The Chosen of Shar: Difference between revisions

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(The third trial is called Faith-Leap Trial, not Faith-Step)
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{{ up to date | 2023-09-21 }} <!-- Date format is YEAR-MONTH-DAY, like 2023-08-07. -->
[[File:Dark Justiciar Mural Quest.jpg|thumb|A mural at the Emerald Grove depicts fallen Dark Justiciars]]
[[File:Dark Justiciar Mural Quest.jpg|thumb|A mural at the Emerald Grove depicts fallen Dark Justiciars]]


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If the party chooses to [[Travel through the Underdark]] and enters [[Grymforge]], several signs of Dark Justiciar remnants are noticed. In the area near the deep rothe in the quest [[Get Past the Rubble]], there are several Dark Justiciar corpses that Shadowheart can comment on. Additionally, there is an [[Idol of Shar]] {{Coords|-645|366}} that can be found on the path past the rubble, through many sets of pressure plate traps and a locked Wrought Iron Gate. The gate can either be smashed with force damage or passed with spells such as [[Misty Step]] or [[Gaseous Form]]. [[Mage Hand]] can also be used to switch the lever on the other side of the gate. Speaking to Shadowheart, she can be gifted the statuette. Lastly, within the path to the [[The Adamantine Forge (Location)|Adamantine Forge]], there are several [[Devilfoil Mask|Devilfoil Masks]] that indicate Merregons from the hell fought with the Dark Justiciars.
If the party chooses to [[Travel through the Underdark]] and enters [[Grymforge]], several signs of Dark Justiciar remnants are noticed. In the area near the deep rothe in the quest [[Get Past the Rubble]], there are several Dark Justiciar corpses that Shadowheart can comment on. Additionally, there is an [[Idol of Shar]] {{Coords|-645|366}} that can be found on the path past the rubble, through many sets of pressure plate traps and a locked Wrought Iron Gate. The gate can either be smashed with force damage or passed with spells such as [[Misty Step]] or [[Gaseous Form]]. [[Mage Hand]] can also be used to switch the lever on the other side of the gate. Speaking to Shadowheart, she can be gifted the statuette. Lastly, within the path to the [[The Adamantine Forge (Location)|Adamantine Forge]], there are several [[Devilfoil Mask|Devilfoil Masks]] that indicate Merregons from the hell fought with the Dark Justiciars.


Unfortunately, the trail goes cold within Grymforge. Choosing to free True Soul [[Nere]] as part of [[Free True Soul Nere]] causes him to explain that he was looking for an entrance to an ancient Sharran Temple, but that the way was blocked. It is only until nearly the end of [[Act Two]] that the party can find a way in.
Unfortunately, the trail goes cold within Grymforge. Choosing to free True Soul [[Nere]] as part of [[Free True Soul Nere]] causes him to explain that he was looking for an entrance to an ancient Sharran Temple, but that the way was blocked. It is not until the latter half of [[Act Two]] that the party finds a way in.


=== The Gauntlet of Shar ===
=== The Gauntlet of Shar ===
As part of [[Infiltrate Moonrise Towers]], the party is prompted to [[Find Ketheric Thorm's Relic]] by aiding [[Ketheric Thorm|Ketheric Thorm's]] servant [[Balthazar]], which leads them to the [[Grand Mausoleum]]. The Grand Mausoleum is north of the [[House of Healing]]. Enter the Mausoleum after being accosted by [[Raphael]] and there is a small puzzle to proceed forward. There are three paintings with buttons underneath them, press them in the following order to open the way: Moonrise Towers, Grief, General. Move north using the traversal gem to enter the [[Gauntlet of Shar]].
{{main|Gauntlet of Shar}}
As part of [[Infiltrate Moonrise Towers]], the party is prompted to [[Find Ketheric Thorm's Relic]], which leads them to the [[Grand Mausoleum]]. After solving a small puzzle in the Mausoleum, the party enters the [[Gauntlet of Shar]], where they must overcome each of Shar's trials and collect the [[Umbral Gem]]s to gain access to the Shadowfell.


