"Yes, I am the harbormaster and have been for a good many years. I keep em' moving but I don't own any." He gestures to the many ships docked up and down the wharf he's standing on and the others anchored just off shore.

"Most of these captains won't transport people without some coin anyway. Got to feed them during the voyage and all. Passage for a few might be worked out if you find the right captain, but getting a bunch of them to agree to transport all the refugees is something else entirely."

"Sorry I couldn't be of more help."

“I thought you might know which captains we should talk to about our problems.” 

"The merchants have always had a hand in running things, if you ask me, despite the many denials to the contrary. You might try and convince one of them to help."

He begins to scratch at his beard while thinking.

"Tho' I can't think of why they might help if there's nothing to be gained from it. But yeah, if anyone might be able to help somehow, they're the first I would try to convince as they definitely have the coin needed for any expenses."

Petcan will go look for these merchants

The marketplace is as good a place as any to start looking for merchants.

(give me a CHA check, if you have a CHA skill or any other skill you think is relevant please describe how you use it to search out merchants... a possible bonus of +1 to +3 may result)

I would like to perform a song/dance to attract merchants much the same way a siren might.

Petcan Persuasion check 25 

He uses a control flames spell to spell out “please help” in flames above his head. 

Hello I was wondering if I may join if so my character is a Goliath by the name of thrownar who’s recently had his horse stolen

Randall:

While the others try to catch the attention of the merchants in flashy ways, Randall surveys the crowd, looking for reactions that might indicate a willingness to help.

Insight:  9

(@Ceo: If you want to perform a song & dance to attract merchants give me a Performance check.)

(@Petcan: Some people give you odd looks with flames dancing above your head, especially as you near the marketplace... where everyone has their wares displayed.)

(@Randall: Other than the reactions you would expect there is a subdued atmosphere pervading the few people you do see bustling to and fro.)

As you draw near the market there are more people noticeable visiting the stalls & kiosks set up. It appears the looming threat of war doesn't slow the wheel & weft of commerce. Besides the merchandise being offered there are a number of buskers spread out around the marketplace. Jugglers, tumblers, and fire eaters are just some of the entertaining things you see.

Off to one side is a booth with a puppet show. Close to an alley right before you enter the marketplace is a halfling playing a game of ball & shells, a few people have gathered around him and they seem to win and lose with the same consistency. The halfling looks up and down the street every so often before beginning, and during each game.

Performance: 11

Edit; I would also like to go and see the game with the Halfling. Is there any way with my criminal past that I might see something off about his game?

(@Ceo)

Your performance isn't great but it doesn't suck either. It doesn't attract any merchants but does get some sideways glances from a few performers.

(Choose between an Insight check to determine how honest this halfling seems, or a Perception check to notice if he's cheating those playing.)

Perception seems like the best course of action here; 18 

Edit: Or not

May I please join?

(@Ceo)

This halfling seems to be trying to use his skillful manipulation of the shells to prove the old wizard adage that 'the hand is quicker than the eye' and it doesn't hurt that he has some witty banter going to help distract those attempting to keep their eyes on the shells.

"Well done! Well done! Very good indeed! The pretty lady has a sharp eye. Here are your three silver."

You see him push three silver over to her pile of three silver next to the shell he just reveled with the ball underneath it.

"It's that easy my friends. A sharp eye or a little luck is all you need to make some quick coin. Who's next? Who's next? Take a turn while I have coins left, wait too long and others will clean me out. How about this fine looking Elf? Yes, you sir, how can you not hear me with those ears, or perhaps it's just idle boasting that elves have exceptional senses? I understand if you are yellow just step aside and let one of your brave companions have a turn."

While you are considering the game a Half-Orc places a gold coin by the left shell after the halfling has mixed them up, when he reveals the ball under the shell the Half-Orc half grunts, half laughs with glee at winning a gold coin so easily.

I’ll go over and play, but I will use Minor Illusion to place the ball under whichever cup I choose.

Randall:

Making a noise of disgust, Randall says to any in the party who will listen, “We stand here playing games while the refugees stand helpless outside the walls of the city, the goblin horde getting closer every minute.  Let us at least find someone in authority who will help them instead of wasting our time with games!”

Randall’s temper flares as he is unable to understand the city leader’s apparent plan to leave their neighbors outside the protection of the walls to be slaughtered by the goblins.

Bow having been quiet for some time shrugs at Randall. 

"I don't understand either why the refugees haven't been let in, but lets not fight each other. Who knows maybe the halfling there can help if Ceo beats him, or maybe Ceo is so good he can earn enough for hiring boats. However, while Ceo does that let us talk to some merchants. Who knows, maybe they can let the Refugees enter in exchange for some help from us in other matters."

Randall:

”Thank you, Bow.  Voicing my frustrations won’t help anyone anyway, and your suggestion is a good one.  Let’s go,” responds Randall, following Bow towards a likely looking merchant.

”If we get word the goblin horde approaches, though, and the refugees are still kept outside, I will go join them to fight off the goblins for as long as I can—perhaps an example of one of Lathander’s faithful will shame the city into protecting their helpless neighbors,” he adds with a determined voice.

(@Ceo)

Unless you have a way to cast a spell undetected everyone present will know you cast something. Are you sure you want to do that?

(Choose and make a skill check to play the game. Describe how you use that skill to play the game and why or how you feel it is relevant.)

(@Randall and Bow)

Looking about the marketplace you come to the realization that there are at least 2 kinds of merchant in Laurentiis. There are the regular ones you can find anywhere running a business and then there are the ones who have built the spires or towers that are scattered throughout Laurentiis. (Essentially the difference between the rich and millionaires.)