Sigil: The City of Doors

''Your second answer is more sensible then your first'' the flayer replied, masking his full disdain for fatality ''I must leave now, ser. I thank you for your aid but I cannot say I agree that neither time or fate are predetermined. Time is shaped like an egg...do with that what you will.''

"Quite simple, illthid. I accept my fate as it comes; if my end were met by you, it was fate that I meet my end this way and die in the knowledge that Istus' will. Then move forward to the beyond and my eternal reward."

He gets up and says his word with stoicism and a small smile. "...Not to mention, you would be dead soon after, having been a particularly stupid member of your kind to think come here to eat in the middle of Lady's Ward out in the open and expect to leave alive. I did not get the impression you were such a fool, but instead someone who sought guidance on a matter. Istus would not look favorably upon me if I let something as small as fear prevent me from doing so."

L'Orr-hui narrows their eyes at the statue. Awe giving way to frustration and a contempt fuelled by the certainty and the horror that awaited beyond time.

Don't try to put a wool over my eyes, goddess, Fate can be changed because it must be changed. You might be more mighty then I at the moment but I have seen beyond you.

Their tentacles waved in defiance until the time came to answer the man

''Thank you for your time stranger. I will bring the man here before peak, as would be proper.'' the flayer stood ''Tell me, what struck you curiosity were all others felt fear?''

There is a solemn nod and the old man gets up from the pew, leaving you alone for a few moments. Not being the religious sort, there wasn't much else for you to do here but look around and admire the art and architecture. Most around you have calmed themselves around your unnerving presence and returned praying to the goddess for the strength to meet their fate. Your gaze eventually meets that of the statue of Istus and for the briefest of instants, you sense a fleeting touch of something beyond your comprehension—an ethereal presence that whispered of destiny and the threads of fate. A chill runs down your spine and time seems to slow down to a crawl for you; the feeling was unlike anything it had ever experienced. Your keen intellect tries to grasp the significance of this strange encounter with the divine. But, as quickly as it had come, the sensation vanished, and time returned to normal, the old man is once again sitting next to you, as if he had never left.

"I spoke to the priestess and she has agreed to assist you and your friend. She has some free time tomorrow, before peak if possible, that she can spare to assist. I cannot make any promises about what may occur, but regardless of what happened, maybe you and your friend can find the path for a answer to his fate." He solemnly nods his head at you with his response.

''Fate is not as rigid as you may think.'' the flayer commented ''But yes, I would be grateful for your assistance''

"Hmm..." the old man strokes his beard. "That is indeed interesting, if true." He stares and ponders quietly for a longer moment. "If it is fate to be here, there is little we can do to stop it, nor alter it. Istus does not grant us the chance to change these things that being said, she may still off us wisdom. I will speak to the high priestess to see if she is willing to commune with our goddess in a attempt for some answers for your friend. The demiplane of time is beyond my understanding, as is most others, but we may yet still find a answer."

The flayer specified

''It is possible the man is confused but details seemed believeable. He claimed to have unconsciously made a pact with an unkown being there before returning to his material plane. Said being seems to have taken memories away for unknown reasons and orientied him towards Sigil.''

There is a long pause. "I can't say much, then. The plane itself resides within the astral plane, just outside of its place on the wheel. A difficult journey in and of itself. Even then, what is known of it can hardly be verified. Contradiction upon contradiction of reports of what has been seen, what it is capable of. Some say you enter it and leave at a different age. Others say proper magic cannot be formed, even."

He looks at him with interest. "So your friend says to have been sent there? That is quite the bold claim. You are sure of its truth?"

L'Orr-hui keeps himself from making a comment that would be unproductive and unnecessary and joined the older man in the pew

''It is another who had been time displaced and, from his tale, entered the demi-plane of time. What do you know of that place?''

"A interesting problem for one such as yourself to have..." He stared curiously at you. "Well, I am not against sharing some wisdom on the subject, either my own or perhaps from the goddess herself, should she so deem it worthy. Please, sit with me." He motions to a pew and scooches on into it.