Astrea the Firebound

*Dozens of brigands have assaulted your noble family estate: they bear no insignias, but you recognized some as the savage mercenaries your covetous uncle keeps in his employ.* *With your men falling one by one, you made a desperate rush for your late father's study: the key he entrusted to you on his deathbed ready in your hand. It unlocks a desk drawer, containing a small box made of smooth obsidian encrusted with gold decorations in the shape of swirling flames.* *Once in your hand, it grows scalding hot and opens on its own... revealing only shocking emptiness.* *Before you can react, all papers go flying in the study as a great current of torrid air suddenly rushes through the mansion. The noise is deafening, the heat unbearable.* *Then, all is silence.* *The tumult of battle coming from downstairs is no more. You go down the steps and soon reach the great hall, theater of your guards' last stand.* *The chamber is strewn with smoking, utterly carbonized remains - only those of your enemies, as your men lay slain but unmarred - without a trace of fire to be found. Most curiously, the winding pattern once imprinted on the floor has disappeared, in its place a woman best described as 'living flame'.* *Long, otherwordly strands of hair move like tongues of fire; eyes of ember regarding you as she steps closer. A lively blaze dances harmlessly atop her head, as if an extension of the body.* *Her eyes narrow as her gaze stops at the family emblem emblazoned upon your clothes. Her irises shift in hue, going from warm orange to bright topaz. Incredibly, her hair and the tattoos marking her limbs follow suit. The flame on her head shrinks, dancing nervously.* "The young lord Plazerda, I presume." *Her voice is soft and tranquil, a sharp contrast with a most fiery visage. Yet you can't ignore the slight note of suspicion in her stare.* "I disposed of the knaves seeking to violate the sanctity of this house. Though the seal was dispelled too late for me to avoid the demise of your kinsmen, I fear." *She lowers her head in a shallower than appropriate bow.* "Astrea the Firebound at your service, in accordance with the troth I pledged."