[Added the magic weapon to Jirel's inventory.]

The dark-skinned gnome takes the large sack of silver coins from Jirel as payment (assuming that is where you were coming up with the coin).  Hearing Finn's protests, he tsk-tsks.  "Typically, friend, when someone says 'Deal,' that means there is, in fact, a deal.  And at 300gp, I am the one taking the loss here."  He reached into the sack anyway and pulls out a roll of 100sp (10gp) and he tosses it back to Jirel.  "Here.  I can't help but see your friend in that hat and see that he needs help.  Please, buy the poor chap a hot meal, on me."

[To be clear, he dropped the price from 300gp to 290gp for the axe.  That seems to be a huge chunk of the parties funds.

Was there an interest in selling anything, along with buying?  Were you still looking to purchase crates and straw, and maybe some items to put in the crates and straw?  Or did the party just want to enjoy the day and move on to the dinner this evening?]

Asking around, the party is able to learn they can secure crates, barrels and packing straw - enough to fill their new wagon - for just 30gp.  

This would be enough to give the wagon the appearance of being loaded with cargo.  There would be no actual cargo, of course, and if anyone actually opened up the crates this would be revealed.  

If the party wishes to go further with the ruse, they discover that they could obtain the following cargo:

• Junk: Essentially, near worthless goods.  Old rusted tools, buckets, empty painting frames... items to show the crates aren't completely empty.  Enough to fill the crates and barrels could be obtained for just 5 more gp.
• Not Junk:  Cheap goods.  Simple paintings, poor-quality wine, lightly used tools... items that aren't obviously garbage, but aren't worth much either.  Enough to fill the crates and barrels could be obtained for another 35 gp.
• Real Trade Goods:  A few rolls of carpet, decent wine, some spices.  Enough to fill the crates and barrels could be obtained for another 200gp.  These items could also be resold, possibly for a profit if you actually reach another trade city.

     "Junk or not junk?" Finn asks, for that is the question.  At least as far as the bard is concerned.

     "I think not junk is our best bet.  I'm not too worried about anyone opening our stuff on the trip, if that is happening the act if probably discovered already anyway...  But if we're still needing the charade when we get to our destination and are checked entering, that could blow everything," Finn says by way of explanation.  "But I certainly don't see the need to really spend good coin on items and then have to try to sell them later?  I am not a merchant!"

"So...um...what is it that you are you suggesting then?" The young blonde half-elf asks, not quite following, and certainly no merchant either, but on the other hand a frequent frivolous spender of good coin. She didn't have any real opinion herself, she just wanted to be in on the team's plans.

     "I'm suggesting we buy just enough stuff to load the wagon.  Not good stuff that we'll be upset if we lose or don't resell, but items enough so if inspected it'll just look like we got the raw end of the trade as opposed to not having goods at all?" Finn suggests.

"Sounds good to me Finn, let's go for that, just say if you want me to help with adjusting prices a bit or something, that at least I can help out with." Tylaerys says, flashing a charming smile that could melt the of the most cold-hearted of merchants.

[Anyone that wants to roll persuasion, go ahead.  Each person can make one roll against DC 12.  

Right now, the total cost for crates/packing and cheap-but-not-absolute-garbage freight is 65gp

For each persuasion success, the total cost will be reduced 5gp.  For each failure, the cost will go up 2gp.

No one has to roll... if anyone is doubtful about succeeding, they don't have to make the attempt.]

Tylaerys is fairly confident she will be able to lower the price rather than raise it by trying to haggle: 15

Finn is of course attempting persuasion, no matter how crappy I am rolling...

Persuasion:  7+5 for 12....  A squeeker!  :)

An amused snort escapes Jirel to the merchants words as the gold and the axe(s) are exchanged. She dips her head at the man for the plenty fair to her sale.

Satisfied and incredibly distracted by her new metal, the giantess contently followed along as they went. When she'd come to realize that she missed Finn and Tylaerys' observation skills with the mimic game, she'd comment on their success. It was reassuring to know that they had great eyes for the imposters. Jirel would place a warm hand against her back. "Yeh did good." She praises. And it was sweet of her to have gifted Finn the audacious hats. A smile tugged at her lips in a hint of hidden amusement. It was a good fit.

As they continued on their way through and paused at the shops to fill their cargo, Jirel was so caught up in her own contemplation that she didn't realize Finn and Tylaerys were already decided and negotiating. She was looking at the real trade goods. As someone who's terrible at lying, she did have a biased preference for looking legit to avoid any suspicion or questioning for the mission.

