Gale/Romance

Overview

Approval

Disapproval

Banter

Location Remarks

Romance

Gale can be romanced. The following sections explain Gale's romance-specific storyline and unique mechanics.

Storyline

Overview

Gale is a companion who grants his approval and benevolence rather easily, if the player character does neither demonstrate unnecessary cruelty nor commit dishonest deeds. He highly values in others eloquence and sense of humour. However, due to his heartbreak from his falling out with  Mystra and the unstable nature of his condition, he is initially reluctant to pursue anything with others. Despite this, Gale is a romantic and longs for companionship. Following to these behaviour guides can help the player character increase Gale's approval rather quickly.

Through dialogue, it is heavily implied that all of Gale's past romantic relationships have been founded on his magical prowess and achievements rather than his personal qualities. As such, while he appreciates when the player character indulges him in his passion for magic, he also responds well when they express appreciation for him outside of his arcane talents.

Act One

At the very first long rest in Act One the player character finds Gale watching the campfire flames, with an exclamation sign marking his prompt to have a chat. When approached, he tells the player character to "Go to Hell". Humorous reaction to this missive brings some approval from Gale, and casts him into a philosophical mood. He then metaphysicizes on what has happened to the party so far.

When the party venture to the Emerald Grove, several situations there might lead Gale to develop trust towards the player character: breaking up Aradin and Zevlor when they are about to start a fight, saving Sazza from Arka's crossbow, and saving at least one of tiefling kids ( Mirkon, Meli or Arabella) from the trouble they landed themselves into. Resolving two or more of these situations peacefully prompts Gale to share some stories from his youth (one about his familiar, and another about his adventures as an apprentice in his native city of Waterdeep) as a result of growing fond of the player character. The main consequence of this confession has more to deal with developing Gale's  companion quest, but a certain amount of approval also can be gained from taking certain choices through these dialogues.

Once the player character gets high approval (36+), another nighttime scene with Gale might trigger. The player character finds Gale sorrowfully gazing upon the magically conjured image of an unknown woman. If asked about her, Gale first tries to put on a good face, but after a successful DC 5 Insight check tells the player character that it was a portrait of  Mystra - the goddess of magic itself. Gale explains that she not only possesses and rules each and every manifestation of magic, but embodies the essence of it, generally called the Weave, throughout all the planes of creation.

If not being dismissive of Gale's obvious adoration of his own metier, he offers to help the player character experience the Weave with him. Acting as a not-so-strict teacher, he then shows them how to put into effect all three components necessary for a person to invite the Weave inside and channel it through: the physical, the verbal and the spiritual component.

In game terms, these are carried out as three skill checks:

Imitating the gesture

• [WIZARD] [SORCERER] [CLERIC OF MYSTRA] [BARD] Imitate the gesture with ease.
• [PERFORMANCE (DEXTERITY)] Imitate the gesture with a flourish. (DC 5)
• [SLEIGHT OF HAND] Imitate the gesture quickly and decisively. (DC 5)
• [ARCANA (DEXTERITY)] Imitate the gesture slowly and as precisely as you can. (DC 5)

Repeating after Gale

• [WIZARD] [SORCERER] [CLERIC OF MYSTRA] [BARD] An easy incantation. Simply repeat after Gale.
• [ARCANA (WISDOM)] You sense power in these words. Speak them deliberately. (DC 5)
• [BARD] [PERFORMANCE] Repeat the words, bold and proud. (DC 5)
• [INTELLIGENCE] Repeat the words, slowly, but carefully. (DC 5)
• [BARD] [PERFORMANCE] Belt the words with a little flourish on 'Ao'. (DC 5)

