Morgana assesses the path forward. "We should not be so tightly grouped. Just looks like a conspiracy waiting to happen." Glancing up, she pauses a moment. "Wait here. One whistle, hold position. Two, safe to move. Three, well, run."

She takes a look at the building on the side of the alley opposite the wall, in a place obscured by shadows, and climbs up, finding small hand and footholds to reach the roof. Once she approaches the ledge, she will carefully check to see if any guards might be overlooking the wall down into the alley.

Stealth: 24

Perception: 10

(Stealth: 18)

(Not sure what happened... the roll was a 10).

Astrid allows the stealthier group members to move on ahead of her. She also tries to pass through the night unnoticed, but as she watches the others disappear into the darkness, she can tell her efforts are lacking.

Giving up on passing truly undetected, she opts for a new tack. Had to micturate, anyway. Unfastening her leather pants, she leans her back against the nearest wall, and drops trou right there. Her bladder unleashes in a torrent, and anyone observing might infer she was just looking for a private place to relieve herself. She takes her time wriggling back into her pants, fastening her belts, hoping the show was over and anyone watching would have turned their attention elsewhere.

When she is finally finished, she continues onward, moving with purpose, like she belongs there.

Looks around towards the alleyway before moving away from the group slightly. Glancing over to see Morgana scaling the building, Anthix quickly moves down to a more shadowed area of the street. 

He carefully watchs the guards to see if there is a break or pattern to the process of checking people, timing from all the years of dancing. He slowly starts to move and weave between amd past people for the ally, blending into with various groups trying my best to stay hidden as well. 

Stealth: 19

If the coast is clear up top, Morgana will signal the others and stay low on the rooftops, moving as overwatch. 

Quendar nods at the suggestion to not stay clumped together but hesitates long enough for Morgana and Anthix to move away first.

He draws his cloak hood down to cover his white hair and then walks quietly but with purpose down the roadway to the alley. Quendar often finds that at night, staying quiet helps the most, but if you also look like you're supposed to be where you are, don't draw attention to yourself and walk with purpose, guards either often assume you're supposed to be there or don't even notice you. The shadows and rooftops are better for those more suited to them.

Stealth: 24    

Stealth: 21

OOC: Updated, let me know if I overstepped with the NPC

Tyril pulled his hood over his head a little tighter, leaning over to smear some of the fresh mud and dirt across his cheeks and knees. He pulled Grace close to his arm, acting as two small creatures huddling together for warmth. Their small stature allowing them to follow behind some of the larger humanoids unseen. Each time Grace looked afraid, Tyril squeezed her hand and arm in his a little more, smiling softly to hear and simply mouthing the words Trust Me.

If he was alone, he would likely stuck to the shadows or the narrow edges on the bridges of the canals, but he knew to earn some favor and trust, Grace would need more assurance than simply a few words. He wished to converse with her, learn about her a little more...

She smells like mum use to... of laundry and rain. 

As they step out of the tavern, Vivi’s black cloak morphs to look like the cermonial robes of a priest of the changebringer. Priests were often left to their business, and are quite ubiquitous. From doing outreach in the roughest parts of town, to advising nobles in the fanciest, there’s no place a priest is not expected. As they walk, wipes away her make up, applying a white powder to her face to seem more washed out. 

She follows well behind the rest of the group, head down and hood up in a show of piety. She watches as Morgana scales the wall and Anthix and stands at the opposite  side of the street muttering a prayer as she observes the group, looking out for anyone who may be struggling to keep their cover. Stealth 6

As she notices Astrid relieving herself against the wall, she approaches, pretending to pray for this misguided soul. However, she is drawing her flute, hiding it up her sleeve, ready to step in if Astrid needs help.

As the bulk of the party disappears into the shadows along with Grace Copperpot, Visage and Astrid stick out like sore thumbs. A guard at the post sees Astrid right away and sighs nudging the one standing beside him at the post on the canal.

"Oy," the man calls as his female guard companion shakes her head perusing behind him. "This isn't the bloody toilet," he adds making motions for Astrid to stay put. "The bloody cheek," he adds looking back at his companions as two more guards take their place as they pursue. "That's a civil offense I think isn't Jana," he says rubbing his fingers together as if asking for coin.

"Wait! Is that a priest," the female guard asks confused.

"Of the Changbringer looks like," the male guard qualifies.

"Out here?" The female guard says in a mockingly shocked tone as she walks beside the male guard. "Pretty far from the Old City aren't you," she adds as both now move towards Astrid and Visage.

OOC: Killili I'd like a retroactive performance check for the mobile make-up job to see how good you look. Both need to come up with a deception or persuaion plan. You are being pursued.

Performance 24

Vivi rushes toward Astrid, grabbing her arm softly as she pleads like a wizened cleric. “Guards please, have mercy on this poor girl. Her family have reached out to the church in hopes that we may help cure the affliction that plagues her mind. We believe everybody deserves a chance for change, and would be indebted to you if you could overlook this unfortunate incident.” She waves her hand over the puddle as she chants, cleaning the soiled street with prestidigitation “See, no harm done here, everything has the capacity for change, and this one could be a valuable member of society one day.”

