"If you do, I would like to accompany you, Fenro. I am curious as to the nature of this new form of worship."

Lyrika thanks the bard and follows Aramae, very reluctantly leaving the tavern.

"Oh, my apologies, Lyrika. I hope my sudden exit  did not deter you from remaining inside. I merely wanted to relay the information to the rest of our team. After Fenro and I check this tower, being the only religious ones among us, I will be more than happy to accompany you to as many taverns as necessary."

Aramae does not look to Edgar as he says this.

"I suppoooose that once we get this over with, we can get back to normal life," says Lyrika. "So, let's get it over with as fast as we can.  I have a feeling that we won't be able to party this new church into submission....too bad."

"Oh, I do not think we will enter another scuffle within the tower. I hope we do not, anyway."

Oryxis had cracked his knuckles when the tower was pointed out. He seemed a little disappointed that Aramae wasn't hoping for a scuffle: "I wouldn't mind teaching them the inferiority of strictly organised belief. Far too easy to undermine the whole thing by taking out their link to their "god". Let's see what this cult has to do with all this. Maybe knock some heads if it comes to that."

"I appreciate the....enthusiasm, and if it comes to that, I am grateful to have you on our side. However, we are not aware of how many are inside, nor does it look good to just rush in fists flying."

Aramae had gave a very gentle pat to Oryxis's firm bicep as he spoke.

"How much does anyone know about this new religion?" Lyrika asks. "Maybe we can fake our way inside as novices or something. Or maybe just ask them directly for more information about themselves. I've never seen a religion yet that wasn't eager to show off its holiness and gain new followers."

"I cannot deny I have also been very forthright with my worship to Tisus, but perhaps we keep that a secret to those within the tower, yes?"

”Then let us go an join a cult!” 
“but why would a new church want to kill the ruling body? They would still need someone in the line of succession to benefit form it if their goal is to ‘take over’ so to speak.” 

"A battle over difference in religion, I suspect. Surely the new Baron had her faith placed in an already established deity. And if you are a newcomer on the rise, how do you immediately make a name for yourself? Strike the ruling bodies. However, they seem pretty ambitious to go after literally everyone. I think we should do some research on this 'God Above All' or whatever they have named it. Perhaps at the Hall of Knowledge the Baron informed us about."

”oh so that is how it is! We better not underestimate them just cause they are new and failed here. They did after all manage to strike everywhere and most attacks succeede.” 

“So we have some time before we meet at the bridge. Is it the temple or the hall of records? Or both?  I imagine if they are behind this that having a group of strangers walk in and start asking questions might alert them. One or two people might get more out of them in that case. Either way, it would be interesting to find out about their membership. See if anyone influential follows their faith. Maybe our friend the count?”

"The count may already be in Schirit for all we know. If we question those in the tower, I would suggest only Fenro and I entering. At least at first. All of us walking in at once would certainly rouse suspicion. I do not think conversations there would take very long so we could visit the Halls of Knowledge afterwards. Then see about this meeting Edgar had set up later this evening. These are my thoughts on what we should do. But please, do speak up if you prefer another way. I am hardly the leader of this makeshift crew."

Oryxis flared his nostrils, but nodded eventually: "You're right, as much as I'd like to knock some heads, it's unliekly to give us the information we need. Also, for all intents and purposes, we might be mistaken about their involvement. There are plenty of people like me that don't like religion and find them suspicious by default. Then there are people like Aramae who follow a different religion than theirs and are willing to strike them down for that. Overall, if you want to scapegoat some organisation, you could do a whole lot worse than choosing the up- and- coming cult. I am not saying they're innocent, but maybe we shouldn't go in there with foregone conclusions about their involvement."

"Quite right. I had merely labeled them a suspect, nothing more. Going in could prove them entirely innocent which would also be helpful."

"So Aramae and I will head to the temple to see what we can find. The rest of you can continue checking the bars or check out the hall of records. Sunset, let's meet at the bridge." Fenro picks up his gear and checks that he jar is secure and easy to access. It was his excuse for being there, but it would also be nice to try and find out something useful for his own journey.

"Very well. Good luck and remain safe. And don't get into too much trouble, Edgar."

Aramae grins at Edgar for a moment before turning to walk with Fenro.

As they approach the tower, Aramae stops.

"We should decide on exactly what we are planning to do and how far. As well as determine if we will use aliases. If they are indeed responsible for the attacks, they will undoubtedly be cautious of anyone coming in. They may already know about us, for all we know."

“I had already intended on visiting the temples so I don’t think I need to hide who I am. A genuine question can’t be found to be deceitful.” Fenro pulls the jar from his bag showing the diseased section of wood. “This disease is spreading through the jungles of my homeland and we don’t know why. I was hoping that someone here could help, or at least guide me towards an answer. I had never heard of this religion before coming to the cities, so my questions about who they are, how well established, what they are trying to achieve are all legitimate.” Fenro slipped the jar back into his bag. “As to how far I am willing to go? This is just a scouting mission. If I sense they are overly suspicious or threatening I think we should leave and regroup with the others. What do you think?”

Aramae looked inside the jar at the diseased wood.

"My word! Have you told anyone else about this? If this is spreading in your homeland, who's to say that it will not spread to other nations? I would think all would want to prepare themselves as much as possible to stage this off."

Aramae stands up straight again.

"As to the tower, yes. Any slight hint of trouble and we make a hasty exit. I have a means to allow myself enhanced speed, but it will only work on myself, so I do hope you also have a means of getting away quickly. I will be relying on you once we are inside as to reading reactions from those within."