Marzena looks askance at the group, but remains silent as they head toward Allustan's home.
Just as before, the sage's home is like a small, out-of-place paradise in the midst of Diamond Lake. The home is freshly painted, the yard well tended, and the mediation garden beckons thoughts of peace. As you approach, the sage opens the door and greets you with a pleasant smile.
"Friends, I am glad to see you have returned safely. I knew I could leave the task in your capable hands. Marzena!" he exclaims as he gives the battlemage from Blackwall Keep a friendly hug, "It has been too long! Please, all of you, come in. I have refreshments."
Allustan invites you into his lovely, though modest, home. The front door leads straight into the sage's study. Hundreds of books stuff shelves built into the walls. Near a corner sits a fine mahogany table with a dragonchess board frozen in mid-game. Having prepared for your arrival, the sage has some obviously extra chairs in the study. It makes the space seem a bit cramped, but not overly so.
Allustan first gives each of you a wet towel to clean yourselves a bit and then quickly serves up a strong tea, and, for those that wish, he adds a sweet-tasting liquor to it. He has some shortbreads and, knowing that he'd be entertaining half-orcs, he has some salty dried meat. In his foresight, the sage even has a glass of feywine for Erdolliel, though he warns the others not to touch the stuff.
"I wanted to both help you be more comfortable and thank you for your generous assistance. I did, however, also want to get down to business. I would very much like to know what you can tell me about all of this. I do not rightly know where to begin, so I will simply let you relate your tale as you wish."
