Snow breathes a sigh of relief as Auger scares off the urchins and they carry onwards.

He is pleased to see that the gate to Salakta district is open, that would make it a lot easier, although it is still not a trivial task to get passed the guards.

"I would hope we can find a way through without fighting and drawing more down upon us. Auger, it may be that you are best suited to achieving this", he says turning to Auger.

"We need a distraction of some sort, something to draw some of those guards away and catch the attention of the others. If we can do that, then hopefully we can get by unnoticed", he suggests.

Auger looks at Snow and starts thinking through things he can do. He can make himself and others disappear. He can use his illusions to distract as Snow suggests. He can create zones of darkness or fog. He can allow one of them to climb walls. He can put fear into the hearts of men. He can do those things one at a time, some limitation of his abilities he was unsure he would ever surpass. Still Snow suggested a possibility that might allow them to move through quickly without having to kill again.

Killing again. Perhaps it would be best if he never got used to it. He had done it. He would do it again he had little doubt about that, but if he could avoid it he would.

Py, I will need your help with something in a moment. Come listen as I speak with the others.

Auger looks for an out of the way spot to whisper with the others. "I agree with Snow that I can create some sort of distraction. If the Red Cypress is what the guards are going to fear then I can perhaps cause them to see one nearby and create a pursuit. The distance at which I can cast these spells is not large, so we will have to time our move quickly or risk the pursuers returning to see us. My plan will be to create the distraction such that the guards are drawn away from their position, moving towards us. What they will see will appear to be a Red Cypress member casting spells at a distance. Py, your buzzing wings will have to play the part of the spell effects just missing the guards."

Auger pauses to see what the others think of his plan, "I can do something much smaller of course but that might only draw the attention of one or two guards. But anything big, or a fight, might make them choose to close the gate so it is a close thing either way."

Auger takes a moment to list some of his abilities for others (fog cloud, darkness, spider climb, minor illusion + silent image, invisibility, fear), so they can suggest alternative possibilities if they like.

You are situated like so.

(OOC: Let us assume Auger moves ahead with his idea, which the DM indicates has a good chance of success. Please proceed.)

"I trust in your abilities and judgement", Snow responds to Auger, happy to proceed with the plan he laid out.

"If needed we can always rely on your cloud of fog as a backup, although we will be as hampered by that as the guards unfortunately", he adds, mulling over Auger's plan.

"We should move quickly, my magic will not last and I would be loathe to use my energy for a third time, when we don't know exactly what are walking into at our destination".

Since she's pretty sure she'll get to fight later, Varielky doesn't mind passing through this gate without fighting, even though she's been waiting for some action for a while. "I thought the two of you can just... disappear and reappear on the other side. Wouldn't that be the simplest?" Although she had no idea how that might help her get to the other side, she thought that should be the safest plan, though perhaps she didn't fully understand the limits of that magic, or maybe the others just couldn't think of a way to help her get through too.

"But with this many guards, I'm afraid a distraction like that would only partly help us. Some would probably still remain by the gate, firing arrows from a distance, and we'll have to pass right by them. Will your magic be able to conceal us still?" Varielky asks Snow. She also wondered what would happen if one of the bolts hit the illusion, and hoped the guards will simply assume they missed. 

"That's right Varielky, I do have some capacity to move myself and others, though it usually does not allow anyone to stay hidden."

"We'll see how well this works," Auger says, almost to himself. For the others he continues, "Every time I move the illusion I will be focused on that, and so may need some assistance with staying out of sight. When my attention is split that way I can walk but I might need your help arriving in a spot that is suitably hidden." (OOC: once Silent Image is active, Auger has to take an Action in order to manipulate it and so cannot use the Hide maneuver in that turn).

"Py, to begin with, you must stay near the Red Cypress image the buzzing sounds you make will be part of the distraction. You will be moving to the guards to draw their attention to the image. I will tell you when to move. Fly over there," Auger says pointing to the distance (OOC: K15). "I will have the image appear walking around the corner and sneaking near to where you will be. Until I say otherwise, try and stay with the image."

