"My knowledge of the gods isn't great. Truth be told, I'm not entirely sure who bestows their power upon me, although their intentions are shown in their guidance." He looks up at the cathedral, "It's... big... Never seen anything this big that wasn't heavily fortified. Like a castle or some such. Are buildings this big common up here?"

5

Haha, you pretty much nailed it already.

Burik thinks he's seen the red and gold symbol before, but can't quite recall where - and certainly not what it means.

Xyrfaen shrugs, looking up at the cathedral. "It's certainly bigger than the buildings I have seen before, but it does not look dangerous. I would not worry, Burik. Now," he says, looking around the area directly surrounding the cathedral, "Any place here where we can sit down for a while and have a drink? Anybody see anything?"

As you're all kind of standing around near the cathedral, an older man in white robes exits and starts walking down the hill, trailed by two priests. He has white robes on but a long silken scarf over his shoulders bears the crimson and gold of the church. He's clean shaven with a bit of gray hair on top of his head. He looks to be human, but he's fairly tall and handsome for an older man of 60 or 70. He slows as he starts passing you, eventually stopping and smiling. "Can I help you boys find anything? Pardon me for saying so, but you look a bit out of place."

"Thank you sir, yes. We're looking for somewhere to bed down for the night, as well as somewhere to secure some work for the coming days. Know anywhere for us?"

Brask walks around the older man and the two accompanying priests, assessing them and their fighting capability, not for any particular reason, just to pass the time while Burik is speaking. Investigation 17

Brask eyes up the trio. The two priests are younger men, maybe in their 20s or 30s. They seem to be in good shape but they certainly don't strike him as any kind of physical threat. The older man, while getting on in years, has a quiet confidence about him. It's not threatening, though - Brask is actually kind of impressed at the general vibe he's giving off, despite his general disdain for religion. 

He turns to Burik. "Well, all that depends on your means, of course. There are a few modest inns in the merchant district. You can get a hot meal and a bed for the evening for a reasonable price. There's The Starlight," he gestures a few buildings down to an elegant looking building with a silvery sign out front. "That'll run you quite a bit more, but if you're looking for a pampered evening it's the best place in the city. Now, if you boys are really short of coin, there are always cots in one of the basements of the cathedral. They aren't much, but they're free of charge. As for work, there are always folks looking to hire down at The Learned Wren. Bustling tavern down in the merchant distrcit. Or, if you're looking for manual labor, you can search outside the gates for farming work, transportation, and so on and so forth."

We're not short enough of coin to crash in a church basement, Brask says bluntly.  I wouldn't want to offer their holinesses by farting in my sleep.

To the others, he suggests:  Merchant district sounds good.  Better than here anyway.  

The older man smiles at Brask's lack of decorum, not seeming offended at all. "If you head into the merchant district from the city center, The Learned Wren is about a half mile up on your right. There's also a wonderful jerky stand on the way - I highly suggest the boar. Enjoy your evening, gentlemen." He starts down the hill with the two younger priests.

You make your way back down to the city center and start heading through the merchant district. It's getting darker out, and the crowd is thinning, but torchlights keep most of the businesses open - and it seems like you could find literally anything down this street. There are countless general stores that seem to offer variations of the same dry goods, household tools, and so on. You pass a guarded storefront that seems to deal in the arcane. Potions and strange ingredients line the windows. There's a cobbler, a small stand with various types of dried meat hanging from the eaves, another guarded doorway that seems to hold luxury items inside. You can see bottles of spices and strange animal appendages on the shelves. Then, about a half a mile up on the right, the massive tavern The Learned Wren calls out. It's impressive in size, with three stories of windows and beautiful brushed nickel around the doorways. People are going in-and-out, and it shows no sign of slowing down as the evening wears on.

LMK if you want to stop in any shops first, or if you want to head in and grab a drink. Once you head into the inn, I'll need everyone to roll a perception check. 

Burik will head straight for the inn, looking around as he enters 4 . He'll then head straight to the bar ordering a large flagon of ale. He'll then head to the jobs board and peruse what's available if there is one while drinking. Otherwise he'll grab a table or at least something to sit on and wait for the others to join him.

Brask also checks the surroundings (Perception 6), and gets a drink, but stays at the bar.  Find us something fun, with bandits.  He drinks up.

Xyrfaen joins Brask at the bar, ordering an ale as he casually glances about the common room, taking in the surroundings and the atmosphere of the place.

Mechanics:

Cynder, roll a perception whenever you get around to it. You can be sure these three missed some things with those pitiful rolls. :)

Burik is so focused on the job board, he barely notices the other hundred or so creatures in the monstrous tavern. The job board is actually a community board for the entire city, and it's layer upon layer of parchment paper, with various job postings, illustrations, district announcements, and other pieces of text. Burik, please roll an investigation check.

Brask and Xyrfaen are served their drinks by a surprisingly handsome half-orc, with a chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes. Peering down the bar to the left, they see a human woman serving mixed drinks with an arcane twist. They sparkle with energy as she passes them to the customers, who seem to be a bit wealthier than most. Looking around the tavern, the traveling companions are almost overwhelmed. There are humans, elves, half-elves, half-orcs, halfings, dwarves...even a black-feathered kenku. To the right, the bar extends even further down, and the crowd seems a bit rowdier at that end. There's a dice game being played, a half-orc arm-wrestling a goliath, and lots and lots of ale-chugging.

4

Brask watches the arm-wrestling intently.  He snorts at the sight of the woman serving drinks, and comments to Xyrfane; Magical drinks.  What the hell is wrong with the world?  Give me a good old-fashioned ale any day.  He takes a long swig.

Burik, it's difficult to parse out what is relevant to your interests in finding a job and what's basically medieval graffiti. You do find an advertisement for a farm outside of town looking for help building a new fence, and another by The Learned Wren seeking someone to clean the outhouses out back. As you flip through the parchment, you lean one hand up against the stone wall. Roll a religion check. 

The half-orc bartender gives a half-smile at Brask's comment. "You'd be surprised at what that one can serve up." He nods down to the other bartender and then quickly goes on pouring ale for the other customers. Cynder, Brask & Xyrfaen, roll another perception check.

Xyrfaen chuckles softly to himself. He, too, is somewhat taken by surprise by the magical drinks, but Brask's brusque demeanor is an amusing addition to the sight. With a glance at Burik, he says, "He is taking quite some time. Can he read? Perhaps I should help, what do you think?"

Mechanics:

13 (here's hoping I can get above 5 at some point...)

Burik mutters, "Show me mining contracts, and I'll get the best job, but finding bandits just isn't my skill...". After a good look at the wall he'll head back to the others.

"Nothing I can find for us, but this isn't my normal line of work so one of you might have better luck."

Brask's Perception 3

I guess he can read.  Don't priests have to read?  Holy books and stuff like that.  He downs the rest of his ale and orders another as Burik is headed back.  He frowns at Burik's words, and wonders about what Xy said. 

Insight check on whether Burik is hiding the fact that he can't read: 8