Artemis's Notes from the Frontier - Borin's Folly

*5 Highsun*

Today we ventured out to investigate what had befallen the Lathender-ite Borin and his group of worshippers. The road West seems safe enough so far, expertly guided by the troubled youth **Jäger**, we have travelled a fair distance today and encountered no issues! As I lie here listening to **Seonbi** list the myriad of creatures that “might” kill us (some of them are assuredly made up to frighten little children…) I can only offer more thanks to Bahamut for our safe passage. I hope we are not too late to reach this Borin and his companions!

*6 Highsun*

I spoke too soon! It is lucky I am able to write anything this morning! As I drafted off to sleep, lulled into slumber by the (rather unnecessary) demonstrations of magic by **Seonbi** to a **Sairina**, all seemed well. Next thing I know, something has grabbed me and sunk it’s teeth into me and is dragging me away! I managed to invoke the wrath of Bahamut’s voice upon it and although I could sense the fear, it still bore me away from the camp into the dark before biting me again. I have never known pain like it and I surely blacked out… the next thing I remember was the hideous visage of **Druv** carrying me back towards the light. He is truly more pure of spirit than his appearance (or general tone) would imply - a great lesson for all there! It seems that **Fergal** also befell a similar fate, although his considerable bulk seems to have helped others aid him. I have imparted Bahamut’s blessing upon him to heal his wounds. I am very weary as we look to press on - the group still talks about hunting crocodiles… would that Alexandria was here, her silver tongue could probably persuade them this was folly… alas, once again I fall short of her skill and must rely solely on the wisdom of Bahamut to see us through  the day safely…

Praise be, the rest of the day passed without issue. We did pass through an area seemingly teeming with a natural gas, **Seonbi** seemed interested although it is difficult to tell as he is always scribbling in his little notebook.

*7 Highsun*

I should know by now that I should not count my blessings too soon! As I took my watch with **Sairina**, talk turned to the use of magic. She hides it well, but I sense a frustration in her inability to tap into the arcane. She reminds me of Alexandria when she could not comprehend the blessings that I found natural. Indeed, it seems **Sairina** has also worked to overcome that and become quite a fearsome warrior in her own right - as I was about to witness for myself! For as we sat there discussing the merits of faith versus hard work, a strange creature ran through the camp pursued by something called Bullywugs (**Seonbi** informed me afterwards). These frog-like creatures charged forward and we roused the camp to repel them. **Sairina** took many blows but still stood her ground. Bahamut saw to heal her wounds somewhat and she seemed ready for us to set off for the day’s travel.

We have “completed” our quest. The Lathander-ites are all dead save Borin…

We arrived at the small village to the sounds of livestock. **Jäger** scouted forward although maybe he was a little over confident as he didn’t seem to even try a cautious approach. He was accosted by several skeletal figures and wisely beat a tactical retreat so the rest of the group. **Sairina** bravely blocked these figures in a bottleneck on the bridge, taking many glancing blows, she seemed to draw on reserves of strength (and a little help from Bahamut) to weather these and stay in the fight. We almost lost the mighty **Fergal** too, he looked sorely wounded but managed to retreat back beyond the bridge as **Sairina** covered him. **Seonbi** managed to freeze some water and explode it amongst our foes to great effect while **Jäger** and **Druv** rained arrows/bolts upon them. I note that skeletons seem a little unfazed by the piercing nature of these attacks, just as they seem fairly dextrous when I tried to invoke the sacred flame of Bahamut upon them - indeed, I only narrowly avoided getting set alight by a ball of flame thanks to the blessings of the Platinum One whose light protected me. Having dispatched these unholy creatures, **Jäger** and **I** tended to some of the animals who seemed much neglected.

At that point, we heard a commotion and a plea from help from a dwarf further in the village (his language was as colourful as I’ve heard Alexandria during her training when she thinks nobody is listening!) and we rushed forward to aid. The speedy **Druv** was quickest to react and loosed a devastating crossbow bolt at a creature. Rounding the corner, I saw a huge mass of flame and heat assaulting a solitary dwarf. I sensed the power of Lathander as he summoned a fearsome spiritual warhammer to smite at this fire beast. The party loosed missiles from afar and sought cover but the creature seems focused on the dwarf. Invoking the wrath of Bahamut, I assaulted it with a mighty roar but it remained focussed on it’s prey, hitting the poor cleric and setting him alight! Even as a doused the flames, he sent healing magic towards me! We harried and seemed to be wearing the creature down before **Sairina** darted in to land a vicious blow, however she was borne down by flames that licked from the creature. Seeing that, **Druv** unleashed a mass of necrotic energy that dispatched the fiery beast. Still aflame, the dwarf then brought **Sairina** back to consciousness.

Borin (for it was he) told us that the village was built upon the site of a great volcanic forge and that creatures like this Fire Elemental had been resident there previously. Now, in addition to a Lathander settlement, there appears to have been an incursion of “fire newts” and “fire wolves”. We are escorting Borin back to Hope. There is nothing more we can do here today…