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Gale
 | Spoiler warning: The following content contains unhidden spoilers. Read at your own risk. |
| Gale | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Origin character Companion |
| Voiced by | Tim Downie |
| Information | |
| Full name | Gale Dekarios |
| Race | Human |
| Class | Wizard |
| Background | Sage |
| Hometown | Waterdeep |
| Family | Morena Dekarios (mother) Unnamed father Tara |
Gale, full name Gale Dekarios, is an origin character and a recruitable companion with the Sage background. He is a human Wizard first appearing during Act 1.
A scholar and prodigy in the arcane arts, Gale is committed to unlocking the secrets of the Weave no matter the cost. He can be first found at the Ravaged Beach during Act 1 where he can be recruited into the party, and be romanced by characters of any gender.
| “ | There's a gust of Weave about you, but it's a mere breeze. I need a tempest. |
„ |
| — Gale's hunger for powerful magic. |
Overview
Background
A prodigy in magic, Gale is a wizard of great talent and just as great ambition. Once a Chosen of Mystra, his quest to prove himself to the goddess of magic resulted in him being cursed with a long-forgotten form of magic, a ticking time bomb with an all consuming hunger. Now, lost to Mystra's graces and with a tadpole in his brain, Gale must find a way to be rid of both curse and unwelcome guest.
Starting class
Gale starts as a Wizard with a balanced repertoire of spells, allowing him to act both as an offensive and supporting caster. Upon reaching level two, he will default to the Evocation School subclass, giving him access to a wider arsenal of offensive spells.
Special features
- In order to sate his arcane hunger, Gale must consume magic items periodically for a total of three times. Should he not, he will be afflicted, which has three different stages of severity:
- Arcane Hunger gives him disadvantage to Constitution saving throws.
- Greater Arcane Hunger gives him disadvantage on all attack rolls and saving throws.
- Severe Arcane Hunger gives him disadvantage on all attack rolls and saving throws and his movement speed is halved.
- After reaching the third stage, if not fed Weave, Gale's netherese orb will explode leading to a Game Over screen.
- If Gale is slain, his corpse will emanate a Necrotic Aura, dealing 1d4 Necrotic damage every turn to those around his corpse until revived. Left dead for too long will lead to a Game Over screen as his netherese orb detonates without magic to sustain it.
- Cursed by netherese magic, Gale can cast Netherese Orb Blast, obliterating everything in the vicinity and leading to a game over screen.
- Gale can create the unique Shadow Lantern in Moonrise Towers, a special item that allows summoning a shadow wraith. Alternatively, he can reject the ritual, receiving Mystra's Benevolence instead, granting him advantage on Concentration checks until the next Long Rest.
- When played as an origin character, Gale can either cleanse or consume the Shadow Weave from the corpse of Malus Thorm, Gerringothe Thorm or Thisobald Thorm, granting him one of the following boons:
- Consumed Shadow Weave gives Gale an additional Level 3 Spell Slot that recharges on long rest if he consumed the Shadow Weave.
- Mystra's Blessing gives Gale immunity to Fire, Acid, Cold, Force, and Thunder damage if he cleansed the Shadow Weave.
- When played as an origin character, Tara, Gale's tressym, will join him in camp as a follower.
Personal quest
Gale's personal quest is The Wizard of Waterdeep, spanning all acts of the game. In it, Gale will have to come to terms with the consequences of his unbridled ambitions, as well as deal with the ticking time bomb in his body.
Two further subquests are available that tie into his personal quest: In Case of Death..., in which the party must deal with Gale's protocol for his untimely death, and Balthazar's Experiment, where Gale can decide to finish the work of a dangerous necromancer.
Recruitment
| Gale | |||||||||||||
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| Level 1 Wizard Human | |||||||||||||
| Stats | |||||||||||||
| Movement speed | 9 m (30 ft) | ||||||||||||
| Weight | 75 kg (150 lb) | ||||||||||||
| Initiative | +1 | ||||||||||||
| Ability scores | |||||||||||||
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| Proficiency bonus | +2 | ||||||||||||
| Saving throws |
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Gale can be recruited as a permanent companion during Act One.
Act One
- Gale can be found when approaching the Roadside Cliffs Ancient Rune Circle, north of the Ravaged Beach. If investigated, Gale will stick his hand out from inside the circle and ask for help. A successful ability check is required to pull him out, with multiple options available:
DC 7 Strength check — available to all classes- DC 7 Intelligence check — available to Wizards
- DC 7 Charisma check — available to Warlocks, Sorcerers and Bards
- DC 7 Wisdom check — available to Druids and Clerics
- DC 12 Dexterity check — available to Rogues
If the first check is failed, a second one can be attempted with increased difficulty:
- DC 12 Strength check — available if the first unsuccessful attempt was a Strength check
- DC 7 Strength check — available if the first unsuccessful attempt was a class-specific check
Failing two checks, or choosing to leave him to his fate, will mean Gale falls back into the rune circle and cannot be recruited.
