Gale was the unfortunate victim of a mindflayer abduction. Inside of a nautiloid, which is a mindflayer's transportation method, he was afflicted with a parasitic creature: a Mindflayer tadpole. Usually the transformation of such parasite would be imminent within 7-10 days, but it had been two days past that — and still, he hadn't turned. In fact, he felt great. His entire party were also subjected to the mindflayer parasite, and they hadn't turned either. They also weren't affected by this being that called itself "The Absolute"... A new "god", worshipped by others afflicted with the tadpoles.

It was all a mess; and Gale hadn't even recovered from his curse yet. Now he was dealing with both messes. But at least he wasn't entirely alone.