"Indeed. If you want to send your young wizard to me when she's ready, we can have a chat."

"A dwarf need not become a wizard to lose his way.", he waves a hand to dismiss and perceived slight.

"I'm not insinuating that it's always been there, and very well could be an outside influence that has found purchase within... A hairline crack that allows a mineral solution to seep within to harden."

"You WILL need to return, but if you go now, you will be the sledge, and the blow that renders your clan to dust. The granite must be allowed to be chipped away if the Greystones are to be preserved."

Randy rubs his temples. "Oi! I think I understand why most sibyls are mad as hatters! You may be right.  If it is being presented to me now, in this place, this may be the "right" time and place then.  Simplest solution to the problem usually works out for the best. In the absence of any other guidance, we may just make the assumption and go with it."  That being said, he takes the letter and opens it to take out the contents.  

Waking up woozily, Coljin gladly accepts some water and sits and thinks

Then he has a series of questions for the mage.

"That was really something.  So.  What I saw was what exactly?   You did some magic stargazing magic and saw what I just did, and with the aid of the drug and more magic you were able to introduce in my mind?"

"So what exactly does this mean?  Divination of what might happen?   What most probably WILL happen?"

Also, at the end, the tentacles and transformation?  Does that mean that was not Malar, but something that looks like Malar, or that has taken him over?    Tentacles...seems like we are seeing a lot of them recently." 

Kreldoran holds out a hand.

"Could be, but if I intended myself to know the contents, I'd have not put it in a sealed letter. I'll just step over this way while you open it. I suppose if you have questions, that'd be fine though."

He gets up and wanders over to one of his many desks, his unseen servant bringing him a glass of wine. The old dwarf raises the glass and an eyebrow in your direction by way of offer before turning to some of the papers he has on his desk, a mage hand holding the wine for him. If Randy is interested, the unseen servant will pour him something.

((If Randy hasn't changed his mind and is opening it now?))

"To be clear, that's now how I consult the starts, there's rarely any drugs way more math and formulas involved. Don't want you thinking I just get high as a kite and make things up. This is however, an effective means of sharing information, though not without its downsides. So yes, I made use of drugs, magic and that apparatus to share with you directly. I may have taken a bit of artistic license."

(The fantasy version of a TedTalk shared through a VR sensory experience?)

The unseen servant refills your water glass and takes away the vessel of antidote that Kreldoran had administered. "Oh, you might be a bit thirstier, for the next day or so, so drink plenty of fluids, and when you make water, it might be funny colored, but it's harmless.

"What I 'divined' if we want to put a word on it, as I told Randy, isn't what I'd call prophesy, I hate that word, it comes with too much baggage. More a of a 'forecasted probable eventuality', but each time it can only be based on the data I have at the time, and new data always has the potential to alter the interpretation and the prediction. This one is fairly 'fresh' though, most of what I shared with your companions was information I'd catalogued and forgotten who knows how long ago."

"I think Malar or at least his followers is fixing to make a play, and something is backing it. Mielikki's faithful would naturally oppose him, and have shown themselves well up to the task in the past, but if the Malarites have something new, that tips the balance. Balador's folk oppose Malar as well, but they aren't nearly as widespread or numerous. Just because I shared with you that warning need not mean that it plays out on a cosmic scale, but I think that common cause between against Malar and his folk may call for common efforts."

Nodding Coljin takes it all in.  "Not a prophesy." he mutters, "but a very probable future happening."  He has a frown on his face but forces it away before he looks back towards the mage.  "I, and I'm certain the whole church of Mielikki thank you for your seeing and telling us of this.  And you are right.  Balador's faithful should be made aware of this.  And the highest of my church."

"Would you have a way for me to contact and talk to my church leaders?  I'd like them to know of this immediately, if possible.  Then they can also contact Balador's clergy."

(Where would the main temple, main priest, of Mielikki be found, I'm thinking he would surely know that)

"You stated you told Randy and the others information also, but older info...Does it seem interconnected to you.  Some cosmic shift of good and evil changing?"

