Karlach, once bound to serve Zariel, now seeks freedom from her past and the tadpole inside her. After defeating the Elder Brain and saving Baldur’s Gate, Karlach's infernal engine becomes critically unstable.
Her infernal engine poses a significant threat as it might explode and end her life if unchecked. This engine's instability becomes a central plot point, and you need to find a way to stabilize it in order to save Karlach.
Can You Save Karlach?
Yes, you can save Karlach by repairing her infernal engine using Infernal Iron, but this is a temporary solution as she is still going back to Avernus. To permanently save Karlach, you can romance her or have Wyll become the Blade of Avernus, which both lead to taking Karlach to Avernus to stabilize her inferno engine.
How to Save Karlach:
- Use Infernal Iron to stabilize her Inferno Engine
- Romance Karlach and take her to Avernus
- Have Wyll become Blade of Avernus and take Karlach to Avernus
Save Karlach Using Infernal Iron
Dammon is a skilled blacksmith associated with the Tiefling group in Emerald Grove, and he has the knowledge and skill to cool down and stabilize Karlach’s infernal engine using Infernal Iron.
In Act 1, Dammon's location is depending on the player's decisions. If the Tieflings remain in the Emerald Grove, Dammon can be found in his blacksmithing shop to the north of the grove, near the prison. If the Tieflings depart, Dammon will no longer be in the grove, and players will meet Dammon in Act 2 at the Last Light Inn if he left the Emerald Grove safely.
You can find Inferno Irons on Karlach's Companion Quest related to her Infernal Engine. Players can locate Infernal Iron in various places throughout the game, including the Blacksmith's Workshop in Blighted Village, Dror Ragzlin's Stash in Shattered Sanctum, and Zentarim Hideout, among others.
Save Karlach by Taking Her to Avernus
When Karlach's infernal engine becomes critically unstable, Wyll offers to take her to Avernus. It is the only place where her infernal engine can be stabilized, and she can live. For this to be an option, Wyll must have previously sacrificed his freedom for his father with Mizora, becoming the Blade of Avernus.
This transformation allows him to only hunt devils and demons for Mizora, and he can also take Karlach with him to Avernus, ensuring her safety from Zariel. This ending showcases the bond between Wyll and Karlach, who were once adversaries but now unite against evil.
Consequences of Your Choices
The Tragic End: If players neither romance Karlach nor ensure Wyll's transformation into the Blade of Avernus, Karlach's fate is sealed. She will succumb to her infernal engine, leaving players with a heart-wrenching scene of her demise.
Karlach's Transformation: In a twist of fate, before the final battle, a character must become an Illithid to harness Orpheus' powers. Karlach can volunteer, and if players permit, she transforms into an Illithid. This ending, while seemingly grim, is one of the more favorable outcomes. Karlach's infernal engine vanishes, granting her freedom in Faerun, albeit as a Mind Flayer.
Dark Betrayals: Players can also choose darker paths, leading to Karlach's downfall. They can betray Illithid Karlach as she's on the brink of destroying the Absolute or enthrall her as the new Absolute, betraying the Emperor in the process.