Well met, stranger. You find yourself in the presence of the renowned wizarding prodigy, Gale of Waterdeep - please, no need to be intimidated. My virtuosic talents once caught the eye of the goddess of magic herself, Mystra, who named me her Chosen, and her lover. Thanks to a slight miscalculation on my part, that relationship eventually soured, as did the greatest of my powers. Now I'm merely a humble wizard on the road to redemption. Unless I can find the path to something greater...
„
— Gale, introducing himself in the Character Creation Menu
Objectives and journal entries may vary pending player decisions and outcomes.
Escape the nautiloid.
"I was an archmage - powerful, proud, full of potential - until my failed attempt to impress my lover, the goddess Mystra, left me with a volatile 'orb' of Netherese-corrupted Weave in my chest. Keeping it stable is difficult at the best of times... and these are far from the best of times. I've been abducted by mind flayers, infected with one of their tadpoles. So far the orb appears unaffected, but I can't count on that for long. I need to get back to Faerûnian soil before it begins to hunger."
Stabilise the orb by consuming magical items.
"The orb of corrupted Weave within my chest is beginning to hunger. I need to find and consume an item of sufficient magical power to satisfy it, before it destabilises any further."
"The item I consumed was enough to satisfy the orb's hunger. However, it will not be long before its cravings return. If I find any more magical items, I'll want to keep them close at hand."
"The orb hungers once more. I'll need to consume a potent magical item as soon as I can, or risk its detonation."
"I consumed the magic from a powerful item, but somehow the orb remains... dissatisfied. I suspect it won't be too much longer before it demands more Weave to consume. I'd better make sure I have something ready when the time comes."
"The orb's cravings have returned, more powerful than ever. I need to consume a powerful dose of Weave from a magic item, and soon."
Continue your adventure.
"It seems my treatment is no longer effective - the last item I consumed was barely enough to quell the orb's tumult. For now, I'll continue my journey, and keep a close eye out for anything that promises a more permanent solution."
Talk to Elminster
"I encountered Elminster while travelling on the road. He sought me out on a matter of great importance, and is waiting to speak with me in camp."
Find the Heart of the Absolute
"My mentor, the great wizard Elminster, sought me out in order to deliver a message from Mystra herself. She instructs me to find the 'Heart of the Absolute', and when I find it, to blow it up by detonating the orb. Elminster granted me a powerful spell in order to do this, and has stabilised the orb to grant me enough time to find it. I need to learn more about this 'Heart', and how else it might be defeated."
Seek another means of defeating the Elder Brain.
"My companions discovered the Heart of the Absolute in the bowels of Moonrise Towers: a powerful elder brain, controlled by a Netherese crown of incredible power. I missed my opportunity to detonate the orb - I'll need to defeat the elder brain another way."
Speak with the bookseller at Sorcerous Sundries.
"I need to learn more about the Netherese crown controlling the elder brain. In Baldur's Gate, there is a renowned magical emporium, Sorcerous Sundries, known for its collections of rare and valuable magical tomes. I should speak with their bookseller and find out if they have anything on Netherese magic."
"I found a book in Sorcerous Sundries referring to an ancient tome called 'The Annals of Karsus', a book on Netherese magic. The book is apparently hidden within the Sorcerous Sundries vault. I should speak with the bookseller and see if she will grant us access."
"I spoke with the devil Raphael, who told me that he seeks a legendary Netherese artefact - the Crown of Karsus. Could this be the crown worn by the elder brain?"
Search the Sorcerous Sundries vault
"Tolna told me about a book called 'The Annals of Karsus', which is locked away in the vaults of Sorcerous Sundries. I need to find a way to access the vaults and learn what this book has to say about the crown."
"Tolna the bookseller mentioned that 'The Annals of Karsus' are kept in the Sorcerous Sundries vault, which is not accessible to customers. We'll need to find another way inside."
"Tolna refused to tell me where the Sorcerous Sundries vault can be accessed. I need to find a way in for myself."
"The bookseller in Sorcerous Sundries is in no position to help me scour their shelves. I'll need to track down any Netherese tomes here for myself."
Search Tolna's office.
"I persuaded Tolna to tell me how the Sorcerous Sundries vault can be accessed. The entrance is via her office, though she refused to grant me access. I need to find a way into her office."
"I gained access to Tolna's office. The entrance to the vault is somewhere inside, if I can only figure out where..."
