Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

Key Decisions & Consequences

Analyze key decisions and their consequences in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. Learn how choices affect your alignment and the game world.

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Key Decisions & Consequences

Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn is renowned for its intricate narrative and the weight of player choices. Many quests present moral dilemmas or branching paths that significantly alter the game world, available companions, and even your character's alignment. This section highlights some of the most impactful decisions you'll face and their far-reaching consequences.

The Shadow Thief vs. Bodhi's Vampires

Early in Chapter 2, after escaping Irenicus's Dungeon and arriving in Athkatla, you'll be thrust into the heart of a gang war. This is arguably the first major decision that shapes your immediate experience and available resources.

Joining the Shadow Thieves

  • How to Join: Speak with Aran Whitehand in the Shadow Thief Guildhall (located in the Docks District, accessible via the hidden entrance in the alley). He will task you with several missions to prove your loyalty.
  • Immediate Benefits:
    • Access to the Shadow Thief Guildhall as a base of operations.
    • Opportunities for lucrative side quests from Aran and other guild members.
    • Potential to recruit Yoshimo, if he is not already in your party, or solidify his loyalty if he is.
    • You will eventually gain access to the Shadow Thief Stronghold, offering unique items and services.
  • Long-Term Consequences:
    • Bodhi and her vampires become your sworn enemies, leading to direct confrontations and attacks throughout the game.
    • You will be unable to recruit Bodhi as a companion (though this is generally not a desirable option for most players).
    • This path aligns you with the established criminal underworld of Athkatla, potentially impacting interactions with lawful factions.
  • Key Quests:
    • "The Shadow Thief Tests": Involves retrieving a stolen item from Mae'Var's Guildhall and dealing with a rival thief.
    • "Assassinate the Vampires": Aran will eventually direct you to attack Bodhi's lair in the Graveyard District.

Joining Bodhi's Vampires

  • How to Join: After speaking with Aran Whitehand, you can instead seek out Bodhi in the Lower Tombs of the Graveyard District. She will offer you a counter-proposal to betray the Shadow Thieves.
  • Immediate Benefits:
    • Access to Bodhi's Lair as a base, though it is less hospitable than the Shadow Thief Guildhall.
    • Opportunities for dark-aligned side quests from Bodhi.
    • You gain the ability to "feed" on victims, which can restore health and grant temporary bonuses, but at a moral cost.
  • Long-Term Consequences:
    • The Shadow Thieves become your enemies, leading to ambushes and confrontations in the Docks District and elsewhere.
    • Yoshimo will likely abandon your party if you side with Bodhi, as he has strong ties to the Shadow Thieves.
    • This path firmly pushes your character towards an evil alignment, impacting reputation and dialogue options.
    • You will eventually be tasked with attacking the Shadow Thief Guildhall.
  • Key Quests:
    • "Betray the Shadow Thieves": Bodhi will instruct you to infiltrate the Shadow Thief Guildhall and eliminate key members.
    • "Retrieve the Amulet": Bodhi may send you on missions to acquire powerful artifacts for her.

Recommendation:

For most players, especially those on a good or neutral alignment playthrough, siding with the Shadow Thieves is the more straightforward and rewarding path. It offers better access to merchants, information, and generally aligns with the narrative's heroic tone. Siding with Bodhi is a challenging, evil-aligned choice that significantly alters the game's atmosphere and your character's moral standing.

The Fate of the Planar Sphere

In the Slums District, you'll encounter the Planar Sphere, a powerful magical construct. Your choices regarding its repair and the fate of its inhabitants have significant implications.

Repairing the Sphere for Lavok

  • Walkthrough:
    1. Enter the Planar Sphere in the Slums District.
    2. Speak with Lavok, the imprisoned mage. He will ask you to retrieve several components to repair the Sphere.
    3. Demon Heart: Found by defeating the Demon in the Lower Planar Sphere.
    4. Activation Key: Located in the Golem Workshop within the Sphere.
    5. Control Gem: Held by a powerful Golem in the Golem Workshop.
    6. Once all components are gathered, return to Lavok. He will attempt to repair the Sphere.
  • Consequences:
    • Lavok will be freed, but his sanity is questionable. He may offer some cryptic advice before departing.
    • The Planar Sphere becomes your Stronghold if your main character is a Mage or Sorcerer. This grants access to unique spells, items, and a personal laboratory.
    • You gain access to the Planar Sphere's teleportation capabilities, allowing travel to various planes (though this is primarily for plot progression).
    • You will encounter the Cowled Wizards, who are displeased with your meddling in powerful magic.
  • Key Items: Upon becoming a Mage/Sorcerer Stronghold, you can find items like the Robe of the Archmagi (if you complete certain tasks within the Sphere) and access to powerful spell scrolls.

Destroying the Sphere (or letting it be)

  • Walkthrough:
    1. You can choose to ignore Lavok's pleas or actively sabotage his efforts.
    2. If you defeat Lavok without repairing the Sphere, it remains inert.
  • Consequences:
    • No Mage/Sorcerer Stronghold is gained.
    • You miss out on the unique items and services associated with the Sphere.
    • The Cowled Wizards will still likely investigate the Sphere, but your direct involvement in its activation is minimized.

Recommendation:

Unless your character is not a Mage or Sorcerer and you have no intention of multiclassing, repairing the Planar Sphere is highly recommended. The benefits of the Mage Stronghold are substantial, providing powerful magical resources and a unique base of operations.

The De'Arnise Keep Succession

In Chapter 2, you'll be tasked with reclaiming De'Arnise Keep from the trolls. After its liberation, you'll face a choice regarding its future leadership.

Appointing Nalia as the Lady of the Keep

  • Walkthrough:
    1. Complete the "De'Arnise Keep" quest by clearing the Keep of trolls and defeating TorGal.
    2. Speak with Nalia De'Arnise (if she is in your party) or the steward, Daleson.
    3. Support Nalia's claim to the Keep.
  • Consequences:
    • Nalia becomes the rightful Lady of the Keep.
    • If Nalia is in your party, she will periodically leave to attend to her duties, but will always return.
    • The Keep becomes your Fighter Stronghold (if your main character is a Fighter or Paladin). This provides a steady income, a personal guard, and a unique questline involving defending the Keep.
    • You gain access to the Keep's resources and can issue orders to its staff.
  • Key Items: As a Fighter Stronghold, you can acquire the Horn of Valhalla (after a specific quest) and other valuable gear.

Appointing Kaelas as the Lord of the Keep

  • Walkthrough:
    1. After clearing the Keep, speak with Kaelas, Nalia's uncle, who will also lay claim to the Keep.
    2. Support Kaelas's claim over Nalia's.
  • Consequences:
    • Kaelas becomes the Lord of the Keep.
    • Nalia will be greatly displeased and may leave your party permanently if you force this decision.
    • You do not gain the Fighter Stronghold benefits.
    • Kaelas is generally portrayed as a less competent and more self-serving leader, leading to less positive outcomes for the Keep.

Recommendation:

For a Fighter or Paladin protagonist, appointing Nalia is the clear choice to gain the valuable Fighter Stronghold. Even if your character isn't a Fighter, Nalia is a valuable companion, and supporting her claim is generally seen as the "good" and more beneficial option for the region.