Ringo clears his throat and then steps forward to stand next to Kal, arms still cross and hiding inside his sleaves and he says to the spy, "good man, let's not jump ahead of ourselves. Maybe you can help us with who might be able to arrange a meeting. Or better yet, why not go tell your overlord that we're looking for him and it would be in his best interest if he were to reach out to us sooner rather than later. Best do this because I don't think your magic can mend broken bones and my friend here is really good at that." 

Intimidation: 5

"You want to speak with Xanathar directly?? Who are you people?! You haven't even told me what you seek!"

Ringo looks over at Kal and then back at the spy, "my friend here can answer that," Ringo says and then he eyes the spy, like someone would to a lesser person. 

 Kal purses his lips in thought for a moment. Who we are is not important at the moment, suffice it to say we represent an interested party and are in a position to give Xanathar something he wants.  I don’t have to tell you that while knowledge is power, it can also be dangerous. The matter we seek to resolve is delicate in nature and I would assume that Xanathar would prefer to keep it quiet. Now, I can see your not someone who is easily cowed, that makes sense. Surely that’s part of the reason Xanathar chose you for this post. But surely another reason he chose you is your ability to recognize opportunity. Just as you recognized the value of all these objects in this shop. He sighs and takes on a weary smile. I assure you, this is an opportunity Xanathar will not want to miss and you have my word that time is of the essence. 

((I’m moving away from the intimidation angle here, trying to talk one mid level employee to another. Appealing to his desire to keep his status quo and not get in trouble.))

The gnome looks considerably less frightened, but still wary. "What is it you want? This delicate matter may be known to me...What are you hoping to accomplish?"

We’re hoping to secure the release of someone in Xanathar’s custody. Someone who may be detained... unnecessarily.

"I see," the gnome replies, stroking his indigo dyed goatee. "Unnecessarily you say? So sure, are you, of Xanathar's necessities? And what can you offer, that you are so confident he wants?"

We offer an end to a superfluous entanglement. The party that hired us is quite well known, quite well regarded, and has the ear of a great many people in Faerün. I’m sure we can come to an agreement where we procure our clients friend and Xanathar avoids unwanted attention. And we may have some information he seeks as well. 

"I'm listening, who's your client's friend and what's this information?"

I’m I to understand that I may speak to you as I would to Xanathar? You hold that much authority? Alright, Kal raises his hands and shrugs his shoulders cards on the table then. Our client is Volothamp Geddarm, he hired us to find his friend Floon. We have learned that Floon is in your master’s custody due to being mistaken for Duke Neverember’s son. What we propose is that Floon be released into our care and we avoid any undue stress.

Ringo listens and watches intently as Kal negotiates with the spy. Ringo also looks at the spy's face when Kalmar mentions the name Floon to see if the spy gives away a tell of some sort.

Insight: 20 

"Authority? No, I'm just a spy. This is intriguing information; it is now known, thank you. Quite the mishap that ought be avoided. I can tell you that the one we thought was Neverember was taken to one of our headquarters in the sewers, the one below the streets of the Dock Ward. I don't, however, know who's in charge of him. I can send word ahead about the mixup, but you should hurry if you care for your friend's safety. I wonder, clever adventurers like you, have you learned how to navigate under the streets?"

We have a vague idea, but why don’t you tell us the way?

"Or better yet, draw us a map."

The deep gnome chuckles, "I haven't been below ground in years, much less in the labyrinth beneath our fine city, but any of the sewer grates in the Dock Ward should put you in the right direction. A free piece of advice for you three: seek not maps, nor even permanent hideouts in the sewers. Yellow sigils on the wall will lead your way, for now, to one of many many dens, but it's only a matter of days before our job is processed to another safe-house and those marks are erased. Of course in this case I will endeavor to send word to avoid that happening; if you hurry below you should have no trouble intercepting." The svirfneblin pauses, as if unsure of how much to say next. "Look, the moment things turned sour I worried I was going to have my work cut out repairing everything in my shop to only partial avail. It seems you three are somewhat more civilized than others I've dealt with in the past, I thank you." He eyes the shop shiftily, his eyes seeming to land for an extra moment on the beholder puppet in the window. One last word of advice, you hear in your minds as the deep gnome casts message. He knows about you now. "Good day, take care now."

You have our thanks, shopkeep, we will not forget this. Kal looks to his companions and if no one has any more questions he’ll step through the door. Once outside he says Well, Xanathar knows who we are. That’s not ideal but there’s nothing to do for it now. Should we head quickly to the sewers?

Ringo steps outside with Kalmar and Flutter. "Gentlemen, off to the sewers it is then!"

Fluttercloak winks at Kalmar, tapping his still elven nose. It doesn't take the party long to find a manhole cover on a side street in the Dock Ward. Prying it off the street, the party looks to be able to fit inside. A ladder leads down. Fluttercloak taps each of his fellow party members on the shoulder, giving Kalmar the blessing of the trickster ((advantage on stealth for the next hour)), and Ringo guidance. He pulls his new hooded lantern out of his pack, letting the other two party members descend first. 

Ringo scratches the back of his head and looks up Kalmar, "by all means, after you good sir," he says and gestures to Kalmar and then the manhole cover. 

Stealth: 8