Search the Sorcerous Sundries vault
"I found a note in Tolna's office regarding the Sorcerous Sundries vault. It sounds like the vault is protected by some invisible means. I should tread carefully."
"I gained access to the Sorcerous Sundries vault via the secret portal in Tolna's office. I need to look around the vaults, and find out where the magical tomes she mentioned are stored."
"I was teleported to the Sorcerous Sundries vaults via a magical button in Ramazith's Tower. I need to find the Annals of Karsus within the vault, and see what it can tell me about the crown."
"I was teleported to the Sorcerous Sundries vaults via a magical button in Ramazith's Tower. Perhaps there's something down here that could shed light on that strange Netherese crown controlling the Elder Brain."
Find 'The Annals of Karsus' in the Sorcerous Sundries vaults.
"I found a note in Tolna's office regarding the Sorcerous Sundries vault. It sounds like the vault is protected by some invisible means. I should tread carefully."
"I found a strange note in the vaults of Sorcerous Sundries, purportedly written by the great wizard Ramazith himself. It seems to refer to the names of the doors guarding each vault."
Read 'The Annals of Karsus'
"I found a note in Tolna's office regarding the Sorcerous Sundries vault. It sounds like the vault is protected by some invisible means. I should tread carefully."
"I recovered The Annals of Karsus from the vaults in Sorcerous Sundries. I need to read it, and see what I can learn about the crown."
"I read 'The Annals of Karsus' and discovered that they were no mere diary - they contained the original designs for the Crown of Karsus. Using this new knowledge, I could attempt to reforge the true crown, restoring it to its former powers. First, I need to bring the three Netherstones together."
Speak with Mystra.
"Elminster knew I'd discovered the secret to forging the Crown of Karsus, and came to deliver a final message from Mystra. I need to go to her shrine in the Stormshore Tabernacle, where she will at last grant me an audience."
Claim the Crown of Karsus.
"I met with Mystra in the outer planes. She told me of the true nature of the orb - that it is the Karsite Weave, a half-formed magic created by Karsus when he sought to become the god of magic."
"Mystra asked that I seize the crown and then return it to her, in exchange for which she will rid me of the orb."
"If I give the Crown the Mystra, I might be cured, forgiven even. But keep it, and the possibility of godhood awaits."
"I promised to return the crown to Mystra, and in doing so I will finally be able to rid myself of the orb."
"I told Mystra I would claim the Crown of Karsus and wield it myself."
"I decided not to obey Mystra's summons, and did not go to speak with her in the Stormshore Tabernacle. Whatever she might have said to me, it will go unspoken. For now, my focus is on defeating the Elder Brain."
"I'm not the only one with designs on the Crown of Karsus. I met with the devil Raphael, who tried to convince me to sign a contract promising the Crown to him. Naturally, I refused."
"I signed a contract with Raphael, promising to give him the Crown of Karsus once the Elder Brain is defeated. If I want to give the Crown to Mystra, I should destroy that contract."
"I signed a contract with Raphael, promising to give him the Crown of Karsus once the Elder Brain is defeated. If I want to claim the Crown's powers for myself, I should destroy that contract."
"I signed a contract with Raphael, promising to give him the Crown of Karsus once the Elder Brain is defeated. If I want to decide the Crown's fate for myself, I should destroy that contract."
"For now, my contract with Raphael demands I hand the Crown of Karsus over to him. I should destroy that contract, or risk the devil interfering."
"My contract with Raphael has been destroyed. Once the Elder Brain is defeated, he will not be able to take the Crown of Karsus from me."
"I didn't manage to learn the secrets of the Netherese crown worn by the Elder Brain. Should I be willing, the option of the orb is still mine to take. In detonating it, I might yet save the city, though I would not live to see it."
"My first attempt to defeat the Elder Brain was unsuccessful - it had transformed into a Netherbrain, and was no longer held under the Netherstones' sway. I need to speak with the Emperor and reassess my approach."
"Our first attempt to defeat the Elder Brain was unsuccessful - it had transformed into a Netherbrain, and was no longer held under the Netherstones' sway. We need to speak with the Emperor and reassess our approach."
"Karlach became an illithid after the Emperor told us this was required in order to dominate the Netherbrain. We kept hold of the Netherstones I need to reforge the Crown of Karsus. Now that she's transformed, we're ready to take on the Netherbrain."
"I gave the Netherstones to the Emperor after it told us only an illithid could wield them to dominate the Netherbrain. Once the Netherbrain is defeated, I'll need to take them back in order to forge the Crown."
