Gale of Waterdeep; A much needed look beneath the surface | Baldur's Gate 3

Hello, this is my attempt to do an Analysis of a character Gale of Waterdeep. :) It is my first time writing an essay-style video, and I hope you can enjoy it! I might do it in the future again, and if you want me to pursue such a path, please let me know. I'm also open to ideas.
I do apologize for my slavic accent being this noticeable, I hope it's not hard to listen to me.
All rights belong to Larian Studio. Thank you so much for making a wonderful game such as this.
Footage and art do not belong to me. The script is solely my doing.
I appreciate everyone who uploaded a footage of the game to KZbin, and I also appreciate wonderful artists for their work.
Please check out the sources below:
www.tumblr.com/ssalballoon
www.tumblr.com/chakiryshka
• Gale: All Romance Scen...
• Gale Dekarios | Baldur...
• Baldur's Gate 3 - Gale...
• Baldur's Gate 3 Gale O...
• Baldur's Gate 3 - Meet...
• Baldur's Gate 3 Gale O...
• Baldur's Gate 3 Gale I...
Thumbnail art and a few arts in the footage belong to:
/ nye_igneous
Thank you to chrisfrancooo for helping with the video!
Key tags:
#BG3 #baldursgate3 #Gale #GaleDekarios #GaleofWaterdeep
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Full credits:
Model parents - / viicccii1 & / frannyfloof
Overlay + Banner: / _awigui
Banner Art: / lizzipire
Starting/Ending Soon + BRB art: / nodensart
Character Idea, Lore & more: me
Soundtracks:
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[@deiastormborn]

i want to say thank you to everyone for accepting this video with such warmth! i was really nervous when making it, as trying something outside of my regular streaming and gameplay videos was a little terrifying, but i can see the feedback, and i'm glad. i will definitely be more confident with my future videos with similar topics, although i am not sure when the inspiration might strike me again. i hope, otherwise, you will enjoy the other videos i will make, even if they don't involve an essay-analysis-thoughts-whatever :) thank you thank you, i will do my best to reply and notice everyone!

[@djokealtena2538]

Exactly, which is why I love Tara, she calls out the bullshit and I personally think she's been keeping him from despair and completely losing his selfworth.

[@JStryker47]

I wish I had a talking winged cat - that, and that my dad wasn't allergic.

[@Lunasera]

I always thought of it as Mystra grooming Gale. And when he did something she didn't like his intentions or reasons didn't matter, she dropped him just like that. So of course he tries desperately to get back into her good books, like any abuse victim would.

[@DellikkilleD]

he went out and got her magical syphilis as a gift for fucks sake, can you really blame her for dumping him?

[@TaliZorah1]

It's strange Gale healed me a little as I went through his story. I loved that when we face lorkkan he said "I'm my own man" so proud of him 😢

[@marcelsf23br]

I am surprised by the hate any of these characters get. They are all super well written, they have their boundaries and, most of all, they all have been through a ton of trauma, which is a bit of the theme of the game's story in the end. Many of them, like most people in life, take a while to open up to you and be more "themselves". Excellent video, Gale is easily one of my favorites in the game :)

[@deiastormborn]

Side comment: I did not add the whole 'hating Gale for eating artifacts' because I think it's a childish opinion + I think it was more of a problem before the launch, because, from what I can see, Gale would eat a random artifact in your inventory. Since you can choose what to give him now, I decided to not add it to the video. But, yes, I am aware.

[@zeehero7280]

Yeah I mean people in real life eat stranger stuff!

[@starrychan33]

The way people were bitching about him eating items made it sound like I would need to give him 5+ magic items. I started stockpiling in anticipation and imagine my surprise when he only ever asks for three (3) items in the whole game

[@deiastormborn]

@starrychan33 and, little spoiler, you can actually bypass the entire game by giving him only 2 or even 1. Lol.

[@JStryker47]

Actually, in EA, there were only certain specific items that you could give him - the Necromancy of Thay book; which you had to open before giving him, the necklace from Dror Razglin's treasure hoard, and I believe the hood that the myconids give you for dealing with the dwarves on the beach. (There might be one more, but I forget what it was.) But since the EA builds ended upon arriving at or leaving Grymforge, you'd rarely have to give him more than one of those things.

