Questions for the Sage.

[Duna]

As I stepped out of the Inn into the sunlight, I realized the day was half over already. Then I realized that I shouldn't have accepted that last mug of Ale from Touk the night before. Was it always this bright? No wonder it hurt Nilan's eyes so much. Ah well, bright or not I must make the trip north again today. All I could think about was visiting the sage. I just had so many questions for him.
I think I told Gurns on my way to bed last nite that I was going to see the sage today. Perhaps not, last nite is a bit too fuzzy right now.
Lahgen walked up just then ' Duna, may I join you on your journey to see the sage?'
Now I must wonder, if Lahgen knows of my plans, surely I must have seen Gurns last nite.
I said all I could say ' Sure, do you know where Gurns is, by chance?'
Lahgen replied ' I believe he is just North of the gates.' I nodded at him.
We headed out to find Gurns. He was just north of Waterdeep, some. I found him by following the sound of his instrument, and Gormal's loud voice. How can he yell like that so soon after the drinking? I asked myself. As Lahgen and I approached, we saw that Teej and Fayren were with them as well. Gormal was going on about yesterday's events. He seemed so alert, must be a dwarf thing. I know I wasn't so alert. *Mental note, if I attend another Mithrilguard ceremony, drink water. * This headache might just kill me before then. Oh my that helps, Gurns is singing one of his healing songs. My head doesn't feel quite so bad now.
I asked Gurns if he was ready to go see the sage and he said ' Gormal, Teej and Fayren would like to join us.'
I said ' That's nice. The more the merrier.'
As we made our way north the discussion focused mainly on the Vile One, then someone mentioned Teflor's name. I don't think I've ever seen that look on Teej's face before. I'm certainly glad I'm not Teflor. Things were quiet, mostly. We didn't have any trouble from the Orcs that wander the Neverwinter Forest. We were almost to the ferry that takes us north when we found trouble.
There were a thanatar and a rogue of some sort. After a brief fight, both were dead. Unfortunately Fayren was badly wounded, nothing Gurns or I couldn't heal. She decided it was a bit too treacherous for her to continue on with us, so she headed back towards Waterdeep. We were sad to see her go, but understood her decision.
The rest of the way to the ferry was quiet. Actually, the rest of the journey north was quiet. We reached the sage and found him sitting and meditating as usual. We greeted him, and I asked if we could ask him some questions, if he wasn't too busy meditating.

The sage said ' yes. no.' Which told me that he was't too busy to speak with us.
I seated myself, and began asking questions.
I asked ''does Lord Wemiluay, of Evermeet speak for Queen Amlaruil?'
The wise man shakes his head negatively.

Teej murmurs, 'Interesting.' Obibble appeared just then, in the way some mages do.

Obibble says 'greetings'

Teej looks at Obibble.

Obibble tips his hat.

Gormal says 'will the Queen's soldiers follow him?'

The wise man whispers 'The candle cannot illumine the future.'

I asked 'Does Queen Amlaruil still plan on helping in the battle with the Vile one?'

Gormal growls menacingly.

Gormal says 'Listen here lad'

Gurns says 'Do the Queen's soldier's follow his orders now?'

Gormal says 'i was out defending the realms before you was born!'

The wise man whispers 'The forests of Arvandor bar the Candle's light.'

Obibble says 'question is what Elven Queen has to gain from this pact with the Vile one.'

Gurns mutters something under his breath.

The wise man shakes his head negatively.

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Is there a certain Drow involved in tthe Lord's position?'

Gurns raises an eyebrow at Lahgen.

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'I can't remember his name, unfortunately.'

The wise man whispers 'No.'

I asked 'Has Kralgar already made a pact with the Vile one's followers?'

The wise man shakes his head negatively.

I nodded my head in understanding.

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Are you certain you know of who I speak, great one?'

The wise man whispers 'Lord Wemiluay'

Gormal says 'What about the barbarian gods?'

The wise man whispers 'No.'

Gurns says 'You should get out more, Gormal. Ao has forbidden the gods to be involved in this.'

I asked 'Kralgar has a pact with Lord Wemiluay?'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'No, I mean the Drow. Are you sure that you know of the Drow

that I speak of.'

The wise man shakes his head negatively.

