"Yeah. Volo mentioned violence in the city increasing."

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.

One nearby 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.”

Auric:

OOC: How close are we to the tavern--close enough that this shopkeeper might have seen something?

(You are fairly close to the tavern, yes)

Auric:

"What do you say we walk in this shop and see if there is anything useful...like maybe a shopkeeper who kept an eye on the goings-on in the tavern across the way?" suggests Auric, starting to head that way unless the others interject.

“That’d be useful.” Mal’thrae says as he follows Auric.

"Fine with me."  Valen agrees with a nod.  "I'll keep an eye out here."  He says though, taking up a position just outside the door to the shop, glaive held in one hand.

A cloud of lavender-scented purple smoke trails out of the shop’s door as you peer inside. Every wall is painted purple, and every dusty knickknack on the shelves is dyed a deep violet. The hairless old gnome sitting cross-legged on the counter wears plum-colored robes. His cheeks are decorated with nine purple face-painted eyes.

The gnome lowers a pipe and exhales a cloud of lavender smoke before raising a hand. “Hail and well met! Come browse the shelves of the most curious curiosity shop in the world!”

Among the various trinkets scattered about the shelves, you see a pair of knucklebone dice, each with a skull symbol on the side that would normally show six pips, a gold coin minted in an unknown land, a multicolored stone disk, a petrified mouse, and an empty wine bottle bearing a pretty label that says, “The Wizard of Wines Winery, Red Dragon Crush, 331422-W”.

Auric:

“Greetings, proprietor of this fascinating shop.  My name is Auric.  You are Xoblob, I presume?” Auric asks.

“I come seeking information and perhaps one of your curiosities,” he adds, looking at several shelves.

“The Wizard of Wines Winery, Red Dragon Crush, 331422-W”.

(Oh boy. That travelled far to get here!)

Mal'thrae takes a look at the shelves. He doesn't see anything too interesting, so he settles for leaning against the wall next to the counter and listening attentively to the conversation.

Rayner looks at the wares of the shop looking to see if there's any oddity catches is eye. He's also aware of the conversation with Xoblob.

Perception: 9

(Mal'thrae and Rayner see mostly junk...nothing that seems worth a whole lot. And I see Mal'thrae has been to Barovia before...)

I am...no relation to the eye tyrant in the front window of course. Don't know how much I can help with information, but I've got the best assortment of oddities and trinkets this side of Waterdeep.

"Well, Mister Xoblob, we're looking for a friend. His name's Floon - redhead with a pretty face. Two nights ago, he disappeared while walking home from a tavern near here. Would you happen to have seen anything related to this?"

Auric:

"My companion speaks truly--this man would have been well dressed in the noble fashion, perhaps even wearing clothing of what seems to be your favorite color.  His benefactor is quite famous, and if the tale of recovering Floon includes the mention of the helpful proprietor the 'Old Xoblob Shop', it is possible Volo would include it in his writings.  I am no merchant, but I would assume that could be beneficial for your business," says Auric, seeking for a way to convince the strange gnome to help them.

"I am also in the market for a bookmark, as our benefactor has just given me a signed copy of his latest book," he adds, flashing the book and making a show of looking around for such an item, "would you happen to have such a curiosity fine enough to match the work of the Sword Coast's most popular author?"

Persuasion:  18

Valen leans against the wall outside the shop, keeping out an eye for those who he knows are following after them, well him at least.  He makes sure to keep an eye out, since he is not about to let them catch him by surprise.

Perception: 14

(Valen sees several people walk by, some too close for comfort...but none are following him)

Xoblob looks back and forth, and sighs. Yes, I believe I saw him. He and another young man of similar dress and bearing were jumped by some rather rough looking individuals right outside the shop. Five of them, I think. Didn't know any of them, wasn't my business you see. But one of the attackers had a black tattoo of a winged snake on his neck.

As one of them comes too-close Valen would give them a piercing look, gripping his glave.  "If you have come for me finally, you will not find..."  As the person continues past he would pause, realizing they were not the ones after him.  He shrugs and leans back against the wall again.

Auric:

Auric raises an eyebrow and picks up the “bookmark” he has been looking at.  “Yes, that will do nicely,” he says, putting the item on the counter and reaching for his gold.  “Which way did they go?” he asks, adding, “and how much is the bookmark?”

Ah, excellent choice..****y 1 dragons for that. They took them that way. And that's all I seen. He motions off toward the Severed Dragon, where you were headed.