"I would suggest that I could go and start gathering information for the trip but I would probably end up getting arrested for looking how I do." He seems a bit crestfallen but perks up when Livly comes in.

"Hi! Did you sleep ok?"

"Me? Like a baby! No, really, it was amazing - I almost forgot how it feels - to sleep in a real bed." Livly was beaming with energy. "You know, I think you are taking this "they hate me" far too seriously. So what if a couple of idiots look suspiciously your way? As if this is your first time on the road. Nobody likes vagabonds, everyone is suspicious of a new face - that's normal. We were incredibly lucky to find Eman, otherwise we would taste a common suspicion and dislike towards refugees. Chin up! You need to do some shopping? I'll keep you company." 

"Well, you might be right. Although it was a rough time at the vetting process I can't just assume things will be a problem for me everywhere. Thanks for the different point of view Livly," the half-orc smiles a toothy broad smile.

"As for shopping, I am actually really good. I am a low maintenance person to be quite honest but I am very happy to accompany any who need to go out." He gestures to the javelins packed on his back and the greatsword in a sheath that he usually carries. " I was thinking of figuring out if these bandits have any bounties on them or the guards have anywhere they can point us to."

"I am suddenly struck by the irony of our smallest and tallest pair going shopping together. I challenge you to find a shop that caters to both of your sizes!" Landrae laughs merrily at the image which has tickled her fancy. "Livly is right though Keth, most folk are wary of what they don't know. Their opinions shouldn't matter on the surface... beside, when you ride back into town having rid them of the bandits, they'll look at you in a different light!"

Livly become serious for a few moments: "It sounds like our best bet is to pretend we are some rich travellers and simply walk along that Golden Road. Or join - as guards or passengers - any caravan that does. Then those bandits are ought to find us themselves, as a "terror of the region" they are".

People who were up at first light would have seen Volker finishing a quick breakfast and heading out to shop early to catch the merchants as they opened.

"You know, come to think of it Livly, you seem to enjoy a good meal. How about you come with me to the market and we can pick up some ingredients. I happen to be a fairly proficient cook. With your taste and my skill we could come up with some good ideas for our trek," Keth says as inspiration hits him. He seems animated and smiles happily.

Ulfgar is not a morning person at all. He grumbles as the others in the room wake before him and start their morning routines. But the constant moving around finally causes him to wake. He gets up and as soon as everyone has left the room, he drops to his knees and closes his eyes. Great Goddess, protect us on this journey we are about to embark on. May you shine down upon us with your radiance and bring good fortune and health in our travels. He will then go to find the others.

"Have you ever met a halfling which did not enjoy a good meal? Introduce me if you did - I want to see it. And I like the idea to get some ingredients. Spices! The meat, the vegetables - all can be found in the fields (literally) but spices is what saves any meal. Let's do it! Anyone else wants to join?" She thought for a moment: "There is something I would like to buy too, actually. Do you think I can pose as a priest of Mystra? If they are so paranoid about non-divine magic (and I would say it is divine by it's very nature) - would they panic if they see a supposed priestess to throw a spell? Now, where would one get a Mystra's holy symbol?"

Eman is downstairs reading ledgers as Ella wakes Rosie with a tea while Brightie cooks a hearty porridge with dried fruits and spices. Eman nods at Volkher as he comes for his breakfast and when the human leaves. He doesn't stir from his stool behind the bar with his ledger around him. Recluse is a heavy word but it fits Eman. He's not one to wander far from his home and business. When Landrae comes down he perks up slightly more than before looking up at the curious bard from his papers. Landrae pays him half for room but Eman's cocked eyebrow tells her he's expecting 9 more if they want him to hold their rooms.

"Good morning. I'm sorry my patrons weren't so generous last night but if you keep up with my friend over there," he points to Rosie still drooling in a chair, "every night you'll notices its a trend," he adds with a smile. "If he wasn't so handsome and amusing sober I'd have kicked him out after his first drunk bender," he adds sighing and scratching the beard filling in on his chin. "Oh,  also nine silver is still needed to keep the rooms vacant," he then says. "I'll make sure no one enters them either if you want to leave anything behind," he adds looking back at his ledgers and writing in a figure. "Please advise your friends I'd need it before they leave," he adds looking back up at Landrae giving her a curt nod.

Eman then returns to his ledgers and a steaming cup of pungent smelling tea.

Landrae finds the ladies of the kitchen are performing miracles as always.

"Hangover cure my dear one," Ella asks brightly seeing Landrae's face. "Try this," she then says putting the same pungent tea she smelt Eman drinking in front of her. "It'll warm your colly-wobbles and you'll be right as rain," she explains cheerfully as Brightie merely nods smiling from her large pot of porridge. "Or maybe if you're not into my loves natural healing there's porridge too," she adds gesturing at the pot half tbe size of them on the fire.

Brace enters the tavern to Rosie waking and downing a steaming cup of tea, looking greener for a moment before looking normal again. A bit worn but nothing a day without ale wouldn't fix the cleric gathers. Moving to the bar he finds Eman looking over ledgers. A quick glance would tell Brace that Eman is working on the month's expenses considering the new month would begin in the days time. Brace also notices the debts column in comparison to the gains looks a little....full.

