#waterdeep reminiscence

[venusmage]

Starlit, an npc from the Waterdeep game I DM!

[dekariosclan]

So, we all love Gale’s mirror image/simulacrum, and how the ‘certain measure of Gale’s personality’ that he retains is Gale’s sweet, dorky charm…but is Gale himself aware of this?

I don’t believe we ever see Gale actually interact with his mirror image, as it always appears as a replacement when Gale is elsewhere.

It’s possible Gale has always just assumed he’s created this 100% straightforward, serious mirror image who radiates scholarly intelligence…because surely, that’s the aspect of his personality that it would pull from, right?

Imagine if one night, after Gale and Tav are married and living in Waterdeep, they start reminiscing about their romance. Tav brings up their first night together, and mentions how surprised they were to see Gale’s mirror image standing in his place at camp.

Gale is pleased, and says with a gentle laugh that he hopes Tav wasn’t too intimidated by his simulacrum’s stoic nature.

To which Tav responds oh no, not at all! They loved how adorable he was, and they still remember the cute pose he did to represent Gale’s personality!

Gale (perplexed): …darling, whatever do you mean? What pose…?

Cue Tav, perfectly miming this:

Gale:

HE DID WHAT

[galedekarios]

one thing that really tugs at my heartstrings while going through the epilogue files a bit more is how desperately gale wants to stay in touch with the protag (unromanced) and the friends he's made on their journey together.

not only has he talked to his students about the protag and their adventures at length, he invites the protag to be a guest lecturer:

Player: I found the love of my life. I'd say I'm pretty happy. Gale: And I couldn't be happier for you. A fitting reward for the sacrifices you made in getting here. Gale: I've told my students plenty of tales about our escapades. You're something of a hero to them, you know. Gale: I'd be delighted to introduce you to my current cohort - as a guest lecturer, perhaps? I'm sure they'd have plenty of questions for you.

he is also happy to invite the protag to his tower for the duration of their stay:

Player: It would be my pleasure. Gale: Excellent. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist the allure of sharing your expertise. Gale: Of course you'll be most welcome to stay with me in my tower. Tara the Tressym: Ahem. Gale: My apologies, Tara. That would be our tower.

and even if they should refuse his invitation to be a guest lecturer, he hopes they'll at least consider coming to visit him in his tower in waterdeep:

Player: I'll respectfully decline. Sounds too much like hard work to me. Gale: I totally understand. Perhaps our exploits might be a little on the mature side for my students, come to think of it... Gale: Still, at the very least you must come visit me. I've a pantry full of Waterdhavian delicacies and a delightful bottle of Elverquisst with your name on them... devnote: Attempting to persuade the player to visit him, really wants them to come [if the player is illithid] Player: My diet is more... cerebral these days, Gale. You'll need to rethink your menu. Gale: Say no more. There's a wizard in Blackstaff's anatomical department who owes me a favour, no questions asked. All diets will be catered for. I can hardly wait. [if the player rejected to become an illithid] Player: Good food and good company? Now that I can manage. Gale: Excellent, excellent, excellent. I can hardly wait. devnote: Relieved you've accepted his offer

[end of convo for both] Gale: It will give us plenty of time to catch up on your adventures. Gale: I'm very curious to know what you've been up to these past months, but I suspect the telling of that tale would keep you tied to me all evening. Gale: So, in the spirit of selflessness I encourage you to mix and mingle for now. We've time enough to come. devnote: Looking forward to staying in touch with the player

he's crushed if the protag refuses:

Player: Sorry, Gale. I don't think that's going to happen. Gale: Oh. Well, no matter. Dinner alone can be every bit as enjoyable as with company. devnote: Deflated, trying not to show it Tara the Tressym: Alone? And what am I - a stuffed toy? Gale: Please - enjoy the rest of your evening. devnote: Deflated, trying not to show it

this all ties into another little moment after this first conversation.

if the protag has talked with gale already and has hugged him, there's a second, shorter conversation, in which gale gets choked up as he reminisces over how the party is together once more:

Gale: I can't believe this is real. I never thought we'd gather like this again. devnote: Taking in the moment, appreciating it Gale: It's quite... ahem, yes really quite lovely. devnote: Getting a bit choked up, trying to hide it/breeze past it

tl;dr: gale loves his friends so very, very much and hopes they'll allow him to be able to stay in contact with them.

[enterwittyjokehere]

[Angsty Gale won the poll, have fun with his mage hand guys. ;)]

Dread Alter of The Heart

[Gale (of waterdeep) Dekarios x afab reader smut]

[⚠️Warnings⚠️]

[Agrument]

[Mentions of death and being blown up]

[Angry at old man]

[Early act two spoilers!!!]

[Heavy smut 18+ only]

[Teasing]

[Incorrect use of mage hand]

“I am so very sorry, Gale..” The old man's words filled you with a burning rage, a pit that sat in the top of your chest, right next to your heart, and made fiery tears fill your eyes. The dangerous emotion was clear to both of the wizards surrounding you, Gale was more concerned by the sudden uncharacteristic change in your demeanor. 

Gale’s warm hand moved to sit on your shoulder, in an attempt to provide a bit of emotional support and to try and quell your worsening rage. The large hand rubbed at the bone of your shoulder, you only shrugged it off as you took a step closer to Elminster.

Fists balled and face getting redder by the second, you pointed a finger past the old man, “Get out of my camp.” 

You said it as calmly as you could, the anger inside of your chest making you less than rational. A hand firmly grabbed at your wrist, “(y/n), please, Elminster is a dear friend.”

Turning to face Gale, you furrowed your eyebrows, “No, Gale, friends don't randomly show up, eat all your food and then tell you to kill yourself, not good friends at least.”

“As previously stated I am so very sorry, Gale, truly.” You shot the old wizard a glare.

After being reprimanded by Gale once again, you retreated, stomping off to your tent. Letting the flap of fabric, used as the door, fall down, you sat upright on your bedroll, head hung low.

The feelings you held for your party's wizard were so blatant and obvious, the whole team was aware. Hearing what has to come next made you fearful, to say the least. Holding your hands up to your face, your bundle of stressful emotions left through your eyes.

The looming spectre, known as the fear of rejection, had kept you from ever allowing Gale to know your true feelings. Even now as he was going to put the half assed forgiveness from a goddess, who has done nothing but abuse and misuse both him, his trust and his magickal abilities over the life he lives currently and more importantly to you, the one he could live, after this was all over, with you.

Not knowing if he would even accept your love now that his goddess was back in the equation. All the hard work you had put into your delusions of a content life with a sweet wizard husband poured down the drain. Almost left you feeling like you belonged in the sewers of Baldr’s gate.

Reveling in your reminiscent remorse took you out of your surroundings and your tears became sobs. The emotional waves that washed over you felt uncontrollable, almost inconsolable, as though no one could help, the dreaded feeling of losing Gale, all to win the favor of some goddess, left you in hysterics.

Sobbing into your hands, you sniffled and swore under your breath, left startled by a sharp clearing of a throat outside your tent. 

“(Y/n)... Can I speak with you?” Gale muttered, then pausing to wait for your response, your startled demeanor fluctuated, relief poured into you when Gale’s voice was heard and then you remembered that you are almost in no shape to speak to him.

Eyes puffy and nose running, you were aware that your disheveled state was obvious and yet when Gale asked to talk you could never say no. The butterflies started without even having to look at him, knowing right now he was outside your tent waiting to speak with you made you giddy. 

“Sh*t-! Yes, Gale. Just… um- give me a second.” You said, hurriedly, wiping your red tearstained face on the sleeve of your cotton camp clothes. 

Opening the flap of the tent, you stepped out into Gale's view. He frowned for a second, placing a hand on your shoulder, “Have you been crying?” 

You glanced up at him, biting onto your bottom lip in an attempt to quell the next round of tears. Nodding your head slightly, before your attempt to stop your overflowing emotions failed, Gale wrapped an arm around you pulling you into an embrace.

“I should be the one crying, I'll be the one that has to… you know.” He said, laughing slightly, before making a worried face.

You didn't have to see his face to know what he did, he was so predictable in everything, or maybe you just knew him well enough. Sniffling slightly you shook your head, “No. I won't let you. We'll find another way.” 

“I am afraid that's not your place, my friend.” Gale said, pulling away from you.

Your hands rested on his shoulders, gripping tightly onto the sleeve of his shirt, your face wet from tears. You shuttered when his big brown eyes found your own, “...Gale, I'm in love with you.”

The words had slipped out before you could stop them, the tone of your voice was as though that was a reason for him to let you stop him. 

Gale's lips curled into a small smile, yet his eyes were still sad, “I know.” 

His words were gentle and sweet, he wrapped his arms around you again, before speaking once more, “and maybe had I not been cursed with this ‘divine purpose’ we could've had each other.”