"I gave the Netherstones to Orpheus after he transformed into an illithid. Once the Netherbrain is defeated, I'll need to take them back in order to forge the Crown."
"I became an illithid after the Emperor told us this was required in order to dominate the Netherbrain. In doing this, I retained control of the Netherstones I need to reforge the Crown of Karsus. Now that I've transformed, we're ready to take on the Netherbrain."
Quest Complete
"I tried to use the Crown of Karsus without learning enough about it first. It didn't go well."
"I tried to use the Crown of Karsus to kill Mystra and become the God of Magic. It didn't go well."
"I relinquished the Crown of Karsus to Mystra on one condition - she relinquished any claim held over me. She accepted."
"I relinquished control of the Crown of Karsus to Mystra, and became her Chosen once more."
"I relinquished the Crown of Karsus to Mystra and joined her on the plane of Elysium."
"I placed the Crown of Karsus upon my head, becoming the God of Ambition."
"I saved the world by sacrificing myself - a worthy price to pay."
As a playable character, Gale is naturally locked out of multiple interaction cutscenes which may occur when playing as any other character, including Custom (Tav) and the Dark Urge. Although many cutscenes concerning various interactions with other companions, NPCs, and the environment are left intact in their core, most are augmented with Gale's own feelings and memories, voiced by the Narrator within the dialogue. Gale also has several unique cutscenes which are connected to his magical malaise and his story.
Unlike the companion playthrough, Gale as an Origin knows initially that the orb in his chest is a piece of Netherese magic, though he shares this fact with companions only if caught consuming the Weave (see below). He does, however, tell this to himself within game narration. The very first entry in his personal quest also mentions the nature of the orb straightaway.
Unlike a Gale companion, Origin Gale escapes the Nautiloid and is saved from a plummeting death the same as any other player character. He does not finish his flight trapped in the Ancient Sigil Circle, and the sigil in question is discovered and added to the map like any other; it is stable from the very beginning.
Upon waking on the Ravaged Beach, Gale, unlike other characters, ponders not on his whereabouts or injuries, but on the permutations of his infection, and on his need to feed the orb as well.
"Tara's here now, Mr.Dekarios, and she'll sort you out. But first, my payment."
Upon commencing the first Long Rest, Tara appears in the camp. She expresses concern over Gale's condition, but dismisses his reproachments about her promise to stay in his tower in Waterdeep. She also provides Gale with a magic item, the Ring of Evasion, to prevent the Netherese Orb in his chest from detonating.
From the next morning and on, Gale can talk to Tara to catch up with her. The first time he does it, she tells him about his mother and also about "news of some mad faction called Absolutists". After this, Gale gains a constant dialogue option to give Tara a scritch behind the ear.
Tara remains as a Camp Follower, though no companions react to her presence or ask Gale about her. As the game plot unfolds, dialogues with her gain new options, allowing Gale to discuss recent events and his choices concerning them. Talking to Tara does not require the Speak with Animals effect active.
Tara usually stands near one of companions' tents (Karlach's in Wilderness, or Lae'zel's in Shadow-Cursed Lands), and once they are recruited to the party, it is a bit difficult to find her sometimes. If other animalistic Camp Followers come to reside in the Camp as well, Tara holds it beneath her dignity to participate in their games.
After the first Long Rest, Gale awakens with the Arcane Hunger condition. If he does not consume an item with enough Weave to placate his Netherese Orb, his condition worsens to Greater Arcane Hunger. Some of possible thresholds of worsening are (this list is most certainly incomplete):
Reaching the Risen Road (from any point of entrance, such as crossing the broken bridge at X: -6 Y: 493 or jumping from a cliff in the Zevlor's chambers in the Hollow, or crossing the stream near the point of meeting Scratch)
If Gale crosses any of these thresholds with no Arcane Hunger applied, he immediately acquires the first stage of it.
Gale's orb is gnawing at him, demanding the magical toll
Each time Gale's condition worsens, a short specific cutscene appears, which does not prompt any reaction from other party members regardless of whether they know of the orb in Gale's chest.
Upon entering Act Two, Gale's Greater Arcane Hunger (if applied) changes to Severe Arcane Hunger. If his Severe Arcane Hunger is left unsatisfied, it eventually results in a Game Over, as the orb explodes, eliminating Gale and the rest of the party.[verify]
While Origin Gale is under any of these conditions, the drop-down menu of magical items available to syphon contain the "Consume" option for this purpose.[1] After having absorbed three items, the orb quells for a while, and crossing the aforementioned thresholds do not prompt worsening of Gale's condition anymore.[verify].
