Fish wasn't particularly enthused about being a part of a break out. It was their fault for getting caught, why should Fish extend themselves to get them out? The pay was at least respectable enough that Fish took it. Alchemy isn't cheap after all.

They waited on the roof of the intended meet up. It unfortunately seemed like their partner was not coming, little did Fish know there was a miscommunication in where they were supposed to go. Fish would stop delegating if these mistakes continue to happen. Bunch of incompetent pencil pushers, Fish would handle it next time.

Fine. They sprint to the edge of the roof and jump off, the free flow scarf letting them glide down to the other roof. They clamber up the roof and slide down the edge, catching on the edge of the roof and using the momentum to swing out and in through a window.

They tuck and roll into the storage of the prison, latching the window behind them. Fish dips into the shadows and slinks out the door. Time to find whoever got caught and let them out. They start to slowly work through the crowd, watching for guards as closely as they can.

---

Quest Name	Free the Red Rogue
Participants	Exactly Two ( Other participant can be working on opposite quest. )
Location	Anywhere
Post Requirements	6 posts 200 words per post
Reward	+2 Renown Access to listed shop
Description	Popular red rogues from past years have been assaulted and kidnapped by hired goons, nobles wanting to keep them until after winter. Many of these rogues are being held captive in camps all across Charon, and need to be rescued. If the Night of the Red Rogue is to happen this year, then those rogues need to be freed! Help us by going in, fighting off the hired mercenaries, and freeing the Red Rouges before Winter's Crown!

After a contact of Perrath’s told him to meet another agent for a rescue mission (the details of which were left vague and therefore he assumes he can do whatever he wants so long as it’s successful), Perrath arrives at the meet up location. Sure, he’s a bit early, but the opportunity to break into the keep and cause chaos and also stick it to the sun elves has him excited. Besides, the best time to get started is before the sun is up to take advantage of the shadows.

Before long, the shadows grow shorter as does Perrath’s patience. His clawed foot taps the cobbles below. “Where is that partner?” he growls to himself. Without word or seeing a lick of them, he decides to go in by himself.

The entry isn’t too difficult with the ability to project a copy and switch places with it^[1]. In no time at all, Perrath finds himself inside the keep. Unfortunately, his entry point gets him immediately spotted by guards. Not that he cares. A devious grin spreads across his face, and he whips out his greatsword and cleaves into the surprised elves with little effort. This does not down them, so he grabs one man by the cuirass and throws him full force down the hall^[2] where he crashes into the wall in a crumpled lump just in front of Fish.

---

1. Spectral Shadow
2. Bull's Strength

Out of pure instinct, the already dead guard is hit with two bolts[1] before they hit the wall. Fish looks over the body, seeing they were already dead and take their bolts back. No sense wasting those.

They look down the hallway with crossbow raised and ready to fire. Fish doesn't plan on announcing themselves, but they do take a moment to take their notebook out of a pouch. No one else should be here assaulting the prison, so it's possible this is Fish's partner. Lo and behold they seem to match this Perrath person.

"Halt and beknown." Fish signs with their free hand keeping the crossbow raised. If their contact was competent, Perrath would know the proper response.....If their contact wasn't, they probably forgot to tell Perrath that Fish uses sign language.

Fish was prepared for either scenario. If they respond in kind or complain about the contact, Fish doesn't shoot them. If they try to stumble through a response, Fish shoots them. Pretty easy situation from Fish's perspective. Of course, the unknown variable was how this person would response to a weapon being pointed at them.

Fish's solution for that? Shoot them, it really is a great problem solver despite what Cyran and Del say.

---

1. Dual Shot enchantment

Two crossbow bolts pierce the guard just before he hits the wall, and Perrath pauses his assault on the unlucky pair of guards briefly to see a tiny bird retrieving them. Just as the other guard rushes Perrath, he turns his sword on them and skewers them. Green flames lick at the bloody wound of the man on his sword. “Hail, small one!” he says with a confident smile and a wave. When he hears no response, his brow furrows and he realizes that the avianfolk is using sign language. Whether or not this is because they are mute or to be silent doesn’t matter to him much. He’s already made his presence known.