More tears pushed over the threshold, your hands attempted to retract from Gale's shoulders. He watched as your lip began to quiver and you backed away, “Or you could've chosen me… instead of a goddess who has done nothing for you.” 

You tried to turn around, away from Gale, but he grabbed your wrist, “Please, you should know I cannot disobey Mystra, she is magick and magick is-”

“Your life?” You finished, knowing where his words would end, “That's what I wanted too.” 

Ripping your hand away from the wizard, you wiped your tears. Turning around, only to have Gale's hands latch onto your wrist holding you firmly in place. His eyes peered into you, pleading for you to listen. Yet the hurt in your heart hid his heart from your eyes, your clouded mind forbade you from taking the wizard as who he truly was.

“(Y/n), please, don't be like this..” Gale called, “I love you too, you make me happier than anyone else, I would love nothing more than to make you mine and allow all of Faerûn that knowledge and yet-”

“Gale, Please, you said quite enough, already.” The belated words hurt more than they should have, Gale's attempt to rekindle a flame he had just extinguished only killed the dying sparks further. 

Gale placed a hand to his chest, his now sad eyes peering into you, “I love you, too, please.” 

You shook your head, “No, if you loved me I would mean more to you than-” 

“Mystra means very little to me-! But if this is the only way to save Faerûn, to save everyone… including you, I have to do it. It's my responsibility…” Gale said, grabbing at the orb that decorated both the inside and outside of his chest, “Please… I love you.” 

“You've said that… Gale-” 

Your words were swiftly cut short as Gale's warm hands found your face, cupping the soft tearstained flesh. He pushed his forehead to your own, “Please, allow me a chance is all I ask…”

You stayed silent, Gale tilted your head slightly and pressed a hot kiss to your forehead. 

His eyes found your own again, “Tonight there is no orb, no absolute just you and me… We can worry about Elminster and Mystra's demand when the need for such an action arises.” 

Your eyes filled with tears once more, you blinked as they rolled down your cheeks. Only to be wiped away by Gale's thumb, “No need for tears, my darling, please.”

You looked up into Gale's eyes, he took the moment to smile down at you before pressing his lips to your own, kissing you properly. Your hand slipped behind his shoulder, holding onto the fabric of his shirt, holding the fabric tightly you pulled Gale off of you.

“If I allow you this-”

“If we find another way to defeat this thing… consider it done, orb and Gale, both still intact.” Gale said, his eyes staring into you.

“And Mystra?”

“What of her?” Gale questioned where you were going with your words.

“I’m sure she won’t be pleased with me taking her sweet little lapdog.”

“Then, she should have considered that before tossing me aside.” Gale spoke, placing a short lived kiss to your lips, “Its as you said, why kill myself to please a Goddess, who has done less for me than the sweet adventurer i’ve grown to know and love.”

“Stop with the flattery and kiss me already, wizard.” You teased, Gale smiled, placing his hands on your hips and doing exactly as you told him. Leaning over to meet you in another kiss, your hands found his shoulders as Gale pulled your body closer. 

The closeness of the two of you made you needy as you would move and tease both of you, small whines trickling from your throat. Gale moved a hand to rest on the inside of your thigh pulling your leg over his hip, you would move occasionally brushing against his growing er*ct*on. The thoughts that ran through his head were less than savory, your free hand tangling in his long hair. While his lips devoured your own, his tongue ravaged the inside of your mouth, searching the cavern thoroughly. 

Gale pulled away from the kiss, panting like a dog, “Gods, we should at least get inside before continuing, if you wish to continue..” His words lingered; they carried insecurity but also curiosity as though he was searching for your consent, eager to know your wishes.

 Perhaps he wondered if you wanted him as much as he wanted you, a small smile found your face, “Oh, please Gale, you’re not getting out of this that easily.”

You backed into the tent, moving against him as soon as he entered, kissing him roughly, once more. Gale’s hands fluttered to your hips, holding you flush to his body, smiling into the embrace.

Inside the tent, Gale placed you down on a large wooden chest. His heavy breathing and lidded eyes made your stomach curl in excitement. 

“Lay down, my precious.” He said, placing a kiss to the back of your hand, “By the gods, you're perfect.”

His words were expelled in a groan as you followed his instructions, laying back in the cold wood of the chest. Gale's steady hands began disrobing you, he unbuttoned and pulled off your trousers. 

Before he started on your undergarments he licked the pad of his thumb, pushing it to your clothed core. You squirmed at the action, pulling a small chuckle from the wizard's lips, “Patience, I will not keep you waiting long.” 

He pulled away from you, and began slipping out of his robe, then he hastily unbuttoned his own trousers. Discarding both of the garments onto the floor of your tent, he smiled down at you palming the growing tent in his purple underwear.

You pushed onto your elbows watching him, licking your lips as your eyes traced over his crotch. Gale moved closer to you, his hands enveloping your clothed chest, playing with the soft flesh, “Your turn.” 

His simper was ravenous, like he could devour you whole. He moved closer, kneeling onto the chest, his body hanging over your own. 

The closer Gale got to you the worse your craving for him panged in your aching core. It didn't help that when he pressed a long cascading kiss to your lips, his knee pressed into your lower body, rubbing your warm core. Gale would pull away and come right back into the kiss, igniting a passionate fire beneath him.

Each time the wizard would pull away from your embrace, muttering your praises, only to reignite the kiss. His hand pumping around his hard c**k, groaning into the kiss, “G-Gale, please…”

His lidded eyes opened, staring down at you, nodding slightly before he pulled away. Gale quickly slipped off the briefs, kneeling down at the edge of the chest, he took a finger slipping off your underwear. The wizard's free hand cast mage hand, a spell resulting in a small ghostly hand to appear, with a flick of his free hand the mage hand slipped over your chest. Playing with your nipples, the blue hand teased your hardening bud.

Gale smiled at the sounds the spell elicited, moving his free hand to hold down one of your legs, while spreading your lower lips open. Your attempt at keeping your eyes on Gale failed as he moved into your core, suckling sweetly on the aching bud in your lower body. 

The more ragged and feral your moans for him became the quicker his hand at the base of his own pleasure moved. He mumbled and moaned into your core as you rocked your hips against his face, in an attempt to secure more pleasure for yourself.

“You're more than I could ever need, don't you ever forget that.” Gale moaned out, his tongue assaulting your sensitive c*nt.

“Yeah and that's why you're going to find another way, right?”

“Whatever you ask of me.” He said, before standing up to fully penetrate your lower body.

Your hands found his forearms, while Gale's hands settled on the dips of your hips, you moaned out before biting your lip to quell your noises.

“Let's make this quick, yeah?” Gale said as he rocked in and out of you, “I don't think I can last much longer.”

The friction between the two of you was ecstatic, the building knot in your lower stomach pleaded to be broken. The blue hand Gale had summoned, moved down to where your bodies met, rubbing the abused bundle of nerves Gale had previously been sucking on.

With a jolt of your hips your climax hit, Gale almost immediately succumb to the warmth squeezing feeling of you tensing around him. Sloppily thrusting in, he chased the high while you squirmed beneath him, overstimulation threatened to ruin your moment.

“I hope we didn't wake the others.” You spoke your voice shaky.

Gale looked up at you, kissing you gently, “To the hells with them.”

[space-blue]

BG3FicFeb Comic Edition day 28 :

Final entry! Tav's life after the adventure ends...

And a colour version :

I'm sure it took a lot of coddling from Tav and a lot of courting from Zevlor, but they're now the happiest trouple in Waterdeep. Gale and his paladins… and tressym. I think Zevlor's body temperature runs high and Gale is a little distressed by Tara's tendency to favour his lap as a consequence. Tara and Tav have a bit of a dog/cat relationship but it's all good.

Gale is a professor, Zevlor has joined the city guard as a training instructor, and Tav keeps hiring themselves as private security and working with the church of Helm. They occasionally go on trips—to look for artefacts, rare books, or the men coming along on one of Tav's occasional escort missions—and reminisce about their time on the road. But they all have well furnished bags of holding and don't travel rough unless they have to.

[gribbo]

karlach: states outright that she had no friends in avernus (apart from flo, whose "friendship" karlach reminisces on with bitterness)

gale: states outright that he has no friends in waterdeep (only "colleagues")

astarion: (vague handwave at everything he's got going on). no friends

shadowheart: raised in a cult that punishes human sentiment. no friends

lae'zel: has been pitted against other githyanki of her age group from birth. no friends

wyll: gregarious, gallant, and charming, but also a roving warrior who buries his feelings under a heroic persona so perfect that it—and his contractual duties—prevent him from forming lasting bonds. no friends

worms and all, adventuring together and forming genuine, uplifting relationships with each other was the best time that any of these people ever had

[thecampjuicebox]

If I might make a request: Give us the Gale epilogue that we never got. Gale cooking dinner for Tav and Tara. Given the fact that Tara hisses at Tav on their first meeting, I feel like she'd really interrogate them, and Gale would be oblivious to the tension.