[[File:Umbral Gem Statue Quest.jpg|thumb|The purple glyphs reveal a path to the umbral gem.]]
Shadowheart does not need to personally be taken through the Gauntlet of Shar, although she does have numerous opportunities for unique dialogue and approval.
Once inside, Shar speaks to the party, inviting them to take on her trials and prove themselves worthy. The first task is to access an {{RarityItem|Umbral Gem}} at a statue. To do this, the party must snuff out eight Mystic Thuribles around the room. There are two levels to the north and south of each side of the room. The rooms are protected by pressure plates, which can be disarmed (DC 10) as well as vents that activate with the plates. Hit the levers to lower the Thuribles, then interact with them to snuff out their lights. Getting too close to the statue before the Thuribles are snuffed out causes it to magically repel the party. Any Moonlanterns must also be unequipped, as they emit light. Once the room is shrouded in darkness, purple glyphs are revealed around the statue. Follow the gaps in the glyphs to touch the Umbral Gem. This opens the way north.
 
Follow the path forward and the party eventually encounters a group of Reconstituted Duelists. They try to warn the party away, but are interrupted by tremors. A group of undead Justiciars attack the party and [[Umbral Tremor|Umbral Tremors]] appear. The Umbral Tremors can summor more Justiciars until they disappear.
 
The tremors persist until the party moves west and encounters more Reconstituted Duelists. The tremors begin in earnest as more Umbral Tremors and Justiciars are summoned to attack the party. Several waves appear, until finally a [[Justiciar Crusader]] appears. Defeat it and its minions and the path opens, revealing Balthazar, a servant of Ketheric Thorm who has been tasked with retrieving the Nightsong. Balthazar tells the party to go and complete the trials for him, as the Justiciars have been making it impossible for them to move forward. The party can either agree to help him or attack him outright. If the party agrees to help him, they can convince him to offer help in the form of a summoning item that summons his brother, [[Flesh]]. Otherwise, Balthazar attacks with flesh and three [[Ghoul Medic|Ghoul Medics]].
 
==== The Trials of Shar ====
===== Soft-Step Trial =====
[[File:Soft Step Key Quest.jpg|thumb|The key to the Soft-Step Trial.]]
After entering the room {{Coords|-767|755}}, the party notices a sacrificial bowl. The party must give a blood offering to continue onto the trial. If Shadowheart is in the party, she offers to do this. Once the offering is given, the party can proceed to the trial.
 
The Soft-Step Trial is a stealth trial. There are two shadows patrolling a small maze, which the party must sneak past to get to the umbral gem. If the party is detected by a shadow, they are transported back to the start of the maze. Find the [[Soft-Step Key]] in the hidden room of the maze to proceed forward, lockpick the door open, or use [[Misty Step]] to bypass it entirely.
 
===== Self-Same Trial =====
As with the Soft-Step Trial, proceed to the offering bowl with an offering of blood to proceed.
 
In this trial {{Coords|--767|-727}}, the party faces replicas of themselves. If the party attacks a replica of a different character, they gain a debuff that lowers their ability scores. An easy way to end this trial quickly is to remove all equipment until the replicas appear, then add the equipment again, so that the replicas are weaker. Using only one party member can also help, as it avoids the debuff. Once the replica has been defeated, an Umbral Gem is dropped.
 
===== Faith-Leap Trial =====
[[File:Faith Leap Path Quest.jpg|thumb|The dimly lit path in the Faith-Leap Trial.]]
The Faith-Leap trial can be accessed by moving north of the other two trials and then following the stairs down {{Coords|-752|-727}}.
 
To complete this trial, the party must walk along a chasm, with a barely visible pathway allowing them to move forward. After blood is offered to the trial, the room is plunged in darkness, making the path forward difficult to see (and impossible to see from the overhead camera view).
 
There are several ways to trivialize this trial:
* Use the spell [[Daylight]] to make the pathway extremely obvious and easy to traverse.
* Use [[Fly]], Misty Step, or [[Dimension Door]] to bypass the pathway entirely by utilizing the patforms with the statues.
* Dropping/throwing items or gold in front of the party can also show where to walk. Items placed off the path are teleported to the platforms the same way the party would.
 
