What Should You Do With Nightsong? A Definitive Guide

So, you’ve reached the Shadowfell, confronted Balthazar, and now you’re facing one of the most pivotal decisions in Baldur’s Gate 3: What do you do with Nightsong? The short, brutally honest, and impactful answer is this: Free Nightsong. Freeing Nightsong yields the most rewarding storyline, offers significant benefits in the final act, and aligns with the overarching theme of resisting tyranny and choosing good. While there are potential short-term gains from siding with Shar, they pale in comparison to the long-term consequences and the overall satisfying conclusion you’ll achieve by freeing her. Now, let’s dive into the why and how of this crucial choice, exploring the ramifications of each path.

The Choice: Shar or Selûne?

The decision surrounding Nightsong isn’t simply about one character; it’s about a fundamental clash between two deities: Shar, the Lady of Loss, and Selûne, the Moonmaiden. Your choice will have a ripple effect throughout the world, impacting characters you’ve grown to care about and the very fate of Baldur’s Gate itself.

• Serving Shar (Killing Nightsong): This path aligns you with darkness, manipulation, and the suppression of hope. While it might seem appealing in its ruthlessness, it comes at a steep price. Shadowheart, if persuaded down this path, will become a devoted follower of Shar, losing her original self and embracing a life of servitude. The consequences extend beyond Shadowheart; the land will further succumb to Shar’s influence, leading to the corruption and death of vital characters. Your relationships with companions who value goodness will be severely strained, potentially leading to their departure.

• Serving Selûne (Freeing Nightsong): This path embodies hope, redemption, and the fight against overwhelming darkness. Freeing Nightsong not only restores her to her full power but also weakens Shar’s influence considerably. Shadowheart can be redeemed, finding peace and purpose outside of Shar’s clutches. Important locations, like the Last Light Inn, are protected, and you gain a powerful ally in the fight against the Absolute.

The Consequences: A Closer Look

Let’s break down the immediate and long-term consequences of each decision.

• Killing Nightsong:

  • Shadowheart’s Transformation: Shadowheart fully embraces Shar, losing her connection to Selûne. This path dramatically alters her personality and motivations. She gains potent Sharran abilities and equipment.
  • Last Light Inn’s Demise: The protective barrier around Last Light Inn collapses, leading to the tragic deaths of many residents, including Isobel. This significantly impacts your progress and eliminates crucial allies.
  • Loss of Allies: Companions with strong moral compasses (e.g., Karlach, Wyll) will likely disapprove of your actions and may even leave your party.
  • Weakening of Your Forces: Losing Nightsong as an ally weakens your forces for the final battle against the Absolute.

• Freeing Nightsong:

  • Shadowheart’s Redemption: With persuasion, Shadowheart can reject Shar’s influence and embrace Selûne. This results in her personal growth and unlocks a different, ultimately more fulfilling, character arc.
  • Strengthening of Your Defenses: Nightsong’s power strengthens the protective barrier around Last Light Inn, saving its inhabitants and securing vital allies.
  • Gaining a Powerful Ally: Nightsong becomes a valuable ally in the final battle, providing crucial support against the Absolute’s forces.
  • Moral High Ground: You maintain your reputation as a hero and retain the trust of your companions.

How to Free Nightsong: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Reach the Shadowfell: Progress through the Gauntlet of Shar until you reach the platform where Nightsong is imprisoned.
2. Confront Shadowheart: A cutscene will trigger where Shadowheart is given the Spear of Night and ordered to kill Nightsong.
3. Persuasion is Key: This is the most critical moment. You must convince Shadowheart not to kill Nightsong. This requires successful Persuasion checks. Choose dialogue options that emphasize Shadowheart’s own doubts about Shar and her past trauma. Remind her of the good within her.
4. Fight or Flight: If you fail the Persuasion checks, you will have to fight Shadowheart. Defeating her will allow you to free Nightsong yourself.
5. Free Nightsong: Once Shadowheart is swayed (or defeated), interact with the device holding Nightsong captive. This will initiate a dialogue with Nightsong where she reveals her true identity as a celestial being.
6. The Aftermath: Nightsong will then unleash her power, weakening Shar’s hold on the Shadowfell and setting events in motion that will significantly impact the rest of the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nightsong

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the decision surrounding Nightsong and its implications.

1. What level should I be to face Nightsong’s decision? It’s generally recommended to be around level 7-8 before entering the Shadowfell and confronting Nightsong’s fate.

2. What happens if I let Shadowheart kill Nightsong? Shadowheart fully embraces Shar, Last Light Inn falls, many allies die, and you weaken your forces for the final battle.

3. Can I romance Shadowheart if I free Nightsong? Yes, freeing Nightsong is crucial for a fulfilling romance with Shadowheart. Embracing Shar locks you out of the best parts of her character arc.

4. Is the Spear of Night useful? The Spear of Night is a powerful weapon, but it’s not worth sacrificing Nightsong and Shadowheart’s potential redemption for. There are other powerful weapons in the game.

5. What are the benefits of having Nightsong as an ally in the final battle? Nightsong provides significant support, dealing radiant damage to enemies and bolstering your party’s defenses. Her presence makes the final encounter considerably easier.

6. How do I improve my chances of succeeding at the Persuasion checks with Shadowheart? Boost your character’s Charisma score, use Guidance spells, and consider taking the “Friends” cantrip (though be mindful of its potential consequences).

7. What if I accidentally trigger combat with Shadowheart before attempting the Persuasion checks? Reload a previous save. The Persuasion checks are the key to unlocking the best outcome.

8. Does freeing Nightsong affect other quests or storylines? Yes, freeing Nightsong positively impacts quests related to the Tieflings and other characters who sought refuge at Last Light Inn.

9. Can I respec Shadowheart after freeing Nightsong? Yes, you can respec Shadowheart after she rejects Shar, allowing you to customize her class and abilities.

10. What happens to Aylin (Nightsong’s true name) after the battle? After completing the main questline Aylin will be free to forge her own path. The end of the game doesn’t clearly show her fate, leaving it up to the imagination.

11. Is there a “middle ground” option regarding Nightsong? No, the decision is binary: you either free Nightsong or you allow her to be killed. There’s no in-between.

12. Does freeing Nightsong affect the ending I receive? Yes, freeing Nightsong contributes to a more positive and hopeful ending.

13. Are there any unique rewards for freeing Nightsong? Yes, besides the narrative benefits, you receive powerful boons and abilities that aid you in the final act.

14. How does the Games Learning Society relate to decision-making in games like Baldur’s Gate 3? The Games Learning Society studies how games can be used as educational tools. Decisions like the one involving Nightsong demonstrate how games can present complex moral dilemmas, forcing players to consider the consequences of their choices and learn about ethics, empathy, and critical thinking. Understanding these mechanics through organizations like the Games Learning Society available on GamesLearningSociety.org allows for the better use of games as learning and teaching tools.

15. Is there a “canon” choice regarding Nightsong? While there’s no official “canon,” the narrative heavily favors freeing Nightsong, aligning with the game’s themes of good versus evil and the importance of redemption.

Ultimately, the choice regarding Nightsong is yours. However, understanding the long-term consequences and the overall narrative impact will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your desired gaming experience. Choose wisely, and may your journey through Baldur’s Gate 3 be filled with triumphs!