Usul, seeing the lock, would like to investigate the bag and lock to see if, if he were able to open, and then close it, there would be anything to show that it had been tampered with.

investigation 10

(The bag is on Aria's back right now, are you going to try to do this without her or anyone else in the party noticing?)

Aria's arrow traces it's path and hits the edge of the sign. Luckily no one takes notice of this act.

The party is approaching the checkpoint at the edge of the city. There are four guards monitoring people coming and going, with another gate for carriages, wagons, and people on horseback. 

(What is the final plan for making the approach here?)

((Usul would have done this on the way. After talking about wanting to see in the bag. Not a secret))

(( Aria wouldn't have allowed him to investigate it. She would have lifted it up high high since she's got some height on Usul and then worn it like a baby Bjorn to avoid anyone tampering with it lol))

I am calling a hard cut and saying the scene is the party approaching the gates to the city as mentioned above. If anyone wants to stop and investigate the backpack, it's either now as you approach the guardpost, or after you make it out of the city (if you make it out of the city without incident. Anything can happen. Maybe this is all pretense to a dragon attack.)

(( Are the four guards monitoring both the pedestrian gate and the one for carriages/wagons/horseback? ))

All four guards are keeping an eye on things at both gates. There is a small pile of confiscated goods - some weapons, some bags, it's not clear what much of it is. There are 35 people ahead of the party.

Usul tell her that if she's not curious about the bag she's now responsible for dealing with ownership if it proves to be a problem. He'll then sneak ahead toward the front of the line to see if he can hear what the guards are checking for.

Stealth 12 perception 23

While they wait in line, Aria checks around to see if the ravens are following them at all again...

PERCEPTION: 8

God damnit lol

Sen also looks ahead to see what the guards are doing.  In particular, he's trying to figure out if there's a pattern to who gets searched and who doesn't, and whether the guards appear to be looking for someone or something in particular.  For example, are they less likely to search halflings?  Women?  People who seem to be farmers?  People who are quiet and respectful?  Are they searching backpacks?  Are they frisking people?  Investigation 18

Veryes looking at the line and the guards and the confiscated stuff looks puzzled "I don't get it. Why would they be confiscating stuff leaving the city... What a strange place." Before Usul sneaks off Veryes would have asked "You know the city pretty well. How far out of the way would someone have to go to climb the wall and avoid the gate? I'm sure there must be more...discreet ways to leave the city?"

Usul replies "why bother? Aria has control of it. I'm sure it'll be fine." And heads off to listen

To clarify, there are people entering and exiting the city through this checkpoint, so the things being confiscated are from people entering the city.

Usul isn't able to hide from the guards in his attempt to overhear the conversations, but both he and Sen are able to get some information.

Sen would notice that it appears that the guards are giving a hard look to anyone who might be suspicious - anyone who has any hint of being a bandit or mercenary is being questioned about their intentions outside of the city and if they intend to return. They aren't frisking everyone, but they're asking some people about their bags and if they might look inside real quick, all while making smalltalk about their lives in Waterdeep.

Usul would notice that the guards are looking for something specific, some kind of information someone might have on their person, a book or a map of some sort. The guards monitoring the side where people are coming into the city have confiscated a number of weapons and magical scrolls, a lot of alchemist's fire, and have mentioned something about rebels several times. 

Crush would whisper to his companions now that they are close to the guards. "Crush distract now?" He would say with a toothy grin as he attempts to spot one of the sturdier people in line to leave town.

Sorry if this got missed earlier in the thread during all of the confusion, but does Sen have the book he brought into Waterdeep with him still?

OOC:  Yes, he does. :)

Sen begins to look increasingly nervous as they come closer to the guards, and clutches his robe even more closely to himself than usual.  I, um, I'm not sure I can go with you through the gate, he whispers.

(Very good. I imagine him like someone who doesn't want to go through TSA because they're worried about something accidentally getting them pulled aside, but being pushed ahead by the momentum of the line behind them. Like he would be thinking about taking his shoes off the belt and then the TSA agent pushes them through and he has to decide between going through the metal detector or driving home barefoot.)

seeing his companions worry as the get closer to the gate, Crush will lower his shoulder hard into the person in front of him. "Hey! Watch It! Me crush skull!" The orc would yell with a loud grunt before grabbing their shit and shaking them violently "Aplolgize now!" Crush would grunt loudly with his fist. called tightly hoping to distract the guards long enough for the others to get out.

Usul will get back in line, perhaps slipping in a couple people behind the group, so he can watch what happens as they approach. He'll be leading Muad on the leash up to the gates. If questioned his reason for going out is to take his pup for a run, and maybe try to get some mount training happening. He's also petting Muad a lot, saying 'good boy', and 'it's ok' as there are a lot of people around, and he needs to get used to this. ((please dice gods... be good this time)) animal handling 6 ((finally!!! I'm getting closer with my pup!!! :D ))