I totally missed Gale in act 1 and didn’t get him until near the end of act 2. he was very hungry for magic items so I fed him. I finished off act 2 and then he left, saying his condition is worse. I never ran into Elminster because I guess I didn’t have Gale in the party, he he leaves immediately when I leave camp. oh well… I’m a bit sad about it, I literally had time to level him up, get him equiped, and then he left.