Snow scratches the back of his head. "We all have our own personal code of honour, or moral code if you will. For me sneaking those folk out would justify the means yes, but I respect that your code would not agree. I am not a warrior and tend to avoid violence where possible. You do make a good point though, it would be good to know more about these people, but saving them is not necessarily about knowing they are good people, it is more about trying to be a good person myself", he says trying to explain his own outlook, rather than convince anyone it is right.

"If we can get closer I can send a message to them, I would think they can hear and respond, even under water, but I am not exactly certain. Auger, would I be able to use magic if under the effects of your invisibility?"

“I see,” says Granophyre to Varielky. “And I also see that logic is not at question here. It is, simply, sneaking, which rubs you the wrong way.  It felt wrong before, and you do not wish to experience that feeling again.”

He takes a deep breath. “Listening to one’s own heart… That I understand. I applaud you. However, my heart says otherwise…” 

The old sage turns away for a moment, looking at the burned out barn. 

“And yet,” he continues, to no one in particular, “suppose we save these three. It would be simplicity itself for the nagas to capture three more. And then, what have we accomplished. Naught.”

Auger listens along to the conversation among Snow, Granophyre and Varielky and he is again struck by the strange honor code the young warrior operates under. When this had come up in the past, Benita had said three words and Varielky usually followed along. Varielky responding to words from Auger, that had been a rarity. Nonetheless, when the conversation turns to the matter of who the people are Auger adds something to it. "Py has a way of seeing into the hearts of those it touches, and feel something in the nature of their souls. Two of those held under the water are good people. Their souls glow with kindness. The third is less worthy and-- and he wears imperial livery. For me the two are worth it. The third I would risk. I will always choose to save a life if I may. And I weight their potential for suffering a far greater evil than the Naga and their -- their loss of a meal. As to what the Naga would do next, perhaps we can learn more about it from the captives. I only know of these three but will not let the Naga's next actions dissuade me from taking action. Varielky, I do not pretend to understand your code but mine is simple. I come from a small town and have lived a long while as a simple craftsman. People cannot handle every problem on their own. When help is needed I provide it, if I can. Do you hold yourself so apart from others, that you cannot act simply to save a life?"

Answering Snow, Auger tries to describe the limitations of the spell as best as he can predict, "This form of invisibility I can cast. It is powerful and yet fragile in its way. A trick of bending the light but it does not hold under all circumstances. It can be disrupted I am sure, if you were to take some meaningful action and attempt to affect the world. The distortion effect that blocks your visibility would be pierced and fade." Auger thinks a moment. Is that right? Still so much to learn. But it did feel right to think that. After his brief moment of reflection, he looks at Snow and nods, "Yes. The invisibility would likely fade as you do anything, perhaps even as you tried to free the three of them. But once the three of them are moving the invisibility would not aid you much anyway as I cannot extend it beyond one person... yes, just one person I think."

"It is not a matter of whether or not I want to save the people." Varielky corrects Auger. "But rather, as master Strewn had phrased it, sneaking, which rubs me the wrong way. Sneaking, and coming invisibly. If you do it that way, I will not take part in that. Or, at the very least, will not do the sneaking myself. If we face them fairly, I will be leading the move, if you so wish." She waits a moment to see the others' reactions but then adds: "But if you are worried about what these creatures might do in the future, I cannot understand why confronting them head-on is not to your taste. Slay them, and they will pose a threat to none. However, that is not something that should be done - at least the way I see it - through means of sneaking and killing unnoticed. You couldn't give permission when the Azhvuv queen offered to it herself, though it could benefit both us and many others far more than this case could. I do not judge you for that decision. Rather, I support it. I just cannot understand why the change of heart?"

Granophyre responds, his expression hard and proud, “Varielky, I am saying that I agree with you. Facing the nagas head on is a grave undertaking. But witnessing the inclinations of these two, I cannot stand idly by and let them act freely. Unlike you, I am not against using illusion to protect myself in the process. Yet, if you wish to battle them I will stand at your side.”

Snow nods to Auger after he imparts the details of the invisibility spell, and listens to the debate regarding how to proceed.

"In truth I do not wish to allow these creatures to remain here either, preying on the innocent and even the not so innocent. However, without some sort of strategy or ambush tactic I am not sure we would all survive. I for one am still quite hurt right now", he says to the others.

"Maybe we could just rest for an hour? And as for the honourable way to engage in combat, we each have our strengths, we are not all built for open confrontation. I am willing to stand with you all, but I have to be able to do it my own way, just as you are asking Varielky".

At Varielky's words Auger turns red and anger clearly shows on his face. "The night of the Azhvuv Queen... I think you misjudged my words and intentions - or what truly mattered to me that evening."  Auger sighs. Yet again, he thinks, my words do not move her at all. Why should I care if she seeks her own death at every instance? Then his thoughts again turn to his cousin, darkening his expression yet again. How could he have done what he did? Brenneth's path would NOT become Auger's. He would care. He would care for others and keep that in his heart at all times.

"Well it is a half mile to them, if resting first is what we will do then rest is fine. I know I would benefit as well."

