Looking around to make sure he wasn't heard by people much beyond the old elf, Zeek says: "Well met priest. I'm a traveller from far away and learned in the study of religions, and, had I the time, would love to talk of matters metaphysical with you, but alas, I am here on another task. I have come to understand that you have some wealthy and powerful individuals among your flock. But as I'm sure you'll allow, even the wealthiest and most powerful can be brutish and base. What can you tell me of Tobias Wintermarsh?"

The old elf looks at Zeek with a raised eyebrow, "I'm not sure what you wish to gain from this young man. Why do you seek young Wintermarsh," he asks. Insight 11

Your religion check reminds you that Melora, the wild mother, is true neutral. She is the antithesis of Erathis, the deity of civilization, who's temple is based in agriculture, protecting nature, and wildlife. Followers aren't usually caught up in the troubles or social lives of their followers. 

Perception: 3

Blitz the architecture is pretty. Gareth thinks so too and tells you as Bryn and Kriz are talking.

The bard is certanly surprised by the reaction of the other half-elven. He uses to control more his feelings.

She tries to calm him down.

"Wel... if they don't let me enter...  then I guess that the name Thunderbrand will come handy and I will had help him anyway. Thank you Bryn. Thank you very much. " she grabs the man arms in response and gentle squeeze it a little as a shown of proximity and thanks. She was about to turn towards Blitz when he answered his question.

"I am not quite sure you know. A man by the name of Nasser has pointed the situation but he wouldn't say who is he working for. Do not worry I will never tell your name or Gareth's to anyone. Better to keep this quiet, right? Thank you again Bryn. You are a good man." she adds and goes downstairs if the half-elven lets her.

(I would like to roll Insight to see if mentioning Nasser had some reaction in him: 20 )

Bryn let's you go and seems unmoved by the name you dropped. "They only admit humans," he calls out to you sneering now a jovial sound of voice but you realize the the joke is on you. "Good luck," he calls out walking off with a full elven woman that finally appeared from an alcove leading him away.

Blitz while passing time with Gareth you notice the young human seems anxious about being with the two of you now. Even though his attractions to Kriz is obvious Bryn's confirmation of Tobias 'trouble' taking you to the Duskmeadow seems to be bothering him a great deal.

Zeek decides to tell the priest the truth, at least as he sees it: "I work for a people who want to see Tobias Wintermarsh pay for his debt to society. And I don't mean by throwing alms at the poor. You're a man of faith, surely you can see that such an unjust distribution of wealth is not to the benefit of the farmers, who need the money to feed their families. Just think of all the good that that money could bring- instead he wastes it on whores, drink, and gambling. All I seek to do is to talk to the boy, make him see a better way, and work towards the good of all."

Persuasion: 9 or Deception: 22 (DM discretion which is the more suitable check).

The elven priest of Melora sighs deeply. "We do not meddle in the business of the wealthy. This temple as am I and the clerics are devoted to the preservation of nature. I myself know nothing of the man you're seeking other than the Wintermarsh family runs the largest winery on the eastern sloop. They worship at this temple giving generously to its maintenance. I understand you think you are righteous in you cause but this temple isn't responsible for the crimes or vices of it's members. We seek to restore a balance between nature and the cities' sprawl," he explains. "If it's justice you seek I think you are better served speaking to bastion of the Terrace. Shall I call them," he asks curiously waving a hand to a young female cleric who is carrying a basket of fruit towards an offering statue were people are waiting.

While she was descending she smiles back to Bryn, understanding what he was saying and waves her hand as goodbye.

“Gareth dear “ says Kriz to him when they leve the Willows as she make a mental note to come back to that establishment “Why don’t you come back to my inn while we go to the Meadows? “ she approaches him and whisper to his ear “ I will join you as soon as I can “ she says almost purring like a cat. 

Once the young man leaves (if he does) she speaks to Blitz. 

“Now we have a destination but they only admit humans. I could try to enter but this kind of locals don’t use to change their politics for a smile or a song. Any of your companions is a human with at least some knack for deception or smooth talk?” 

Zeek responds: "I by no means wanted to implicate the temple. In fact, we are on the same side, for how better to limit the sprawl than to get the powerful and wealthy on board?" Gesturing at the temple surrounding them, he adds "I'm sure the upkeep of such a magnificent building doesn't come cheap either. I understand that you would like to remain uninvolved, but worry not, all I seek is information." 

"There is a human. His ability to smooth talk I do not know but from the little, I know about him. I doubt he'll be able to smooth talk his way through anything."

