Artemis' Notes From the Frontier: Return to Borin's Folly

*10 Highsun*

> **Sairina**’s put together quite the ragtag group to head back to Borin’s Folly. Most of the previous party have returned, although there’s no sign of Jäger or Druv. They’re replaced by **Furious** and **Sonnet**. The elf looks a formidable skirmisher, as quick with his fists as he is fleet of foot! **Sonnet** is a truly interesting person - I’d heard about Kenku but never thought I’d meet or “talk” with one. She understands everything and has an amazing knack for mimicking our speech. Unfortunately, it is tough to know more about her but she is here, and she is alone. I will watch over her. We’re in **Fergal**’s hands again for navigation - I feel sure he’ll get us to the village without much fuss
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*11 Highsun*

> It seems I cannot get a night’s peace in this swampland! Another ambush in the night by something **Seonbi** called Meenlocks. One minute I’m sleeping and the next, my tent is invaded by one of the foul creatures. Luckily **Sairina** was on hand to rescue me - her skill with a blade almost matches Alexandria’s! The thing wasn’t scared by the word of Bahamut but it was surely beaten back by **Sairina**’s blade! She also dragged me out of the tent, which took almost as much of a beating as I did! The party seemed to be handling the other creatures but I admit I was a little blinded by the blood from the gash to face. After it was over, I tried to heal it but I never was much more than a functional healer and I fear the wound was not closed well. **Sairina** says I have a cool looking scar… she’s truly a good leader to try and keep my spirits up like this. Meanwhile, **Sonnet** had mended the tent so it was as good as new! I was right about **Furious**! Apparently he was suitably deadly in combat slaying at least one of them and rescuing **Seonbi** who suffered almost as much as I did…
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> Seemed to spot a mausoleum off the road. **Seonbi** has it mapped and I think it’s best to give it a wide berth for now - probably the same as the one that group who returned said was dangerous and I see no need to disturb the dead without cause… Settling in for the night, I’m wary of the fact there seems to be a basilisk (or many of them) in the area. The “statue” we came across attests to the danger we face. I’m going to try and sleep but I fear that may not be possible…
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*12 Highsun*

> Finally, an undisturbed night! We’ll push on to the village now, it is only a short distance even if we’re looping around to avoid the potential basilisk threat - **Fergal** seems sure of his path!
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> Our entry to the village revealed more of the zombie foes we had encountered in our first visit. The brave, yet slightly foolish, **Furious** charged headlong into combat within range of many undead, while the brave, yet even more foolish, **Fergal** ran off alone to try and flank them. Spotting the peril **Furious** now faced, **Sonnet** weaved some sort of magic to help him. Things turned sour quickly though and we were thankful to the awesome power of Bahamut for turning many of the undead filth away and enabling the healing of **Furious**. We beat them back and managed to rescue **Fergal** who had stumbled into trouble - Alexandria always quotes to me “never split the party” and it’s clear to see this is one valuable thing she managed to learn! We’re going to rest before we try to breach the Forge below - I worry about what might be down there, Borin is a stout fellow and he was overrun here…
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*13 Highsun*

> We return to Hope now. Our entry to the Forge immediately saw us accosted by fire wolves, fire newts, and a magma mephit! **Fergal** charged in partially but was then nearly overwhelmed immediately by the fire wolves before **Sonnet** and **Sairina** could come to his aid. **Furious** and **Seonbi** aided with ranged attacks but this was a fight we could not hope to win. The mephit hitting **Sairina** with accursed heating of her armour. I managed to heal the unconscious **Furious** and get him to safety while the others retreated (eventually)…
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> I know this may vex our fearless leader, but I’ll beseech **Sairina** that we return here better prepared next time!
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