Meet the new party.

There was Nadia Landstrider, a human dressed in green and brown leathers. She was a ranger, armed with a bow and arrows, as well as a pair of short swords strapped to her belt. She had long dirty-blonde hair in a braid down her back and stern green eyes. She was taller than Myria, but had a similar build: athletic and toned, with a small bust.

Next was an elf in finely-forged chainmail. Her name was Velli. She wielded a blade made of magical mithril and was accomplished as both a warrior and sorceress. She was quick and graceful, despite her armor, and had dark hair cut short and neat, not even reaching the middle of her neck.

Next was a woman in low-cut robes that accentuated her ample breasts. This was Lana Fallbrooke. She was, Cecilia noted with some disgust, a priestess of Zendala, the goddess of lust and indulgence. Her fiery red hair and sultry appearance drew the eyes of many men in the tavern.

After an evening of drinks and getting to know one another, Cecilia learned that Velli, like herself, was virginal. Nadia was hesitant to admit to any sexual history, but eventually confessed that she had a lover once before, but he was now far away in a distant land. Lana, meanwhile, as a priestess of Zendala, readily admitted to a long and sordid sexual past.

Cecilia explained the stakes of the mission. The toads were relentless and single-minded in their goal to ravage women. They would stop at nothing, Cecilia told them, to defile them with their seed. Cecilia couldn't help but realize as she explained this that she was growing flushed, remembering the feelings that Minerva had caused with her tongue...

She snapped out of it. "The sorceress Minerva is not to be trusted," she said firmly. "The only thing that matters is the rescue of my friends Dew and Myria."

A murmur of agreement went around her new companions.

"It is good to have your aid," Cecilia said. "Let us rest here for the night and be off first thing in the morning."