The wise man whispers 'No'

Gurns says 'Otherwise we'd just ask the gods to lock Auzorm'tvorl up again, but they won't do it.'

I nodded at Gurns in agreement.

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'It may be Dlavizz, but I don't know if that is the one that has

troubled Deshana and Nilan or not.'

Teej asks the wise man a question.

Gurns raises an eyebrow at Teej.

The wise man whispers something to Teej.

Teej growls menacingly.

Gormal charged in front of the group waving his hands about in frustration.

Gurns says 'What position does Lord Weliwuay hold in Queen Amlauril's court?'

Gormal bellowed 'HOLD ON!'

The wise man whispers 'None.'

Gormal says 'Listen here youngin'

Gurns raises an eyebrow at Gormal.

Lahgen begins to ponder on something.

You say 'Gormal. Calm down please.'

Gormal says 'Ah've had about enough of this one's high fillutin answers'

Teej asks the wise man a question.

Lahgen asks the wise man a question.

Gormal says 'Tell us what you make of this'

You say 'the sage can not tell everything, but he can help point us in the right directions.'

Gormal gives a sheet of paper to the wise man.

Shhhh! Lahgen wants Gormal to be quiet!

Gormal growls menacingly.

Gormal says 'He's just a man'

The wise man nods at Teej.

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'He does make more sense than the blacksmith, at least.'

Gurns says 'He's an Avatar of Deneir, you dolt.'

The wise man whispers something to Lahgen.

You say 'Exactly.'

Obibble says 'sage hurm.. will i ever see Sigil again? *sighs sadly*'

Gormal says 'he's no different from nor I nor even Sonon except that he has information we need'

The wise man whispers 'The candle cannot illumine the future.'

Gormal raises an eyebrow at Gurns.

Teej murmurs, 'Are the Realms threatened by a magical backlash from our projected battle with the

Vile One?'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Is this Lord merely misguided, or is there a sinister motive behind

his actions?'

Gormal says 'Ah've had about enough of these cyrptic avatars and hidden messages'

Gurns says 'I'm not sure about the Avatar part. Let's just say he seems to have access to Deneir's

Library.'

You nod at Gurns.

Gormal says 'Why can we no get a straight answer from a single man or God'

The wise man whispers 'That future is one considered Teej.'

You say 'because we must ultimately find the answers our selves. every little thing we do changes

the future.'

The wise man whispers 'Yes Lahgen'

Obibble says 'I think gods swore not to interven on prime till battle is joined'

The wise man whispers 'I answer the question that you ask Gormal.'

Gormal says 'Yeh answer it how?'

You say 'the gods will not intervene in this battle, Ao has forbidden it.'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'You mean, the Lord is indeed merely misguided?'

The wise man whispers 'I speak.'

Gormal rolls his eyes.

Gurns says 'That's what I've heard too, Obibble. Though there seems to be a little, hmmm, flexibility

in that.'

Stomp! Gormal stomps around the room!

The wise man whispers 'Yes.'

Gormal says 'Fine return the letter and I'll bring it to the elves myself and get answers from the

source!'

Gurns says 'The gods still grant clerics their prayers, for example.'

The wise man gives a sheet of paper to Gormal.

You say 'that's true Gurns. but I think beyond that is off limits, on Ao's word.'

Gormal says 'Ah've no time to listen to the vague ramblings of the likes of you while my dwarves may

be dying...'

Teej murmurs, 'Do the Hidden Lords and/or Khelben have wards established to determine if a

demon should enter the city of Waterdeep?'

Obibble says 'That is true spirit of a dwarf. Act and ask question later!'

Gurns says 'I'm not sure where the line is, Duna, just pointing out that whatever Ao said, it doesn't

forbid everything.'

You try to calm Gormal down.

Yay Gormal! Obibble cheers wildly for Gormal!

The wise man whispers 'Yes.'

You nod at Gurns.

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Though I doubt I'll get an answer on this, I'll ask anyway....why is

Ao forbidding the Gods to act?'

Teej nods.

Gormal storms off away from the party, attempting to calm his rage.

Gurns raises an eyebrow at Teej.

The wise man whispers 'Ao forbids the gods to act outside of the limits and requirements of their

portfolio.'

Teej gives Gurns a warm embrace, holding him tightly.

Lahgen begins to ponder on something.

