Where to find the Nightsong in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Nightsong is one of the first side quests you can pick up in Baldur’s Gate 3, and it ends up spanning nearly the entire game, with steps you’ll need to complete in act 1, act 2, and act 3.

In this Baldur’s Gate 3 guide, we’ll tell you how to pick up the Nightsong quest in act 1 and how to locate the Nightsong once your trail goes cold in the Underdark.

How to start the ‘Find the Nightsong’ quest in BG3 act 1

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The Emerald Grove is one of your first big stops in Baldur’s Gate 3, and the first place you can call a quasi home in the game.

When you first arrive, it’ll be alongside a band of goobers led by a human named Aradin. This dude is a real jerk, and gets in a big fight with Zevlor, leader of the Tieflings.

Image: Larian Studios via Polygon

Once you resolve their fight, head to the back of the Hallow in the Emerald Grove and you’ll find Aradin hanging out with his buddies at a table.

If you talk to him, he’ll tell you about his expedition to find The Nightsong. This will give you the “Find the Nightsong” quest. Set a timer; you have about 80 to 100 hours of game time before you’ll finally put this quest to bed.

Where to find the Nightsong in BG3 act 2

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The act 1 portion of this quest is filled with mystery and talk of temples, but all you actually need to do is get in the Goblin Camp and make your way to the Selunite Outpost below. Once there, you’ll be able to find some information about the Nightsong, causing the trail to “go cold in the Underdark.”

Once your quest says it’s gone cold, you’re now free to complete literally any and all other content in act 1 and act 2 that you’d like.

At the very end of act 2, head into the Gauntlet of Shar — which you’ll need to do for the main quest anyway — and progress until you get a popup warning you about a point of no return. Before you proceed, complete everything else in your quest log that you care about and make sure to add Shadowheart to your party, or she will end up leaving the group. When you’re ready, enter the pool so you can teleport to the Shadowfell and the Nightsong's prison.

[Ed. note: The rest of this guide contains some major spoilers for Baldur’s Gate 3.]

Image: Larian Studios via Polygon

Surprise! The Nightsong is not, in fact, a mysterious artifact, but an Aasimar woman named Dame Aylin.

Shortly after meeting Dame Aylin, you’re forced to make a choice that determines her fate (basically, if she lives or dies). In the act 3 portion of the Nightsong quest, you’re forced to choose again whether you should kill the Nightsong or not. You can read more about the outcomes of each choice in our guide that covers if you should save or kill the Nightsong.