Its the End of the World (as we know it)

As the priestess leaves, Thistle smacks her fist into her open palm in a universal sign of “drat!”

She heads back in to where Yokini is. “Yokini! That old half-orc Zashier and Lem followed is the same one Romero talked to here at the temple! I have to go tell them. Have you found anything?”

Are the "slits on his wrist" the right configuration Yokini saw being taught to Ruby?

As Thistle comes back to Yokini, the gnome curses. "Yes, there's something on his lips, but I can't figure out what it is with my travel alchemical kit. I need to take it back to my lab to try again there." She pauses, then looks at the female. "You don't recognize it, do you? Some kind of poison or something else?"

Lem moves inside, following Sara to try to get a look at who's speaking. Can Moon get inside from the back?

"Um, that's not really my area, but I'll take a look. I did have a run in with some... less than savory types once." Thistle's eyes darken at the memory, but she peers at Romero's lips.

Straight up roll: 7

Add +6 for Perception (expertise), or
Add +4 for Medicine (proficient), or 
Add +0 for Investigation (not proficient)

Yokini, the slits on the wrist actually look a little different than you expect them to compared to what you saw being taught the other night. The configuration is off, the angle is odd. Almost like someone tried to make it look like it was correct, but didnt know the exact way Fallcrestians were taught.

Lem, the doors on front and back are closed. The heat of the forge is vented upward - but if Moon tried to enter that way, you are pretty sure she would be incinerated.

Thistle, you are also not sure what the substance is.

Lem, you try to get into the back area. You make your way around the front desk, which spans most of the room, and get around to the doorway. As you peer around the corner, you see the older half-orc you saw earlier, in a close huddle with Sara. You are unable to make out all the details, but you get hints of the conversation with the words you can make out....mostly making sure the older half-orc wasnt seen as he ducked in, asking how long he will be there, that kind of thing.

Lem parks himself there and listens. He should be a bit more aware he just left Zashier alone in the alley but he is fairly clueless. He tries to get closer if he can.

Zashier remains on guard by the door, internally debating the pros and cons of putting one of his massive ears against the door, putting his whole weight against it, or just widening his stance in readiness to catch anyone rushing through it. Unfortunately... he cannot quite make up his mind, so winds up just hovering almost inches from the door, staring at it with great intensity, and subconsciously scratching his head with his trunk.

Lem, go ahead and roll stealth for me. you may be invisible, but you are also operating in a new environment in this shop...

(I would roll, but something this important, I dont want to take the agency away from the player)

When Thistle says she, too, is stumped by the substance, Yokini finishes gathering as much of the substance as she can into one of her small vials to take with her. "I want a local to look at these cuts," she says, pointing out Romero's wrists to Thistle. "From what I remember of the ceremony, these aren't quite right. It almost looks to me like someone else did them to Romero instead of Romero doing them to himself. I know we're already assuming murder as opposed to suicide, but it's still good to have as much evidence as we can to back up our claims." She'll then seek out the priestess and ask her to come look at Romero's wrists to get her opinion on the placement and likelihood that Romero didn't do them himself. As she is leaving Thistle and Romero's body, she says over his shoulder, "Oh, check his pockets. Just in case."

Yokini, the priestess joins you, and as you point out the cuts looking a bit different, she takes a closer inspection. She says they appear to be close to what a Fallcrestian is taught, but something about them is off. She finally figures it out - the direction of the cuts is off, and the skin opens up at an odd angle because it is where you would cut, but its a mirror image. Someone else had to have done this to Romero because Romero would have known the correct places to cut. This looks like someone made the correct cuts, but did it while facing Romero. She says this is a very good indication that it wasnt suicide, and then runs off, saying she will send someone to find Jagrin and have him come look, and to inform him of this new development in the investigation.

Also, His pockets are empty.

Lem stealth: 20

Lem, the floor creaks beneath you as you move forward, but you are pretty light on your feet, and it goes unnoticed.

As you make your way closer, you can hear more of the conversation.

The older half-orc (Who you do not know his name yet) is responding to Sara. She is making sure he wasnt followed, and he is pretty sure he wasnt. He is asking her to hide him, at least temporarily. She asks if he is tied to Romero's death. He looks offended, and says he is not involved. He had some visions last night, the night before Romero's death, and now suspects foul play. He tells Sara he knew what Romero was investigating, and now is scared for his life. He is afraid whoever killed Romero might come for him. Sara agrees to hide him, and they move away from you, and she hides him in one of the storage areas in the back room. Then she makes her way right toward you. You look behind you and realize she is moving for her hammer to get back to work, which is right by you....

Can Lem see the door that would seem to be the door the half-orc entered (and which Lem assumes that Zashier is still waiting behind)?

If so, Lem will toss a copper piece at the door or window if there is one. 

He's aiming to get Sara to look at the door, away from him, so he can duck back toward the front door, become visible by casting mage hand to hold the bell so it doesn't ding, depart the front door, and then circle around back to Zashier to update him. 

That's a lot, so here are some rolls: 
Stealth: 14
Sleight of hand:  6

Lem, you can see the door from where you are. Thinking fast, and tossing a copper piece at the door, it "dink"s on the door (Zashier you hear the noise). It is enough to distract Sara, who turns around to see what the noise was affording you just enough time to get out of her way before she turns back to get her hammer.

You are able to hold the bell, and escape out the door without Sara noticing you. Behind you, you can hear the sounds of the forge starting up again....

Lem is circling around to find Zashier behind the shop.

Yokini and Thistle are still at the Sanctuary.

Lem gets to Zashier, visible once more.

"Sara asked if he was seen, and he said no, and that he's seeking a place to hide. She wanted to know if he was involved with Romero's death and he denied it. Something about having visions last night, and he doesn't think it's a suicide."

He makes eye contact with the paladin. "Zashier, he said he know what Romero was investigating, and fears Romero's murderer might kill him. She said she'd hide him. I assume he's still back in there, but I was able to get out of the forge without being seen for the price of a copper. I... well, I almost just surprised them and tried to explain we wanted to know what he knows, the whole investigation. But something told me that if I did that, they'd attack me. You're... better at this sort of thing. People. I can't get a read on them very often, unless I'm actually inside their heads, or spying on them. You probably don't approve of that, but those are the tools in my toolbox. So I came back, and then started telling you about everything, and, well, I think that's it."

He blinks a few times and looks at Zashier expectantly. This has obviously taken a lot out of him.

"I'd like to stay and meet Jagrin," Thistle says. "I'd like to see what I think of his reaction to this. Do you want to wait, or do you need to get that back to your laboratorium?"

"Well, uh, I appreciate the honesty, for what it's worth. And if I were to be honesty, which I can't remember a day I haven't been, I too have trouble sometimes reading people. Though I find it that it usually helps to be straight-forward, as one should typically be, and keep an ear open. I task that I find exceptionally easier having these." Zashier flaps his ears, grinning and fanning Lem lightly in the process. He then pats the dwarf on the shoulder. "But don't you worry, Lem. With time and practice, you will come to understand them better without needing to get inside their heads in so literal a fasion. Now. Considering the situation, we best be having a talk with Half-Orc about their vision, as I would very much like to find my friend's killer."

With that, Zashier straightens out the stooping talking with Lem tended to make him do, and heads right for the front door, entering if the sign said it was open, or just knocking on it if not.  

Lem leaves Moon in the back to be a lookout and follows Zashier...

Zashier, the ship is empty, you hear the sounds of work inside.

Sara turns from the forge and sees you enter the doorway, followed by Lem. She says:

You two? Back again? You left things pretty awkward last time. How can I help you?