There is no way to pause anything ...

BUT!

There is log, where you can read whole conversation while you were gone ...
Obviously its not as good as being present, but still its something. smile

Also, even bigger butt! ( laugh )

We had promised option to quick-save during conversations ...
So, maybe that would help?

I still dont understand why cant we change Race for our hirelings. frown
Lets us play Githyanki as racist as they trully are! frown