Gurns says 'Is opposing Auzorm'tvorl outside the portfolio of every god and goddess?'

Obibble says 'why battle with Vile one must be waged on astral plane?'

The wise man whispers 'No'

The wise man whispers 'It does not.'

Gurns says 'What gods or goddesses may oppose Auzorm'tvorl?'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'I have heard rumors of an avatar of a dwarven god being sighted

at an altar in Undermountain. Are these rumors true?'

The wise man whispers 'All'

The wise man whispers 'No.'

Gurns mutters something under his breath.

Lahgen nods at the wise man.

You giggle at Gurns.

Gormal grumbles 'at least the dragons gave us straight answers.'

You say 'you should know better by now gurns.'

You giggle.

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'I am satisfied with these answers, Gormal.'

Gurns says 'It's trying to find the boundaries fo the questions that is the trick.'

Teej murmurs, 'Does the Vile One seek to restore balance by opposing Ao?'

The wise man whispers 'That knowledge is blocked.'

Teej murmurs, 'Sorry.'

Gormal says 'Content yourself with vaguries and metaphor all you want bard.'

Obibble says 'well astral plane is just a mere medium of transition between prime and the outlands

and outerplans. Maybe it is possible to battle the Vile one from where they come from?'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Why is your knowledge blocked?'

Gurns says 'Ah, you have little idea of what would make me content, dwarf.'

The wise man whispers 'The Candle cannot illumine it.'

Teej murmurs, 'Does the chambermaid have means to get a message to me when the time is right?'

Gurns blinks at Teej.

You say 'Has the ranger Teflor truly joined with the Vile one? '

Gormal says 'The bards cant' even tell eachother apart now'

Gormal snickers softly.

You giggle at Teej.

Teej whistles innocently.

The wise man blinks slowly, unfocused eyes gazing into the distance.

Teej murmurs, 'Real cute in that little white frilly apron.'

The wise man whispers 'No.'

You say 'Is he possesed?'

The wise man whispers 'It is possible Obibble.'

Gurns says 'Well, maybe it's your crossed eyes that make it hard for me to tell who you're looking at.'

The wise man whispers 'Your question is too unfocused.'

You say 'is the ranger Teflor possesed?'

The wise man whispers 'No.'

Duna taps her finger against her lips in thought.

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'What is Teflor's agenda?'

Obibble says 'is there a way to find out which outer plane vile one is banished on?'

Gurns raises an eyebrow at Obibble.

The wise man whispers 'That knowledge is unavailable.'

The wise man whispers 'He is not banished.'

Gurns says 'He's at the mountain on Avernus.'

Gurns says 'Er. Near Avernus. Or wherever it is. Directions off Astral are confusing to me.'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Is there any way to dissuade him from his allegience with the Vile

One? Or must he be slain?'

Teej murmurs, 'He was gone. Now he's not.'

The wise man whispers 'The candle cannot illumine the future.'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Why did Teflor attack the Shadowstalker?'

Gurns says 'As near as I can tell, he was locked away in Mt. Skelenak, escaped, and made it to the

mountain, where he has hidden himself away.'

The wise man whispers 'He wished to be believed in his oath.'

Lahgen begins to ponder on something.

You say 'is the leader of the Tel'Quessar, Lord Wemiluay?'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Who did he swear an oath to?'

The wise man whispers 'No'

The wise man whispers 'That knowledge is unavailable.'

Gormal says 'Great' he speaks in macros.'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Is Teflor merely pretending to be on the side of the Vile One?'

Teej murmurs, 'Is Quanenthur acting as he told us he would?'

You detach from reality for a moment, pondering.


A pall falls over the mountaintop, dropping over the sage like a blanket. His
eyes widen, blank orbs gaining surprising clarity as he looks about in a panic.
His jaw moves soundlessly, and his hands rise slowly to his throat. Dark shadows
flash across the sage's eyes, and only after he gives a fearful nod does the
darkness lift from the snowy peak.

Gurns says 'Um'

Gurns says 'Spell up, please'

Lahgen clambers to his feet.

The wise man seems to have fallen asleep.

Gormal grifts the haft of his warhammer, looking about with a fierce intensity.

Teej frowns.

Gurns says 'This has never happened before, to my knowledge.'

You say 'that is not a good sign.'