Admittedly, he didn’t read much of his dossier besides that his partner would be small and quiet silent. Flinging the impaled guard from his sword, he moves his hands to communicate surprisingly effectively a response as he speaks. “I am the paladin Perrath, here to rescue the Rogue from his prison. If we share a quest, then join me and let us see the fear in the whites of their eyes as we destroy these men.” Perrath inclines his head and offers Fish a regal bow before standing upright and continuing his signing. “I see why they would pair us together! Few others can speak with their hands. Are you mute in both hearing and speaking?” It’s important to know before they proceed forward.

The moment when Perrath bows Fish really has to resist the urge to fire. It would've been perfect too. He is very loud...well louder than Fish at least but that's not hard to do. Before Fish can do that, their head snaps its attention to the corner behind Perrath.



They flick their wrist as they fire, bouncing the bolt off the wall, behind the draconic man, and into the midsection of an approaching guard.[1, 2] He groans and stops giving Perrath a moment to finish the job.



"Deaf is for hearing, mute is for speech. Fish can hear just fine, better than most." At that moment their head perks up again, flitting around a moment in that bird like fashion. "More coming, the target is likely deeper, we will have a moment to gain distance while they investigate these deaths."



Fish holsters their crossbow for now as they move. The bird hops on the dead guard then over them to get to the otherside of the hallway and start moving towards a set of stairs. They weren't sure just how many guards were stationed here, but everyone on the first floor was likely aware of them. They had an unknown time until the alarm was pulled and things became much more complicated.

---

1. True Hunter

2. Way of the Zen Archer

Perrath is not typically distracted by pleasantries, but for his partner to be a tiny, mute bird with an itchy trigger finger brings an amused smile to his face. “Ah, forgive my insolence,”** he says. Then his eyes follow Fish’s and before he can react, the man approaching him from behind is shot, so Perrath whips around and removes his head from his shoulders in a smooth slice. Blood splatters along the wall once with the motion then again when Perrath swings his greatsword to fling the viscera from it.

“I appreciate that you do not hesitate to kill, Fish, was it? Well, met.” Resting his blade across his shoulders, Perrath looks down the hall that footsteps echo from. “We could gain distance, or we could simply kill anyone in our way. My blade thirsts for blood, but I suppose there is more to be found on the deeper levels.”

Callously stepping over the bodies, Perrath follows Fish with surprisingly silent steps, especially as they pass through any shadows. The cast darkness from flickering flames seem to cling to the dragon’s own shadowy form. “Say, Fish, I have certain magic that can assist us both. Telepathic communication, magical resistance, and the like. What do you say? I would offer this to the one we’re here to release as well.”

---

**Court’s dumb but Perrath can be too.

"Fish has no reason to hesitate, they are obstacles to Fish's mission." They head down the stairs, taking care to look over each step ahead of them.[1] There are at least 10 guards down here....having come down on their patrol just an hour or so before....Was it a regular patrol or is there some sort of barracks down here?

The only way to tell that was by going forward, which Fish had every intention of doing. They may not hesitate to kill, but they didn't seek it out as actively as their new partner seemed to. Not that Fish was bothered by it, every thieves guild has a few people that are more "leave no witnesses" than "make no witnesses." Obviously, the two of them were on opposite camps there.

Fish looks back when telepathic conversation is mentioned....the last time that happened it did not go well.

"Fish does not like telepathy....it is complicated." They look ahead towards the bottom of the stairs. Some voices can be heard, prisoner or guard? Probably both.

The bird holds up a bottle filled with a thick smoke as they look ahead, "Can you see in low vision?" Fish is ready to throw whether Perrath is ready or not.

---

1. Investigation kit (first use)

Perrath can’t help but laugh at Fish’s blunt nature and focus on the goal. “Indeed, they are nothing but obstacles!” he agrees, following after him with silent footsteps. When they reach the bottom and glance around, his brow furrows. Of course the areas farther into the stronghold will have more guards.

