Overview
Gin is Renneth's giant cuddly frog and eventual astragon. He begins life among the intelligent frogs of Erenmyr, is named by Thalena during her hidden life in Xalmyrra, and later bonds with Renneth after following Renneth and Maric through the swamps. He travels with Renneth during the northern diplomatic mission, chooses to stay behind in Shanari with Spin, and later returns in astragon form.
Traits and Abilities
Gin is fire-aligned. As a frog, he releases flames, carries Renneth overland, snatches fish with his tongue, and responds to Renneth's thoughts or mental images. Through his rider bond, Gin gives Renneth his name and sends wordless impressions. Gin communicates through croaks, looks, and responses to Renneth's mental images.
As an astragon, Gin has blue-red or ember-marked scales, wings, deep black eyes that brighten with hidden fire, and enough speed and strength to carry riders through Gabriel's snowstorm near Rimvold and the hurricane flight into Kaldaryn. He releases heat from his scales, uses powerful fire breath, and can guide riders toward places or dangers he senses.
History
In Erenmyr, Thalena names the fire-aligned frog Gin among Glin, Spin, and Splin. Gin, Glin, Spin, and Splin share thoughts and magical knowledge with her while she lives in the swamps and trains with them.
Gin later bonds with Renneth while Spin bonds with Maric. He carries Renneth to Lirathen, Deylin's Village, and the swamp house where Thalena lived as Arcanis. During Aldar's northern mission, Gin and Spin travel by boat to Shanari, draw attention in Hanamizu, and remain behind when they decide they would slow Renneth and Maric.
After evolving into an astragon, Gin reunites with Renneth and Maric near Qarezh. He and Spin begin steering their riders westward, then split paths; Gin carries Maric toward the fight near Rimvold, uses heat and fire against Gabriel's storm, and later carries Maric, Aelius, Vianna, and Kren as they fly ahead of the hurricane into Kaldaryn.