[@misterec5834]

I think it's safe to say that Mystra was kind of a mother figure for him or maybe an idol before all the romantic part. It is common for people with manipulative parents to seek manipulative partners later in life. That's why he's so eager to stay in party and gets angry when you tell him to stay at camp. His will to sacrifice himself is also another sign of his past. He got validation and love from Mystra only through doing things and not for the sake of himself, so he does what he knows to get affection, "being used". It is also seen in many young men who have lost purpose in life, to make their death useful since their life wasn't. His trauma truly runs deep.

[@deiastormborn]

thank you! i wouldn't think of it as a mother figure, in my personal view, it genuinely feels like an idol meets a fan, ultimately. gale was struck by her before he even met her, and when he finally met her, i think it made him loose his head a little bit. but i do agree that his trauma runs much deeper than the surface shows, which is why i wanted to make a video of him. i can also relate him, in a way, unfortunately, as i've experienced grooming by someone i really deeply loved, so i can't help but defend him. not to say he doesn't have flaws and he didn't make mistakes with mystra, but hey. he was a young guy. not the same person anymore. and i also find it interesting how he jumps on defence of every character, especially Tav, when their lives are in danger. when the druid tries to poison us, he gets the most angry about it. yet when his life is in danger, suddenly it's only acceptance. my sweet poor summer child.

[@zeehero7280]

Mystra is also a Lawful Neutral Goddess, she is definitely not good. if it served the greater order of magic in the world, she would not hesitate to inflict terrible suffering on people.

[@JhenrhiIda]

You mentioned manipulative parents and that made me think of a a couple times while I was romancing Gale when he talked about his mother. He was worried about her at the beginning of the game while on the Sword Coast after the Nataloid crash and one line that really makes me tilt my head was in the scene after the end of the Netherbrain. Gale proposed and after my Tav accepts there was an extremely subtle hint of anxiety about how his mother would be pleased, like there was a doubt in his mind she wouldn't. Even at the final camp scene he was still showing some of that deep trauma. The people hating on Gale don't actually understand him or what he's going through and can't relate or don't want to acknowledge the trauma. On a superficial level though, he does have a very verbose vocabulary that even I hate. The amount of times I had to grab a dictionary when he or Elminster talked was ridiculous.

[@SalomeMin]

I love Gale as a character, whether I romance him or not. Paladin Tav has plans to talk at Mystra with their smiting arm. They recognise evil behaviour when they see it.

[@deiastormborn]

i really do wish we had an option to confront Mystra like we can with Sharr & Sharrans

[@bubblegumcrab]

Do not apologize for your accent, your voice is lovely and you are allowed to exist fully in who you are

[@zeehero7280]

I think she means she's apologizing if anyone has trouble understanding her because of it, which I could see happening but still its a very nice accent

[@deiastormborn]

ah thank you so much!! sorry it is one of my insecurities really :D

[@deiastormborn]

@@zeehero7280 yeah thats basically it! i noticed if i talk for a long time then my accent sometimes spikes harder, and although maybe it is not as thick as it could be, im just always ashamed if im not being very well understood. its like, you say something, a person asks you to repeat it, then u say it again, and a person asks you again, and you're like 'oh.. uhm... sorry...' :D

[@jaredray7034]

I like Gale not because he’s perfect, because he’s imperfect. He’s a complex character, and that makes him interesting.

[@edenweber6568]

Fantastic assessment! Many people say Gale is whiny, but I find his cheery all things considered. If I have the lore right from reading so many BG3 in game books (much to the dismay of my party), I believe Gale met Mystra some time as a young man; this could be anywhere from mid-teens to early 20s since its the 15th century. Gale is somewhere near his 40s by the start of BG3. It's unclear when Mystra attached herself to Gale "romantically", but at the earliest, we can assume they've been involved for a whopping 25 years. *SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT* You can also read that Mystra was one of the gods who lost their power during some great reset where everyone was kicked out of the heavens. The gods regained their power at some point and are operating under flimsy rules until the reset is complete. The gods find chosen to imbue with powers and to use as loopholes for when their under strict rules again. This is (likely) exactly why Mystra is going after wizards to recruit in her arsenal. Wizard"S" plural. It's canon Mystra has also slept with Elminster MANY times, even though he's Gale's mentor and oldest friend. Ew. Her chosen are just proverbial boxes for her to hide power in. The sickest part is, Gale probably knows this deep down and that's why he went after the orb; to return power to Mystra since that's really all she wants. (Sorry. Such a long comment. Your video got me on a long train of thought! 😋)

