Jararaka follows everyone out, though slightly disoriented because the brightness of the city is always constant. She stays to the back and looks on in mild interest as everyone else seeks out their desired items in the newly unfurling market.

Her lips curl in a sharp-toothed grin, understanding Jirel's suggestion. She closes in casually behind Finn, reflexively softening her footsteps. While the changeling's attention is momentarily captured by the same gaudy lantern stall Jararaka passed earlier, she holds up the shield right behind Finn's head and raps her knuckles on it. It wasn't earsplitting, more like a resounding alarm bell, but still very much going to shake up her head. Hopefully, it is to a more sober state.

The party stretches their legs and gets a proper good look at Elturel in full daylight.

In many ways, Elturel is Greenest, writ large.  The commercial, military and financial hub of the vast plains collectively known as the fields of the dead, much of the agricultural trade of the region flows through Elturel, to be shipped down the river to Baldur's Gate and the coast.  Everywhere there are granaries, warehouses, bargebuilders, waggoneers... the infrastructure for moving grain and produce across the land.  But with its much larger size and population, Elturel also has the trappings of high culture and wealth.  Everywhere the city skyline is pierced by the steeples and belltowers of churches and cathedrals.  The High Hall of Torm pulls triple duty as castle, seat of government, and cathedral, perched at the highest point on the great slab of rock that rises in the center of town.  But there is also Helm's Shieldhall, the High Harvest Home dedicated to Chauntea, and temples to Amanuantor, Waukeen and even Tempus.

And while it is far from the cosmopolitan trading hubs like Baldur's Gate and Waterdeep, it does have a thriving marketplace full of shops and smiths.

In your wanderings you come across the following shops:

Gilda's Emporium - This unassuming storefront leads into a dimly lit shop that smells of earth and tobacco.  Pine boughs are lashed to the low-hanging beams overhead and their scent calls to mind a quiet mountain forest.  Along the walls and shelves, wooden crates and wicker boxes hold a variety of mundane and exotic spell components.  An ancient looking gnome woman with glasses thicker than plates is seated at a hightop counter near the back of the shop, reading.

[This shop holds many spell components.  If there is something in particular you're looking for, ask and DM will advise if they have it and how much it costs.  In addition to spell components, the shop also sells quills, blank spell books, ink for copying spells and scrolls, and the following spell scrolls for sale:

• create bonfire (cantrip) 50gp
• mending (cantrip) (cantrip) 50gp
• ice knife (1st) 250gp
• color spray (1st) 250gp
• fog cloud (1st) 250gp
• see invisibility (2nd) 600gp ]

Finigin's Fine Shapings - With the number of knightly orders operating in the city, it is no surprise that there are also many smiths here to cater to their needs.  This morning you happen into a shop run by a vaguely familiar face - it is one of the dwarves from the bar last night.  Unlike Finn, he seems no worse for wear from a night of drinking but he does have a sour demeanor if his gambling losses are called to mind.

[This shop has a wide variety of metal armors, shields, and hammers available for sale.  If there is something you are interested in ask the DM and we will advise if he has something in your size and for what price.]

     "Wha-huh?" Finn exclaims, simultaneously ducking forward and drawing her weapons simultaneously in the exact wrong manner.  The result of her particular attempt at the impossibility of for her to stumble ass over teakettle, landing on her ass amongst a spillage of gaudy lanterns, her dagger at the feet of Jararaka and her rapier spinning upon the cobblestones like a spinner in a yet to be invented board game.  During this rather embarassing stumble and lack of dexterity a rather alarmed and perturbed Misses Binklesworth jumped out of one of Finn's pockets with a "Meeyow!", seemingly turning the pocket Finn had filled with the small biscuits inside out in her escape.  The annoyed and hostile cat lands with a lot more grace than her summoners and immediately turns and hisses at the lizard folk!

     As Finn sits there for a moment and gathers herself there is a rumble of thunder from out of nowhere and tremors in the ground ...  But these are quickly replaced by laughter and Finn playfully tumbling forward out of the lanterns and back to where she started, acrobatically leaping from her hands to her feet.

     "SOMEONE owes me some biscuits!" She declares though the laughter and bows towards Jararaka.  

     "Well played... well played..." She whispers to the lizard woman.  "But there will be another day!"

     Still with a smile and a laugh, Finn steps over to he vendor selling the lanterns and makes a big show out of helping (badly) to straighten up what got knocked over and apologizing profusely.  "For your troubles,' Finn insists and presses five gold into their hand and then hurries away to catch up with the others... Whether she needs to or not.