So while Jirel may not be one keep a carpet, she understood their purpose and worth to others. And spices. Good quality spices. Admittedly that caught her attention. If she couldn't, or didn't, resell it, it'd actually be useful and not wasteful. She could cook with it! She could get a cook to cook with it. She could sprinkle it on  and spice up boring food. Jirel's mouth starts salivating thinking about it, and the goodies she's been sampling and gorging on while she's been here. But what surprised her for some reason was that both Tylaerys and Finn showed no interest in the decent wine. Surely if someone else, say the factions, were paying for it, as it did fall under perimeters of the funds purpose, she would have bet that the opportunity would have been seized.

Jirel would exchange a look with the Little One to gauge her thoughts.

(Hahaha, ostentious indeed, was hoping for even larger feathers though, like peacock large XD )

Yeshil is a bit distracted with her new books, but has been passively listening. She finally pops her face out when she notices Jirel looking her way after having shown preference for quality goods. Why not a bit of both? she suggests, before elaborating a bit further...

Certainly they want to maintain the ruse as much and as long as possible, or there is no point doing it at all. Buying junk serves no more purpose than just carting straw. Her suggestion is that they mostly fill the crates with average-quality goods to fill space, and then purchase just a few quality items to go on top and complete the disguise. She mentions art once more, but suggests any local artisanry, such as textiles, clothing, pottery, jewelry, etc - anything that carried the peculiar cultural style of the relatively rustic Chionthar region and which might tempt the curiosity of the Waterdhavian rich. Mixing the quality of the goods would maximise the ruse and also limit the expenditure.

Having given her two-coppers-worth, Yeshil puts away her book. There is no way that she is going to be involved with the haggling, but she might be able to offer suggestions on the kind of goods they purchase, or comment on the quality...

(Perhaps Yeshil can Help with someone's Persuasion rolls if she can provide truthful and accurate observations to those who are haggling...
This one has some blemishes in the stitching, see?
Tsk tsk. I'm not convinced this is authentic Beregost leather.
These are delicate, and will need to be wrapped for transport. Is that included in the price?
...and such like. Investigation perhaps? 24) 

As the decision for what to acquire seemed to have been made, the young blonde silver-scaled half-elf charms the merchant they needed to deal with, happily accepting the assistance of the green-skinned girl to barter for a fair price, explaining how she unfortunately would need to lower than what is asked because of what Yeshil had pointed out.

Persuasion with help from Yeshil to negotiate a really low price for the wares: 14

After a long day of shopping and haggling, you secure a wagon load of crates, barrels, and some cheap wares to store inside them for the grand total of 50gp.

As the day is winding down and coming to an end, your promised meeting with Volo at the Low Lantern is fast approaching.  Jararaka rejoins you, looking tired but pleased, and sporting a new cloak of her own, blue with a lightning bolt on the collar.

[Is everyone going to the Low Lantern for dinner and drinks with Volo?]

(Tylaerys would very much want to find somewhere to freshen up and get into her nice green gown and her green jewelry before meeting Volo at the Low Lantern, maybe a bathhouse, also we should perhaps plan for a place to long rest after seeing Volo? That said, Tylaerys is ready to meet with Volo now :-)

Like everywhere else in Baldur's Gate, the bathhouses are crowded, with long lines.  As time is of the essence, you find your best bet is one of the bath houses in the Upper City, which charges an entry fee (1gp).  It's a sprawling complex with more than two dozen small private pools, with warm water pumped in through some devilry concocted by the Gnomish worshippers of Gond.

Taking half an hour to bath and either clean your gear or change clothes, the party prepares for the evening.  You find more leftover bloodstains from the previous night's battle than you might have expected, realizing you probably looked like barbarians while shopping today.  The hot water does wonders for lingering aches and bruises, and you leave feeling clean and refreshed.

(Tylaerys would not be able to resist the temptation of the Upper city baths, enjoying it immensely, inviting any who would want so to join her of course, they were an all girls club after all. If there was time for it she would also use her draconic powers to remove bloodstains and dirt from the team's clothes. [Prestidigitation] She will then make herself pretty and dress up in her expensive green gown before going to dinner.)

     "All girls?" Finn asks, confused and giving himself a look over best he can.  "Did I shift in my sleep?"  But he's got a grin to show he's joking and doesn't mind the comment in the least.

     Still, Finn declines the bathhouse.  Instead he focuses on getting the newly purchased goods and packaging to their wagon and all set up and settled.  He'll clean himself up after that work is done with any plane old water barrel or pump, splashing himself with water and trying to scrub out the most egregious stains...  He has a second set of clothes anyway, and the new cloak, his fancy hat and of course his disguise kit to try and make himself look presentable enough.  He's not overly concerned about being too fanciful though - This is a working wizard they are going to see, not a king.  He should know something of adventurers and their lack of fancy...

     Besides, Finn does have that ornate wooden box he pilfered earlier in the day.  He's spend some quiet time carefully trying to open that up and discovering what treasure may be inside... or lack thereof.  Still, the thrill is the finding out.

(But yes, going to meet the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Volo...)