That's Gale's version of the story. I suspect he's lying / telling a half truth.
The game is treating Netherese Magic as synonymous with shadow magic but they're not identical. There's the Mystryl-controlled weave and the Shar-controlled shadow weave. If you are playing Pathfinder: Wrath the shadow weave is the force behind spells like shadow conjuration.
The shadow weave is the dark reflection of the weave and a cancer on it. Wherever the weave expands it eats away at the weave. It's part of Shar's centuries long campaign to kill Mystra and end all of existence. The more people using the shadow weave the more the cancer spreads and the weaker Mystra becomes . . .
Every time you use the shadow weave you distance yourself from the true weave and eventually you will be unable to cast spells using the weave. You are linked into the Shadow weave -- Shar then permanently removes 2 wisdom points which can only be restored by a Sharran cleric in exchange for a service to Shar.
Now the Shadow weave is potentially more powerful than the weave because Mystra reorganized the weave and cut off access to 10-12 level spells. It's not clear in the lore, but it's possible that the Shadow weave still allows access to 10 - 12 spells.
So you are Gale, an archmage *and* a chosen, there really isn't any place to move up. Even becoming the magister is a step down from chosen. Unless you explore the shadow weave . . .
Gale's 'orb' is acting like a shadow mythallar (shadow weave power plant). I think he went in search of it, found it, and thus fell into Shar's trap. This ended the relationship with Mystra -- he chose to connect himself to the shadow weave.
This would also explain the graphics on the gates -- the dark energy / dark flame effects looks shadow weavish.
I guessing if you play him as your MC you will have a choice to become a chosen of Shar and wield the power of a shadow mythallar or you will be able to get back into Mystra's good graces.
Ohhhhhhh
Oh my…
I really dig this theory.
It would be less heavy handed than “behold I am actually Karsus/Elminster/some other famous dude ”. It would also be tragic. And it would jive with the more selfish and potentially power hungry part of his personality. And it it is still wrapped up in his love affair with Mystra…and what seemed like very real emotion when he spoke of her.
It seems like something he might do. He is a wizard who thinks he can outsmart devils, after all. I could see him thinking he could tap into forbidden magic and get away with it by outsmarting it somehow. The hubris!!! I love it.
And it would give you a range to play with if you play as him.Do you embrace the shadow weave fully for power, or do you become a decent person but a less powerful mage. That range is definitely hinted at in his mirror options. It would also explain his tempered and almost cutesy response to shadowheart’s reveal. And even how he acts when he first meets her. Like a potential foot in the door with Shar if he needs it.
And the romance path? The angst could be epic!!!!!
But…how could we share the weave together? Would he still be able to access both weaves? Ie, with the shadoweave in him.
Maybe I am seeing them as more matter and antimatter… lol
