As you attempt to escape the Nautiloid after encountering Lae’zel during the Escape the Nautiloid quest, the two of you stumble upon someone who has been captured.
This is later revealed to be a woman named Shadowheart, who asks you to help them out, but Lae’zel tells you to move on and leave them behind.
Saving Shadowheart can however be the better decision as this will cause her to join you as you make your way to the helm to escape the ship.
Where To Find Shadowheart in The Nautiloid?
You can find Shadowheart within the Nautiloid after progressing further after your encounter with Lae’zel, which previously had you fighting enemies.
Shadowheart will be in a chamber where thralls are kept but they may be awakened if you fiddle with a nearby console.
You will find Shadowheart to the left, who is trapped inside one of the pods that cannot be opened unless you find an Eldritch Rune.
Interacting with the pod will begin the cutscene where Shadowheart asks for your help, and this will also begin a quest called Rescue the Illithid’s Captive.
How To Save Shadowheart?
To free Shadowheart, you will need to use the nearby console, but this requires that you find the Eldritch Rune that needs to be inserted into the console.
If you proceed to make your way north to where you see an Intellect Devourer walking back and forth, you should head into the room and go to the very end.
You will find a Dead Thrall at the end of the hall and may loot their body to obtain the Eldritch Rune and bring it back to power the console.
Interacting with the console once you have the Eldritch Rune will allow you to activate the console and eventually unlock the pod by choosing the “Place your hand on the console” option.
Once you have done this, you will be able to use the Illithid & Wisdom Skill Check to release Shadowheart from the pod.
Why Save Shadowheart?
Saving Shadowheart will provide you with another ally who will fight alongside you as you make your way to the helm.
As a Cleric, Shadowheart can heal and support your characters, which will give you an upper hand as you fight your way past enemies you encounter.
This becomes useful if you plan on fighting Commander Zhalk instead of escaping right away, which will allow you to obtain the Everburn Blade that can give you an advantage later.
What Happens If You Abandon Shadowheart?
If you don’t save Shadowheart and end up abandoning her in the Nautiloid, there will be numerous times when you may encounter her.
This eventually be one of the following:
- You find her in a pod on the beach
- She can be recruited in the Druids’ Grove
- Shadowheart finds your camp and joins you
Shadowheart is one of the main characters in the game and Baldur’s Gate 3 will give you several chances to add her to your party or camp.
Verdict
Shadowheart is a great member to have in your party, especially if you want someone who can heal and support your other characters.
The damage she can do with some of her spells is also useful, especially when you damage tough enemies since they can be a great way to end a fight quickly.
Shadowheart is also an iconic character in the game and a potential love interest that players don’t want to skip since they tend to find her attitude and looks appealing.