Go to the sage (Etrahnin) in Pennan.
ask etrahnin temple
You ask Etrahnin about the temple.
Etrahnin's eyes suddenly become piercing and intense, all pretense of vagueness gone. "Tread softly if you venture within its walls, young one. If you are determined to go, then I shall not stop you. However, the priests there may. Harm none within the walls, or their wrath will descend upon you."
"I have heard that the followers of Ri'lahl have raised the battle standard of the ancient god of war and fly it within sight of Medienne's walls. I feel a storm gathering, child..." Etrahnin looks deep into your eyes, considering for a long moment before continuing. "I believe Anaya constructed a gateway to the Oracle of Ages, and perhaps Ri'lahl holds her secrets in His great library. Find the Oracle, young one, and ask it of the coming trouble. I must know."
-*- You have been assigned a quest! -*-
NOTE: Before you “recite incantation”, ensure you have all the reagents in your inventory. For example, if you are missing the vial of holy water and you attempt, then that will use up your stick of black chalk.
read book”recite incantation”enter vortex
You step into the shimmering vortex.
A thick, billowing cloud of vampiric mist hangs in the air.
You try to pass the mist but its gaseous tendrils pull you back!
Kill the mist and go one north to the old man.
An old robed man stands here serenely watching you.
As you enter the room, the doorway through which you passed is swallowed by a veil of greenish mist.
The old man turns his gaze your way and says: "Greetings, child. Have you come to consult the Oracle of Ages?"
to man yes
You say to a robed man (in ogrish): "yes"
The old man smiles slightly and says: "Indeed? I charge one platinum coin for the service of gathering the Oracle. Pay me the fee or depart."
give plat man
You give a platinum coin to a robed man.
A robed man nods in agreement.
The old man raises his withered arms and the brands on the backs of his hands glow with a white light.
The luminous green mists of the room coalesce into a vaguely humanoid figure in the middle of the octagon.
The old man turns back to you. He gives you a searching look then asks, "What do you wish to ask the Oracle? Sometimes the answer is not what you would wish to hear, or what you might expect. Ask your question, child, but only you can interpret the answer."
The old man pauses for a moment before speaking again. "The Oracle of Ages will speak on these matters: Love, Battle, and Death. Choose which you will ask. When the Oracle has spoken, simply tell me of your desire to return and I will transport you back to your point of origin."
An old robed man stands here serenely watching you.
A misty humanoid form drifts in the middle of the room.
ask form battle
Ripples and streaks of black lightning run through the misty oracle, and a rumbling fills the chamber.
The old man frowns worriedly but says nothing.
The rumbling resolves itself into a resounding voice which echoes through the vaulted hall.
"No, there is not a glimmer, nor a call, For one that welcomes, welcomes when he fears, The black and awful chaos of the night; For through it all, - above, beyond it all, - I know the far-sent message of the years, I feel the coming glory of the Light."
The Oracle coalesces into a brilliant pillar of light, then quickly fades away, leaving a purple after-image before your eyes.
The robed man sighs loudly. "So, young Etrahnin sends you to ask his question. Take him this phial of twilight. In it, he shall find the answer you have just heard, and may puzzle it out on his own. I doubt one such as you could remember the Oracle's answer. Seldom have mortal men heard its voice."
The robed man hands you a phial of twilight.
to man return
You say to a robed man (in ogrish): "return"
The old man nods solemnly and makes a gesture. The room is engulfed in a white light and you are transported to another place.
An old robed man stands here serenely watching you.
The old man smiles benevolently and fades out of existence.
give twi sage
You give a phial of twilight to the sage.
The sage gladly takes the phial of twilight from you, clasping it close to him. he removes the silvery stopper and twilight pours out of the crystal phial, drifting up to wreath his head in pale blue. his eyes flicker and he gives a small start. his jaw drops, and he heaves a great sigh of relief. The twilight begins to dissipate, then suddenly coalesces, becoming the solid silver of a blade. The mist clears away and the sage is left holding a softly pulsing sword of silver and sable.
The sage examines the sword with a bemused expression. "It seems that this is your reward for aiding me. This sword was the weapon of Ri'lahl's Knight Protector, passed down from father to son for many years. It still holds a portion of the souls of that great line. It is alive, though not in a human sense. Be wary of it, and use it wisely."
-*- You gain 5 quest points! -*-
The sage starts to hand you the sword, but then thinks better of it. You see a mischievious glint in his eye as he looks you over.
The sage smiles and says, "You have done well. I have another small task for you, should you choose to accept it." The crafty old sage glances at the sword and winks at you.
Proceed to the, “Return to Tsarith with the words of the Oracle of Ages” quest.