I can get behind the 29th-level mage not wanting to throw down against Irenicus or the Five, but not tossing a finger of death at Sarevok was downright negligent.
He wants to remain neutral, so he sits around until Sarevok has killed one of his friends. But he doesn't seem to mind trying to leave a trail of breadcrumbs that the PC can follow to save the day.
If the PC failed and Sarevok wound up killing thousands of Sword Coast citizens and/or becoming the new Lord of Murder, Elminster would deserve much of the blame. The dude was basically willing to sit back and let friends, allies, and innocents die horribly just so he could "remain neutral" (while not actually remaining neutral).
He wants to remain neutral, so he sits around until Sarevok has killed one of his friends. But he doesn't seem to mind trying to leave a trail of breadcrumbs that the PC can follow to save the day.
If the PC failed and Sarevok wound up killing thousands of Sword Coast citizens and/or becoming the new Lord of Murder, Elminster would deserve much of the blame. The dude was basically willing to sit back and let friends, allies, and innocents die horribly just so he could "remain neutral" (while not actually remaining neutral).