Soar would, in passing conversation, fill any of the patrols in on where they saw the bandits to the south and what happened with the dwarf caravan, and that they were reluctantly intimidated from shedding further blood, but are still there.

"Jalt, you said you had a friend you wanted to check in on in Scornubel, right? I'm happy to go there for a bit if you want," she says to the group, and waving hello to the passing caravan.

The name she mentioned Jalt says Kaerus Thambadar, he is the one my family dealt with. It's been quite some time but she mentioned that's where he is. I would hate to go off our path since they are waiting for us to arrive.

Soar, one patrol commander in particular is grateful to hear your information.  We've heard tales of the same band, and we've orders to look for them.  The road south of Berdusk, eh?  Good to know.  She and her patrol continue on their way.

(From the map it seemed to me that the road passed through Scornubel on its way to Elturel? Soar's fine with stopping in the city on our way, if that's what Jalt's saying?)

(The name of the person Jalt is looking for is the one she named was in Elturel. But we can stop in Scornubel. No harm no foul. MAYBE THERE'S A SIDE QUEST! lol)

(Oh whoops! Onward!)

(To Scornubel it is then? It'll be a nice sightseeing trip if nothing else!)

You turn right, and enter Scornubel, and immediately you get a sense of it as a 'City of Caravans'.  Like Berdusk, there is a single long main road leading to the centre of the city, but where Berdusk's main road was lined with pretty, and tidy, artisan shops and workshops, Scornubel's main road is lined by one long market, with stalls selling all manner of goods, including trade goods, foods, grains, pottery, armour and weapons, books, art works, you name it and you see it.  As you pass through into the centre of the city, you see a square lined with buildings that proclaim themselves merchant houses or costers - you see the Windriders Trading Coster, the Surefeet Trademasters, the Highmoon Trading Coster, and more and more, dominating the heart of the city.  And to either side of the central square, you see a Grand Market that dwarfs what you have seen so far; packed with stalls and customers, and caravans arriving and offloading every moment.  On the far side, the market meets the river, and barges and other river-going vessels are loading and unloading as the business of the day is getting done.  Off the side streets to the square, you see several inns and taverns - you are spoilt for choice if you decide to spend the night here.  You also see signs pointing to the artisans' district, Smith Street, the Town Hall and other important landmarks. 

It's still early in the morning, and the weather is fine.  What would you like to do?

(sorry guys for the delayed post! Evenings are the worst for me)

While travelling: "I'm actually excited to make a stop in Scornubel... the smith back in Berdusk said there might be a magic shop or two which might have some useful tools and tricks for what lies ahead. Elspeth, maybe there's a druid master there as well!" Nate's young eyes look on in excitement. "but we shouldn't stay too long... Leosin will be waiting for us in Elturel and I am sure he will be eager to see us... and who knows what kind of evil the cult is now planning. Time is not on our side."

(how far away is Elturel from Scornubel?)

As the party enters the caravan city, Nate's excitement grows. He's anxious as hell seeing all of the people everywhere starting their days, but is in a happy mood and looking forward to spending some money.

"Jalt, any idea on where to start looking for your guy? I think I'm going to go check around to see if I can't find a magic shop. Come along if you want! If we split up, maybe we can all meet up somewhere say in a few hours?"

Nate will look for a magic shop and/or any other interesting mystic type of shop. He's not going to ask people, just look first. Perception with advantage in case Elspeth helps Nate look. 11

Elturel is maybe two days' ride from Scornubel, maybe a little less if you ride fast.

Nate, possibly with Elpseth's help, spends a fruitless hour looking up and down the market, until his eyes catch upon...

The Marvellous Master Melrathkior's Magical Mechanisms
Mysterious and wondrous artifacts from across the lands and across the sea
For the most reasonable prices
No refunds.

It's a large, colourful market stall.  There's a half-elf standing by the stall, calling people over:  Come and see the marvels of Mulhorand, the terrifying trinkets of Thay, the dazzling devices of the Dalelands.  Come one and all!

He's wearing a robe.  It has stars on it.

"Ouuuuu!!! Guys.... I'm going to go check out this stall!"

Nate is excited with all of the bustling of activity and he makes his way over to the half-elf. He's shy, but his excitement is overpowering that. 

"Hello! Master Melrathkior I presume? You have a very interesting display! My name is Nate, and I was wondering what types of magical items and scrolls, or potions you might have for sale?"

Nate is going to check out the merchant's wares. He's also going to try and recall his name (Master Melrathkior) as well as really look at the items to see if this guy is legitimate or if he just has phony magic items. Arcana 13

Greetings, greetings young man.  Welcome and good day to you.  Please do take a look, but don't touch these powerful treasures; only I can reveal the secrets of how to handle them safely and correctly.  I have a great many things.  Is there anything in particular you are looking for?

The stall is covered with rings, small statues, old tomes, a few sticks of wood that might be wands.  You take a look, but you can't really tell just from looking whether they're magical or not.  You don't see anything you would recognise, but then you haven't seen all that many magical items.

You and anyone with you can make an Insight check if you wish.

Insight (yes that is the skill I meant!) Nate will definitely try and see if this guy seems fishy. 5

Everything seems completely fine.  After all, you've never seen a magic shop before, so you can't say if this is how they're supposed to look.  The guy is friendly enough.

So with allowing that retro spell change... the moment Nate saw the market stall, he would've cast Detect Magic

What does the market stall look like now with that in effect?

So, with that active: "I'd love to see your rings and wands, good sir!"

Jalt would look over this stall to make sure it was on the up and up Insight : 20

(this guy could sell us magic beans for all we know lol)

Jalt, you think he has an honest face, and though the man's stand is rather outlandish, this might be real magic stuff.

Nate, you begin to speak the incantation and perform the somatic components of the spell, your hand tracing runes in the air.  Quick as a flash, he's on you, gently but firmly taking your hand and stopping the spell from casting.  Now now, sir, please don't perform magical incantations near this treasure trove of powerful items; you could trigger a dangerous effect, even an explosion.  He looks around nervously, as a few people stopped in surprise to watch you cast the spell, and releases your hand.  No need for alarm, folks.  This young man was just fooling around.

Jalt moves and places his hand on the hand of the man and quickly takes it off of Nate's. That's no way to treat a patron, is it?

Soar has had detect magic prepared for a long time, actually, and I was going to change it at some point, but hey here's a use for it finally!

She's been hanging back, not really part of the group, and hearing the reaction to Nate's spellcasting attempt, she wanders around the corner to a less-trafficked area and casts it herself. She then approaches the stall with the spell active (it moves with you, and lasts 10 minutes, and shows me anything within 30 feet), and looks at the wares. 

Deception: 17

Ah, now, well, my apologies, the half-elf says, just now noticing the formidable dragonborn and the rest of the group, well-armed and increasingly battle-hardened.  Just trying to keep... everyone safe... you know?  Still, my apologies, but if you've knowledge of some... magical... abilities, I'll thank you to practise them away from my stall where they can do no harm.  

Now please, he attempts to recover.  Perhaps I can interest you in... he picks up a ring.  This ring of good luck - guaranteed to win at dice seven times out of ten, more if you donate regularly to the Shrine of Tymora, of course.  The ring is dull brass and looks identical to several others in a small bowl on the merchant's stall.