#Gale defence

[dreamingofthewild]

💅

Something else about Gale’s evil ending is I just knew people would take him throwing away his earring and trashing the Mystra statue was going to be taken as a “Leaving Mystra is the bad choice, see? It’s in his evil ending!”

Larian DOES kind of treat Gale a bit dirty when it comes to Mystra. The entire theme of the game is all companions have been taken advantage of by someone, Gale is not the random who isn’t including in this. Larian just didn’t pull it off well because his good ending does include being back in some form of Mystra’s good graces despite spending the entire game rejecting her for what she did to him. This ending I think doesn’t represent rejection of Mystra being a bad thing though, I think it’s just a way to show Gale being so consumed by his hurt that he decides to approach Mystra and perhaps even the other gods with harm. In the end, I’m upset the only ending we get of him removing his earring is in his *evil* ending….

I’ve seen folks argue that Mystra cannot be abusive because they met as adults (as if that solidifies the massive power imbalance, the in game line that Gale thought it was love and didn’t know any better, that he’s been worshipping her since he was a child and she was at the very least aware of him since childhood), that when he was told to sacrifice himself by her to earn her form of forgiveness, he had a “choice”, as if it wasn’t completely set up against him by being a request from his GODDESS WHOM HE WORSHIPS, coming from his very close companion or even father figure, already being suicidal and believing that is the only method he can save the world, or that because since Mystra isn’t made out to be as bad as someone like Cazador or Shar she can’t be bad (which ignores all in game dialogue of our companions rejecting and hating Mystra for her choices against Gale, and once more Gale was done a bit dirty) so this evil ending will just solidify for a lot of people that Gale somehow is the one who just doesn’t fit into the massive abused people narrative. They can have their own interpretations, that’s fine, I just think that comes with ignoring a lot of in-game content that directly counters their arguments. Mystra wasn’t even good to Elminster (who she met as a child as well) or other mortals…

Firstly, I hear ya, but I don't think Larian treats Gale all that dirty. I think Act III is bloated with non character enhancing quests and he gets a little bit yucked by that (but he's still ahead of Karlach and Wyll in that respect because thank God both Gale and Tim Downie are Certified Yappers). Would've loved some way for Gale to run into other Chosens of Mystra, discarded or otherwise, and I think that the Book of Karsus being locked down where we deal with Rolan and Lorroakan points to SOMEONE at Larian wanting to drive that point home. It's Larian who has EVERY companion- even Wyll & Karlach who are our most morally and emotionally stable, even Lae'zel & Shadowheart who are our most sadomasochistic devouts- point out that Mystra and Elminster are bitches. Larian is just a little clumsy at how it handles endings that can't be an ending because trauma doesn't really have a smooth end. Only Shadowheart gets the needed wind down period (& I guess Astarion if you romance him but I actually hate that that's tied to romance for him but what am I gonna do, try to have a dialogue with vocal pool of Astarion romancers who just want to water him down to Customize An Abusive Boyfriend? No, I am not).

Secondly, if I worried myself about what Someone Has To Defend A Literal God Against The Horror Of Her Discarded Chosen Who Was Groomed Academically and Spiritually From Childhood Finding An Ounce of Self Esteem and Non Conditional Fellowship illiterates thought/did, I would get nothing else done and frankly I would've turned to a life of crime over it by now. There have been edgy, insipid, contrarian, hateful lil snot rags on this earth for thousands of years. They can put Taylor Swift lyrics over as many sex pests as they want. They can continue to think that the Gone Girl Cool Girl Monologue™️ (the movie, they can't read) is the same thing as reading Audre Lorde. It simply means nothing to me if gender essentialist pop feminists grapple with greater themes and contradictions because I don't concern myself with what that kind of ignorant person does. They ultimately have no reach outside of their circlejerks and as someone who HAS survived complex grooming, abuse, and the resulting shaming, their victim blaming is very Silly Asshole 101 to me. It's almost adorable. It's solidified for my dog-niece that the front yard will kill her & nothing bad can happen in backyard but that ain't because it's true, it's cause she's a little dumb, bless her heart, you feel me?

