This was chaos, completely meaningless chaos. Who benefited from all this death? No one. There was only loss here. No crowds cheering you on, no glory, only anger and desperation.

Flash shook his head. He hadn't realised it had gotten so bad here. 

In response to the questions about the guards he says "I say we push on - smile and wave, just keep walking, and we've always got our fall back story."

"I agree, lets move out" Verona starts walking past the guards as if she had every right to be there the same as they do.

Aurelia too looks shaken by the sight of the bodies and sympathetic at how badly affected Verona and Hope are - for a dragonborn she certainly has human-like body language and expressions - but after a moment she gathers herself.

"I agree, let's go on. If we're still sticking with the bounty hunter story say we're on the trail of foreign thief nicknamed... um... 'Shadowblade' who was passing through here. We don't want to run the risk of naming a local and have them know something about it!"

‘Focus people. Save you attention for live enemies, not dead victims. There’ll be time for crying over drinks later when we’re through the storm and docked safely…’

Thomas says, while spitting out some bile. ‘Cities…’ he says quietly to himself

You all get closer, and when you get close enough for them to notice you, they all step in front of you. They stand in a sort of triangle formation, and the one in the middle holds out a hand. "Halt!"

Thomas, you look around and don't notice any other reinforcements headed your way.

You all see an emblem on their coats. Leryin, you can attempt to make another history check to determine the House, DC: 8

Verona, you catch something  strange from the guard on the far right, you can attempt to make an insight check, DC: 13

Hope is about to slink to the back of the group, but instead she opens her mouth and speaks very confidently.

"Good day, gentlemen. Sorry, while you are quite handsome, we've no time to chat. Would you consider letting us go for now?" Hope's voice becomes sultry. It's like her whole personality has shifted to be more flirtatious. (Persuasion: 26) If these fools don't seem willing to just let them pass, she will fib with, "Surely, you've heard of the renown phantom thief of Waterdeep? Shadowmantle, King of Illusions? He's posed to strike here next if we don't act. Now if you'll excuse us..." (Deception: 17)

Leryin does his best to affect a casual and composed bearing as the group advances. He slows as the guards make to block their way, only stopping reluctantly in a show of confidence he didn't quite feel. He opens his mouth as if to speak at first, but before he can he hears Hope's words. He shoots a quick look of surprise at the tiefling, noting the sudden change in personality, but chooses to ignore it for now for the more pressing issue at hand. He taps his foot impatiently, brows furrowed as if annoyed the guards had the gall to stop them, while examining their attire closely, hoping to provide some useful information and make up for his earlier loss of composure.

(History: 10)

The identification of the house emblem of the guards gives the bard an idea. A polite request usually worked better with a threat behind it. He arches his brows, taking a step forward so he was at Hope's side, chin raised. "Do you think House Vathampur would be pleased to hear that you, of your own judgement, decided to unnecessarily hinder the process of apprehending a threat to the city?" He smiles, with no trace of good humor. "Because I can promise you they will hear about this." 

[Leryin is trying to help Hope's attempt to give her advantage if possible.]

Thomas adopts a relaxed pose, ready for movement, resting his hand on his rapier, and waits for the armed guards to respond to Hope.

(Readied action: Thomas will attack if the guards get violent)

(just in case 18, -2 for deception.)

Verona Insight Check

10

Veronal looks to see if there is any water nearby even if its a puddle. Also to check if she notices anything on the person on the far right.

Perception

23

Aurelia also looks at ease while readying herself for combat if needed. The dragonborn had been surprised Hope had been the one to speak up but she waited to see how the guards took it.

Flash stands peacefully, his hands clasped in front of him. A benevolent smile lights his face, and he far more closely meets the popular image of a monk than he has done so far.

Well well, he thinks. So I'm not the only one who can put on an act, as he watches Hope's transformation. But which was the act? The naïve waif, or the sultry seductress. It would be fascinating to find out. 

He waits to see if their tall tale will be believed. Would they be let through?

"Sorry, lass," the one in the middle says with a smug look on his face, "We've been given orders not to let anyone pass. Of course, you're free to get a writ from one of the noble's, but as for us? We got no qualms killin ya. So best you and your little gang run on back."

The one on the left looks at you, Leyrin and chuckles. "As far as we're concerned, we're keeping the peace. You interfere with that, I'm sure they will hear of it," he grins.

Verona, you do indeed see a puddle. There's an alleyway between two large buildings to your left and the puddle is within, roughly twenty feet within, just outside what looks to be a recently abandoned tavern.

Verona moves behind her companions and uses shape water to shape the puddle into a a ghostly blob like figure. She then changes its color to the same color as blood and animates it. The blob like figure erratically moves towards the guards

Verona yells "What is that creature!"

Shape water has a somatic component, do a stealth check for me to see if you can do it without the guards noticing

Verona Stealth Check

6

"Shit, a caster," one of them says, and you can all see them looking at you all more warily now, especially at Verona.

"Orders are orders, lads," the one in the middle says and draws his weapon.

The guards are about 15 feet in front of you all, arranged in a sort of triangular formation, with the middle guard at the front, and the other two 10 feet behind him on either side. The other two draw their weapons.

Guard 1: 17

Guard 2: 20

Guard 3: 11

Thomas Initiative: 15

Thomas draws his rapier with a flourish, and moves into combat range with the middle guard. He tries to time his attack to when one of his allies is close enough to provide a momentary distraction, if possible.

Attack: 12 Damage: 6 + 1stealth attack if applicable.

(checking initiative first)

7