[@deiastormborn]

thank you for so much information, i actually kind of forgotten about reset! but i guess it just proves my point even further... im glad gale has gotten his self-worth back

[@dianabialaskahansen2972]

If he is near 40, he met Mystra at 30. Since Mystra was certifiable dead for a century and only restored 10 years before game start. Also Elminster's lover and Gale's lover are two different people, like literally. Mystra I was the one who was with Elminster (who was Elmara at the time) around 240 DR IIRC. Meanwhile Mystra I ended up getting killed during the time of Troubles (where Myrkul, Bane and Bhaal also ended up dead). A human wizard named Midnight ended up eventually becoming Goddess of Magic at the end of the Time of Troubles. This is depicted in the Avatar trilogy. Her lover is the fighter Kelemvor, who becomes God of the Dead, while her party member Cyric does a lot of treachery and becomes God of Betrayal. Since Midnight became a Goddess and took the name Mystra as successor, she has spent most of her time being dead, as Cyric murdered her. She was brought back around the beginning of 5th edition, restored around 10 years before the game is set.

[@deiastormborn]

@@dianabialaskahansen2972 just in case will duplicate my response to keep the conversation going: Mystra returned from death after 1479, and since we do not have an official age of any companion, it is highly speculated he was 16 to 17 years of age. With no confirmation from Larian, it is mostly speculations, but also a highly believed theory, because Gale was a child prodigy and Tara often talks about Gale when h was a teenager. Gale is believed to be anywhere between 30-35. To add more, although it is a speculation and might be still wrong, I would like underline that it does not take away from the fact he has been groomed. While grooming is most associated with child sexual abuse, it is also possible for adults, especially vulnerable adults to be groomed - or prepared - for abuse. It is also a power dynamic between an ancient goddess and teenager/young adult that really plays into the effect.

[@edenweber6568]

@@dianabialaskahansen2972 Hm. It's quite possible my timeline could be off. However, it also seems like Larian has glossed over and changed a few details. I know the book in the crypt in Act I mentions the second sundering, so we know a lot of the gods were either dead or bound to the mortal plane. However, it still is canon that Gale met Mystra when he was, quote, an apprentice. Another comment suggests Mystra was restored in 1479 and Baldur's gate 3 takes place 1492. Taking the low end assumption of Gale's age (somewhere from 30-40), he would have been 16 or 17 in 1479, which is still quite young. Also, I didn't know Mystra had been remade more times than once. It is a relief to know Eliminster and Gale technically haven't been with the same person. That was so awkward in my head...

[@dianabialaskahansen2972]

@@edenweber6568 She was not fully restored until 1487.

[@Livvvyenne999]

Ionknow This arc is amazing and/but i don't think Mystra used an illusion, I think she just used Gale for momentary pleasure AND or to further use his power for her own gain. And then he became obsolete

[@DellikkilleD]

she was gracing him with power and opportunity, and then he went and got her an STD as a gift. come on now

[@aimeeinkling]

Yeah, I got kind of creeped out by Gale's relationship to Mystra. When I thought he was a grown man when they hooked up, it was fine...but then the more I saw of the truth, the more it was obviously icky. Now I actively encourage him to act out against her. She's not good.

[@DellikkilleD]

she is literally good lol.

[@aimeeinkling]

@@DellikkilleD Is she though? She could have healed him at any time...and didn't.

[@sashacampbell3513]

He's my favourite character too! Love to see some Gale appreciation. Thanks for the video. Also, good choice in art! Nyeigneous' take on Gale is so poignant and beautiful. ❤😢 P.S. your Ukrainian accent is quite charming.

[@deiastormborn]

thank you so much! i will fight for gale as his rightful defender :D

[@sashacampbell3513]

@@deiastormborn you and me both, girl!

[@ember1788]

I don't think it was an illusion. This seems to be Mystra's MO she finds young wizards and feeds their ambition until they are powerful enough. I have heard there is a line in the game where Minsc talks about having to hide young male wizards from Mystra. Like Gale said he wasn't the first wizard and he won't be the last. Mystra seems to have a habit of grooming wizards like Gale Also Gale is my favorite romance in the game and i hate how much hate he gets.

