Urukar growls and whips round at the unexpected contact.  He looks the man up and down, taking in his attire, and narrows his eyes at him.  "Touch me again and you'll end up like that troll", he sneers.

Rayner: "Be more courteous to future clients, Urukar! So dear sir, what might be that proposition you have? Something worth our time, some dragons coming with it? This ale ain't gonna pay for it self."

Rayner pulls a chair for the man.

The man just chuckles at the threat. "Meant no offense, my good sir. Meant no offense." He takes the offered chair, but sits on it backwards. He looks the group over slowly, a wide toothy grin on his face. "I...am Volothamp Geddarm" he says impressively, waiting for a reaction.

Mal’thrae history check (has he heard of him?): 21

Auric:

Has Auric heard of this man?  History: 22

Valen dismisses the man right off, They wouldn't be that bold, or would they...  He sits back eyeing the man as he speaks to the others.  Hand touching his glaive. 

"The famous author and researcher? I'll be damned. How's the latest book coming, Volo?" Mal'thrae replies.

Auric:

Auric's ears perk up--someone who is famous wants to talk with them, and better yet, an author.  Perhaps if he works this situation correctly, the might and glory of the dragonborn can be spread through the populace through the power of the written word!

"Greetings, Master Geddarm, how may we be of service?" inquires Auric, attempting to make the man feel welcome, adding, "Come, sit with us, have a drink, and speak what is on your mind."

Persuasion:  18

He perks up, obviously pleased. Ahh, you've heard of me! I've just recently returned from a tour promoting my latest Guide to Monsters. And...he looks around shiftily, then leans in, I'm working on my next project already. He grins and leans back, having dropped this bomb.

Valen decides that this man is no threat and settles back again, taking a pull from his fresh pint of ale.

Reynar:”What would that project be, Master Geddarn? Guide into Lairs and Caves Dwellers?”

He chuckles appreciably. Call me Volo, m'boy, call me Volo. Don't wanna be giving too much away now, but it's gonna be big! Bigger, I daresay, than my current guide, if you can believe that! He looks around the table impressively again. But enough about me, there'll be plenty of time for that. He sighs, strokes his mustache, adjusts his floppy hat, and tightens his scarf. I trust you’ve noted the violence in our fair city these past tendays. I haven’t seen so much blood since my last visit to Baldur’s Gate! But now I fear I have misplaced a friend amid this odious malevolence. After your glorious display of bravery against the troll and those stirges, I feel you are just the sort of men I'm looking for.

My friend’s name is Floon Blagmaar. He’s got more beauty than brains, and I worry he took a bad way home a couple nights ago and was kidnapped — or worse. If you agree to track him down with all due haste, I can offer you ten dragons apiece now, and I can give you each ten times that when you find Floon. May I prevail upon you in my hour of need?

"He should have fought his attackers, and left a bloody swathe of bodies in his wake.  He would be easy to find then."  The half-orc looks thoroughly unimpressed at the thought of someone letting themselves be kidnapped.

"Sure, we'll find him." Mal'thrae replies. "You'll have to tell me about Baldur's Gate sometime later. For now, when did you see him last?"

Valen queues in on the discussion enough to realize his companions are getting involved in something.  He frowns as he looks over the floppy-hatted man with a bit more care.  With a shrug he figures that a little missing-persons action might not be bad, would tell him more about these companions he has become involved with.

"What were you doing when your friend went missing?" He asks in his rough-sounding voice.

Auric:

Continuing to listen carefully, Auric lets his companions ask the intelligent questions and is content to drink his ale and follow along.

Rayner: "If my companions agree, I think we might have a deal. So any clues on where we can begin the search of the lost Floon?"

Auric:

Auric nods to Rayner, indicating his approval,  but he interjects to Volo, “Perhaps an autographed copy of your last book instead of the gold would be even more incentive.”

He brightens at Auric's suggestion. Oh, I'm certain that can be arranged my good man,though I fear you'll be getting the better end of the deal there! And my dear Sir half-orc, like I said, he was blessed with more good looks than anything else. We met 2 nights ago in the Skewered Dragon for little drinking and merrymaking....after a couple of hours, I left. I have not seen him since. That may be your best place to start.

Urukar gives Auric a disbelieving look for a few seconds longer than would be comfortable.  "Hmph.  Speak for yourself, dragonborn.  I work for coin, not paper."