Day 2 LM: Of Istus and octopi

[L'Orr-hui]

Temple row was busy as always. Supplicants and opportunist merchants were clogging the streets nearly as much as the pollution in sigil's river. It was in these kinds on moment that L'Orr-hui enjoyed the wider birth people gave them.

No one wanted to bump shoulders with something that feeds on gray matter.

Their search for the temple of Istus was thus...fluid...at least

[Flession]

The worship of Istus was not a particularly popular choice of many, even among those in the world of Orelth. However, it is not too difficult to fine. While a small building itself, the temple's exterior is adorned with simple carvings of woven tapestries, skillfully crafted by the hands of devoted artisans. A single ivory-white archway, symbolizing the portal of time itself, serves as the entrance to the temple. Above it, a delicate yet powerful tapestry weaver's shuttle is etched into the stone, invoking the presence of the goddess within.

The interior itself is a place of quietude and reflection. The hall is illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight, casting dancing shadows that mirror the ever-changing nature of time. Along the walls, ancient tapestries display intricate scenes of mortal lives intertwined with the threads of fate, each story representing a fragment of the grand design. A sense of tranquility envelopes the inner sanctum where a timeless figure of Istus, blindfolded and immersed in meditation, stands as the central idol. Her statue, sculpted with astonishing realism, exudes an aura of ancient wisdom and impartiality, reminding visitors of the ever-turning wheel of destiny.

The eyes are on you as you approach, but given the very nature of what you are, you are no doubt accustom to it. Still, a older looking man approaches you with a curious gaze, instead a look of concern or fear.



"May I help you?"

[L'Orr-hui]

L'Orr-hui takes his own time walking the corridor to the sanctum, observing the frescos and tapestries with an eye for scrutiny, until the old man came up and talked to him.

''Perhaps'' they replied, turning towards the man ''I seek knowledge for problems I wish to solve. Problems concerning temporal displacement.''

[Flession]

"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.

[L'Orr-hui]

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?''

[Flession]

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]

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.''

[Flession]

"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."

[L'Orr-hui]

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

[Flession]

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.