Without much more than a quiet word here or there, the eight headed south at a good pace, eager to meet this man, Yaztromo, to see what he had to offer. 

The adventurers walked in what can only be described as an unorganised line. Samantha, of course, leading the way, with Faye and Ailbe close behind. Aelric kept to the back, always keeping an eye on their surroundings. The rest milling around in the middle. 

The walk to Yaztromo's tower took a little over half a day and they arrived at a stone tower, both dirty and hungry. 

As the tower is set back on the edges of Darkwood, some 50 metres away from the path they'd been following, it was difficult to find. But they all eventually walked up to the huge oak door, somewhat relieved that it did exist and Bigleg had not been speaking wildly in his delirium. 

A large brass bell and gong hung from the stone archway around the door. Ailbe stepped up to touch the bell and it rang loud after just the smallest of movements. A shiver ran down her spine, as she realised that the loud ringing invaded a deep silence, which had not been noticed until now. There just weren't any sounds of birds or animals to be heard, which to anyone else would have been odd, but to these experienced adventurers, it wasn't really anything to worry about. 

Waiting anxiously, the sound of slow footsteps descending a staircase from the tower above could be heard. When they sounded closest, a small wooden slot in the door slid open and two eyes appeared to examine the group. "Well, who are you?", demanded a grumpy voice that accompanied the eyes through the hole.

Ailbe was about to answer him when she was interrupted abruptly by Faye. "Just a group of stragglers who were sent here by some delusional, ill-fated dwarf." She knew Julian's eyes were on her when she said the word dwarf but she ignored it. He could have it out with her later.

Aelric then chimed in, "We've begun a quest involving the lives of hundreds. Kindly, let us in, as I doubt you get many clients in a dangerous setting such as this. I suggest you take advantage of the opportunity."

"Is that so?", the wizard responded eagerly. "Oh. Well in that case, if you are interested in buying some of my merchandise, you had better come up." He abruptly shut the slot and opened the door. "I am Yaztromo." The old, hunched-over, greying wizard then turned and slowly climbed the stone stairs. 

All were hesitant to follow him. They just stood there until Roxanne pushed through the group and into the tower, each person following her up one by one. 

The group followed the huffing and puffing old man who wore tattered robes, up the spiral staircase to a large room at the top of the tower. Shelves, cupboards, and cabinets lined the walls, all filled with bottles, jars, weapons, armour, and all manner of strange artefacts. 

As the group gathered together in the room's centre, Yaztromo shuffled past the general clutter and slumped down into an old oak chair. He reached into the top pocket of his torn robes and pulled out a fragile pair of gold, rimmed spectacles. He placed them on his crooked and wrinkled nose before he picked up a board and piece of chalk from the table next to his chair and began to write frantically. Once it seemed like he had completed it, he handed over the board and told them to choose wisely as it all helps in Darkwood forest, but each one can only be used once. Elsie took the board and read the list aloud.

The board

Potion of Healing (3 gold pieces)
Potion of Plant Control (2 gold pieces)
Potion of Stillness (3 gold pieces)
Potion of Insect Control (2 gold pieces)
Potion of Anti-poison (2 gold pieces)
Holy water (3 gold pieces)
Ring of light (3 gold pieces)
Boots of Leaping (2 gold pieces)
Rope of Climbing (3 gold pieces)
Net of Entanglement (3 gold pieces)
Armband of Strength (3 gold pieces)
The Glove of Missile Dexterity (2 gold pieces)
Rod of Water-Finding (2 gold pieces)
Garlic Buds (2 gold pieces)
Headband of Concentration (3 gold pieces)
Fire Capsules (3 gold pieces)
Nose Filters (3 gold pieces)

All seven of them crowded around Elsie, peering over her shoulder to get a look at the board. Julian had the most difficult task of it, being under five foot, though he simply nestled his chin into the crease of her arm. No one spoke for a while. Desiree thought about it but then thought everyone else would have more important ideas on the matter. 

First to break the group's silence was Roxanne, "Maybe the Ring of Light? It just seems so vague, it has to be important."

Desiree was debating internally for another minute or so, wondering if her speaking up would actually help or not. Eventually, she decided it was best. "I believe the healing types will be important but we should only get one. I vote for the potion of healing since it doesn't seem limited. Then there are the skill-based ones - ropes, nets, and clothing, which all could help us. So we should get a few. Next, survival, fire and water. They could be very important, the difference between life and death. Similar to the protection ones, Holy water to repel evil. Nose filters could prevent us from inhaling toxic chemicals, insect control to either repel or control insects, and the latter could be said for the Potion of plant control too. Though I agree and disagree with you, Roxanne. The Ring of Light does seem vague but not really important." 

