Gale: Difference between revisions

Gale can be found at the Roadside Cliffs [[Ancient Rune Circle|rune circle]]. Likely trapped as he hastily escaped the crashing [[nautiloid]], he asks the party for assistance in getting him out. Once free, he recognizes the party as other victims of the [[illithid]] abroad the sieged ship and quickly offers his services as a wizard of great renown.

Gale explains that he was a magical prodigy, being able to control and sculpt the Weave at a young age. This gained him the attention of [[Mystra]], the goddess of magic, who became his teacher, muse, and eventually his lover. However, with Mystra, Gale witnessed magic that was beyond mere mortals and seeing the powers he was denied, he begged her for more, only to be rejected each and told to be contented with what he had each time.

As the party continues their travels, they eventually encounter an old man in the trail leading to the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]] in the [[Rosymorn Monastery Trail]]. Gale recognizes the man as none other than [[Elminster|Elminster Aumar]], the legendary ''Sage of Shadowdale'' and a former mentor of his. Elminster announces that he comes to deliver an important message to Gale, and asks to speak in peace back at camp. There, he reveals that Mystra has been watching over Gale and following the movements of the [[Cult of the Absolute]] with great attention. Mystra sees the [[Absolute]] as a credible threat to the world, and believes the only person able to stop them is Gale. Thus, she offers a bargain her former [[Chosen]] cannot resist: redemption in exchange for his live. Elminster explains that the power of the netherese orb lodged within Gale can be harnessed as a weapon used to destroy the Absolute for good and stabilizes Gale's orb, controlling its hunger pangs and allowing Gale to detonate it at will. Gale considers the proposition solemnly, and thanks Elminster for his words. With the message imparted, Elminster wishes Gale and the party the best of luck in defeating the Absolute and departs.

When spoken to, Gale seems to be shocked at Mystra's directive, but considers it seriously. This is the chance he was waiting for, redemption in Mystra's eyes for the cost of martyrdom. The party can support or dissuade him from following this path. As an origin, when [[Tara]] is told about the plan, she disapproves of the idea, and will force Gale to promise her he will find another way.

If Gale dies at some point during his adventures, his body will start emanating a necrotic aura that will harm those near his corpse. The first time this happens, a projection of him will appear nearby that will begin [[In Case of Death...]]. The projection will give precise instructions on how to revive Gale, and stress the importance of doing so before it is too late. Following the instruction grants a [[Scroll of True Resurrection]], reviving Gale with it will result in his gratitude and some information on his condition. If Gale dies again, it will be up to the party to find the means to revive him. Should the party leave him dead for too long, it will result in a Game Over screen when the netherese orb within him explodes after being left hungry for too long.

While exploring the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]], Gale and the party can find a hidden chamber belonging to [[Balthazar]] in [[Moonrise Towers]]. The chamber is clearly used for the necromancer's experiments, and upon inspecting a nearby table, Gale will be attempt to make sense of the writings on it, beginning the quest [[Balthazar's Experiment]]. He reveals that the sigils are used in the fabrication of [[Moonlantern|Moonlanterns]], and that given enough time, he can create a better one himself. The ritual does require using dark magic forbidden by Mystra, leaving the decision up to the party whether to encourage or dissuade Gale from finishing the necromancer's work. Allowing Gale to complete the lantern results in the party gaining a [[Shadow Lantern]], an upgraded version of the regular moonlanters found, while destroying the sigils rewards Gale with [[Mystra's Benevolence (Condition)|Mystra's Benevolence]] until the next long rest.

After reaching the [[Mind Flayer Colony]] in pursuit of [[Ketheric Thorm]], the party will finally come face to face with the truth of the Absolute: a gargantuan [[Elder Brain]] controlled by Ketheric, [[Enver Gortash]] and [[Orin the Red]], Chosen of the [[Dead Three]], using the fabled [[Crown of Karsus]]. With the elder brain and the Chosen all gathered in a single location, Gale decides that no better opportunity will present itself, and prepares to detonate his netherese orb as ordered by Mystra. The party can encourage Gale to go through with Mystra's directive, destroying everything in the vicinity including the Absolute and the Chosen, as well as the party. Because this course of action does not remove the tadpoles already implanted in the victims around the [[Sword Coast]], it causes a mass ceremorphosis as the tadpoles wake from their stasis. Without anything controlling them, rampart illithid ravage the lands, infecting and destroying everything they see, leading to an early Game Over screen.

Once at Baldur's Gate, Gale will recommend visiting Sorcerous Sundries with haste, sure that the renowned bookstore will have tomes on netherese magic that can be of use in defeating the Absolute. There, when inquired about possible books on the matter, [[Tolna Tome-Monger]] will answer that a tome containing information on Karsus' Folly and Netheril exists, yet it is kept under lock in the vaults as the information is too sensitive for most readers and access is strictly forbidden. The party can convince her to volunteer information on how to reach the vaults, or break in themselves through subtlety. Whatever the case, once in the vaults, the party must follow the correct path to reach Karsus' vault, containing the ancient tome [[The Annals of Karsus]]. Gale can be given the tome after reading, and he will exclaim that it not only contains information on the Crown of Karsus, but also details on how it was constructed, making it possible to reforge it after destroying the elder brain. Gale's ambition grows at the prospect of the power he could wield with the Crown, speculating that he could become a god strong enough to challenge even Mystra. The party can support his plans to be free from the yoke of Mystra, or challenge him about them, warning against treading down the same path Karsus once did before the fall of his empire.

Having never learned the secrets of Karsus and his netherese regalia from [[The Annals of Karsus]], Gale perishes attempting to reforge the destroyed Crown of Karsus to reach godhood. At Withers gathering, a projection of his will give his final farewells to his former companions, regretting having sacrificed everything for a chance at divinity.