Sigil: The City of Doors

[i][b]''The Clerk's ward is your most probable bet. The administrator's district.'' [/b][/i]The illithid replied [b][i]''I will conduct research on your plane as well when I get the chance. You may wish to stay here in the end but you need to have the freedom to make a proper choice.''[/i][/b]

He opens his eyes and sits up. "Maybe, I've tried singing that song several times while walking through that door. But so far nothing has triggered it. At least I have a potential avenue to research. Is there a compendium of portals somewhere that I might peruse?"

[i][b]''Motive can also be absent.[/b][/i]'' they pointed out[i][b] ''Some portals have highly complex and seemingly non-sensical triggers. It is possible you were transported here because your hair or nails were the right length, that your boots had the right shine and buckles, that you were singing the right note in the right way, the moon and stars were in a very specific alignment...or even the mix of all these conditions.''[/b][/i]

The flayer paused

[i][b]''Simply put...dumb luck.''[/b][/i]

[b][i]"Hmmm, fair I guess."[/i][/b] He shrugged, [b][i]"Well at any rate. I suppose I have Loki, or perhaps one of his zealots to blame."[/i][/b]

His mind becomes cloudy as he tries to search for a personal reason why Loki or one of his followers would want to harm him. [b][i]"As to the motive, I can't even hazard a guess outside of trickery for trickery's sake."[/i][/b]

[i][b]''An inn that caters to hybrid being ang other non humanoids?''[/b][/i] the replied impassively [i][b]''Giantkind are usually the opposite: large or larger humanoids''[/b][/i]

[b][i]"Well? How else would you describe the Red Lion Inn?"[/i][/b]

They raised an eyebrow

[i][b]''Tavern for giants?''[/b][/i]

[b][i]"Mysti?"[/i][/b]

His mind transitions to a curly, dark-haired, dhampir woman with a dark complexion. His mind first jumps to the two of them in silk bedsheets- [b][i]"Nope! Sorry about that"[/i][/b] Then it swings back to her and him locked in combat atop a clockwork tower.

[b][i]"She's my... companion from Midgard. Ahh but Loki is a Dark God, a trickster. And given his well documented kinship with giants it's almost no surprise that his portal threw me into a tavern for giants."[/i][/b]

A silence preceded the last of the interrogation.

[i][b]''Final two questions: Who is Loki and who is Mysti?''[/b][/i]

[b][i]"I wouldn't know the difference between a demi-plane and an... actual plane?"[/i][/b]

His mind more closely examines the fog bank he entered, but nothing stands out about it. He's not humming when he enters it, nor is there any indication Strahd himself was ever actually present.

But when looking at the exit: it's plain to see the clouds of Barovia not only part, but open up like an eye. Expanding and pushing away from Castle Ravenloft then falling and lingering on the horizon as a permanent fog bank.

[b][i]"It was either the mayor or the leader of the Ravens, I think, who told me I could leave Barovia by walking into the mist. I took my share of the gold we looted from Strahds and crossed the barrier with glee."[/i][/b]

His mind transitions to the vineyard and the Raven leader. Him giving the sunsword to Rowan then waving as he departs the company. [b][i]"It never occurred to me to ask how they knew that... huh."[/i][/b] He shrugged.