When Gale syphons an item for the first time while having at least one companion in the party (not a hireling), speaking with them afterwards offers unique dialogue options concerning it. However, as this procedure does not threaten them directly (unlike Astarion's vampirism, for example), Gale's companions do not demand an immediate answer by prompting a dialogue. Gale can tell any of them the truth, or offer evasive answers. Either course of actions does not bear any significant consequences such as leaving the party or loss of approval.
The cutscene where Astarion tries to make a meal of the player character differs when Gale is played as Origin. Initially, Gale has the same options as a Custom Origin: let Astarion drink his fill, refuse, or try and stake him. However, if Gale agrees, he warns Astarion about "biting more than he can eat", though the vampire spawn reacts dismissively. Due to the Netherese blight inside him, Gale's blood tastes like bile to Astarion, who stops after a few sips. Gale does not explain the reason regardless of whether he has already told the party about his need to consume artefacts prior.
The next morning, dialogue with Astarion also has some changes compared to its normal layout. Despite the deplorable result of Astarion's initial attempt, Origin Gale can offer regular nighttime feedings for Astarion to keep him sated just like a Custom character.
When recruited as a companion, Gale declines to progress a romantic relationship beyond the shared Weave-channeling during Act One. He attributes this restraint to his volatile condition, claiming that physical intimacy could trigger the unstable Netherese Orb in his chest. His romance can only advance after the party meets Elminster Aumar at the threshold of Act Two.
Conversely, when selected as an Origin protagonist, Gale can freely engage in Act One romance scenes with other companions or NPCs – including, for example, options to sleep with Lae'zel, Astarion, or Minthara, or to flirt with Karlach. These cutscenes are identical to those of any other Origin character and contain no special dialogue or visual changes acknowledging his Netherese Orb.
The points where Gale as origin can meet Elminster Aumar are the same: the small hall right after the elevator from Grymforge and the clearing near the entrance to Shadow-Cursed Lands from the Rosymorn Monastery Trail. The initial dialogue with Elminster is mostly the same as well, save for several dialogue options where Gale can pretend he does not recognize the old wizard.
The dialogue in the camp, however, is much more straightforward than the dialogue which unfolds with Gale as a companion. Elmister does not use any colourful "edible" metaphors and quickly gets down to the business. The Origin Gale has three basic strategies to react to the suicidal quest from Mystra: acceptance, rational think-over, or resentment. Regardless of which one was chosen, Elmister casts the charm to douse Gale's orb and leaves.
Immediately afterwards Tara prompts a dialogue, mentioning that Gale is somehow looking better. She is as sarcastically merciless to Elminster as to everyone else (except Gale and his mother), calling him an "old book-a-bones". After Gale tells her about Elminster's visit, she confesses she had been leaving the camp to search for him as well.
The following discussion has two mutually exclusive branches. Gale can ask Tara about her opinion on him turning into a mind flayer; she reacts with mild irony, telling that the key point in the question for her is whether his lap is still warm to lie upon.
Tara demands a promise from Gale to not die the way Mystra wants him to
Alternatively, Gale can choose to tell Tara about Mystra's bidding, and she asks back of his intentions towards it and tries to convince Gale (or approves of his intentions) to find an alternative to committing such a form of suicide. If Gale refuses to promise her that, she flies away (though she will be back on the next visiting the camp) and scorns Gale instead of greeting him afterwards. The option to scritch her temporarily disappears.
The companions' reactions to the news are quite different, but are mostly congruent with their generic behaviour line: while Karlach expresses compassion, Astarion asks as a matter-of-fact about how far he should be himself from the explosion, and Wyll acts much like as Tara, convincing Gale to look for alternative solution. However, as of current game version (4.1.17398727), only dialogues with Lae'zel and Wyll can play out; others' lines are bugged and do not show up when Gale approaches them.[2]
↑ In a playthrough with Gale as a companion this option is replaced with a special field in the description running "Gale can absorb this item..." instead.
↑ Source files to see others' opinions: Astarion_InParty2_Nested_TopicalGreetings (node 275->), Karlach_InParty_Nested_TopicalGreetings (node 245->), Shadowheart_InParty_Nested_TopicalGreetings (node 25)
