Quick Guide: Everburning Blade, Intellect Devourer, and the Perfect Nautiloid Escape
Complete Guide to Escaping the Nautiloid in BG3 
Recruit the Intellect Devourer Now — You Won’t Get Another Chance 
Secure the Everburning Blade Before Leaving the Ship 🧠 While exploring the damp corridors of the Nautiloid, you come across a scene that could alter the course of the prologue: a mysterious prisoner, surrounded by magic and danger. The Save the Illithid Prisoner quest in Baldur’s Gate 3 is more than a simple choice — it can affect allies, rewards, and the direction of the story.
🔓 In this Game Wiki guide, you’ll learn how to save the Illithid Prisoner in BG3, make the right decisions, and secure the best possible outcome. If you want to begin your journey with strategy and advantages, now’s the perfect time to act!
⭐ How to Start the “Save the Illithid Prisoner” Quest
🔮 The Save the Illithid Prisoner quest begins within the first few minutes of the prologue, while you’re still trapped inside the Nautiloid. As you navigate the twisted corridors and witness the first scenes with Shadowheart, you’ll come across an unusual pod containing a mysterious figure. This discovery marks the beginning of a crucial decision that can directly influence the upcoming events in the campaign.
🧭 When the “Save the Illithid Prisoner” Quest Is Triggered
🧭 After defeating the Sacrificed Cultists during the first encounters of the Baldur’s Gate 3 prologue, you’ll be able to explore the warped corridors of the Nautiloid — the living ship of the Illithids. It’s during this exploration that the Save the Illithid Prisoner quest in BG3 is triggered. The quest activates automatically as you approach the Mind Flayer Pod holding Shadowheart (also known as Umbralma) captive.
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🌟 Where to Find the Illithid Prisoner in the Prologue
🧬 The Illithid prisoner — known as Shadowheart or Umbralma — can be found inside a magical pod in the third chamber of the Nautiloid, at coordinates (
X: 1 Y: -346). This room is easy to recognize thanks to its pulsating tentacles and pools of arcane fluid scattered across the floor.
To rescue Umbralma during BG3’s prologue, approach the pod and interact with the neural panel beside it. This action officially triggers the “Save the Illithid Prisoner” quest and opens up new paths for exploration and choice aboard the ship. Additionally, freeing Umbralma early can influence future dialogue options and give you a tactical edge in early combat, making her assistance especially valuable during your escape.
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🌟 How to Activate the Panel and Free Shadowheart
🔐 When trying to free Shadowheart from the Illithid pod in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll be blocked by an arcane control panel that requires a specific item: the 
🌟 Alternative Method to Save the Illithid Prisoner in BG3
⚔️ Another way to save Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3 is by using your character’s class abilities. Barbarians can try to force the pod open with a Strength check, while Wizards, Sorcerers, and Warlocks can attempt an Intelligence check. This approach skips the need for the
🌟 What Happens If You Don’t Save Shadowheart?
😐 Ignoring Shadowheart might seem minor at first, but you’ll miss the chance to have her as a temporary ally on the Nautiloid and to unlock exclusive dialogue options. The encounter in Act One becomes colder and more distant, closing narrative branches that could enrich your campaign.
🌟 What If You Kill Shadowheart in BG3?
💀 Killing Shadowheart during the prologue triggers an unusual scene: a magical object flies toward you, hinting that your fate is intertwined with hers. This extreme decision directly affects future events and adds a dark, mysterious twist to your journey in Baldur’s Gate 3.
⭐ What You Gain by Saving the Mind Flayer Prisoner
🧙 By saving Shadowheart (Umbralma) during the prologue, you unlock the opportunity to recruit her as a temporary ally aboard the Nautiloid, and soon after as a permanent companion in your party. A devoted cleric of the goddess Shar, Shadowheart belongs to the Trickery Domain, specializing in divine spells and support abilities. Her presence in early battles offers healing, buffs, and unique interactions with other companions. ✨
🌟 Path to the Sword of the Eternal Fire
🗡️ One of the major rewards for completing this mission is unlocking the path to acquire the Sword of the Eternal Fire, considered by many to be the best weapon in Act One. To obtain it, you must have Shadowheart in your party and use the 
🌟 Who Is the Mind Flayer Prisoner in Baldur’s Gate 3?
🔮 The prisoner trapped inside the Mind Flayer pod is none other than Shadowheart, one of the most complex and captivating playable characters in Baldur’s Gate 3. A half-elf cleric devoted to Shar, she carries a mysterious past and a secret mission that unfolds throughout the campaign. 🧩
🖤 Her faith in Shar shapes her decisions: cold, strategic, and morally ambiguous, Shadowheart makes choices that may conflict with other companions. This duality leads to deep conversations, tough decisions, and unique narrative consequences — especially in moments involving pain, sacrifice, and secrets. 🕯️
⭐ Wrapping Up the Prologue Journey with Shadowheart
⚔️ By completing the Save the Mind Flayer Prisoner mission, you not only recruit one of the most iconic companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, but also unlock unique interactions and alternate story paths that enrich the entire narrative. This early decision in the prologue shows how small choices can shape epic journeys. 🎯
🏆 Want to take your campaign even further? Check out how to complete 100% of Act One Guide to All 27 Act One Trophies
efficiently. And if you want to boost your power even further from the very start, it’s worth collecting all the Mind Flayer Parasites Location of All Mind Flayer Parasites
available at the beginning of the game. These offer unique upgrades and powerful abilities for those brave enough to explore them.
⭐ Questions About Rescuing the Mind Flayer Prisoner in BG3
🎯 Still unsure how to free Shadowheart or what happens if you don’t? Below are the most frequently asked questions from players about the Rescue the Mind Flayer Prisoner quest in Baldur’s Gate 3 — with quick tips, key decisions, and real consequences for your campaign.
The mission begins as soon as you wake up inside the alien pod during the game’s opening scene in the prologue.
You’ll find the brain attached to Myrnath’s head in the second room of the prologue, near coordinates X: 2 Y: -435.
Yes. It can help you in the ship’s early battles and unlocks unique dialogue options later in the campaign.
Speak to her and pass an Arcana or Strength check. If you fail, retrieve the Runepowder Slate from the Ceremorphosis Chamber.
You’ll find her on the ship’s southwest corridor. Simply speak with her and agree to let her join your party.
No. He’s doomed to die in the fight against the Mind Flayer and cannot be saved.
Use the Command: Drop spell with Shadowheart before Zhalk dies. The sword will drop to the ground automatically.
There are at least 4 chests, gem-carrying corpses, and lootable devices — plus a hidden reliquary.
Including “Escape the Nautiloid” and others related to Shadowheart, Lae’zel, and the Intellect Devourer Brain.
If your party is defeated, you’ll have to reload your last save. Death is permanent during this segment.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Genre: RPG, Adventure, Strategy
Release Date: August 3, 2023 (PC)
Developer & Publisher: Larian Studios
Official Website: baldursgate3.game
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, macOS
Game Modes: Single-player, Co-op
Available on:
9.1/10
🔍 Note to Reader: Found any outdated information or noticed an error in this Rescue the Illithids’ Captive guide? Leave a comment so we can correct it and keep the content accurate. This material was created based on firsthand in-game experiences and the official article “Rescue the Illithids’ Captive”, published on the official Baldur’s Gate 3 wiki. We hope this guide has been helpful on your journey. Good luck, adventurer! 🎮
