Ad placeholder

Shadowheart: Difference between revisions

From bg3.wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
 
(428 intermediate revisions by 82 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{PageSeo
{{PageSeo
| description = Shadowheart is an Origin character and companion in Baldur's Gate 3. She is a Half-Elf Cleric of Shar with the Urchin background.
| title = Shadowheart
| description = Shadowheart is an Origin character and companion in Baldur's Gate 3. She is a half-elf Cleric of Shar with the Acolyte background.
| image = Shadowheart.png
| image = Shadowheart.png
}}
}}
{{CharacterInfo
{{Companion tab}}
|title = Loyal Warrior
{{Infobox creature
|name = Shadowheart
| name = Shadowheart
|image=[[File:Shadowheart.png|350px]]
| full name = Jenevelle Hallowleaf (born as)
|STR=12
| title = Daughter of Darkness
|DEX=14
| image = Shadowheart.png
|CON=14
| imagesize = 0.8
|INT=10
| image_alt_text = Cover artwork of Shadowheart from Baldur's Gate 3.
|WIS=16
| voice = Jennifer English
|CHA=10
| role = [[Origin characters|Origin Character]]<br>[[Companion]]
|level=1
| race = [[Half-Elf]]
|race=[[Half-Elf| High Half-Elf]]
| subrace = [[High Half-Elf]]
|type=
| class = [[Cleric]]
|HP=
| subclass = [[Trickery Domain]]
|AC=
| deity = [[Shar]] / [[Selûne]]
|speed=
| background = [[Acolyte]]{{ref|In the Early Access version her background was [[Urchin]].}}
|size=
| family = [[Arnell Hallowleaf]] (father)<br>[[Emmeline Hallowleaf]] (mother)
|weight=
| hometown = [[Blighted Village|Moonhaven]]
|proficiency=
| age = 40+ years
|initiative=
| str = 13
|class = {{Class|Trickery Domain}}
| dex = 13
|alignment =
| con = 14
|background=[[Urchin]]
| int = 10
|location = [[Nautiloid]]
| wis = 17
|allies = [[Deities#Shar|Shar]]
| cha = 8
|enemies = [[Deities#Selûne|Selûne]]
| level = 1
|alt-name = In-game
| weight kg = 75
|alt-image=[[File:Shadowheartheadshot.jpg|350px]]
| movement m = 9
| cha save prof = Yes
| wis save prof = Yes
| hp = 10
| ac = 15
| size = Medium
| type = Humanoid
| passives = Darkvision, Fey Ancestry, Fear of Wolves
}}
}}


'''Shadowheart''' is an [[Origin]] character and [[companion]] in [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. She is a [[Half-Elf]] [[Cleric]] with the [[Urchin]] background.
'''Shadowheart''' (born as Jenevelle Hallowleaf), is an [[Origin characters|Origin Character]] and a recruitable [[Companion]] with the [[Acolyte]] background. She is a [[High Half-Elf]] and a [[Trickery Domain]] [[Cleric]] first appearing during the [[Prologue]].
 
As a loyal servant of the goddess {{CharLink|Shar}}, Shadowheart can be cold and calculating, willing to do whatever is necessary to serve the Dark Lady with utter devotion. She can be first found on the [[Nautiloid]] during the prologue where she serves as a temporary companion, and she can be properly recruited at various points in [[Act One]] as well as romanced by characters of any gender.
 
{{DiQ|We're in this together, but I'll happily go it alone. My faith will keep me company.|Shadowheart|'s strong devotion}}
{{TOC|limit=3}}
 
==Overview==
{{hatnote|For a full overview of Shadowheart's starting features, see the articles [[Cleric]], [[Trickery Domain]] and [[high half-elf]].}}
===Background===
A devout follower of the Lady of Loss, Shadowheart is the sole survivor of a holy mission undertaken on the Mistress of the Night's behest. She alone must deliver a relic of immense power to her coven in [[Baldur's Gate]] while threatened by a strange new magic that is burgeoning from within. Her faith plays an important part in her story throughout the game, and she can be steered towards or away from it.
 
===Starting class ===
Shadowheart starts as a Trickery Domain cleric, giving her access to [[spells|Spellcasting]] – with a particular focus on [[illusion]] magic – and {{SAI|Blessing of the Trickster}}, a class action that grants another creature [[advantage]] on [[Stealth]] checks. This makes her an ideal support character, albeit with few offensive options.
 
===Special features===
*Shadowheart has the passive {{SAI|Fear of Wolves}}: whenever a wolf approaches her, she must make a [[Wisdom]] [[saving throw]] or become {{cond|Frightened}}
*{{CharLink|Shar}}, Shadowheart's goddess, plays an integral part in her story, and is far more involved in her life than the standard Cleric class experience
*Shar's patronage grants Shadowheart resistance to mild exposure to the [[Shadow Curse]] in the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]], though she will still need protection in areas where the curse is strongest.
 
===Personal quest ===
Shadowheart's personal quest is {{Quest|Daughter of Darkness}}, spanning all acts of the game. Throughout it, Shadowheart will uncover fragments of her nebulous past, re-examine her relationship with her goddess Shar and decide her own future: remaining in the dark embrace of the Lady of Loss or freeing from the past.
 
Three further subquests are available that tie into her personal quest: {{Quest|The Chosen of Shar}}, in which Shadowheart's faith will be tested, {{Quest|A Familiar Face}}, where parts of her past will come to light, and {{Quest|Surrender Shadowheart to Viconia|Surrender Shadowheart}}, in which the party must consider a treacherous proposition.
 
===Recruitment===
Shadowheart can be recruited as a temporary companion during the [[Prologue]] on the [[Nautiloid]] by freeing her from the [[mind flayer]] pod. She can then become a permanent companion during [[Act One]].
 
====Prologue====
*Shadowheart is first encountered on the Nautiloid during the Prologue, trapped inside a mind flayer pod. She can be freed by interacting with the nearby console or as a Barbarian, using one of the dialogue options below:
** {{Dialogue option|''Grip the pod's lid and pull.''|tags=Barbarian}}
*** {{Dialogue option|'''''RIP THE POD OPEN.'''''|tags=Berserker|roll=Strength|dc=10}}
*** {{Dialogue option|''Don't give up. Tear this thing open.''|tags=Barbarian|roll=Strength|dc=10}}
*If she is freed, she will join the party as a temporary companion. Upon escaping the nautiloid, she leaves the party.


Origin characters can be played as the main character, otherwise, they can be recruited as a [[companion]] early on.
====Act One====
*Shadowheart can be found a second time at the [[Ravaged Beach]] in the [[Wilderness]]. If she was freed from the pod during the Prologue, she will be lying unconscious on the ground and will wake up when interacted with. If she was not freed, she will instead be found attempting to gain entry to the nearby [[Dank Crypt]]. Either way, she can be invited to join the party after speaking with her.
*If Shadowheart is not interacted with at the Ravaged Beach, she will move to the [[Druid Grove]] on her own in search of a healer. She can be spoken with there and invited to join the party.
*If the party enters the [[Goblin Camp]] without having recruited Shadowheart, she will show up and save the party from the Voice of the Absolute using the [[Mysterious Artefact]]. If not recruited, she may be convinced to wait here, or fought to the death.
*If the party ignores the Goblin Camp and walks towards the [[Mountain Pass]], she will similarly appear to save the party members from the Voice, as the party members attempt to cross the bridge into the main area.
*If the party ignores the Goblin Camp and the Mountain Pass, and manages to enter the [[Underdark]], she will appear to save the party from the Voice of the Absolute, as the party members enter the elevator to the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]].


{{Q|We're in this together, but I'll happily go it alone. My faith will keep me company.|Shadowheart's strong devotion.}}
===Approval===
{{main|Shadowheart/approval}}[[File:Shadowheart Approval.png|50px|left|link=|Shadowheart Approves]]Shadowheart likes finding pragmatic and efficient solutions to problems. She appreciates discretion, privacy, and open-mindedness. Shadowheart generally responds well to acts of heroism. While she is afraid of wolves, Shadowheart loves animals and will always react favourably to positive interactions with them and negatively to cruelty towards them. As a devout Sharran, she also approves of acts against {{CharLink|Selûne}} and Selûnites in general.