===== Yurgir's Umbral Gem =====
There is one more Umbral Gem, which is in the possession of [[Yurgir]], the orthon that Raphael is hunting. The party can either kill him as part of  [[Kill Raphael's Old Enemy]], trick him into killing himself, or help him as part of [[Break Yurgir's Contract]]. Regardless of how the conflict is resolved, the party can take the gem, which is in front of his throne of skulls {{Coords|-641|-754}}. The party can also steal the gem, although if spotted by either Yurgir or any of his minions, combat will begin immediately. The easiest way to do so is with a combination of the [[Darkness]] and [[Invisibility]] spells.
 
==== The Silent Library ====
Before placing the Umbral Gems on the Pedestal of Reckoning, [[Shadowheart]] has one final request if she is in the party. She states that she needs to obtain the [[Spear of Night]] if she is to become a Dark Justiciar. The Spear is in the Silent Library.
 
The Silent Library is south of the Faith-Step Trial. Once inside, [[Silence]] is cast over the party. If the party is detected, a number of [[Justiciar Soulhunter]] and [[Justiciar Nightweaver]] attack. Defeating [[The Librarian]] at the centre of the room ends the Silence spell. With a successful Perception check, the party notices a button {{Coords|-784|-747}} that unlocks the locked gate to the west.
 
To access the hidden room, the party must offer the correct book to the pedestal. The correct book is [[Teachings of Loss: The Nightsinger]] {{Coords|-771|-742}} which is inside a trapped bookshelf (DC 15). Interact with the Riddle of the Night and combine it with the book to open the way. Inside is the Spear of Night, as well as [[Dark Justiciar Half-Plate]] and a [[Dark Justiciar Helmet]]. Giving the Spear to Shadowheart allows her to claim her place as a Dark Justiciar.
 
Return to the Pedestal of Reckoning and use the Umbral Gems to activate the moving disks. The path ends at a pool of water to The [[Shadowfell]].


=== Shadowfell ===
=== Shadowfell ===
'''PROGRESS WARNING: Entering Shadowfell locks the player out of many side quests, and pushes the player to the end of the act. Do NOT enter until all other business in the area has been resolved.'''
'''WARNING: Entering the Shadowfell without Shadowheart will result in her leaving the party.'''


Although Shadowheart does not need to be taken through the Gauntlet of Shar, she must be taken with the party to the Shadowfell. If she is not taken, then she immediately appears after the party returns to the material plane to confront them, saying they prevented her from achieving her destiny. She permanently leaves the party, saying she hopes she never sees them again and forgets them in time.
If Shadowheart is not taken, then she immediately appears after the party returns to the material plane to confront them, saying they prevented her from achieving her destiny. She permanently leaves the party, saying she hopes she never sees them again and forgets them in time.


If Balthazar was not killed, he arrives in the Shadowfell immediately after the player, thanking them for their service in completing the trials. He floats ahead and tells the party to come with him to witness greatness. Once the party leaps to the heart of the Shadowfell, they learn the Nightsong is not an object, but an aasimar woman named [[Dame Aylin]]. She has been held captive by Thorm using the power of Balthazar to share her immortal life with him.
Once the party leaps to the heart of the Shadowfell, they learn the Nightsong is not an object, but an aasimar woman named [[Dame Aylin]]. She has been held captive by Thorm using the power of Balthazar to share her immortal life with him.


After this, several events can play out:
{{main|Find Ketheric Thorm's Relic}}
* If Balzathar is alive, the party can let him take her to Moonrise Towers
After this, several events can play out, depending on whether [[Balthazar]] is alive and whether the player convinces Shadowheart to spare the Nightsong.
* If Shadowheart is in the party, she can kill the Nightsong and become the Dark Justiciar she always dreamed she'd be.
* Dame Aylin can be set free, resulting in a battle with Balthazar and requiring Shadowheart to be convinced to spare her.


