#thunderweave

Silly, stubborn wizards

One moment they are arguing and the next they are kissing

Here's how I think they would work;

Shadowheart- the princess and the fallen angel. Star-crossed lovers, like a Greek tragedy.

I think that there's a poetic tragedy in that they have both marked deeply by divine manipulation from a young age. They have both been punished by their respective goddesses, and carry a certain level of guilt about them (Gale the orb, and Shadowheart battling with her own morality).

I think they would both recognise the tactics of the other's Goddess, where they can't in their own. They would recognize the same grief in each other, and it would create a kind of unspoken tenderness. They would understand each other.

Shadowheart's reserved nature pairs well with Gale’s openness; he draws out her softness, while she grounds his idealism in quiet realism. Shadowheart seems genuinely pained at the thought of Gale sacrificing himself to the orb, while Gale always speaks of her with admiration.

I think their romance would be really sweet. They have a beautiful emotional arc together, which would be really interesting explore. In another life, they have been forbidden lovers. Their are also religious themes to play upon.

As a Tav Gale will join you if you choose to adventure, which Shadowheart does. I also think he could do with getting out of his tower and seeing the world.

Wyll - the hopeless romantics. The type of heroic romance from an Arthurian legend.

Firstly, I think Wyll does a lot of things that would earn Gale’s approval. They both are a good slow burn, and they have many things in common. Like poetry, enjoying a good glass of wine, dancing, and stargazing.

There's also something compelling in the dynamic of a hero who secretly desires to be swept off his feet (Wyll), and Gale, who deeply longs to love someone with intensity and to be cherished equally in return. They’re both self-sacrificial, but rather than enabling this, they balance each other. Gale’s thoughtful deliberation complements Wyll’s occasional hesitance in decision-making.

Wyll’s sacrifice of his freedom for others’ safety mirrors Gale’s sacrifice of his pride and his body in the name of love for Mystra. Both have been used by forces bigger than themselves, wearing their smiles like armour.

Gale would be deeply charmed by Wyll’s unbroken spirit - how he refuses to let cynicism poison him. Wyll, meanwhile, would be fascinated by Gale’s vulnerability hidden beneath the mask he wears.

Even if Gale hesitates to journey into the hells alongside Wyll and Karlach, he would absolutely support them. I can also see Ulder Ravengard and Morena Dekarios bonding over their sons' relationship, which is heart warming.

I think Wyll is almost tailor made to be a healthy partner for Gale. They share values like kindness and honour, and still chose to be good, hopeful people despite being manipulated by greater powers. I think they would uplift each other and build a relationship on trust, admiration, and friendship.

Lae'zel - the brain and the ???. Volatile, but transformative.

I really like the Mage x Fighter dynamic. Gale and Lae’zel share common ground through their troubled relationships with their respective goddesses. Both have been treated as sacrificial pawns, valued only for their utility. Together, they'd discover their worth beyond mere tools of powerful beings.

They are both intelligent but express it differently. Gale seems very interested in the astral realm, and the Githyanki. I also think that their differing personalities work well together.

Lae’zel’s blunt honesty cuts through Gale’s tendency toward introspection, encouraging him toward direct action. Gale softens Lae’zel’s rigid outlook, teaching her gentleness and the value of compassion alongside strength.

By the end, their love would be about freedom: Lae’zel learning she’s more than a soldier, and Gale learning he’s more than a tool for divine approval. They could become each other’s first real choice after a lifetime of obligations. They could transform each other, I think, for the better.

Even if Gale doesn’t directly join her against Vlaakith, he’d lend magical aid and support.

Astarion - a fine line between love and hate. Gothic romance.

This is interesting, because I really do think that they both ''see'' each other at the very start of the game, which causes friction. However, if they can communicate with each other, they have the chance to form a beautiful relationship.

I have written about their dynamic before, so I will not go into it again. But they both have things in common, and they would recognize something achingly familiar in each other: the deep terror of being forgotten, the desperate need to be seen. To be really seen, and not just for what they can give others. They both need validation and to find a way back to themselves.

Both of them have grappled with isolation, and they both require something from the player character. They both desire redemption and autonomy. I think Astarion can get Gale to see how uncaring the God's are, and his cynical nature would cause Gale to see things in a different light. I also think Gale's open-mindedness and desire to do good for the sake of it and not for heroics would have a positive impact on Astarion.

They do actually have nice things to say to each other, especially in their origin playthroughs. Gale respects Astarion's autonomy and supports him feeding on enemies. Astarion might heaven selfish reasons for wanting Gale to stay alive at first, but he would convince him to defy Mystra.