Picturing the concept of harmony

• [WIZARD] Recede into the calm centre of your mind, just like you were taught at the academy.
• [CLERIC OF MYSTRA] Still your mind. Focus on Mystra's grace. Her power. The peace you find in following her wisdom.
• [SORCERER] Sink deep into your magic. It is who you are. It is home.
• [BARD] Harmony comes easily to you. Allow it to wash over your mind and magic.
• [HISTORY (WISDOM)] Think of here and now: this unexpected moment of learning. (DC 5)
• [LAEZEL] [NATURE (INTELLIGENCE)] Picture the silent void of Wildspace, and K'liir nestleed within it. (DC 5)
• [ASTARION] [NATURE (INTELLIGENCE)] Recall standing in the sun, your eyes closed, its gentle heat on your skin. (DC 5)
• [NATURE (INTELLIGENCE)] Picture a place of utter peace, away from all harm and the mayhem of civilisation. (DC 5)
• [DARK URGE] [INSIGHT (INTELLIGENCE)] Imagine being a child, innocent, free from your afflictions. (DC 5)
• [LAEZEL] [INSIGHT (INTELLIGENCE)] Recall a satisfying spar from your youth on Crèche K'liir. (DC 5)
• [WYLL] [INSIGHT (INTELLIGENCE)] Recall the satisfaction of sparring with your father in your youth. (DC 5)
• [ASTARION] [INSIGHT (INTELLIGENCE)] Think back to before - back when hot blood flowed through your veins. (DC 5)
• [KARLACH] [INSIGHT (INTELLIGENCE)] Think of mum and dad dancing in the kitchen. (DC 5)
• [SHADOWHEART] [INSIGHT (INTELLIGENCE)] Recall a memory of early youth, a happy family moment. (DC 5)
• [LAE'ZEL] [PERFORMANCE] Meditate on the verses of the Tla'ket. (DC 5)
• [PERFORMANCE] Try to hum a familiar tune. (DC 5)
• [SHADOWHEART] [RELIGION (WISDOM)] Picture the perfect darkness - to be in the womb of Shar. (DC 5)

Failing any of checks yields a mild reproach from Gale and a chance for another try with any other skill check left. Magic-using characters such as Bards, Clerics, Sorcerers, Warlocks, and Wizards, each have class-specific options to discuss the principles of doing magic throughout the cutscene, as well as unique formulations to bypass the checks. Also, some additional options are available for certain origin races.

If the player character successfully passes all three checks and chooses to hold onto the moment, they are given several options to imagine a picture, which Gale sees, too. Fantasizing a scene of kissing him or of a walk hand-in-hand allows to proceed into the flirting stage of romancing the Gale. However, Gale is rather embarrassed by either of these choices of the player character; on the one hand, because of his need to keep his feelings in tight check (the reason for which is revealed a bit later), while on the other hand, due to his overall lack of experience in maintaining close-but-non-family relations with others.

Act Two

The party may encounter the wizard Elminster either immediately prior to Act Two on the path to the Shadow-Cursed Lands via the Rosymorn Monastery Trail, or immediately after entering Act Two from the Grymforge elevator. He reveals an important update involving Gale's relationship with Mystra, who has one last favor to ask of him. This impacts much of the player character's interactions with Gale moving forward.

When arriving to Moonrise Towers under a True Soul disguise, the player character must interact with one of Ketheric Thorm's closest aides, Disciple Z'rell. While prying the depths of the player character's mind in search for proof of their faith, she might be distracted by the option "Show her your yearning for Gale". Choosing this does not progress the romance itself, but earns some approval from Gale.

Sometime in Act Two, after combat with Gale in the party and with high enough approval, Gale shows an indicator of a chat pending (an exclamation sign). He speaks about a book he read once, which explained how dangerous situations can have an effect on one's desire for other forms of stimulation. Then, he asks the player character if they have ever read anything on the subject. If answering with any option other than changing the subject, Gale approves and confesses that he wants the player character more than ever before, but says that now is not the time or place for such feelings.

After reaching the waypoint of Moonrise Towers, Gale's romance can be progressed from the flirting stage to the partnered stage with high enough approval, and if the player character is not currently in the partnered stage with another companion. At camp, prior to a long rest, Gale conjures a magical projection which takes his usual place at his tent. If the player character interacts with it, the projection extends Gale's invitation for a private meeting with him.

On his partner's choice, Gale can create a full-scale illusion of his hometown, Waterdeep

If the player character agrees, the long rest starts automatically, along with the cutscene. The player character then finds Gale on a forest clearing, conjuring a starry sky with an aurora to move aside, at least temporarily, the darkness of the Shadow Curse. He expresses his determination at Mystra's demand to sacrifice himself, but also utter despair. The player character can then choose whatever dialogue options to try and raise Gale's spirits, but eventually he asks they just stay with him a bit so he may find some comfort in their compassion. At this moment, the player character can choose to leave him alone. Taking this course not only gains disapproval from Gale, but also returns the relationship with him to a pre-flirting stage.