Roxanne was too pleased with her suggestion being rejected and had to bite her tongue so as not to retort angrily.

Aelric's turn to chime in, "That's the quick thinking that gets the job done. So what are everyone else's thoughts? I think we should take a rope of climbing, the armband of strength, fire capsules... and possibly the headband of concentration, anti-poison, and healing."

"Boots of leaping as well," Roxanne quickly added, wanting to have at least one idea accepted.

Aelric smiled. "Yes, those too."

"Okay, listen up," Samantha told the group with some authority, her face expressionless. She started reading down the list. "Healing is a must, it could restore our energy and health. Plant control could either stop them from killing us or for growing vines. Stillness could benefit from freezing something deadly. Anti-poison is obvious and rather vital. Holy water, I don't want to be chased by the undead. Yes to the rope, it can be used multiple times, even if only once magically. We need the net for ambush or climbing. I just really want the gloves to be honest. I don't trust the water rod, but fire and filters could be good too."

Aelric coughed. "The armband, I want to be stronger. Definitely get some healing potion and anti-poison, and the water-finding doohickey. I still agree with Desiree on the skill-based stuff." He turned and gave her a wink. She smiled slightly then he turned back to the board. "Get some nose filters too."

Desiree calculated everything before speaking, "Okay, so the general consensus so far is to get the healing potion. I think that's the one we've all agreed on so far. As for everything that we've mostly agreed on, they are - the Potion of healing, plant control, the boots and armband, the water rod, and the rope, net, and gloves. Which would come to 20 gold pieces. I think that's a lot and I don't know how much gold we're going to possibly need later, if any."

"Maybe we'll find more gold," Faye suggested.

Samantha replied to Faye, "I agree, maybe we'll come across dead or dying creatures who have gold. Or maybe we won't be needing it, because what could you buy in the woods? I don't think monsters are selling anything!" She snorted abruptly at her own joke, making the others jump. "I like that list but I think we should add the potion of insect control, anti-poison, hold water, and the nose filters, though it comes to 30 gold."

"Well, we can also get multiples of something as well," Desiree reminded them.

Ailbe had stayed quiet, just listening and concocting a plan for what they needed, before she finally spoke up. Although she spoke uniformly, as if to no one in particular, "The potion of healing and anti-poison for survival obviously. Nose filters, I have no clue what these are but since dwarves are famous for mines these could prevent us from inhaling unhealthy things." She moved her head round to look at Julian. "Sorry, no offence." He didn't acknowledge her, so she simply continued. "The rod of finding water could be extremely helpful in finding a water source in a forest. The rope is not only helpful for climbing but many other things too. The ring of light; I, too, agree with Roxanne. This could be the difference between overlooking or finding a hidden area. I think we should save at least 5-10 coins, I'm imagining travelling merchants who don't necessarily need a physical building to set up shop, or even for bribery to better our situation."

"I think saving about 5-10 gold is a smart choice," Aelric agreed.

There was a pause in the conversation before Samantha spoke up again, "Two potions of Healing and one anti-poison, plant control, rope, net, the armband, water rod, and the nose filters."

Desiree shrugged, "I still think anti-poison is pointless, especially if we get two healing potions."

Julian shook his head. "No, I think anti-poison is important, you just never know." 

Everyone seemed to nod in agreement with the list. Elsie looked around at everyone nodding then back to Yaztromo, repeating the list to him. He nodded as she said each item, calculating the price in his head, "That's 24 gold pieces for all of this."

Elsie looked over at Samantha who was slipping off her backpack to take out the money. Calculating the 24 gold pieces, Sam dropped them into the wizard's hands. He counted the coins and stashed them in his robe. Then, Yaztromo got out of his chair and slowly started collecting the items. Once he'd placed them all on the table next to his chair, he sat back down. 
Aelric didn't even so much as murmur a thank you to the wizard as he went to grab the armband, it was strictly business. But Elsie beat him to the punch. He cursed in his mind before snapping at Elsie, "You're not strong enough for that, Elsie."

"Why do you say that, Aelric? I think I'm plenty strong enough, so why don't you just worry about you and your glaive," Elsie retorted.

Aelric narrowed his eyes. "Is that a threat? If it is, it's pretty meaningless and not very intimidating. You're a lover, not a fighter, the mother hen of the group."

"Caring only makes me a stronger fighter, that's why I should have it."

Aelric picked up one of the healing potions from the table. "Just take this instead and don't argue, it's much better suited for you." He thrust it into her hands and yanked the armband from her grip, then walked to the back of the room. Elsie pursed her lips in anger and knew that she'd be discussing this with him later.