I love this mechanic. It's new and unique, it forces you to make hard choices (which usually is only limited to the game's story and here it touches on game mechanics), it get's you really invested in his story if you choose to participate. I love it - good job Larian!
I love the mechanic also. And it gives extra incentive to do some side questing and find unusual magical loot. It so rare for a game to put loot you have collected at risk.
I don't get all the Gale hate . . . I like the guy, he didn't make the best decisions but he's paying for it now and I feel sorry for him and want to help. And sure Gale has an over inflated opinion of himself, but from what I can tell, so do most of us posting on this forum!
