Seeing the Charlatan recover, Zeke would have sheathed his blade and silently followed Arvel and Ethan into the Miners' Exchange.  Once inside he would have stepped into the lee of the front door, allowing him to observe the room but stay out of the immediate sight line of anyone entering.  The large barbarian kept his body still but his eyes moving at all times, assessing entrance and egress points and looking for any signs of trouble.  

Something about the woman felt 'wrong' to him, but he would trust to Arvel's smooth-talking to figure out what to do with her information.  In the meantime, he'd keep both of his comrades as safe as they could be

Fae didn't come unprepared, she of course would pull out her notebook to try to write down every detail she could of what Sister Garaele was showing her. She'd inventory each item with a purpose and description as provided, and be sure to write down the procedure for cleaning and dressing wounds. The wizard would review it at least twice before she'd start practicing. At first she'd be tentative and slow, fumbling and dropping things. But as she went and gained a little more confidence while handling physical items instead of imagining them, she started to get the hang of it. She definitely poked herself once or twice. When Sister Garaele would add in the parts about assessing different states of swelling and infection, she'd be sure to add it to her logs.

Fae would be returning to her practice once again when Garaele would ask her question, "Umm... I believe maybe even as soon as today?" She'd think out loud. If she wasn't mistaken, that was the intent. "After our morning 'meetings' perhaps?" She'd offer a genuine smile, glad to be here this morning. "The boys have gone to the miner's exchange. I believe Maxie had a meeting with Halia. And the girls are checking in on Gundren." She'd fill the air with chatter as she'd plug away at her practice.

Ethan would start to look around the shop, looking to find two different styles of lantern's, one of the bullseye design and the other of the hooded design.

If Ethan finds any of these he would take then to the counter and enquire about any of the items he may not have been able to locate on the shelves, as well as enquiring about ground up ruby dust.

"I'm going to need about 50gp worth of fine ruby dust for one of my new devices. With that and these two lanterns I hope to be able to create an ever-burning lantern."

"I'm going to combine the two lanterns into one, so that it can be set to different illumination levels or changed to a spot light, when desired."

Ethan look excited to get to try this out.

 Talking to Sildar, Tarja muses sounds like we'll have to find this mine to get back Nundro and Tharden. Maybe the mine is cursed never to be found, if such horrors immediately came to someone who found a map to it. Poor Gundren.

Well, I guess we'll see whether this 'Glasstaff' or 'Iarno' know anything about it. Who knows what wizards like that get up to.

If not, I can try and find Reidoth... maybe he's sensed some disturbances from all the things that have been going on.

Still very much sleepy and out of it from sheer exhaustion and potential torment, Gundren simply smiles a little at Elra, pats her hand and replies "thank you, Tharden" before closing his eyes yet again while holding her hand with his small but thick dwarven hand.

When Fae mentions the Miner's Exchange and her companions going there to see Halia, the servant of Tymora replies "mmm, Halia."  "She's an interesting one.  Shrewd business woman, for sure.  I keep one eye on her as she seems a bit out of place here with her proper manner and her fine dresses, but she seems to do pretty well for herself there and will surely find fortune if the roads to Phandalin are ever busy with prospectors hoping to find riches in the hills again."

Meanwhile, Halia excuses herself from her conversation with 'Maxie' for a moment to tend to Ethan.  She happily points Ethan in the right direction to find both types of lanterns he desires in a corner of her store.  Regarding the ruby dust she replies "well master Ethan, was it?"  "We do not specialize in ruby dust, per say, but if a man of your talents has means to properly adapt the materials to your like..."  She turns and opens a wooden cabinet and retrieves a small pouch from an organized well of tiny compartments.  "Would these do?"  Halia grabs a pair of long, narrow tweezers and retrieves a tiny shard of ruby from the pouch, holding it up to a lantern to confirm it's color and overall nature.  She then pulls out a small, fine scale likely used to measure small quantities of gold, gems, etc. to the precise amount.  Retrieving a few more tiny shards from the bag she says "there, precisely 50g worth, if that suits your needs Ethan?"

Arvel can tell that Halia does not seem particularly interested in Ethan's excitement in describing his latest design, but she does seem to take interest in the artificer in general as she looks over his gauntlet and other items.  "You are quite the impressive craftsman, master Ethan.  If you ever desire to collaborate with other highly skilled artificer's and the like such as yourself and will be traveling to one of the major cities, let me know.  I'd be very happy to arrange a meeting with other impressive minds for you."

Returning to Arvel eventually, Halia resumes their conversation.  "Apologies, one must take the best care of her customers.  Where were we?  I believe I was sharing what I could of the local knowledge that may be valuable to you, and you were about to tell me more of your group and your purpose here so that I could further assist?"

Sildar replies to Tarja "cursed or not, I feel those that seek the mine will bring such troubles regardless."  "I knew Gundren was not nearly careful enough in keeping his latest venture secret once he obtained the map as he's never careful, but I did not expect this much trouble here, I'll admit.  Once he is feeling better, he won't want to rest until he finds the mine, and now his brothers, I can tell you that.  If the trail is cold and we no longer have the map, your druid friend may prove the only option."

Ethan nods smiling,

"That will be perfect, thank you."

Ethan takes the ruby shards and the two lanterns and hands over 65gp for them.

As Ethan is putting away his purchases, he stop and thinks for a moments.

Making a decision, Ethan goes back to browsing the shop for some more crafting materials (leather, metal, stone/crystal/gem, etc)

Deciding on another 32gp worth of misc crafting materials to add to his collection.