Auger then looks to the others and says, "Lets see if we can focus their attention on the Druid, and then we will start walking along with the building in the shadows here."

As Py invisibly flies away, Auger reaches into the Sea of Stars and then back into his own mind, to find the right image of the Red Cypress druids. His mind centers on one of the ones who attacked them not so long ago, and was killed. Auger draws forth the illusion and makes it appear in front of him (OOC: at L18 to start). Auger studies the image for a moment to try and remove any flaws. The blood here, the slashed clothing there. No need to keep any of that. Not to start with anyway. Then he looks to the others and says, "Stay hidden. When I make it cross to the other side of the street, we will move."

(Next round, Auger will cause the image to move along the buildings, appearing to sneak towards L12.)

(OOC: I am ruling that Snow and Varielky can help keep Auger hidden by positioning themselves, hidden, between Auger and the guards, gently nudging Auger into alcoves or gently pulling him down to squat behind a stairway, etc. which anyone would do easily enough. Although my map doesn't show it, it is of course quite dark out, and there are lanterns hanging in the gateway. Until you get within 40' of the gate, you automatically succeed in hiding while within Snow's concealment.)

Snow listens carefully to Auger's instruction and nods to show he understands.

"I am ready when you are", he says to Auger.

Turning to Varielky he whispers, "I could get us through that way, but I am not sure my concealment magic would still work on the other side. It is another good option if we need it though".

He then positions himself to keep a close eye on the guards and readies himself to summon his spectral hand as close to the guards as possible, in case he can be of assistance making the illusion believable. He looks for something to suggest Auger aims at that he can then manipulate, like a torch in a sconce.

"If we can find an item for your illusion to strike, I might be able to knock something like a torch out a sconce", he suggests.

Perception: 16+7=23

(OOC: Mage Hand has a range of 60 feet so he will cast it whilst they are still far enough away to be concealed by his magic without effort, and close enough to drop it on J3 or wherever they identify a suitable item)

Varielk shrugs, then postions herself so that she'll be ready to assist Auger by directing him while he focuses on the distraction. "We could always just fight them, too. Training Tamazaert on the ship was motivating, but at the same time, it's been a while since we've seen real action. We'll probably get some at the temple, but I don't mind a little warm-up." Varielky then stands ready, waiting for Auger to initiate his plan.

Smiling at Varielky, yes there is always a fight right there for them, Auger begins moving the image forward to set the stage (image sneaks to K12).

In a moment you will need to fly towards the guards. When you do it, make great circles up and back as you will need to sweep by them a few times where they are. (Py to J12 20' up)

Whispering to the others, Auger says, "Just about time to move..."

As you draw closer, you notice that the guards' attention is mostly focused in the other direction, for they see the moving light from the Poppy Citadel and hear the fighting just as you do. Conversation is somewhat strained as some try to relieve the pressure while this makes others more anxious. But most of them simply frown and grumble.

"Wait! Did you hear something?," growls one of them to the others. They peer around, you three stop in your tracks, and then another guard replies, "There ain't nothing here. Them rebels is all around the Temple." They turn back as the sound of something big and metal clangs in the distance, then cast their glance all around once more before commencing grumbling again.

Waiting till the guards have turned back, Auger mentally commands the image to move, picturing it stepping into the center of the street and then over to the opposite sidewalk (at F12). From there it begins to move and wave its arms about as it appears to be silently casting a spell.

As Auger takes this action, he signals the others to move and they advance, guiding Auger as they move up and towards the gate. When presented with the entryway to obscure themselves (at L-M-11-12), they stop to allow the illusory Druid to draw all the attention.

Now Py! Fly towards them, weave about and through them and then up and back up and to the illusion!

OOC: By taking the dash action Py should have enough movement to do as commanded (a loop around and just above where 4 is situated should draw substantial attention from the surrounding guards) and end up in the air at G7, 10' up.

