The quest to find the Nightsong is a significant, multi-act journey in Baldur's Gate 3 that spans the wilderness, the Underdark, and the Shadow-cursed Lands. This guide outlines the primary steps to locate the relic and the implications of your decisions.
| Quest Stage | Location | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Initiation | Druids' Grove | Speak with Aradin |
| Underdark Path | Goblin Camp/Shattered Sanctum | Solve the Stone Puzzle |
| Shadowfell | Grand Mausoleum / Gauntlet of Shar | Collect Umbral Orbs and Spear of Night |
| Resolution | Shadowfell / Moonrise Towers | Decide the Nightsong's fate |
How to Start the Quest
To begin the search for the Nightsong, you must speak with Aradin in the Druids' Grove. Aradin and his crew were previously tasked with finding the relic, which they believe is hidden beneath a temple currently occupied by goblins. You can encounter Aradin during his heated argument with Zevlor. Depending on your choices, you may choose to fight your way into the goblin camp or infiltrate it diplomatically.
If you prefer a diplomatic approach, consider freeing the goblin Sazza from the makeshift prison in the Druids' Grove. Successfully sneaking her out allows her to vouch for you at the goblin camp, which can grant you safer passage. Once inside the Shattered Sanctum, you may encounter the Priestess Gut. If you follow her instructions to seek healing in her private chambers, you will eventually find yourself captured, providing a specific narrative path that leads toward the Underdark.
Into the Underdark
While exploring the Shattered Sanctum, you can uncover a secret entrance to the Underdark. After escaping the prison area, look for a chapel containing four stone circles on the ground. To solve the puzzle, rotate the circles and maneuver the black dots so they align in the circle closest to your entry point. This action triggers a wall to slide open, revealing a path downward. Note that a switch requiring a successful perception roll is located near the far wall.
Descending this path leads to a fort dedicated to the goddess Selune. Once you enter the massive underground caverns, the trail will temporarily go cold. You will not resume the search for the Nightsong until you reach the Shadow-cursed Lands in Act 2.
Navigating the Shadow-cursed Lands
Upon arriving in the Shadow-cursed Lands, your priority is to secure protection from the curse, either via a blessing or a lantern. Once you are safe, travel west to Reithwin Town. From there, head northwest to locate the Grand Mausoleum, the site where the Nightsong is held.
To reach the relic, you must complete the Gauntlet of Shar. This involves:
- Collecting four Umbral Orbs from various trials within the Gauntlet.
- Locating the demon Yurgir, who possesses the final required orb.
- Retrieving the Spear of Night from the Silent Library.
Once you have gathered these items, place one Umbral Gem into the Pedestal of Reckoning near the Gauntlet of Shar teleport sigil to summon a platform. You will then need to insert the remaining three gems at the next pedestal to open the entrance to the Shadowfell.
Important Warning
Completing the Shadowfell sequence will automatically resolve several other active quests. Before proceeding, ensure you have finished tasks such as "Find Zevlor," "Find Mol," and "Lift the Shadow Curse," as these may become unavailable or fail to progress once you enter the Shadowfell.
Choices and Consequences
Inside the Shadowfell, you will discover that the "relic" is actually a person. Bringing Shadowheart along is critical, as she is central to the outcome of this encounter. The Spear of Night cannot kill the Nightsong unless she is the one wielding it.
Saving the Nightsong
If you convince Shadowheart to abandon her duty, she will discard the spear and free the Nightsong. Aylin, the Nightsong, will then fly to Moonrise Towers to confront Ketheric Thorm. This path is generally considered the "good" outcome:
- The Last Light Inn remains protected.
- Allies from the inn will assist in the battle against Ketheric Thorm.
- Shadowheart remains with your party, though she will be cast out by Shar.
- You gain the ability to learn more about Shadowheart's past and Aylin's origins.
Killing the Nightsong
If you encourage Shadowheart to follow her convictions, she will use the Spear of Night to kill the Nightsong.
- Shadowheart becomes a Dark Justiciar.
- The protective dome over the Last Light Inn shatters, turning its inhabitants into shadow-cursed undead.
- Many NPCs associated with the inn will be lost, along with their associated quests.
- Ketheric Thorm loses his invulnerability, but the path forward becomes significantly more difficult without the support of the inn's denizens.
The Lower City and Lorroakan
After the events in the Shadow-cursed Lands, your search for answers leads to the Lower City in Baldur's Gate. Visit Sorcerous Sundries to find the wizard Lorroakan. He seeks the Nightsong for his own purposes. Upon entering the tower, you will be presented with four portals; choose the one marked as "The Nightsong is an immortal being, the child of a deity."
Inside, you will confront Lorroakan. You can inform him of the Nightsong's fate or reveal her presence. If you side with Dame Aylin against Lorroakan, be prepared for a challenging fight. Focus on his summoned elemental warriors first to mitigate incoming damage before taking down the wizard himself. Defeating him secures the aid of Rolan and keeps Dame Aylin safe.
For more detailed information on character progression, consider reviewing our Baldur's Gate 3 classes guide or check out our Baldur's Gate 3 walkthrough for broader game progression tips.
Source-aware planning notes
Quest instructions work best as a sequence of verified decisions with clear uncertainty labels. Before acting, note the current objective and keep a separate line for optional choices, because a community walkthrough may assume a route that your run has not taken. Where the collected snapshot does not state an outcome, stop at the confirmed step and use the official game page for current context instead of inventing a result. Use the article's headings as a worksheet: write down the confirmed premise, the next action, and the point at which you need to verify a newer source. This approach keeps the guide useful for a first pass while making its limits visible. It also prevents a concise community summary from being mistaken for a complete rulebook. When you adapt the advice to a different party, difficulty, platform, or patch, preserve the original wording and add your own observation separately. A careful note is more valuable than a confident detail that the collected evidence cannot support.
FAQ
Can I complete the Nightsong quest without Shadowheart?
The collected guide notes that you should bring Shadowheart to the Shadowfell, as she is central to the decision-making process. If she is not present, the game forces a specific resolution regarding the Nightsong's freedom.
Does killing the Nightsong affect my party members?
Yes. Killing the Nightsong causes the Last Light Inn's protective barrier to fall, resulting in the death of the residents and the loss of potential quests. It also marks a significant shift in Shadowheart's personal narrative, as she becomes a Dark Justiciar.
Where can I find the Umbral Orbs?
You must complete the trials within the Gauntlet of Shar to obtain three of the Umbral Orbs. The fourth orb is held by the demon Yurgir, located within the same Gauntlet. You must collect all four to open the path to the Shadowfell.