Jorin is continuing to stay hear Hildigrim, hoping his presence will help calm the halfling.  As Hildi's question he replies, "If we are, it is nothing we cannot best.  Of that, I am sure."

He raises an eyebrow at the sign on the shop, and enters cautiously. 

Drusk will smack the front of his Sentinel shield. "I am almost certain the eye drawn on it, by Hyll the Hag, is actually watching us, but it always pretends to be a normal painting when I look at it more closely. I'll keep it facing away from Hildi until he is feeling better."

Inside the shop, Tasselgryn sees the flying snake, and holds up a treat. Zsoksia flies over, takes a bite, and then flies back to Pascal to finish off the vittles he provided earlier. (Apparently the snake has taste buds that appreciates the lizard man's flavorings.) Tasselgryn is slightly surprised by that, and then leans back in her chair.

"With Zsoksia with you, I know who sent you. You'll have to tell me what you want to know."

Hildigrim closes his eyes and gives his head a little shake before giving Zsoksia a short bow and then forcing a warm smile. "My name is Hildigrim Goodbody. We were just meeting with Bosskyn — obviously — and he suggested we visit you. We're looking for the drow Cory’bant’ex, and he thought you might have some information."

Jorin watches the flying snake then leans over to Pascal and says quietly, "I am thinking that snake is delicious.  I have never had flying snake before, you?"

Quote from Guiltysparc >>

Jorin watches the flying snake then leans over to Pascal and says quietly, "I am thinking that snake is delicious.  I have never had flying snake before, you?"

 Pascal plugs the snakes ears, “Gonna pretend I didn’t hear that, Jorin.”

Quote from JcAndD >>

Quote from Guiltysparc >>

Jorin watches the flying snake then leans over to Pascal and says quietly, "I am thinking that snake is delicious.  I have never had flying snake before, you?"

 Pascal plugs the snakes ears, “Gonna pretend I didn’t hear that, Jorin.”

Too late. The flying snake was resting on Pascal's shoulder, which Jorin forgot (since his attention shifted to the elderly wizard woman). Zsoksia uses its tongue to give Jorin the medieval version of a "wet willie" in his closer ear, slides as far away from Jorin as possible, and settles back to noshing on Pascal's vittles.

Quote from DirtyDogP >>

Hildigrim closes his eyes and gives his head a little shake before giving Zsoksia a short bow and then forcing a warm smile. "My name is Hildigrim Goodbody. We were just meeting with Bosskyn — obviously — and he suggested we visit you. We're looking for the drow Cory’bant’ex, and he thought you might have some information."

"Sorry, I don't know every Drow in town by name, especially with the Bregan D’aerthe sneaking in and out."

(The Bregan D’aerthe are a primarily Drow spy/criminal organization. They are considered rebels by the current Drow leadership. Although not as powerful in Skullport as the Xanathar and the Zhentarim, they are still a group to be reckoned with.)

"Maybe you could give me a little more to work with, like a description, or why you want this person found?"

"Well," Hildi begins, "they're a drow. They're female. They're a courier. They were hired to deliver something from a mindflayer." He trails off, clearly trying to think of anything else relevant.

OoC - LOL, i thought the snake was on Drusk's shoulder for some reason.

Jorin laughs heartily, probably interrupted the actual, important conversation going on...much like these posts interrupted DDP and the DM, lol.

"Female Drow courier... Now that does stand out. A few hours ago, there was a group of out-of-towners (you know, strikingly like yourselves... adventurers) seen dragging off a female drow an hour or so ago, headed toward the Lower Port.

"They should still be somewhere in Skullport. No reports of any sizable groups walking out of the vicinity today. And the only magical teleportation out of Undermountain hasn't been used.

"That sighting in the Lower Port was next to demonstrations hosted by the Hired Horrors. Ask around there, and maybe you'll find an eyewitness who can give you better clues."

"What are the... hired horrors hired to do?" Quillary asks sincerely.

Quote from Mingofaust >>

"What are the... hired horrors hired to do?" Quillary asks sincerely.

"Monster breeders. Specialize in selling creatures to protect lairs or valuables. Fairly new group, so these demos are advertising to get more customers."

Jorin says, "Demonstration...monsters?  Perhaps an opportunity for a good wrestling match."

"Lower Port," Hildi repeats. "Thank you. Oh, would you happen to be a Zhent or member of Xanathar's guild?"

At Hildi's question, Quillary adjusts her stance and her hand strays to where her club sits in her belt, but she waits.

"Independent contractor... Since Bosskyn sent you here, you should have known that I wouldn't be a member of the Xanathar."

The front door opens, and a quartet of burly Xanathar Guild members walk in. (Their armor is covered with painted eyes, a giveaway.) "We need some more of your official looking papers, right now."

"Wait until I'm done with these customers, unless you want me to teach you some manners." (The gang leader grumbles, but is clearly cowed.)

(To the Road Enders) "Our business is concluded. You should be on your way."

Quillary makes to leave. 

Jorin walks out with Quillary saying, "Well, she was a ray of sunshine."

"Certainly our heart and lung condition is getting exercise with all this walking," Quillary tells the barbarian.

Hildigrim walks out. As soon as he is outside, he starts looking around again as if he is trying to catch someone. "While I've not had an active interest in Skullport, I'm enjoying learning more about it," he says to Quillary. "And, aside from the poor communication from Master Geddarm resulting in our less-than-desirable transport here, and having to deal with the mind flayer, nothing overtly dangerous has taken place."

"I am always open to new experiences... this one is just so unrelentingly grim," Quillary says. "There is no balance here, only dead ends."