While journeying through the Nautiloid in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll encounter Shadowheart in a Mind Flayer Pod. She’ll beg you to save her, but there’s no immediately apparent way to unlock the machine that controls the pod. Fortunately, the key isn’t far away.
How to unlock the pod with Blackheart in it in Baldur’s Gate 3
When you approach the Mind Flayer Pod and click on it in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll find Shadowheart begging for help. Unlike the others you’ve encountered, this pod remains active and is surrounded by swirling red energy. After it appears that the machine that controls the pod is locked, your party members will implore you to keep moving and to leave her behind. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what they want to do.
If you decide to help Shadowheart, you’ll need to use the nearby machine to unlock the pod. However, it’s non-responsive the first time you check it. So, you’ll need to find a key to unlock it. Fortunately, it’s not too far.
Head through the door in the northeast and you’ll enter another chamber. In the eastern part of this room, you’ll find a dead thrall with an Eldritch Stone that is used to unlock the device and free Shadowheart.
Now, you just have to head back to the previous room and interact with the machine. You’ll once again get the message that the console is dormant, but you’ll get the choice to insert the ruin you just found into the socket. You may be nervous that using the console will have an unintended effect, and if so you can do an Arcana check to allay your fears. Once you decide to open the pod you’ll need to pass this check:
- “[Illithid][Wisdom] Will the pod to open.”
Fortunately, it’s only a difficulty class 2 check, so as long as you don’t roll a one you’re good to go.
Once you open the pod, Shadowheart will join your party as you attempt to escape the Nautiloid.
What happens if I don’t save Shadowheart from the pod?
Fortunately, if you don’t rescue Shadowheart from the pod in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll get a second chance to recruit her. When the Nautiloid crash lands, the player will find themselves on a beach. When they explore the area, they’ll find the Shadowheart. Her initial reaction to the player character depends on whether or not they tried to rescue her. She also acts as of the pre-created starting characters and you can experience her story first hand if you choose.