== Gameplay ==
Shadowheart dislikes those that disapprove of her worship or people pressing her for answers or details. She does not like needless cruelty or violence and can respond unfavourably to being too open with untrustworthy or unknown individuals. Straying from Shar's mandates results in Shadowheart being punished through the wound in her right hand, a reminder to follow {{CharLink|Shar|Shar's}} wishes.
As a [[Cleric]], Shadowheart is capable of casting spells, healing and buffing allies, and tanking damage for her party. Her subclass is [[Trickery Domain]], allowing her to cast a variety of stealth and illusion magic not normally available to Clerics. Her domain spells combined with her useful [[Sleight of Hand]] and [[Stealth]] proficiencies can make her effective at picking locks, scouting, and disarming traps.  


=== Proficiencies ===
=== Romance===
===== Equipment =====
{{main|Shadowheart/romance}}
* {{SimpleWeaponsProf}}
Shadowheart can be romanced by characters of any gender, and is one of the few characters willing to have a casual relationship. Throughout it, she will have to deal with the topic of her identity and how the idea of love fits the Sharran concept of self-sacrifice for their goddess.
* {{LightArmour}}, {{MediumArmour}}, {{Shields}}


===== Saving Throws =====
=== Nightsong points ===
* {{Icon|Wisdom Ability Icon.png|35|link=Wisdom}} [[Wisdom]]
Unlike other Companions, Shadowheart has a secondary approval system, influencing the choices in [[Find the Nightsong]] and [[Find Ketheric Thorm's Relic]]. For more information, see [[Nightsong Point]]s.
* {{Icon|Charisma Ability Icon.png|35|link=Charisma}} [[Charisma]]


===== Skills =====
==Description==
* [[Sleight of Hand]]
===Appearance===
* [[Stealth]]
Shadowheart has straight, coal-black hair kept in a long ponytail segmented by ornate silver rings. Her fringe hair is kept short and straight, revealing her brows beneath and a scar running from her nose to her right cheek. Hair adorns her face on the sides, reaching past her chin, her pointed ears barely peeking through them, and her eyes, light-green with speckles of yellow, are contoured by dark make-up. Though rarely seen, she has a black circular mark on her right hand, a wound given by Shar used to express her disapproval, causing Shadowheart pain whenever she misbehaves. Though appearing youthful due to her elven heritage, she is over 40 years old.{{ref|[[Cloister of Sombre Embrace]], ambient line spoken by Shadowheart upon reading {{SmRarityItem|No Price Too High}} in the dormitory.<br>''"These are all about ''me''... forty years of my life, documented like I was some sort of specimen."''}}
* [[Religion]]
* [[Insight]]


=== Spells Known ===
She complements her Sharran attire with a silver circlet worn above her fringe, simple, yet elegant, displaying her goddess' holy symbol, a black disc, as well as an argent hairpiece at the base of her ponytail, reminiscent of the decorations found in Sharran temples.
As a [[Cleric]], Shadowheart automatically knows all non-cantrip Cleric spells.


===== Level 1 Spells Known =====
After the events of {{Quest|The Chosen of Shar}}, if Shadowheart turned away from Shar, she will dye her hair silver and part her fringe off-center, showing more of her forehead. If she remained faithful, however, she will maintain her black hair but part her hair nonetheless.
{{div col | style = column-width: 18em; list-style-type: none;}}
 
* [[File:Bane Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Bane]] [[Bane]]
===Personality===
* [[File:Bless Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Bless]] [[Bless]]
Zealously devoted, independent and headstrong, she prefers pragmatic solutions to issues, decisive action and staying uninvolved in the problems of others. While she initially seems guarded and reserved – hesitant to reveal information about herself – she is in fact amnesiac, with little memory of her own past. Fiercely devoted to Shar, she doesn't tolerate any slights against her goddess, often reacting defensively. Trained in the Sharran ways, she's also not above forceful actions, duplicity or even killing, to achieve her goals.
* {{Icon|Command Halt Icon.png|30px}} [[Command]]
 
* [[File:Create Water.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Create or Destroy Water]] [[Create or Destroy Water]]
Still, Shadowheart displays traits that are often at odds with her Sharran training. She has a fondness for flowers and animals, disapproves of indiscriminate violence, prefers relatively peaceful resolutions to conflicts when possible and often sympathizes with the plights of party members. She can be as sarcastic as {{CharLink|Astarion}} and doesn't shy away from dark humour. She is introspective and often harbours doubts as can be seen by romancing her, and when guided away from Shar, she's much more open and honest with her feelings.
* [[File:Cure Wounds Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Cure Wounds]] [[Cure Wounds]]
 
* [[File:Guiding Bolt Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Guiding Bolt]] [[Guiding Bolt]]
==History==
* [[File:Healing Word Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Healing Word]] [[Healing Word]]
===Early life===
* [[File:Inflict Wounds Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Inflict Wounds]] [[Inflict Wounds]]
Born to parents {{CharLink|Arnell Hallowleaf|Arnell}} and {{CharLink|Emmeline Hallowleaf}}, Jenevelle, as she was named, was raised in a [[Selûne|Selûnite]] household in the forests outside [[Baldur's Gate]].{{ref|Multiple things point to Shadowheart having grown up in Moonhaven, the former name for the now ruined [[Blighted Village]], such as her reaction when picking up the {{SmRarityItem|Old Schoolbook}} or her scene at the Selûnite statue behind the mill. However, it's difficult to confirm as different sources in-game indicate that the village was destroyed over a hundred years ago by Ketheric Thorm's dark justiciar army, and Shadowheart is estimated to be roughly fifty years old. Conflicting timelines regarding the village and its destruction don't line up, thus, it's possible that the intent during development was that she and her family had indeed lived in Moonhaven, but that the inconsistencies were never properly fixed for release.}} Devout followers of the Moonmaiden, they worshipped her in quiet seclusion away from the city, raising young Jenevelle in the ways of Selûne. In time, she would take part of an ancient Selûnite initiation rite: abandoned in the wilds, she would have to rely on her skills and faith to fend for herself, proving herself as a devout believer once she returned.{{ref|[[Campsite]], line spoken by {{CharLink|Arnell Hallowleaf}} if saved from Shar and asked about what happened the night of the abduction.<br>''"You were to come of age that night - left alone in the woods, and only using Selûne's guidance to find your way back to us."''<br>This is also referenced in {{SmRarityItem|Selûnite Rite}}}}
* [[File:Protection From Evil And Good.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Protection from Evil and Good]] [[Protection from Evil and Good]]
[[File:Shadowheart Child.webp|thumb|A girl in the woods]]
* [[File:Shield Of Faith Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Shield of Faith]] [[Shield of Faith]]
Yet {{CharLink|Shar}}, Selûne's dark sister, had other plans for the child and commanded {{CharLink|Viconia DeVir}} and a cadre of Sharrans to kidnap the child.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|In Service of the Night}} by Viconia DeVir}} Arnell had learned of this ploy after capturing a Sharran spy, and taking his wolf form, he raced towards Jenevelle. But young Jenevelle never learned of her father's curse of lycanthropy, and instead of being rescued by her father, all she saw was a great wolf hunting her.{{ref|Campsite, lines spoken by Arnell Hallowleaf if saved from Shar and asked about what happened the night of the abduction.<br>''"We caught a Sharran spy near our village, and learned that his accomplices sought to abduct you. (...) I took on my wolf-form to cover the ground more quickly. (...) But when I found you, you did not see your father rushing to save you - you only saw a wolf, hunting you in the darkness."''}} The Sharrans caught up to the pair and kidnapped both, taking them to a secret cloister of the Dark Lady in Baldur's Gate.
* [[File:Charm Person Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Charm Person]] [[Charm Person]] (domain)
 
* [[File:Disguise Self Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Disguise Self]] [[Disguise Self]] (domain)
=== Life as a Sharran===
{{div col end}}
Jenevelle would be brought to the [[Cloister of Sombre Embrace]], a Sharran temple in Baldur's Gate set up and ran by Mother Superior Viconia DeVir after her previous endeavours in [[Waterdeep]] had failed.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|No Price Too High}} by Viconia DeVir}}{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|In Service of the Night}} by Viconia DeVir}} Viconia's mission, given to her directly by Shar, was to mould young Jenevelle into a champion of the Dark Lady, an effort that would ultimately take almost half a century.{{ref|[[Cloister of Sombre Embrace]], ambient line spoken by Shadowheart upon reading {{SmRarityItem|No Price Too High}} in the dormitory.<br>''"These are all about ''me''... forty years of my life, documented like I was some sort of specimen."''}} Jenevelle resisted the indoctrination at first, but the brutal training she would be put through, being lied to that her parents perished defending her from wolves, as well as repeated forced use of the temple's [[Mirror of Loss]], would slowly erase her past and in time forge a new identity: Shadowheart.
===== Cantrips Known =====
 
