Gale/Romance: Difference between revisions

Gale is a companion that grants his approval and benevolence rather easy, if the player doesn't demonstrate unnecessary cruelty and commit dishonest deeds. Besides, he highly esteems in others eloquence and sense of humour. However, due to his heartbreak from his falling out with [[Mystra|his goddess]] and the unstable nature of his condition, he is initially reluctant to pursue anything with the player. Despite this, Gale is a romantic and very much longs for companionship. Sticking to these behaviour guides would help the player raise Gale's approval up at least to Good level rather fast.  

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 indulges him in his passion for magic, he also responds well when they express appreciation for him outside of his arcane talents.   

* When the party comes to the [[Emerald Grove]], several situations there might lead Gale to develop trust towards the player character: breaking up Aradin and Zevlor when they're about to start a fight, saving Sazza from Arka's crossbow, and saving at least one of tiefling kids (Mirkon, Meli or Arabella) from trouble they've landed themselves into. Resolving two or more of these situations peacefully will prompt Gale to share with the player 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 them. The main consequence of this confession has more to deal with developing Gale's [[The Wizard of Waterdeep|companion quest]], but still the player will gain a fair amount of approval from taking certain choices through the dialogue.  

* Once the player gets Medium approval, another nighttime scene with Gale might trigger. The player finds Gale sorrowfully gazing upon the magically conjured image of an unknown woman. If asked about her, the wizard first will try to put on a good face, but after a successful {{Ability check|Insight|5}} tell them that it was a portrait of Mystra - the goddess of magic itself. Gale will explain that not only she 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.

: Failing any of checks will yield into a mild reproach from Gale and a chance for another try.

: If the player successfully passes all three checks and chooses to hold onto the moment, they will be given several options imagine a picture, which Gale will see, too. Fantasising a scene of kissing him or of a walk hand-in-hand will allow the player to proceed into the Flirting stage of romancing the wizard. However, Gale will be rather embarassed by either of these player's choices - on the one hand, because of his need to keep his feelings in tight check (the reason for which will be revealed a bit later), while on the other hand, due to his overall lack of experience in maintaining close-but-non-family relations with someone else.

The player will run into the wizard [[Elminster]] either immediately prior to Act Two on the path to the Shadow-Cursed Lands via the [[Mountain Pass]], or immediately after entering Act Two via the Underdark/Grymforge route. He reveals an important update involving Gale's relationship with Mystra, who has one last favor to ask of him. This will impact much of the player character's interactions with Gale moving forward.  

Sometime in Act Two, after combat with Gale in your party and with high enough approval, Gale will appear with a quest indicator over his head. He will tell you about a book he read that explains how dangerous situations can have an effect on one's desire for other forms of stimulation. He will ask if you've ever read anything on the subject. The player can choose to change the subject, or answer with any of the other options. If the latter, Gale will approve and confess that he wants you, but say now is not the time or place for such feelings.

After reaching [[Moonrise Towers]] (specifically the waypoint), Gale's romance can be progressed from the flirting stage to the partnered stage with high enough approval and if the player is not currently in the partnered stage with another companion. At camp, prior to a long rest, Gale will conjure a projection of himself that the player will need to interact with at his tent. This projection will invite the player to have a private conversation with Gale. During this conversation, Gale will confess he's in love with the player. Reciprocating his feelings, or simply kissing him, will lead to Gale discussing how he would like to make love to the player. At this point, the player can either express interest in his fantasies ("Show me."), or tell him you just want to be with Gale as a regular man (selecting this option will cut directly to the first bullet point scene described below, without the additional Waterdeep scene and dialogue). Selecting "Show me" will lead to him taking you to a vision of his home in Waterdeep and more dialogue, where eventually again he will give the player the choice of "making love the way Gods do" or just being with Gale, the player's responses to which can instigate one of two possible love scenes depending on your responses during this interaction:

* If you express interest in the "real Gale" as a regular man, Gale will conjure a bed "for your comfort" and the screen fades to black after you both climb in.

Regardless of which option is selected, the following morning the player can speak to Gale again and ask him if he still has feelings for Mystra as well as other questions depending on which options were selected the night before. Following this interaction, Gale will now consider you in a relationship with him (partnered stage) until you break up with him (or he breaks up with you).