Blitz says with a sigh thinking to himself Maybe I really should have learned that disguise spell like my teacher insisted. 

Blitz then offers "I can  make an unseen servant but, he cannot do more than simple tasks."

OOC: *cough* go find Zeek *cough*

"Young man it's not that I withholding information from you," the elder elf begins again placing a hand on your shoulder Zeek, "I simple have none that you seek. The Wintermarshes give generously and work the land here is my experience of them. This young man sounds a scoundrel but I haven't a clue what you wish me to do here," he adds next shaking his head and summoning the cleric with the basket of fruit that she's just given to people awaiting the food.

"Yes high priest Astra," the young female human cleric says with a curiously raised eyebrow at you.

"Take this young man to the bastions," high priest Astra begins. "He's in need of their assistance," he adds as the young cleric looks at you hard but does not try to muscle you out.

"Certainly high priest Astra," the young female cleric says curtly moving towards you arms out pointing towards the temple doors which you entered. "They have a post just in the square," she replied. "My name is Gwen," she then says happily, "what's yours," she asks moving away from high priest Astra now turning from you towards a flock of young children of various races smiling up at him as you see him pull a another bunch of flowers out of thin air handing each child a bloom as they all tottle around him. 

Do you leave with Gwen?

"Let us go find him his name is Zeek. He was supposed to be looking at the temples nearby."

Blitz then leaves the tavern in search of Zeek. He assumes Kriz is going to follow him but doesn't check.

Perception to see Zeek: 13 

“Lead the way mylord” replies Kriz to the suggestion to look for this human called Zeek. 

While they were walking she talks to the dwarf in low voice. 

“I am sure that you know how the arcane magic is viewed here in the old city of Vasselheim. “ she says with certain tone of solemnity “ we could use it to make you pass as human but, if for any reason you are discovered we will be in real trouble. We better think in a way to be able to enter in that establishment, or to wait until we see him enter it or exiting it.”

As they approached the temples she adds.

”Would you mind if we stop by the Temple of Melora? I would need to talk with one of it’s priestess “

“We can stop there. That’s probably where Zeek is; he’s some sort of religious man. We can just send him in. I have to learn to trust him if we’re to work together. We didn’t exactly get along is our first meeting.”

Blitz says as he is trying to navigate through the crowd. 

“A sort of religious man?” She tries to hide her laugh “but mylord, this stablishment... well let’s say that it isn’t the kind of place where you expect to find a religious kind of man. At least not a real religious type if you know what I mean.” Despite her joke she seems concerned about this revelation on his new comrade.

Zeek looks upon the young cleric. "Gwen you say? Is that a traditional elven name?" Without much hesitation, he decides to follow her. The temples hadn't given him much information yet, apart from the knowledge that this Tobias he sought was quite unlike the rest of his family.

He also noticed that Ranla and Ru hadn't made it to the square. Shame really, he was just about to start trusting them. Oh well, he thought, it wouldn't be the first and probably not the last party to dissolve along his travels. He uttered a quick prayer to Ioun on their behalf. He hoped to meet them again, and hear how they got out of this particular predicament.

To Gwen, he says "I must say, I'm rather surprised by Vasselheim so far. I thought that most religions would have a temple here..."

"I'm not an elf so I can't say what a traditional elven name would be," Gwen replies giving you a curious look. "As for other religions there are many within the city. Its not called the Cradle of Faith for any other reasons than allowing religion to blossom from roots here out in to all of Tal'Dorie," she replies curtly leading you towards the bastions. "What religion do you seek? Also what did you need from the bastions," she asks leading you towards the post that High priest Astra spoke of as you both are talking and walking out of the temple.

Zeek as soon as you reach the square again and turn towards the post for Abundant Terrace bastions you see Ranla being bungled into a wagon with bars on all sides while Ru is being questioned by two bastions. Seeing this you know you either need to claim your party members and assume their fate or act as if you don't know them. Neither of them are looking directly at you yet.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

Blitz as soon as you come outside of The Willows with Zeek on your mind he appears just across the square talking to a human woman in green vestments of Melora. She seems to be leading him towards a barred wagon where Ranla is visible inside and another woman who's hands are bound is speaking to green armoured bastions.

What's the plan?

Zeek signals to Blitz. Turning to Gwen, he says "Does your temple take acolytes? These two people in the square" hinting at Ranla and Ru "are travel companions of mine. I know not what crimes they are guilty of, but, if minor enough, I hope for them to remain free and work for your temple instead, if that were possible. Do you think we might be able to convince the bastions to let them come with you?" Persuasion: 17