[@deiastormborn]

yeah, the whole illusion thing is simply my theory: she's a goddess, after all, and when you meet her, gale even tells you that a normal human can't be near her in her 'full form', but even with her 'reduced powers' it was hard to be next to her - imagine trying to be intimate with her... x) but, definitely, illusion or not, what she does is... heavily, heavily questionable

[@ember1788]

@@deiastormborn I completely agree what she does is extremely questionable and I understand the ideas behind your theory and in a way you might be right in some way.

[@deiastormborn]

@@ember1788 thank you!! >< it's only a theory, of course, i'm not trying to sell it as an actual truth, but it's always fun to think of things like that when game does not tell you directly! i appreciate your open-mindedness!!

[@Isuna_arts]

Gale is my all-time favorite, and thanks to you, now I can show the people who laugh at me, your video.

[@deiastormborn]

Aw, I'm so glad to hear it! Thank you for sharing, makes me happy you enjoyed it!

[@LittleBird1432]

Great video!! I'm glad this popped up on my feed ❤ I love Gale so much!

[@deiastormborn]

thank youu!! i'm glad the video is finding the right people

[@RamenCore]

If anyone else hasn't said it, yes would love more content from you like this!

[@deiastormborn]

thank you! im still thinking on the next topic, but the suggestions are also welcome!

[@bubblegumcrab]

A wonderful video! Thank you for showing my sweet bb boi some love

[@OakandIV]

I really enjoyed this. Thanks. Here's hoping you do some more character analysis. I love all of the Origin characters, and have been looking for in depth discussions of their stories rather than builds showing how to buff them up. Gale is in the position of a young teen groomed by an adored mentor. It's a common trope in fiction, and always traumatic in real life. His story, like that of all of the origin companions, mirrors that of the Dark Urge. A much more powerful entity distorted and shaped their entire lives, and is now demanding they go do something that will destroy what is left. Astarion was kidnapped and enslaved, and his old master now wants to kill him. Karlach was kidnapped and enslaved, and her abuser wants her back. Wyll was tricked into slavery and is having what he wishes he could have been stripped away from him until (withough Tav's help) he'll end up a mindless, rage filled nothing. Lae'zel's cult leader will eventually kill her and eat her soul. Shadowheart's abuser has forced her into unspeakable acts all of her life and intends to rob her of every positive emotion then abandon her. Gale's abuser has ordered him to kill himself for her needs. Gale's story looks the least traumatic on the surface, and that's probably a big part of why a lot of fans don't view him with the same sympathy. But the pattern and end result are the same. Gale (like Lae'zel and Shadowheart) gets to stay in denial unless Tav helps him recognize what he has been through. Anyway, subscribed. Looking forward to seeing more of what you do.

[@deiastormborn]

thank you for a detailed comment! i will definitely try to pursue this path further, i just really wanted to talk about Gale, because, as you said, his trauma seems the least severe one, especially because Gale himself actively denies it and gloats about it. i genuinely think that the companions got a mirroring person: lae'zel and shadowheart are sharing the same burden of their deity deceiving them, despite their loyalty and sacrifices wyll and karlach share similar war-related burden, also dealing with the devil for the good reasons and survival gale and astarion share a burden of being groomed by someone of higher authority, someone they once looked at as their saviour/mentor. i think, in general, it is not fair to disregard one companion in favor of the other one, yet you do not see too many people speak about lae'zel, wyll and gale comparing to shadowheart, karlach and astarion

[@SomeTinyCritter]

I think I'm very attached to gale as a companion because he reminds me so much of a man i know irl who has been through abuse and trauma by other women. This man is very dear to me so imagine my sympathy when i notice the little red flags as gale continues his gushing about Mystra ;-; I will help him no matter what!!!