That being said, my pinned post has plenty breaking down the power dynamics and clear parallels to real world academic/religious abuse & DV between Gale and Mystra if you'd like to break it open for a good egg who has just never unpacked abuse before! I just don't think people who support women wrongs a la Mystra when Shadowheart and Lae'zel are RIGHT THERE BEGGING YOU TO are worth anyone's effort.

[sophsun1]

Queer as Folk – 2.15: Rage Against This Machine

[vigilskeep]

imagine being morena dekarios and tara with this run’s morghaine. you’re worried about your boy after his terrible relationship and terrible breakup with the goddess of magic and he shows back up a year or two later with a ranger who hunts mages. talk about overcorrection

[dreadfulsanity]

I may have just accidentally founded the Gale Dekarios Defence Army.

Who wants to join?

[emmavakarian-theirin]

you've heard of

"is that jesus"

"is that hozier"

got asked today "is that gerard butler?"

[leohnoz]

Random Dump 7

1-4: Random Art

5-8: Dragon story stuff

9-10 : Envy and Meep

11: Mushrooms Malice concept characters

12: Moth Flight

[inmydrcams]

fandom: gale is all anger actual book gale:

“Gale knows his anger at Madge is misdirected. On other days, deep in the woods, I’ve listened to him rant about how the tesserae are just another tool to cause misery in our district. A way to plant hatred between the starving workers of the Seam and those who can generally count on supper and thereby ensure we will never trust one another. “It’s to the Capitol’s advantage to have us divided among ourselves,” he might say if there were no ears to hear but mine. If it wasn’t reaping day. If a girl with a gold pin and no tesserae had not made what I’m sure she thought was a harmless comment.”

“I think of Gale, who is only really alive in the woods, with its fresh air and sunlight and clean, flowing water. I don’t know how he stands [the mines]. Well…yes, I do. He stands it because it’s the way to feed his mother and two younger brothers and sister. And here I am with buckets of money, far more than enough to feed both our families now, and he won’t take a single coin.”

“Gale never interrupts. While I talk, he tucks the gloves in his pocket and occupies himself with turning the food in the leather bag into a meal for us. Toasting bread and cheese, coring apples, placing chestnuts in the fire to roast. I watch his hands, his beautiful, capable fingers. Scarred, as mine were before the Capitol erased all marks from my skin, but strong and deft. Hands that have the power to mine coal but the precision to set a delicate snare. Hands I trust.”

“He steps in and I feel myself lifted off the ground. The room spins, and I have to lock my arms around Gale’s neck to brace myself. He’s laughing, happy. “Hey!” I protest, but I’m laughing, too.”

“Well, with an uprising in District Eight, I doubt he’s spending much time choosing my wedding cake!” I shout. The instant the words are out of my mouth I want to reclaim them. Their effect on Gale is immediate—the flush on his cheeks, the brightness of his gray eyes. “There’s an uprising in Eight?” he says in a hushed voice.”

“Gale steps into the picture on Sundays, although he’s got no love for Peeta or Haymitch, and teaches us all he knows about snares.”

“Katniss,” Gale says softly. I recognize that voice. It’s the same one he uses to approach wounded animals before he delivers a deathblow. I instinctively raise my hand to block his words but he catches it and holds on tightly. “Don’t,” I whisper. But Gale is not one to keep secrets from me. “Katniss, there is no District Twelve.”

“It was Gale who thought of the Meadow, one of the few places not filled with old wooden homes embedded with coal dust. He herded those he could in its direction, including my mother and Prim. He formed the team that pulled down the fence—now just a harmless chain-link barrier, with the electricity off—and led the people into the woods. He took them to the only place he could think of, the lake my father had shown me as a child. And it was from there they watched the distant flames eat up everything they knew in the world.”

