Baldur's Gate 3: The Shadowheart Cutscene You Probably Missed

Many players of Baldur's Gate 3 may have overlooked a crucial cutscene that significantly impacts the understanding of Shadowheart's past and potentially links to other characters. Despite the game's generally straightforward storytelling, this particular scene often leads to misinterpretations, even among seasoned players on multiple playthroughs. The key to unlocking the full picture lies in understanding certain aspects of Dungeons & Dragons lore.

Shadowheart's Confusing Childhood Memory As players develop a strong bond with Shadowheart, they unlock a memory triggered by her illithid tadpole. This cutscene depicts a young Shadowheart lost in the woods, encountering a wolf before Sharrans intervene, shielding her eyes and confronting the animal with spears. This event marks the beginning of Shadowheart's servitude to Shar and her fear of wolves. However, the memory is incomplete, and further exploration reveals a more complex truth. If Aylin helps Shadowheart recall more details, the cutscene replays, but this time, the wolf is revealed to be a man – Arnell Hallowleaf, Shadowheart's father. What occurs in the memory remains ambiguous for many players. Some might incorrectly assume the wolf was merely a fabrication created to replace her father in her memory. Others may speculate that Arnell was a druid utilizing wildshape. Neither interpretation is accurate.

The Truth About Arnell Hallowleaf Arnell Hallowleaf is, in fact, a werewolf. In Dungeons & Dragons, werewolves can manifest as humans, wolves, or a hybrid form. The subtle nature of Arnell's lycanthropy often goes unnoticed. Players who choose Shadowheart as their origin character can directly discuss his condition and the possibility of her inheriting it. However, those who didn't save Shadowheart's parents or lack familiarity with DnD lore might easily misinterpret the scene. Arnell's werewolf identity may also hint at Shadowheart's Selûnite heritage. Selûne is the goddess associated with good and neutral werewolves, making a wolf's appearance during a Selûnite ritual a potential clue. Speaking to Arnell as Shadowheart reveals his remorse for not disclosing his curse earlier and his ability to control it through Selûne's teachings.

Further adding to the confusion, players romancing Shadowheart might encounter a conversation between her and Wyll about the possibility of "werewolf puppies," given her potential lycanthrope gene. This banter can occur even without prior knowledge of Arnell's condition, leaving players puzzled.

Is Halsin a Werebear? While it's unlikely Shadowheart inherited the werewolf gene, another companion, Halsin, may have a similar secret. Some players believe Halsin could be a werebear, noting differences in his cave bear form compared to other wildshape transformations. His romance scene, where he struggles to control his bear form, further fuels this theory. Werebears in DnD often have large, muscular builds with body hair in their humanoid forms, traits that align with Halsin's description. His bear form remains a separate option even if his class changes, suggesting it's an integral part of his being. He also expresses a fondness for honey and possesses noticeable body hair, uncommon for elves. Furthermore, Halsin seems to struggle to control his bear form, unlike other druids with their wildshape abilities. These details suggest that Halsin may be more than just a typical wood elf, potentially a werebear in disguise.