#just like kerri - mystra's crime is being a bitch

[bitchesgate3]

In the context of fanon’s reception to the launch version of Gale’s story, this reads a certain way, but watching the vid in its entirety shows that Gale’s story was more straight forward in Early Access.

In Early Access, Gale and Mystra are portrayed as exes. Gale feels special and loved because a goddess of all things chose him. When she more or less breaks up with him (for reasons entirely her own) he is (and especially metaphorically) heartbroken, because being chosen felt like love to him.

Larian uses side quests in BG3 to emphasize the stories of the companions. There are always side characters that are in similar situations to them. What is most applicable here, is the “Free the Artist” quest being very much an allegory to Gale’s relationship with Mystra, which is the context of the Gale confession.

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Oskar: I can't say I've ever been bought before - how much did I fetch?

Oskar: No, don't tell me. There is nothing so depressing as learning one's true value.

Oskar: Well, you should at least know what you've paid for. I am the Oskar Fevras, at your service.

Tav: And I am [Tav].

Oskar: A genuine pleasure. I'm in your debt - as is my patron. My betrothed, I should say.

Oskar: Assuming Lady Jannath still wishes to marry after our little... falling out.

*You recall a recent scandal - a patriar of Baldur's Gate who wished to marry a commoner.*

Tav: You're Lady Jannath's runaway groom?

Oskar: I did not run away - a date was never set. There were... complications.

Oskar: Before my fame, my patron, there was... another woman. One I planned to spend my life with.

Oskar: But when Lady Jannath offered me a future, well... it felt only right to mention my past.

Oskar: Right, but unwise. I was forced to retreat into the countryside. To paint, and clear my head. To choose, I suppose.

Tav: And what choice did you make?

Oskar: Hm? Oh, absolutely none. Fame and wealth suit me very well, no doubt.

Oskar: And yet I think of that first love, and... I hesitate. Likely I'm going mad.

Oskar: Regardless! We have more immediate concerns - your reward once I've returned to the city, for one.

Oskar: Say - I don't suppose you could spare some coin, could you? Ease the discomforts of the road some?

Tav: I can spare a little.

Oskar: A hero to the hilt. Seek me out in the city, truly - beneath my brush, you'll live forever.

Oskar: Until Baldur's Gate, then!

End

The parallels are thus: Oskar is insecure about his value. His partner is dating below her station. Oskar is given fame just for being patroned/sponsored by her. Her patronage allows his artistry to be put in the spotlight. When partnered with her, Oskar is in access to higher standing. When offered with the potential for a deeper relationship, he feels “madness” because he “irrationally” confesses about his previous love. Because in truth, he is not over this past love. He flees his angry partner. Oskar is torn between one woman who puts him in access to fame and prestige, and another woman whom he genuinely wanted to spend his life with.

Why did this change? Why is this parallel seemingly less emphasized in launch version? Back in EA, there was a vocal and valid criticism about the fact that Gale would tell you his confession story after the Party night. In the video linked, Tav romanced Astarion, but if you romanced Gale himself – he ended up mechanically telling you about still being in love with Mystra AFTER sleeping with you.

Additionally, there is the implication that the “Free the Artist” parallel extended to Gale needing to choose between Mystra, who gave him fame, and Tav, who gave him love and acceptance.

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Removing the exes most likely helped to emphasize the one-on-one, undistracted intimacy between player and character. But this had the effect of emphasizing the next biggest aspect of Gale and Mystra’s relationship, which is the fact that she’s a god.

What gets lost in translation is that the power she has over Gale gets emphasized when really the story is about the power he gives her in dictating his sense of self worth. As many wizards jockey to be known as the best wizard in all the realms - what better wizard is there than the suitor of the goddess of magic herself? Chosen of Mystra. For her to revoke what felt like love to him – making him feel like king of the world – to revoke that made him feel as if he were nothing. And his insecurities intensify as he believes it throughout the game.

This is a story of two people being intimate, and one of them catching feelings. Exes. A messy break up. Because Larian only retro-actively scrubbed the emphasis out, the subtext is still there. Gale’s love is heavy. As he says, he does not use the word "love" lightly.

Upon removing the storyline where Gale was still “caught up on his ex” this same story feels as if Mystra is abusing her power when in actuality Gale has an ache "balled up within his chest" that longs for what was lost. An ache that fears that without her favor, he is no one.

Gale's Revelation (cut scene from Early Access)

source

Gale: (upon propositioning the player and being rejected in favor of another) I.. I see. He's a lucky man. Loyalty is such a... Such a very rare commodity.

Gale: Apologies, I really did think you and I... But no. Perhaps it's for the better. In fact I'll let you be the judge of that. After all, I still have a story to tell.

Gale: It is a story full of answers long overdue. It is the story of a man who fell in love with a goddess.

Player: Very well, I'll play along. Regale me, Gale.

Gale: Thank you.

Gale: Once upon a time, not quite that long ago, there lived a wizard in a tower. The wizard was what one might call a prodigy, who from an only age could not only control the Weave, but compose it, much like a musician or poet. Such was his skill that it earned him the attention of the mother of magic herself. The Lady of Mysteries. Mystra.

Player: What did Mystra's attention feel like?

Gale: Love.

Gale: Perhaps it was not quite love, but, you see, the wizard was but a very young man. It was most certainly love to him. Mystra showed him the secrets beneath the veils. The gossamer veils first, draped across the Weave. The delicate veils next, draped across her body. 'Chosen One' she whispered, as she slipped them off completely.

Player: The veils draped across the Weave?

Gale: Indeed. What most wizards perceive is but the ripple of the Weave's surface. Untold wonders lie beyond. I enjoyed them for a while. As we enjoyed each other.