"Oh, thank you! Yes of course. Floon is an attractive young man--well, maybe not so young anymore, not that you could tell from first glance! He has blond hair down to his shoulders, and a perfectly sculpted mustache and goatee. He is very easy to recognize, you see. I last saw him two nights ago at the Skewered Dragon, in the Dock Ward, where we met for drinks. I left before he did, and I have no idea what might have happened after! But nobody has seen him since. As for contacting me, I will be here, at the Yawning Portal. Please, make haste!"

Nib pulls on Ransom's sleeve and says to him, "Look! It's not even been a day, and an opportunity to do some good has already come your way! And we'll get some good coin out of it as well!" She winks at the tiefling.

Volo reaches into his pockets and hands over a pouch of 20 gold dragons. "Yes, an opportunity to do good always feels better with some reward, doesn't it?"

Ransom nods to Nib, then flashes his best reassuring smile to Volo. It certainly does, sir. Rest assured, we will do our best and get back to you as soon as possible, undoubtedly with some good news. Another handshake (that Ransom does his best to extract from quickly) and he nods to Nibs to join him outside.

Well that was the easiest 20 gold I've ever made, he laughs as he smells the evening air. I never thought someone like Volo would be such a sucker! Then seeing the raised eyebrow that Nib flashes at him, he quickly adds: Well of course we'll look into it. Two hundred just for rolling out some stiff, and then getting the credit for a good deed? If that's the sort of jive that'll get me back into the old lady's good books, then this might not be such a bad gig after all! Ignoring Nib's sighs and eye-rolls, Ransom turns his face to the street and says: Let's go check out the Skewered Dragon, eh? And I might see if I can find Harkon - see if he knows anything. You coming?

"Ten gold," Nib is quick to correct Ransom. "Half of that is for me, don't forget."

Nib's eyes light up when Ransom mentions Harkon, as she knows the best place to find him is Tymora's Fancy, a gambling den in the North Ward. She clears her throat and tries to act casual, but Ransom can tell she is excited when she says, "Of course I'm coming? Where should we go first?"

Oh, yes, of course! says Ransom, pretending surprise at having 'forgotten' to give Nib her share. In truth, he had thought it best that he remain custodian of the coins, knowing how easily it tended to slip through Nib's fingers. In fact, he often wondered but never dared to ask whether Nib was her real name, or if she was just called that in reference to the common Waterdhavian moniker for their copper pieces. All the same, he counts out the ten dragons and hands them to his halfling friend.

Picking up on Nib's anticipation, Ransom feigns a yawn and teases: I dunno, Nib. All that excitement in there makes me wanna turn in for the night... After a second or two pause, he glances down and grins at Nib, saying: But then again, Harkon might not be around in the morning, mightn't he? To the Fancy then, eh?

Nib nods. "I'll be on my best behavior, I promise," she says as she plays with a golden coin, making it dance around her fingers. While the North Ward may be in the opposite direction of their eventual goal in the Dock Ward, Harkon might be wise to any goings-on anywhere in the city, making him a valuable contact, and well worth visiting.

Fortunately, the trek to Tymora's Fancy is not a long one, and soon the two see the telltale sign of the gambling den, showing a pair of dice under Lady Luck's visage. Outside the entrance to the building is a burly-looking half-orc man, who holds his hand up. "What's your business?" he asks the pair.

Ransom flashes his winning smile at the bouncer, and jingles the coin purse hanging on his belt. The Smiling Lady smiles on us tonight, my good man. We've come into some coin and would like to see if the Lady would care to increase it further. Persuasion: 9.

Ransom also tries to get a read on the half-orc to see if there is something unusual about the way he is guarding the joint tonight, such as expecting trouble of some kind. Insight: 9. He is also on the lookout for a familiar face or signal or other means that he would normally use to get a message to Harkon, letting him know he is there and wanting a meeting.

Ransom detects nothing untoward about the half-orcs presence or manner; he appears to just be a simple bouncer. He also does not see any means of contacting Harkon short of going into the establishment itself.

The half-orc smiles when Ransom jingles the purse, seemingly out of amusement. "Alright," he says, "try your luck. Just remember, no magic or any other funny business, or you'll have to answer to me." He punctuates this last statement with a quick flex of his muscles.