{{div col | style = column-width: 18em; list-style-type: none;}}
Though the Mother Superior was especially cruel with Shadowheart, forcing her to use the Mirror of Loss more than with any other acolyte. Under Viconia's watchful eye, Shadowheart, no longer recognizing her parents, was forced to torture them and practice her newfound skills on them.{{ref|Campsite, line spoken by Arnell Hallowleaf if saved from Shar and asked about what happened the night of the abduction.<br>''"They had you use us for... practice. All the techniques that the Sharrans hold pride in. Trickery, interrogation... torture. They even had you, our own daughter, try to ''convert'' us."''}} Still, Shadowheart was able to retain a few memories from her past thanks to Rennald, a young [[Tiefling]] acolyte undergoing similar training. Any time she would be subjected to mirror training, Rennald would do his best to remind Shadowheart who she was afterwards.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Nocturne's Journal}} by Nocturne}} Thanks to him, and whatever scattered notes she was able to jot down between mirror trainings,{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Hastily Written Note (Night Orchid Cave)}} by Shadowheart}} Shadowheart was able to retain some parts of her identity, such as her fondness for flowers and animals. The two became good friends, and one of the few blessings during her time in the cloister.
* [[File:Guidance Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Guidance]] [[Guidance]]
 
* [[File:Resistance Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Resistance]] [[Resistance]]
===Hunting after the mysterious artefact ===
* [[File:Sacred Flame Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Sacred Flame]] [[Sacred Flame]]
At some point during Shadowheart's last stages of training, whispers of the rise of a mysterious cult would reach the Mother Superior's ears. This [[Cult of the Absolute]] as it was being called, was quickly gaining traction among the populace and threatened the Sharran influence over the city.{{ref|Cloister of Sombre Embrace, lines spoken by Viconia DeVir when parlaying with her.<br>''"Whispers reached my ears from all corners - potential rivals of Lady Shar, all vying for the same prize. A new god, amassing the disaffected, the outcasts - those who should turn to us. (...) I had to act. I had to strangle that foul conspiracy while it was still in the cradle."''}} As luck would have it, the Sharrans would capture a [[Githyanki]] scout who,{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Captives of Shar}}}} after being subjected to merciless torture, revealed the existence of a githyanki artefact of immense power that the cult were desperate to find lest it be used against them.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Subject Mapping Results: Githyanki No. 7}}}} Such an artefact could prove an asset for the Sharrans in thwarting the absolutist presence in the city, and so the Mother Superior quickly formed a party of elite devouts, tasking them with its retrieval.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Artefact Mission: Agent Roster}} likely by Viconia DeVir}} Though deemed a suicide mission, Shadowheart and four other companions set out to fulfil what they believed were Shar's commands.
* [[File:Fire Bolt Icon.png|frameless|upright=0.1|link=Fire Bolt]] [[Fire Bolt]] (from High Half-Elf)
 
{{div col end}}
The group was able to locate the {{SmRarityItem|Mysterious Artefact}} though at great cost: Shadowheart was the only survivor.{{ref|Official Website: Larian Studios. [https://baldursgate3.game Game Characters: Shadowheart]. Retrieved 01-02-2024.}}
 
Disaster wouldn't stop there, however, as she soon found herself captive at the hands of [[Mind Flayer|Mind Flayers]]. How and where she was captured is never explored, however, at some point during her capture she became [[Mind Flayer Tadpole|tadpoled]] and was kept imprisoned in a pod awaiting {{FRWiki|Ceremorphosis}}.
 
== Involvement==
===Prologue===
Shadowheart can be encountered during the battle aboard the [[Nautiloid]]. Trapped in a mind flayer pod, the party can decide whether to free her or not. If released, she will join the party as a temporary companion until they escape the ship.
 
===As Origin===
As an origin character, Shadowheart will wake up in the pod where all player characters start. The artifact will be on the floor nearby, and the player will be prompted to pick it up and bring it to Baldur's Gate. There will be no one in the pod where Shadowheart is usually found.
 
On the Ravaged Beach, Shadowheart will be the only one present. As a result, there will only be two intellect devourers to fight, rather than the usual three, but it is still a significantly more difficult fight. Shadowheart getting downed results in a game over screen. (The fight can be bypassed by climbing rocks on the right of the location where the intellect devourers are found. If the party returns later with at least two party members, there will be three intellect devourers.)
 
===Daughter of Darkness===
[[File:Shadowheart Icon.png|right|125px]]
 
''{{Quest|Daughter of Darkness}}'' is Shadowheart's personal quest. It is added to the journal upon recruiting her and spans all three acts of the game.
 
====Act One ====
During the first act of the game, players will slowly uncover the mystery of the artefact Shadowheart carries, as well as the mission that led her to find it. Shadowheart will reveal that she's a devout of Shar and that her mission is to deliver the artefact to her cloister in Baldur's Gate. As part of the operation, she had her memories suppressed so she wouldn't betray Shar, who exerts her influence over her through the wound in Shadowheart's hand.
 
The party may encounter {{CharLink|Voss|Kith'rak Voss}} near the [[Mountain Pass]] who informs them that the githyanki are searching for an object very similar to Shadowheart's artefact. Whatever the outcome of the encounter, {{CharLink|Lae'zel}} will confront Shadowheart about it later in camp. If left unresolved, Shadowheart will attempt to kill Lae'zel in her sleep next rest, though she can be convinced to desist and put grudges aside.
 
Shadowheart may also slowly reveal parts of her past. Upon an encounter with wolves, she can be asked about her apparent fear of them, to which depending on player approval, she may show a memory of a young Shadowheart being saved by a wolf attack by Sharrans. Similarly, if given the {{SmRarityItem|Noblestalk}} from the [[Underdark]], Shadowheart will remember a young tiefling named Rennald who she was friends with during her initiate years. This will add the quest {{Quest|A Familiar Face}} to the journal.
 
Should the party learn about [[Dark Justiciar]]s, they may ask Shadowheart more about them. She will state that they are elite warriors of Shar and that she dreams of becoming one some day. This will add the quest {{Quest|The Chosen of Shar}} to the journal.
 
====Act Two====
Having high approval with Shadowheart will at some point reveal that one of her favourite flowers is the {{SmRarityItem|Night Orchid}}. One such flower can be found in the [[Ruined Battlefield]] in the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]] and given to her. Shadowheart will express her gratitude and lament not having anything to give in return.
 
Within the [[Grand Mausoleum]] the party will find the [[Gauntlet of Shar]], ancient proving grounds for Dark Justiciar aspirants. Shadowheart will be excited about the possibility of proving herself to her goddess, and urge the party to complete the trials and allow her to become a Dark Justiciar. Completing the trials will lead the party to the [[Shadowfell]] and the confrontation with the {{CharLink|Aylin|Nightsong}}. Shadowheart's fate will diverge greatly depending on the choices made here.
 
If she's allowed to slay the Nightsong, Shar will be greatly pleased with Shadowheart, and will finally name her Dark Justiciar, granting her powerful rewards. Shadowheart herself will be happy she finally achieved her dream, and will vow to serve Shar faithfully until death. Alternatively, Shadowheart can be convinced to spare the Nightsong, turning on Shar to forge her own future. In doing so, the Nightsong will be freed and Shadowheart will be abandoned by her goddess for good. Finally, choosing to not bring Shadowheart to the Shadowfell or surrendering the Nightsong to {{CharLink|Balthazar}} will greatly anger her and cause her to attack or permanently leave the party. Any of these outcomes complete {{Quest|The Chosen of Shar}}.
 
====Act Three====
{{DiQ|Loss is a gift, girl. Do you still not understand that?|Mother Superior| to Shadowheart}}
Whether commanded by Shar as a Dark Justiciar, or guided by {{CharLink|Aylin}}, Shadowheart's next destination is the [[Cloister of Sombre Embrace]] in the [[Lower City]] of Baldur's Gate. A Dark Justiciar Shadowheart will be commanded by Shar to cleanse the cloister from corruption, while a Shadowheart who freed Aylin and turned against Shar will be spurred by the hope that she may find her parents alive there.
 
There, Shadowheart will encounter {{CharLink|Viconia DeVir}}, the cloister's Mother Superior and the person who saw to her training as an initiate. She will demand the mysterious artefact and the surrender of Shadowheart. Once more, Shadowheart's fate can go different ways depending on choices made. The party may agree to surrender Shadowheart to Viconia, losing her as a companion but gaining the Sharrans as allies for the final battle. Hearing Viconia's offer out begins the subquest {{Quest|Surrender Shadowheart to Viconia}}. Alternatively, the party can confront Viconia and the Sharrans, resulting in their demise. If surrendered to Viconia, the main quest and the corresponding subquest will be completed.
 