"I'll take all of this as well thank you."

Ethan hands over the 32gp and collects the materials away into his gauntlet.

Quote from Hexblade37 >>

"What, might I ask, IS your cause, actually?  You've made quite a debut here in the past few days, but I'm not sure I understand your goals here in our fair town."

 

 "We are in zee employ of Gundren Rockseeker and are looking after mercantile interests he has in zee area. Once ee 'as recovered, I'm sure ee'll be seeking you out regarding equipment."

Zeke leans over and whispers into Ethan's ear 'Master Artificer, If we're headed into a mine should we think about some rope and climbing gear?  Perhaps something to help us breathe if we run into underwater streams or poison?'

Finished with his burst of insight and innovation, the Barbarian shifts back into his sentry position just inside the door, hand on the hilt of his blade, motionless save for his eyes.

Halia smirks at Arvel.  "Oh, I see.  Well, if you ever really want to talk, you may find I can be an excellent friend."  She runs a long slender finger down 'Maxi's' collar.  "In the meantime, don't let that wizard on the hill put a curse on you or anything.  That would be a shame."

Accepting the artificer's payment, Halia says "thank you very much for your business, Master Ethan."  "Don't forget about my offer if you need me to set you up with like minded folks in Neverwinter or Waterdeep."

From his sentry position Zeke starts to see some activity at the Townmaster's Hall.  Having excused themselves after finishing breakfast, Sildar, Daran, Elmar Barthen and a once again flustered looking Townmaster have gathered near the hall's front steps.  They are standing in a circle and seem to be having some sort of discussion.  Soon Daran heads into the hall alone.

Nodding in the direction of the Town Hall, Zeke draws Arvel and Ethan's attention to the small gathering 'Gentlemen. I do believe the gentle town folk may be in need of our assistance' 

He then opens up his stride to catch up to Daran as the older man makes his way into the hall alone.

As Zeke approaches the townmaster's hall the group is also joined by Linene Graywind.  The rest seem to be well into a discussion about what to do with the redbrands they are housing, with most people on the same page save for the townmaster who insists they all be shipped off to prison somewhere.  Elmar Barthen has agreed to give the younger men work around his store and in his stables in exchange for a fare wage, and Daran could put them to work in the orchard under a similar agreement.  Daran also says that Narth the farmer is getting older and could use some help, while Linene agrees to the idea in spirit if or when the roads are ever safe enough for more supplies and trade to make their way to the Lionshield.  As the boys emerge from the hall at Daran's request they humbly agree to such generous terms, essentially being set free despite their offenses on the promise of good behavior and being contributing citizens in Phandalin.

All the while the townmaster objects but is largely ignored, and then the subject turns to the older men currently locked up.  Sildar and the locals are much more hesitant to simply let all of the redbrands off with no consequences, seemingly having saved all of their mercy and second chances for the young men who were likely more easily influenced into joining the wrong side.  The idea of sending those men off to the larger cities is much more popular.  The occasionally more brash Elmar Barthen even pokes a finger at the townmaster and suggests that he can go with them if he doesn't like the sudden changes in the town, and asks what they need him for anyhow.

Quote from Hexblade37 >>

Halia smirks at Arvel.  "Oh, I see.  Well, if you ever really want to talk, you may find I can be an excellent friend."  She runs a long slender finger down 'Maxi's' collar.  "In the meantime, don't let that wizard on the hill put a curse on you or anything.  That would be a shame."

Accepting the artificer's payment, Halia says "thank you very much for your business, Master Ethan."  "Don't forget about my offer if you need me to set you up with like minded folks in Neverwinter or Waterdeep."

 **Hmm, a shark in the water. I smell opportunist. I wonder if she's had anything to do with the Redbrands?**

Ethan's eyes go wide at Zeke's suggestion,

"Oh yeah, that's a great idea!"

Ethan starts searching around the store for climbing gear and more rope.

At Zeke's mention of assistance possibly being needed, Ethan looks over in time to see Zeke head out the door.

"Be right there, just need to buy this if I can find it."

If Ethan finds the two items he is looking for, he will purchase them, other wise he will ask at the counter, to see if they are available.

(Sure, you can purchase whatever you need for climbling gear and rope.)

Elra smiles and gets Gundren into bed before leaving, wondering when Vincent would get there. She goes downstairs and goes looking for the party.

Before Elra leaves the room she hears a familiar voice say "I think he's getting better.  His fear is lessened, but a great deal of confusion remains."  She realizes it is the shield leaning against the wall in the corner of the room.

Ethan quickly pays for the items, scrambling out the door as he puts them away in his gauntlet.

"Thank you!"

Ethan heads off in the direction Zeke headed, trying to catch up.

"Zee community sairvice plan is a sound one, kudos to 'ooevair came up wiz zat. As for zee ringleadairs, I suggest we hold zem safely for now. 'Oo knows what ozzer conspiracies may wait in zis quaint town? Let my companions and I deal wiz zis wizaird 'oo besieged you and you can make ozzer decisions zen, non?"

Good that the kids will get a chance for a good days' work to clear their heads! Now that they've stopped meddling with unnatural wizards, they should be back to being helpful folks.

When we deal with this wizard, I'm sure the rest of the ruffians will be safe to release as well. Just keep 'em from doing any more mischief while we're away. Afterwrds without this Glasstaff fellow, they shouldn't be much of a bother. 

"Oh, Goodmorning!" Elra says, walking over to him. "Um... could you tell me your name again, I forgot it in all the confusion."