allies at the Last Light Inn. On the other hand, sparing the Nightsong allows you to preserve your companions and friends, offering a chance to confront the Absolutes and their leader, Ketheric Thorm, with your full party intact. Ultimately, the choice depends on your desired narrative path and how you want your playthrough to unfold, with saving the Nightsong generally considered the more favorable option for maintaining your allies and resisting the cultists.
Dame Aylin is very cool, and a little odd, and she’s been trapped for quite some time. Assuming you have Shadowheart with you, you’ll need to convince Shadowheart to let the Nightsong live. Here, you can either save or kill the Nightsong – as long as you have Shadowheart in your party for this quest.
- If you kill the Nightsong – or, rather, push Shadowheart to kill the Nightsong – the Cleric ascends and becomes the Dark Justiciar (which does earn her some powerful loot). This will end the Nightsong quest early, and the Nightsong will not help you assault Moonrise Towers, defeat Kethric Thorm, or the game’s final boss fight. Moreover, killing the Nightsong will also cause the shield protecting Last Light Inn to shatter, turning all the living Harpers there into zombies. Baldur’s Gate 3 features some pretty morally gray choices, but this is the obvious “evil” choice.
- If you save the Nightsong, Shadowheart will have a bit of a crisis of character. She ultimately forsakes Shar and her fair eventually turns bright white (This results in a good-aligned Shadowheart.) Dame Aylin will then escape the Shadowfell and lead an attack on Moonrise Towers and Ketheric Thorm. It also continues the quest, and paves the way for the Nightsong conclusion in act 3. This is the “good” choice, but not the good ending, as you can also do bad stuff to Aylin in act 3 if you want.
How to complete the Nightsong quest in BG3 act 3
To complete the Nightsong quest in Baldur’s Gate 3 Act 3, you need to follow the questline that begins in Act 1 by speaking with Aradin in the Druids’ Grove and progresses through various locations including the Goblin Camp, the Shattered Sanctum, and the Shadow Cursed Lands. In Act 3, you will finally confront Nightsong in the Shadowfell and face a critical choice: either save her or kill her. To kill Nightsong, you must have Shadowheart wield the Spear of Night, as only she can deliver the fatal blow. Saving or killing Nightsong affects the vulnerability of Ketheric Thorm and has significant consequences for the story and your companions. After making your choice, you will reunite Nightsong with her beloved Isobel or side with Lorroakan, which influences the outcome of the quest and the fate of the region.
After Moonrise Towers, Isobel and the Nightsong – who are lovers – will join your camp and kind of just hang out for a while. Neither of them can join your party, but you can talk to them both anytime you’re in camp.
In Baldur’s Gate, you’ll be able to visit Sorcerous Sundries, a massive, magical marketplace in the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate. Here, you’ll meet Lorroakan, the Wizard who sent Aradin to find the Nightsong at the beginning of the game.
Should you side with Aylin or Lorroakan in BG3?
When deciding whether to side with Dame Aylin (the Nightsong) or Lorroakan in Baldur’s Gate 3, the choice hinges on your character’s alignment and playstyle. Siding with Aylin is considered the morally right option, as it prevents her from being captured again and exploited for her immortality, and she becomes a valuable ally in the final battle along with gaining approval from your party. However, this path leads to a challenging fight against Lorroakan and his summoned elementals. On the other hand, siding with Lorroakan makes the fight easier and grants access to his resources, but you lose Aylin and her ally Isobel, and Lorroakan’s promise of power may not be as rewarding or trustworthy. Ultimately, supporting Aylin enriches the narrative and party strength, while siding with Lorroakan suits more selfish or evil-aligned characters seeking immediate gain.
You now have to choose sides between Aylin or Lorroakan. Whatever your decision, this will finally end your quest to aid the Nightsong.
- You can give Aylin up to Lorroakan and help him fight The Nightsong. If you give up Aylin, Lorroakan will pay you and also join you for the final battle. Lorroakan is clearly out for power, trying to steal Aylin’s mortality. It’s clear from his first scene that this dude sucks so this leads to the evil outcome for the quest.
- You can tell Aylin that Lorroakan wants her immortality, causing the Nightsong to get mad and ask for your help killing the Wizard. If you end up aiding Aylin in killing Lorroakan, she and Isobel will thank you and join your crew for the final battle. This feels more like the “good” outcome for this quest. Aylin essentially goes on a revenge murder and you go with her, but Lorroakan is a dangerous Wizard, and he’s got to go, so don’t feel too bad about it.
- You can also just lie to Lorroakan about not knowing the Nightsong and then lie to Aylin about Lorroakan. This leaves both characters alive but also is basically a non-conclusion, so it’s the gray choice.
Should I save Nightsong to unlock Shadowheart’s true past or kill her for power
You should save Nightsong if you want to unlock Shadowheart’s true past and see her character arc evolve positively. Saving Nightsong leads to Shadowheart learning about her origins, breaking free from Shar’s control, and eventually renouncing Shar to follow Selune, which also opens up romance options and deeper story content. Killing Nightsong, on the other hand, grants Shadowheart Shar’s Spear of Evening and turns her into a Dark Justiciar zealot fully devoted to Shar, but it locks you out of her romance, causes the deaths of several companions, and closes many quest opportunities. Therefore, saving Nightsong is generally recommended for a richer narrative and more rewarding gameplay experience, especially on your first playthrough.
What are the benefits of saving Nightsong for Shadowheart’s character development
Saving Nightsong in Baldur’s Gate 3 significantly benefits Shadowheart’s character development by allowing her to break free from Shar’s control and discover her true origins. After sparing Nightsong, Shadowheart learns about her past, which Shar had hidden from her, leading her to eventually renounce Shar and embrace Selûne, her mother deity. This transformation is symbolized by a change in her hairstyle and a more positive outlook, making her a warmer and more complex companion. Additionally, saving Nightsong unlocks deeper story content, including romance progression with Shadowheart and her active role in the assault on Moonrise Towers. Nightsong herself regains her powers and aids the party, including helping in the final boss fight of Act 2. Overall, sparing Nightsong enriches Shadowheart’s narrative arc and opens up more rewarding gameplay and roleplaying opportunities.
