The objective begins with Jacob's rescue
Heart of the Source becomes a quest objective when you find and free Jacob in the Mausoleum, continuing the investigation that began with Khelebar in Underkeep Village. Rescuing Jacob advances that investigation, but it does not open the deeper Source Gate.
To finish the objective, you must reach the Source and choose 'End it'. That action destroys the Source and completes Heart of the Source; choosing 'Let it live' leaves the objective failed.
Bring the Golden Keys to the Source Gate
The Golden Keys you need come from Maltherion, Thalric, and Zerethic. Use them on the three locks of the Source Gate before continuing through the entrance brazier arrangement and the Source Guardians.
If you have freed Jacob but are still facing the locked gate, check your Golden Key progress. His rescue and access to the Source are separate parts of the route, so returning to the gate without the required keys will not resolve that blocker.
Reach the Source and complete the objective
- Free Jacob from his imprisonment in the Mausoleum. His rescue advances the investigation from Khelebar and brings Heart of the Source into the quest route.
- Collect the Golden Keys from Maltherion, Thalric, and Zerethic. These are the keys needed for the locks that block access through the Source Gate.
- Use the Golden Keys on the three Source Gate locks. This clears the key requirement separating Jacob's rescue from the deeper Source route.
- Solve the entrance brazier arrangement. This is a required room action on the route before you confront the Source Guardians and interact with the Source.
- Defeat the Source Guardians before interacting with the Source. Their defeat clears the combat requirement before the chamber's final decision.
- Interact with the Source to reach the final choice. This is the decision that determines the outcome of the Heart of the Source objective.
- Choose 'End it' to destroy the Source and complete Heart of the Source. Choose this action when your goal is quest completion; 'Let it live' leaves the objective failed.
Separate the quest from the achievements
Heart of the Source is the quest objective affected by the chamber's final choice. The related achievements track Jacob's rescue and the High Cleric battles, so use their individual requirements when checking your progress.
| Milestone | Completion requirement |
|---|---|
| Heart of the Source quest | Choose 'End it' at the Source to destroy it and complete the objective. |
| Unchained Whispers achievement | Free Jacob from his imprisonment in the Mausoleum. |
| Silencer achievement | Defeat all three High Clerics to complete this achievement's requirement. |
Earning Unchained Whispers does not mean the Source Gate has opened or that the Source decision is complete. Likewise, Silencer tracks the High Clerics rather than your answer in the final chamber.