"Glad you like the stew." he replies. "Now then, as to your questions, the undead roam in a couple bands around the city. There is a local mage who resides in a tower at the edge of town. They say that they cast something called a 'magic circle' that protects part of the town near their tower. The rest is protected by our militia and the church. The fields are too large to protect so we can't sucessfully farm. And to answer your question from earlier, our militia were patrolling inside the wizard's border.

I guess that helps with that next question. We do have a wizard in town, but the church disapproves of arcane arts as you know, so they rarely leave their tower and are not allowed to cast spells outside of their property. They could probably sell you supplies and enchant things. As for knowledge, they have been in this town longer than anyone can remember. I'm sure they know a lot. The market and artisan shops are located in the central part of town. Can't miss them."

He lowers his voice as he tells this next tale. "Involving gossip there are some who think that the church has a hand in the undead. Before the plague the church was powerful but ever since it started they have more influence than anyone else. Of course, you didn't hear that from me." Raising his voice again he bellows, "I hope that the information I provided you is helpful. Now I suggest you all sleep. We've been up half the night!"

Ruven seems excited during the barkeep's explanation of the situation.

“Your information has been of great help. I was hoping to run by the wizard’s tower to grab supplies before we go to sleep tonight. If it is too late for the wizard do you happen to know when he wakes up? I do not need sleep in the same way most people do.”

If it is too late for the wizard, Ruven will reluctantly go to his room where he will stay for the next 4 hours meditating. After that he will hang out around the outside of the inn getting a feel for the area.

Seren gladly takes his leave, once again thanking the man for the food and information. In his room he will meditate for a while, praying for each party member in turn before eventually getting into bed and falling asleep.

"Oh aye, We got some undead to put back into the ground, I suppose we should sleep, Thank you bar keep"

Hops off the chair he's sitting on and makes his way back to his room. 

 

"Much obliged, barkeep."

Revik leaves, heading to his room. 

"Please, call me Bevin." As everyone else leaves the room he turns to Ruven and says "They usually sleep during the day, goes to bed about noon and wakes just before sunset. I know because that's when the lights in their tower are on and off. You'd best sleep the night and catch them before noon though, you're looking a mite tired." (As @JehanO said) You all spend the night sleeping or outside the inn getting a feel for things. The next morning you prepare your packs, sans traveling supplies, and make your way downstairs for a breakfast. 

Upon descending the steps you all see Bevin standing at the bar. Bevin sees you and waves you all over saying, "Hello there! Had a good sleep?"

“Wonderful! Lathandar blessed us with a restful sleep to reenergize us before our conflicts today.”

Ruven laughs at Bevin's comment about being tired thinking it is was a joke. (Elves do not sleep.) 

The next morning Ruven will greet the party with a smile.

"So what is the plan? Find the person in charge of the militia or the people that fight for the church. I would like to stop by the wizard's tower quickly to hopefully buy some supplies."

“Let’s do the wizard tower for you. Who knows when the items you purchase could come in handy. I’d rather you have them then wishing you did.”

"I agree. The wizard's assistance may come in handy later. After that, we should find the head officer for the local militia."

Grumbles something about pointy hats

"Are they going to make us walk up 10,000 stairs only to tell us that we could have flown if we would have clicked out feet together?"

Follows the group Grumbling the whole time about Orcs, the grass isn't green enough here, the Ale is to weak, do birds fly or swim in the air

Ruven looks at Kildrak.

"If we are expected to climb 10000 steps we can just politely refuse and move on the the next task. I just like creating scrolls in my free time but if the wizard gives us a hard time I can just find supplies some other time."

Ruven will start to travel to the tower when everyone is done eating.

“Nothing worse than a pompous self-centered magic user. Magic should be used to heal and protect.” Seren says, sounding a little too holier-than-thou than he intended.

You all thank Bevin and tell him that you will be back by evening, for your packs if nothing else. Then you set off for the wizard's tower. You meander through the town taking note of the market and central square. It is not long before you reach a large hill topped with the largest, and most precarious, tower you have ever seen. The tower is in the style of what one might find at a castle, albiet on a much larger scale. The most notable feature is that it is covered in windows and even has entire floors made out of glass and gems. You climb up the hill via a set of marble stairs set into the hillside. At the top you find a door with a knocker resembling a clock. The door itself is a beautiful work of art, carved out of the finest dark oak and bedazzled with silver and emerald.

Ruven walks up to the door and uses the knocker.

"Hello? We are adventurers hoping to meet with the great wizard of this tower. We hope for a moment of your time to discuss purchasing scroll materials."

Seren will use Guidance on Ruven to enhance his Persuasion skill.

(sorry for the absence)

Gorog has no idea about magic so he follows behind, dumbfounded at the current task and waits for someone to ask him to smash something.

You knock on the door and all of you are transported inside. You see a staircase roughly 10,000 stairs high and several pairs of ruby slippers at the bottom. A sign says "Take One".

Ruven mudders a few curses under his breath in Elvish. Ruven casts detect magic along with an Arcana Roll: 9 to try and see if there is a way other than climbing up the stairs. Ruven will also ask Seren if he has any ideas outside of climbing. Ruven will point out any information he gained from the spell detect magic.

If Ruven and Seren can not figure out a way other than climbing, Ruven will check with the group that they do not wish to climb(Ruven does not want to waste time) and bowing towards the stairs say. (“My deepest apologies but our time is limited and we do not have the ability to ascend your stairs quickly. I shall return when time permits it.”)

I don’t have anything that can speed this up, but maybe there is a trick with these ruby slippers.