"Yes, of course. I could probably get some money to pay you upfront." He says, "Would 10 dragons suffice for your observations tonight?"

He then pulls a coin pouch from his waist, tied to his belt. He opens it, and dumps the coins into his hand. You see inside 3 dragons, 7 shards, and 13 nibs. 

He looks up, and says, "I'd have to go retrieve more money, would it be okay if I payed in the morning for your work?"

 Ventheris will nod and glance at the others for their approval as well before gathering his belongings.

Rinzak gives a soft shrug "This arrangement seems acceptable.....I suppose this could be the start of my first true connection on this plane." The slightly xenophobic side of the Githzerai also already partly regretting having came here today, but though odd this group seemed at least equipped decently enough.

Fen looked excited when signed copies of the book were mentioned and his smile got even larger when 10% of book profits for the party was agreed to.

"I don't see an issue with that," Carlin agrees.

"Great!" Volo says excitedly, "I'll go collect my notes and money for tomorrow. Meet you here in the morning?"

Hecate readily agrees. Why not accept money for something she was going to do anyway?

"Extraordinary!" He exclaims, "Well, I'll be off. Well met!"

He then leaves up the nearest staircase, forgetting his food that he had left at the bar in the excitement. 

Hecate talks to the tavern keeper, offering her services in getting rid of the ghost if he'll allow the party to camp out in the kitchens during the night.

Okay, Erdan is currently behind the bar preparing a drink for a halfling-elf couple. What would you like to say exactly? Explain how you approach and discuss.

Hecate waits patiently for Erdan to finish serving the couple and then approaches.

"Good sir," She says, "Me and my friends have heard that your establishment is experiencing some trouble with a restless spirit. Volo has been so kind as to offer us payment in exchange for dealing with the problem. All we ask of you is that you allow us to set up in the kitchens tonight so that we might better prepare for it."

Erdan looks at you for a second with a strange look on his face (roll insight if you want to tell what it is), then pauses for a moment as if he's thinking, and then looks at you, nods, and says, "You may wait here in the kitchen tonight, but I would like to warn you not to attack anything that hasn't already attacked you. Undead are fickle creatures. If you must observe him, you may, but don't provoke it."

Insight: 14

You have no idea what that expression meant. You just know that it was weird.

Rinzak looks over the others, saying to them "Well....if we need to combat this thing it would be good to know what we are all capable of yes? I have taken my teachings of the manipulation of matter in my home plane and begun a study to perfect such an art. As well as a small arsenal of basic magical talents." Puffing out his chest a bit during his explanation of the first part, gesturing to the others if they were so inclined to do the same.

Fen responds "I have trained with a bow and am good at blending into the shadows and not being seen."

Ventheris speaks up, “I’ve been given instruction in the use of weapons and armor and I have some limited magical abilities, though I have had few opportunities to practice. But I agree that we should perhaps speak to it first, and I have some experience talking to a ghost, so I would be willing to do so on our behalf.”

Fen agrees, "I agree, we should observe it then attempt to ‘make contact’ with it, but if things do go wrong it is good to know you both seem to be able to handle yourselves in a tight spot."

"I was born with inherent arcane powers and an affinity with the deceased. Perhaps my knowledge will be of some use." Hecate says.

(Do you want to keep discussing with each other, or move on?)