"Purge we shall." Asher shoots a Fire Bolt into the air, still concentrating on his bonfire.

He then casts produce flame in his hand as it flickers and glows and occasionally Asher makes it change shape from a face to falling leaves back to a traditional tiny fire.

"Let's eradicate them."

Varrick raises a fist, seeing everyone ready to burn the building down, "Hold. Cults like these have a tendency to take prisoners. We should not destroy this place until we have brought everyone to safety and gathered what information we can. Oh Helm! Grant the security of your shield to your humble servant!"

As Varrick prays, a magical force grows from the center of his shield to encompass his entire body, and he steps inside the church.

"Stop this madness! Varrick is right! It would be prudent to search the building first!", Alkaios exclaimed trying to calm the situation. "We need more information about this cult! Maybe they have other operations going around the city! Burning this place without getting those responsible will get us nowhere!"

Already inside the building, Eleonora has no idea that Asher is already working on burning it to the ground (though if she were outside, she might inwardly approve while outwardly agreeing with everyone else.)

SIR Qelroth

" I did say afterwards,  just to be clear. Besides, they may have some things of value that could be used to help the poor or fund this operation, and we need find out about the 3 dead Gods

Quote from SheepsSong >>

Already inside the building, Eleonora has no idea that Asher is already working on burning it to the ground (though if she were outside, she might inwardly approve while outwardly agreeing with everyone else.)

 

 Gerrard is likewise already inside, confident that his proclamation to the gathered citizenry has taken care of whatever issues may have arisen from the abrupt combat.

The church main room, the prayer room is empty. On the altar a large bell stands. Carved into it are people going about there business and everyday representation of townfolks.

Behind in the smaller room, a staircase leads down and up. 

Gerrard:

Gerrard moves over to the steps and listens carefully to see if there are noises coming from up or down the stairs, not really expecting to hear anything.  He then checks the stairs for evidence of recent passage.

Unless Gerrard finds signs of danger, Varrick proceeds down the stairs carefully, shield out and looking out for anything dangerous that might jump out at him.

(My question would be. Do you plan to go up or down? ) 

Gerrard doesn't hear anything. 

Sir Qelroth

" I suggest we go up the stairs first and clear that before putting ourselves in the basement where we could be cut off and trapped from those in the upper quarters" 

with his Shield firmly in hand and his morningstar slung over his shoulder at the ready, he will start up the stairs a little ways, to ensure the rest agree with the course of action.

Perception 18

Varrick will nod in agreement with Qelroth and head upstairs.

Gerrard:

Gerrard will follow as the last person into the stairwell room, propping the bell from the altar against the outside of the door to the stairwell room.  He tries to set it up so that it tips against the door as it closes, with the intent that when the door opens again, it will tip the bell over and make a loud noise.  

(He is concerned about cultists escaping out of the church from below while the party is upstairs, so he wants a warning).

Sir Qelroth

" great idea Gerrard" 

As he moves further up the stairwell, ready to smash death cultists into jelly.

Eleonora

She also files up the steps, repressing a sigh and still gripping the halberd tight in hand. Up first, is the correct answer she thinks. Things are often stowed away in basements, and were they keeping some sort of undead horde upstairs, it could make noise from above, warning any moderately normal folk. But down below its easier to remain silent and hidden. Which just means she wants to check out the basement. But it's better to be thorough, Eleonora reminds herself, then to be rash and miss an important clue.  They have an actual mission to complete after all. 

The group files up with Varrick going first. He is about to get his head out of the stairs when Sir Qelroth grabs his ankle to stop him. The rest of the group stops.

Qelroth, you hear that someone his moving on the upper level. 

Init please for all. You are, almost, in area 3.

Varrick Initiative: 5

Gerrard:

Initiative:  *10

Alkaios Initiative: 20

init: 12