Oh my GODS I adore this idea. Okay okay. Here we go, I hope you enjoy!!

Third Degree

Pairing: Tav (f) x Gale (m) x Tara (f tressym)

Rating: 18+, Minors DNI

POV: 2nd person (Reader is Tav)

Warnings: Tara being an overall nuisance, angst, FLUFF FLUFF FLUFF, game spoilers

You clasp your hands for a moment, squeezing the trembling appendages together to attempt to soothe your anxiety. A bottle of perfectly aged wine nestled between your forearm and breasts. Questioning your sudden bout of anxiety, you shake your head. It was just Gale, after all. You've shared many a meal with the wizard, shoulders touching next to the camp fire. You've shared many a night with him as well. Tangled in the weave. Your mouth waters at the memory, a familiar tingling in your core. No, what worries you now is Tara. Gale's tressym and most trusted friend. Gale spoke about her regularly. You'd met her once in Baldur's Gate, the encounter going less than well. You still remember the way she hissed at you, fangs bared in a hostile fashion. Gale didn't even seem to notice, his excitement purely on seeing the tressym so far from Waterdeep. Shaking your head, you ascend the stairs to the front door of his tower. Waterdeep is comfortably warm this time of year, a gentle breeze sweeping the soft fabric of your skirts. You scoff at yourself, peering down at the outfit you spent entirely too long at Figaro's trying to pick out. You settled on a emerald green velvet dress, adorned with gold filigree that sparkles in even the faintest of candlelight. It hugs your supple curves in all of the right ways, accentuating the roundness of your hips. Figaro gushed about how it perfectly complimented your complexion, the rest of the shop's clientele dropping what they were doing to gawk at you like you were a fine piece of art in a grand foyer.

Your pale white hair is plaited neatly, 2 thick braids hanging over your tired shoulders, a few loose strands hanging about your flushed cheeks. Gale has always loved the white shade of your hair, often comparing it to starlight. He reveled at your ancient elven roots on a regular basis, often finding comfort and pure joy in listening to your story telling, bouncing tales back and forth with Halsin at camp. You miss the comradery that traveling had to offer. Always someone to talk to. To confide in. Now, you spend your days simply reminiscing on what once was. Baldur's Gate, while bustling with life now after the city has begun to rebuild, still feels so.. desolate. Lonely. You're startled by the sudden swinging open of the front door, the brown haired Wizard leaning against the door frame, blue robes covered by a some-what messy apron. He grins in your direction, eyes scanning your frame before settling on the bottle of wine. You notice his stare, eyes narrowing and you grasp the bottle by the neck to hand it over to his eager hands.

"An Athkatlan Clarry? Impressive. Come come come, dinner is almost ready. And my gods, you look stunning."

You blush and nod once, lifting the end of your dress to move onto the final step, crossing the threshold. Taking a moment to gather your bearings, you scan the room. Books and scrolls are scattered on every open table top, not messily, but definitely in no form of organization. A few pillar candles are lit to create ambiance, the scent of whatever Gale was cooking filling the room with a delicious cloud and you tilt your head up to better inhale. You mumble a soft "mmm.." to yourself. A gentle hand rests against the small of your back and Gale gazes down at you, thumb rubbing back and forth against the velvet of your dress. You sink into his frame and drink in his familiar warmth. Gods, you've missed him. His scent. His strong chest and toned arms. His embrace. He sets the bottle of wine down on the nearest table and wraps both arms around your short body, snaking underneath your arms so you're forced to place them on his shoulders. He places the softest kiss between your eyes, making your lashes flutter at the sudden skin to skin contact, earning a comfortable sigh from you.

"I've missed you, my little piece of starlight."

You giggle quietly, tilting your head up slightly to bump your nose against his. He wiggles his nose back against yours, head turning side to side to make the tips brush ever so slightly past each other.

"Ahem."

Gale's head turns quickly towards the sound and his eyes meet with Tara's, her small wings fluttering in annoyance. He smiles up at her as she descends the spiral staircase, whiskers twitching at the new smells. You take a step away from Gale. He looks at you with confusion before Tara stops in front of you, small pink nose wiggling from side to side, assessing you. Her green eyes pierce a whole right into your skull, seemingly picking your entire being apart with a single stare. You smile nervously, raising a hand to gesture a simple wave at her. Her eyes flick to Gale and she turns around, tail swishing behind her as she walks towards the doorway of the kitchen, looking back over her shoulder to assure that Gale is going to follow her. He does. The wizard intertwines his fingers with yours and gently pulls you along with him, scooping the bottle of wine from the table he originally sat it down on.

The kitchen is swirling with the most delectable scents you've ever experienced, a mixture of herbs you can't quite pinpoint. Your palette was so used to the random assortment of foods you could find while traveling, so this was truly gourmet in your eyes. Hells, a simple lamb shank would sent your salivary glands into overdrive, had you the opportunity to obtain one. Gale saunters over to a grand brick fireplace, carefully lifting the lid of the cauldron hanging above the crackling fire and giving its contents a look. He wafts the smell up into his nose, steam swirling in translucent white tendrils into the air, his eyes nearly rolling all the way back into his skull. He places the lid back on the cauldron and mumbles an incantation, extinguishing the once roaring fire beneath the cast iron. Tara rests comfortably on a stool at the large oak table on the far side of the room, her eyes fixed on you. You tuck a piece of hair behind your pointed ear and make your way to Gale, who is now fetching plates and cutlery from the cupboard, hands carefully gripping the silver as to not smudge its shiny surface.

"Need some help, my sweet?"

Your voice trickles out like honey, making the wizard's hairs stand on end and he smiles at you, eyes twinkling.

"Gods, no. Make yourself comfortable in any seat you'd prefer. I'm sure Tara would love to get to know you better. She does love stories."

He nods his head to the side, pointing in Tara's direction and you huff quietly. With calculated steps, you find a stool across the table from Tara, eyes watching her just as she watches you. Gale turns his back to the two of you and continues on his mission to fetch the nicest dishes he can find, pulling a silver chalice from the top shelf of the cupboard and giving it a gentle shine with the corner of his apron. He hums quietly to himself. Your hands fall to your lap and you lower your gaze, picking at your fingernails.

"So.."

"Hm. So?"

Tara's tone of voice is stern, but also hushed as to not alert Gale of her intentions to absolutely interrogate you. You're not stranger to interrogations, having persuaded your way in and out of some of the most dangerous situations. This, however. This felt more difficult than any of that. Tara raises a paw to her lips, her eyes still not leaving you and she licks long, gentle strokes along the back of her paw, claws extended slightly as a warning. You clear your throat and rub your fingers over your knuckles, fidgeting with the thin gold ring Gale had given to you after the fight with the Nether Brain. You smile down at the piece of jewelry, eyes flicking to the side to watch gale from your peripherals. He continues his preparations, now filling the plates with the food he's perfected, steam clouding his little area of the kitchen now. Carefully, Gale walks to the table, setting a plate filled with assorted vegetables and a large piece of what looks to be goose down in front of you. Your nostrils perk up at the smell, saliva pooling in the back of your throat. You swallow harshly and smile up at him, ready to absolutely tear into the food, and potentially Gale for dessert. You giggle at the thought, covering your mouth with the back of your index finger to stifle the noise.

"Thank you, my love. It looks delicious."

Gale beams at your compliment. You love the way his eyes light up when anyone compliments him, for literally anything. Back at camp, you relished telling him how nice his hair looked, or how neatly he had trimmed his beard, or how his ideas were good ones, even then they absolutely weren't. You'd do just about anything to see that man smile. Tara tuts and waits patiently for her plate to be set down in front of her, sparing the niceties before leaning down to take a bite of the perfectly crispy goose flesh. She purrs happily. Gale leaves the table momentarily and you sit, hands in your lap, waiting for him to return before even considering taking a bite of your food. It was a habit your mother instilled in you at a very young age. Returning with a chalice full of the wine you brought, he gently presses a kiss atop your head, making your cheeks flush at the simple gesture of love. He sits on the stool beside you and claps his hands once in excitement, rubbing them together quickly before lifting his fork and digging in. You do the same, lifting the silver utensil carefully, stabbing the prongs of the fork into the impossibly tender piece of goose breast. You earn a small piece and quickly lift it to your mouth, the flavor setting your taste buds ablaze. You close your eyes and chew slowly, a quiet "mm.." rumbling in your chest and you swallow.

"Gale this is.. incredible. Truly."

His cheeks flush and he nods, working through chewing the too-large bite of potato he shoved into his mouth. Tara silently laps at the remnants of goose on her plate, already finished since she didn't have the decency to wait for Gale to join the table. Gale points his fork in Tara's direction, mouth still full of food and he speaks in jumbled words.