If choosing to progress through the cutscene, Gale confesses he is in love with the player character. Expressing reciprocation for his feelings, or simply kissing him, leads to Gale revealing that he would like to make love to the player character. Gale proposes that they 'bond like the gods do', meaning his former experiences with Mystra. The player character's subsequent response can instigate one of two possible love scenes:

• If the player character indulges Gale's desire, Gale takes them to a vision of his home in Waterdeep and more dialogue. Sticking to the proposed idea leads to an extended lovescene, where Gale and the player character's astral bodies intertwine among the stars in the Weave.

• If the player character expresses interest in Gale as a "real man, not an illusion" (there are may chances throughout the dialogue, including the point of proposal of the intercourse itself), then Gale conjures a luxurious four-poster bed (dispelling other illusions if he has already conjured any), and the screen fades to black after he joins and kisses the player character.

Regardless of which option is selected, the following morning Gale prompts the player character to speak again. If they do not discourage Gale by being rude or dismissive to him about what has happened between the two of them (for example, by telling Gale that this night was a one-time affair), then the player character is in a partnered stage relationship with him until or unless they break up with him, or vice versa. Following this moment, the player character has 'partnered' options in dialogues with Gale. They can ask about some particulars of their retrofitted relationship: whether he still has feelings for Mystra, what does he feel about the player character now, as well as some others.

Gale and the player character, even if not dating, may nevertheless share a night under the stars.

If the player character has at least high approval with Gale, but has not engaged in a flirting stage of mutual relationship, the nighttime cutscene still occurs after reaching the Moonrise Towers waypoint. However, the player character does not have an opportunity there to progress romance with Gale. Instead, he laments how the player character has given him so much to hold dear, yet he must ultimately sacrifice himself to fulfill Mystra's geas, and asks the player character share with him the beauty of his conjured starry night. The next morning, Gale thanks the player character for accompanying him and dispelling a bit of his gloom, adding that he is happy to call them a friend.

If Gale is in the party and partnered when discovering the Elder Brain in the Mind Flayer Colony beneath Moonrise Towers, he tries to fulfill Mystra's commands and detonate the orb. In trying to dissuade him, he asks what choice he has with the fate of all the realms at stake, to which the player character can answer "You could choose me, the one who loves you. We can find another way together." If these words are chosen, Gale mentions this moment again through certain dialogue options in his Act Three romance scene.

Act Three

Gale's quest events during Act Three in his  companion quest, and the choices the player character makes throughout, have major implications for the outcome of a romance with him. The main difference is in regards to whether the player character encourages Gale to seek and use the Crown of Karsus or not. Failing to finish Gale's questline before defeating the Netherbrain also affects the ending.

However, Act Three includes a few scenes that do not involve both Gale's questline and romantic line with him. Early in the Act Three the party may visit the Circus of the Last Days in Rivington. One of performers there is a dryad by the name of Zethino, who offers to conduct a love test for the player character for a fee. The player character may propose to Gale to take part in it. Zethino then takes both the player character and Gale to a woodsy area and asks questions about him. The player character may choose whatever answers they wish, but some of them are considered 'correct' ones, while others are not. Choosing two or more incorrect answers discourages Gale. Unlike some other romanceable companions, the player character must choose only answers that bring approval from Gale, all others are considered incorrect for the purposes of the test. The list of correct answers can be found at Approval section in correspondent Act Three subdivision.

As part of  the Wizard of Waterdeep questline, once the player character gets the book The Annals of Karsus and lets Gale read it, he thinks he that can use the power of the crown for himself. He wants to talk to the player character privately about it. Upon leaving Sorcerous Sundries, Elminster appears who tells Gale that Mystra has requested to speak with him at the Stormshore Tabernacle. After the next long rest, Gale has an exclamation point above his head, signaling that he wants to talk. During this conversation, he creates an illusion of the Astral Plane, with him and the player character traversing it in a rowboat.

There are two different versions of the rowboat scene depending on when Gale speaks to Mystra at the Stormshore Tabernacle and the outcome of their conversation. The options chosen during the first scene described below can change the course of his relationship with the player character and his personal questline.

If Gale has not yet met Mystra, or has met her but has not agreed to give her the Crown of Karsus, he explains his frustration with the indifference of the gods and insists that, by reforging the crown, both he and the player character can become gods and help humanity. He pleads with the player character to follow him on his course, and the player character can either encourage Gale to use the crown, or tell him that it should be handed over to Mystra. Choosing the dialogue options which assure Gale that the player character is loves him for who he is and that Gale does not need godhood to be good enough for the player character results in him conceding and saying that he can live without becoming a god, but not without the player character. Then the scene ends with a kiss between Gale and the player character.

