The Old Mage of Shadowdale

[Verse 1] Pipe smoke curls in the dawn Ink-stained hands Sleeves rolled Books piled high like towers Eyes that remember the first thunder He laughs at kings and their crowns Scolds the weave when it frays Keeps a tavern mug by his staff Cards in his sleeve Plans in his gaze [Chorus] Elminster Old fox of the flame Wears ten ages in a wrinkled name Plays chess with gods Then slips away Just a dusty hat in the break of day Elminster Still shaping how the stories sway [Verse 2] He’s walked through cities long gone Loved and outlived them all Carved secret runes in the stone Where only midnight answers his call He whispers jokes to the stars Argues with ghosts in the hall Hides a broken heart in the robes Says the cost was worth it all [Chorus] [Bridge] [low vocal register] You see a beggar He sees the thread You see the ritual He hears the dread He’s tired So tired But he won’t lie down yet [growing intensity] When the dark tide rises And brave swords fail When bright halls falter And oaths grow pale He’ll shrug Stand slow Mutter “Guess I’ll go…” [Chorus]