Exploring the cloister, the party may run into {{CharLink|Nocturne}}, a tiefling who recognises Shadowheart. If Shadowheart recovered some of her memories by eating noblestalk, she will realise that Nocturne is the young tiefling friend from her past, even though she has changed since then. Shadowheart and Nocturne can then reminisce about growing up in the cloister. This encounter completes {{Quest|A Familiar Face}}.
 
If Viconia is refused and defeated, the party may enter the Threshold of Loss, Shar's hidden sanctum. There, Shadowheart will come face to face with her parents, long thought dead. Shar's ultimate test for a Dark Justiciar requires her to slay them. In doing so, Shar will bless Shadowheart by wiping her memory and tasking her with rebuilding the cloister. Shar's faithful will be available as an ally for the final battle. If Shadowheart turned from Shar, she will have a difficult choice to make: save her parents but be forever bound to Shar's curse, or sacrifice her parents and sever the curse at last. Whichever choice is made completes {{Quest|Daughter of Darkness}}.
 
During the party's next long rest, Shadowheart will be found waiting for the player character at a statue of Selûne. If she turned from Shar in Act Two or saved her parents as a Dark Justiciar, she reflects on her feelings now that she truly knows who she is and, if her parents are alive, worries that they won't be able to look her in the eye after the torture she put them through. She breaks down crying in the arms of the player character (if they select "''Embrace her''") and/or her parents (if they're alive) for a while before deciding to reclaim the name Shadowheart for her new self, as "you can't cast a shadow without some light." Otherwise, if Shadowheart both overthrew Viconia and killed her parents, she instead mocks Selûne and vandalizes the statue by covering it in Aylin's blood.
 
=== Endings===
====Adventures throughout the Sword Coast====
If Shadowheart turned from Shar and lost her parents in the process, she will embark on adventures throughout the {{FRWiki|Sword Coast}}, visiting the {{FRWiki|House of the Moon}} in [[Waterdeep]], battling Sharran assassins and even befriending an [[Imp]] named [[Bing Bong]].{{ref|Bing Bong is the name of an imp appearing during one of the Larian Studios' sponsored Dungeons and Dragons sessions with the main cast of voice actors for the game. Run and hosted by the High Rollers DnD channel, during this adventure, Shadowheart and Lae'zel encounter an imp named Bing Bong working at a store, and Shadowheart briefly adopts him before Lae'zel kills him.}} {{ref|Official Livestream & VOD: High Rollers DnD (22-09-2023). [https://youtu.be/jeJKnofNBNs Baldur's Gate 3 Cast play D&D #1 / High Rollers Presents: Shadows of Athkatla]. High Rollers DnD YouTube Channel. Retrieved 17-01-2024.}}


== Recruitment ==
====Life at a country farmstead ====
Shadowheart can be recruited in [[Chapter One]].
Shadowheart moves to a country farmstead to live surrounded by flowers, pets{{ref|Four dogs, eight cats, nine chickens, six pigeons, four sheep, one cow named Daphne, a squirrel and Buttons, a wolf cub. She can also adopt the [[Owlbear Cub]].}} and family, if she turned from Shar and rescued her parents. There, she is finally able to live the life she wanted surrounded by love. If romanced, the player will be living with her and her family, a quiet life after adventures. From time to time Shar will inflict pain on Shadowheart through the wound on her hand, but she no longer minds and notices those events becoming more infrequent lately.
* Shadowheart is first encountered on the [[Nautiloid]] during the [[Prologue]], trapped inside a [[Mind Flayer]] pod. She can be freed by interacting with the nearby console or using certain class-restricted dialogue options on the pod. If she is freed, she will join the party as a temporary companion. Upon escaping the Nautiloid, she leaves the party.
* Shadowheart is encountered again a second time at the [[Ravaged Beach]] inside the [[Wilderness]]. If she was freed from the pod during the [[Prologue]], she will be unconscious on the ground and wake up when interacted with. If she was not freed, she will instead be found attempting to gain entry to the nearby [[Dank Crypt]]. Either way, she can be invited to join the party after speaking with her.
* If Shadowheart is not interacted with at the [[Ravaged Beach]], she will move to the [[Druid Grove]] on her own in search of a healer. She can be spoken with there and invited to join the party.


====Mother Superior of the Sharran cloister====
Should Shadowheart have chosen to remain in Shar's embrace, she will have become the new Mother Superior of the Sharran cloister in Baldur's Gate, operating from the House of Grief. In the months since, word of Lady of Loss has spread far and wide, thanks to the efforts of Shadowheart. If romanced, Shadowheart will end the relationship prior to this, explaining that she needs to be fully devoted to her goddess. She will agree to be kissed for old times' sake, but she remains faithful to Shar. Shadowheart also expresses sympathy for Viconia's fate, now able to understand what she went through as Mother Superior.


== Background ==
==Quest rewards==
A loyal cleric of [[Deities#Shar|Shar]], Shadowheart is the sole survivor of a holy mission undertaken on the Mistress of the Night's behest. She alone must deliver a relic of immense power to her coven in [[Baldur's Gate]], while threatened by a strange new magic that is burgeoning from within.
===Rewards for slaying the Nightsong ===
As part of the quest {{Quest|The Chosen of Shar}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Dark Justiciar Boots}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Dark Justiciar Gauntlets (Rare)|Dark Justiciar Gauntlets}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Dark Justiciar Half-Plate (Very Rare)|Dark Justiciar Half-Plate}},
*{{MdRarityItem|Shar's Spear of Evening}}
===Rewards for sparing the Nightsong and defeating {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}} ===
As part of the quests {{Quest|Find the Nightsong}} and {{Quest|Infiltrate Moonrise Towers}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Moonlight Glaive}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Selûne's Spear of Night}}


==Interactions==
{{UnderConstruction|section}}
===Companion interactions===
Shadowheart has unique dialogue interactions as a companion available after certain events. Whenever one is available, she will have a floating [ ! ] icon above her.


== Personality ==
====Act One====
Shadowheart is guarded and hesitant to reveal information about herself, her motives, or the relic she carries.  She displays a particular distrust of [[Githyanki]] such as [[Lae'zel]]. Often, she seems indifferent to the plight of others; however, she does not explicitly take pleasure in their suffering, and will disapprove of unnecessary cruelty and violence.  She will usually approve of finding non-violent solutions to situations, and treating animals and children with compassion. Above all, Shadowheart values pragmatism.


====Act Two====
*If Shadowheart abandons Shar and spares the Nightsong, upon taking the portal out from the [[Shadowfell]] Shar will keep her hostage for a time before releasing her. The party can ask her what kept her and she'll explain that Shar wanted to punish her and make sure she knew she was forsaken henceforth.


== Interactions ==
====Act Three====
=== Approval ===
Shadowheart likes finding pragmatic and efficient solutions to problems. She appreciates discretion, privacy, and open-mindedness. Shadowheart generally responds well to acts of heroism.


The following story and dialogue choices will cause Shadowheart to gain [[approval]].
=== Unique interactions ===
{{SpoilerBox|
Either as an [[Origins|origin]], or in the party as a [[Companions|companion]], Shadowheart has unique interactions and special dialogue with the following characters, listed by the act they are first encountered in.
==== Act 1 ====
* Persuade the Tieflings to let Lae'zel go without a fight.
* Ask Lae'zel to say 'please' after rescuing her.
* Kill the skeletons inside the Dank Crypt and trigger her "!", tell her you agree with her.
* Read the Book of the Dead Gods inside Dank Crypt and succeed the Religion Check.
* In camp on the first night tell her you agree with her about finding a healer as soon as possible.
* Persuade Aradin and Zevlor to stop fighting.
* Refuse to help Zevlor persuade Kagha to let the Tieflings stay
* When Arka is distraught over Kanon's death, tell her to seek vengeance and spill some goblin blood
* Persuade Arka not to kill Sazza.
* Show the Tiefling Guex how to fight.
* Rally the Tiefling children during their training.
* Persuade Kagha to free Arabella.
* Swear to take the Wyvern Poison.
* Decline the devil's offer to remove the tadpole.
* Tell her you would never trust a devil.
* Crush the tadpole that leaves True Soul Edowin.
* Persuade the goblins to let you pass into the Blighted Village.
* Tell her that you don't care who she worships.
* Ask her about her faith, then persuade her that you have no problems with it.
* Talk about her missing memories, make her promise to point out Night Orchids.
* When entering the Sunlit Wetlands, pass the check to break the illusion, then BAA at the redcaps when you speak to them.
* Demand that Crusher kiss your foot.
* Agree to Abdirak's ritual for Loviatar.
* Pass the Deception Check when speaking to the Githyanki Patrol.
* When she has odd magical flare-up, choose to change the subject and ignore it.
* Tell BOOOAL he is a fake god, tell him you are going to kill him and take his power.
* Pet Scratch.
* Pet the Owlbear cub or send him to your camp.
}}