At first, their attention being so focused on the events of the tower, the guards do not notice Py. But as the little alyasub buzzes around and between them, they start looking around and finally turn and notice the illusory Druid standing there, focused on them, incanting. They call to each other in warning, some still splitting their attention between events behind the gate and what is behind them. But the persistent buzzing grows around them fading and returning, now here, now there. And this is when Auger adds some additional sound to the effect, at one moment a fizzing and popping to communicate the spell, then some growling as if the Druid continues incanting incomprehensibly in an impossibly deep voice, then a rumble as if the earth would be moving.

Auger whispers, "We have their attention but need a greater effect. If you would add anything to this Snow, now would be the time. Move objects around, send them your message if you can... tell them they are being cursed."

As Snow takes his action (or not), Auger prepares to move the illusion and modify the sounds as needed. The illusory druid appears to sprout roots from its legs as it prepares to runs up the side of the nearby building.

(OOC: Will post more in a few hours, I want to give everyone a chance to continue the narrative while this is going on)

Snow follows along with Auger and when asked to add some effects, he uses his invisible spectral hand however he can. Possibly knocking a torch from a sconce or lantern over. Maybe a helmet that isn't quite secured properly can be flipped off a head.

He then does his effort at using  his ability to whisper at distance to curse the closest guard in stunted Shian, "The land will reclaim you and you shall be eaten by worms for all time".

Performance (for the curse if needed): 1+8=9

(OOC: He made the perception roll previously to spot things to do. Considering his shian is not the best, his nat 1 is quite fitting for the performance haha).

As Snow adds to the effect Auger has the Druid move about the local area, dodging arrows, or appearing to catch any that hit. 

Finally the guards gather themselves and react and (roll 1d6 + 3 = 4) several peel away and chase after the Druid as it appears to enter the building on the opposite side from where Snow, Varielky and Auger hide. Auger changes the sound to become a disconcerting and insidious laughter before letting it fade as the illusory Druid disappears from view. "That was all I could get us I am afraid," Auger whispers to the others. "Looks like we will have to fight through from here. And quickly, before the pursuers return."

"Alternatively, let's start with the separated first. Divide and conquer, basic tactics. Hurry!" Varielky almost begins to run towards the building the illusion and its pursuers entered, recalling at the last moment that it will be pointless if the guards see her now, and that Snow's magic only works while she's close to him.

Varielky dons her shield, strapping it to her left arm while waiting for Snow and Auger to follow. "Four guards are easier to defeat than eight, and eight later are easier to defeat than all twelve, if they return. Besides, some might follow the first group if they don't return!" Varielky urges the two on.

Snow watches as the four guards set off chasing the illusion and although it is not quite the effect they were after, it was positive.

As Varielky suggests going after the four he nods, she was obviously better placed to suggest strategy and well used to altering plans on the fly. He takes off after her, making sure not to leave Auger exposed.

"Right behind you, Varielky".

As he runs he pulls out his hand crossbow. He had not had much cause to use it recently, but it would likely be the best option for the circumstance.

Auger follows, preparing to take out the guards along with the others.

Place yourself on a roof, keep an eye on these 8 out here and let me know if they are coming.

Auger’s illusion lures the four garrison guards back around around the same corner where you’ve been waiting, at L20 or so, at a run, and this gives you the drop on them. You have surprise, although they have weapons drawn and shields raised.

You may proceed as follows: Varielky, Snow, Auger. 

The garrison men are AC 14, with 15HP each. 

Please post actions for your surprise round.

As the guards approach Auger readies himself, he does attempt to maintain the illusion of the druid, in case it will be handy for the other 8 guards. The illusion waits standing on the wall nearby, roots still sprouting from its boots. After Varielky and Snow have taken their actions, Auger joins in on any remaining guards, reaching into one's mind showing them the Sea of Stars in all its terrible glory.

Details

• Auger moves away from the guards to give Varielky all the room she needs to finish them off.
• Auger casts Mind Sliver on any guard still standing for 10 points of damage if they fail their DC 18 Saving Throw.