Gargan

Gargan, or rather Gargyrilaxx, knew exactly who Volo was, for he had written much of the world in his time and Syrylaxxilius had long made sure to stay out of his sight lest she be forced to deal with him before her presence was announced to the world by the pompous fool. It would do well for them to stay close to Volo and aid him, for he might have much information of use to the clutch. Besides, upon meeting the man he seemed nice enough and Gargan had taken a liking to him. He genuinely wished to aid him in finding his friend, even though he suspected there was a lot more to his tale than he was letting on. "Lead on" he says to Pimrick cheerfully.

As they find their way into the Dock Ward entering into the shadows that come with the journey Gargan begins to feel more comfortable and more relaxed. While danger was clearly much closer at hand the shade suited him much better and he felt his head clear as they moved further to the south of the city. As the group comes across the incident he quickly signals for them to stop. "Hold friends, perhaps it would be sensible to check our quarry has not been caught up in this encounter before we continue on?" Approaching the officer who spoke to them he says "I understand you do not want outside involvement, but might I ask a favour Officer? We have been employed to search for a fellow, by none other than Volothamp Geddarm, who has gone missing. Might we check that the fellow has not been caught up in this violence before we pass by and leave you to your work?"

Cloudfur

The druid stops before the scene, hears the guards try to chase them off, hears Gargan's comments and ignores most of that.  He tries to get close enough to the bodies to see if he can perhaps determine what happened to them and pokes one with his staff or to see if one of them might match Floons description (the dead ones or the apprehended ones)

[Investigation: 8]

"There seems plenty to see here...these folks clearly appear to be dead......"

There a dozen or so guards, most watching the captives and the perimeter with a couple questioning witnesses and writing notes.

"I've no idea who that is.  There's nothing here but the result of a bloody gang war.  Over the last few tendays the Zhentarim and Xanathar Guild have been at each other's throats, and it's getting worse.  Hard to believe there's any left, between those killed and the ones we've locked up or executed.  Unless your friend was one of either, you'll not find him he .. hey .. HEY!  Keep your staff to yourself furball or I'll be linin' you up with the others!"

From what you can see of the scene, it lines up with what the guard is saying.  You can see the Zhentarim symbol - a flying snake - on the three survivors and on one of the bodies.  The rest either you can't see or have the same symbol of those in the Portal - a circle with 10 stalks protruding around it.  Their clothing is all fairly dark - based on Volo's description of what he was wearing, Floon would stand out amongst this crowd if he was there.

Cloudfur

Cloudfur will raise his paws and back away, irritated at the racial slur but not wanting to create any more issues with the City Watch.

and to his party he will say softly "I can confirm what the guards say is true, it just appears to be the results of a turf war, perhaps we should find another way  around."

Moving as close to the scene as the others in the group, Dori looked past the guards and to the three apprehended humans, a single finger pointed in their direction. "Where is the beautiful, red haired man named Floon?"

Gargan

As Dori moves up and shouts to the captives Gargan nods to the officer in thanks. "Fair enough, thanks for the information. I don't believe he is guild affiliated but we've already seen the trouble these guilds cause earlier today so I'm sure there is a good chance that all this trouble could well be related to another missing person. If it's not too much could I ask another favour? If you hear any news of a Floon Blagmaar might you send a messenger to pass it on to us at the Yawning Portal, for either myself or Mr Geddarm if you don't mind? I'll pay for the messenger myself, here." Gargan then offers two dragons to the officer.

One of the Zhentarim opens his mouth as if to say something, but first looks over at the guard you're talking to.  The guard points and returns a scowl, and the man resumes staring at the ground as he was before, not wanting to bring any more trouble on his head than he already has.

At your offer, the guard holds her hand up: "If you've got a missing person to report my suggestion would be to visit the nearest magistrate's office, report it, and let the Watch investigate.  We do not recommend or condone citizens getting involved in investigations.  Now, with respect, please be on your way so we can conclude THIS investigation without garnering any additional attention."

(OCC: Since I grew up in Waterdeep, do I recognize the guard?)

Roll a perception check.

Perception 8

Gargan

"Apologies officer, I meant no disrespect. Thank you for your help, I hope this rabble don't cause you any more trouble than they already have". Turning to Dori he says "Come friend, let us with draw for a moment, there may be something I can do". With that he backs off away from the officers moving to a position round a corner that is concealed from the officers before he casts Message and speaks to the Zhentarim who was about to speak with Dori.

"They cannot hear us, only I can. Tell me what you would tell my Goliath companion."

Quote from AngiroZenjin >>

Perception 7

You don't recognize her or any of the other guards.

Quote from AirHOrse >>

Gargan

"Apologies officer, I meant no disrespect. Thank you for your help, I hope this rabble don't cause you any more trouble than they already have". Turning to Dori he says "Come friend, let us with draw for a moment, there may be something I can do". With that he backs off away from the officers moving to a position round a corner that is concealed from the officers before he casts Message and speaks to the Zhentarim who was about to speak with Dori.

"They cannot hear us, only I can. Tell me what you would tell my Goliath companion."

Roll a persuasion check - replying may draw more negative attention from the guards, plus he really has no good reason to help you.

persuasion:6

The man looks up at you and grins, and you hear a chuckle in your head.  It's unclear whether he really knows something or he's just taunting you.  In either case it is definitely clear that he is not interested in helping you at the expense of his own skin.

Gargan

“Very well, you have missed your chance to avoid rotting in a cell or worse.” He says in a particularly menacing tone. “A shame, freedom was so close at hand for you if you had just assisted us, but as you aren’t interested I will take my group elsewhere.” He finishes with a knowing look in the Zhentarims direction as he lies through his teeth.

As quietly as he can the man mutters "If you can really get me out of this mess, I can help you, but don't make things worse than they already are". He glances at the guards but, fortunately for him, they are all preoccupied enough that they don't notice his whisper.

(Sorry I had moved ahead but missed Gargan's deception check so I edited to redirect.)

Gargan

Casting another message to continue the conversation Gargan relaxes the tone of his voice to something much more reassuring, but also making sure to convey absolute confidence in the groups abilities. ”There are five of us and we are very talented individuals, I’m sure you saw the size of my Goliath friend here for starters. The rest of us are much more subtle though you will be pleased to know. Tell us what you know and then we shall put our talents to use in reuniting you with lady freedom.”

He considers for a moment and then replies "The Zhentarim captured him and his friend and took him to one of our hideouts.  I was there.  That's all I'm saying until you get me out of here."

As he says this, two city wagons come around the corner to haul away the prisoners and the bodies.  Time is of the essence.