====Act One====
*{{CharLink|Lae'zel}}


=== Disapproval ===
====Act Two====
Shadowheart dislikes those that disapprove of her worship or people pressing her for answers or details. She does not like needless cruelty or violence and can respond unfavorably to being too open with untrustworthy or unknown individuals.
*{{CharLink|Isobel Thorm|Isobel}}


The following story and dialogue choices will cause Shadowheart to lose [[approval]].
====Act Three====
{{SpoilerBox|
*{{CharLink|Ferg Drogher}}
==== Act 1 ====
*{{CharLink|Viconia DeVir}}
* Attack the Tieflings.
* Recruit Lae'zel into the party
* Let Lae'zel make Zorru bow.
* Tell Lae'zel she's good at interrogations.
* Tell Auntie Ethel about the tadpole.
* Tell Astarion you trust him.
* Take her to the Chicken Chase in the Goblin Camp, and tell her not to be hasty.
* Agree to kill [[Karlach]] for Anders.
* Attack the Owlbear in its den
* Insist on continuing to use the tadpole's power after the second dream
* Pick a fight with Priestess Gut while she is still on her throne
* When she has the odd magical flare-up, ask if it was some form of Sharran magic
}}


=== Speak with Dead ===
==== (if she dies before being recruited:) ====
{{Dialogue start}}
'''Party member:''' Who are you?
* '''Shadowheart:''' Shadowheart...
'''Party member:''' What happened to you?
* '''Shadowheart:''' Returned. Punished. My mission failed...
'''Party member:''' What was your purpose?
* '''Shadowheart:''' To serve. To repent.
'''Party member:''' Do you remember me?
* '''Shadowheart:''' No...
'''Party member:''' What is your dream?
* '''Shadowheart:''' To serve Lady Shar...
'''Party member:''' What happened to you?
* '''Shadowheart:''' The artefact... I felt it ''burn...''
** '''Party member:''' The artefact burned? What do you mean?
*** '''Shadowheart:''' I felt it. It didn't want to stay with me... I failed...


=== Romance ===
==== (if she dies off-screen after a long rest): ====
* Can [[romance]] players of any sex and [[race]].
'''Party member:''' What is your profession?
* '''Shadowheart:''' Cleric...
** '''Party member:''' A cleric? Who do you worship?
*** '''Shadowheart:''' It is forbidden


The following section explains Shadowheart's romance.
'''Party member:''' What is the artefact you had?
{{SpoilerBox|
* '''Shadowheart:''' A secret. My mission. Must keep it safe...
Similarly to other characters, her first important romance scene will be unlocked during the Party by proposing to have a drink in private with you. '''Shadowheart will only propose it to you if you sided with the Tieflings and if you have at least medium approval.''' You'll meet her away from camp later that night, where you will have a deep conversation. After some dialogue, the camera fades and returns a few hours later showing both of you laying on the ground, holding hands. You can choose to kiss her, and then both will return to camp.  
**'''Party member:''' What was your mission?
*** '''Shadowheart:''' Protect the artefact. Deliver to Baldur's Gate...
** '''Party member:''' How do I get rid of the artefact?
*** '''Shadowheart:''' Cannot. Must not. Too important...
'''Party member:''' Where are you from?
* '''Shadowheart:''' Baldur's Gate...
'''Party member:''' Where do you keep your valuables?
* '''Shadowheart:''' On me. Always in reach...
{{Dialogue end}}


Next day, you can have a conversation with her regarding the previous night. Her dialogue will depend on her level of approval.
== Related Literature ==
}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Letter from Arnell Hallowleaf}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Letter from Emmeline Hallowleaf}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Letter from Nocturne}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Letter from Viconia}}
* {{MdRarityItem|No Price Too High}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Nocturne's Journal}}
* {{MdRarityItem|In Service of the Night}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Stained Book (Night Orchid Cave)}}


==Loot==
Shadowheart can be killed and looted, and drops the same loot as her starting equipment.


== Trivia ==
===Starting equipment===
* Shadowheart is voiced by [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10804818/?ref_=tt_cl_t_12 Jennifer English].
{{div col}}
* According to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larian_Studios Larian Studios], until Patch 3, Shadowheart was the most romanced female companion and the second most romanced companion overall.
*{{MdRarityItem|Alchemy Pouch}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Camp Supply Sack}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Circlet}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Keychain}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Leather Boots}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Mace}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Potion of Healing}} x2
*{{MdRarityItem|Chain Shirt|override_icon=Chain Shirt Shadowheart Unfaded.png|override_rarity=common|Shadowheart's Chain Shirt}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Shadowheart's Clothes}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Tasteful Boots|override_icon=Generated_ARM_Camp_Shoes_Shadowheart_Unfaded.png|override_rarity=common|Shadowheart's Tasteful Boots}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Shadowheart's Underwear}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Scroll of Detect Thoughts}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Scroll of Revivify}}
*{{MdRarityItem|Studded Shield}}
{{div col end}}


==Achievements==
{{Achievement|To Bloom in Darkest Night}}


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
<gallery heights="250px" mode="packed">
<gallery heights="250px" mode="packed">
File:Shadowheart-beta.png|Shadowheart's appearance pre-release
File:Shadowheart Unarmed Model.webp|Base model.
File:Shadowheart-promotional.jpg|Shadowheart's promotional art
File:Shadowheart Camp Model.webp|Camp clothing model.
File:Shadowheart-ea.jpg|Shadowheart during ''Early Access''.
File:Shadowheart Underwear Model.webp|Under-wear model.
Shadowheart Model.png|EA model
File:Shadowheart EA Model.png|Early Access model.
File:Shadowheart-artbook-concept1.png|Digital Artbook concept.
File:Shadowheart-character-creator.png|Appearance in the character creator.
File:Edward-vanderghote-shadowheart.jpg|Portrait by Edward Vanderghote.
File:Shadowheart.png|Cover artwork.
File:Shadowheart-beta.png|Appearence pre-release.
File:Shadowheart-ea.jpg|During Early Access.
File:Shadowheart-promotional.jpg|Promotional art.
File:Shadowheart-artbook-concept2.png|Digital Artbook early face concepts.
</gallery>
</gallery>


[[Category: Half-Elves]]
==Related literature==
[[Category: Humanoids]]
*{{MdRarityItem|In Service of the Night}}
[[Category: Clerics]]
*{{MdRarityItem|Hastily Written Note (Night Orchid Cave)|Hastily Written Note}}
[[Category: Companions]]
*{{MdRarityItem|No Price Too High}}
[[Category: Origins]]
*{{MdRarityItem|Selûnite Rite}}
{{Character}}
 
==Notes and References==
{{notebegin}}
{{div col}}{{reflist}}{{div col end}}
{{noteend}}
 
==External links==
* {{FRWiki|Shadowheart|long}}
*[https://media.dndbeyond.com/compendium-images/claims/bg3/char-sheets/BG3-Shadowheart-Sheet.pdf Shadowheart's official 5E D&D Character Sheet on D&D Beyond] (PDF)
 
{{NavCompanions}}
{{Nautiloid}}
{{Ravaged Beach}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters in the Nautiloid]]
[[Category:Characters in the Ravaged Beach]]
[[Category:Characters in Act One]]
[[Category:Half-Elves]]
[[Category:Humanoids]]
[[Category:Origins]]
[[Category:Companions]]
[[Category:Clerics]]
[[Category:Available to Speak with Dead]]
[[Category:Followers of Selûne]]
[[Category:Followers of Shar]]

Latest revision as of 22:16, 31 October 2024

Overview Approval Banter Romance

Shadowheart (born as Jenevelle Hallowleaf), is an Origin Character and a recruitable Companion with the Acolyte background. She is a High Half-Elf and a Trickery Domain Cleric first appearing during the Prologue.

