[[ If he can hear an see no people on the road, He will get back in water, grab Rawl under the arm and around the neck as before and support him, and re-start invisibility. A useful test if nothing else. Though if there are people nearby, on the road,he,  will elect to stay invisible himself while getting away from shore.

Otherwise he just waits a little longer]]

The sound of the oars gets louder and Brand is just about to drag Rawl back into the river when he hears the sound of someone running past on the roadway above; they are coming from the direction of the guard station.

As he waits for the runner to pass, a small boat comes into view downriver and about twenty feet out from the shore. It is the residence's small sailing boat, but it is not under sail at the moment. Instead, it is being rowed by two men—one larger than the other—and in the front of the boat, Brand can see his father: Koric.

[[ If the boat is heading towards them, he will wait, otherwise he will get back into the water and try to arrange circumstances so he is on the side of the boat facing away from the shore, thus less able to be seen from the shore.

As it gets closer, he will become visible and wave. Then, if practical, grab Rawl under both arms and help lifting him onto the boat using the stone of uplifting. If they throw a rope he would use that for Rawl, if more practical.

Edit: especially if they just throw a loop of rope down, that would be easiest I suspect.]]

Edit: When he gets on the boat, he will keep his mask on and say, "My lord, you are a most welcome sight, though I worry for your safety."

All in a voice that is the best impersonation of Skinny Kol that he can manage. [[ Edit: it doesn't actually need to sound like Skinny, merely sound NOT like Brand, and Skinny is probably a good template. Or maybe Dalshar... Whichever you think would be easier]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ If the boat is heading towards them, he will wait, otherwise he will get back into the water and try to arrange circumstances so he is on the side of the boat facing away from the shore, thus less able to be seen from the shore.

As it gets closer, he will become visible and wave. Then, if practical, grab Rawl under both arms and help lifting him onto the boat using the stone of uplifting. If they throw a rope he would use that for Rawl, if more practical.

Edit: especially if they just throw a loop of rope down, that would be easiest I suspect.]]

Edit: When he gets on the boat, he will keep his mask on and say, "My lord, you are a most welcome sight, though I worry for your safety."

All in a voice that is the best impersonation of Skinny Kol that he can manage. [[ Edit: it doesn't actually need to sound like Skinny, merely sound NOT like Brand, and Skinny is probably a good template. Or maybe Dalshar... Whichever you think would be easier]]

The runner continues on, apparently not having seen the boat in the darkness. Meanwhile, the boat is continuing upriver in Brand's direction.

Brand becomes visible and waves, but there is no reaction from the boat. He apparently can't be seen in the dark, despite Koric looking in Brand's direction; the other two are intent on their rowing.

[[ Edit because of reading comprehension failure

Does the boat have rope loops on the side, for easy grabbing?

If he is now in the water and ahead of the boat, he will make a low whistle and wave, then move out of its direct path, and that or the oars.

He will also say, "in the water", pitched for their ears only.

One safe from collision. Or if he has a round or two yet, Brand will use the uplifting stone to remove a dagger from his bandolier and move it and wave it in front of Koric. He will then move and/or point the dagger in the direction of himself

Wish I'd thought of that earlier. The key seems to be in front and perhaps to the side of the boat, and float the dagger so Koric will run into it, if nothing else. Whether he needs to be in the side depends on the speed of the boat. How fast is it? ]]

[[I think there was a little comprehension failure on both sides this time.]]

[[ Edit because of reading comprehension failure

Does the boat have rope loops on the side, for easy grabbing?

[[No. This is a small sailing yacht designed to lean when under sail and so side ropes would interfere with its hydrodynamics. However, the boat rides low in the water, so it won't be hard to get into.]] 

If he is now in the water and ahead of the boat, he will make a low whistle and wave, then move out of its direct path, and that or the oars.

[[He is not in the river yet. He saw the boat at 60'. After trying unsuccessfully to attract their attention, the boat is now 40' downriver and 20' from the shore. If you still want to swim out with Rawl as previously described, make a Strength (Athletics) check to try to manouevre Rawl out as previously described. Also, I'm going to retcon your use of Cunning Action Dash; Brand shouldn't be able to do that while carrying Rawl's body. Rogues get it because they're supposed to be nimble and quick, but I don't see how that can apply when you're dragging a body through the water.]]

 

Also, I'm going to retcon your use of Cunning Action Dash; Brand shouldn't be able to do that while carrying Rawl's body. Rogues get it because they're supposed to be nimble and quick, but I don't see how that can apply when you're dragging a body through the water.

Rogues are nimble and quick, so they get to use the extra dash no matter what medium they may be moving in (flying, swimming, etc, running etc). He should *always* get this; it's a class ability. The ONLY time he should be unable to dash as a bonus action is if a normal player would also be restricted from taking Dash as an Action.