“I’m afraid of Gale’s answer, but I ask anyway. “Why do you think [Peeta] said it?” “He might have been tortured. Or persuaded. My guess is he made some kind of deal to protect you. He’d put forth the idea of the cease-fire if Snow let him present you as a confused pregnant girl who had no idea what was going on when she was taken prisoner by the rebels. This way, if the districts lose, there’s still a chance of leniency for you. If you play it right.” I must still look perplexed because Gale delivers the next line very slowly. “Katniss…he’s still trying to keep you alive.”

“Whatever reason Peeta had for saying those things, he’s wrong.” The stupid sticks won’t go in the box and I snap several in my frustration. “I know. Give it here. You’re breaking them to bits.” He pulls the box from my hands and refills it with swift, concise motions.”

“Gale sets his tray beside me and I try not to stare at his turnips too pathetically, because I really want more, and he’s already too quick to slip me his food. Even though I turn my attention to neatly folding my napkin, a spoonful of turnips slops into my bowl.”

“Fulvia gives us a wave, and Gale and I follow her and Plutarch out into the hall. “So well intended, and yet so insulting,” Gale whispers in my ear.”

“If you really want to impress Posy, you’ll have to dye yourself bright pink,” says Gale, thumping his tray down beside me. “That’s her favorite color.” Posy giggles and slides back down to her mother. Gale nods at Flavius’s bowl. “I wouldn’t let that get cold. It doesn’t improve the consistency.” Everyone gets down to eating. The stew doesn’t taste bad, but there’s a certain sliminess that’s hard to get around. Like you have to swallow every bite three times before it really goes down. Gale, who’s not usually much of a talker during meals, makes an effort to keep the conversation going, asking about the makeover. I know it’s his attempt at smoothing things over. ”

“Haymitch reaches out and squeezes my shoulder. “It’s all right. We’re going to try to get Peeta out.” […] “Haymitch finally drops the good-natured act. “You know who else, Katniss. You know who stepped up first.” Of course I do. Gale.”

[danielnelsen]

guys im worried my party doesnt have enough buffs :(

[angry-eevee]

You can see how BG3 has infected our regular DND group because a plot point came up concerning Mystra and the whole table was like "Oh no not that biiiiiiitch"

[nojaloart]

caved!! my sweet sweet durge paladin who accidentally broke his oath and killed gale within seconds of meeting him. oops 😬

[elizabethrobertajones]

why is it that on my Dark Urge play I end up with my poor Durge lying dead on the floor outside sorcerous sundries while Minsc and Karlach are in the eeby deeby and Shadowheart with her negative charisma is being arrested for crimes Durge committed and is banned from the wizard shop forever, and all I wanted to do was sell some junk from our inventory

[catinfroghat]

Problematic faves:

- Shiv Roy

- Wilson Wilson Utopia

- Mr Ripley (Talented)

- Anthy Himemiya

- Gale Breaking Bad (Libertarian :/)

[lacanneetlepee]

[dreamingofthewild]

*sigh* are people really still out there saying Gale wasn't abused or groomed? We all know that if Gale and Wyll were women and Mizora and Mystra men, there would be no issue.

If anyone is interested in learning more, here are some meta posts about Gale's relationship with Mystra and how Mystra has a pattern of seducing her chosen so they're more compliant. And that Elminster is just another one of her puppets.

So one thing I notice on Twitter is how some people act about the bg3 characters whose abuses were perpetuated by women.

Gale specifically for this reason (but I will touch on others)bbecause I see him dismissed super often as "can't get over his ex".

I don't have the screenshots rn but once I grab them, I'll edit them in or reblog with the pics labeled.

But Gale's case obviously be has the line of Mystra being like "she was my muse, my teacher, and then my lover" and sure to some that's a red flag in itself (when it comes to adults I don't really give a fuck about teacher/student) but if you view it from not only Gale's own words "ive been connected with the weave for as long as i can remember"

And that doesn't distract from his genuine love of magic of course. And it also doesn't mean that he's actually been in connection with mystra for an amount of time.