As a loyal servant of the goddess Shar Shar, Shadowheart can be cold and calculating, willing to do whatever is necessary to serve the Dark Lady with utter devotion. She can be first found on the Nautiloid during the prologue where she serves as a temporary companion, and she can be properly recruited at various points in Act One as well as romanced by characters of any gender.


Portrait Shadowheart.png
“
We're in this together, but I'll happily go it alone. My faith will keep me company.
„
— Shadowheart's strong devotion

Overview

For a full overview of Shadowheart's starting features, see the articles Cleric, Trickery Domain and high half-elf.

Background

A devout follower of the Lady of Loss, Shadowheart is the sole survivor of a holy mission undertaken on the Mistress of the Night's behest. She alone must deliver a relic of immense power to her coven in Baldur's Gate while threatened by a strange new magic that is burgeoning from within. Her faith plays an important part in her story throughout the game, and she can be steered towards or away from it.

Starting class

Shadowheart starts as a Trickery Domain cleric, giving her access to Spellcasting – with a particular focus on illusion magic – and Blessing of the Trickster Blessing of the Trickster, a class action that grants another creature advantage on Stealth checks. This makes her an ideal support character, albeit with few offensive options.

Special features

  • Shadowheart has the passive Fear of Wolves Fear of Wolves: whenever a wolf approaches her, she must make a Wisdom saving throw or become Frightened Frightened
  • Shar Shar, Shadowheart's goddess, plays an integral part in her story, and is far more involved in her life than the standard Cleric class experience
  • Shar's patronage grants Shadowheart resistance to mild exposure to the Shadow Curse in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, though she will still need protection in areas where the curse is strongest.

Personal quest

Shadowheart's personal quest is Daughter of Darkness Daughter of Darkness, spanning all acts of the game. Throughout it, Shadowheart will uncover fragments of her nebulous past, re-examine her relationship with her goddess Shar and decide her own future: remaining in the dark embrace of the Lady of Loss or freeing from the past.

Three further subquests are available that tie into her personal quest: The Chosen of Shar The Chosen of Shar, in which Shadowheart's faith will be tested, A Familiar Face A Familiar Face, where parts of her past will come to light, and Surrender Shadowheart Surrender Shadowheart, in which the party must consider a treacherous proposition.

Recruitment

Shadowheart can be recruited as a temporary companion during the Prologue on the Nautiloid by freeing her from the mind flayer pod. She can then become a permanent companion during Act One.

Prologue

  • Shadowheart is first encountered on the Nautiloid during the Prologue, trapped inside a mind flayer pod. She can be freed by interacting with the nearby console or as a Barbarian, using one of the dialogue options below:
    • [BARBARIAN] Grip the pod's lid and pull.
      • [BERSERKER] [STRENGTH] RIP THE POD OPEN. (DC 10)
      • [BARBARIAN] [STRENGTH] Don't give up. Tear this thing open. (DC 10)
  • If she is freed, she will join the party as a temporary companion. Upon escaping the nautiloid, she leaves the party.

Act One

  • Shadowheart can be found a second time at the Ravaged Beach in the Wilderness. If she was freed from the pod during the Prologue, she will be lying unconscious on the ground and will wake up when interacted with. If she was not freed, she will instead be found attempting to gain entry to the nearby Dank Crypt. Either way, she can be invited to join the party after speaking with her.
  • If Shadowheart is not interacted with at the Ravaged Beach, she will move to the Druid Grove on her own in search of a healer. She can be spoken with there and invited to join the party.
  • If the party enters the Goblin Camp without having recruited Shadowheart, she will show up and save the party from the Voice of the Absolute using the Mysterious Artefact. If not recruited, she may be convinced to wait here, or fought to the death.
  • If the party ignores the Goblin Camp and walks towards the Mountain Pass, she will similarly appear to save the party members from the Voice, as the party members attempt to cross the bridge into the main area.
  • If the party ignores the Goblin Camp and the Mountain Pass, and manages to enter the Underdark, she will appear to save the party from the Voice of the Absolute, as the party members enter the elevator to the Shadow-Cursed Lands.

Approval

Main article: Shadowheart/approval
Shadowheart Approves
Shadowheart likes finding pragmatic and efficient solutions to problems. She appreciates discretion, privacy, and open-mindedness. Shadowheart generally responds well to acts of heroism. While she is afraid of wolves, Shadowheart loves animals and will always react favourably to positive interactions with them and negatively to cruelty towards them. As a devout Sharran, she also approves of acts against Selûne Selûne and Selûnites in general.

Shadowheart dislikes those that disapprove of her worship or people pressing her for answers or details. She does not like needless cruelty or violence and can respond unfavourably to being too open with untrustworthy or unknown individuals. Straying from Shar's mandates results in Shadowheart being punished through the wound in her right hand, a reminder to follow Shar Shar's wishes.

Romance

Main article: Shadowheart/romance

Shadowheart can be romanced by characters of any gender, and is one of the few characters willing to have a casual relationship. Throughout it, she will have to deal with the topic of her identity and how the idea of love fits the Sharran concept of self-sacrifice for their goddess.

Nightsong points

Unlike other Companions, Shadowheart has a secondary approval system, influencing the choices in Find the Nightsong and Find Ketheric Thorm's Relic. For more information, see Nightsong Points.

Description

Appearance

Shadowheart has straight, coal-black hair kept in a long ponytail segmented by ornate silver rings. Her fringe hair is kept short and straight, revealing her brows beneath and a scar running from her nose to her right cheek. Hair adorns her face on the sides, reaching past her chin, her pointed ears barely peeking through them, and her eyes, light-green with speckles of yellow, are contoured by dark make-up. Though rarely seen, she has a black circular mark on her right hand, a wound given by Shar used to express her disapproval, causing Shadowheart pain whenever she misbehaves. Though appearing youthful due to her elven heritage, she is over 40 years old.[2]

She complements her Sharran attire with a silver circlet worn above her fringe, simple, yet elegant, displaying her goddess' holy symbol, a black disc, as well as an argent hairpiece at the base of her ponytail, reminiscent of the decorations found in Sharran temples.

After the events of The Chosen of Shar The Chosen of Shar, if Shadowheart turned away from Shar, she will dye her hair silver and part her fringe off-center, showing more of her forehead. If she remained faithful, however, she will maintain her black hair but part her hair nonetheless.

Personality

Zealously devoted, independent and headstrong, she prefers pragmatic solutions to issues, decisive action and staying uninvolved in the problems of others. While she initially seems guarded and reserved – hesitant to reveal information about herself – she is in fact amnesiac, with little memory of her own past. Fiercely devoted to Shar, she doesn't tolerate any slights against her goddess, often reacting defensively. Trained in the Sharran ways, she's also not above forceful actions, duplicity or even killing, to achieve her goals.

Still, Shadowheart displays traits that are often at odds with her Sharran training. She has a fondness for flowers and animals, disapproves of indiscriminate violence, prefers relatively peaceful resolutions to conflicts when possible and often sympathizes with the plights of party members. She can be as sarcastic as Astarion Astarion and doesn't shy away from dark humour. She is introspective and often harbours doubts as can be seen by romancing her, and when guided away from Shar, she's much more open and honest with her feelings.

History

Early life

Born to parents Arnell Hallowleaf Arnell and Emmeline Hallowleaf Emmeline Hallowleaf, Jenevelle, as she was named, was raised in a Selûnite household in the forests outside Baldur's Gate.[3] Devout followers of the Moonmaiden, they worshipped her in quiet seclusion away from the city, raising young Jenevelle in the ways of Selûne. In time, she would take part of an ancient Selûnite initiation rite: abandoned in the wilds, she would have to rely on her skills and faith to fend for herself, proving herself as a devout believer once she returned.[4]

A girl in the woods

Yet Shar Shar, Selûne's dark sister, had other plans for the child and commanded Viconia DeVir Viconia DeVir and a cadre of Sharrans to kidnap the child.[5] Arnell had learned of this ploy after capturing a Sharran spy, and taking his wolf form, he raced towards Jenevelle. But young Jenevelle never learned of her father's curse of lycanthropy, and instead of being rescued by her father, all she saw was a great wolf hunting her.[6] The Sharrans caught up to the pair and kidnapped both, taking them to a secret cloister of the Dark Lady in Baldur's Gate.

Life as a Sharran

Jenevelle would be brought to the Cloister of Sombre Embrace, a Sharran temple in Baldur's Gate set up and ran by Mother Superior Viconia DeVir after her previous endeavours in Waterdeep had failed.[7][8] Viconia's mission, given to her directly by Shar, was to mould young Jenevelle into a champion of the Dark Lady, an effort that would ultimately take almost half a century.[9] Jenevelle resisted the indoctrination at first, but the brutal training she would be put through, being lied to that her parents perished defending her from wolves, as well as repeated forced use of the temple's Mirror of Loss, would slowly erase her past and in time forge a new identity: Shadowheart.