Shadowheart can be convinced to spare Aylin in several ways. If the party does nothing and lets Shadowheart decide fully on her own, she chooses to thrown the spear into the depths of the Shadowfell. However, she can also be persuaded by a difficult {{Ability check|Persuasion|30}} or by trusting Shadowheart to make the choice on her own and then passing a second, less difficult {{Ability check|Persuasion|21}}.
Shadowheart can be convinced to spare Aylin in several ways. If the party does nothing and lets Shadowheart decide fully on her own, she chooses to thrown the spear into the depths of the Shadowfell. However, she can also be persuaded by a difficult {{Ability check|Persuasion|30}} or by trusting Shadowheart to make the choice on her own and then passing a second, less difficult {{Ability check|Persuasion|21}}.
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Regardless of what Shadowheart's fate is, the result is that Ketheric Thorm must be faced as part of [[Defeat Ketheric Thorm]]. This is either mandated by Shar, who sees him as a traitor, or requested by Aylin, who will give her more information on her past if she assists her.
Regardless of what Shadowheart's fate is, the result is that Ketheric Thorm must be faced as part of [[Defeat Ketheric Thorm]]. This is either mandated by Shar, who sees him as a traitor, or requested by Aylin, who will give her more information on her past if she assists her.
== Related Quests ==
* [[Find the Nightsong]]


== Quest Rewards ==
== Quest Rewards ==

Latest revision as of 22:56, 12 April 2024

A mural at the Emerald Grove depicts fallen Dark Justiciars

The Chosen of Shar is a sub-quest of Shadowheart's Companion quest, Daughter of Darkness. It is added to the journal after encountering information on Dark Justiciars.



Objectives[edit | edit source]

Objectives and journal entries may vary pending player decisions.

Find the Dark Justiciar's lair.
  • Shadowheart has shown interest in finding the lair of the Dark Justiciar - an elite force dedicated to the goddess Shar.
  • We found murals in the grove that seemed to depict an ancient order of Sharran warriors - the Dark Justiciars. Further signs of their presence - historical or otherwise - may lie elsewhere.
  • We found a finely sculpted idol of the goddess Shar, and decided to gift it to Shadowheart. She was greatly pleased; the discovery of such a piece bolstered her hopes of uncovering further signs of a Dark Justiciar presence.
  • The Archdruid Halsin described how there was once an entire army of Dark Justiciars that waged war against followers of Selûne, long ago. The rites of becoming a Dark Justiciar are no mean feat - they must have had a substantial lair in order to train and anoint a force of such size.
  • We found an ancient temple of Selûne that had seemingly been razed by Dark Justiciars in the past. Such a force must have had a stronghold to operate from. Perhaps it can still be found.
Explore Grymforge.
  • We entered the ruins of what may have been a fortress dedicated to the goddess Shar. We could be close to the Dark Justiciar's lair.
  • We found the corpses of several Dark Justiciars - Shar must have been worshipped here. Shadowheart suggested we search for answers.
  • We found traces of Hellish fiends. Could they have killed the Dark Justiciars? If so, where is their temple of Shar?
Reach the ancient temple.
  • We learned that Grymforge leads to an ancient temple. Perhaps the truth of what happened to the Dark Justiciars can be discovered there.
  • The bridge to the ancient temple has been destroyed - there must be another way in.
  • The cultists were trying to find an ancient temple, but the bridge has been destroyed. If we find another way in, we might discover what happened to the Dark Justiciars.
  • It seems that there are limits to Shadowheart's resistance to the shadow curse - she is as vulnerable as anyone wherever the shadows are strongest. Perhaps her goddess tests her.
  • A great many Dark Justiciars seem to have perished while fighting near the graveyard. We must be drawing close to the place Shadowheart wishes to find.
  • We discovered that Shadowheart possesses a certain amount of resistance to the ill effects of the shadow curse. It seems that this must be due to Shar's patronage - but given the mercurial nature of the dark goddess, the extent of her protection remains to be seen.
  • We discovered the remains of long-dead Dark Justiciars in the ruined town of Reithwin. It seems they fought to the death in an effort to defend something important to them.
Explore the Gauntlet of Shar.
  • We discovered an ancient temple dedicated to Shar. This will be of great interest to Shadowheart - we should investigate further with her.
  • We reached the place that Shadowheart had been seeking - an ancient temple dedicated to Shar. We should investigate further.
Complete the trials of Shar.
  • Shadowheart realised that this temple is the legendary Gauntlet of Shar - a proving ground where initiates would seek to become Dark Justiciars. After investigating an altar, she learned that a series of trials must be overcome in order to be anointed a warrior of Shar. Shadowheart wishes to complete the trials and become a Dark Justiciar herself.
Find the Spear of Night.
  • Shadowheart revealed to us that in order to become a Dark Justiciar, she must first acquire a weapon called the Spear of Night, hidden somewhere in the Silent Library.
Proceed with the trials of Shar.
  • We have found the Spear of Night. Now we only need to clear the way to the Inner Sanctum of the Gauntlet of Shar, where Shadowheart seeks to be anointed as a Dark Justiciar.
Venture into the Inner Sanctum.
  • We have cleared the way to the Inner Sanctum. Shadowheart is now very close to proving herself to Shar and becoming a Dark Justiciar. We should accompany her downwards.
  • We have surmounted all the trials and cleared the way to the Inner Sanctum. Shadowheart is now very close to proving herself to Shar and becoming a Dark Justiciar. We should accompany her downwards.
Find the Spear of Night.
  • After praying to Shar, Shadowheart told us that she must retrieve a weapon called the Spear of Night from the Silent Library before she goes any farther. Otherwise, she will be unable to become a Dark Justiciar.
Help Shadowheart finally become a Dark Justiciar.
  • We retrieved the Spear of Night. Now we only need to venture through the Inner Sanctum to where Shadowheart's final test awaits. If she succeeds, she shall be anointed as a Dark Justiciar.
  • We have entered the Shadowfell - Shar's very own realm. We must descend to where a final test awaits Shadowheart.

