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, deep down in his heart Gale is a romantic and longs very much for companionship. Sticking to these behaviour guides will 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 high value for his self, separately from his arcane talents.   

The player will run into 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 her former lover. This will impact much of the player character's interactions with Gale moving forward.

*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{{ref|Note that Gale, being bred in high-moral, prefers strictly monogamous relations. If the player character is engaged in Flirting stage with the wizard and chooses to be Partnered with anyone else along, Gale will feel himself deceived and demand from them to make an ultimate choice, prompting a corresponding dialogue upon leaving the camp afterwards}}. At camp, prior to a long rest, Gale will conjure a magical projection that takes his usual place at his tent. Should the player interact with it, the projection will extend the wizard's invitation for a private meeting with Gale.

:If the player agrees, the long rest starts automatically, along with the cutscene. The player character will find Gale on a forest clearing, conjuring a starry sky with an aurora to move aside, at least temporarily, the darkness of the Shadow Curse. The wizard will express his determination at Mystra's demand to sacrifice herself - but also utter despair. The player may then choose whatever dialogue options to try and raise Gale's spirits, but eventually the wizard will ask them just to stay with him a bit to find some comfort in their compassion{{ref|If the player previously chose the dialogue option '' "Nothing is inevitable if we face it together" '', they will proceed to the next stage of the cutscene - the love confession - straightaway}}. At this moment, the player might choose to leave him alone. Taking this course not only will gain a certain amount of disapprove from Gale, but also return the relationship with him to pre-Flirting stage.

:Should the player decide to progress through the cutscene, the wizard will confess he's in love with the player character. Expressing reciprocation for his feelings, or simply kissing him, will lead to Gale discussing how he would like to make love to the player character. Having a fair amount of perfectionism in his nature, Gale will propose them to 'bond like the gods do', obviously meaning his former experiences with Mystra. The player's subsequent response might instigate one of two possible love scenes:

Most events and interactions with Gale during Act Three within his [[the Wizard of Waterdeep|companion quest]], and the choices the player makes throughout, have major implications for the outcome of a romance with him at the end of the game. The main difference appears in regards to whether the player encourages Gale to seek and use the [[Crown of Karsus]] or not. Failing to finish Gale's questline before defeating [[the Netherbrain]] will also affect the ending.