Get the party and the civilians through alive while keeping the Citadel guards from confiscating the Ember Pass evidence.

The party carries evidence from Ambush at the Broken Wagon and Silverford Crossing; the ward-lines react visibly to one Ember Pass piece.

• Study the repeating pulse with DC 12 Arcana or DC 13 Investigation.
• Calm civilians and open a shortcut with DC 14 Insight or DC 12 Persuasion.
• Spot the next safe blue rune with DC 11 Investigation.
• Predict a surge from the lamps with DC 12 Perception; grant advantage on the next Athletics or Acrobatics check.
• Use DC 13 Athletics to clear masonry or cross collapsing scaffolding.
• Use DC 12 Acrobatics to cross shifting cobblestones and cracks.
• Allow a clever DC 13 alternative when the approach fits the scene.

• Name the danger clearly before asking for the check.
• Let one PC create an opening while another exploits it.
• Offer civilians a concrete instruction, not a vague reassurance.
• Use the evidence as a bargaining chip at the Guard Arch.
• When a check fails, describe a changed route or rising panic rather than a dead stop.

• Calm, specific instructions make the ward runner cooperate and reveal safer routes.
• Threats make her point the party toward the guarded checkpoint.
• Showing the Ember Pass evidence convinces her the party is tied to the crisis, not causing it.
• Ignoring trapped civilians costs one success opportunity and gives the next check disadvantage.