Gil nods, 'and, as an added bonus, any insight that you give us will be included in the epic power ballad that I'll be writing about the search .  Imagine the business that you'll get when' Xolbobs Xolbobs shop' becomes part of a popular song.  I realize it's a stretch, but it's worth the gamble dontcha think ? '

insight 10

Persuasion 21

Looking at Dra'vos, the gnome says, "Hmm... you may be onto something.  Very well.  The Xoblob and I, Xoblob, saw someone matching that description come out here a couple nights ago.  He was with someone else who was dressed fairly similarly.  Actually, the two could have been brothers, they looked so much alike!  Well.  Anyway.  The reason I saw them was because they were in the process of getting jumped by several men in black leathers right outside the Old Xoblob Shop, and unfortunately, I was unable to do anything about it.  They looked pretty rough, but I did not recognize them.  I, the great Xoblob, could have easily handled them, but unfortunately, by the time that I got my bearings, they had fled the entrance to the Old Xoblob Shop, along with the two gentlemen.  It's a true tragedy."  He looks very thoughtful for a moment, and says, "Are there many songs about shop owners?  I, the great Xoblob, do cut a striking figure.  Alas, there are not many songs that properly convey such physical characteristics.  Of course, the famous Xoblob is the true star of the show.  Ah, there are many possibilities!"

With your insight rolls, you become sure that this gnome has gone a bit mad, though perhaps not dangerous.  He seems prideful and arrogant, with a touch of paranoia.

"Can ya draw us a picture of the men 'oo jumped Bertrand?"

Sylivar walks to the exit of the shop momentarily to gaze at the surrounding areas where the debacle is said to have occurred. Perception: 18 to notice any evident signs of torn rags, dropped items, scuff marks on the surrounding area, etc. that may provide clues to the means and directions of where the two men were taken.

Heading back inside the store, Sylivar says to Xoblob; “Do you have any knowledge on the whereabouts of where the two men were taken? You also said they were clad in black clothing - are you aware of any certain guild or group that is known for using such garments? Forgive me for asking such questions, I simply am concerned for the whereabouts of those people. If you’re worried about being entangled with the City Guard, fear not - I believe some of us will be less conducive to courteous treatment of the watch itself,” with a slight turn of the head in Eekz’s direction.

I can roll persuasion if you’d like.

(Apologies for the inconsistent posting, my area was hit with a storm & power was out for a little - my workplace has also been acting up, but I should be able to post with frequency from now on^^)

Dylan will also endeavour to garner more information from the gnome.  "Black clad ruffians, you say?  Any more information you can give us?  Any insignia or signatures you noticed?"  He takes a gold dragon out from his purse.  "I'm sure one of those miniature statues would look lovely on my mantle..."

Gaèl raises an eyebrow, a strange look on his face. It almost seems as if the news leave him looking a bit disappointed. "Yes, was there anything else you might remember? Were any of the involved screaming something for example?"

At the recommendation of a drawing, Xoblob moves behind his counter and pulls out some parchment and his purple paintbrush.  While you look around at the scene of the crime at his doorstep and look around at the myriad violet tchotchkes stuck on shelves, he paints a picture.  He uses grand flourishes, and his tongue is sticking out for the entirety of the time that he is painting.  He shoos away anyone who attempts to get closer to see what he is drawing.  

For those of you investigating the yard (Sylivar), you see things that you would initially write off as coincidental, given the less than clean nature of the area.  Now, knowing what happened outside, you indeed see things that could be indicative of a struggle, namely some broken wood, a scrap of rope, something that looks to be a chip of a tooth, and most interestingly, two very faint pairs of drag marks in the mud between poorly maintained cobblestones.  You follow it for a bit, with the trail leading directly away from the shop's entrance.  You follow it around the corner, where the trail stops midway down the alley.  Unfortunately, any other signs are impossible to discern.  

Back in the shop, the deep gnome says "AHA!  I've done it!  I could sell this you know, but for you, who gave me the inspiration, I will provide it free of charge!"  When he turns it around, you see an amateur at best drawing of five thugs beating on two men (they look vaguely humanoid?  It's difficult to tell) all rendered in magnificent royal purple.  One thing that actually stands out on the drawing is the delicate rendering of a mark on the back of one thug's neck, that of a winged snake.  "There you have it!"  He stares at his work, admiring it for a moment before looking at the stuffed beholder for a moment, then saying, "Ah, yes!  You asked some questions.  Many questions.  Um...  Many questions neither I nor the Xoblob know the answers to!  I can say with certainty that the two major groups that would typically wear such garments would be the Zhentarum or the Xanathar Guild.  Unfortunately, I know not which.  That snake marking on the back of one of their necks seems familiar, but I truly cannot place from where.  Alas!"

