Baldur’s Gate 3: How to Save Isobel in Last Light Inn

It’s imperative that you save Isobel in Baldur’s Gate 3. This priestess of Selune is one of the most important people that you’ll meet in your travels. In Act 2, there are many ways for her to meet an untimely end, which can also cause disaster for several companions and NPCs. Our guide discusses how you can eliminate Flaming Fist Marcus and his cohorts for the Baldur’s Gate 3 save Isobel objective. Likewise, please be reminded that this article contains spoilers.

How to Save Isobel in Last Light Inn

The task to save Isobel occurs in Last Light Inn, which is in the northwestern portion of the Shadow-Cursed Lands (X:-65; Y:159). You can reach this region via the Underdark or the Mountain Pass, and the choice is up to you.

Who is Isobel the Cleric

Either way, once you get there, you can talk to various NPCs, including Jaheira, a returning character from the previous games and also a potential companion later on. Jaheira tells you to go upstairs so you can talk to Isobel. Make sure you keep a backup save before doing this.

Once in Isobel’s room, you’ll see her casting a spell that creates a protective barrier around Last Light. This is Selune’s power, which shields the area from the encroaching darkness curse. A short while later, Absolute cultists led by Flaming Fist Marcus invade.

Why You Need to Save Isobel

You want to save Isobel in Baldur’s Gate 3 because of what happens when she’s gone. Without Selune’s protective magic, all of Last Light Inn will be consumed by the darkness. Everyone in it will either instantly die, or be turned into a corrupted husk that you need to kill. That means losing out on potential quest givers and companions, such as the following:

• Alfira and the Tieflings will no longer be around for the quest to save the prisoners in Moonrise Towers.
• Barcus Wroot, the gnome that you helped free from the windmill, won’t be there even if you decide to save Wulbren.
• Dammon the Blacksmith won’t be able to fix Karlach’s heart.
• Counselor Florrick is in the area, and she’ll never make it to Act 3.
• The sleeping man, Art Cullagh, will no longer wake up, and he’s integral to Halsin’s recruitment.
• Jaheira might survive, and she could still help you, though her Harper force is all but reduced.
• If Jaheira dies in the coming battles, you won’t be able to recruit her friend and fellow returning character, Minsc.
• Isobel also has a key role that will be revealed later as you progress.

As you can see, the survival of one person is tantamount to experiencing a huge part of the game, or losing out on a lot of content. That’s why I feel that keeping Isobel alive is one of the most notable instances in the game.

How to Defeat Flaming Fist Marcus and the Imps

I was able to beat Flaming Fist Marcus by focusing on him with my main character, a Monk, and using stun attacks. Considering how he targets Isobel, taking him out of the fight each turn meant that I was able to negate his damage output. It might also be possible to barricade yourself prior to the battle by using objects to bar doorways, preventing the imps from reaching Isobel’s room.

From there, I whittled down Marcus’ HP, while units protected Isobel as she moved around (she’s an AI-controlled character). I had Karlach smash hostiles with her physical prowess, given that she’s a Barbarian, all while Gale cast numerous spells to take out other foes. You don’t have to worry too much about what’s going on in the lower section of the inn, given that Jaheira can handle herself with her AoE spells.

Note that some of the Harpers might perish in the battle. However, as far as I know, none of them provide important quests or information.

Other Times You Need to Save Isobel

Your attempts to save Isobel in Baldur’s Gate 3 don’t end here even if you manage to eliminate Marcus’ squad. There are two other instances when you need to keep her safe:

• If you pick the Dark Urge origin, the butler Scleritas Fel tells you to murder her.
• Later, upon reaching the dark realm beneath the Gauntlet of Shar, there’s an important choice where you’re asked if you want to spare or kill a certain character. Do not kill that person, as that would cause Selune’s protection to dissipate completely, even if Isobel is still around.

Should Isobel die in either of these incidents, then the same circumstances outlined above will occur. Protect her at all costs, or you might end up with a really unfortunate campaign. In any case, that’s all you need to know about how to save Isobel in Baldur’s Gate 3. Since you’re already in the right location, you might as well investigate Last Light Inn. For more tips and tactics, visit our BG3 guides hub.