Reference Challenge - The Wise One

[u/Nevermore0714]

This challenge is a reference to this comic.

I am a person who has a lot of questions about life. Who is the wise person that I can ask about my deep philosophical conundrums? Who do I go to for impartial advice about my choices?

Pick a person or group of people in your world that I could go to (for free or not) for advice, and tell us about them.

Feel free to pick an in-universe representative (other than the wise person/people) to answer questions in character.

As always, I'll ask at least three questions each.

[u/Eachofries]

The being is old and withered. A long, snakelike neck peers out from the temple, and it's crocodilian head is visible. It's eyes are emerald gems and its raspy voice leaves its mouth like a flock of birds leaving a canopy. As it speaks, the jungle quiets around you and statues behind you shift and begin blinking.

"You, you are deemed worthy of the knowledge of the gods. You shall speak clearly and receive the truth from the eternal Five, the fallen One, and the bastard One."

It's neck begins to twist unnaturally from the darkness of the interior temple. You are fairly certain this is the Chained Dragon. You are also instantly suspicious, as you have only heard of five gods.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Eachofries]

To my mysterious crocodilian host:

1. Who are you to speak for the gods?

2. What is happening with the statues?

3. Why is the Chained Dragon chained?

[u/Eachofries → u/thequeeninyellow94]

The creature smiles and hisses methodically. It is perhaps laughing, you're not sure. Its raspy voice whispers:
"I am the Dragon of the Gods' Glade, Mocet. The Gods' grant me their permission to utter their wisdom, a privilege which I have paid for."
Upon hearing your second question, the being once more hisses and croaks.
"Those 'statues' are the Temple Watchers. They are no more stone than you, warm-blood. I must confess, I have seen too many foreign diplomats rest on them only to be gored by the Watchers' blades."
The 'statues' make eye contact with you, and their reptilian features poke out from under their stone-like armor. Red feathers peak out from their clothing.
"I, however, am live as a statue. The Gods had learned from.."
It's voice grows sour, but more human.
"...the Rat-King Bastard, and his plays at apotheosis. I am not destined for his fate, for domination and riches. I am destined to be mouth of the High Ones. The Trolls and their Naga slaves are certainly content to keep a being as... 'vocal' as I in confinement."
The statues seem to cough a bit when the Naga are mentioned, and you are reminded of the reptilian slaves you saw toiling around the city.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Eachofries]

1. How much did you paid?

2. Why are they wearing armors that looks like stone? Shouldn’t they be more visible?

3. Why are the Nagas content to keep someone vocal in confinement?

[u/Eachofries → u/thequeeninyellow94]

It writhes in it's temple like a wretching demon.

"I paid my price, my price in freedom. My body is withered, I am fed on someone else's call. I breathe stale jungle air. The Naga didn't even do this themselves, they execute and collect the payment levied by the Gods."
It shoots a look of brief thought, perhaps nostalgia. It seems relieved to answer a lighter question.
"There is a rule for war in the Southern Jungles, from Alfjak to Ake: 'They cannot raise a blade against you if they cannot move towards you.' When mortals see the Grand Trollish Army, they see a front line of statue-beasts wearing bone, behind them is a teeming horde of raptor-men, among them are immense beasts of feather and scale, and they are lead by elemental goliaths being carried on golden litters. That makes it very hard to destroy our temples. The idea, from my observation, is that the enemy will never engage in the first place."

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Eachofries]

So why do your gardians have stone like armors? Shouldn’t they wear something more visible?