Gil watches the gnome carefully then steps outside within sight of Silivar keeping an eye on him.  "Doesn't a winged snake represent the medical profession?  Maybe he was kidnapped by doctors?"

“If he was kidnapped by doctors, I have hope we’ll find him alive.” Sylivar says with a roll of his eye.

History: 5 to see if he can remember the sign.

"Doctors are normally helpful, these people don't.  Snakes are also slippery, just like this situation." Thom offers up, 100% serious, and completely unaware of the fact that what he just said some might find funny.

Eekz looks at the symbol long and hard. He swore he had seen it before. 'You idiot, it's obviously a flying snake! People get cool tattoos all the time around here Eekz. Maybe we should get one!'

Eekz furrows his brow and thinks for a little while.

History: 18

OOC: I would imagine Eekz would know about this symbol but let us roleplay the forgetful Goblin!

Dra'vos leans close to Gaèl, "I am not sure we should be trusting everything the gnome says, but if he is right then it could make finding Volo's friend much more difficult."

Eekz, as well as those of you with criminal backgrounds would recognize that the winged snake, though depicted with mild artistic license, is very similar to the one associated with the Zhentarim.  

"Hmm, so it seems friend Floon has been abducted by the Zhents.  Though not the best outcome - it would have been preferable to find him alive and happily in the arms of a warm woman elsewhere in the city - at least we have a lead.  Any trackers in the group?"  Dylan looks around at the assembled party, as if really studying them for the first time.   "Certainly not my forte I'm afraid."

A very thoughtful look on his face, Gaèl turns back to Dra'vos. "It would seem that way. Our little friend here does at least seem to be as severe as he can, within his understandings of the word i guess...you're right though. Finding the Zhentarim involved will make things a lot harder. I'll have to admit that i've never crossed their paths before though, so i don't know what to expect exactly, do any of you?". After pausing for a moment, Gaèls face seems to darken as a realization dawns on him. "You mentioned something earlier Sylivar, didnt you? About things getting a bit heated between the Zhentarim and Xanathars? And now the person we're seeking got snatched by one of 'em." He sighs, rubbing his face, then looks up at Dylan with a grin. "I guess things are, once again, getting exciting! I'm afraid this case is not exactly my speciality. Before we try grasping at straws out here though, let's walk over to the Dragon and see whether there is anything else we can dig up."

Dylan looks at Gael.  "Hmm.  The Dragon?  We could do, yes, but those tracks are fresh and as far as I can ascertain are most likely Floon's.  I think time is of the essence, isn't it?"

Let's think... did Floon have a brother, cousin or similar, or is the gnome just saying they looked alike because they are humans, I wonder?

History check to recall Floon's immediate family?  19

Eekz hisses like a cat at the picture. Eekz does not like the Zhents!

Survival to attempt to track the marks further: 22

After briefly squatting at the tracks of the abductees, Sylivar turns around and heads back to the shop. Responding to Gael, Sylivar says: "The Zhents and Xahanar's Guild have been in a recent, and rather bloody, feud. If the Zhentarim have something to do with the disappearance of Floon, it seems logical that Floon may have found himself wound up with either guild." After pausing for thought, he says; "These tracks head into an alleyway and abruptly stop. Given the lack of proximity to the abduction, I'm afraid I feel it may not be worthwhile being caught up in a chase that will likely leave us nowhere." Turning to the rest of the group, he continues: "I agree with Gael that checking the Skewered Dragon is a necessity and our best lead for the moment."

Turning to Dra'vos, he says: "Involvement with a guild is gradually looming as an inevitability. Keep your eyes peeled for any insignia that may hint towards someone being a member of a guild, and we may be able to investigate with greater efficiency. Regardless, there's no use staying here for longer than we have to."

After thanking the gnome shopkeep, Sylivar heads out of the shop. "Anyone else excited for a continuation of our lovely barhopping conversations?"

Gil shrugs and looks at Silivar, 'Before we go to though, tracks that stop suddenly makes me suspicious, shouldn't we check for a secret entrance ?' 

He searches the area for secret doors and the like ,  also carefully looking for Thieves' Can't symbols or markings in the area . 

Perception 6

"Agreed, Gil.  It strikes me as mighty strange too."  Dylan looks around the location where the tracks seem to stop.

Investigation: 11