Crannoc has to rummage a bit, his normally deft fingers are unusually clumsy producing 150gp.  Which is nearly all he has in terms of coins.

"By Temuth's grace, I promise that my plan is to only use these... diamonds to coax one of you back from the dark green twilight of life.  One of you, or possibly someone else that we all agree must be brought back.  I can only do so in the first few moments after their passing or their spirit will have transcended to happier hunting grounds, and their body will give of itself to nourish Temuth's endless cycle."

The sycamore seedling circles his shoulders once solemnly.

Maggwyn nods at Miesha, "Yes, I would be happy to join you in checking out the residence before they burn it, though I must say, sounds like we might be corrupting you a bit.." she says with a small smile.

As the others divide up what items they have gathered so far, she looks into her pouch and realizes she doesn't have much to offer up for the diamonds and such (48 gold total), "Sorry all, I don't have a lot to offer, but completely fine with using whatever we found to help purchase the diamonds and pearl." she blushes a bit, but then busies herself looking around at all the interesting stuff in the apothecaries shop.  Then stopping by Miesha.. "That book sure looks interesting though."

Jasper - 71

Miesha - 120

Tybard - 150

Maggwyn - 48

389 total...

     "I don't suppose you would take 350 now and let us owe you the rest?" Miesha asks Birgon.  "You would of course the right of first chance to buy anything we may...  Rescue?... from the impending arson.  And we do seem to be building quite the little ongoing working relationship so helping keep us alive may be in your best interest as well?"

Persuasion: 15 if you want a roll...

.

Crannoc adds his last 15gp (14gp, 9sp, 10cp) on the table to make it 404gp total.

If the bronze warrior is unable to convince Birgon, he brings up the possibility of just taking one of the diamonds and returning later for the second.

"How about this, you can take all three now for the alchemical ingredients and 400 gold, and I'll take 100 gold from your pay for the next job I give."

Without hesitation, Crannoc agrees and takes 4gp back from the 404gp, giving each party member back 1gp.

(Then realizes sheepishly he should have probably checked if it's ok with everyone).

     Wait.  What?  Suddenly Miesha is down to her last gold and somehow she thinks she missed some sleight of hand or something.  First it was… but then she suggested… and now…?

     Miesha shrugged, somewhere she lost track of the negotiations.  So be it,  surely a friend of Jasper’s would treat them fairly…

     Free of the minor Hag items and just holding on to the ones they were more concerned about, Miesha waited for the others to sort and store the precious items they just bought before bringing up breaking into the mansion again.

     “It’s just my own curiosity, really.  I have no reason to believe there’s any good reason to enter before it’s burned down, I just no entering after it’s torched will definitely be pointless.  I’m not asking any of you to assist in my escapade but I would appreciate any tips on how to get in…”

With this business settled, your crew is out in the town again. The nearby house of Sir Brodstin has a crowd gathering around it, and sundown is in four hours. That is when the house is to be burned.

Crannoc's sycamore seedling wobbles uncertainly.  The prospect of large-scale burning has him unnerved.

"Should we use stealth, away from all of the onlookers?  I think that Jasper, Maggwyn and I tend towards the sneaky approach.  Or would you like to talk your way through it, Miesha?  I also have a Potion of Invisibility which might help, but only for one of us."

(OK I've reduced my coin to 1g and change and have added a pearl to inventory.)

Jasper offers to try to cast an identification spell using the pearl on some of the more unique items when the party next has some down time.

He also starts a discussion of what each person saw in various rooms of the manor so they can prioritize a few places to explore further.

Once he sees the crowd forming the thief turned part time wizard suggests that he could make the entire group invisible but it would cost him a good deal of magic. He thinks he could still manage most of his usual tricks despite that, however, and notes that perhaps Crannoc has other talents to get himself inside.

"Do not be deterred, apprentice, as I have full confidence that you and I could sneak back inside under normal circumstances. There are a lot of eyes to get past this time, however, even for a talented tabaxi!"

"Perhaps... I could create a distracting Minor Illusion?  Perhaps some noise followed by spectral black writing appearing on the main door in front of the crowd suggesting they will be cursed if they burn this den down?"

Soren feels a little foolish suggesting ideas in front of his companions, two of whom are clearly trained professionals at this type of hunt.