---Later... Shopping...

     At Gilda's Emporium - Finn is looking to buy 30gp worth of charcoal, incense, and herbs for future Find Familiar rituals.  (I'm assuming she already has a travel brazier for such.) She does her best not to send Misses Bigglesworth into danger but... Best to be prepared.  Finn also inquires after potions, specifically of healing but she could be interested in almost anything...  She has little interest in the scrolls though, generally too in the mix battle wise to imagine herself reading a scroll.  

     At Finigins Fine Shapings - Finn has a particular like of interesting daggers so will keep an eye out for unique or interesting examples.  She would inquire with the dwarf about purchasing a rapier (and possibly selling a scimitar) as well as looking at silvered weapons, out of curiosity, but wouldn't even bring up magical weapons or armor as she doesn't believe she could afford any such just yet.

     Finn also does her best to talk up and commiserate with the dwarf (unless she was the fault for his losses, then she will avoid the topic like the plaque) - generally trying to get on the man's good side at least enough to possibly have him in a better mood when it comes to pricing or negotiations.  She isn't looking to give the hard press or do anything magical, just her generally gift of being socially and friendly in order to be persuasive. (Persuasion? Just 13...)

     Finn will also ask both merchants about where she could perhaps find a shop selling musical instruments. She is looking to pick up a fiddle and/or a bodrahn (hand drum) for a bit of variety while she is a bit flush...

The young blonde half-elf laughs warmly at the jest sending Finn sprawling, then retrieving the rapier for her with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh at someone in your current condition." She says, then starting to laugh again. It felt good, she hadn't laughed like this in a long while she realized, too long. There had been mostly grim business since she met her new companions and she wished she would have the continued pleasure of their company. She could only hope Sir Frume would give them a reason to stay together.

Tylaerys would follow Finn and the others around on their shopping, looking around curiously for what Elturel had to offer but not really being in the market for anything herself, although time permitting she would perhaps look into clothes and jewelry, just looking, unless she finds something cute for about 50 pieces of gold.

     "No worry, my friend," Finn replies to Tylaerys happily enough.  "My condition is my own fault so nothing I can be upset about, eh?"  And truthfully the food, water and fresh air were already much improving her condition.  Loud sudden explosions by her head less so...

Jirel tries really hard to keep her composure, however she couldn't help it. Snorts would escape first before she lets out a full belly laugh. She'd have to wipe the corner of her eyes. 

When Finn would turn her attention back to shopping, Jirel would reach her fist out offering it to bump with Jararaka. She was plenty happy to pay the 'debt' Finn placed on the lizardfolk for her part.

Jirel doesn't expect anything to catch her eyes while shopping. She had what she wanted, and needed, right now. However, should her companions find something they really desired and were short the coin, the goliath would offer hers up.

(Similar to what Kaemgen expressed in terms of weapons. If silvering is within our means, wonderful! Otherwise not expecting to afford/find a magical weapon here :) )

Cheddar will enquire about a Component Pouch but will not purchase anything outside of some sand. 

Jararaka does not hold back a snort-laugh but does offer a hand to the changeling. "I don't know how you keep up with the drinking every time at a tavern." Half-heartedly, she hisses back with all her sharp teeth in imitation at the puffed up Misses Binklesworth. She returns Jirel's fist bump amusedly, finding out that she enjoyed such harmless pranks, and only grins when Finn whispers to her, as if to say, 'you can try'.

Now meandering through the blooming market, Jararaka looks to sell a chain mail from who-remembers-where, perhaps she swiped it from the caravan. she is also looking to rehome the extra light crossbow she salvaged from one of the cultists. If she can, she will look for a set of thieves' tools, or the components to assemble the set. Otherwise, not really attached to the currency, she is happy to offer up her gold to pool together enough for any equipment the others need that are on the expensive side.

At Gilda's Emporium - 

Finn is able to secure her 30gp worth of familiar conjuring components and pays the Gnome.  Alas, the proprietor is no apothecary, nor is the a brick and mortar potion shop in town.  But she suggests you check the market square periodically when you are in town, as caravans and sole traders often pass through and set up temporary stalls.

The shopkeeper shows Cheddar a fine component pouch, packaged in red leather with lizard-bone bracings that snap together to hold it closed when not in use.  She is willing to part with it for the special sale price of 35gp.  Should he pass on that, he is able to procure a small hemp baggie full of fine sand for 1sp.