Approval
Gale dislikes harming innocents and using unnecessary violence when diplomacy is an option. As a scholar, he disapproves of destroying or wasting valuable knowledge, and those who criticise his convictions and goals will earn his disapproval.
Romance
Gale can be romanced by characters of any gender. In his relationship, Gale must reconcile his newfound feelings of love with the consequences of his former time with Mystra, as well as deal with his impending death.
Description
Appearance
Gale has a simple, yet refined style to him, with clothes well-made but never ostentatious. His mousy brown hair is straight and shoulder-length, swept back with an elegant flair. His eyes are chestnut brown, his gaze soft but confident, and he keeps his facial hair neatly trimmed. On his left ear, Gale wears a silver earring shaped in the form of a star, holy symbol of Mystra, representing perhaps his former relationship with the goddess or just his affinity with magic. In the middle of his chest, a dark circle with wispy tendrils can be found, the result of absorbing Karsus' netherese magic. These tendrils extend all the way to under his left eye, faint, but ever present.[note 1]
Personality
Gale is an intelligent, thoughtful wizard, with a good-hearted and peaceful nature. Despite his scholarly and slightly pompous manner of speaking, he is friendly and always willing to lend his ear to friends. As an accomplished wizard and eternal scholar, he is proud of his arcane knowledge and feats achieved as an erstwhile Chosen, yet it is this pride combined with his ambition that prevent him from seeing reason sometimes, risking repeating mistakes from the past. Still, Gale is not unreasonable, and if convinced by friends, he is willing to think twice before jumping to rash actions. Furthermore, he is good to his companions, being attentive of their problems and taking care of them however he can, often by assuming cooking duties for the camp.[note 2]
Though outwardly confident and easy-going, Gale still carries the physical and emotional wounds of his former relationship with Mystra and the consequences of dabbling in forbidden magic. As such, he is sensitive about criticism, and often reacts defensively when confronted by his past actions. All of this leads him to be willing to do anything to earn Mystra's forgiveness, even if it means sacrificing his life to do so. He also seems to hide somewhat behind his Gale of Waterdeep persona, built to project this image of a great and powerful wizard as opposed to, the way he sees it, the more mundane Gale Dekarios.[1]
History
Life in Waterdeep
Born to Morena Dekarios and an unknown father,[1] Gale was raised in the city of Waterdeep. A prodigy of magic from a young age, Gale learned to manipulate the Weave like a skilled virtuoso plays music, his talents and abilities manifesting in many occasions, though often with unintended consequences. One time, forbidden from having a cat of his own by his parents, Gale summoned Tara, a tressym that would become not only his lifelong companion, but also family.[2] Such was their bond that Gale disallowed any attempts at referring to Tara as his pet, even if Tara considered him the "most expensive pet in Waterdeep". After Gale's departure from home, Tara would keep mother Dekarios company throughout the years. Other less successful attempts resulted in a fiery meeting with a Magma Mephit, though he kept in touch with them over the years, nonetheless.[2][note 3] In time, Gale would be enrolled at the prestigious Blackstaff Academy, an educational institution for promising wizards and sorcerers.[3]
Blackstaff Academy
The academy seemed the perfect place to nourish his talents, as Gale deeply believed he was destined for greatness despite being only a child. Still, young Gale's misadventures would continue even at the academy. Irritated with everyone's lack of faith in him, he attempted to cast a portal spell with the Blackstaff itself. Though it worked, rather than returning to his dormitory as he intended, the resulting portal pulled him into Limbo, facing a rather angry Death Slaad. Before Gale could face the slaad, the current Blackstaff Archmage pulled Gale back, and punished him with months of tedious work.[3]
Chosen of Mystra
At some point, Gale was mentored by Elminster Aumar, one of the most powerful and famous wizards of Faerûn and a hero to Gale. The Sage of Shadowdale guided Gale, furthering his mastery over the Weave and arcane arts, and over time became something of a parental figure to him.[4]
Gale's talent eventually drew the attention of the Goddess of Magic, Mystra, who made him one of her Chosen. Mystra became a teacher, muse, and eventually lover to Gale.[5] When Mystra's passion waned, Gale sought the rekindle her interest by showing her he was her equal. Arrogance demanded she see him as worthy of peering beyond what the goddess of magic allowed mortals to experience, but she refused his every plea. Having learned of Karsus' Folly and his attempts at reaching godhood via his netherese magic, Gale searched for a tome containing a scrap of Weave, hoping to impress Mystra by returning a long-lost part of her.[6] Yet when he opened the book, a writhing mass of darkest black leapt at him, becoming part of his body and giving him an insatiable hunger for magic. To keep the orb from exploding with enough force to level an entire city flat, Gale needed to consume magic constantly in order to feed this gnawing hunger. But the most painful punishment for his hubris would be to lose his position as Mystra's Chosen. When she learned of Gale's recklessness, Mystra ceased all contact with him and ended their relationship for good without adding another word, leaving Gale to deal with the netherese orb within him on his own.
