Aldin looks at the book, the writings seemed prominent and important but his grasp of reading common was limited. He was lucky to have friends that have been helping him and he was a lot further then when he first walked out of his rural and truly rustic home. 

He took up the book and carried it with him as he met up with the group. "This may have some importance. Nothing else seemed worthwhile downstairs that I saw. Save for the spikes."

 The monastery worker seems a bit smothered by all the questions, but manages to bring himself to answer them. "An assortment of races...a few exotics. Maybe some of those rebels running from the law. I don't know where they came from, but they seemed to be in an awful hurry. They didn't ask much, really. Just to use the temple. Their clothes were old and filthy, but they changed into these elaborate robes they had in their packs, for their ritual. I'd never seen rituals like theirs...they were hurting themselves. They were whispering in languages I had never even heard of, but I heard them say something like, 'sacrifice must be made to appease the gods if we are to ascend.' It was insane." The monastery worker turns to Aldin, who has recently brought up the book. "They left that and tried to convince me to  convert to their religion."

“Any idea where to find them?”

 "I'm not entirely sure. They sounded like they were on the run, which would make sense. There's an army base on top of Mount Tyranvar, where they might've been held if they're rebel exotics. But they sounded like they had to go back for something...like they were going back up the mountain again, to St. Jarren, I think it was. Apparently there's a temple there they can sue for consistent worship." the monastery worker responds.

St Jarren.. I heard that name before...let me think.

Smoke ponders a moment..

I believe it was the emperor that forced exotics to buy items from the auction house there. Yes that was it, and if they didnt they would be put in prison. 

Terrible, what people would do for coin. 

Smoke takes a few steps away from the monastery worker. Do you know anyone that might know about magical necklaces? He asks in reference to the necklace they found on the devil. 

(ooc as the party might know already Smoke does not have a good memory when it comes to anything except notable battles)

Leaving Nirug and Black Cat to find what the could, Ash wanders back over "Weird people - of course the government controls the town, that's what a government is" Ash sounds deeply unimpressed, and as the group knows, she has no love lost for the government for all that she's not 'exotic'. "And weird bloodletting culty rituals and demon men - this is messy as all hells..." 

She'll make her way over to Aldin and peer at the book - is there anything she can make out about it?

Black Cat will join the group and show the necklace off the spined devil and then the rock from outside, explaining where he found it, and then will also show the sword hilt as well. The "trinkets" will stay tucked into his clothes for "safe" keeping, plus they are shiny.

He will glance at the book to see if it makes any sense and will tilt his head when he thinks of the cult religion.

Investigation book: 15

Religion Cult: 9

(sorry it's taking me so long to post. Hectic day.)

Answering Smoke's question, the monastery worker will say, "I don't think anyone around here could help you with that. Perhaps someone in Syrendahl, though. They have people of all walks of life there, looking to get lucky in the markets or auctions."

Ash, what stands out the most to you is the unique language it is written in--a unique dialect you can't understand. Almost like a secret code of some sort. A jumble of runes and letters from assorted languages to form something only close members could read, perhaps.

Black Cat, when inspecting the book, you too can't truly make sense of the language it's written in. You can find a few drawings of relics and rituals that seem strangely different from any other religious scriptures you may have seen prior. A common recurring image is that of a shining hooded figure that seems to hold power--almost like a god. Being surrounded by worshipping figures. Anyone can make an Intelligence check to attempt to read this page, or parts of it, as it seems of the most importance.

Black Cat, in your various adventures before this group, you had heard of this religion. Even maybe seen some of its members. All that you can truly recall, however, is the extreme importance of the word 'ascend' in this religion.

Jorel will take a moment to puzzle over the page (Intelligence: 5), as he does so, "So it seems we're off to St. Jarren? Or are we moving on to another job?"

Smoke will let the others investigate the book not thinking he could be much help there. 

Perhaps we should get some rest first at the Inn. He says to Jorel. I think we could use some rest, we can set off to St. Jarren in the morning. 

He will then move back to the monastery worker. Very well, we will look for someone to help us there. Will you be alright here alone?

"I can stay here and keep you company, just to be safe. This place feels like home after all." Jorel will offer to the monastery worker.

"I agree with getting some rest. We already have rooms booked right?" Weylin adds.

Aldin gladly hands the book off, "Do we think the situation we had arriving will catch up to us by morning? I think I will stay here with Jorel, maybe keep looking around here too."

Jorel, you can't decipher too much from the page, but you don recognize that this image somehow symbolizes their idea if 'ascension.' However, the true definition eludes you.

"I should be fine by myself, but I wouldn't turn down one or two of you staying. There are a few small rooms built for the monks that performed the services back when this was a functional church."

"I'm going to argue for all of us staying here. Given the... tensions in the city, I don't want to risk us splitting up or sleeping somewhere obvious for anyone who wants to stab us in the night" says Ash, looking up from the puzzling book. "We could stay here - this room is big enough for us to drop bedrolls in - or I can scout out somewhere else. There's got to be a few abandoned houses or underused barns that'd do for a night."

Well, we should stay on the second floor then. Says Smoke That way we will hear people come in before they see us, in case trouble returns here. 

Smoke looks around for possible entrances then looks towards the second floor. A shiver is sent down his spine as he thinks about the second floor. Im not staying in the room with Vandur though. 

Black Cat will chime in, using a child's voice you have not heard before, "Stay here, safety numbers."

"If you don't mind, I'm going to go downstairs and view any destruction they may have wreaked while that monster had a hold of me, maybe tidy things up a bit. But I have a few spare bedrolls and candles if you need them." the monastery worker says as he walks closer to the stairs.

Jorel will move with him, "Please, allow me to help."

If no one has any further actions they'd like to do, I think it would help the story progress if we took a brief fast-forward to your wake from the long rest to come.

(I'll wait a bit to see if anyone has anything they'd like to do before going to sleep, and then I will continue the story)