At Finigins Fine Shapings - 

Finn makes small talk with the surly dwarven smith.  He holds no grudge... he lost much more to his drinking pals than he did to Finn.  Though personable enough in demeanor today, he turns a sour look at Finn's talk of rapiers or her and Jirel's interest in silver weapons.  "Bah, I'm an armorer by trade.  I'm happy to make and sell the odd hammer now and again, but some poofy dancer's pricker?"  He mocks gagging.  "And do you know how costly it would be to silver a hammer?  All that surface area... ugh...".  He suggests the bladesmiths over at Cutler's Weapons of War might be more up your alley.

Jararaka has a little more luck.  He inspects the chainmail and finds it passable.  He offers her 30gp.  The light crossbow he is less interested in, but if she wants to let it go for 5gp he will take it.

Neither shop sells thieves tools, or the basic elements of thieves tools either.

While there is still much more of the city you haven't seen, it is now near mid day and its starting to feel like a good idea to get back to see Ontharr Frume at A Pair of Black Antlers.

"I think we should head over to the Pair of Black Antlers now my friends, I'm sure we can continue exploring Elturel after our meeting. You're all coming right?" The young blonde half-elf says, hopeful silvery eyes looking at the others. 

(To be clear, Tylaerys is serious about shopping some nice jewelry or attire if she can find it, but it's not important :-)

Cheddar stands looking at the bag, arms crossed, right hand under his chin, right eye half closed.
"That's a fine bag and all." he tells the shop keeper. "But isn't 35 gold a bit steep for it?"
Cheddar waits a moment then says.
"I mean hows a Cat supposed to live and feed a dependent on those prices?" he asks while flashing his cute cat face.
Performance: 19
"I can pay 20 gold for it" he says a bit dejectedly. 
Persuasion: 14

Jararaka nonchalantly hands the crossbow and chain mail over to the blacksmith, happy to get something more useful by trading in the 'free' (and probably used?) items she found on the road. She hangs back and nods in aggreement to Tylaerys, "seems like a good time. Plus, sir Frume- was it? They might have a better idea of where we can find the things we need."

The Gnome furrows her brow at Cheddar. 

"Careful there, young man.  Go 'round and make that sad kitty face to the wrong old woman, and she's 'apt to pick you up by the scruff of the neck and carry you back home to live with her other 50 cats.  You and all your 'dependents.'"  

She looks at the pouch.  

"20gp doesn't even cover my costs.  28gp is the best price you'll get from me.  If you don't like it, check around.  You won't find another like it in Elturel."

Considering she didn’t wield a hammer, Jirel would just grunt and take her leave from the armour smith’s overreaction to what seemed to have been a simple browsing question. She didn’t want anything that bad. The goliath was ready to move on to their next meeting.

     “I’ll give you thirty for it,” Finn declares and pulls out her coin purse.  Assuming she wins the bidding war she smiles triumphantly at Cheddar as she pays the shop owner…  Finn then walks away oohing and ahhing over her prize.

      “But oh!” she explains after about five steps.  “It clashes with my attire.  Oh well…”  With that Finn lazily tosses the pouch over her shoulder to where, hopefully, Cheddar still is.

     “I understand.  I get it.  Merely adding silver to a thing is beneath your skills and expertise,” Finn would say diplomatically.  Truth is she was as annoyed by the dwarf’s demeanor as Jirel but who k ew how long they would be in town?  Pissing off a dwarf who had friends was risky business.  “I’ll be sure we bring out tinkering business elsewhere in the future.  I’m sure they’ll overcharge us but we can’t expect an artisan such as yourself to bother with anything other than real bespoke craftsmanship…”

     Business dealt with, for the time, Finn is more than ready to head back to the Antlers and see what the top brass says…

[So Finn drops 60gp at the magical supplies shop; 30gp on her summoning supplies, 30gp buying a pouch for Cheddar?  Add the supplies to your sheet and Cheddar can add a stocked component pouch.  No need for him to buy the sand now....]

The gnome is a bit surprised when her haggling with Cheddar explodes into a brief bidding war, but she snatches the gold and hands over the pouch to Finn.  

"A pleasure doing business with you, Miss.  Do enjoy your stay here in the capital."

Finigan shrugs. 

"My mum taught me to be honest.  If you want steel armor, I stake my creations against any man or dwarf in Elturgard.  But if you're looking for silver inlays or fancy fencing weapons, your coin and my time are better spent elsewhere."

     “Fair indeed.  Can’t ask for more than honesty,” Finn says to the dwarf with a smile.  