Ransom gives the bouncer a quick salute and heads into the establishment. He and Nibs will find a gaming table with some open spaces. Ransom prefers the dice...

The intention is to play for a game or two, and if Harkon isn't obviously present, to then ask for him.

Ransom is easily able to find a table to play at dice. The name of the game is The Lady's Favor. Bet at least 1 gp, and roll 2d6. On a 7 or 12, you win, doubling your money. You can double your initial bet in order to roll a third die and add it to the total.

Glancing around the establishment, Ransom can see that Tymora's Fancy attracts all kinds of clientele; there are those who obviously have money to spare, playing high-stakes games of cards, and there are those hoping to turn their luck around by spending everything they have to their name on a game of roulette.

And there, in the corner, sitting at a table and playing cards, is Harkon.

Ransom nods as Nib excuses herself, knowing she is eager for a round of Three-Dragon Ante. He takes a seat at the dice table, watching for a few rounds. While there he flags down whoever is serving drinks and pays for a Sparkling Evermead to be sent over to Harkon, knowing Harkon will recognise that as a signal that Ransom is there for business. Then while he waits for a response (knowing too that a response doesn't always follow if not convenient), he tosses one gold on the table for a bet on the dice.... 

Dice roll: 11

(1gp subtracted for bet, but nothing yet for drink. I think Evermead is supposed to be expensive)

(Couldn't find a price online, so let's say the sparkling evermead is 2 sp; expensive for a drink, but not enough to break the bank)

After a moment, Ransom looks over to Harkon once more. The man knowingly holds up the drink, and offers a wink to Ransom. He nods towards the bar at the front of the establishment.

Ransom shrugs at the gamemaster in a "you-win-some-you-lose-some" fashion, then leaves the table and saunters over to the bar. As Harkon joins him he greets him: Harkon! Long time no see! How's business?

(Was going to provide some more conversation, but thought I'd wait to see how this kicks off) 

"Can't complain," says Harkon, casually. He finishes his drink and signals for the barkeep, a plump halfling woman, to bring him another. "But I guess that largely depends on what you want from me tonight, doesn't it?"

A bit different than usual, but nothing that should ruin your mood or your fortune, I expect, replies Ransom with a grin, leaning casually against the bar. With lowered voice he explains: I'm trying to locate someone. Human male, some kinda pretty boy. Shoulder-length blond hair, poncy mo' and beard. Went missing a couple night backs. Last seen at the Skewered Dragon. I thought maybe one of the lads had bumped him off, and might remember him. Any info would help, but I might need a body to claim the reward. What's your fee?

Harkon strokes his chin and smiles. "I might know something about a pretty boy. With the situation between Xanathar's Guild and the Zhents the way it is now, though, the information won't come cheap. It's dangerous to get involved, even for me." After a moment, he looks to Ransom and says "Fifty gold."

Ransom knows that Harkon is starting high and is a sharp haggler, so he begins the process of talking him down, hoping to get him down below 30, if not to 20. (Maybe for each successful roll Harkon will reduce his fee by 10gp? I'll try three different methods)

He'll start out with normal bargaining techniques. Fifty? Harkon, you know what happens to fools who walk around this city with that much coin? Besides, the fellow that hired me only gave me a budget of ten! (Deception: 15)

It usually takes a bit of back and forth before settling on a price, and Ransom's next technique is a bit more of a long shot, but he tries to use his new role to some advantage, feigning an air of desperation and trying to garner some pity. Look Harkon, I really need this information. The old lady's kicked me out into the cold, and I gotta do something nice and helpful-like before she'll let me back in. You wouldn't overcharge a poor, homeless orphan, would you? (Performance: 19)

If he can't get Harkon to 20, he will resort to one last option - a quid pro quo in lieu of part of the fee. It's not just that you're robbing me blind, Harkon, I just don't have that much on me. Look, I was gonna head over to the Docks Ward anyway. If you can do me this favor, maybe I can do one for you too. Help each other out, you know? It's for a good cause, after all. (Persuasion: 21)

-------------------

Also, this information about the conflict between the Zhentarim and Xanathar's Guild is news to him, and he wonders if that was the cause of the row in the Yawning Portal. He will try to seed it into his negotiations and see if he can glean more. (Not part of the haggling, just for the info). How bad can it be anyway? Surely you've done enough business with both of them before that they'd know you're too valuable to touch. (Persuasion: 26)