To avoid drawing attention, Perrath uses sign language to communicate back to the aviankin. “That’s a shame, but understandable. We will be successful regardless.” He looks at the bottle in Fish’s hand with contemplation. “I can see in darkness and shadow, but smoke may pose a problem. Still, it will cover our tracks. Let me move ahead first since this area has plenty of places to skulk.”

As he takes a step out, a wispy cloak of shadows wraps itself around Perrath and clings to him in a way that makes him hard to see as a solid form.^[1] He glances around for any approaching guards then slips down the hall a ways, pressing himself against the wall where the torchlight doesn’t quite reach as a pair march past.^[2] The temptation to draw his blade is strong, but he can create a distraction in other ways if need be.

---

1. Cloak of Shadows
2. Pass without a Trace/One with the Shadows

Fish tucks the bottle away seeing as Perrath is going on ahead. They can save that for latter. The bird similarly disappears into the shadows and proceeds forward. They keep a close eye on the ground to see how much more information they can glean.



Three guards have been through recently....heading in the opposite direction...two more coming towards them. Fish follows the tracks up the stairs before looking back to the hallway. Shift change in the guards as expected. So, if Fish has it right in their rough mental map their should be some people in the room ahead, but it isn't the cells just yet.



They hold up a hand to stop Perrath. 3 guards...at 11, 1 and 8 o'clock. Medium builds, likely just basic guards.[2]



"If Perrath can move in and get the guards at the back end of the room, Fish can take out the one just beyond the doorway here when they try and stop Perrath. Fish can try a more subtle approach, but that will take time and given the events of the first floor, Fish is willing to shift to Plan Set B."



They wait for Perrath's input or go ahead before getting their crossbow ready.





1. Pass without a Trace/One with the Shadows

2. Investigation Kit 2/3 uses

With the guards having passed, Perrath glances at his small companion, expecting them to lob the smoke grenade, but without drawing the attention of these guards, perhaps it’s better saved for later. They spend some time thinking, which is the right thing to do in this situation. Even though Perrath really would prefer to simply charge ahead, getting in deeper then causing chaos will be perfectly fine, and he respects the aviankin’s want to save their energy.

A grin spreads across Perrath’s face. It’s kill time. He nods and signs back, “I would be delighted. I won’t even need to open the door first. I’ll draw their attention, you can strike from behind.” The dragon pulls his gnarly black greatsword out, taking it in one hand and ready to kill. Then a spectral projection of him forms and shoots ahead through the door. When he hears a surprised shout from one of the men inside, Perrath switches places with the ethereal duplicate, appearing right between two guards.^[1]

“Good day, fellows,” he says. “At least, today will be a wonderful day for my blade to feast upon your souls!” With a laugh, Perrath slashes through one of the far guards, and the others get up to join the fray, leaving Fish a perfect opening.

---

1. Spectral Shadow

"Oh dear gods!" The guard left for Fish panics as they see Perrath stroll into the room. When the head of the first guard rolls, they sweat harder and start trying to find their whistle to call for the other guards. "I have to get the Marshall, there's a mad dragon in the barracks!"


He turns to run, but before he gets far a wire is tripped as he crosses the threshold of the door. A bottle drops from the top of the arch cracking against his face and sending powdered glass into his eyes. The search for the whistle is dropped as he is now clawing at his eyes.[1]


Fish skitters past the guard through his legs and fires behind themselves to take the guard out.[2] The crossbow is quickly reloaded[3] and at the second guard coming for Perrath. Fish aims for the sword to push it off balance and leave Perrath another opening.



"Give Fish one moment to check this door and plan how we should proceed." Fish hops forward, but looks at the slumped bodies at the door. "Could Perrath move those? They are in Fish's way and Fish is too small to move them."

