The mystery of the Nightsong is a narrative thread that weaves through the entirety of Baldur’s Gate 3. What begins as a simple mercenary contract in Act 1 evolves into a world-altering revelation by the end of Act 2. Locating the Nightsong is not as straightforward as reaching a single set of coordinates; it involves navigating ancient temples, solving celestial puzzles, and eventually breaching another plane of existence. This guide tracks the progression of the Nightsong’s location through every phase of the journey.

The Initial Lead: The Defiled Temple in Act 1

The hunt for the Nightsong typically starts at the Druid Grove, where the adventurer Aradin mentions a lucrative contract from a wizard in Baldur’s Gate. The primary location associated with the Nightsong in Act 1 is the Defiled Temple, hidden deep beneath the Shattered Sanctum in the Goblin Camp.

To reach this area, you must gain access to High Priestess Gut’s private chambers. This can be achieved through various methods: social engineering, stealth, or direct combat. Once inside, her bodyguard, Polma, stands in the way. Beyond Polma’s guard post lies the Stone Disc Puzzle, a celestial clockwork mechanism that serves as the seal to the Underdark.

Solving the Moon Puzzle at X:255 Y:-9

The floor puzzle consists of four interlocking circular plates with light and dark circles representing phases of the moon. To unlock the passage to the Underdark—which was historically the route taken by the original expedition—the plates must be rotated so that the four dark circles are all positioned on the bottom plate (the one where the light from the ceiling shines directly).

While the path leads to the Underdark, the trail for the Nightsong effectively goes cold here. Environmental storytelling in the Selûnite Outpost suggests that while the relic was once believed to be here, it has been moved or was never an object to begin with. The search then shifts toward the Shadow-Cursed Lands.

The Shadow-Cursed Lands: Finding the Thorm Mausoleum

In Act 2, the search for the Nightsong becomes intrinsically tied to the main quest of defeating Ketheric Thorm. It is revealed that the source of Thorm’s invulnerability is hidden in a place of great significance to the Sharran faith. The location you are looking for is the Grand Mausoleum, situated in the northern reaches of the Shadow-Cursed Lands at coordinates X:-187 Y:111.

Inside the Mausoleum, the path is blocked by a series of paintings that depict the history of Ketheric Thorm. To open the secret door to the Gauntlet of Shar, you must interact with the buttons beneath the paintings in a specific chronological order:

  1. Moonrise Towers
  2. Grief
  3. General

Passing through this door leads to a traversal platform that descends into the Gauntlet of Shar, a massive underground complex where the Nightsong is truly held.

The Gauntlet of Shar: The Final Trials

The Gauntlet of Shar is a sprawling dungeon designed to test potential Dark Justiciars. The Nightsong is located at the very bottom of this complex, but the elevator leading there is locked. To proceed, you must collect four Umbral Gems scattered throughout the temple.

The Locations of the Umbral Gems

  1. The Soft-Step Trial: Located in the western corridor. This trial tests stealth. You must navigate a small maze without being detected by shadows to reach the gem at the altar.
  2. The Self-Same Trial: Found further down the same corridor. Here, the location of the gem is guarded by magical clones of your own party. Defeating your doubles grants the gem.
  3. The Faith-Leap Trial: Located on a lower level. This trial involves navigating an invisible path over a chasm. Following the map etched into the floor in front of the altar is the safest way to reach the gem.
  4. Yurgir’s Lair: The final gem is held by the Orthon Yurgir in the eastern wing of the Gauntlet. This is a high-stakes location where you can either fight the Orthon or use persuasion to convince him to eliminate himself and his subordinates.

Once all four gems are placed on the Ancient Altar, the path to the inner sanctum opens.

The Shadowfell: The Nightsong’s Actual Location

The transition to the Shadowfell is the most critical point in the quest. Behind the Ancient Altar is a pool of water that acts as a portal. It is important to note that entering this location is a "Point of No Return" for Act 2. Many active quests in the region will automatically resolve or fail once you step through.

Within the Shadowfell, the gravity-defying landscape leads down to a central platform. Here, the "Nightsong" is finally revealed. She is not an artifact, but a person: Dame Aylin, an Aasimar and daughter of the goddess Selûne. She has been imprisoned in a "Soul Cage" for over a century, her immortality used as a battery to fuel Ketheric Thorm’s invulnerability.

Encountering Balthazar

At this location, you will likely encounter the necromancer Balthazar. If he was not dealt with earlier in the Gauntlet of Shar, a significant battle will occur on the floating platforms of the Shadowfell. Defeating him is necessary if you intend to free the Nightsong or let Shadowheart make her own choice regarding her faith.

The Aftermath and Act 3: Sorcerous Sundries

Depending on the choices made in the Shadowfell, the Nightsong’s location changes in Act 3. If she survives the events of Act 2, she will initially reside in your camp, acting as a powerful ally for the final confrontation. However, her story has one final geographic milestone in the city of Baldur’s Gate.

The wizard Lorroakan, the man who originally posted the contract Aradin mentioned in Act 1, resides in Ramazith's Tower, which is accessible through the top floor of Sorcerous Sundries.

To find the tower’s inner sanctum, you must navigate the portals in Lorroakan's office. Selecting the correct portal (the one labeled with the "Nightsong" clue) transports you to the upper reaches of the tower. This location serves as the final set-piece for the Nightsong’s questline, where her fate is permanently decided through a confrontation between her and the wizard seeking to enslave her once more.

Strategic Advice for Locating and Handling the Nightsong

Given the complexity of these locations, certain preparations can make the journey smoother. In the Gauntlet of Shar, having a character with high Sleight of Hand is beneficial for the Soft-Step Trial and various locked doors within the mausoleum. For the Shadowfell encounter, Radiant damage is particularly effective against the undead forces Balthazar summons.

It is also worth considering the composition of your party. Bringing Shadowheart to the Gauntlet of Shar and the Shadowfell is highly recommended, as these locations are central to her character arc. Her presence provides unique dialogue and can significantly alter the difficulty of the persuasion checks required to influence the outcome of the quest.

Summary of Key Locations and Coordinates

  • Defiled Temple (Act 1): X:255 Y:-9. Contains the Moon Puzzle leading to the Underdark.
  • Grand Mausoleum (Act 2): X:-187 Y:111. The entrance to the Gauntlet of Shar.
  • Balthazar’s Lab (Gauntlet of Shar): X:-852 Y:-785. A waypoint before the final descent.
  • The Shadowfell (Act 2): Accessible via the pool at the bottom of the Gauntlet. The final prison of Dame Aylin.
  • Sorcerous Sundries (Act 3): The central magic shop in the Lower City, leading to the final encounter in Ramazith’s Tower.

The search for the Nightsong is a journey of disillusionment, shifting from the pursuit of gold in a goblin-infested ruin to a battle for the soul of an immortal being in the heart of a goddess's realm. Understanding these locations is key to navigating one of the most rewarding narrative arcs in the game.