Borin's Testing Times

Ahh blessings of Lathander…

It seems clear ta me that ah’m being tested an it’s a test ah cannae allow ter fail.

**Ceres** had been approached aboot a job. He’s a good lad but his fluctuating nature worries me, who knows if he’ll retain focus on the job when the wind changes…

**Elaria** seems to be close enough lookalike for the contact. She’s a brave lassie and seemingly has a knack for making good choices - ah hope tha continues!

**Shane** the celestial midget makes even the gnomes around here seem large. There’s nae doubting his heart though

**Solemn** feels like Lathander’s little joke to me. Maybe that’s what ah’d be like if no for all the mistakes ah’ve made? Ah better version..?

Reliable **Plank**! Ah’ve travelled with the scallywag a few times now and his attitude, humour, and skill are a mighty boon to count upon

Tasked with a simple enough job of “purchasing” a dragon egg from some shady characters, we’re also hoping tae plant some sort o’tracking device on them… if this works, it’ll be a miracle!

On our way ter the meet, we were set upon by zombie filth. **Ceres**, the brave fool, went dashing to meet them head on leaving himself exposed. Ah rushed after him only ter get pounced on. Ah managed ter prevent it ripping oot ma throat by jamming ma fist in it’s maw although it was at the expense of the use of ma hand for a while as ah felt multiple bones cracking. Still, better me than the lad… such a blow would have been devastating ter him! I understand the need for personal sacrifice Lathander!

Continuing to the location, we met the contact and ma hand allowed a chance to distract long enough for **Ceres** to plant the tracking device. Between ma howling and **Elaria**’s cool head, we kept tha meeting on track while swapping oor “diamonds” for their “egg” before they scarpered. We didnae have chance to think before we were accosted by members of the “Hope Thieves Guild” (allegedly). Unable to help much with ma mangled hand, ah tried to support the group as much as ah could. **Plank** doing (and taking) the majority o’tha damage despite him foiling their ambush surprise. **Solumn** took some shots as he was exposed to the open doorway. **Shane**’s warning shout going unheeded. **Elaria** wisely keeping her distance and protecting the egg! Still, we pushed through withoot too much bother and even captured a prisoner (if yer can call an idiot fisherman trying ter earn a bit of extra coin a “prisoner”). With the bodies still fresh and likely to attract more zombies, we decided ter head back with the egg. Ah was grateful for this as ma hand was throbbing and leaking some odd pus… ah needed a rest to let the bones set before ah could channel the light o’Lathander to cure the disease infesting it. Again, I appreciate the test Lord… patience is truly a virtue and having to wait while the disease ate away at me helped reinforce this…

The egg is a fake of course… we’ll have ter wait and see where the tracking pin ends up.

While we wait, we decided a quick trip to the Mouth of Doom might prove profitable. Given the funds ah need to mend these punctured lungs, ah figured it couldnae do any harm. Ma hand was working again after all! We followed an area already explored until we found a room that seemed full of signs and offerings to gods of gambling and luck. Spending longer than we should, we tested the “game” and soon left with our pockets considerably lighter… another lesson methinks. There are nae shortcuts to wealth, it must be earned? As if ter reinforce the point, ah was rewarded with a fall into a pit trap we didnae appear to notice… Ah heed the lesson o wise Lathander… nae more gambling!

Lathander had one more lesson for me it seems. Pushing into a room, we were surrounded by many, many giant leeches! The party scattered and ah was left with 6-7 surrounding me. **Ceres** had one attached and shifted away before returning to the fray. He looked awfully frail the last time ah saw him standing… Lathander’s test swarmed all over me with several leeches attaching and sucking the life-force from ma body. I saw **Plank** leave the leech he and **Solumn** were tackling, to charge in to help, I saw **Ceres** fall, I reached oot but in my confusion, ah healed **Plank**… is the lesson to be more focussed even under the weight of desperation? Ah failed this test and **Ceres** paid with his life… the poor, brave laddie. **Shane** chose to engage in melee at this point and helped draw away some of the attention and we slowly managed to overwhelm the leeches with our weight of numbers. They hurt when they suck, but splitting their attention seems a good tactic to reduce risk… alas that we learned it too late for **Ceres**.

Ah hope my testing doesnae last much longer… ah’m not one to question Lathander’s plan but ah worry what’ll be left to deliver his word at this rate…