[@princepsNicer]

Pues a mi Gale me parece el personaje más humano de todos. Es también el prototipo de lo que se considera un mago en D&D, alguien que es capaz de controlar la magia sin tener un don sobre ella, académico profundo y, por qué no, algo rarito. Creo que encaja muy bien con lo que representaría su vida. Pero la parte que más me gusta de todo es que es un personaje positivo, pues no odia a Mystra, está dolido, y sobretodo, quiere demostrar su valía, ya sea cumpliendo con su deber hacia ella o pretendiendo ser un dios. Pero no siente rencor. Y eso se ve desde el principio en todos los aspectos de sus relaciones. Es simplemente adorable con todos. Por supuesto que a veces peca de superioridad, defecto de su academicismo y su soledad, pero es juzgarlo de freak, y sinceramente, quien no es raro en ese grupo 😅. La cuestión para mi principal es que, al margen de sus extravagancias, tiene un gran corazón, y, a pesar de todo, para mí, es el más sociable y encantador de todos los personajes (al margen de Will y Karlach, que también son muy sociables). En mi experiencia diré que fue el único cuya entrada en mi historia me dejó buena impresión: fue cordial, cooperativo, educado y competente. Qué mejor compañero! 😊

[@raqueltenorio9118]

Totalmente de acuerdo. Gale es un mago de DyD con todas las consecuencias. Con sus luces y sus sombras. En algunos casos es pedante y arrogante, con lenguaje recargado y culto. Lo cual encaja con una persona que ha pasado la mayoría de su vida entre libros y es consciente del poder que le ha proporcionado. Es un erudito: lo sabe y lo expresa. Pero si eres capaz de ver más allá de ese barniz de arrogancia, se encuentra su corazón: humano, bueno, sensible y... roto. Y a pesar de todo intenta llevarlo con positivismo y humor. Un personaje increíble, bueno y muy humano. Totally agree. Gale is a D&D wizard with all the consequences. With his lights and shadows. In some cases he is pedantic and arrogant, with overloaded and cultured language. Which fits a person who has spent most of his life among books and is aware of the power it has given him. He is a scholar: he knows it and he expresses it. But if you can see beyond that veneer of arrogance, you find his heart: human, good, sensitive and... broken. And in spite of everything, he tries to handle it with positivity and humour. An incredible character, good and very human.

[@blacksesamecandies]

I wish they had given Gale more funny lines and played into that humorous aspect of him. There is bits and pieces, but I think most got the impression of him being a know-it-all instead of being really witty. Which is a fine character trope, but I can see how *some* people wouldn't like that. Tim Downie (Gale's VA) spoke about wanting to do more improv humor since that was what he was experienced in but didn't get the chance. Not sure if Larian had to cut lines for budget reasons or what. Regardless, he is very misunderstood guy with a pretty complicated backstory. I feel in the way BG3 plays out some characters just get a bit more limelight than others. Astarion being the obvious standout with Karlach a close second.

[@EKATERINAS-bv8ld]

Thank you! You made me see Gale in a whole different light

[@deiastormborn]

ow, i'm so glad to hear that! 🥰🥰 thank you for your open-mindness!

[@persimmonplays2399]

I love Gale! He's my ride or die

[@Ancient_War]

I have to admit I don’t get it. People coo and ooh over Astarion who, as a very young and rather evil elf, was scooped up by a master vampire who turned, used and abused him. He remains a rather evil, but traumatized and scarred guy. The worse the treatment he dishes out to Tav, the more people seem to love him. Astarion can also become the Vampire Ascendant, not quite a god, but powerful. And evil. Gale is a nice, good guy who as a young wizard was scooped up by a goddess who used and abused him. He remains a nice, good, but traumatized and scarred guy. The more he treats Tav with respect and love, the more people seem to hate him. He can become an actual god. Who is not evil. They’re pretty much the same person with the same story, just showcasing the good and bad sides of that person. Both are great playable characters, but I’d date Gale. I’d run a mile to get away from Astarion. I also like Gale because Tara likes him, and we know what good judges of character cats, excuse me, tressym are.

[@TheCoffeeCat]

That's a perfect assessment of my favorite romance! Astarion a close second...

[@deiastormborn]

thank you! astarion's romance can hit very close to home, and neil really did amazing job to make astarion seem even more alive

[@TheCoffeeCat]

@@deiastormborn Yes!! Neil is an amazing professional and just about the best human being you can find.

[@FelinaofL2]

I fell for Gale while watching KZbin videos of him, and can't wait to romance him when I get BG3. There are parts of his character that tug my heartstrings because I can relate to them. He's also the reason I became interested in learning more about Waterdeep.

[@deiastormborn]

that's awesome! i hope you can get it soon, the game is wonderful by itself - gale is just a very, very fine addition to it

[@KitsuneHB]

Have fun with the game! I play it since august and regret not a single minute.

