"I agree with Dierdre and although I think following up on Renaer might be our best bet perhaps looking into the Candle Lane lead while we are practically right here would prove efficient."

Mialee looks down the road they are on in the direction of Candle Lane then back to look around at the group.

"Does anyone object or have other ideas on how to proceed? I must confess I'm not a very good investigator but I'm willing to learn."

Hoping to impress or at least still seem useful in some way.

"And I have other skills that could prove valuable on this mission."

"Candle Lane certainly seems like our most immediate lead.  It is not wise to allow a trail too much time to go cold before you follow it so I am happy to see what we can discover there now.  Does anyone have any contacts or friends who could check on Renaer for us in the meantime?"

"My friend Remallia might be able to find out if Renaer made it safely home last night but I have no way to contact her immediately, I mean with magic that is."

Mialee subconsciously looks toward the nearest sign that might bear a street name, or if none are near the biggest and most noticeable sign of a business or shop. She ponders how she could get a message to Remallia and where to receive a response without meeting with her in person.

"Until we know what's up concerning Candle Lane and how it might factor into helping us find Floon I don't think we should split up."

Lucky is content to let the bigger brains do all the thinking, but he hopes they'll head to Candle Lane soon.

"Um, I should probably tell you guys something," says Mercy, her eyes flickering toward the graffiti about Candle Lane. "So that graffiti sign there is in the Zhent code...which I can read...because I'm a member."

She struggles to meet everyone's gaze, and her tail twitches anxiously. "I don't know why Zhents would want anything to do with Floon, even if he had a lot of gold on him at the time. Zhentarim aren't petty thieves. Their...our schemes tend to be a little more elaborate, but I wouldn't rule them out completely either."

Dierdre looks at the Mercy, seeming to re-appraise her.

"Strange company to keep, but that's your business. As long as you aren't involved with the undead or necromancy I don't see a problem; it may even be to our benefit, like now."

"We have each walked our own path to where we are," Elagor says to Mercy. "It's all to the good since we are working together now." This closes the matter as far as he is concerned.  

To the party in general he says "Candle Lane calls us, it seems.  Let's see what awaits us there."

Mialee falls into step beside Mercy as they walk to Candle Lane.

"Mercy, you have not judged me for being drow so I will not judge you for being a member of the Zhentarim."

After a brief pause where she glances sideways and shares a smile with Mercy.

"Besides it is one of Eilistraee's tenets to be accepting of other races so that they would in turn be more accepting of the drow and everyone could live in peace upon the surface. Extending that belief to include organizations and groups isn't that much of a stretch."

"I must confess though I don't know much about the Zhentarim as it never came up much among those I usually associate with and over the past tendays it seemed inappropriate to ask with tensions rising between the Zhentarim and Xanathar... I'm sorry, if this makes you uncomfortable or you're unable to discuss it just say so and I won't inquire further."

When we are about half way there...

"How do we go about this? I mean if they did kidnap Floon I'm sure we can't just knock and ask them, they'll not only deny it but we will have tipped our hand. We should have some kind of plan or at least a way to play this or go about finding out what we want to know."

"Perhaps we should even approach cautiously, they may have a lookout or guard posted."

"I don't think we have to be too cautious in our approach. Mercy is known to them, and we did save one of theirs in a fight, who suggested there was work available.

So we can ask what the work is, mention Yagra's name, and see what happens.

Mercy, is there anyone you could speak to about Floon without causing any trouble?"

Mercy smiles gratefully to the others. The way they seemed to accept her so readily...her eyes start to well up, but she quickly wipes them. As they walk, Mercy explains more about the Zhentarim to the others, after Mialee asks her question.

"The Zhentarim, also known as the Black Network, is an organization of spies, assassins, and thieves. We offer the best protection services in the Realms, but that also means Zhents aren't above shaking people down and demanding protection fees. I think the overarching goal of the Zhentarim is to make the merchant class completely reliant upon us for protection and services to keep the gold flowing in, which makes sense as to why they're now feuding with the Xanathar. We can't have the Xanathar robbing the merchants because that makes us look weak and ineffectual."

As they walk toward Candle Lane, Mercy nods at Dierdre. "I should be able to ask about Floon, although they might want to know where I heard that name. I wonder if Floon is involved with the Xanathar somehow. That's the only reason I could see for the Zhents taking him."

(Apologies for the delay - let's continue!)

You all head toward Candle Lane - a rough neighborhood within a rough neighborhood. The run down tenements and edifices here are so tightly packed together, you think the only direct sunlight this place would get would come right at highsun. Windows are broken and boarded up, the cobblestones cracked and worn, the whole place smells of mildew and raw sewage, and the lamps that would provide illumination to this place are smashed, their lights destroyed or taken, who knows. There is one glimmer in the dark, however - a lamp built into the doorway of a ramshackle two-story warehouse. Just above the door's handle looms a black winged snake - but the main door and the gate that surrounds the warehouse yard both hang eerily ajar. The large warehouse loading door is locked tight, and the only window you can see is painted over with black paint. It is dead quiet. 

(Owlbear Rodeo has been updated!)

https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/ySC9gnvBo1Ee/DragonHeist-HellofaSummer

Lucky recognizes the winged snake as a sign of the Zhent.

He whispers, “Looks like this is the place, but something tells me the door shouldn’t be open like that. I’ve got a bad feeling about this…”

He draws his weapons and waits to get the party consensus.

(trying to log back into owlbear rodeo and see what the map looks like)

Dierdre gets a tighter grip on her shield, and pulls her holy symbol out ready for action. She looks around at the group and takes a couple of sidesteps. "I suggest we spread out a bit, just in case...."

"Good idea."

Mialee responds in a low voice just above a whisper.

"Do you think it's abandoned?"

"If we're going to investigate by going inside I suggest three go at first and then after a ten count the rest follow, just in case there is some sort of trap it won't catch us all unawares."

Mialee looks to see if the group agrees and if they do she will move to position herself so that each smaller group has a cleric, she in one and Dierdre in the other, nodding in silent understanding as the group advances on the Zhentarim building.

"That's one possibility; I was thinking either you and I go in first as we seem to be the only ones with any real armour, or Elagor and Lucky sneak in first to see what awaits."

Dierdre looks at the group, thinks for a moment "Mercy, have you been inside before? It would help to know something of the layout if possible."

Lucky volunteers to sneak in first. "Just be ready to sprint in if I shout!"

Stealth 17

As he creeps forward, he scans for clues as to what's going on.

Investigation 11

(still can't see the owlbear rodeo so I'm going in blind!)

Mialee will Ready an action, the trigger will be if Lucky shouts, and the action will be to run in.

"Ready."

"No heroics, mind, get out fast if you need to.  We can probably handle any trouble better out here."  Elagor moves to some cover and draws his swords, ready to rush out, if required, or defend himself if trouble comes his way. (Stealth 12 to get into position). Elagor scans the area nervously, but he is distracted by the more general feeling that nothing about this situation feels right. There should be a few people about, keeping guard at the least. (Perception 6).

Lucky sneaks forward, quiet as an alley cat. The inside of the warehouse is a bloodbath. Tables and chairs have been carelessly tossed across the floor. The corpses of a dozen men and women lie around the warehouse, their rapiers and daggers lying nearby. On the north side of the area, stairs rise to an open level above. Four short, avian creatures with long beaks and black feathers amble about the space and search barrels, boxes, and bodies for any good loot. Each wears a hooded cloak and wields a shortsword.

(Sorry Lucky - just admitted you!)