For Astarion, Gale would be the first person who loved his mind over his body - someone who adored his wit, his humour, his cleverness. For Gale, Astarion would be someone who loved him for who he is and not his magic.

I also think they would both get along with someone who provides them with an intellectual challenge, and sees the other as an equal, which they provide each other with.

They both see through each other's masks- and prefer what's underneath to that mask. They can set boundaries for each other, which would be healthy in the long run.

I think Gale would help find a way for Astarion to walk in the sun again, and he would also give Astarion a proper home for the first time. Like in Shadowheart's ending, Gale can also join Astarion on adventure's, or into the Underdark.

There is so much going on with this ship. It could be tragic, or redemptive, they save each other or damn each other, depending on their choices, and it makes SO interesting to explore. I know some people hate it, but sometimes stories with high tension are much more rewarding.

Karlach - the bomb squad. The bittersweet romance, like a dramady.

I think Gale and Karlach would be very wholesome together. They both have bombs in their chest, but they act very differently in the face of death.

I think that Karlach’s big-hearted nature would be so healing for Gale’s inner guilt and self-seriousness. She would drag him out to dance, laugh, live instead of wallowing on the edge of the void.

On the other hand, Gale would do everything in his power to try and help her, and I think he would bring some stability in her life. They are a good balance of joy and reflection. Or the balance between wanting to live life fully now vs. trying to fix things obsessively and forgetting to live.

Their love would be fast, fierce, and unbearably tender. Nights spent talking under the stars, Karlach daring Gale to shout his dreams to the sky; Gale whispering spells into her heart, promising to find a way.

The tragedy is that time might not be on their side. But their love would burn bright and beautiful, and even if the world ended tomorrow, they would have lived.

Once again, there is so much to explore here, because will they save each other or burn together?

Halsin - nature and nurture. Introspective, tender, healing.

I am not massively into this ship, so please forgive me.

I think they both carry regret around with them, and are trying to atone for something they did in the past. Yet they respond to it differently. Halsin embraces the present, while Gale clings to the past. I think Gale would admire Halsin’s strength and wisdom, and Halsin would appreciate Gale’s endless curiosity and idealism.

There's also something about Gale having his head in the clouds, while Halsin's is firmly on the ground.

Halsin is very physically affectionate and straightforward, while Gale is more flowery and romantic. I also think Halsin could teach Gale to open up more. Halsin's patience and wisdom would be a balm for Gale's self-worth issues. He would encourage Gale to love himself. He would ground Gale, and help him slow down.

They would build a relationship based on respect: nights spent discussing philosophy, mornings gathering herbs for potions, afternoons tending gardens and libraries alike.

Their life together would be simple but rich. I think this is another sweet, healing ship.

Minthara - the fallen and the damned. Tragic passion.

I have not done a playthough yet with Minthara so, once again, please forgive me.

They could have a very intense dynamic. Both are ambitious, and understand the appeal and danger of power.

Their relationship would involve choice: Gale choosing to see the vulnerability underneath Minthara’s ruthlessness, and Minthara choosing to trust someone who offers tenderness without weakness.

They would challenge each other constantly - Gale tempering Minthara's brutality with compassion, Minthara sharpening Gale's idealism with reality. It could be a love built on mutual growth.

Like Astarion, there is so much potential for them to make each other worse as well as better, which makes the dynamic interesting to explore.

Bonus -

Rolan - two wizards walk into a bar. Pride & Prejudice vibes.

I am not that into Rolan, but I know people ship it, so I will try.

Gale and Rolan are both very proud, very intelligent mages — but they deal with their insecurities differently. Rolan's bitterness could easily clash with Gale's more polished, professorial attitude. But if they worked through that, they could have a fierce respect for each other.

Imagine them tutoring students together, bickering like old married couples over magical theory, or challenging each other to spellcasting contests. Gale would be good for Rolan's self-esteem if he learned to offer encouragement, and Rolan could keep Gale humble in a way few others can. It's a relationship that would burn at first, but mellow into something deep and steady.

I can see Gale staying at Sorcerer's Sundries, and helping Rolan. He would be in his element.

....

So you have different dynamics between them.

Ships with high drama, emotional risk, a push-pull dynamic, and character growth - Astarion, Minthara, and Shadowheart.

Ships that are sweet, uplifting, steady, and healing - Wyll, Halsin, and Karlach.

Ships that are snarky, have rivalry, and smart dialogue - Rolan and Lae'zel.

“your nails are scratching me”

“well, your beard is scratching me”