How to save Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

In Baldur’s Gate 3, you find Shadowheart at the very beginning of the game, where you can save or ignore her. Here’s all you need to know if you’re planning to make her join you.

Some decisions in Baldur’s Gate 3 change your entire playthrough, while others simply change how an NPC reacts to you. One such moment appears in the very beginning, during the prologue section. You’ll find Shadowheart, the Half-Elf Cleric of Shar, stuck inside a Mind Flayer pod, and she asks for your help.

Lae’zel will tell you to ignore her, but if you’re planning to make a good first impression, you need to save her. With that in mind, here’s how you save Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3.

How to free Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

You will come across Shadowheart in a large room inside the Nautiloid, with two dormant Thralls in the center. After you’ve had a conversation with her, you can follow the steps outlined below to save her in Baldur’s Gate 3:

1. Look at the console next to her and interact with it. You’ll notice that it’s missing something and unless you find it, the console won’t work.
2. Move to the eastern room right next to Shadowheart’s pod, with another NPC in a similar pod and a dead Thrall at the far end. Head to the dead Thrall and loot the corpse.
3. You’ll find an Eldritch Rune on her that you need to pick up.
4. Return to the console next to Shadowheart’s pod and insert the rune. You’ll have to pick the Illithid Wisdom option here, which will bring up a rather easy skill check.
5. This will free Shadowheart from the pod she is enclosed in.

So, that was everything you needed to know to save Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3. For more guides on the game, check out our other pages below:

How to beat Phase Spider Matriarch in Baldur’s Gate 3 | How to solve moon door puzzle in Baldur’s Gate 3 | How to add fire to weapons in Baldur’s Gate 3 | How to get Owlbear Cub in Baldur’s Gate 3 | How to level up fast in Baldur’s Gate 3 | How to change your party in Baldur’s Gate 3 | How to save in Baldur’s Gate 3 | How to craft Potions in Baldur’s Gate 3 | How to revive characters in Baldur’s Gate 3