After praying to Shar, Shadowheart told us that she needs to proceed to where a final test awaits her. If she succeeds, she shall be anointed as a Dark Justiciar.

Defeat Balthazar.
  • We have decided to turn on Balthazar. Now we must defeat him so that Shadowheart can deal with Nightsong.
  • We have entered the Shadowfell - Shar's very own realm. We must descend to where a final test awaits Shadowheart. However, Balthazar, necromancer and ally of Ketheric Thorm, is also present, and may pose a threat to Shadowheart's ambitions if we do not intervene.
Quest Complete
  • Shadowheart died. We won't be able to bring her back.
  • Shadowheart left our party and won't return.
  • We surrendered Nightsong to Balthazar, who took her away to Moonrise Towers. Enraged, Shadowheart turned on us.
  • We convinced Shadowheart to turn her back on Shar's wishes, and instead free Nightsong. Rather than become a Dark Justiciar, Shadowheart will instead likely face dire consequences for her actions.
  • We decided Nightsong's fate for ourselves, ignoring Shadowheart's wishes. This is bound to anger her greatly.

Shadowheart wielded the Spear of Night and killed Nightsong. Greatly pleased, Shar rewarded Shadowheart, and gave her a new mission to pursue.

Walkthrough[edit | edit source]

The Dark Justiciars[edit | edit source]

During dialogue with Shadowheart, she reveals that she has always dreamed of becoming a Dark Justiciar, but that the Mother Superior thwarted any attempts at doing so. More information on the Dark Justiciars can be found at various places, starting in Act One. This starts The Chosen of Shar to learn more about the Dark Justiciars and their history.

Information on the Dark Justiciars can be found within the Inner Sanctum of the Druid Grove by examining the murals with Shadowheart in the party. One of the frescoes, 'Fallen,' depicts a group of druids standing over a vanquished army - the army of Shar. The druids aided a group of Selunites in vanquishing Shar's army at Moonrise Towers.

If the druid Halsin is saved during Rescue the Druid Halsin, he can explain more about a war that was fought between the Selunites and the Dark Justiciars.

