The Wizard of Waterdeep: Difference between revisions

Gale can be recruited after the [[Prologue]] is completed and the party has washed up on the [[Ravaged Beach]]. Gale is northeast of the Nautiloid wreckage, trapped in a purple portal - an [[Ancient Sigil Circle]] {{Coords|224|326}}. A hand pops out of the portal, asking for help. Choose to grab the hand and pull with a {{Ability Check|Strength|15|}} to free the mysterious individual from the trap. Warlocks can use a Charisma check to attune with the sigil’s magic, but a Strength check is still required to free Gale.

The man who pops out of the portal introduces himself as Gale of Waterdeep. He recognizes the party as fellow captives of the Nautiloid and suggests that they travel together to try to cure their tadpole affliction.

In order for Gale to open up, he needs to have medium affection with the origin character. He also needs to trust them. There are a number of actions that can cause Gale to trust them:

* Defusing tempers amongst Aradin and Zevlor after entering the Druid Grove for the first time.

* Successfully following Gale’s protocol if he dies.

If Gale is never fed an artefact after obtaining his arcane hunger, the game can end early. Continuously long resting without feeding Gale an artefact leads to him exploding, causing an early game over.

The following is a (non-exhaustive) list of items that can be found in the Wilderness map and are able to be consumed by Gale. Each item that can be consumed by Gale has a corresponding tag in its description:

* {{SmRarityItem|Amulet of Selûne's Chosen}} – In the Shattered Sanctum in a locked room above {{CharLink|Dror Ragzlin|Dror Ragzlin’s}} throne.

* {{SmRarityItem|Cap of Curing}} – found west of the Sacred Pool, in a gilded chest across from {{CharLink|Alfira}}.

* {{SmRarityItem|Gloves of Power}} – Looted from Za’krug, a goblin raider from the first battle in front of the Grove.

* {{SmRarityItem|Komira's Locket}} – Provided as a reward for Save Arabella if Arabella’s life is saved.

* {{SmRarityItem|Moondrop Pendant}} – Inside the Owlbear Cave in a gilded chest – read the Selunite Prayer Sheet in front of it to unlock.

* {{SmRarityItem|Ring of Colour Spray}} – Located in the Harpy’s Nest in the Druid Grove {{Coords|325|500}}.

* {{SmRarityItem|Robe of Summer}} – Quest reward for {{Quest|Rescue the Druid Halsin}} if Halsin is alive.

* {{SmRarityItem|The Watcher's Guide}} - Found in a trapped sarcophagus in the Dank Crypt {{Coords|-293|-323}}.

* {{SmRarityItem|The Joltshooter}} / {{SmRarityItem|The Sparky Points}} / {{SmRarityItem|The Spellsparkler}} - Reward for rescuing {{CharLink|Florrick|Counsellor Florrick}} from the burning inn of [[Waukeen's Rest]].

After the first item, Gale thanks the party and is fully sated. The party does have a chance to ask more information of Gale, but he is cagey about giving out more. He assures the party that in due time, all will be revealed.

After the second item, Gale is again grateful, but he notes that something is wrong. Usually, consuming an artefact fully sates his hunger. This time, however, instead of fully extinguishing the flames of hunger, there were embers left still smoldering.

After the third artefact, Gale notices something is seriously wrong. The artefact is not having much effect of sating his need. He decides to finally tell the party the nature of his condition.

Gale reveals that he was a magical prodigy, able to not only control the Weave at a young age, but compose it like a musician. He gained the attention of {{CharLink|Mystra}}, the goddess of magic, who became his teacher, muse, and eventually his lover. However, Gale witnessed magic that was beyond mere mortals while he was with Mystra. Seeing the powers he was denied, he begged Mystra for more, but she told him to be content with what he had.

Looking to gain Mystra’s favor, Gale found a magical tome from the Netherese empire. It contained a fragment of Weave that was lost after the fall of Netheril. Gale believed that returning the fragment to Mystra would earn her favor and she would grant him the powers he desperately wanted. However, once he opened the tome, the power within the object merged within him, a Netherese orb that hungers for magic. Locked away in his tower in Waterdeep, Gale could manage the condition, but in the wilds, it risked becoming unmanaged. If the orb is not sated, it will detonate with the power to level a city the size of Waterdeep.

After the third artefact, Gale begins looking for alternative solutions for his condition. He no longer needs to be fed more items and the item tag showing Gale can consume an item no longer shows.

A Weary Traveler {{Coords|-132|-161}} is on the Rosymorn Monastery Trail which leads to the Shadow-Cursed Lands. If the party skips the Mountain Pass, he instead appears within the Shadow-Cursed Lands near the elevator leading down to [[Grymforge]]. If the player avoids the Weary Traveler at the earlier two locations, he will appear on the stone bridge in front of [[Moonrise Towers]], close to the [[Waypoint]]. The old man asks to see Gale and, if Gale is in the party, he is identified as the great wizard {{CharLink|Elminster|Elminster Aumar}}. Elminster is an emissary of Mystra, seeking Gale to relay a message to him and a special charm. He asks if he can rest at camp first and get a proper meal, and then can be met at camp immediately or later.

At camp, Elminster states that Mystra has been watching the Cult of the Absolute and believes it is a threat to the Weave and the fabric of reality itself. Gale is the one person who can stop it, by detonating his Netherese Orb in the heart of the Absolute. If Gale sacrifices himself, he will be redeemed in the eyes of Mystra. Elminster also casts a charm on Gale, granting him control over the Orb. He is able to detonate it at will. With the message imparted, Elminster wishes Gale and the party the best of luck in defeating the Absolute and departs.

Gale gains a new ability following his meeting with Elminster – Netherese Orb Blast. This ability is one-time use and it instantly causes a game over if used. Gale stabs his chest, detonating the Orb, and a massive area explodes.

While facing the Netherbrain in {{Quest|Confront the Elder Brain}}, if Gale is in the party, there is a chance to confer with him on what to do once they have arrived on top the brain. Right before climbing the brainstem to the brain, the party realizes that they need not confront the brain at all. Gale can simply use his Netherese Orb to destroy the Crown and the brain in one fell swoop. Gale notices the hesitation and asks what’s the matter. Gale’s question can either be dismissed as nothing, or a choice can be made – "Wait. We could end this now if you unleashed the orb." Gale hesitates, but will detonate the orb with a {{Ability Check|Persuasion|30}}. This check can be bypassed if, during the conversation with {{CharLink|The Emperor}} about becoming a [[Mind flayer]], you request a moment to think and address Gale. He will then offer to willingly sacrifice himself and you can accept. If Gale is successfully persuaded or you accept his offer, he teleports the party away, then climbs the brainstem by himself. Gale stabs himself in the chest and detonates the Orb, sacrificing himself and destroying the brain in the process.