Though the Mother Superior was especially cruel with Shadowheart, forcing her to use the Mirror of Loss more than with any other acolyte. Under Viconia's watchful eye, Shadowheart, no longer recognizing her parents, was forced to torture them and practice her newfound skills on them.[10] Still, Shadowheart was able to retain a few memories from her past thanks to Rennald, a young Tiefling acolyte undergoing similar training. Any time she would be subjected to mirror training, Rennald would do his best to remind Shadowheart who she was afterwards.[11] Thanks to him, and whatever scattered notes she was able to jot down between mirror trainings,[12] Shadowheart was able to retain some parts of her identity, such as her fondness for flowers and animals. The two became good friends, and one of the few blessings during her time in the cloister.

Hunting after the mysterious artefact

At some point during Shadowheart's last stages of training, whispers of the rise of a mysterious cult would reach the Mother Superior's ears. This Cult of the Absolute as it was being called, was quickly gaining traction among the populace and threatened the Sharran influence over the city.[13] As luck would have it, the Sharrans would capture a Githyanki scout who,[14] after being subjected to merciless torture, revealed the existence of a githyanki artefact of immense power that the cult were desperate to find lest it be used against them.[15] Such an artefact could prove an asset for the Sharrans in thwarting the absolutist presence in the city, and so the Mother Superior quickly formed a party of elite devouts, tasking them with its retrieval.[16] Though deemed a suicide mission, Shadowheart and four other companions set out to fulfil what they believed were Shar's commands.

The group was able to locate the Mysterious Artefact though at great cost: Shadowheart was the only survivor.[17]

Disaster wouldn't stop there, however, as she soon found herself captive at the hands of Mind Flayers. How and where she was captured is never explored, however, at some point during her capture she became tadpoled and was kept imprisoned in a pod awaiting Ceremorphosis.

Involvement

Prologue

Shadowheart can be encountered during the battle aboard the Nautiloid. Trapped in a mind flayer pod, the party can decide whether to free her or not. If released, she will join the party as a temporary companion until they escape the ship.

As Origin

As an origin character, Shadowheart will wake up in the pod where all player characters start. The artifact will be on the floor nearby, and the player will be prompted to pick it up and bring it to Baldur's Gate. There will be no one in the pod where Shadowheart is usually found.

On the Ravaged Beach, Shadowheart will be the only one present. As a result, there will only be two intellect devourers to fight, rather than the usual three, but it is still a significantly more difficult fight. Shadowheart getting downed results in a game over screen. (The fight can be bypassed by climbing rocks on the right of the location where the intellect devourers are found. If the party returns later with at least two party members, there will be three intellect devourers.)

Daughter of Darkness

Shadowheart Icon.png

Daughter of Darkness Daughter of Darkness is Shadowheart's personal quest. It is added to the journal upon recruiting her and spans all three acts of the game.

Act One

During the first act of the game, players will slowly uncover the mystery of the artefact Shadowheart carries, as well as the mission that led her to find it. Shadowheart will reveal that she's a devout of Shar and that her mission is to deliver the artefact to her cloister in Baldur's Gate. As part of the operation, she had her memories suppressed so she wouldn't betray Shar, who exerts her influence over her through the wound in Shadowheart's hand.

The party may encounter Voss Kith'rak Voss near the Mountain Pass who informs them that the githyanki are searching for an object very similar to Shadowheart's artefact. Whatever the outcome of the encounter, Lae'zel Lae'zel will confront Shadowheart about it later in camp. If left unresolved, Shadowheart will attempt to kill Lae'zel in her sleep next rest, though she can be convinced to desist and put grudges aside.

Shadowheart may also slowly reveal parts of her past. Upon an encounter with wolves, she can be asked about her apparent fear of them, to which depending on player approval, she may show a memory of a young Shadowheart being saved by a wolf attack by Sharrans. Similarly, if given the Noblestalk from the Underdark, Shadowheart will remember a young tiefling named Rennald who she was friends with during her initiate years. This will add the quest A Familiar Face A Familiar Face to the journal.

Should the party learn about Dark Justiciars, they may ask Shadowheart more about them. She will state that they are elite warriors of Shar and that she dreams of becoming one some day. This will add the quest The Chosen of Shar The Chosen of Shar to the journal.

Act Two

Having high approval with Shadowheart will at some point reveal that one of her favourite flowers is the Night Orchid. One such flower can be found in the Ruined Battlefield in the Shadow-Cursed Lands and given to her. Shadowheart will express her gratitude and lament not having anything to give in return.

Within the Grand Mausoleum the party will find the Gauntlet of Shar, ancient proving grounds for Dark Justiciar aspirants. Shadowheart will be excited about the possibility of proving herself to her goddess, and urge the party to complete the trials and allow her to become a Dark Justiciar. Completing the trials will lead the party to the Shadowfell and the confrontation with the Aylin Nightsong. Shadowheart's fate will diverge greatly depending on the choices made here.

If she's allowed to slay the Nightsong, Shar will be greatly pleased with Shadowheart, and will finally name her Dark Justiciar, granting her powerful rewards. Shadowheart herself will be happy she finally achieved her dream, and will vow to serve Shar faithfully until death. Alternatively, Shadowheart can be convinced to spare the Nightsong, turning on Shar to forge her own future. In doing so, the Nightsong will be freed and Shadowheart will be abandoned by her goddess for good. Finally, choosing to not bring Shadowheart to the Shadowfell or surrendering the Nightsong to Balthazar Balthazar will greatly anger her and cause her to attack or permanently leave the party. Any of these outcomes complete The Chosen of Shar The Chosen of Shar.

Act Three

Portrait Mother Superior.png
“
Loss is a gift, girl. Do you still not understand that?
„
— Mother Superior to Shadowheart

Whether commanded by Shar as a Dark Justiciar, or guided by Aylin Aylin, Shadowheart's next destination is the Cloister of Sombre Embrace in the Lower City of Baldur's Gate. A Dark Justiciar Shadowheart will be commanded by Shar to cleanse the cloister from corruption, while a Shadowheart who freed Aylin and turned against Shar will be spurred by the hope that she may find her parents alive there.

There, Shadowheart will encounter Viconia DeVir Viconia DeVir, the cloister's Mother Superior and the person who saw to her training as an initiate. She will demand the mysterious artefact and the surrender of Shadowheart. Once more, Shadowheart's fate can go different ways depending on choices made. The party may agree to surrender Shadowheart to Viconia, losing her as a companion but gaining the Sharrans as allies for the final battle. Hearing Viconia's offer out begins the subquest Surrender Shadowheart to Viconia Surrender Shadowheart to Viconia. Alternatively, the party can confront Viconia and the Sharrans, resulting in their demise. If surrendered to Viconia, the main quest and the corresponding subquest will be completed.

Exploring the cloister, the party may run into Nocturne Nocturne, a tiefling who recognises Shadowheart. If Shadowheart recovered some of her memories by eating noblestalk, she will realise that Nocturne is the young tiefling friend from her past, even though she has changed since then. Shadowheart and Nocturne can then reminisce about growing up in the cloister. This encounter completes A Familiar Face A Familiar Face.

If Viconia is refused and defeated, the party may enter the Threshold of Loss, Shar's hidden sanctum. There, Shadowheart will come face to face with her parents, long thought dead. Shar's ultimate test for a Dark Justiciar requires her to slay them. In doing so, Shar will bless Shadowheart by wiping her memory and tasking her with rebuilding the cloister. Shar's faithful will be available as an ally for the final battle. If Shadowheart turned from Shar, she will have a difficult choice to make: save her parents but be forever bound to Shar's curse, or sacrifice her parents and sever the curse at last. Whichever choice is made completes Daughter of Darkness Daughter of Darkness.

During the party's next long rest, Shadowheart will be found waiting for the player character at a statue of Selûne. If she turned from Shar in Act Two or saved her parents as a Dark Justiciar, she reflects on her feelings now that she truly knows who she is and, if her parents are alive, worries that they won't be able to look her in the eye after the torture she put them through. She breaks down crying in the arms of the player character (if they select "Embrace her") and/or her parents (if they're alive) for a while before deciding to reclaim the name Shadowheart for her new self, as "you can't cast a shadow without some light." Otherwise, if Shadowheart both overthrew Viconia and killed her parents, she instead mocks Selûne and vandalizes the statue by covering it in Aylin's blood.

