Upon the road, [Character] saw a most remarkable figure approaching. With a tall pointed blue hat upon his head, and a long grey cloak wrapped about him, he had a silver scarf around his neck, over which flowed a thick white beard that hung down to below his waist, and on his feet were large black boots. A sharp pointy nose protruded from beneath bushy eyebrows, which themselves stuck out beyond the brim of his hat. Old, he leaned upon a long, rough-hewn wooden staff, but nevertheless he moved with the energy of a young man. Thinking to allow him to pass, [Character] stepped aside. But as the man drew close to him, he stopped, regarding [Character] intently, before nodding, as if to himself. “Greetings [Character] ,” the old man said. “A chance encounter, but one fated nevertheless, I think, for I have been looking for one such as you for a very, very long time. My name is Gandalf, or the Grey Wanderer, for so most in these parts call me. I have need of your assistance, my friend. Will you aid me?”
NPC Encounter
?
| Options | Loyalists | Neutral | Usurpers |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLEE | ? | ? | ? |
| Agree to AID him, whatever the cost might be | ? | ? | ? |
| Seek to RECRUIT Gandalf to his cause | Recruited* | ? | ? |
| ATTACK him | ? | ? | ? |
| SAY (one word) | ? | ? | ? |
| Refuse to help, and attempt to STEAL an item from the old man as he leaves | ? | ? | ? |
| Ask for information about FIREWORKS | ? | ? | ? |
| ASK how Gandalf knows his name, and what the Wizard’s business is | ? | ? | ? |
| Ask for information about famous PEOPLE | ? | ? | ? |
| Ask for information about MAGIC | ? | ? | ? |
*Recruiting an NPC is not guaranteed — success depends on the recruiting character's emissary rank, the number of NPCs you already hold, the game turn (easier earlier), and your allies' relations toward your nation.
Istari — Challenge 165 — Champion: Yes
Command: 20, Agent: 10, Emissary: 70, Mage: 60, Stealth: 810
Mage +50
Mage +20
Emissary +20
uncover secrets @ min 40
Hex 1414
Player-reported data mined from the MEPBM Discord #encounters channel (2020–2026). Confidence: 🟢 confirmed · 🟡 probable · 🔵 open.