Seclusion in Waterdeep
Abandoned and with a doomsday device in his body, Gale moved back to his tower in Waterdeep to live in quiet seclusion. As much as he wished to be alone, Tara was there to accompany him even in his lowest of lows,[7] and together, they spent most of their time locating magic items for Gale to consume. His abandonment by Mystra turned him into somewhat of a recluse with few friends remaining.
Eventually, Gale left the tower in a hurry for unexplained reasons, where he was then abducted by the rogue Nautiloid and subsequently tadpoled along other victims.
Involvement
The Wizard of Waterdeep
The Wizard of Waterdeep is Gale's personal quest. It is added to the journal upon recruiting him and spans all three acts of the game.
Act One
Gale can be found at the Roadside Cliffs 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.
As the party travel together, Gale will begin displaying signs of sickness, and if friendly enough with his companions, will eventually ask them to bring him magical artefacts. When pressed for reasons why, he will mention that it is a condition he has that requires feeding from Weave but be reluctant to say more, asking them to trust him and stressing how important treating his affliction is. Refusing to aid Gale will result in him being progressively sicker, eventually resulting eventually in a Game Over screen.
When brought a magical item of Uncommon rarity or higher, Gale will consume it, temporarily treating his sickness and making him look visibly better. Gale will ask for magic items three times in total. The first time he will be left satisfied, and assures answers will be given soon. The second time he will note that the effects are diminishing but is grateful nonetheless. The third and final time he will be distressed as the effect is barely noticeable and will finally reveal the truth.
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.
Looking to prove himself a peer to Mystra, Gale eventually found a magical tome from the ancient empire of Netheril. Within it was contained a fragment of Weave that had been lost following Karsus' Folly, suspended in time and out of Mystra's eyes. Gale believed that by returning the fragment to Mystra, he would earn her favor and be granted the powers he desperately wanted, yet once he opened the tome, the fragment of raw Weave merged lodged itself in him, an ever-hungry orb of netherese magic. Locked away in his tower in Waterdeep, Gale was able to manage the condition, but in the wilds, it risked becoming uncontrollable. If the orb was not sated, it would detonate with the power to level a city the size of Waterdeep.
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 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.
Act Two
After the end of Act Two, Gale becomes fascinated by the existence of the Crown of Karsus, developing an obsession with it – and its power. Depending on the player's choices, he either soon regrets his hubris and makes a commitment to become more humble, or decides to reforge the crown and use it to ascend to godlike status, using his new powers to help people.
Act Three
Endings
Professor Dekarios
The God of Ambition
Quest rewards
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Scroll of True Resurrection — reward for following Gale's instructions as part of the quest In Case of Death...
Shadow Lantern — reward for finishing Balthazar's experiment as part of the quest Balthazar's Experiment
Interactions
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Companion interactions
Gale has unique dialogue interactions as a companion available after certain events. Whenever one is available, he will have a floating [ ! ] icon above him.
Act One
- If the player intervenes in the confrontation between Arka and Sazza standing in harm's way for the goblin, Gale will reminisce about a similar situation he saw in the Yawning Portal.
- Gale will seek out the player when he requires a new magic item to feed on. This can occur thrice.
- After saving Mirkon from the harpies near the grove, Gale will reminisce about his childhood with the party.
- If the party intervenes on behalf of Arabella when facing Kagha's judgment and manages to have her spared, Gale will be happy about the outcome of the confrontation.
- Upon receiving Mystra's orders via Elminster, Gale can be spoken to to learn more about his feelings on his new mission.
Act Two
Act Three
- After meeting Tara on the rooftop of the Open Hand Temple, Gale will express his happiness over seeing her once more, and can be questioned about his surname.
Moonrise Towers
- Bring Gale to the hidden room in Balthazar's chamber and interact with the ritual circle. He will give you unique dialogue. Then control Gale and interact with the ritual circle to combine a Broken Moonlantern and Dead Pixie to create a Shadow Lantern.
Reithwin Town
- Interacting with the corpses of either Gerringothe Thorm, Malus Thorm, or Thisobald Thorm gives you the choice to consume the shadow magic within them, or purge it. Consuming it awards a permanent level 3 long rest recharged spell slot, purging it awards you mystra's blessing until the next long rest.