"So, I assume the two of you have gotten acquainted, yes?"

Tara and you exchange glances, you breaking eye contact first to set your fork down beside your plate, lifting the chalice to quickly take a nervous swig of whine, the alcohol deliciously burning the back of your throat once you swallow.

"Hm, I suppose so, yes. Tav seems.. Lovely."

Her last word stings a bit and you know full well she doesn't mean it. Gale nods happily, shoving a baby carrot into his cheek. You set your chalice down and reach a hand under the table, placing it on Gale's happily bouncing thigh. The bouncing stops abruptly, his facial expression not changing, but he's painfully aware of your hand, leaning in to your touch. You rub soothing circles over top of his trousers, humming quietly to yourself.

"So, hm, Tav. Gale has gone on and on and on about the two of you being engaged. You must be so excited. Will you be staying in Baldur's Gate after the wedding, since out tower is just.. Oh so cramped already. I'm sure you plan to spend so much gold on this wedding, hm? Gale is nothing short of extravagant. You should hold the ceremony in Mystra's temple."

Gale shoots Tara a perplexed look, chuckling to himself after he swallows his thoroughly chewed bite of food. Tara blinks innocently, flashing a single fang at you and she places a paw on the table, claws extended. You grit your teeth at the mention of Mystra, blinking down at your lap.

"Tara, my dear. Tav will be living with us. She will be my wife, after all. There's plenty of room in my bed, just for her. And we will speak about wedding plans when Tav is ready. Lots of preparations are to be made."

He reaches down to the hand resting on his thigh, giving it a loving squeeze. You grin and tilt your head sideways, resting it against his bicep for a moment before pulling your hand away to resume eating. You take small bites of food, chewing each one with ease before swallowing, little happy groans following at the taste. You chase the final bite of food with more wine. Tara straightens up, wings fluttering against her back at the new position and her tail swishes a few times before settling beside her on the stool.

"And.. Children? I assume you'll be having children? How many, do you think? It's obvious you can't keep your hands off of each other anyways, it's only a matter of time. Gods, I do wonder what they'll be like. Hopefully they all look like Gale, him having the superior genes and all."

You cough, covering your mouth carefully with your hand. Gale's eyes widen and he raises his hands quickly.

"Now now, let's not be hasty. Children will come in due time, yes. Much.. Much further down the road. Entirely too much to do and experience now."

Tara smirks at you, clearly sensing how uncomfortable you are. You squirm in your seat and reach for the chalice to finish off your wine, a warm buzz traveling up your spine and into the back of your neck, your chest turning a light crimson. The tressym hops down from her stool, a small yawn followed by a "mew" leaving her mouth. She rubs her side against your leg, covering you in her scent and some of her fur. She takes a seat on the floor beside Gale and purrs quietly, waiting for him to reach down and pet her head. He obliges, scratching behind her small ears. With a flick of her tail, Tara turns and leaves the room. You sigh in relief, placing your elbows on the table and your face in your hands. Gale lifts his chalice and takes a sip, savoring the sweet taste of the wine before smiling at you, absolutely clueless of what just unfolding directly in front of him at dinner.

"She seems to be really fond of you!"

[troutsoup]

my bloodweave escort au

Alternate universe—no illithids, takes place during the same time period as the game's start.

Newly-escaped vampire spawn Astarion flees to Waterdeep; he's always liked cities, and this one is huge, with more than enough space to go into hiding build a new life for himself. Well-practiced in the skill of seduction and hindered by his inability to go out during the day, he starts work as an escort, complete with a cheesy fake name and a regular clientele. Sure, he'd be more successful with a procurer/manager, but he's trying this new thing called governing himself. Besides, he makes plenty enough to get by.

Gale is surrounded by tressyms, crying into a pint of ice cream getting by just fine, thank you very much. He may not get out much, or talk with anyone besides Tara, and he may spend hours each day reminiscing about his past relationship, but he's surviving. Loneliness is easy enough to overcome, with time. And money.

Can you see where this is going?

Maybe it's Tara that encourages it, please, Mr. Dekarios, we both know you could use the companionship, or maybe she wordlessly leaves the flyer she'd ripped from the city's advertising board on his desk for him to find and be terribly offended by—until that night when he's haunted by dreams of Mystra, and, okay, maybe he should do something about this.

Astarion's nights are booked to the hells and back, but after his regular cancels and a new potential client makes himself known with a magically-sent message (dripping with almost-pathetic desperation), his curiosity is piqued—and he's not going to miss out on some coin.

They meet at an inn.

Gale's hands are shaking when they meet. They're shaking when the elf—who is gorgeous and seems to know it—takes them in his own dainty, pale ones and leads him over to sit on the bed, asks him questions about all manners of things and smiles politely, says his own name to him like it's a secret—Gale of Waterdeep—and Gale's not sure if he's being teased or flirted with but it doesn't much matter when they're kissing, suddenly, or when the elf climbs atop him to grind their hips together, or least of all when he gets Gale's robes undone and brings him off with a practiced hand.

"What can I do for you?" Gale asks, gesturing to him, and he shakes his head, kisses Gale's nose and says, "Aren't you tired, darling, shall we sleep?" And he does, holding the elf while he trances.

He starts to get the sense that despite the circumstances of their meeting, the elf might actually like him.

Astarion realizes quickly that this guy's a fucking moron; the kind of lovesick dweeb he'll be able to drain for some serious cash. He collects the night's due from Gale on his way out, giving himself just enough time to get home before the sun rises.

They keep meeting.

One night: Astarion on his knees with Gale against the wall, whimpering into his elbow because (and Astarion's sure of this) he's never had such good head before.

The next: on the bed, Astarion teaching Gale how to fuck him (he's much too gentle—it's not like Astarion's made of glass, and he says so, and Gale whispers in his ear that he just doesn't want to hurt him).

And then, because Gale keeps begging him to, Astarion lets Gale suck his dick, and he doesn't know what the hell he's doing but Astarion talks him through it and Gale's so damn thrilled about it that it ends up being fun for both of them.

Gale is fucking delighted a very normal amount of excited about their meetings. It's nice to have something to look forward to, but mostly just to feel wanted, even if he has to pay for it. The elf reveals himself to be incredibly quick-witted, and oh is he fun to converse with—they spend the first few hours of their nights together just chatting, and as loathe as the elf is to reveal anything about himself, it's still great to be listened to.

In spite of himself, Astarion starts looking forward to their meetings, too. Gale's sweet to him, and the sex is good, and he doesn't ask Astarion to do any of the weird fetish shit he's accustomed to with some of his clients. At some point, they switch from the inn to house calls, and he can't deny liking Gale's cute little living space, the balcony where Gale reads poetry to him while their legs are slung across each other's on the bench, and most of all his darling tressym, Tara—that is until Astarion arises before Gale does one day and sees Tara staring at him through the mirror where his reflection should be.

Astarion whips around, ready to—well, he's not sure exactly. Pull the dagger he keeps in his boot? Stab her? That's a bit extreme, even for him.

Tara flicks her tail at him. "You can't honestly think we hadn't discovered. Your eyes are red as bloodstones."

"He never said anything—"

"He thinks you're insecure about it. The same way you're insecure about that scarring on your back." And then, calm as anything, she starts a walk to the kitchen. "Come, have some tea. The sun won't rise for hours."

So. The fact that Gale knows about his vampirism settles like a heavy weight on Astarion's chest: the knowledge that Gale sees him as he is and cares about him despite, and the guilt that comes with it.

It only gets worse when Gale comes down with a rough case of I-Can-Save-Him Syndrome, also known as Pretty Woman Disorder—and what used to be questions about how Astarion got into the business start to become questions about what he'd like to be doing, otherwise, and encouragements to pursue other lines of work.

The worst part is that Gale's right in his assumptions—Astarion is sick to death of using his body to trap people. But he doesn't know how to do anything else. He doesn't remember how to do anything else.

Astarion snaps at him one night—"You just want me all to yourself, how pathetic you are to think I'd actually like you for something besides your wallet—" and from the way Gale looks at him, he can tell his little outburst does not have the intended effect; Gale doesn't hate Astarion for it, he hates himself.

Whatever. Not his problem to solve.

He cancels all of his appointments indefinitely and spends a week to himself, draining rats and such. Back to his roots. It feels awful. Is there nothing in this life that will fulfill him?

At least he was making coin before.

Gale messages him again. Something something he's sorry, Astarion was right, please come over. He'll pay for his time.

It's the only reason Astarion acquiesces.

It's startlingly easy to fall back into old patterns as soon as Gale opens his door; Astarion is on him at once; kissing his neck, grabbing a fistful of his robes to pull him closer, ignoring Gale's stop, stop, until he gets a hand on Astarion to shove him away.

Astarion's heart pounds hotly in his chest. What the hells?

But Gale's staring hard at him. "I won't bed you tonight."

