>Hmmm... I re-read the problem. Unlike other hat puzzles I've seen it doesn't say that each sage can't see his own hat.
>
>Is it possible that they can actually see their own hats and the rest of the puzzle is just filling to distract us?
>
>I give up. I can't seem to think anymore.
>
>Alex

I said excplicitly, that the last one can see hats of all, who stand before him, e.g. 99 sages himself excluding. The 99th can see all before him, e.g. 98, himself excluded, etc.

As I said, the solution is very simple, but you should try to imagine yourself one of these sages... Hopefully, not the last one :)