[@raqueltenorio9118]

Un ensayo muy acertado sobre la personalidad , el trauma y la esencia de Gale. Enhorabuena. A very accurate essay on Gale's personality, trauma and essence. Congratulations.

[@deiastormborn]

Thank you!

[@rike1775]

Oh sweet jesus. I'd like to think that after almost 300h with the game I have a solid grasp on most of the characters, their stories and their flaws, why they behave the way they do. Reading those comments you put up in the beginning hurt physically to read, because most of them seem to come from people that just did not pay attention at all. The comment about Gale talking about Karsus's Folly for example. Gale made a direct comment, saying what he did "[one might call] Gales's Folly". The most infuriating comments are about his tendency to boost his talent as a wizard up. And to an extent this behaviour from Gale is warranted, he was extremely talented before the tadpole (Wyll confirms in dialogue that the characters actual power has been nerfed by the tadpole). But I also believe there is some cover up for his insecurities with this behaviour. He is not only reaffirming towards Tav that he is powerful and most of all useful, but also needs to reaffirm it to himself after his debacle with the orb. That also feeds into his initial attitude toward a Sorcerer or Warlock Tav: he had to learn and work for his talent, while they are just given their magic. It scratches on his once secure position as a powerful wizard. This attitude changes as he changes, but I doubt most of these players rarely see that as they dismiss him extremely early. And not to forget, magic has been his life, his existence. If he is not good enough with magic, than what is he good at? He believes himself to be nothing aside from his magic, it is his only source of pride. They also seem to miss that a lot of his comments regarding his "considerable talent" are meant to be in good humor.

[@Profesor449]

I really like flawed characters. I like that people find some characters annoying and such - think it adds a touch of reality to them. Think it's a great job by the writers to not be afraid to write annoying flaws. There are people who actually appreciate ascended Astarion - as unimaginable as that seems to others. Saying that, coming from early acces, I found almost everybody almost shockingly likeable :D. Still remeber Shadowheart disapproving of literally everything you do, Wyll being childishly angry and cringey, laezel not uttering a single positive thing till she likes your sweat xD, and Gale... oh Gale: People say that Gale talks about Mystra too much? during ea, he'd talk to you about Mystra *extensively* right after you slept together. People say that his sacrifice and attitude redeem him: during ea, if asked "what you'd do if the netherese magic overtook you?" he'd aswer he'd classic finding remote place to die, BUT if you didn't give him any artifacts, he would seek out good old R A P H A E L to stabilize his orb. When you would fist met, he wouldn't be jolly fun, he'd actually be really condescending (?*dunno if that is the right word*) (comes out of the portal all smug, "last time I saw you you were in a crucible full of blood and an intelect devourer nibbling at your ear" xD) If he is now hated, I wonder how many people would like the ea version of him xD. From my experience, hate for a character can sometimes be spontaneous and unexplainable - you first decide to hate and then think of the reasons. I for one, don't like Karlach - toward which I don't think I saw any hate at all? lmk if anyone does, I'd like to see if I'd identify with anyone who also doesn't like her xD. Also, Dekarios sounds greek to me? Can anyone greek explain if the name means something?

[@deiastormborn]

Early access was wild. But it is what early access is for. Final version of Gale ended up more than great. Can't imagine Wyll angry tho. He's such a good boy now. Interesting.

[@choulchoul9119]

this is really good! And your accent is very pleasing to listen to as well! Subscribed, and i cant wait to see more in the future!

[@deiastormborn]

thank you so so much!

[@traceyxxrose7454]

I freaking love Gale. I wasn’t going to romance him at first but once I got to know him there was no doubt he was for me.

[@svgar04]

wow, this is amazing. ive never played this game but this video really made me curious. great video

[@deiastormborn]

thank you darling

[@Livvvyenne999]

Waterdeep of Gale.

[@deiastormborn]

Waterdeep Gale Of

[@eebee8052]

i made a bard tav, wasnt sure who to romance him with, went with astarion. halfway through act 2, i finally started thinking up a proper backstory for him (yay day dreaming), realised that 'oh.. astarion wouldn't fit with this tav..' but when gale's night field scene was triggered, i knew that gale's story would fit better. i deleted that campaign, redesigned my bard and started a new playthrough with the aim of romancing gale. it worked so well, tying in the two's similar backstory of being tossed aside by the goddesses they've put their trust in. they are now happily married, living in waterdeep :))

[@dirzz]

Great analysis!