Auger walks over to the burnt out barn, finds a spot and, his mind racing at the thought of his cousin yet again, sits, closes his eyes and attempts to rest.

"All I have said is that I will not do the sneaking, or approaching while hidden by magic. You can act the way that fits you, and I will keep my thoughts on the matter, though I'm sure you know them by now." Varielky doesn't add on the matter. She's prepared to either lead the attack, rest first, or stay behind and keep watch on the boat - whichever fits the others' choice.

An hour passes, the sky darkens to black. There is no moon, and the night will be dark and clear. Tree frogs chorus in call and response in twos and threes, and you see lantern lights from hamlets and homes on hilltops a mile or two in every direction. You turn southwards on the farmer’s road, as Granophyre quietly whistles a few off-key notes. A few moments later, a golden form settles atop his head. His tiny sparrow-like statuette has sprouted  wings and flown to him in answer to his call. Like flowing mercury, the wings retreat within the tiny form and, now inert, it balances improbably atop his head as he walks. 

You advance carefully down the farmer’s road, tangles of leafless tree limbs in early springtime interspersed with evergreens to either side, and as quietly as you can manage— not difficult with soft fallen leaves underfoot and sounds of nature providing aural cover— and, not two hours after your fight with the nagas, you believe you are now perhaps 250’ west of the spot near the river bank where Py found and remains with the submerged captives. Between here and the river is a slight rise, perhaps 50’ tall, which may be rather treacherous to navigate in the dark due to craggy rocks and undergrowth.

It is here that you find beside the road a shield, splattered with dried blood beside a longsword half covered by shifting leaves, the imperial sigil engraved in its pommel.

During the rest

Snow takes out his flute and quietly plays a tune, just loud enough for the others to hear, as he closes his eyes and sits back relaxing, feeling the ache and burn from his wounds.

Hit Dice: (3+8+6+7) = 24, Song of Rest: 3

 Present

Snow kneels down beside the sword and shield, spotting the imperial sigil. He looks around to see if there are any tracks that might indicate what happened here. Whether the 3 captives were taken together, how many creatures were present and whether the imperial managed to injure the creatures or if it was a one sided affair.

“I guess this is the right place”, he whispers to the others taking out his violin.

He moves a little distance from the others whispering, “Best keep our distance, lest another of those bolts of lightning catch us all flat footed”.

Action: Survival Check to find tracks: 14

During the rest

Auger's mind races fitfully as he again replays the events from 2 nights ago and his conversations with the Dowager shortly after. He had wanted to leave. But he chose to continue. But he had wanted to leave. And his mind goes round and round again and again with no comfort. And then he hears it, a simple song from Snow's violin. His mind snatches at it. Anything to stop thinking. A simple melody. Auger finds a moment's peace and truly rests.

(2d6+4 hit dice heal = 11 +3 for song of rest)

Present

Auger keeps quiet on the trip down the road as best he can. When Snow stops them to examine the trail Auger only belatedly notices the sword and shield and then looks around to see what else might have happened here and whether there are any signs of magic use by the Naga.

(OOC: Can you state how well our Darkvision is doing for those who have it? Arcana check: 10)

Auger whispers, "I think it is time to ready our plan. Unless you want to wait and go up the hill first." Auger looks around for alternate approaches to the water. Was there a better way if they were to backtrack? "Snow, if you are going to do anything to prepare it is best to do so before I make you invisible."

Auger then resummons Py and sets it on Snow's shoulder, still whispering Auger says, "So long as Py is touching you I can make you invisible again. Should it be necessary I would need to be within 100 feet or so. Py, tell us if anything about the situation has changed."

(OOC: Darkvision works normally. Is Varielky using a light source?)

Auger feels Py’s invisible presence nearby after it responds to his call.

Snow carefully searches for further clues near the sword and shield, which he estimates have been where they are for several days. The road is not a busy one, he would say, but other than the three captives, a camel and several persons on foot have passed recently. It looks like someone picked up the shield before then left it on the ground. Hard to tell what exactly befell the three subaquatic captives, it would take a long time to scour for droplets of blood on the earth or leaves from three days ago. However, Snow spots drag marks going back the direction you came,  then turning up the hill onto a deer trail. Crouching, Snow observes that a prone body could slide easily enough over the tree roots and under branches which, jutting over the trail at waist height, previously hid the path. Another clue: 40’ up the deer trail, Snow sees a scarf stretched through the mud, which might have caught on a branch and come undone when the body was dragged up the path.

With input from Py, you begin to assemble a mental image of the river bank area which looks like this:

Riverbank

The red circle is where the captives are restrained in their submerged stupor. The white dashed line near the top of the map shows where you suppose the deer trail leads. The aqua measurements indicated altitude. Brown escarpments are contour lines. The location of the nagas and the giant snake they called Chiss are currently unknown.

Varielky, for one, was barely hurt at all during their last combat. The small wound she got from the snake's fangs closed immediately when Snow played his music before. However, her arms are tired. She's been rowing and fighting a lot, and Varielky was never especially good at prolonged efforts, at least when compared to short bursts of energy. She takes the time to let her arms rest.