The water is (a) already slowing him to half speed, and (b) you previously said that Rawl was dropping him down from 15' to 10' per round. I don't see why he need to lose a class ability because of this specific circumstance -- it's already dreadfully slow. Perhaps encumbrance is relevant tho: I have no idea how 'carrying capacity' should fit into this, especially with levitation and buoyancy in play, but maybe his movement is less because of that -- but he should still get 3 moves if he wants to. It's a Rogue thing!

 He is not in the river yet. He saw the boat at 60'.... the boat is now 40' downriver and 20' from the shore

Brand uses the Stone of Far reaching to move his dagger in front of where the boat is moving, as close to Koric as he can make it (20' offshore, and about 20' downriver, so about 20' in front of Koric; he will will wag the dagger from side to side and allow the boat to come closer, then move it upriver with the boat as Koric nears it next round. Ideally, it will be 3' in front of Koric...).

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Also, I'm going to retcon your use of Cunning Action Dash; Brand shouldn't be able to do that while carrying Rawl's body. Rogues get it because they're supposed to be nimble and quick, but I don't see how that can apply when you're dragging a body through the water.

Rogues are nimble and quick, so they get to use the extra dash no matter what medium they may be moving in (flying, swimming, etc, running etc). He should *always* get this; it's a class ability. The ONLY time he should be unable to dash as a bonus action is if a normal player would also be restricted from taking Dash as an Action.

The water is (a) already slowing him to half speed, and (b) you previously said that Rawl was dropping him down from 15' to 10' per round. I don't see why he need to lose a class ability because of this specific circumstance -- it's already dreadfully slow. Perhaps encumbrance is relevant tho: I have no idea how 'carrying capacity' should fit into this, especially with levitation and buoyancy in play, but maybe his movement is less because of that -- but he should still get 3 moves if he wants to. It's a Rogue thing!

[[It's not worth arguing about, so we'll forget about it in this case. Technically, Rawl in his armour weighs more than Brand's Carrying Capacity of 195 lb (he is upward of 220 lbs), which would mean Brand's move dropped to 5' per turn (see here). The Stone of Uplifting is taking Rawl's weight, but Brand still has to move him through the water while being restricted to only using one arm because he is holding onto Rawl's body, which is why I thought removing the Cunning Action Dash was appropriate as he is being restricted in his nimbleness by Rawl's ungainly body.]]

---

 He is not in the river yet. He saw the boat at 60'.... the boat is now 40' downriver and 20' from the shore

Brand uses the Stone of Far reaching to move his dagger in front of where the boat is moving, as close to Koric as he can make it (20' offshore, and about 20' downriver, so about 20' in front of Koric; he will will wag the dagger from side to side and allow the boat to come closer, then move it upriver with the boat as Koric nears it next round. Ideally, it will be 3' in front of Koric...).

Brand pulls out a dagger and uses the Stone of Far Reaching to move it to about 20' in front of the oncoming boat. He starts to move it from side to side and is surprised when his father apparently doesn't see the movement. The boat continues to move with Koric staring intently towards the shore. Brand allows the boat to catch up to the dagger and is then once more surprised to see his father put a hand over his head and duck and then start waving his hand as if he is shooing something away.

 [[ The dagger and Brand are both visible, I assume since he's still levitating and using Far Reaching? The intent is for the dagger to be where Koric is looking, not strictly geometrically 'in front' of him. Hence the "3' in front of Koric" and why he was waving it back and forth.

When it becomes evident his father can't see the dagger, Brand starts tapping it's hilt on the bow...  then, if they see it,  moves it back in the direction of himself and Rawl, then back to the boat, trying for a beckoning gesture while brand waves. ]]

which would mean Brand's move dropped to 5' per turn

In a broad sense, I'd see 5' per turn (x 3) as a better outcome (though much less convenient!). but it does leave the question of how underwater encumbrance should be calculated...as you say, happy to leave...it's (I hope!) not likely to come up in the near future.

Still have a lot to learn about the tech and the use of a graphics tablet, but take a look at the map I've done of the local geography on the world site. You will find it at the top of the 'Temporary' article in the 'Miscellaneous Things' category. Some things are probably not to scale (e.g., the size of the Brand residence and the bridges). 

Still have a lot to learn about the tech and the use of a graphics tablet, but take a look at the map I've done of the local geography on the world site. You will find it at the top of the 'Temporary' article in the 'Miscellaneous Things' category. Some things are probably not to scale (e.g., the size of the Brand residence and the bridges). 

Looks good! You may disagree with me, but I think your handwriting looks better (and has a greater sense of authenticity) than a font. And I didn't realize we had a view of the King's Palace!

Brand begins tapping on the side of the boat with his dagger drawing the attention of all those on board.

He can now see that the smaller man on the oars is Jon Lazlo, and as the sailing boat starts to lose ground against the current he sees Jon take in the situation and then points directly at him, whispering something to the others in the boat.

The larger man is Bacchi Cobb and the two go back to the oars and in a short period of time, the boat has come up next to Brand.

"Alaric," hisses his father. "Are you okay? Damn it! I can't see a thing in this darkness; Bacchi open the lantern a crack." 