"Morning," Eman greets the cleric heartily sipping his tea. "The shops near by are reputable. Tell them you're staying here and you'll notice the prices will become..." he smirks, "even more fair," he adds with a wink. "Venturing from the Middle Ward however you'll find merchants are less keen to help out any one of our...heritage," he explains.

The others join the party and Eman disappears with his ledgers from the bar and the young woman takes his place.

 >>>>>>>>

Volkher is out in the Middle Ward as hawkers push carts and setting up their stations throughout the thoroughfare. Shops are lit from within.

OOC: what are you looking for? Investigation please!

Volkher is looking for alchemists or herbalists or anyone he could purchase ingredients to make poisons with. But he’d be keeping his eyes open for anything interesting or unusual. He’d also just be trying to get a feel for the city and its residents, eves dropping on residents if he hears anyone talking about the refugees and trying to learn to blend in.

Investigation: 15

Brace hands over the 9 silver to Eman when he asks about holding the room.  He is not sure they will be back but wants to have a good room if they do return and the proprietors here have been very nice to the group.

Brace looks around the local shops to find some simple items he needs.  He wants a shortsword that he learned how to use as a youth and has been unable to afford so far on this quest.  He also wants a bag of caltrops because they can come in handy on occasion.  investigation 10

"I'll be sure to mention it. In honesty though, I really don't know whether we'll be gone a day or a week. Hold the rooms tonight, but don't turn away business Eman. You never know when the next hapless band will walk through your door. I promise we'll be back here should the hunt go well, with a few more coin to spend."

Landrae takes up the cup, breathes in the pungent smell, and puts the cup straight back down. "Thank you Ella, I might need to work up to that over a bowl of Brightie's porridge." Seeing Rosie perk up a bit after imbibing the brew, Landrae sighs and starts to sip the drink, surprised that it doesn't taste as bad as she had imagined. "I don't suppose there's somewhere a girl can get cleaned up out the back us there?" she directs the question to Ella and Brightie whilst getting a helping of porridge.

Finishing her breakfast and the drink, Landrae heads out for that wash, mentioning to Ulfgar that she will be back in a little while and though nothingnhas been expressly stated, she assumes everyone will meet back here before setting out. It has been far too long since she was able to have a proper wash, and being out on the road so soon, it may be some time before she has another. Having every intention of making the most of it, Landrae wanders off humming a little tune to herself as she leaves.

(OoC: Expect Landrae to be back at the Knight when everyone else has been shopping. Unless some interesting RP happens at the wash basin)

Ulfgar nods to Landrae as she wanders off and makes his way to where Eman is sitting. He pulls out a pouch and starts to count his pieces and hands him 9 silver. That floor must have been crafted by a dwarf, so sturdy. He says. Now I heard something about some porridge. That is something I sure wouldnt mind enjoying while I wait for the others to return from there errands.

OOC: y'all make a plan. I think shopping together is easier. Volkher left early so I'll describe his shopping adventures. I'm not going to narrate 6 different shopping trips, sorry. Also is Brace paying for the day and Ulfgar paying for another night or did Elvin miss that post?

Ella informs Landrae they can arrange wash basin in her room or there's public baths at the Sunite temple in the temple district. 

Eman is not visible. A human woman stands at the bar who y'all haven't met. There is also the kitchen staff, Ella and Brightie.

OOC: Brace and Landrae shopping together? Livly? Ulfgar and Keth no need of gear what are y'all doing?

>>>>>>>>

Volkher finds a herbalist. The shop named Griffin's Talons. The proprietors are a wizened gnome and a middle aged human woman. The human is dusting shelves and the old gnome is at the counter using a feather to play with a cat that's laying on the counter. Volkher sees the shop is well stocked. 

OOC: What are you looking for components wise? You need to be specific. No 'blanket poisoning stuff'....

OOC: If we have our starting equipment, Ulfgar doesnt need anything else. Being ex-military he's learned to always plan and pack with purpose.

(OOC: Brace will go with whoever is in need of a little shopping.  Don't want to complicate things :-) )

Keth walks up to the new young woman in Eman's place, "Well hello there, the name is Keth. My friends and I stayed last night and we're quite happy with our accomodations. I know some of them have already chipped in various coins to help pay for another night or so but could you mark us down for a few more?" He places a platinum piece on the bar in payment expecting no change returned.

"Brace, Livly, once we have our shopping lists finalized I think we can hit the town. I know Volkher is already out shopping and Landrae is in search of a bath while Ulfgar will hold down the fort here until we get back." The half-orc beams.

Volkher will peruse the shop for a moment then move up to the counter, “Excuse me, I was hoping to find a few items, specifically anything that might induce short-term paralysis or numbness?”

(Hoping to try and make poisons of paralysis and/or numbness. Paralysis is self explanatory, but for numbness I was thinking something that could give disadvantage on str/dex rolls. Your call on whats possible.)

(OoC - Landrae will take the offer of a tub in her room, so she can wash her clothing too. She stays at the Knight and will be ready to leave when everyone else has finished shopping.)