Dornikal shakes his head,

"No, I didn't mean wizards are the problem, but clearly there is magic involved. Gems don't turn to stone on their own.

He sighs.

"You are saying I should wait to go back until... What? I have a more subtle touch? Or while someone else does the initial chipping? I'm not sure if the clan has time for the first and who would do the second?

"Of course. I think she's ready, or as ready as she can be- Probably not sure what to ask, but she's a bright young mind to be doing what she's been doing with no guidance. I hope she'll take away something from this," he finishes with a smile.

((Let me know your thoughts on this, how it resonates with your conception of Mielikki, but I think they may have a main temple located in a or near a major city, but that isn't the true nexus of power within the order. That may be a smaller, quieter retreat deep within a forest, that is only visited by those of the faith. Of an entirely different scale and aesthetic, but as if the Vatican was the outward facing main temple, but a quiet villa in the hills of Italy is really the heart of the faith? Without any conspiracy theory tinge to it though... more of a this temple is for interacting with the rest of the world, and this temple is for us interacting with the Lady?))

((I'm thinking in the Human Lands, but towards the borders of the Elven lands where Coljin grew up.))

((If you want to provide a name and race for the main priest of the religion, and Coljin's overall view of them, I'm happy to leave that in your hands.))

"I could certainly get a message to them, but it'd be a bit harder for me to get in contact with them directly, as I wouldn't know who to try to contact. They would certainly have a better chance to reach out to whoever among Balador's faithful needs to know."

((Would also remind you that clerics get access to sending at 5th level, so that is a spell Coljin would be able to prepare and reach out to his church leadership directly.))

"I can't help but deduce that they are likely interconnected, though I'll let the others fill you in on what I shared with them. The tower sending me multiple reminders to talk to each of you on the day you're taking your leave of me, I can't help but feel there must be a connection. I'll continue seeking what that is."

"Events could chip away at the surrounding rock, giving a clearer view of the flaw, and how best to cut the stone to a finished form that excises it... but don't get too caught up in the analogy, lad. Best I can tell, if you were to drop everything and go now, it'll doom the Greystone name. I don't know for sure if that means your presence there will be the cause, or if the lack of your presence elsewhere will lead to repercussions that have the same result. However, you're right, delaying too long would probably have the same result. The question of timing is always where things get complicated. The timing of this conversation, for example. If we had it when first we met, or if I delayed it until a year from now, the outcomes would likely be much different than us speaking now. I hope that my timing is correct, and must trust that your timing will be correct as well."

"Thank you. I'd initially thought to challenge her by questioning her commitment... far too many young folks here a ballad about magic and wish to learn, but not put in the work. But from what you've said, she's been already passed that test of character just by coming this far. I hope what I'm able to impart serves her well."

((Ulmwin's chat would be happening later than the other's they'd presumably have had theirs with Kreldoran prior to departing and joining up with the hunters and heading out, while Ulmwin returned to the tower for his chat, and then Vaduta's.))

Dornikal sits quietly looking at the garnet in his hands before responding,

"If you're telling me now isn't the time to head home, I'll trust that Dumathoin guided me to you."

Looking up from the garnet he'll continue,

"I'll trust that Dumathoin doesn't want the Greystones to fade and will nudge me home when the time is right."

He'll cast his eyes to the floor,

"Or, if Dumathoin judges my clan as beyond salvation, that my return will bring it as painless an end as is possible."

Looking up he takes the drink and throws it all back before making eye contact with Kreldoran,

"Would you like me to remove the granite?"

He lifts the garnet up, a faint green light glowing deep in his eyes.

When Dornikal looks up at Kreldoran, he sees tears coursing down the elder dwarf's wrinkled cheeks. 

"I'm not a dwarf of faith, but I envy you yours. My own clan was not a large one, nor a powerful one, but it was family. You've reached an acceptance in faith that I could not, so certain was I."