Teej nods at Gurns.

Gurns says 'Has anyone else seen this?'

Teej tries to awaken the wise man, but he continues sawing logs.

You say 'no it hasn't.'

You shake your head negatively.

Teej tries to awaken the wise man, but he continues sawing logs.

Gormal tries to awaken the wise man, but he continues sawing logs.

You say 'I"vve never seen anything like that.'

Gurns says 'Someone silenced him. I can think of two, maybe 3 possibilities.'

Lahgen kneels down and places two fingers on the old man's neck.

Gormal says 'heal him duna'

You complete your spell...
You summon a holy light to surround the wise man, but it has no affect.

Gurns says 'He's not hurt, just...unavailable.'

Teej murmurs, 'I think it would be good to let him be for now.'

You nod.

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Not sure if I feel anything from him or not."

Gormal says 'I mus say Teej, I'm no impressed with this one.'

Gormal says 'Ah've met avatars and dieties before...'

Gormal says 'They at least spoke plain.'

Teej murmurs, 'He's not easy to work with. But he's more powerful than most beings I know.'

Gormal says 'And they didn't bleedin fall asleep!'

You nod at Teej.

Obibble tries to awaken the wise man, but he continues sawing logs.

Gurns says 'Yes, well, the usual crop of avatars and deities don't seem to be around to talk to us.'

You say 'I think someone put him to sleep Gormal.'

Gurns says 'It must be 'outside of their portfolio''

Teej murmurs, 'I don't know how the others would do after being strangled by a dark force either.'

Gurns growls menacingly.

Gormal says 'portfolio be damned'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Ao, maybe?'

Gormal says 'Clangeddin and Haela serve the battle'

Gurns says 'Deneir, Ao, or Auzrom'tvorl. Take your pick.'

Gormal says 'information is the first step of the battle'

Gurns says 'Ready to leave? '

Teej murmurs, 'You know the one I suspect.'

Obibble says 'battle? somebody said battle?'

Obibble peers around intently, looking for something.

Teej nods.

Gormal says 'Ah've no more patience for this one'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Who, Teej?'

You say 'exactly Gormal. that is why we come and ask questions.'

Gormal says 'Lets go speak with kralgar'

Teej murmurs, 'Our enemy. The others have no cause to threaten the man.'

Gormal says 'at least the information Cofen provided could be useful'

You agree with Teej

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Ao does.'

Gurns says 'Let's find a spot where allies are close, anyway.'

You say 'very true Gormal.'

Obibble says 'i wouldnt belive in any information provided by cofen..'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'He's being such an obstructionist about this.'

Lahgen says in a nonchalant tenor, 'Ao, that is.'

You say 'he repeated what he heard, from what I understand.'

Gormal says 'Bruenor sent me to smite our foes'

Lahgen looks up at the sky.

Obibble says 'are there any agents of vile one here on prime?'

Teej murmurs, 'I had so many more questions.'

Teej nods at Obibble.

You say 'there were.'

Gormal says 'Not listen to the ramblings of a crazy human'

Lahgen shouts 'You hear that, Ao?! You're an obstructionist!'


Eilistraee murmurs quietly 'Welcome to the Sage :)'

Gormal winks at Eilistraee.

Teej flashes a wicked grin at Eilistraee.

Gormal rolls on the floor laughing at Lahgen.

Lahgen flashes a wicked grin at Eilistraee.

KA-BOOOM! Lahgen is stricken by lightning from the heavens!

Gormal says 'he's a jerk!'

Obibble says 'that lightning didnt do enough damage.. repeat plz'

Gormal says 'setbit lahgen hp -4'

Gormal says 'i thought it was cool'

Lahgen says 'that was some quality roleplaying tonight.'

Eilistraee murmurs quietly 'The sage is fun. The best was when Tida said 'explain please?''

Eilistraee murmurs quietly 'though gormal had some quality lines'

Gormal whistles innocently.

You say 'yes he did.'

You giggle.

Gurns says 'I wanted to see what happened when a mortal attacked an avatar'

Gurns pouts.

Eilistraee murmurs quietly 'I'll leave you to ponder what you learned :)'

Eilistraee twirls around gracefully, trailing motes of silvery light in her wake.

Eilistraee jumps onto a beam of moonlight and disappears.