"Fine, darling, I could bed you."

"No—" Gale runs a hand back through his hair, frustrated, looking for once like he's got nothing to say.

Astarion has a similar problem. He settles on "You really don't want to bed me?"

"Not tonight," Gale says, surging forward to take Astarion's hands in his own. "I like you," he says, "and I think you like me, too."

"You don't know me."

"I'd like to," Gale continues, unfazed. "Let me."

Maybe it's the wide-eyed, unapologetic vulnerability in Gale's eyes that makes him say yes.

Maybe it's that it's time to try something new.

Maybe he figures it's time to make a decision for himself.

"There's a lot we don't know about each other, huh?"

Gale's smile is shy when he traces the lines of his chest tattoo up his own neck. "We've got the whole night ahead of us."

They sit on the balcony where they can hear the waves.

Astarion tells him everything, starting with his name.

[pikaglove]

List of headcanons that I made up about my ranger in bg3:

Ashland Yendari

• Human

• Ranger (beast master)

• Street urchin

• Cis female

• Bisexual

• Late 20s

• Lovers: Astarion and Halsin

• Had a mother who was a prostitute, and a younger sister who she often took care of

• Had to live on the streets because her mother had to work in the brothel and no children were allowed.

• Often got into brawls on the streets

• Joined a gang to make money and stay off the streets

• Her face tattoos were an Initiation to join the gang

• Got half her face burnt off after a rival gang when they threw molatovs at her gang's headquarters.

• Has killed a man with her bare hands

• Sister was murdered by rival gang.

• Was arrested for gang involvement but only got a few years since the gang boss took the fall. The gang fell apart after that and she left Baulder's Gate afterwords

• Lived off the land until the bg3 events happened

• Absolute heartbreaker (led on Gale and Shadowheart only to be won over by Astarion)

• Too much of a slut for Lae'zel

• Bff is Karlach and Gale

• Canonically stinky (as told by Gale)

• Will beat the shit out of Cazador with her own two hands

• Wants to beat up that bottom bitch Raphael for calling her a pipsqueak (she's a foot taller than him and a top)

• Bonds with Halsin over living off the land

• Has won several drinking games in a tavern

• Bows to no royalty (But will give a friendly wave)

• Will smash Araj Obodra's face in with a mace for not respecting consent.

• When hunting, she tries to grab extra game for Astarion to snack on.

• Dog person

• Easily fell for Astarion's seduction

• Gives good head

• Judged by Jaheira, Karlach, and Shadowheart for fucking the emperor

• Canonically wooed 5 people (Gale, Astarion, Halsin, Shadowheart, Mizora)

• Tried to say Mizora's sex was mid and got called out. (Bitch I heard your moans lol)

• Bear fucker

• Favorite color is pink

• Wants to be Halsin's therapist

• Has been everyone's therapist in camp

• Does not cry easily

• Canonically fucked on Astarion's grave

• Her bi awakening came when she was 19 and met an elven bard out on the streets. She listened to that bard everyday til she left.

• Felt violated by Haarlep after sex

• Goes to SA counsiling with Astarion and Halsin to work out their traumas

• Used to play with her mom's makeup kit and actually got decent at doing eye liner

• Has arm wrestling matches with Mincs on Sundays

• Did form an alliance with Gortash

• Did not convince Karlach to go back to Avernus

• Has cried herself to sleep due to Karlach's death

• Dragged Astarion to waterdeep so they can be guest speakers for Gale's class

• Adopted the owlbear with Halsin

• Goes on vigilante adventures with Astarion

• Has a home with Halsin

• Halsin is the malewife of the thrupple

• Technically has adopted 100 kids due to Halsin having an orphanage

• The three cuddle together with Astarion usually in the middle

• Has several homes including a treehouse and a home in the underdark

• Sometimes talks to Wyll about Karlach to cope.

• Long after Ashland has passed on, Astarion and Halsin live together and reminisce about their lover who had saved Baulder's Gate.

[athena43633]

“Professor Dekarios” 2024

Digital Painting NO AI

Procreate on a Gen 3 iPad

MaxPack’s Gouache brush set

@galedekarios beautiful shots as references

Hello everyone!!

Thank you so much for looking at my work :) This started as a photo study from @galedekarios and was also my first piece using MaxPack’s Gouache brushes. I have been looking for a brush set like that for a very long time, they’re the closest thing I’ve found that lets me replicate my traditional painting style and experience.

I put Gale in green because I often think about whether or not he actually likes purple or if it’s just something he’s always defaulted to because of Mystra. I also used the design of the Blackstaff for his earring because 1. I didn’t want him to have Mystra’s earring and 2. I wanted this to very specifically be him a year or two after the game settled into his position as a professor. I also think he looks gorgeous in green 😂

I wanted a wave-like pattern for his robes to symbolise Waterdeep, and the quilted leather shoulder I wanted to be reminiscent of armour but look more like a plush leather chair one would find in a library.

I really hope that you like my work :)

[y-rhywbeth2]

Listening to Gale tell me about how Elminster is the most formidable wizard in the Realms and etc etc and one thing that does stick out in BG3 compared to BG2 is the power level. In my entirely subjective feels, BG3 feels more like BG1 - or maybe Shadows of Amn - with a slightly higher threat; Throne of Bhaal had you massacring an entire Tethyrian army sent to fight you and saw Elminster run for life rather than fight you.

5e got rid of epic levels, but it feels a bit like we've got the base campaign and an epic level campaign that were kind of shoved together into one plot: it's weird because the threat level is higher than Shadows of Amn, but the actual characters feel a little lower than it. Like we're missing the second half of the game, perhaps?

I think one of my problems is that I'm playing the Dark Urge; you give me a portion of a god walking around, high priest and a should-be Chosen who is destined to bring about the apocalypse and... that gives me epic level campaign vibes, but Vel's half-mortal big sister would annihilate him. Sure, you let me play a demigod, but you didn't quite capture the feel of sheer power. It's partially the 5e thing but as far as FR crpg protagonists go, Tav and Durge feel pretty weak (which is interesting, in the latter's case, because taking a trip to Cania is reminiscent of the Hero of Waterdeep, who was epic level kind of implying they were at that stage. Blame the tadpole?)

I don't really have a point to this babbling; my opinions are - naturally - subjective, and I'm not really complaining, it just feels weird to me for some reason. Is it the level cap? Is it the pacing maybe? Is it the pacing that's not suiting the sheer scope of the plot?

(That said; I do not want a sequel. If Larian does anything more I'd rather they just flesh out what's already there (without rewriting or retconning what exists). But no sequel - Not everything needs a sequel, just a good story with an ending.)

[venusmage]

Sobriety. A local MILF that flirts with passing adventurers ;)

bonus: her character art from 2021 when our dnd game first started!

[svllw]

[epilogue + random Pale Elf, Wizard of Waterdeep, Dark Urge spoilers below]

BFF Vampire Lord!Astarion is my Becoming Goddess of Murder!Durge’s treasure. I imagine them meeting hundreds of years later and reminiscing about their times together.

BFF = romanced until Araj/confession, then locked into “you need a friend, not a lover” option

Becoming Goddess of Murder = Karsite Weave Gale romance with accepted ascension; Bhaal’s Chosen (Slayer) through Act 2,3 then turning his murderous ass down further in Act 3

[galedekarios]

Hey there! You're one of the best Gale-ish devnotes\datamines sources that I know of, so I might as well ask. I remember that at some point Gale mentions taking part in Blackstaff Academy balls (or something like that). Is it mentioned elswhere, and do we have any details on his involvement in such activities? Need that for science\personal lore, and I'd appreciate any info (including EA), if you have time. Thanks!

thank you for your message and i'm sorry for the belated response!

i took my time to comb through everything and sadly, the banter with wyll is the only instance i could find of gale mentioning a ball at blackstaff academy:

gale & the annual blackstaff's ball

gale: i knew you were a graceful man, wyll, but i hear you're quite the dancer too. gale: i've been known to trip the light fantastic myself. mine was a popular hand at the annual blackstaff's ball. wyll: i'd have love to have witnessed it, gale. i wager you are as elegant on the dance floor as you are on the battlefield.

the only other banters i could find that are only loosely related. some give us glimpses into his life at the academy, others into his life in waterdeep.

here's another story about gale & being a young student at blackstaff academy, which triggers in the wizard tower in the underdark:

gale & the death slaad

gale: ah. quite. a misadventure from my days as an apprentice at blackstaff academy. gale: i was but a child, only a few months into my studies, but already i knew i was destined for greatness. no one believed me, of course, so i decided to prove it. to cast a spell with the blackstaff itself. gale: from one perspective, i succeeded. i opened a portal. however, instead of pointing it at the first year dormitory, i found myself pulled into limbo, facing a very irritated death slaad. gale: fortunately, the blackstaff himself came to the rescue, hauling me back from the brink, and straight into several months of writing lines. or rather, finessing my autograph. gale: now, much as i enjoy reminiscing about such tomfoolery, i believe we've more pressing matters at hand. is there anything else?

