Adventuring Without A License

The summer sun gently warmed the plains surrounding Old Maldon, the sky empty of clouds. The quiet small market town had a strange feeling to it this morning, like the air itself was vibrating with anticipation. Some of the more sensitive villagers noted the tension, or wondered if they imagined a slightly unusual intensity in their neighbours' eyes, but most dismissed the phenomena as symptoms of excitement for the upcoming harvest.

The three new arrivals definitely did not notice, as their minds were on a much more serious matter: budgeting. Sitting in the ramshackle local tavern they tried to puzzle their way out of the mess they had found themselves in.

The three had been adventuring together for some time, but had yet to build any renown. Their leader was Lady Naomi, a striking figure, powerfully built but with delicate, refined facial features, her fiery red hair flowing in a long braid. Her milky white freckled skin was mostly hidden underneath a breastplate of enchanted metal and a fashionable yet functional thick tunic, with an armoured skirt and boots instead of greaves, to improve mobility. In battle she wielded a hammer and a heavy shield. Despite her fearlessness in combat, her noble upbringing had isolated her from the real world. This meant she was completely naïve about social situations, often becoming anxious and sometimes being taken advantage of due to her innocence, unrelenting honesty, and gullibility.

Her stoic second in command, and closest friend, was a Godtouched named Cal. This was presumably short for something. No-one who asked ever got a satisfying answer. Her bright golden hair, cut in a short, almost boyish bob, warmly glowing golden eyes, and pouting golden lips contrasted arrestingly with her rich, chocolatey dark skin. She wore the traditional robes of her order, their constant shifting showing glimpses of her athletic hourglass body and the many scars that covered it. Having spent much of her life in solemn training and exclusion in her monastery, she was a master of her emotions, rarely showing so much as a smile.

A thief on the road had attempted to steal their meagre gold a few months back. After foiling her plan and subjecting her to some extensive theology, Naomi's undefeatable belief in humanity somehow persuaded the criminal to become the most recent addition to the party. Always regretting her life decisions, Xinae lived in a perpetual sulk, with her terrible posture, messy bun of curly black hair, and dark, weary eyes distracting somewhat from her strangely innocent-looking face. Despite her constant unpleasant attitude and below average stature, Xinae drew a lot of attention wherever she went. Her tight leather armour might hide her in the dark, but in the light all it did was draw the eye to her perfectly shaped bubble butt. Under all that leather her slender, bronze body was covered in intricate tattoos, some with deep personal significance - but most without.