If arguing with him that the power of the crown will corrupt him as it did Karsus, he is visibly disheartened and asks the player character what more there is to be said between them. At this point, the player character can tell him to dissolve the illusion and go back to camp, ending the relationship. However, choosing the option "Plenty, in time. This doesn't have to be the end for us. Just forget the Crown." keeps the relationship intact. His response reveals a part of his motivation for seeking the crown, where he insists that he can be so much more to the player character with it. Once again he can be reassured that he is already all the player character needs and the rest of the scene proceeds as above. Alternatively, the player character can support his plans for ascension outright and agree to help him in reforging the crown. He expresses his delight at this decision and the scene ends with a kiss.

If Gale has met with Mystra and promised to give her the crown for redemption and to cure his condition, he is apologetic towards the player character for how his ambition blinded him and he offers the boat ride as a kind of a consolation for his behavior. He reveals that he would often conjure the same illusion during his months of solitude as a means of comfort, distracting himself from his earthly troubles by imagining that his destiny lay amongst the stars. He tells the player character that they changed that for him and declares "With these stars as my witness, I swear - you will always be enough for me."

Epilogue

Gale can take his partner to Elysium, promising they will eventually find out their calling as a deity

If the Netherbrain is defeated while the player character is partnered with Gale, they may get one of the following romance prologue scenes, depending on their choices and previous interactions with Gale.

• If the  The Wizard of Waterdeep quest was completed and the player character consistently discouraged Gale away from reforging and using the Crown of Karsus, Gale asks them to marry him. If the proposition is accepted, they live a happily-ever-after at his 'tower' (more of a townhouse, really) in Waterdeep, accompanied by Tara. Though still spending much of his time in his library, Gale mentions that he began to notice much more of life burstling around, being partnered with the player character. Alternatively, the player character may choose to marry him but not move to Waterdeep, and if doing so they remain in Baldur's Gate, participating in the city reconstruction after the game events.

• If  The Wizard of Waterdeep was not completed or Gale is encouraged to use the Crown of Karsus and follow his dreams at any point: Gale decides to actively pursue his aspirations to become a god, following in Karsus's steps. However, he does not plan to ursurp the place of his former love Mystra. Six months later, during the gathering, Gale appears arguing with Tara already as God of Ambition. He briefly describes the tenets of a nascent cult dedicated to him, and boasts of several temples that already exist or are being constructed. Tara, however, shows disappointment towards both Gale and the player character (to the latter - for letting Gale pursue this path). After the gathering ends, the player character has a chance ascend with Gale or decline.

• If the player character decided to become the Absolute instead of destroying the tadpoles, there is no romance-specific end scene.

• If Gale sacrificed himself to destroy the Netherbrain and died after detonating his orb in Act Three, he is not resurrected by Withers for the Epilogue. He is remembered as a hero by the other party members. However, there is no romance-specific end scene or unique dialogue with other party members regarding the romance with the player character.

Romance Mechanics

This section contains information regarding the unique in-game mechanics and interactions for Gale's romance.

Relationship Stages

Like the other major romance options in the game, Gale's relationship progression can be divided into specific stages: friendly, flirting, partnered, and ex-partnered:

1. Friendly: The friendly stage begins at medium approval, and is the default stage for non-romanced companions.
2. Flirting: Once the player character begins selecting romantic dialogue options toward Gale during Act 1, they enter the flirting stage. Turning him down at any point during the flirting stage prior to the partnered stage returns the player character to the friendly stage permanently.
3. Partnered: In Act 2 with high enough approval, and if the player character is not in the partnered stage with any other companion, they are able to partner with Gale when his major romance progression scene is triggered.
4. Ex-Partnered: The ex-partnered stage can be attained by breaking up with Gale at any point while in the partnered stage (or if he breaks up with the player character). This stage is almost identical to the friendly stage, except Gale's greetings when initiating dialogue are colder.

Unique Dialogue

Greetings

Players who romance Gale hear unique greetings dependent on the stage of the romance and game progression:

• Flirting:
  • "Always a delight to speak with you. What can I do?"
  • "I do enjoy our conversations. What do you need?"
  • "Tell me - What can I do for you?"
• Partnered (following Act 2 romance progression scene):
  • "My time is yours. What do you need?"
  • "Whatever you need, you have only to ask."
  • "Anything I can do for you - consider it most enthusiastically done."
• Partnered (following Act 3 romance progression scene):
  • "Is something on your mind? You can always unburden yourself with me."
  • "Are you alright? If you have need of me, just say the word."
  • "Yes, my love?"
• Ex-Partnered/Broken Up:
  • "Yes. What is it?"
  • "You need something of me?"
  • "What do you need?"

