So here is the list of things I want to buy with my ducats:
3rd level scrolls: Protection from energy, Lighting Bolt, Tiny Hut, Flame Arrow, Keen Edge, Slow, Rune of Durability, Beast shape I, Illusiory script, secret page, explosive runes, shrink Item, Dispel Magic, Gaseous Form
2nd level scrolls: Arcane Lock, Obscure Object, Protection From Arrows, Glitterdust, Summon Monster 2, Summon Swarm, Locate Object, Shatter, Invisibility, Magic Mouth, Mirror Image, Minor Image, Blindness/Deafness, False Life, Alter Self, Knock, Make Whole, Pyrotechnics, Rope Trick, Spider Climb
1st level spells: Hold portal
For a total of 10345 gp and 83 hours to copy scrolls into my spellbooks.

I also want to pick up the following magic items
Cloak of Resistance (+1), Eyes of the Eagle, Handy Haversack, Headband of inspired wisdom (+2), Belt of Constitution (+2)
13500 gp if I buy them, less if I make them. I will try to buy them because we have a time limit.

I also feel picking up the following mundane items would be useful:
Chest with a superior lock (wizard locked), Darkwood tankard, 100 ft silk rope, 4 Continual flame tiki torches, Crowbar, Masterwork Artisan's tools (armorsmith, weaponsmith, bookbinding, carpentry, stonemason), Darkwood cover spellbook (Intermediate Invocations), Artisan's outfit, Hot weather outfit (going with same cost as cold weather outfit), Courtier's Outfit, Magnifying Glass, 2 inkpens, 4 flasks ink, 100 sheets paper, Yurt (pavilion tent), bedroll, 12 bottles fine wine, 3 bottles fine whiskey, 50 lbs dried snack foods (meat, fruit etc.), 2 camels, 2 pack saddles, 1 barrel. 1601 gold, 3 silver.

Then I want to turn the remaining 1553 gold and 7 silver into 150 platinum, 50 gold and 7 silver.

Thats quite some expenditure on spells (not that i know whether you are spending to much). My list of items was considerably more martial:

a Headband of Alluring Charisma +2 (4000gp)
Full Plate +1 (1000gp)
a Large Shield +1 (1020gp)
a Cloak of Resistance +1 (1000gp)
Ring of Protection +1 (2000gp)
Ring of Sustenance (2500gp)
Handy haversack (2000gp)
Belt of ogre strength +2 (4000gp)
+2 longsword (8000gp)
Wand of cure light wounds (750gp)
Total 26270

"headband of alluring charisma +2..."
pretty boy

i'm concerned about hiring npcs, because the whole reason doren didn't put out a flyer for adventurers is he didn't want everyone knowing about the aboleth. if you can roleplay how to keep the npcs in the dark, doren might accept. also keep in mind you will be travelling slower since you will have to wait for them on their normal horses

The reason my spells cost so much is because I don't have time to copy from other caster's spell books so I have to buy scrolls, it would cost roughly half as much if If I had more time. That said, this gives me a much wider selection of magics to work with so its worth it.

note, I went with a cost of 200 gp each for camels, hope thats alright.

It simple we just tell the dudes that we found a dungeon with valuble treasure (technically true) and that we want some guys to aid us and come along.

That will probably work fine. Greed is an AWESOME motivator. Plus, we can get some of those people who get the idea into their heads that they want to be adventurers for some reason, and show them how the life actually is! Also, I honestly didn't think of getting any new items but upgraded armor and a weapon, plus those couple items pointed out for the Perception bonuses. Maybe I'll get an amulet of natural armor or something too. Must look this up, since the game is in freaking forty five minutes.

Just to check, we're not on this week due to Aearon being off somewhere?

aziel also can't make it. i have a guy in email who has given me his background and says he has his sheet, but i hate to rely on a new person to show up just to have two players. i told him we won't play this week.

Back from out of town, good trip but I'm back to the other stresses of living.

Have you guys been following the updates on the SRD? Lots of cool new equipment choices.