Leryin almost cracks a grin at the repeated attempts to lift up the grate, before belatedly remembering himself and their original task. "Let's aim to be long gone by then." He agrees, gesturing with one hand to indicate the direction of the east gate, before walking that way himself.

You all begin to move towards the East Gate; along the way, you come upon a massive square with mosaic floors that seem to be blinking rapidly, as though magic torches were beneath the floor, flickering on and off. In the centre of the square is a large, circular fountain with roughly a ten foot radius. Above the fountain is a statue of an armoured knight riding a horse, that slowly changes into some demonic, skeletal horse right before your eyes, before shifting back to a horse once more. Over and over. 

Right across from the square you can see several more guards among a group of rioters blocking off a wide avenue. The guards don't seem to notice you. You can all choose to make a Insight check to determine the guards' motives: DC: 17

 Adjacent the guards and the rioters, to their right is another avenue. Bordering this avenue, there's what seems to be a café with it's awnings torn apart, broken glass on the floor, wooden chairs and tables in tatters on the floor. There are also floating tea cups and plates lazily going through a predetermined route around non-existent or broken tables. You notice this avenue goes directly to the East Gate, and at the end of which is a faint, flickering yellow-orange glow.

Thomas’s Insight: 18

‘This place is going to hell in a hand basket…’ mutters Thomas ‘Those idiot guards are inciting the rioters. As is they won’t be torn apart when it explodes.’ he pauses, and then points at the statue ‘And what, in the seven hells, is that?!’ he asks those with more familiarity with magic…

He starts eyeing up the guards, unconsciously touching his shortbow.

"Well I think that went alright. Well done everyone! Round of applause." Flash claps a little before realising everyone is already moving on. 

At Thomas's statement by the fountain, Flash holds up his hand. "I'm a little confused. Not that I doubt you for a second, but why would they be inciting riots? What do they have to gain from rioting? And, uh, I don't know," he answers in response to the question about the statue. "I assume that isn't normal here?"

"If they invite rioting... It gives them permission to use stricter punishment. It gives them authority to use violence against the rioters..." Hope tries to explain her thoughts to Flash and the rest. "Or... Perhaps the rioting benefits a noble somehow. Isn't an important lord missing? Could be an attempt to justify why someone else must 'step up.'" Despite her usual shy demeanor, Hope seems quite straightforward with her words. It would seem she detests the noble classes.

The sight of more guards gives Leryin pause, eyes narrowing in wariness. These, at least, did not seem to notice them yet. "Who has anything to gain from more chaos?" He murmurs quietly, brows furrowed in worry. "If they're under orders..." His words trails off as he considers Hope's words, recalling the emblems the guards they'd just dispatched were wearing, and squints his eyes, attempting to determine what insignia these guards were under. [Perception (or whatever is appropriate to determine the guards' emblems): 17]

 He shakes his head, dismissing his musings for now. "The captain might know more. If we can slip past this rabble for now, it'd be ideal."

His eyes are directed toward the statue of the horsemen by the genasi's question. He hadn't given it much attention before, with the guards on the opposite side of the square capturing most of his attention. If nothing else, it made for a rather ominous backdrop for the riot.

"Inciting Rioting. What do they have to gain with more chaos?" She looks to the fountain "That is unusual. Well let me see if I can figure out what this is"

Arcana Check

10

Leryin, you notice the emblems are a mix of Houses. But the most prominent are House Vathampur and House Darionne.

Verona, you recognize the statue is a mix of illusion and transmutation. You also know that these sorts of enchanted statues aren't uncommon in Baldur's Gate. You can choose to roll a History check to determine the significance of the statue.

Verona History Check

8

Verona looks to her companions "These effects are part illusion and transmutation. There are several examples of these in the city. Now I can't quite remember the significance of this statue." Verona looks down the other avenue "I think we should proceed down the less crowded avenue. Unless anyone has an objection"

‘Let”s try to be quiet, we can fight if we need to - no sense in riling the rioters up further.’ he thinks for a moment ‘And be ready to run if we need to - I for one don’t fancy being torn apart…’

Aurelia glances at the statue thoughtfully before turning to the others: History check: 5

"I agree, let's not pick a fight if we can do without," she says.  

If you all decide to sneak forward, make a Stealth check, DC: 14

Moving with a fluid grace - the rolling gait of a sailor - Thomas manages the combination of silence and the right amount of movement not to draw the eye, making it to the next avenue undetected.

He draws his bow ready to shoot if any of these ‘guards’ spot one of his companions and start to mention it / direct the rioters…

9 stealth

Stealth: 5

Verona Stealth Check

14

Verona quietly slips past the crowd and watches for her companions

While hidden she sets up a distraction with the fountain for those that did not make it. Verona uses shape water and creates another blob like figure that is 5ft tall and animates it. Moving towards the guards and away from her companions. Once near the guards and crowd she freezes it entirely hopefully causing a spectacle that draws everyone's attention.