Party/Camp Interactions

While in the partnered stage (following his love scene in Act 2), Gale has the following unique dialogue options which are always available when interacting with him both in camp and while he is in the party, which can be started by selecting "I wanted to speak about us for a moment.":

• The player character can ask for a kiss, and Gale happily obliges. ("I want you to kiss me.")
• The player character can ask Gale how he is feeling about everything. His response varies depending on recent events. ("How are you feeling?")
• The player character can break up with Gale. ("I'm sorry. We have to end this.")

If deciding to break up with Gale, or if Gale breaks up with the player character, these options are no longer accessible.

Other Interactions

Gale has several unique interactions with a romanced player throughout the game's story.

• Act I
  • If the player character has responded romantically up to the point where Gale reveals his condition to the party, a dialogue option becomes available where the player character can tell him they care about him and that they are hurt he kept this from them.

• Act III
  • After Gale has spoken to Mystra at the Stormshore Tabernacle, the player character can ask him if it was strange seeing her again. He admits that while it might have affected him in the past, he no longer sees her in the way he once did. He then tells the player character "I would much rather gaze into your eyes than hers. Yours are capable of tenderness, and feeling. No god could ever compare."

Romancing Other Characters

This section contains information regarding how the player character's relationship with Gale impacts other romance options/scenes and vice versa.

As with most other companions, the player character can be in the flirting stage with others while in the flirting stage with Gale; this typically encompasses all Act One romance scenes and minor flirting scenes during Act Two, prior to a companion's romance partnering scene. Gale considers the player character to be partnered with him after his love scene in Act Two (even if told it was just a one-time thing). If the player character is in the flirting stage with other companions when triggering Gale's love scene, they ask about it afterward and make the player character choose between them and Gale (even non-monogamous characters, since Gale is monogamous). Likewise, if partnering with another companion while in the flirting stage with Gale, he makes the player character choose. Whichever companion is not chosen during this interaction returns to the friendly stage (or ex-partnered stage if the companion not chosen was partnered with the player character).

While in the partnered stage, Gale usually demands monogamy from the player character, with a few exceptions:

• Romancing Halsin - In Act Three, with high enough approval, Halsin may approach the player character and express interest, offering to share the player character with Gale, but only if Gale approves. The player character has the option to decline his advances, approach Gale with this proposition, or simply break things off with Gale for Halsin instead. If the player character asks Gale to bring Halsin into the relationship, Gale passionately declines and demands that the player character choose either him or Halsin. Choosing Halsin ends the relationship with Gale, allowing the player character to report back to Halsin. Choosing Gale continues the relationship as normal. There are no relationship consequences from this action in the future.
• Intercourse with Sorn Orlith / Nym Orlith - When approached in Sharess' Caress in Act Three while the player character is in a relationship with Gale, the twins Sorn and Nym may offer the the option to have sex with one or both of them at once, but only if both the player character and Gale participate. Gale expresses hesitation and discomfort at this proposition, but can be persuaded to agree. If all agree, the scene which follows is a fade-to-black ("lights off") scene with dialogue. In the dark, the narrator announces that Gale has vanished and left behind a projection spell of himself (similar to the one he used prior to Act Two's love scene) to act in his place. This does not have any impact on the relationship with Gale in the future.
• Intercourse with Mizora - When triggered in Act Three, Mizora acknowledges the relationship with Gale but still offers sex with the player character. If accepting her advances, the love scene trigger as normal; however, the following morning, Gale walks in, expressing anger and disappointment at their actions and breaks up with them, ending the relationship with Gale permanently.
• Intercourse with Emperor - A relationship with Gale does not affect this option triggering, nor does going through with it has any implications on a romance with Gale afterward. He does not mention it ever (as the Emperor erases everyone else's memory of the event), even if he is one of the three party members who walk in the next morning.
• Intercourse with Haarlep - A relationship with Gale does neither affect this option triggering, nor does going through with it has any implications on a romance with Gale afterward. If Gale is in the party and within earshot during the interaction, he disapproves of the player character taking their clothes off when asked by Haarlep and vowing their body to him, but it does not end the relationship or impact it in any way moving forward.