((yep, Finn won some gold last night so spending freely and recklessly this morning. It’s her thing.  I doubt she’ll ever be rich for lone…))

((by the by, early on she recovered a “A brass signet ring with gems cut to resemble a cat's eye” - that’s all it is, yes?  She’s been wearing it since so…))

Assuming there will be more time later to explore the city and do more shopping, the party assembles and saunters back to A Pair of Black Antlers.  Inside, the tavern is almost empty, though the kitchens are busy and the scent of lunch wafts about the interior - the smell of something involving pumpkins is unmistakable.  

Tylaerys and Jirel know the way up to Ontharr's office on the second floor.

The door is open, and upon approach you are greeted to the following scene.

Ontharr Frume stands in front of a tall mirror, covered head to toe (literally, he has a full helm on) in resplendent plate armor, the steel treated to a blue hue and stamped with the mailed fist of Torm over the chest.  A squire circles him, taking notes on a pad and doing his best to assist the much older knight.  

"I don't know, Lemmy.  You're certain the straps under the armpits can't be loosened any further?  The rest feels good but it is damn binding in the pits.  I'd hate to send it back again but this doesn't feel like it will be workable."  The squire sadly reports that the straps indeed have no more play, before spotting you at the door and clearing his throat.

The mountain of plate mail turns toward you end removes his helmet.  "Oh.  There you are.  I was beginning to wonder if you lot had partied a little too hard in the Antlers last night. Hah! Please, have a seat back down in the tavern and give me five minutes... better yet make that ten minutes.  I'll be right down."  He turns and then says, more quietly, "Send it back.  Remind him I'm no dwarf... I need to be able to adjust the chest...".  The squire begins to assist him out of the plate as you head back downstairs.

15 minutes later, Ontharr Frume descends to join you, the stairs creaking under his large frame.  Those who hadn't met him last night are able to get a better look.  He is tall, and somehow both muscular and showing signs of perhaps a little too much old-man weight.  A reasonable guess for his age would be 50, though he carries himself with a bit more spring in his step than either his size or his age would make seem appropriate.  He wears his long auburn hair tied up in a bun and his beard and mustache are neatly trimmed and waxed.  He has changed into a set of chain mail armor, which jingles as he descends the stairs and approaches your table.

"So, this is all of you, then?" he asks rhetorically.  "The Lady Silverscale gave me a brief summary of your exploits in Greenest last night.  Though I look forward to getting the whole story from each of you."  He stands beside your table but does not sit.

"I've sent riders to the four corners of the Sword Coast, and reached out to some allies who can effect communication even faster than a horse can carry a letter.  With luck and the will of the gods on our side, we should have a clearer picture of the scope of this crisis in another day or two.  Not to mention, Sir Corwyn should have finished mopping up the remnants of that cultist base and we should have word soon from him as well."

He laughs, then and it is a deep rumble that starts in his belly.  "First things first.  I'm to join my brethren for a bit of light sparring up at the High Hall.  I wish for you to accompany me.  Along the way you can tell me more about this blue dragon and his cronies.  And then perhaps a few of you will join us in the melee ring and show me what the 'Heroes of Greenest' are capable of, eh?"  He waves a large hand toward the doorway.  "Shall we away?"

Cheddar follows, and finds a chair. He hops up into it and curls up, his feet balled under him, and waits. 
He has seen men like this Ontharr Frume before. His master had dealings with such men and always seemed a bit amused by them. 
Cheddar quietly sips some water.
Upon Ontharr's return Cheddar is hopeful that things were going to get interesting but, when Ontharr shares the "hurry up and wait" news as well as his plans for the day, Cheddar sighs in disappointment.

"No Cicero," Cheddar says quietly to his pocket. "We will not be auditioning for any role we already have."
Cheddar pauses, his head tilting to one side towards his vest pocket.
"You are right Cicero. As always." he quietly says amusingly.
Cheddar will follow the party quietly but he looks left then right.
(OCC: History check on this Ontharr Frume and his people. Cheddar has become a bit suspicion about this whole affair, and this "knights" intent.") 
History: 5

Tylaerys can't help but smile as she finds the old Sir Frume a bit comical as he stands in his impressive full plate armor. "Oh no, we wouldn't think of partying too hard when the Sword Coast faces a threat such as this." She says with an amused smile, glancing over at Finn.

As Sir Frume finishes talking downstairs, the young blonde half-elf nods and gets up from her seat to follow Sir Frume to the High Hall, staying silent and allowing the others to paint their picture of what went down in Greenest, curious herself what they will have to say. "None of us are knights such as you Sir Frume, but seeing my friends fight bravely in Greenest I already know they are quite capable." She says with a smile, looking up at the mighty Jirel beside her.