However, if you ascend Gale, and he becomes a god, you get a bunch of new little things. Tara reminiscing of course, but you get a letter from Elminster, detailing that Mystra had Elminster scope out Gale when he was eight!

And sure is that pretty cool that he's a prodigy that got the attention of the goddess of magic at that age? Yes. Mystra is, however, known in forgotten Realms lore to seek young young boys who are in tune with magic to make into her chosen. And from context clues, her chosen can be anything from Elminster and Volo, dedicated wizards who try to keep things in check, etc etc. or they're somewhat of playthings to her.

Gale always seems so proud that he got to bed a goddess, and on the surface, hell yeah, that's cool.

Gale continued to have her attention even as he went to Blackstaff Academy, and Mystra eventually did take him on as an apprentice directly to her, later making him her chosen, and sleeping with him.

The reason it bothers me that people dismiss all of Gale's stuff to just "he can't get over his ex" is because that's is like almost textbook grooming? She was in his life from a young age, shaping and moulding him up as he grew up to be her perfect chosen, rewarding him by sleeping with him, and so on. And then of course casting him away when he has his folly with the netherese orb (and to be fair, it very well could have looked like to her that he was trying to seize the power himself and yes the orb does siphon off weave. That is a problem for the mistress of the weave yes).

But she also tells gale to KILL HIMSELF for her forgiveness.

Gale is much more than "unable to be over his ex" this woman was in his life since he was a kid. She's almost all he has ever known. If course it's going to be difficult for him to 1. Say no to her. 2. Get over the fact that he's lost someone that he spent his literal entire life dedicated to. Honestly if asked, I don't even think Gale would acknowledge or really see that what he went through was, in fact, abuse until it was spelled out in front of him. (Which does happen somewhat with the player character pleading to him that killing himself for mystra's forgiveness is actually horrific and that he should in fact be angry for how he was treated)

Similarly, and this one has been discussed a lot, Wyll and Mizora. Wyll was 17 and actively trying to help his people. 17, in a vulnerable state, willing to do anything to help and prove himself. Mizora very clearly took advantage of him, and regards him as a "pet", refers to him being "leashed", and so on. Personally, I do dislike the sexualization of their relationship, because it very much is also grooming (although a different type. Rather than manipulating and shaping his life from the ground up, she takes advantage of a vulnerable and desperate state to manipulate and contract Wyll into doing her bidding. I won't go too deep I to this one because it has been discussed to hell and back. But I did wanna touch on Wyll's situation as well.

Also, Halsin as well, though that has also been discussed in many retrospectives by a very good friend of mine. (If I get permission to, I'll link the retrospectives here.) Halsin's trauma often get dismissed due to his polyamory, open sexual nature, and his own somewhat diminishing/dismissal of it, which honestly I love the representation of, cause for a while I did that with my own trauma. Halsin was a sex slave to a house of Lolth-Sworn drow, a matriarchal society, where the men are generally used as fodder or for breeding, though male Lolth-Sworn drow can be wizards and rise in the ranks if wizardry, but are limited everywhere else. (Minthara mentions that the third male, and every subsequent male child after third are killed for being"useless"). Halsin often referred to them as "hosts" rather than being captors, (though he does touch on that if the Player Character threatens to sell him back into slavery). Again, everything I'd have to say here for Halsin has entirely been discussed top to bottom by a friend, so I'll have to ask them if I can link to their posts.

Anyway, long story short, I dislike it a lot when Gale, Wyll, and Halsin's traumas and abuses get diminished, even if/when the character themself doesn't see or acknowledge the abuse in the same lens that we, the players, do.

[tenojan-in-tevinter]

Viktor just read a book that said you should be totally obedient to your elders and he immediately threw it in a river. I'm so proud of him