this dialogue path from the epilogue has him speaking a bit more about those days as well:

gale & his days as a wayward apprentice

gale: teaching at blackstaff academy has proven such an unexpected pleasure. sometimes i find it hard to tear myself away. gale: just one of the myriad unexpected ways life has delighted me in recent months. gale: even my own city feels new to me, now that i share it with you. player: probably because i make you put down your quill once in a while and enjoy it. gale: that you do. i've not had so much fun in waterdeep since my own days as a wayward blackstaff apprentice. gale: you've certainly made quite the impression on my friends down at the yawning portal. the last i heard, they were thinking of naming a drink after you.

while he seems to have enjoyed a much richer social life in waterdeep before his time of isolation, it's mentioned in another epilogue banter (devnotes) that he didn't seek out any of the more dangerous parts of the city.

there are also other banters about gale's life in waterdeep before the game:

gale & the temple of beauty in waterdeep

gale: i must tell you, shadowheart, the bathing waters here leave much to be desired. gale: the ablutions offered at the temple of beauty in waterdeep are far superior. and they have the most excellent soaps. shadowheart: hmm. i was wondering why you always smelled like a wealthy dowager.

gale & spending time in the hospice of st. laupsenn

wyll: this was a hospital? feels more like a prison. gale: a common enough interpretation. sickness has a nasty habit of making you feel trapped, if only within the confines of your body. gale: i once spent weeks convalescing in the hospice of st. laupsenn after a nasty bout of ruddy pox. for all their kindness, leaving that place behind felt like freedom to me. wyll: i’ve always relied on the kindness of the healers and menders of the coast. better a cleric’s healing touch than a chirurgeon’s scalpel.

gale & florist

lae'zel: these flowers are quite vivid - not to mention, pungent. not to my liking. gale: are there no flowers in tu'narath? lae'zel: in the city of death, the mlar cultivate the fruiting bodies that sprout from the corpses of the slain. gale: i'd rather get them from my florist in waterdeep, if it's all the same to you.

i'm also including this banter between wyll and gale here because it speaks (even if somewhat joking) about his upbringing as a whole by morena:

wyll: i admire your courage, gale. gale: thank you. any particular reason? wyll: between the orb and the bug, you've got more than your fair share of unwelcome passengers. gale: what can i say? mother always taught me to be a gracious host.

we also know that he has had multiple tutors:

lae'zel: you strike me cleverer than most istiki, gale. multiple tutors, i should guess. gale: many a wise man and woman indeed. waterdeep is the home of myriad scholars. wyll: ah, the city of splendours. spent a whole fleetswake there with my father. what a delight.

hiring tutors appears to be relatively common in waterdeep:

so while this sadly wasn't what you were looking for, i hope this is helpful to some degree! 🖤

[booburry]

Madison's Folly// Part 2 // a Gale Dekarios Fic // WC 4.2k // Part 1 / Part 3 / Series Complete

Series Summary: Madison did not have a life of substance nor a life that invoked jealousy of the passing mind, but the few good things she had, she held dear. So when the man she loved unequivocally was left heartbroken by a goddess and a magical curse within his body, Madi found herself searching for any means to rid him of his life threatening burden, no matter the personal cost. For all magic, no matter the greatness, comes with a cost to match.

AKA Madison does something foolish to prove her love for Gale without seeing the stark irony of the situation until it's far too late to step back.

A/N: this fic has an iron grip on my heart, finished this one and am already partially completed with part 3 - I hope to have that out within the next few days. ♥ thank you to all who have read so far! I hope you continue to enjoy it (I honestly have loved writing the party banter so much! haha).

Tags: Angsty, Emotions, Unrequited Love, Established Friendship/Connection, Dialogue Heavy/Driven, Gale is moody and desperately in love, so much so that the guy isn't entirely thinking straight

“I don’t suppose you are coming to sit with me just for the company?” Gale asked Elminster as the old man groaned into a seated position.

“You know me better than that, my boy.” Elminster softly advised, a small twist of his hand causing the flames to rise and roar before settling into a calmer state. The old man gave a soft reminiscent laugh. “There was a time when a simple trick like that would have you two stop fighting.”

“Yeah, well…I gather we have grown more complicated since we were nine.” Gale muttered as he watched the flames continue to dance while still stuck in his own personal misery.

“Mmm…yes.” Elminster agreed, mulling over something in his mind. “It is a wonder it worked back then, even, but I find one’s mind always does venture to thinking of the more pleasant times, hmn? Especially when one may be,” he drew out the ‘e’ long enough Gale’s ears rung, “mmm, looking at bleaker outcomes, hmn?”

“Yes, yes!” Gale groaned at the insistent way Elminster always followed a fact with ‘hmn?’ as if it was a question or a proposed view that was meant to be disputed. He also groaned at the fact he knew the topic couldn’t be avoided and despite Gale being aware he should be grateful to be able to speak to a person who understood the subject matter at hand as intimately as Gale did himself, it only made things worse.

All of this only continued to feel worse.

“She shouldn’t have been so stupid.” He had better words to choose from, better choices of what to say, yet these were the first to force themselves through his lips. He regretted them, as he regretted many things in his life—seemingly more every day—but he would be dishonest if he didn’t admit it was the thought constantly racing through his head.

“I fear it is the destiny of many mortals to lack the necessary foresight when it comes to matters of the heart—it is one of the many things that separates us from the gods.” Gale was growing impatient, not wanting to be lectured or chastised by yet another for his unconventional relationship with his goddess, nor on how he was stupidly blind to Madison’s affection until he was cursed with this orb and far too unstable, both body and mind, to be with her.

Nobody, except for Tara perhaps, understood the pain it brought him to hear Madi’s countless confessions of love, of the promises to care for him, to accept him as he was, to not wish for Gale of Waterdeep or some child prodigy of magic, nor Mystra’s Chosen, but just Gale Dekarios…the mortal man. Never had he thought anyone capable of seeking him without the whimsy and power he brought, for the resources he had and what he had to offer.

But even when he managed to feel worthy of such compassion and embrace, he was reminded by the sinister voice in his head that if he wasn’t good enough for a goddess, then how could he be good enough for anyone else?

“You don’t understand.” Gale finally grumbled, feeling more like his boy-self than he had in ages as he dragged one of his legs so his knee was raised, his hand resting on top to act as a cushion for his chin. All he needed was a stick to draw runes in the sand with and this would be reminiscent of every night he camped under the stars with Elminster and Madi in his childhood.

He only needed, desperately, one piece to make the image complete.

Someone he expected to never see again.

“You don’t get to my age without understanding a little,” Elminster grumbled, offended at Gale’s claim before humming and straining his voice in contemplation before continuing with his point. “It is not I who you need to discuss these things with Gale, and we both know this.”

“I can hardly talk to someone who silenced my very words.” Gale retorted, still stuck in his misery and defeat. Silence lingered between the men, the light cracking of wood mixed with the rustling of leaves as Elminster hummed over Gale’s response and attitude. None of this did anything to settle Gale’s temperament.

“I know she will not appreciate me sharing, but I hardly see how I cannot,” Elminster stated, harshly clearing his throat, and handing Gale a small piece of parchment before continuing. “Here is a spell, crafted by Addy and I for the time she was searching for you in the Under Dark and out of reach of my sending spell—”

“She went to the Under Dark?” Gale asked, his curiosity overpowering his anger and discontent as he unfolded the parchment to read an incantation meant for one to visit another in their dreams.

“She thought you were going to…well—”

“Blow myself up?” Gale concluded, feeling guilty that it was the very thing he had intended to do if he wasn’t able to keep the orb stabilized. Further guilt was added with the realization of how well Madi really knew him, recognizing the connection he had brutishly squandered.

“Well…yes, but she had travelled there prior to you leaving your tower as well, Gale. It’s where she made some very short-sighted promises that she cannot walk away from. It is best,” Elminster quickly continued, seeing Gale open his lips to ask a question he could not answer, “that you ask her what was done, but I would warn you with being so quick to judgment and anger, my boy, for if you look closely enough you will see she has only done what you did for another.”

Elminster dipped his head to look at Gale directly, knowingly, with a peaked brow to emphasize the obvious, and truthful, point he was making.

“The question is then: Will you also cast her aside, as was done to you, for this folly of hers?”

~X~

It had been three days and the bloody spell hadn’t worked. Three days!

Every night Gale would cast it and sit in a meditative state, or mindlessly pace as his anxiety rose, as he waited to enter Madison’s dream. He knew he cast the spell correctly, spoke the words the right way, there was no doubt about that—so why wasn’t it working?!

