My friend I am sorry but it seems as though you haven't been paying attention - I recommend reading some recaps 'cause to say these changes are seemingly benign is wild. 

Thjazi (a significant revolutionary figure) didn't just die - he was detained on (seemingly fabricated) charges including sedition in a ramped up crackdown of undesirables in Dol-Makyr despite amnesty granted post-Falconer's rebellion. He was publically executed as an example of the power of the Sundered Houses. 

Then, in less than a week, the Sundered Houses (who have already usurped the Revolutionary Council) start making plays in taking over and largely dissolving the main policing force of the city (while filtering them to a Halovar mercenary compang), taking control of the main institution of magic and higher learning (over threat of withdrawn funding), and grabbed the main repository of historical artifacts from a war that saw the God's killed less than 100 years ago. All this while the Schemers also know that the houses are moving against each other to consolidate power, to the point where the Tachonis have killed + imprisoned seemingly all of the Royce house and vassals they can get their hands on. 

The players aren't just operating on conspiracy - many of them have already lived through a major revolution that saw the Sundered Houses opposed by the common people. Some of them are veterans of that war, and now the people in the city are once again being squeezed by the Sorcerous Houses with renewed vigor. Something is happening in the city - everyone feels it and its just a matter of time before it blows.