Ethel does some math in her head.

"Very well.  I wanted to discuss with the four of you something that I have been pondering.  The bookseller at the Lintoll has a collection I would like to explore more thoroughly tomorrow.  In the event they have certain volumes in their possession, I would be inclined to make some purchases."

She has long since dropped the spell altering her appearance, and her hood is pulled up, concealing most of her face.  It is hard to read her expression, but her voice is tight.  "Our resources are not limitless.  By my count, with the prize money for the pirates we now have coin worth a little more than 400gp, with more assets that could be sold if need be."

"I submit, for your consideration, a request for access to up to 200gp of the groups funds.  In addition to books of my own interest, I may be able to procure the inks and materials necessary for the copying of some spell scrolls.  Marrin, unless I am mistaken, you are capable of casting the sleep, were it available on a spell scroll.  And Jan, I think I could show you how to cast the spell burning hands from a scroll.  [Unless I am mistaken, they are, respectively, on both of your class/subclass spell lists.]  I could copy both of those onto scrolls with the proper materials.  It would add to our utility and broaden the tools available at each of our disposal."

She pauses for a long while.  "It is... a lot of money.  And a lot to ask.  If we cannot afford it, I understand."

Avaria decides to stay quiet for the rest of the time with Mard and for the walk back.  As Ethel talks about the spells and the gold, she walks over Maisie and asks if she can help with making any food.  She finds she is starving after the day and is fine with the others figuring all that out.  

Marrin shrugs,

"I certainly don't have an issue with that, given we're staying together? What are we actually planning on doing once Bigge has a crew together?"

She'll look between everyone.

"Something that earns more gold, if we intend to pay and feed a crew... Oh, I picked up a couple books that may be of interest.", Jan says.

Avaria tucks her hair behind her ear and stumbles her words a bit as she starts, "I'd well... I'd like for us to stay together if that works out for all of you."

"Burning hands sounds kind of... fiery. My elemental ties are closer to earth and stone. I like the idea of you being able to jot down magical instructions for me to follow though! We'll have to compare notes."

"I see."  Ethel seems a bit crestfallen to have improperly deduced the finer details of Jan's warlock pact.  She does perk back up, however, once it appears no one is speaking up against her plans for a shopping spree.

"As for a crew, my conversations with Bigge suggest paying them won't be much of an issue.  It seems that crews on ships such as ours are more about room and board, than steady wages.  As long as we see the ship is properly provisioned, I don't think we will need to worry about having to pay salary to the crew."

"Okay... glad that is all settled and that we'll be staying together for the time being. Now what are we going to do? Head up to the frozen north to a prison? Head west to find Professor Owen? To the southeast to a potentially undead filled desert? I hear the Sword Coast has some opportunities if we want to try something completely different."

Marrin offers.

Ava smiles at Marrin's declarations and is glad Ethel has all the logistics and whatever else needs to be figured out, handled.  "Well, I for one would like to talk to Hammerdasher, see how he's doing and yes, ask if he knows anything about this Professor."  

As the group leaves the town council's compound, they can head east towards the Broken Ore and the port, where the Xanthe's Wish is moored; north/northwest deeper into town (which is the way Ethel came back from after seeing Harry and Gertie off); or west, which leads back out to the Lintoll (Ula's temple is out that way too). 

You had seen Geffroi Desbiens at the Lintoll earlier in the day, but no one spoke with him there, and you haven't seen Hammerdasher since the morning. He's either back at the Broken Ore, or, and you suspect more likely, at the Lintoll too.

"That is an excellent point," Ethel declares.  "If Professor Owen is somehow connected with the dwarven treasure, he could be the thread we can pull to unravel this mystery.  I still cannot fathom why such an esteemed scholar would be sending a hit person after us.  But... perhaps Hammerdasher can elucidate."

[What time is it?  With permission and coin (and time permitting) Ethel will go right back to the Lintoll bookshop.  But how late in the day is it?  That could be something for tomorrow.]

((Marrin is also keen on going back to the Lintoll.))

It's getting on to later in the afternoon, but you had no indication that the Lintoll would shut down before evening. In fact you remember something about an extravaganza/evening show that wouldn't start until it got dark.

"Isn't there an evening show at the lintoll tonight?  It's all a bit much for me, but you all seem to enjoy yourselves, I can help keep watch."  Ava shrugs but is willing to head out again.

"Yes, You can help keep watch on the extravaganza!"

She'll give Ava a friendly elbowing and laugh.

"I would like to try some more of their games. Maybe I can find one more my speed, goblins are apparently too fast for me. Maybe I can out poet a gnome? I am also a fair dancer, but maybe don't have the endurance for a long contest."

Giving Ava half a smile,

"I'd wager you'd clean up in the wrestling, and those claws of yours would probably give you lead in any climbing contests!"

She looks thoughtful before starting and saying,

"Oh, and I definitely need to ride a dragonfly!"

((The Lintoll's options again:

 ))

Ava's smile grows as Marrin talks about the possibilites... "Alright, I'm in!"

"Ava, dear.  Would you mind accompanying me to the bookshop, first?  It has been some time since I carried so much coin on my person.  I recall festivals as... havens... for pickpocketry.  I'd appreciate a second set of eyes on my back and coinpurse."

Being given a job, Ava brightens even more, "Of course!  I've got your back."