OOC: Pretty EPIC save there Killi; does Astri want to give the help acton with something so Viv can roll an advantage die or does Astrid want to contribute another way. Choose carefully because your roll and RP will directly affect what's transpired.

In the shadows the party watches this unfold. Everyone holds their breath as their compatriots are hailed by two city gaurds and are now being questioned about their behavior. It seems to be going in the party's favor meanwhile....

OOC: We'll wait for Astrid's contribution before moving ahead.

 Grace just beams at Tyril. She seems to welcome the support and the weary halfling follows Tyril's guidance without protest or question.

Quendar watches the exchange while holding his breath, but at the same time he focuses on the Crystal in his signet ring, and his hand moves ever so slightly, getting ready to create a distraction if things go badly with the guard.

“Look, there’s nothin’ wrong with my head. Least that’s what the voices say. I can’t help it, can’t control it. When I have to go, I have to go. Can’t hold it. I am sorry, but I’d rather soil the street, than soil my pants. I thought I’d found a dark place to do it.”

Astrid turns to Viv. “Not sure why you keep bringing my family into this. If you want to bring change to something, bring change to my bladder!”

”Here.” Astrid digs out a couple gold coins, and discreetly offers one to each of the guards. “In future, I shall be more careful where I cop a squat. Steer clear of voyeuristic guards, at least. I thank you for your lenience. My family thanks you. My bladder thanks you.”

Deception: 11

OOC: BAHAHAHAHHA!

Taking the coins like Astrid might have the wasting sickness the guards back off.

"Just piss in the Old City. The Merchant's Ward has better folk than either of you ever could be," the male guard says ushering Viv  (not Killli FYI) and Astrid off as they turn and go back to their post.

Rejoining the others you turn down another alley from the border alley between two tall buildings with barely enough room to squeeze a small cart through. There right dead center of the alley is a grate about five foot and five foot in the cobblestone street.

"Anyone care to lift it," Grace asks looking around at anyone else.

Strength check or athletics with some RP to open the grate, please.

Tyril smiles and steps forward, "Anthix do you mind giving me a hand, I can get it started but I might need some help lifting it for the larger folks"

Tyril, without pulling out any tools or anything else out to assist him with, squats down and pulls the grate back without waiting.

Athletics: 22

Morgana descends from her perch, climbing swiftly down the wall from handhold to handhold and looking at Astrid and Vivi. "The wall above seems clear... But not much I could do when you two tried to gather as much attention as possible... Well done with getting out of that situation."

She removes a crowbar from her pack, wrapped in padded cloth to dampen its noise except for the ends. Inserting it into the grate, she looks to Tyril. "Tyril, you have a nice low center of gravity and look like you have some strength in those legs. Care to give it a go?"

OOC Crowbar gives you advantage on athletics, or Morgana helps to also give you advantage. We all dumped strength like a bunch of dummies. 

As they rejoin the others, Vivi locks eyes with Astrid. “Well, that certainly was something. You really are quite the artist! Breaking down social barriers, making a bold statement about what we truly are despite all our etiquette and pomp... animals. Not what I would have done but truly original. Maybe I’ll invite you to open for me when I finally get a show in the new city, that will really blow their minds.” she chuckles warmly, as she keeps her hand on Astrid’s back, pretending to be her keeper until they are sure they are out of sight.

At Grace’s request, Vivi smirks. “Well, that’s certainly not a job for me. But if you’ll be a while, I can get us an extra hand.” She reverts her cloak to the plain black it was before, as she oulls out a block of wood and some string, starting to mime some puppetry. (Casting unseen servant as a ritual if we are within an hour of our destination?)

Tyril begins to strain for a moment before Morgana pops down beside him. He brushes his hands off on his pants, gods know what was coating his fingers and gives a nod to her, “In my eagerness I suppose I forgot to think things through. I’ll use my head a bit more from here on out.”

He takes the crowbar and places it just so, attempting to use strength and intelligence not to send the few flying.

OOC: 18 was the first roll so I can keep that and I’ll roll again. And that’ll be a Nat 20, what a team!

Athletics check #2: 5

The grate makes a groaning sound before coming loose and with apparent unlikely ease, Tyril moves it aside with the crowbar as Grace gives a silent clap.

"It's a short drop and into...well you know down below," Grace whispers as the party huddles around her and Tyril by the grate. She then wrinkling up her nose as she looks down into the hole. "Can someone lower me down? Uh after something else goes to check in the coast is clear that is," she asks next with a raised eyebrow and a soft expression looking around at the party.

OOC: Perception checks for those going ahead and below. Also this is Grace FYI:

"with pleasure my dear grace" Anthix smiles and bows a bit at her before moving to the dark abyss of the pit and lowers myself down into the darkness, being careful he glances around to make sure the coast is clear before calling up to the group. "I think the coast is clear for now, so you should be good to come on down" 

Anthix roll a perception check.

OOC:  Remember roll ALL the checks you'd like just explain what you're hoping to achieve if I haven't asked for them!