"Then if you find a side window or entrance, Miesha could take the Potion of Invisibility and Jasper and Maggwyn can sneak there?  If you open it, I can Misty Step through, or at least near and sneak in myself as the last one in?"

     “Good and interesting suggestions, all… but as this is just to sate my curiosity I’d prefer not to waste resources or alarm the townspeople unnecessarily,” Miesha says.  “I think it best if first we see if the house is surrounded or perhaps there is a chance to sneak in.  Failing that, perhaps I could just speak to the crowd?  Tell them we aim not to stop them, just to ensure the place is empty of innocents before they gave their way?”

     Miesha doesn’t know if her idea is better or worse than the others but it would minimize the price of curiosity…

     “Or… we do have a few hours to sundown.  Should we seek permission from the Lonsvells first?  Add legitimacy to our endeavor?  They do owe us a favor…”

     Miesha would also remind all that this is just for her own curiosity and they do not all need to come.  She welcomes them, of course, but they should feel no obligation.

Maggwyn just smiles wryly at Jasper for his comment and listens to the others converse about the house.  Sorely missing more coin in her pocket, she finally speaks up, "Normally I would be against talking to anyone before doing something, but honestly if we're just going in to look around I don't see the harm in asking the Lonsvells first.  That way we don't get into any trouble before we can go and do a real job again.  We're all in serious need of some coin."

Crannoc nods, happy to go along with any suggestion as the sycamore seedling settles on his shoulder.

(He's definitely coming with the group, though... staying with the pack).

He casts and concentrates on Temuth's Guidance on Miesha in case she decides to speak with the crowd.

     “Seems odd to seek permission to enter before an arson but I think we should,” Miesha decides.  “Perhaps the Lonsvells know nothing of the arsonists and would like to prevent it… Come!”

     And Miesha then leads the way looking for the leaders of the town…

Your group quickly finds the keep once again and are shortly allowed entry. On the interior, you find Vara filing stacks and stacks of paperwork. "Welcome back, friends. What is it you need?"

     Miesha explains they returned to town and found out about the suspected traitor.  "I have a tangental connection to him in that we both fought in the war.  I vaugely recall seeing him on a batterfield once, actually... But that is all," Miesha explains.  "It occured to me that seeing his stuff may allow me to remember more, and may possible lead me to be able to point out more of his assosciates and cohorts.  It's a long shot, of course...  But I also so no harm in it."

     "The harm, though, seems to be that some residents have scheduled the destruction of his manor for this evening.  There is already a crowd forming and I have heard on the sly that they will be torching the place in a few short hours," Miesha continues.  "The thought of just breaking in and poking around occured to me but it's just against my nature, if I am honest.  And I thought that since we are hopefully on good terms, perhaps I could get permission to slake my curiosity before it is too late?"

     "And, of course, if the arson plans are not something you wish to seen carried out it was best to bring it to your attention while there is still time to prevent it..."

Crannoc, maintaining continued concentration (and re-casting just prior to arrival) of Guidance on Miesha, thinks about the words being spoken.

The bronze warrior is telling the truth while being just a bit deceptive.  Breaking in and poking around may not be in her nature, but it is surely in Jasper's and Maggwyn's.  And perhaps in mine as well, now.  And that is to say nothing of the fact that she already knows that we broke in days ago and retrieved items and papers while she provided a distraction.  How carefully these city-folk place their words...  Like a big cat placing its steps through marshland...

(prior to asking Vara...)

When Miesha suggests simply asking permission Jasper's face goes through a variety of changes rapidly. First he looks wide eyed at Miesha as if she is surely mad, and then turns to silently share the sentiment with Maggwyn. He then changes to a curious expression as he ponders the suggestion briefly. Returning his gaze to Miesha he narrows his eyes with a look of curiosity and consideration. "I've never simply 'obtained permission' before. This is an interesting tactic."

After a moment longer of being quiet he does add "but what of the fun?" "Surely simply having permission is much less exciting!" He continues to consider, and pout just a bit, while following Miesha to find Vara.

Quote from Kalix77 >>

After a moment longer of being quiet he does add "but what of the fun?" "Surely simply having permission is much less exciting!" He continues to consider, and pout just a bit, while following Miesha to find Vara.

     "Sometimes the less fun way is the more profitable one," Miesha replies with a wink.