Stone Philosopher

Stone Philosophers are head statues found on the Isle of Nex that give advice to their visitors, mostly in mysterious and unclear ways. They are only found outdoors and in Elemental Shrines. Destroyed Stone Philosophers, who naturally do not speak, can also be seen on the island.

Locations and Texts

The following table lists the Stone Philosophers that can be encountered on the island:

Location	Text	Notes
Twigroot Forest, Shrine of Fire	This is the elemental shrine of fire. Fire is the rune of strength, magma and heat. Northwest is whence the forces of fire are strongest.
Twigroot Forest, Shrine of Fire	Hear ye, hear ye, oh traveller of the dark. Be aware of the elemental shrines. Once houses of light, now refurbished by the masters of the island, the shrines hold the keys to thy survival. Visit all of them and do what the stone philosophers demand and thee may be granted a way out, if that is what thee most desires.
Twigroot Forest, Shrine of Fire	Bring forth four power gems to fuse them into the essence of the element. Not all of the gems lay under the skies, some of them are buried deep underground.
Twigroot Forest, west of Shrine of Fire	This is another way out.	Referring to the secret access to Crystal Mine Entrance that can be opened from the other side.
Sleet Island, small island in front of the Pyramid of Umas	The silent one has a friend who is more willing to speak. Head towards the sunrise, beyond the gate, to find him.	The "silent one" refers to the nearby Stone Philosopher, "the friend" refers to a Stone Philosopher located in the Cemetery.
Sleet Island, northeast	...	The "silent one" as referred to by other Stone Philosophers.
Sleet Island, Shrine of Water	This is the elemental shrine of water.  Water is the rune of willpower and frost. Southeast is whence the forces of water are strongest.
Sleet Island, Shrine of Water	Oh thee seeker of the hidden shrine. Only by standing in the place with perfect elemental equilibrium shalt thou summon forth the gate to the hidden one.	The equilibrium is right in the middle of elemental statues in front of Castle Nex; a faded Balance rune can be seen on the ground.
Sleet Island, Shrine of Water	Bring forth four power gems to fuse them into the essence of the element. Not all of the gems lay under the skies, some of them are buried deep underground.
Sleet Island, northwest	The gate to the fifth shrine is hidden from sight.
Sleet Island, secret room in the east	Here, even the winds are guided by him and them.
Keelbreach Bog, northeast corner	Don't let the rocks fall short of their target.	Referring to the nearby Windgate challenge.
Keelbreach Bog, east	Generations before you have trodden these paths. Only he and they had the patience to follow them to the end.
Keelbreach Bog, south-east	I am the right eye. I saw where the meteor fell.	By digging at the intersection of this and the "left eye" Philosophers' lines of sight, the Meteor can be found.
Keelbreach Bog, west	He and they are more concerned with who are allowed to enter than who are left out.
Keelbreach Bog, south-west	The serpents can be awakened.	Referring to the Pyramid of Umas, which can be reopened.
Keelbreach Bog, Shrine of Earth	This is the elemental shrine of earth. Earth is the rune of vitality, mountains and plants. Southwest is whence the forces of earth are strongest.
Keelbreach Bog, Shrine of Earth	All matter is made from four basic elements: fire, earth, air and water. Fire opposes water like air opposes earth. But without a fifth element there would be none, as the four elements would cancel each other out. The fifth element is hidden somewhere on this island. Seek it and you may gain illumination	The fifth element is Balance.
Keelbreach Bog, Shrine of Earth	Bring forth four power gems to fuse them into the essence of the element. Not all of the gems lay under the skies, some of them are buried deep underground.
Cemetery, northwest behind destructible branches	Knowledge flourishes on the island. Decay and death have fed its growth.
Cemetery, west	The orders came and the gates closed. The answers were sealed in the Archives.	Referring to Letters located in the Archives, which give instructions to open the Cemetery gate.
Cemetery, south	Every night the silent one sees something. Look where he looks and be patient.	"The silent one"'s friend. Following these instructions will allow you to access the Shrine of Water.
Hamlet of Stormbreach, north	For every force there is an opposing force. There are two sides to everything. This duality permeates the whole universe.
Hamlet of Stormbreach, northwest in the House of Needles	I am the left eye. I saw where the meteor fell.	By digging at the intersection of this and the "right eye" philosophers' lines of sight, the Meteor can be found.
Hamlet of Stormbreach, Shrine of Air	This is the elemental shrine of air. Air is the rune of dexterity, storms and flight. Northeast is whence the forces of air are strongest.
Hamlet of Stormbreach, Shrine of Air	Follow the footsteps of Kilhagan the Wise.	Referring to the legend of Kilhagan, which leads to finding the fifth shrine.
Hamlet of Stormbreach, Shrine of Air	Bring forth four power gems to fuse them into the essence of the element. Not all of the gems lay under the skies, some of them are buried deep underground.
Hamlet of Stormbreach, southwest	If you wish to enter Crystal Mines, you must take the Way of the Snail	Gives instructions to get to the Crystal Mine Entrance; one must walk slowly in order for the gate to open.
Barren Desert, east	You have been mislead. Not everything is composed of four sides. Six is the most powerful figure.	This Stone Philosopher is referred to in the Book of Knowledge as "the one who knows you have been lied to" and is a part of hidden secret. Its message is hinting at the hidden fifth element, Balance, represented by a six-sided rune (the key to entering the Shrine of Balance).