If the party chooses to Travel through the Underdark and enters Grymforge, several signs of Dark Justiciar remnants are noticed. In the area near the deep rothe in the quest Get Past the Rubble, there are several Dark Justiciar corpses that Shadowheart can comment on. Additionally, there is an Idol of Shar X: -645 Y: 366 that can be found on the path past the rubble, through many sets of pressure plate traps and a locked Wrought Iron Gate. The gate can either be smashed with force damage or passed with spells such as Misty Step or Gaseous Form. Mage Hand can also be used to switch the lever on the other side of the gate. Speaking to Shadowheart, she can be gifted the statuette. Lastly, within the path to the Adamantine Forge, there are several Devilfoil Masks that indicate Merregons from the hell fought with the Dark Justiciars.

Unfortunately, the trail goes cold within Grymforge. Choosing to free True Soul Nere as part of Free True Soul Nere causes him to explain that he was looking for an entrance to an ancient Sharran Temple, but that the way was blocked. It is not until the latter half of Act Two that the party finds a way in.

The Gauntlet of Shar[edit | edit source]

Main article: Gauntlet of Shar

As part of Infiltrate Moonrise Towers, the party is prompted to Find Ketheric Thorm's Relic, which leads them to the Grand Mausoleum. After solving a small puzzle in the Mausoleum, the party enters the Gauntlet of Shar, where they must overcome each of Shar's trials and collect the Umbral Gems to gain access to the Shadowfell.

Shadowheart does not need to personally be taken through the Gauntlet of Shar, although she does have numerous opportunities for unique dialogue and approval.

Shadowfell[edit | edit source]

WARNING: Entering the Shadowfell without Shadowheart will result in her leaving the party.

If Shadowheart is not taken, then she immediately appears after the party returns to the material plane to confront them, saying they prevented her from achieving her destiny. She permanently leaves the party, saying she hopes she never sees them again and forgets them in time.

Once the party leaps to the heart of the Shadowfell, they learn the Nightsong is not an object, but an aasimar woman named Dame Aylin. She has been held captive by Thorm using the power of Balthazar to share her immortal life with him.

Main article: Find Ketheric Thorm's Relic

After this, several events can play out, depending on whether Balthazar is alive and whether the player convinces Shadowheart to spare the Nightsong.

Shadowheart can be convinced to spare Aylin in several ways. If the party does nothing and lets Shadowheart decide fully on her own, she chooses to thrown the spear into the depths of the Shadowfell. However, she can also be persuaded by a difficult DC 30 Persuasion check or by trusting Shadowheart to make the choice on her own and then passing a second, less difficult DC 21 Persuasion check.

Shadowheart must decide whether to slay or spare the Nightsong.

If the Nightsong is freed, she thanks the party. If Shadowheart spared her, then she throws the Spear of Night into the abyss of the Shadowfell. However, Dame Aylin grants her a new weapon as thanks - the Moonlight Glaive. Aylin promises to tell Shadowheart more about her history after taking down Thorm. Then, Aylin flies off to face him. After leaving the Shadowfell, Lady Shar subjects Shadowheart to unimaginable torment before sending her back to the mortal realm, and Shadowheart loses her favour. After completing Defeat Ketheric Thorm, upon speaking to Dame Aylin in camp, you will be rewarded with Selûne's Spear of Night.

If Shadowheart kills the Nightsong, she becomes the Dark Justiciar and gains the Shar's Spear of Evening. However, the party loses a valuable ally in the Nightsong. There is a major consequence for Last Light Inn due to Shadowheart's actions. Isobel is overwhelmed and unable to sustain her protection magic over the Inn, causing all within to fall to the shadow curse. Shadowheart refers to this as cleansing the resistance to Lady Shar's will. Additionally, unlike instances where Isobel is kidnapped in Resolve the Abduction, Jaheira is nowhere to be found and does not aid the party in the Last Light Inn fight.

Regardless of what Shadowheart's fate is, the result is that Ketheric Thorm must be faced as part of Defeat Ketheric Thorm. This is either mandated by Shar, who sees him as a traitor, or requested by Aylin, who will give her more information on her past if she assists her.

Quest Rewards[edit | edit source]

If Shadowheart kills the Nightsong:

If Shadowheart spares the Nightsong:

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