Like most things in this journey, even the gnomes back at the inn where they started, the delay seems off. Ol attempts to discern what it is about this place and Garaele. And what is Lucius up to?

Perception check 17

"You are very kind to offer, but I will be fine. I am mostly healed and I would prefer the last of the aches to disappear naturally. It will serve as a reminder for me to still keep my wits about me after what I _thought_ was the more dangerous part of my task was over in future"

Brand discerns that essentially she is simply embarrassed she got jumped by just some bandits, as she had been trusted to go out and do a task involving a banshee

"I do not believe they were Redbrands. These were much scruffier and didn't have those red cloaks. The Redbrands eat well and have shelter, they tend to look healthier than those bandits. No, these just wanted what all bandits want. Coin and my... dignity. Thank the Lady Luck I got away. She was smiling on me."

Ol's rampant paranoia, also known as survival instincts, detect nothing amiss in the Temple. There is another acolyte sweeping and an old farmer came in to pray while you have been talking to Garaele 

Brand nods to himself and then replies "As your Lady of Luck has kept an eye out for you, i will not press further. You mentioned that you didn't get to speak to the Banshee. Has it been vanquished or has the quest been unresolved due to the Bandit attack?"

"The matter still remains unresolved. In truth I had been collecting my thoughts to put down on paper when you arrived. I had planned to post a notice at the Townmaster's Hall. I had hoped to be able to handle it myself, as it requires some delicate negotiation"

Brand looks the sister over and says, "Well if you are going to submit it as a quest notice and it requires some delicate negotiation, we can escort you for a share of the reward. I would offer to complete it on our own however you mentioned delicate negotiation with a banshee...that isn't something I would do for you. Purify the dead in holy fire is more in line with the teachings of Horus-Re"

Brand looks at his companions to see if they agree with helping the sister.

“Yep negotiation isn’t my strong point either” responds Ol as he swings his club over his shoulder.

”But always happy assist. Did you wish to post the question notice with us today? Or maybe come and defuse with us at the Inn and do that tomorrow”

I would be most glad of your support. Recently, my superiors asked me to undertake a delicate mission. They wanted me to persuade a banshee named Agatha to answer a question about a spellbook. I sought her out in her lair, but the creature did not appear.

I need an intermediary to bring Agatha a suitable gift, this jeweled silver comb, and persuade her to tell what she knows about the location of a spellbook belonging to a legendary mage named Bowgentle. I believe that if one of you flatters Agatha’s vanity you (or I if my skills in negotiation are needed) might be able to trade the comb for an answer."

Brand listens to the Sister's story and then says "Well if you are coming with us then it will make the process easier should Ol fail in charming the banshee. Though...."

Brand narrows his eyes at the sister. "Why would mother superiors, Priests or Bishops want an answer from an unholy creature? Are worshippers of the Shrine of Luck always this.....sympathetic with dead things?"

"Deals with demons and the dead are not commonplace, no. This endeavour is borne from a lack of any other leads to locate the book. They aim to undertake a distasteful endeavour for the greater good of the people. 

The book was penned by a legendary and very creative adventuring wizard named Bowgentle. He delved into deep and forgotten places in the world in search of all sorts of forgotten magicks of all schools. He was known for sharing these with the people. This spellbook was the last he penned and is said to have contained a number of spells of his own creation, unique at the time of its publication"

"I see.....Well why don't you join us as we go to the miners exchange and then to the inn we are resting at tonight? We will set off tomorrow to finish the tasks we have taken on including yours."

Brand walks towards the door and opens it, allowing the daylight to fill the door frame before turning so that he is perpendicular with the wall the door is framed in. He looks at Sister Garaele. With the light at his back his features are cased in shadow and all that is clearly visible are his aasimar eyes burning like a cold flame. "I lothe heresy, and if this encounter with the banshee ends up going down that route.....you will both burn in righteous flame as is the Sun God's will."

Brand then walks out the door.

“He can be a bit intense” Ol says to Garaele. “But he’s our bit of intense. Now you said this chaps names was Bowgentle? Come along and tell me more”

Ol walks to follow Brand, wondering what Lucius is up to, and hoping for decent steak and ale at the Inn later. And may be some fair company.

Lucius after curiously half listening and day dreaming of space puppies snaps out of it and follows the others out of the temple.

"Talking to the dead for a spellbook, hmmm sounds intriguing. I'm sure we can talk some sense into this banshee. If not we can do it the old fashioned way" he chuckles to himself.

"Lets head for the miners exchange, that Halia woman intrigues me. Think we may find something useful there". 

The miner's exchange is back across the square, past the Townmaster's hall and the Lionshield Coster and out towards an exit from the town known as the Miner's Trail.

Like several of the larger buildings in the settlement, it is 2 storeys and made of wood. Unlike the other buildings, it has a pointed slate roof, which looks well maintained and expensive. 

Inside, it opens up to a busy main reception area with a couple of people in dirty overalls queued in front of a desk with a well-oiled man in a waistcoat sitting at it, looking at the various geodes brought to the exchange with an eyeglass

“Nice rocks gents. Fine rocks. Hello gentlemen. I’m sorry for interrupting. I’m Ol and these are my companions. The Guildmaster Halia invited us to this fine establishment is she about?” 

The well groomed man looks up after hearing Ol, confirms to himself that Ol has no spoils in hand to be appraised (oh how he would have enjoyed telling that scruffy beard to take his place in the queue. Oh well, perhaps the next queue breaker will be here for an appraisal) and then beckons a runner over. He mumbles a message and the lad runs upstairs.

Around 6 minutes later, Halia descends and greets them again.

"Gentlemen, what a pleasure to see you again and so soon. I had not expected my offer to be taken up so readily. I see you have the Sister. Are you seeking a donation to the Shrine of Luck's coffers? And after I already gave at my recent visit. Oh Sister" She laughs lightly after the last part.

"What can I assist with?"

Brand clasps his hands infront of him and gives a priestly smile while trying not to roll his eyes.

Brand looks to Ol to see how he wants to handle this.

“Introductions and a tour of this establishment would be in line with our earlier discussion my lady. Please our sister is following at our bequest as part of our group for a while. She is not here for a handout”.

Ol whispers to the sister to establish the rough geographical location they will be heading, and then later (so it’s not obvious) asks if there are any persons who have information on that area.

Garaele pulls out a small map of the area and points to a spot marked out east of Phandalin. Conyberry. With Ol's experienced eye, even though it is a quick glance he can tell Conyberry is bordered by woods to the north and large hills to the south.

Additionally, Ol recalls hearing Wyvern's Tor is also due east of Phandalin

When Ol asks about information, Garaele says she has a good knowledge of the ruined town, having been there recently. Anything else about the surrounding area will be something to make further enquiries about with other knowledgeable people 

Halia shows you around the building. Beyond the reception, a short corridor leads off to a very noisy processing and weighing room, a small kitchen and a door out the back to what smells like the latrine.

Back to the reception and up the stairs, Halia points out a small bedroom staff sometimes use when they have a large amount of particularly valuable stock and need to have it guarded overnight, a reception room for meetings and then to her office with a large west facing window. "To remind me when in it time to go home of a busy day"

"The man you spoke to at the front desk is Sunday. He is incredibly capable at his job and my longest serving employee. The sister and I have met many times and I have met you all earlier today, so that should be all the introductions we need to get through. Is there anything in particular you have come here to discuss? "