[@deiastormborn]

Thank you!

[@Pheo_]

I just started the game a couple of weeks ago and had seen a lot of memes (and hate) of Gale prior to playing, which might have had some influence on my opinion of him. He's starting to grow on me though. I tend to get "annoying" and say stuff in a weird way when I'm insecure, and Gale, to me, can get a bit annoying too at times in how he over-explains everything. But I understand why, and I think he's genuinely just trying his best to make everyone happy and not bother anyone 🥺 The memes are still funny though, the non-hateful ones at least.

[@deiastormborn]

I think he just got burnt in the past so he wants to over explain anything. People think it's arrogance and narcissism, like he thinks you're stupid, but I think it's just him making sure you didn't get any bad ideas to not hurt you

[@SirHonkster]

man goes boom?...

[@deiastormborn]

if u let him

[@KitsuneHB]

Ah, I love Gale! My first Tav had a relationship with Astarion (and yes, I love him too) and Gale was a bit bugged in the beginning. I had to put him in the friendzone two times, poor guy. :D In my second playthrough I played as Astarion and romanced Gale and he is so lovely! Especially the romance scene in act 2 fits perfectly for Astarion in my opinion (I chosed the illusion). I'm also sure - if I would live in that world, I would prefer Gale because he wasn't interested into sex at the tiefling party (sorry, Astarion).

[@deiastormborn]

oh ur so right! i saw people admiring bloodweave (astarion x gale) and i think it's heavily due to act 2 romance scene, because astarion, as a victim of SA, can finally enjoy deeper connection with no need for physical. there's something poetic about it. also yes!! i saw ppl call gale horny or something but him and wyll were the most reserved companions when it came to sex

[@jindradusek8090]

Very great video! Thank you for the essay, your takes are accurate in my opinion and I agree on the part, that he gets too much hate. I didn't dive that much into his relationship with Mystra as I did concentrate myself on others (mainly Shadowheart drama, Karlach disaster and recovering Minsc from his state of... no right mind :D ) and this gave me some of answers to the questions I didn|t even know I had or forgot in the process of playing.

[@deiastormborn]

Ahh I'm very glad! This genuinely makes me happy to think that my video was also useful/productive. I suggest trying to play as Gale Origin to see more about their relationship, but just romancing him can give quite a lot of information ♡

[@msbroomstick1]

You might already know it and just didn't have time to mention it, but Mystra need to use human chosen ones is right there in dnd lore. She has to have chosen ones. they are most talented ones but Mystra or at least her predecessors didn't care about morality and shared power and her bed with evil wizards. And had chosen ones react badly to please mystra (there's a dnd campaign about that). It's like having the dean of your faculty have a "relationship" with you when you're a freshman. The idea of this kind of power dynamic with a god is not original in dnd. It was common in ancient greek play (maybe because of the exploitative power dynamic greek young males had to endure? Or maybe just common sense). This song is from the play Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus translated by Edith Hamilton "For me, I would not shun marriage nor fear it, so it were with my equal. But the love of the greater gods, from whose eyes none can hide, may that never be mine. To war with a god-lover is not war, it is despair. "

[@deiastormborn]

thank you for telling me! i only knew brief details as I haven't properly played D&D, but instead was introduced numerous times through other games. i understand that such dynamic is not uncommon in any fantasy setting, i just still think that it will affect an individual, and i would still consider this as something inbalanced and not entirely healthy, if that makes sense.

[@deiastormborn]

oh and to add, i think having chosen ones as a god/goddess is not a new concept, but sleeping with them is... something else entirely, which i do not find appealing

[@zeehero7280]

The fact you point some of these things out makes you among the few most based women on youtube, bravo.

[@IWorkInPixels]

He was 8 when he first drew her attention. 😡

[@dianabialaskahansen2972]

16 when Mystra met him? From epilogues and such I always got the impression Gale was like mid to late 30s or older, from how it sounded like Tara and Mrs. Dekarios never thought he would settle down. He definitely does not look like he's only 25 at maximum. I think he had to be older. 30ish seem more like Mystra's choice in partners. But I am quite certain that they had differerent expectations, with Mystra having a fling, some pleasure with a handsome person, while Gale fell for her and wanted much more. He is probably the most romantic companion and probably was imagining the white picket fence in Waterdeep's suburbs, the 2 kids and an enchanted carriage.