Unique interactions
Either as an origin, or in the party as a companion, Gale has unique interactions and special dialogue with the following characters, listed by the act they are first encountered in.
Act One
Act Two
Act Three
Loot
Gale can be killed and looted, and drops the same loot as his starting equipment.
Starting equipment
Achievements
Repairing the Weave
Stabilise Gale's Netherese orb.
Gallery
Gale's appearance pre-release.
Gale until Patch 7 of Early Access.
Gale's Early Access promotional art.
Early Access model (without earring).
In-game model.
Camp model.
Underwear model.
Render by Alena Dubrovina.
Promotional art.
Appearance in the character creator.
Portrait by Edward Vanderghote.
Related literature
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Notes
- ↑ Gale received an appearance change in Patch 8 of Early Access that would remain until release. His face was changed and smaller details like his signature earring and chest tattoo were added.
- ↑ During the end of his Companion story, Wyll remarks, "Let's hope Gale doesn't take offence if I assume cooking duties, just the once." This implies that Gale usually does the cooking. Additionally, if he is sent to camp when recruited in Act One, he will tell the player he is going to cook a slow roast for their return.
- ↑ It is likely that Gale's summoned mephit is the same magma mephit who appears in In Case of Death...
- Can be spoken to with
Speak with Dead. - According to Larian Studios, until Patch 3 of Early Access, Gale was both the most romanced and most killed companion.
- As of Patch 5 of release, Gale is the most played origin character according to Larian Studios.[url 1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Open Hand Temple rooftop, lines spoken by Gale after inquiring about his surname upon meeting Tara.
"It is. Courtesy of my mother, the inimitable, dare I say it sometimes unavoidable, Morena Dekarios. It's been so long since I've used it. 'Gale Dekarios' cuts a poor figure next to the wizarding prowess of 'Gale of Waterdeep'." - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Secluded Cove, dialogue with Gale after saving Mirkon.
"One time my parents denied me a kitten, so I summoned myself a tressym. Dear old Tara. Beautiful creature. (...) There was that magma mephit once. Nice fellow - we kept in touch." - ↑ 3.0 3.1 Arcane Tower, lines spoken by Gale after reaching the tower and speaking to him.
"Ah. Quite. A misadventure from my days as an apprentice at Blackstaff Academy. I was but a child, only a few months into my studies, but already I knew I was destined for greatness. No one believed me, of course, so I decided to prove it. To cast a spell with the Blackstaff itself. From one perspective, I succeeded. I opened a portal. However, instead of pointing it at the first year dormitory, I found myself pulled into limbo, facing a very irritated Death Slaad. Fortunately, The Blackstaff himself came to the rescue, hauling me back from the brink, and straight into several months of writing lines." - ↑ Campsite, origin Gale's thoughts after being tasked by Elminster to sacrifice himself to destroy the Absolute.
Narrator: "It's one thing to have fallen from such heights, but to have Elminster himself now witness your humiliation is almost unbearable."
Gale's thoughts: "His disappointment cuts deeper even than Mystra's. He was your hero..."
Narrator: "While most know of Elminster the legend, few know him as you have. He plucked you from obscurity. Offered you his guidance. His faith. And most recently, his pity." - ↑ Campsite, lines spoken by Gale when telling the player about his past relationship with Mystra.
"Once upon a time, not quite that long ago, there lived a wizard in a tower. (...) Such was his skill that it earned him the attention of the mother of magic herself. The Lady of Mysteries. Mystra. (...) Mystra showed him the secrets beneath the veils. The gossamer veils first, draped across the Weave. The delicate veils next, draped across her body. 'Chosen One', she whispered (...)." - ↑ Campsite, lines spoken by Gale when telling the player about his past relationship with Mystra.
"A fragment of it was caught and sealed away in a book. No ordinary book, mind you: a tome of gateways that contained within it a bubble of Astral Plane. It was a fragment of primal Weave locked out of time - locked away from Mystra herself." - ↑ Campsite, dialogue with Tara after suffering the first pangs of arcane hunger as origin Gale.
Narrator: "Nestled amongst your books and papers, Tara bore witness to your greatest triumphs... and your greatest failure. You made yourself a walking cataclysm, the annihilation brewing within you just about held at bay by your constant consumption of magical objects. Tara saw it all, but never left your side."
- ↑ Official Twitter Account: Larian Studios (05-12-2023). Baldur's Gate 3 in Numbers. Larian Studios. Retrieved 06-02-2024. Archived from the original on 06-02-2024.
External links
Gale on the Forgotten Realms Wiki- Gale's official 5E D&D Character Sheet on D&D Beyond (PDF) (Archived version from 2023-09-04).