Overview
Glin is a giant cuddly frog from Erenmyr, Deylin's bonded companion, and one of the astragons Thalena trains during her hidden Xalmyrran years. In astragon form, Glin carries riders between nations, shields armies with starlit barriers, accompanies Thalena when Arcanis ends the War of Scars, and later carries Thalena through Thalassai, Haverloch, Kyranthos, Kaldaryn, and Brondoris.
Forms and Traits
As a frog, Glin is enormous, round-bodied, emerald-green, and speckled with gold. He has golden-specked eyes, a long sticky tongue, a playful expression, and enough size and strength to carry riders across long distances in massive leaps. As an astragon, he becomes a celestial blue, star-splattered winged creature with galaxy-like eyes, luminous stardust trails, and a roar that still carries the sound of his old croak.
Glin is affectionate, playful, loyal, and highly intelligent. He responds to speech, praise, emotion, and unspoken intent. He is gentle with trusted people, food-motivated around fish and insects, and mischievous enough to snatch food or reach for Eira with his tongue.
Abilities
Glin understands human language and communicates through croaks, roars, projected thoughts, and wordless impressions. Deylin can guide him by thinking of a destination, and Thalena sends him as a messenger because he can read her thoughts and find people capable of understanding astragons.
In frog form, Glin crosses long distances in enormous leaps while carrying riders. In astragon form, he flies across nations, carries riders together, and can return to frog form after landing. Thalena teaches him temporal magic during her hidden years in Erenmyr, and he later uses blinking to move riders onto his back or shift position suddenly.
Glin's magic is strongly cosmic. His astragon form radiates starlight, and he raises starfield barriers powerful enough to shield armies, protect riders from shockwaves near Maraveth, and block long-range spells at Rimvold.
History
In Thalena's hidden Xalmyrran past, the Erenmyr frogs are remnants from the Malverand era and protectors of the world. In the swamp, Glin is already a powerful cosmic mage. Thalena names him, the frogs share telepathic knowledge with her, and she teaches them in return. Glin evolves into an astragon in Erenmyr, and Thalena teaches him temporal magic.
Thalena rides Glin into the War of Scars as Arcanis. Together they descend from high above the battlefield in a starlit display, and Thalena uses overwhelming power to end the War of Scars. Afterward, Glin returns to frog form as stories of Arcanis spread across Xalmyrra.
Glin later bonds with Deylin in Erenmyr. He responds to Deylin's thoughts, and the two build a life of travel, hidden missions, and public legend together. During Eira's early path, Glin carries Deylin, Eira, and Lythariel toward Irrathis and carries Deylin and Eira away after her power erupts.
When Deylin is absent, Glin stays close to Thalena. She rides him through Haverloch, Kyranthos, and Kaldaryn while gathering attention for the Celestial Games. In Brondoris, Glin gives Leon and his mother a brief ride with Thalena, giving the city another visible encounter with Arcanis's return.
After Thalena defeats Eremion near Maraveth, Glin carries her message to Irrathis, brings Aldar, Ilyra, and Tazarin east through Haverloch toward Varnhallow, guides allies to the Sword of Arcanis, shields Virel's army at Rimvold, and later carries Aldar and Aelius to the devastated lands near Pyrenis.
Splin is the mother of the young male frog who later bonds with Brynor, making Glin the young frog's father. Glin, Splin, Gin, and Spin are the known Erenmyr frogs and astragons.