[@deiastormborn]

Mystra returned from death after 1479, and since we do not have an official age of any companion, it is highly speculated he was 16 to 17 years of age. With no confirmation from Larian, it is mostly speculations, but also a highly believed theory, because Gale was a child prodigy and Tara often talks about Gale when h was a teenager. Gale is believed to be anywhere between 30-35.

[@deiastormborn]

To add more, although it is a speculation and might be still wrong, I would like underline that it does not take away from the fact he has been groomed. While grooming is most associated with child sexual abuse, it is also possible for adults, especially vulnerable adults to be groomed - or prepared - for abuse. It is also a power dynamic between an ancient goddess and teenager/young adult that really plays into the effect.

[@dianabialaskahansen2972]

@@deiastormborn She was restored fully in 1487. I don't think there was grooming. But mentor and mentee. Mystra does not really seem malicious in books, she is Neutral Good in source material. I think however that it started as a fling and remained so for Mystra, while Gale fell for her, not just being bed friends for a while. So he did something foolish. We can kinda see the same pattern in the game. I mean he is rushing into a relationship and jumping directly to proposal and marriage just after defeating the Netherbrain, which is maybe a month after meeting.

[@deiastormborn]

@@dianabialaskahansen2972 sleeping with your mentee is not a mentor's behaviour and can be definitely use as a manipulation or control tactic. She is not malicious, but she is self-serving, like most of the deities, especially, as you clarify, after she was dead for a while. Genuinely don't think deities need sex that much, so I do not think there was any real reason for her to do it. Also, he was rushing into a relationship due to the glitch, and not his character. He is very respectful and doesn't try to shabang you immediately. Marriage proposal happened after all the events in the game, Lae'zel and Wyll offer you to marry them in act 3, before the game ends. Also, again, we do not have any real dates. There could be a long time between the act 1, 2, and 3. It also highly depends on how many times you longrested, because, objectively speaking, you could do it all 'in 1 day' because of the game's mechanic. Lastly, Gale would be somewhere within his early 20s to early 30s. We do not know the real age, and I truly think he was a young adult or a teenager when the whole thing happened. While it is a theory and might be untrue, it is for everyone to decide for themselves in what to belive in. All I can say - he is definitely not 40.

[@deiastormborn]

oh and, Ascended Astarion does not mention marriage, but already claims you for life... so kind of counts? Do not remember about regular Astarion though.

[@YahiaNotFound]

poggers😁

[@hannadruk1445]

The point is, that women need A TONN of reasurance on a daily basis that everything is fine and they are special and loved like noone else.... You can understand that a boyfriend who cannot shut up about his ex-, is willing to die at her command just to earn her forgiveness, and won't shut up about "infinite pleasures" he experienced with her.... is less then desirable as a lover?😂😂😂 I sympathize with his trauma but I refuse to be his "mortal compromize" - who wants to be second best for the rest of their life?!!!!

[@deiastormborn]

gale stops talking about 'his ex'. ur not a second option. please play the game further.

[@hannadruk1445]

@@deiastormborn well he did "cool my jets" when I asked if he would like me to tickle his tommy and his answer started " tickling?oh, once Mystra took a little piece of wieve ..." 😮‍💨 But seeing how you insist he abandons this kind of talk...okay, you convinced me to give him a chance🤗🤗🤗

[@Miubunn]

The only reason I hated gale was because I wanted astarion or Halsin 😭😭

[@deiastormborn]

it was definitely a glitch that Larian Studio explained on several occassions: even when he wasn't in the party, he would often 'approve' of your actions and choices. I even had it on my game once. I was doing a play without Gale in my party, was Astarion, Lae'zel and Shadowheart, but when I did something, I still got a pop out 'Gale approved'. I even laughed and made a whole joke out of it. But it's not the fault of the character.

[@MV-wn6kc]

nice analysis but it sometimes is hard to understand because of your russian accent. hope that helps!

[@deiastormborn]

ukrainian, please, but i understand why you thought of russian first. sadly, there's only little i can do, accent is accent, and it sticks. might not be for everyone. :)