---

1. Wire + Bottle + Powdered Glass
2. Zen Archer
3. Quick Draw

As Perrath withdraws his blade from the first guard, the blood seems to spark with green flames hungry for the liquid of life itself. He turns to the other and holds his gauntlet up to block the cut, but the sword is knocked away at the last moment by his partner’s sharpshooting, so the dragon takes advantage of a perfect opening and runs his sword through the man. Blood sputters from the guard’s mouth, and Perrath puts his foot on him to push him off the blade and leave him in a puddle in the floor.

With the guards dispatched, Perrath takes a look around and sees the trap Fish managed to set up in a short amount of time. He gives a nod of acknowledgment and looks at the birdfolk. “Ah, of course. Allow me to take care of the mess I’ve made.” Sticking his sword in one of the men on the side to prop it up, Perrath grabs the dying or dead guards blocking the door and tosses them aside. “I can send magical minions ahead once you determine if the door is safe, or I can send them as distractions if we need to draw some of the guards’ attention away.”

He retrieves his sword and lets the blood drip onto the stone floor without a care on his face.

"Fish believes this partnership is adequate." Fish signs before flicking their wrist, a set of lockpicks sliding into their hand.

The lock is pretty simple for the bird to pick, but they take an extra moment just to ease the pins down so it doesn't make the typical thunking sound. Any opportunity to keep the element of surprise they have going currently.

"Despite the different skill sets, Fish believes we should be enough. At this point Fish does not believe distractions are necessary. The cell block should be one floor below which is where our target should be."

Fish opens the door and slips around. They cross the hallway until they reach a stairwell. The bird is about to descend before they stop. Their eyes snap up to the arch of the doorway and stare at it a moment...then their eyes drift down to where they are standing.

Head tilted to the side curiously, Fish reaches a hand towards the floor. A draft? There's a seam in the floor, the button to open must be the arch of the door.[1]

They point up to the said trigger, "Secret entrance...Fish would like to know where it goes." Either Perrath was about to let Fish climb on him to press it or just do it himself.

---

1. Magician's Secret

Perrath flashes Fish a wicked but agreeable smile as Fish notes the adequacy of their partnership. “Agreed, tricksy friend,” he says. “We could clear this entire prison of its guards should we wish, though I doubt that will be necessary.” Admittedly, he wishes it were. His blade thirsts for blood as does he. The dragon takes great joy in seeing the light dying in the eyes of men.

Still, this mission has a purpose other than killing, so he waits patiently while Fish opens the door absolutely silently. Another smile crosses the paladin’s face, and following the assassin avian, he quietly slips into the hall as well. Then, Fish stops suddenly, and Perrath’s tail grips a support beam to keep him from running into the bird.^[1] He tries to follow their gaze but isn’t sure exactly what their eye for detail has noticed. At least, not until Fish says what they noticed.

To keep the silence, Perrath signs back, “A secret entrance? Perhaps it leads to our captive or even an armory or treasure?” With his seven-foot stature, Perrath is just barely tall enough to reach the button, but he can’t quite make it out, so he offers himself up as a perch for Fish to press it so they can proceed.

---

1. Prehensile Tail

"Fish has found that taking out all of the guards makes future jobs harder as security increases exponentially, but only take out a few and the response is mild."

Fish does not hesitate to climb the dragon man, though as a sign of respect Fish does not just clamber up him. They climb up the back and stand on his shoulders to push the button. Off to the side stone grinds against stone as the entrance opens to a side hallway.

Once the door is open, the bird just sits down on Perrath's shoulders and waits for him to start heading down the hallway. The room on the other end only holds about five cells, each one holding someone who once had a fairly significant bounty at one point.

Fish tilts their head from atop their perch as no one seems to react to their entrance. They pull their googles up around their eyes and rotate the lenses until it clicks.[1] Enchantments? Interesting.

"There are wards on the cells so they can't see or hear anything outside of their cell....likely to prevent coordination between them." They hop down off Perrath and take a closer look at the doors. "Fish can pick these, but be ready for an alarm. There is likely a trigger hidden inside the locks, Fish can try and bypass it but no guarantees."

---

1. Arcane Glasses