For now, Varielky follows with the others. If they change their minds, or if it becomes normal combat, she'll join. Either way, out here in the dark, she cannot see much, and to avoid spoiling the others' plans, she doesn't call for the gods' light. Therefore, she just walks slowly, looking down to see the path right beneath her to avoid bumping into any unexpected rock.

Snow wanders back to the others with his finger to his lips asking for continued quiet.

“There is a deer trail back along the path that leads towards the river. I think we should follow it as stealthily as we can. I will help with that through the magic I spoke of. Just stay within 30 feet or so, but don’t worry if you stray too far, just come back and the effects for you will resume as long as I can concentrate”, he whispers.

He puts his bow to his violin, but instead of the expected music as he draws the bow across the strings, sound seems to get consumed by the violin, as does light. Sounds become muffled around them and shadows draw in even more deeply.

With that he moves as quietly as possible to the deer trail, and down to the waters edge.

Cast: Pass Without Trace

Action: Sneak -  13+5+10=28

It’s like walking through a watercolor painting which has fallen off its easel into a wash basin. The world around you seems to become less substantial as you go, your sounds and the sight of you curling up and inward, edges less defined, as the effects of Snow’s spell take hold. Branches in your path droop down, make way like dripping paint while neither a fennec nor the mouse it is stalking notice as you step over both of them. In a few minutes, you have reached S9, unmolested. 

Auger looks around to the others and whispers, "Their magic is strong - we should spread out as much as we can so their lightning and who knows what else will not catch us all. Snow, if you are ready to move towards the captives I can make you invisible now."

With Snow's assent (and not before), Auger moves away from the others a little bit, somewhat further back up the trail (toV6) where he crouches in place. Py remains sitting on Snow's shoulder. Auger reaches into the Sea of Stars and then through Py.

We have not done this before... it may feel strange. Auger then quietly completes the spell, the bending of light starts from Py's position on Snow's shoulder and then expands to encompass Snow's entire body, so that he becomes invisible. Well don't you look silly sitting on nothing. You too Py. Py then becomes invisible as well.

Snow crouches low by the water and listens to Auger, signalling for one minute. He wasn’t sure this would work with the captives being underwater, but he needed to try none the less, if only to warn them that he was coming. He didn’t want them thinking he meant them harm.

Three times, he gently plucks a string on the violin, and points his finger towards the location Auger had said the captives were. And three times he whispers, “Help is coming, do not be alarmed, just be as still and quiet as possible. You may reply if you can”. Each time he waits a few moments in case there is a reply.

After doing this, he nods to Auger, and watches as the already shadow covered form of his body and limbs disappear entirely. He gives a smile that no-one can possibly see.

“As I leave the area, the effects of my magic will recede. Be still and quiet if possible”, he whispers to the others, then sets out to the south. His first task, to get eyes on the creatures if such is possible.

He moves slowly, quiet and invisible, his eyes and ears searching for sign of them. He will make his way to the riverbank above the captives, ever alert.

Move: South to T17 and if no sign of the creatures east to N17.
Stealth (with advantage): (4+5) + 10 = 19
Perception: (7+7)=14 (Passive Perception: 17)

Snow makes it to N17 quietly and with no sign of enemies. The ground here is muddy, there are rustlings here and there of tiny nocturnal creatures searching for food on the incline behind you, and tree frogs can be heard in the distance. 

There is little ambient light, so Snow’s darkvision can penetrate the waters gently lapping at the riverbank and see what must be the feet of three submerged forms, just beyond the edge of a rock overhang, itself overgrown with brambles, and through reeds growing up from the riverbed, among them, presumably, the three lifelines of the submerged captives.

There is no response to his whispered spell.

Not seeing any signs of the creatures,, and not wanting to disturb the lifelines keeping the captives alive, Snow moves back to the north a little way. He then steps gingerly into the water, being careful to minimise the ripples that he causes. He quietly takes out a dagger and cuts a reed to use as his own lifeline, then ever so slowly, he submerges himself and looks around to see if there is an overhang under which the captives lie, and if the creatures are there.

If there is still no sign of the creatures, he will make his way closer.

Move: North to N14 then east to M14 and if no sign of the creatures south to M16.
Stealth (with advantage): (16+5) + 10 = 31
Perception: (18+7)=25

Something deep in the elven part of Snow’s chemistry guides his hand to exactly the right reed to serve the purpose. However, as he tries to implement the tube to breathe, he finds that he must cock his head all the way back and cover his nose with the other hand or else risk choking: not a position for getting tasks done. It seems to work well for the bodies lying on their backs on the riverbed with the reeds sealed to their faces, but not so well at all for someone in motion. 

There is no sign of the snakes. We’ll say Snow covers the end of the reed with his thumb, just in case it is needed later, and carefully rotates himself forward. It only takes a few breast strokes to bring himself within reach of the three figures, which he finds exactly as Py described them. 

Where is Varielky? Granophyre is with her.