The big-boned plains-lander complies and when the light from the lantern reveals Rawl's body, Koric asks, "Is the bastard dead?"

Brand smiles, and answers in quiet tones. "I kept him alive for Bacchi, in case there was a debt owed. Did Rima live?"

He does his best to hand the body over to the people on the boat, perhaps levitating to ease the load, and as they reach for Rawl says, "Be gentle as you can, he is unconscious and nearly died." He them climbs aboard and suggests the lantern should be dimmed.

Addressing his father directly. "The big one is dead, but the little one ran. Did you want me to pursue him? He may have gone to the Watering Hold inn, in the Western End."

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Still have a lot to learn about the tech and the use of a graphics tablet, but take a look at the map I've done of the local geography on the world site. You will find it at the top of the 'Temporary' article in the 'Miscellaneous Things' category. Some things are probably not to scale (e.g., the size of the Brand residence and the bridges). 

Looks good! You may disagree with me, but I think your handwriting looks better (and has a greater sense of authenticity) than a font. And I didn't realize we had a view of the King's Palace!

[[Maybe when I'm better skilled with the stylus, I'll do the text, but at the moment I'm experimenting with vector graphics over the top of painted graphics, which gives me more ability to reuse the graphics.

And of course the Brand residence is in sight of the palace (actually it is the Palace Bridge that is more important) as it means the comings and goings to the Palace can be monitored.]]

 Maybe when I'm better skilled with the stylus, I'll do the text, but at the moment I'm experimenting with vector graphics over the top of painted graphics, which gives me more ability to reuse the graphics

Does it do fading/fractal edges like a pencil/brush (ie. lighter on the edges)?

And of course the Brand residence is in sight of the palace (actually it is the Palace Bridge that is more important) as it means the comings and goings to the Palace can be monitored.

lol. Should have guessed.

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

 Maybe when I'm better skilled with the stylus, I'll do the text, but at the moment I'm experimenting with vector graphics over the top of painted graphics, which gives me more ability to reuse the graphics

Does it do fading/fractal edges like a pencil/brush (ie. lighter on the edges)?

[[The graphics tablets works with just about anything. The software I'm using to both draw and paint is called Affinity Designer and in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing it can do some really cool stuff. I definitely have my 'L' plates on with everything I'm using at the moment.]]

And of course the Brand residence is in sight of the palace (actually it is the Palace Bridge that is more important) as it means the comings and goings to the Palace can be monitored.

lol. Should have guessed.

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Brand smiles, and answers in quiet tones. "I kept him alive for Bacchi, in case there was a debt owed. Did Rima live?"

[[I think you mean Jon instead of Bacchi above.]]

He does his best to hand the body over to the people on the boat, perhaps levitating to ease the load, and as they reach for Rawl says, "Be gentle as you can, he is unconscious and nearly died." He them climbs aboard and suggests the lantern should be dimmed.

Addressing his father directly. "The big one is dead, but the little one ran. Did you want me to pursue him? He may have gone to the Watering Hold inn, in the Western End."

"Tomas is alive," says Koric in answer to Brand's first question. "We found him on the bank below the cistern outlet and he's been taken back to the residence by Fazal and Bom."

Then he looks at Rawl, "This one is better off dead and fed to the fishes. What about the others?"

"The big one is dead, but the little one ran," Brand answers. "Did you want me to pursue him? He may have gone to the Watering Hold inn, in the Western End."

"No," says his father. "Time for you to come home. We can leave him to Jon."

Brand takes the opportunity to search the body thoroughly, boots to helmet than says. "I have one small task I would like to complete, then I will return." Brand retrieves his dagger from the front of the boat [[ I assume the other 2 are lost ]] and steps to the edge of the boat.

"Yes, Lord Brand. I agree, it is time for me to earn my keep," says Jon the doorman. He then adds, "And thank you again for letting me rescue Tomas."

He then picks up his lumpy duffel bag and turns to his fellow oarsman and says, "Give me a boost, Bacchi."

In an apparently practiced move, Bacchi clasps his hands together and as Jon steps onto them he hoists the lighter man up so as to assist him up the five-or-so feet to the top of the riverbank wall.

"Well then," says Koric, sounding a little exasperated as the boat rocks suddenly. "Bacchi and I will be taking care of Rawl and making our way home. I will trust you both not to do anything foolish."

"And thank you again for letting me rescue Tomas."

[[ Did I get it completely the wrong way round? I thought Bacchi was the one who claimed the right of vengeance for Rima...if it was Jon, can we replace 'Bacchi' with 'Jon' in all my dialog? Does it make a difference?

Edit: I just checked...can we replace Bacchi with Jon in all my dialog. Were you confused? ]]

[[ Did the more detailed search of Rawl's body reveal anything? ]]

[[ If Rawl is to die, and the dagger is still in his neck, Brand reclaims it. ]]

[[ If he has finished the search in time, Brand will follow Jon out of the boat, levitating a little if it makes the climb easier. Otherwise, he will probably do a spectacular leap to the wall and lift himself over cautiously and probably invisibly to start. ]]