Dark Justicial Ending for Shadowheart in Baldur's Gate 3: Scarier Than Ascended Astarion
Ascended Astarion is generally agreed to be one of the more sinister ends for Baldur's Gate 3 Companions. The vampire abandons any growth he has showed during the game after he finishes the Vampire Ascendant rite. Astarion finally goes against his own words and embraces his evil nature, even if he says all the time that he wants to replace Cazador.
But given Shadowheart's Dark Justiciar route is taken into account, Astarion may have competition in the field of most evil character growth. Dark Justiciar Shadowheart is especially horrible, as a Reddit user pointed out, when her post-game goal is considered.
Epilogue Dialogue After Becoming a Dark Justiciar Concerns Shadowheart
Helping Shadowheart on her path to become a Dark Justiciar—a route involving killing her parents in front of her—fulfills her most wants. Following the Netherbrain conflict, she commits herself to gathering fresh allies for Shar's cause, especially those impacted by the failed Absolute invasion. Blind to the suffering her goddess causes, Shadowheart is today one of Shar's most devoted followers.
Shadowheart notes in the Epilogue that the player has "plenty to celebrate." The destruction the Absolute has caused upon the church of Shar marks her biggest victory. She says, apparently delighted by the carnage the Absolute has caused, "The Absolute washed the Sword Coast with blood and tears — it is now fertile ground for her message to flourish." Shadowheart merely says, "everyone is exploited," even when the player character tries to show her the exploitation she and her other followers are committing in the name of Lady Shar. She argues for her goddess's activities, arguing that following Shar offers food, cover, and "purpose." "Loss has already mellowed them. They were supposed to be her instruments," she says.
The dark justiciar ending of Shadowheart is especially sad rather than merely evil.
Given that the player would have remembered her background as a worshipper of Selune should she have assisted Shadowheart in discovering her lost memories, her excuse for her acts makes for one of the darkest companion Endings in the game. Shar's supporters erased Shadowheart's memory and turned her into a Dark Lady disciple after kidnapping her when a young child. This corresponds with the events that transpired in the Shadowfell following Ketheric Thorm's ascent to authority.
Players come upon traces of life before the Shadow Curse seized as they explore the Underdark in Act 2. Under Ketheric's direction, those living in Reithwin were Selune adherents only as governors. Ketheric turned to Shar and erased all proof of the Moonmaiden after the death of his wife and daughter. Shar helped him as his grief grew, advising him to assemble an army of Dark Justiciars charged with routinely killing Selune's daughter, Dame Aylin, who was imprisoned by Balthazar. Shadowheart has little time for anything else by the Epilogue; she is entirely focused on gathering former cults and homeless refugees to worship Shar. Further romance is unattainable even for those that romance her since she is more committed to her faith than anything else. Dark Justiciar Shadowheart is dangerous, nevertheless, because of her readiness to enlist others' suffering using it as a tool.
Why Would One Want to Consider Shadowheart's Dark Justiciar Ending?
Baldur's Gate 3 lets players investigate morally dubious avenues, hence the Dark Urge—with its visual material and terrible impulses—is a playable character. Although players have several "evil" choices, Ascended Astarion is not nearly the worst. Seeing Shadowheart's Dark Justicial arc makes one especially uncomfortable since it lets her continue the cycle of exploitation her own story is supposed to stop.
The dark justicial ending of Shadowheart emphasizes in Baldur's Gate 3 the influence of decisions. It emphasizes how one can accept a road of darkness even from a character with a sad background. The conclusion reminds us that even those who are doing atonement might be influenced by their needs and the seductiveness of power; good and Evil are not always obvious. This conclusion is a terrifying monument to the complexity of morality and the results of veering from the right road.
The Trip Shadowheart Made in Baldur's Gate 3
Among the most interesting and sophisticated character arcs available in Baldur's Gate 3 is Shadowheart's. Key to her growth are her history as a Selune worshipper, her kidnapping by Shar's supporters, and her battle to recover her memories. Gamers can decide to assist her in recovering her memories or steer her into a darker road. Her path is evidence of the force of decisions and how they affect the people in our vicinity.
The trip Shadowheart takes in Baldur's Gate 3 serves as a reminder of the need of delving into the complexity of morality and Character Development in role-players. Her narrative deftly examines the subjects of faith, atonement, and the conflict between good and Evil. Her arc emphasizes how our past shapes our present and how we may choose to either conquer or give in to our worst impulses. Players long after they finish the game will find resonance in Shadowheart's path.