It didn’t help his growing frustrations that he hadn’t slept for three days either, his companion's constant nagging for him to rest starting to piss him off to no end.

“We could really use a fireball right about now!” Astarion called out while they faced off against some spider monstrosity of a man. Gale just glowered at him, annoyed that Astarion chose right now to pester him about not regaining his more potent spells from resting, ensuring to cast Fire Bolt to prove a point. Astarion just groaned before cloaking himself in shadow and reappearing elsewhere to shoot a goblin dead.

The height of Gale’s frustration came from watching all of his companions huddled by Shadowheart’s tent, whispering together while Karlach flashed worried and determined glances toward Gale—something was coming his way. He peered at the parchment resting on the ground in front of him, feeling miserable in this sudden sea of loneliness he found himself in. Not only had he been chasing to speak with Madi to no avail, but he had also felt the absence of Mystra since the day he attempted to reach out to Madi and he didn’t entirely understand why.

Yes, she was there for every spell cast. Still, it was minimal, never a lingering touch or caress as she would have before…and it pained him, angered him even, that she would be so spiteful towards him so shortly after having ordered him to blow himself up to gain her forgiveness.

He cast the spell once more, paying attention for Mystra’s presence yet it was so faint and fleeting that he almost missed it.

“Curse you…” Gale muttered through gritted teeth and clenched fists—was she really taunting him with his unworthiness right this moment? Was she the thing stopping this spell from working? Or was he just that inept without her favour?

“Look, Gale...” Tav broke Gale’s fixation on his misery to look up and realize all of his companions had walked up to him, Tav leading the pack holding a wooden club. “It’s for the best, okay?” Tav moved before Gale’s sleep-deprived mind could catch up, a swift swing to the head and he was out cold—finally asleep.

~X~

“About time!” Madi called out to Gale as they stood in the open glade of her dream state. “It’s like you don’t sleep or something.”

“What?” Gale muttered as he slowly became present, absently rubbing his head expecting it to be sore or bruised, even bleeding, yet it was nothing but his curled hair. Only a short moment until his eyes went wide as they fell to Madi and he lurched up to his feet. “It worked?!” He exclaimed, giddy as a schoolboy.

Madi laughed, watching him with amusement and disbelief as she realized he never went to sleep after casting the spell each night, which is why she felt his calling to meet but he never arrived—but she couldn’t bring herself to tell him of his mistake, not wishing to bruise his fragile ego or wanting to start the conversation on the wrong foot.

“I guess Elminster gave you the spell?” Madi softly inquired, staying still where she stood while watching Gale take in his surroundings.

“I feel like I have been here before.” He muttered, no longer paying attention to anything other than his racing mind as he tried to recall what was familiar about the fabricated space they stood. In truth he had been here before, it was a glade within a forest they frequented with Elminster when going on ‘field studies’. It had been the place where Madi had felt most at peace, and where she had grown to fall in love with Gale.

"It's a dream, Gale—none of this has a purpose.” She lied, a pain of guilt striking her chest as she watched Gale quickly accept her words as fact.

“It doesn’t matter.” He told her with a smile. “I’m just happy to be able to speak with you.” Madi knew her anxiousness at the prospect of what he wanted to speak of was visible in her reaction to his words, Gale immediately hesitating his step towards her. “That is…if you wish to speak.” He corrected with a small laugh. “For all I know, you only came here to tell me off. Rightfully so…” he muttered at the end, casting his gaze down to the luscious green grass beneath his feet.

“It would feel unfair to turn you away after such dedication to reach me.” Madi kindly offered, giving way to the softer part of her heart and mind, pushing away the fear that Gale would abandon her. He just scoffed at her words.

“Three days hardly compares.” He clarified, his expression immediately wracked with guilt and before Madi could tell him to stop he launched into everything he had been stirring over. “I am so sorry Madi, I never should have done anything that I did when you—” Gale stopped speaking as if silenced by a spell as he reached to stand in front of her, his arms outstretched to hover beside her arms, his eyes wide with grief and regret, his mouth open in shock.

“I was selfish for longer than I should have been, more foolish than I ever thought myself capable, to not see you.” He confessed, one of his hovered hands raising to cup Madi’s tear-stained cheek. “I hardly feel worthy of it, your feelings for me, past or present—if still standing, that is—but I want to be, and whatever mess you got yourself into—”

Madi huffed a laugh, breaking her silence at how understated the word ‘mess’ described her situation. Something Gale seemed to catch onto as he pulled at her face until she looked directly at his large, desperate, eyes.

“I love you Madi, for longer than I ever realized, and I refuse to lose you now. We will figure it out—I promise.” This would have been the perfect moment to kiss him, to laugh and smile in joy, if it weren’t for the fact that Madi burst into tears and crumpled against Gale’s chest. He held her tightly as she wailed against him, Gale feeling his robes becoming damp, feeling her muscles tremble and shake when her voice failed her, finding himself unable to do anything else than continuously whisper, “I’m so sorry.”

It was hard to tell how long they stood there, Gale holding Madi with the intensity only a lover could hold one with, but they remained like that until her tears stopped and her eyes dried.

“I, uh…I think I am waking up.” She managed to mutter, still tightly gripping onto Gale’s robes. “I don’t want to go.” She meekly added, her fingers curling into tighter fists.

“May I visit you tomorrow night?” Gale softly asked, Madi simply nodding against his chest.

“Just make sure to fall asleep this time, silly.” She teased him through a sniffle, finally pulling away to look at him through puffed eyes. He smiled at her, soft and sweet, as he brushed a hand against her cheek before cradling it.

“Only because you asked so nicely.” He told her, hesitating for a moment before slowly leaning towards her but before their lips could connect, his eyes opened to look at the ceiling of his tent, letting out a long sigh yet finding himself feeling less burdened than before he was knocked unconscious by his friends.

A smile slowly spread across Gale’s lips as he thought of what tomorrow night could bring him.

~X~

“Do you understand the meaning of the word ‘irony’, Gale?” Astarion dryly asked a question everyone knew the answer to. “Because you’re doing it right now!” He wined, Gale’s head twisting in confusion.

“I’m doing irony? My, Astarion, for being as old as you are I would expect you to hold a basic understanding of the common tongue.” Gale chuckled, feeling himself in a much brighter mood than the past days he went sleepless, however, his companions weren’t quick to forget his refusal to sleep now that he was constantly asking them when they would take a break for the day.

“Let’s just put him to sleep already!” Astarion groaned to Tav, whose fingers already danced with pink light. “He’s becoming insufferable again and I hate it.” He continued but Gale only smiled and opened his arms wide.

“So long as you promise not to leave me laying out here in these cursed lands, I will gladly accept the assistance,” Gale advised, gleeful at the idea of being back with Madi. Even if she would not be asleep for some time, he would at least be waiting for her in a place where time would move quicker and he would be without this bickering.

“We’ll at least drag you out of the curse before dumping your body somewhere.” Tav encouraged with a toothy smile, Astarion belly laughing behind them.

“Reassuring, thank you.” Gale groaned, crossing his arms as he looked at the two chaotic lovers in front of him before turning to Karlach and Wyll who gave Gale a reassuring nod.

“Now that I won’t burn you to a crisp, I gotcha!” Karlach enthusiastically gave Gale a thumbs up to seal her promise to him.

“Let’s just…finish the task at hand then,” Gale concluded as he felt uneasy about trusting Karlach’s ability to embrace and hold another person without injuring them—not that she wasn’t trustworthy but rather the machine that was slowly killing her in her chest was untrustworthy, and Gale knew better than most to trust any unstable thing lodged in one's chest.

Astarion was the only one to dramatically groan at the change of action and Gale knew to just let him have his moment. Instead, he focused on the other matter that called his attention the moment he joked about not being left in it—the Shadow Curse.

The moment he stepped foot in these lands, his nose burnt from the smell of the magic that lingered and shaped their surroundings. At first, it felt threatening, and hungry, and how everyone else except Shadowheart described it: like invisible tendrils reaching out to grasp at you and drag you away. And it had continued to feel as such except for today—today was different.

He did not feel threatened or sense its hunger, nor did it try to grasp at him, yet he was still uncertain of what it was doing if it was doing anything at all. It was that thought that had Gale truly wonder if he was feeling the absence of the curse instead of an embrace or protection from it.

No matter what, it was strange, and Gale had no idea why it was happening. He only hoped it wasn’t because he fell from Mystra’s Grace that Shar’s magic now embraced him.

Shadow Weave. Gale thought to himself, his mind racing so fast he stopped in his tracks, his eyes fixated on an obsolete pebble on the path they walked as he leapt down a rabbit hole of thoughts that started with him recalling Madi’s confession, reliving the guilt of his reaction, jumping to last night and the happiness he felt, them reconnecting, and now the change in how the curse, powered by the same magic Madi called upon, reacted to him.