Endings

Adventures throughout the Sword Coast

If Shadowheart turned from Shar and lost her parents in the process, she will embark on adventures throughout the Sword Coast, visiting the House of the Moon in Waterdeep, battling Sharran assassins and even befriending an Imp named Bing Bong.[18] [19]

Life at a country farmstead

Shadowheart moves to a country farmstead to live surrounded by flowers, pets[20] and family, if she turned from Shar and rescued her parents. There, she is finally able to live the life she wanted surrounded by love. If romanced, the player will be living with her and her family, a quiet life after adventures. From time to time Shar will inflict pain on Shadowheart through the wound on her hand, but she no longer minds and notices those events becoming more infrequent lately.

Mother Superior of the Sharran cloister

Should Shadowheart have chosen to remain in Shar's embrace, she will have become the new Mother Superior of the Sharran cloister in Baldur's Gate, operating from the House of Grief. In the months since, word of Lady of Loss has spread far and wide, thanks to the efforts of Shadowheart. If romanced, Shadowheart will end the relationship prior to this, explaining that she needs to be fully devoted to her goddess. She will agree to be kissed for old times' sake, but she remains faithful to Shar. Shadowheart also expresses sympathy for Viconia's fate, now able to understand what she went through as Mother Superior.

Quest rewards

Rewards for slaying the Nightsong

As part of the quest The Chosen of Shar The Chosen of Shar

Rewards for sparing the Nightsong and defeating Ketheric Thorm Ketheric Thorm

As part of the quests Find the Nightsong Find the Nightsong and Infiltrate Moonrise Towers Infiltrate Moonrise Towers

Interactions

Companion interactions

Shadowheart has unique dialogue interactions as a companion available after certain events. Whenever one is available, she will have a floating [ ! ] icon above her.

Act One

Act Two

  • If Shadowheart abandons Shar and spares the Nightsong, upon taking the portal out from the Shadowfell Shar will keep her hostage for a time before releasing her. The party can ask her what kept her and she'll explain that Shar wanted to punish her and make sure she knew she was forsaken henceforth.

Act Three

Unique interactions

Either as an origin, or in the party as a companion, Shadowheart has unique interactions and special dialogue with the following characters, listed by the act they are first encountered in.

Act One

Act Two

Act Three

Speak with Dead

(if she dies before being recruited:)

Party member: Who are you?

  • Shadowheart: Shadowheart...

Party member: What happened to you?

  • Shadowheart: Returned. Punished. My mission failed...

Party member: What was your purpose?

  • Shadowheart: To serve. To repent.

Party member: Do you remember me?

  • Shadowheart: No...

Party member: What is your dream?

  • Shadowheart: To serve Lady Shar...

Party member: What happened to you?

  • Shadowheart: The artefact... I felt it burn...
    • Party member: The artefact burned? What do you mean?
      • Shadowheart: I felt it. It didn't want to stay with me... I failed...

(if she dies off-screen after a long rest):

Party member: What is your profession?

  • Shadowheart: Cleric...
    • Party member: A cleric? Who do you worship?
      • Shadowheart: It is forbidden

Party member: What is the artefact you had?

  • Shadowheart: A secret. My mission. Must keep it safe...
    • Party member: What was your mission?
      • Shadowheart: Protect the artefact. Deliver to Baldur's Gate...
    • Party member: How do I get rid of the artefact?
      • Shadowheart: Cannot. Must not. Too important...

Party member: Where are you from?

  • Shadowheart: Baldur's Gate...

Party member: Where do you keep your valuables?

  • Shadowheart: On me. Always in reach...

Related Literature

Loot

Shadowheart can be killed and looted, and drops the same loot as her starting equipment.

Starting equipment

Achievements

A-To Bloom in Darkest Night.jpg

To Bloom in Darkest Night
Gift Shadowheart a night orchid - her favourite flower. Always knew she was a softie.


Gallery

  • Base model.

    Base model.

  • Camp clothing model.

    Camp clothing model.

  • Under-wear model.

    Under-wear model.

  • Early Access model.

    Early Access model.

  • Digital Artbook concept.

    Digital Artbook concept.

  • Appearance in the character creator.

    Appearance in the character creator.

  • Portrait by Edward Vanderghote.

    Portrait by Edward Vanderghote.

  • Cover artwork.

    Cover artwork.

  • Appearence pre-release.

    Appearence pre-release.

  • During Early Access.

    During Early Access.

  • Promotional art.

    Promotional art.

  • Digital Artbook early face concepts.

    Digital Artbook early face concepts.

Related literature

Notes and References

  1. ↑ In the Early Access version her background was Urchin.
  2. ↑ Cloister of Sombre Embrace, ambient line spoken by Shadowheart upon reading No Price Too High in the dormitory.
    "These are all about me... forty years of my life, documented like I was some sort of specimen."
  3. ↑ Multiple things point to Shadowheart having grown up in Moonhaven, the former name for the now ruined Blighted Village, such as her reaction when picking up the Old Schoolbook or her scene at the Selûnite statue behind the mill. However, it's difficult to confirm as different sources in-game indicate that the village was destroyed over a hundred years ago by Ketheric Thorm's dark justiciar army, and Shadowheart is estimated to be roughly fifty years old. Conflicting timelines regarding the village and its destruction don't line up, thus, it's possible that the intent during development was that she and her family had indeed lived in Moonhaven, but that the inconsistencies were never properly fixed for release.
  4. ↑ Campsite, line spoken by Arnell Hallowleaf Arnell Hallowleaf if saved from Shar and asked about what happened the night of the abduction.
    "You were to come of age that night - left alone in the woods, and only using Selûne's guidance to find your way back to us."
    This is also referenced in Selûnite Rite
  5. ↑ In Service of the Night by Viconia DeVir
  6. ↑ Campsite, lines spoken by Arnell Hallowleaf if saved from Shar and asked about what happened the night of the abduction.
    "We caught a Sharran spy near our village, and learned that his accomplices sought to abduct you. (...) I took on my wolf-form to cover the ground more quickly. (...) But when I found you, you did not see your father rushing to save you - you only saw a wolf, hunting you in the darkness."
  7. ↑ No Price Too High by Viconia DeVir
  8. ↑ In Service of the Night by Viconia DeVir
  9. ↑ Cloister of Sombre Embrace, ambient line spoken by Shadowheart upon reading No Price Too High in the dormitory.
    "These are all about me... forty years of my life, documented like I was some sort of specimen."
  10. ↑ Campsite, line spoken by Arnell Hallowleaf if saved from Shar and asked about what happened the night of the abduction.
    "They had you use us for... practice. All the techniques that the Sharrans hold pride in. Trickery, interrogation... torture. They even had you, our own daughter, try to convert us."
  11. ↑ Nocturne's Journal by Nocturne
  12. ↑ Hastily Written Note (Night Orchid Cave) by Shadowheart
  13. ↑ Cloister of Sombre Embrace, lines spoken by Viconia DeVir when parlaying with her.
    "Whispers reached my ears from all corners - potential rivals of Lady Shar, all vying for the same prize. A new god, amassing the disaffected, the outcasts - those who should turn to us. (...) I had to act. I had to strangle that foul conspiracy while it was still in the cradle."
  14. ↑ Captives of Shar
  15. ↑ Subject Mapping Results: Githyanki No. 7
  16. ↑ Artefact Mission: Agent Roster likely by Viconia DeVir
  17. ↑ Official Website: Larian Studios. Game Characters: Shadowheart. Retrieved 01-02-2024.
  18. ↑ Bing Bong is the name of an imp appearing during one of the Larian Studios' sponsored Dungeons and Dragons sessions with the main cast of voice actors for the game. Run and hosted by the High Rollers DnD channel, during this adventure, Shadowheart and Lae'zel encounter an imp named Bing Bong working at a store, and Shadowheart briefly adopts him before Lae'zel kills him.
  19. ↑ Official Livestream & VOD: High Rollers DnD (22-09-2023). Baldur's Gate 3 Cast play D&D #1 / High Rollers Presents: Shadows of Athkatla. High Rollers DnD YouTube Channel. Retrieved 17-01-2024.
  20. ↑ Four dogs, eight cats, nine chickens, six pigeons, four sheep, one cow named Daphne, a squirrel and Buttons, a wolf cub. She can also adopt the Owlbear Cub.

External links

Retrieved from "https://dev.bg3.wiki/w/index.php?title=Shadowheart&oldid=243110"