Shadowheart

Shadowheart is an Origin character in Baldur's Gate 3. Origin characters can be played as the main character, otherwise, they can be recruited as a companion early on.

She is a Half-Elf Cleric with the Urchin background.

We're in this together, but I'll happily go it alone. My faith will keep me company.
_{Shadowheart's strong devotion.}

Gameplay

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.

Starting Stats

STR

12

(+1)

DEX

14

(+2)

CON

14

(+2)

INT

10

WIS

16

(+3)

CHA

10

Skill Proficiencies

Spells Known

As a Cleric, Shadowheart automatically knows all non-cantrip Cleric spells.

Level 1: Bane, Bless, Command, Create or Destroy Water, Cure Wounds, Guiding Bolt, Healing Word, Inflict Wounds, Protection from Evil and Good, Shield of Faith
Cantrips: Guidance, Resistance, Sacred Flame, Fire Bolt (from High Half-Elf)

Recruitment

Shadowheart can be recruited in Chapter One.

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.

Background

A loyal cleric of 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.

Personality

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.

Interactions

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.

Spoiler warning! This section reveals details about the story of Baldur's Gate 3.

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.
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.

Disapproval

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.

The following story and dialogue choices will cause Shadowheart to lose approval.

Spoiler warning! This section reveals details about the story of Baldur's Gate 3.

Act 1

Attack the Tieflings.
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.
Pick a fight with Priestess Gut while she is still on her throne

Romance

Can romance players of any sex and race.

The following section explains Shadowheart's romance.

Spoiler warning! This section reveals details about the story of Baldur's Gate 3.

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.

Next day, you can have a conversation with her regarding the previous night. Her dialogue will depend on her level of approval.

Trivia

Shadowheart is voiced by Jennifer English.
According to Larian Studios, until Patch 3, Shadowheart was the most romanced female companion and the second most romanced companion overall.

Gallery

Shadowheart's appearance pre-release
Shadowheart's promotional art
Shadowheart during Early Access.

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