But…surely Madi did not have such powers or sway—this curse was old and powerful beyond even Gale’s comprehension or ability to cast; even at his prime. And for all of Madi’s magical prowess, she never bested Gale’s talents, so it was a preposterous notion…surely.

“Let’s keep it moving, soldier.” Karlach’s voice came from behind Gale who was then suddenly bear-hugged by large tiefling arms and lifted right off the ground. “We’re almost back at the inn, then you can have your little nap.” She told him, speaking to him like one would a baby.

“I am not a child!” Gale protested, pointlessly struggling against Karlach, who had more than double his strength.

“Says the man being carried by a tiefling that calls herself ‘Mama K’, ha!” Astarion chimed from the front, flashing a toothy and sarcastic grin at Gale, who just glowered as he fell limp within Karlach’s grip, surrendering himself to the moment. Instead, he took the moment to search within himself for a place of inner peace until they arrived back at the Last Light Inn.

“You put me down before the bridge,” Gale grumbled to Karlach.

“You got it, boss!”

~X~

Even though it was barely past supper, Gale could find no reason he wished to remain awake and promptly snuck away to where the party was to sleep, quickly taking a potion to ensure he found slumber quickly while placing a note along with a potion to wake him, should there be trouble, on the nightstand next to him.

Slowly Gale settled into bed with a deep sigh, feeling a mixture of excitement and longing for what was to come once his eyes fell shut. Something that, thankfully, arrived quickly.

“Eager to return, I see.” Madi greeted him with a playful tease, Gale waking to the sound with a weightless smile, wondering if he had ever heard anything sweeter.

“Truthfully, I wished to sleep the moment I woke but I also didn’t want to look completely desperate.” Gale laughed as he turned to look at Madi who was already a foot away from him, her inviting lips parted into a perfect smile, her eyes dancing with anticipation and desire.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing a bit of desperation from you,” Madi whispered to him as she found her way between his arms, her own sliding around Gale to hold him tightly.

“Oh, well…in that caseI have plenty, I assure you,” Gale announced all too enthusiastically, hesitating as he questioned if he should correct himself before he felt Madi lightly shake with a chuckle, his body immediately relaxing into equally embracing her. Once again the two of them stood in silence, holding the other and even though they may not physically be in the other's presence, it still felt real.

Gale was quickly reminded of what he had attempted to do the night before they were disconnected, swallowing the sudden lump in his throat forming at the idea of gathering the nerves to attempt it again, questioning if he should wait, or ask first, or if Madi even wanted such a thing. Surely she did by the way she held him and watched him with her beautiful and inviting expression.

Madi laughed, breaking Gale’s train of thought.

“How long are you going to think about kissing me before you actually do?” She teased him and Gale responded immediately by throwing all hesitations aside and diving into every desire he held for her. Tight was the grip his arms pinched her body with, a hand snatched to the back of her head, pressing her lips to his in such a heavenly moment Gale forgot it was in a dream.

Madi, with her own dire desires, did not need Gale’s encouragement or guidance as her tongue slipped between his lips, a soft moan escaping along with the motion that curled Gale’s insides into knots that would take a lifetime to untangle. It felt intoxicating to hold her, to feel her lips against his, more than any spell he had ever cast, more than any time in the Astral Plane—which was something far greater to contemplate than he could allow at this moment.

Something he very well intended to do, mind you…just not right now. Not while he held every object of his desires, not while he kissed her and soaked into her vast well of love.

Gale had never felt more lonesome than when her lips parted his.

“Did you mean it?” She asked him, her warm breath against his face as she asked him the vague question yet he immediately knew the subject of which she spoke of.

“I have been foolish in many ways, but never so foolish as to throw the l-word around without intention,” Gale informed her but he saw the flicker of doubt flash across her eyes. “I promise.” He pleaded with her, his visible and audible desperation making them both smile.

“I believe you now.” Madi half-heartedly teased but she wasn’t able to truly hide the lingering worry she felt.

“I want you to know that you could tell me anything. I promise not to react like the pompous idiot I was the last last time we spoke.” Madi chuckled, a brightness returning to her smile for a short moment before it faltered.

“Did…did Elminster tell you how this all came about?” Gale could sense her hesitation before she even pulled away from him, sitting down on the pillowy grass that covered the open glade. Gale took a deep breath before sitting next to her.

“No,” he paused, “I think he felt guilty enough giving me this incantation…besides, he said it was best I speak to you about it all.” Madi dipped her head at Gale’s words, her face twisting into an unreadable amusement.

“I betrayed him in worse ways, he could have told you the entire truth and I wouldn’t have held it against him.” He confessed after a breathy laugh.

“Will you tell me the whole truth?” Gale was quick to ask, immediately wanting to know what she was dealing with, wanting to begin devising a way to get her out of whatever and whoever she had promised, while also aware it was unfair of him to ask of such a confession. He was mostly aware of this fact when Madi hesitated before responding.

“Not yet.” She finally confessed. “I’m sorry,” she softly whispered, sorrow painted across her features, “I need you to wait a bit longer, but I am here in these lands Gale, and until we can be together in the flesh, it is not safe for me to speak of it.”

Gale leaned towards her the moment her face turned to look at him and he could see the tears welling in her eyes, immediately becoming weak and unable to resist the overwhelming desire to comfort her. Once again he embraced her, this time on his knees hunched over her as if to shield her from a world of pain.

Only when she seemed to settle did he pull away.

“I will not abandon you,” Gale promised her in all the seriousness he could muster. “I will find you and we will settle this,” he continued as he looked desperately at Madi, her eyes welling with tears once again as she listened to his words, “I will protect you and I will save you, I swear it!”

Gale watched as Madi smiled at his words, the tears falling fiercer than before, but the thing he noticed most was how she didn’t react, didn’t respond, to his promises. She nodded and smiled to appease Gale, but he could tell, to his deep horror and grief, that she didn’t believe a lick of it possible.

Tag list: @fangbangerghoul, @bearlytolerant, @endersnailz ♥ Hope you all enjoy!

[galefcrce]

( @tarathemagnificent ) She searched frantically. Where was he? Where had he gone? One moment Gale had been in her sights. She left to hunt and he was gone. Tara would be damned if he escaped. When she found him her eyes widened and her little heart stopped.

Her ears folded back and she laid herself across his chest. "I won't let you do this alone. How dare you break my heart like this."

@tarathemagnificent ¦ yeaaah....

It was too much, the agony of grief. Gale grieved the loss of a life he once knew, the pain of his fall from grace competing with the physical agony of the orb. Once a great wizard of Waterdeep, he was now a shell of a man who could only find solace in oblivion. A month had passed since his encounter with the orb, yet Gale could see no light at the end of his tunnel. The walls were closing in, suffocating him.

But that morning, he made a decision. It would be over by nightfall. The thought brought a sense of relief to the wizard. There may be no light for him, but soon he wouldn't need to stumble in the dark any longer. He left his tower, even visited his mother for lunch, sharing a pot of tea as they reminisced about Gale's youth. An amusing story about singed clothing and the loss of half an eyebrow brought a moment of joy. Gale wanted his last moments with her to be happy, to cherish their time together.

Morena was always so proud of him. He wondered if she would ever understand the gravity of his decision. The pain of a parent losing their child was something no one should experience, but it was the cost of Gale's recklessness. He hugged his mother tightly before returning to the tower, leaving behind an empty promise of seeing her again soon.

Tara's dinner was to be excellent, a well-deserved meal for his beloved Tressym, his oldest friend and most loyal confidant. He ensured her bowls were full of water and food, not wishing her to go hungry in his absence. He considered packing a bag, but what would be the point? Anything he carried with him would be destroyed in his demise.

Instead, he spent his last few minutes in Waterdeep scribing letters to his mother and Tressym. His hand shook as he fought back the nagging voice in his mind, knowing how much his loss would hurt them. He poured his apologies into the letters, his love and respect for them evident in every word.

Each letter was folded and sealed in an envelope left on his desk. Then, without looking back, he left the City of Splendors behind, embarking on his final adventure. He lay in the grass, gazing up at the stars and wondering if Mystra even dared to glance back. The truth was likely that she only had concern for the orb.

That's why Gale sought out a remote location in the wilderness, where no one ought to reside. His fingers traced along the hilt of a blade, the one he planned to use for his last act. Then he heard the rustle of grass, not like the dance of a breeze, but the approach of someone—or something.

His weariness dulled his reactions, and by the time he glanced at the approaching creature, he was met with a flurry of emotions. It was Tara—he was astounded, worried, relieved, and filled with dread. His fingers uncurled from the blade to brush through her fur.

"Tara, you shouldn't be here," he murmured. He knew her plan, to stay with him until the feelings passed. He wouldn't dare release the cataclysm of the orb with his best friend by his side. She was right; it might take time, but his senses would return, and Gale would leave the woods with his Tressym, alive.