"Please we don't need trouble or to call the bastions," the young male cleric looking anxiously towards his older female partner.

"The temple is closed to the public," the older cleric says slowly to the group her hand still clutched around her mace.

The women's voices from behind the party are getting louder, the group turns and watch as Erarthis bastions enter along with purple armoured soldiers. They surround a group of finely dressed middle-aged men that have the same colouring as Tobias but you do not see the young Wintermarsh among them.

One of the men clicks his fingers and the cleric that was trying to be the diplomat rushed passed you to his side. The older female cleric steps into the doorway of the temple squarely between the double doors.

Ranla and Zeek you're still inside the temple but get a keen sense you're about to be removed without an opportunity to do it on your own as two of the purple guards break ranks and approach you.

"This is a private funeral," one guards says curtly to both of you but his eyes meet Zeek's which he's a good five inches taller than. "If you're looking trouble or you'll find it," he adds firmly gripping the hilt of a sword in a ornate sabre.

You both then see the young male cleric of Erathis return to the doors that he and his partner them open to let the Wintermarsh relations pass quickly inside before they shut again behind the last lady who lingered among the devotion statues. The purple guards, six men and women, stand in front of the temple doors.

OOC: Do you leave the temple to wait? Trym already said she walked out and is waiting for the party in the steps.

Zeek swallows his anger at the priests who dare to shut the doors in the face of the homeless and the faithful, and follows his Halfling companion. What the priests are doing may not be just, but starting a fight was not the way to effect change, and deep down, he knew that. He made sure to make a mental note to perhaps one day return and set this right. In the meantime, he's getting ready to wait, and to find out as much as he can about the Wintermarshes. To Ranla and Trym, he adds in a barely audible whisper: "I find it strange that a family so venerated as to get a private funeral in a temple in the city would be so wholly unknown to the common folk. In my opinion, I smell corruption, both of men and of virtue, within this family."

Trym let out a sigh as Zeke joined her on the steps to the temple, waiting just for Ranla to join them now. “Not exactly the most... welcoming of people, were they?” Trym let out a hesitant laugh as she glances around the streets. “I agree though... why close the entire temple just for a funeral, no matter how noble the person who died?” 

As they waited, Trym would like to see if she can glance around the crowd, looking for anymore Wintermarshes that aren’t in the temple. 

Perception: 3

As a halfling i can re roll 1s : 17

Zeek tries to look less recognisable, hiding in particular his tattoos. After the impression he left, getting close might need a more stealthy approach.

Stealth: 4

"Zeek," Ranla whispers as she sees him try to make it in. "There's no way we can get in there without causing a scene, and he might get away."

Zeek: You pull your good up from your cloak but it doesn't disguise anything, you still look very much like you.

Trym: You do not recognize anyone outside the temple but your party members but they are considerable crowds gathering, even in this weather, in the bazaar's center.

Another couple of the purple garbed guard appear from the crowd, four of them that come to the steps moving people off them including they party before positioning themselves outside the temple on the steps. They are well trained in their movements, standing so still as if made of stone.

Folk and Blitz your still on the inner cusp of the Abundant Terrace in the market area. Plenty of people and shops to interact with. What are you two doing? What are you looking for?

Blitz is trying to recall what the guard told him about how to get to the winery. Not quite sure he is looking around him for any buildings that look like it would sell wine and thus be able to further direct him to the Wintermarsh's Winery. 

Perception: -1

Blitz there's plenty! You see multiple taverns, cafes, and general goods shops scattered throughout the main thoroughfare of other builds that are problem homes. There's even a blacksmith shop where a dwarven woman is making farming implements. She's drawing a few spectators and there is also a livery right beside the blacksmith's shop.

"Alright Folk, let us go inside a tavern to get better directions for where the Wintermarsh Winery is."

Blitz, assuming that Folk is going to follow him, will enter the nearest, least seedy tavern he sees.

Turning to Ranla, Zeek says "I agree, we're not getting in here. But something is very strange about this funeral thing."

Zeek would like to make a religion check, to try and remember usual funeral rites for believers of Eranthis. Religion: 21

Zeek although you're not a follower of Erathis, the secret knowledge of their exact funeral rights would something that would take years of study, you do know however as a cleric of a lawful faith that this is odd for a temple to close its doors for anything period. There must be something else going on here worth investigating!

Zeek turns to Ranla, and tells her:"I want to find out more about this whole business here, and not only because the whole thing smells fishy. We should try to find out something more about these guards and priests."

Investigation check to spot anything out of the ordinary with the guards outside of the temple. 10

Trym is approached by a halfling in fine clothing, she listens to this stranger before turning to the party with a said expression. She explains she's been called away on personal business and wishes the party good luck with the Wintermarsh investigation! Trym then disappear into the crowd gathering outside of temple.

Across town in the Abundant Terrace Blitz enters a tavern called Cunning Bells but before either party member can take a seat Folk freezes. Seeing someone inside he turns to Blitz and immediately excuses himself. Blitz watches as Folk approaches another dragonborn, a chromatic red dragon which turns to face him and Blitz can see it's a female. Folk and the woman embrace then Folk turns from his female companion to return to Blitz;s side. Apologizing profusely he will have to abandon the honorable dwarven wizard for he found the woman he was seeking which the funds for Nasser's job would help fiance. Folk wishes Blitz a good journey and leaves the tavern with the red dragonborn.

Zeek and Ranla are in the crowd near the steps of Erathis' temple. Blitz you are now alone in the Abundant Terrance pub Cunning Bells.

What's everyone up too?

Ranla will ask other bystanders questions to try and get more information on their mark's family. "Pardon me, but I'm not from here. Who was this... Valora Yoxall-Wintermarsh?"

Investigation 10

Giving the half-orc curious looks no one seems to step forward immediately until a figure in a hood wearing reasonably nice clothing steps out of the crowd towards you.

"What's it worth to you," the hooded figure asks in a soft yet gender ambiguous voice.

"It is a mere curiosity. There's such a large crowd for their funeral, I imagine they were a pretty important figure around here."

Quote from NemoCaptain >>

Zeek turns to Ranla, and tells her:"I want to find out more about this whole business here, and not only because the whole thing smells fishy. We should try to find out something more about these guards and priests."

Investigation check to spot anything out of the ordinary with the guards outside of the temple. 10

"Ha," the voice exclaims. "Half are here to make sure the old witch is really dead and everyone else is here for the alms," they add moving away from you and back into the crowd.

Blitz is completely flabbergasted at the dragonborns sudden departure. 

Well I guess what they say is true. If you want it done right you should send a dwarf to do it. Blitz thinks. 

He’ll then go up to the bartender and ask

”Hey. I’m new in town. Where can someone find the Wintermarsh Winery?”