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With the truth out, and concerned about his current predicament, Gale begins looking into alternative solutions to sate the netherese orb. | With the truth out, and concerned about his current predicament, Gale begins looking into alternative solutions to sate the netherese orb. | ||
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 {{CharLink|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 | 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 {{CharLink|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 {{CharLink|Tara}} is told about the plan, she disapproves of the idea, and will force Gale to promise her he will find another way. | 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 {{CharLink|Tara}} is told about the plan, she disapproves of the idea, and will force Gale to promise her he will find another way. | ||
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While exploring the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]], Gale and the party can find a hidden chamber belonging to {{CharLink|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 {{Quest|Balthazar's Experiment}}. He reveals that the sigils are used in the fabrication of {{SmRarityItem|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 {{SmRarityItem|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. | While exploring the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]], Gale and the party can find a hidden chamber belonging to {{CharLink|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 {{Quest|Balthazar's Experiment}}. He reveals that the sigils are used in the fabrication of {{SmRarityItem|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 {{SmRarityItem|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]] the party will finally come face to face with the truth of the Absolute: a gargantuan [[Elder Brain]] controlled by {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}}, {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}} and {{CharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}}, Chosen of the [[Dead Three]], using the fabled {{SmRarityItem|Crown of Karsus}0. 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 | After reaching the [[Mind Flayer Colony]] the party will finally come face to face with the truth of the Absolute: a gargantuan [[Elder Brain]] controlled by {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}}, {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}} and {{CharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}}, Chosen of the [[Dead Three]], using the fabled {{SmRarityItem|Crown of Karsus}0. 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 {{FRWiki|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. | ||
Gale can be convinced to do otherwise, however, by passing certain dialogue ability checks in order for him to stand down. Alternatively, he can be left in camp when adventuring through the illithid colony, skipping his interactions. Though he will be disheartened at having defied Mystra and thus eschewed redemption in her eyes, he quickly shifts his focus to the artefact controlling the elder brain. Gale will identify it as as the Crown of Karsus, one of the regalia of the ancient archwizard Karsus, and an exceptionally powerful arcane object thought long lost. Convinced it is the key to defeating the Absolute for good, and asks the party to help him find more information about it. Since the group's destination is Baldur's Gate, he believes the famous [[Sorcerous Sundries]] must have information on netherese magic, making it worth a visit. | Gale can be convinced to do otherwise, however, by passing certain dialogue ability checks in order for him to stand down. Alternatively, he can be left in camp when adventuring through the illithid colony, skipping his interactions. Though he will be disheartened at having defied Mystra and thus eschewed redemption in her eyes, he quickly shifts his focus to the artefact controlling the elder brain. Gale will identify it as as the Crown of Karsus, one of the regalia of the ancient archwizard Karsus, and an exceptionally powerful arcane object thought long lost. Convinced it is the key to defeating the Absolute for good, and asks the party to help him find more information about it. Since the group's destination is Baldur's Gate, he believes the famous [[Sorcerous Sundries]] must have information on netherese magic, making it worth a visit. | ||