"Keep it lad. That gem deserves better than sitting as a paper weight in a study. Maybe it can serve as a meditative tool as you bid your time until Dumathoin bids you return... or perhaps uses me to send you word." He shrugs with a smile as he wipes his eyes, "My ego isn't so big that I'm unwilling to let a god take credit."

Randy proceeds to open the letter and scan it's contents.

Cracking the seal and opening the envelope, you withdraw a single page of parchment, and a large brass key. The head of the key is made of ornate brass scrollwork.

The letter is fairly short.

Randerwaith Buckthorn,

ndI hope that this letter finds you well. At the moment, I am not certain to what use the enclosed items may be put, but trust that my leaving them for you will prove useful in your efforts. At the very least, it's a few less things I need to clean out of my office and find transportation for. Apologies for the cryptic doggerel, but in case this key a letter fall into other hands, one finds oneself obligated to provide certain safeguards.

"In a place of learning, a place of trees, between two brothers, your first Master dwells in stone, not in likeness, but in form that provides rest for the weary. Find his offspring, wearing their hats, between them place this key. Turn neither left, nor right, but doff their hats, and then the key withdraw."

Put your spoiler here.

Dornikal gives a sad smile,

"Honestly, I lost faith in where my clan was heading but I still have faith in them and the path Dumathoin set me on. Finding Dumathoin, or his finding me, was the best thing that ever happened to me. He accepted me even with the flaws in my core."

Dornikal considers the garnet,

"Dumathoin is a god, but even he can't everywhere! Sometimes people are in the right place at the right time, though I suspect many a god has got their finger in the game. When we meet again, I will return this to you and we can discuss if its better... or worse."

He looks up from the garnet with a happier smile.

"Now I need another drink I think."

Randy blinks. "Well, it's cryptic enough. I think I get the gist, but I think I'll have to do some  traveling to get the details."  He looks at the key with interest. "Apparently this is of some import."  He carefully stows the key away in an inner pocket.  Turning to Kreldoran,  "It was most definitely addressed to me. You used my full proper name in the salutation.  And I've got a feeling from the message that this was the right time and place." He gives a wry grin and a casual salute. "Well done, sir!  A remarkable achievement indeed."

"I often thought it must be a boring god who only accepts those who are pure and perfect. I hope yours can guide you and the Greystones back to a place of honor and prosperity."

He pours a measure in each of your glasses, joining you in knocking it back. 

"You're welcome to more, if you wish, but if I'm to hold a coherent conversation with the others, I ought stop there."

((Dornikal's passive insight reveals that there is likely more to his sadness than just empathy for your plight, and he spoke of his clan with the word 'was'. You suspect a loss that he hasn't fully vocalized.))

"Ah, the old 'cryptic letter' ploy! A little extra buffer in case this was a bit early, by the time your unravel whatever gibber-- I mean, 'wise words' I chose to put in there, surely it will be the proper time and place to put that key to use! Intentional memory loss means I surprise even myself on a regular basis!"

He raises his glass to you in salute.

Randy chuckles. "Well, it's going to work this time. Like I said, I don't think I can solve this completely without actually going to the location and looking around. But I think I have an idea WHERE to go, and that what makes the timing so good."  He lifts a glass back in salute. 

Dornikal stands and gives a low bow,

"I am in your debt again honored elder. I will stop here at well, I get a bit rowdy with too much in me."

When he rises he will gently lay a hand on Kreldoran's shoulder,

"Your clan isn't lost to you, they are surely watching with pride the honorable man and wizard you've become. You'll be reunited in Dumathoin's halls or beyond, that I know." 

With a soft squeeze he'll depart.

Feel free to ask anything else you have for Kreldoran, but otherwise I think I've just got his convo with Coljin to wrap up.

A weathered and wrinkled hand places itself over yours and squeezes back.

((Think I just have Coljin's convo to wrap up, and he'd wanted to do some item swapping/trading too))

At this point, Randy would just be small talking, unless he got the impression that Kreldoran is busy. In that case he'd probably head back to the library to do some more self study.