Aenio then looks as if he’s had an idea and replies saying “What if this fire just needs a bucket of water to douse it out?”

A wry chuckle escapes the guard's lips. "Aye, I'm sure that's all there is to it. Be sure and let us know when you figure out what the water in the analogy stands for because nothing the Watch has been able to do has worked." Just then one of the senior guards yells to the one you've been talking to. "Time to go. Move along please" and with that the guard turns and hurries over to the other guard.

'Overhearing the exchanges between Asariel, Aenio and the guards, Vassa nods, saying,'

"Turf gang wars in the fair city of Waterdeep? What wretchedness, to stain these great streets with blood for no better reasons than hate and greed!

Should we draw the draught with which to douse this scorching fire, to whom should we bring this soothing potion?"  persuasion check 18

The guard looks back at Vassa, "The City Watch of course." and then starts to jog over to the impatient senior guard.

"Let's carry on, shall we? I'm surprised I couldn't sneak past the guard back there.  I'm just not used to the city, I guess."

Quote from KestrellKestrell >>

"Let's carry on, shall we? I'm surprised I couldn't sneak past the guard back there.  I'm just not used to the city, I guess."

 
"Agreed, Kes. The guards hereabout are usually not to be underestimated. I'd hoped for a particular watch person's name, maybe a sergeant or captain of the constabulary to take any useful... any potentially valuable, information to, but alas I think that I used too many multisyllabic words for that poor chap. Regardless... to the Shattered Dragon!"

'Having seen the surprising level to which the violence in the streets has escalated, Vassa now attempts to keep a watchful eye on the streets as they move through city, especially the alleys and rooftops that the group pass by. Alas, the half-drow is somewhat distracted by the particularly well groomed and attractive Waterdhavians who seem to be out in great numbers this morning.'   perception check 19

((OOG Sorry gang I’ve been pretty sick this weekend. Caught s stomach bug that I’m (praying) hoping has passed. Ima catch up on reading and post. 😁))

((OOG Sorry gang I’ve been pretty sick this weekend. Caught s stomach bug that I’m (praying) hoping has passed. Ima catch up on reading and post. 😁))

Lockbox will look over the bodies and at the men covered in blood. He is looking to see if he recognizes any of them before they take off to complete their mission. 

Perception: 19

((OOG my thinking is that Lockbox has been to jail in Waterdeep and also was a pirate/sailor before. Maybe he recognizes them from his travels or incarceration. ))

[OOG] Man I can barely percieve the inside of my own eye-lids in this game, lol.

Lockbox doesn't recognize any of the captives but one of the deceased looks familiar though you can't quite recall the name.

As the party works it's way toward The Skewered Dragon you notice the area growing dimmer and dirtier. Tall, densely packed tenements leave most of the neighborhood in shadow at ground level. Most of the streetlamps have had their glass smashed and their candles stolen, and the smells of salt air and excrement linger as you pass by rows of run-down buildings. You eventually turn onto Fillet Lane. To right a few doors down you see the sign for The Skewered Dragon.  Further down the street another shop stands out from the others. It has a deep purple facade, and in its window hangs a stuffed beholder. Above the door hangs a sign whose elaborate letters spell out “Old Xoblob Shop.”

Lockbox starts blindly walking towards the "Old Xoblob Shop", just because it kind of sounded like his name to him. ((OOG Xoblob...bolbox... Lockbox? lmao))

"Bolbox, Xoblob...Lockbox." He mutters to himself. And he didn't know that creature was a stuffed beholder, but it looked intriguing enough. He's never seen a creature with so many eyes. He thought two (2) was the standard for all life, so this must be a fake "myth" creature she used to tell him about in her stories. He finds himself standing in front of the shop staring at the creature and then the sign. It wasn't strange to him, just different. If he was honest with himself everything was strange and weird to him, but some more than others. 

"What was Volo doing in this neighborhood?!?"

As Kestrell sees the sign for Old Xoblob Shop he says: "Oh good, once we check out The Saucy Dragon, I need to go into the Old Kabob Shop and get a few things.  Do you think they sell weapons in there?"

Lockbox looks over his shoulder and answers Kestrell, "Maybe, I will go have a look."

He walks inside the establishment and looks for a proprietor. He doesn't plan on staying long, just long enough to ask if they sell weapons. But also, to see what was inside this intriguing shop. the more he thought about the more he realized that this place was strange. Very strange. the color of the building, the name, the creature. 

"Oh, ah, well if you're going in now Lockbox, I'll poke my head in with you."

'Seeing the stuffed many eyed beholder hanging in the window and recalling the eyes tatooed on the lead Xanathar thug last night, Vassa calls out in warning to Lockbox and Kestrell, hurrying to catch up to his two companions whist trying to keep his fasionable cloak and boots from picking up any filth from the street,'

"Hey guys, looks interesting... but let's be cautious, shall we? THAT is a curious, and a little too coincidental, choice of decore, considering everything we've seen since last night. Keep a keen eye out, will you, Kes? Ya' know, just in case..."

'Unsure yet if Aenio or Asariel are also coming into the shop, Vassa will whisper to Kestrell as he walks up,'

"A human, a warforged and a half-drow walk into a shop... and i'd very much like them all to walk OUT of that shop!" 

[OOC] Vassa uses bardic inspiration on Kestrell - the human ranger has a d6 to use as desired for 10 minutes.

Slightly puzzled, Kestrell whispers back to Vassa: "Thanks.  You don't think this is just a general mercantile type of establishment?"

Asariel cautiously and reluctantly walks into the shop

As you walk into the shop you realize that it sells all sorts of trinkets. As you look around a wizened old Svirfneblin steps out of the back to greet you all. "Come in, come in. I'm Xoblob, but no relation to the eye tyrant hanging in the window!” he says. "What can I help you fine folks with?"

If you're curious what oddities your characters see, do a d100 roll and compare to this: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/phb/equipment#Trinkets