DF Novices, Session 32 - Diary of Merrill Tangled Tail

We played on Tuesday as usual. Here is a write-up from the player of the new PC, who is only able to join us intermittently at the moment.

Session Date:    Tuesday 30 May 2023

Party roster:

Agis Keylar, wood elf cleric, 135 points (PC)
Doran Longbeard, dwarf knight, 128 points (PC)
Eleanor Bayley, human thief, 138 points (PC)

Erizax Ofaris, human wizard, 148 points (PC)

Renaud Aymon, human holy warrior, 103 points (PC)
Ben, half-ogre barbarian, 89 points (PC)

Merrill Tangled Tail, cat-folk martial artist, 65 points (PC)
Randall, human warrior, 125 points (NPC)

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Diary of Merrill Tangled Tail:

We burned evil tree. Merrill could feel that tree was evil, and it strange that burning tree did not make Merrill feel better. Not even when sitting down and sharing food by fire. Perhaps fire also evil? Merrill not certain if evil wood burn with evil fire, but Erizax certain there enough fire to burn tree completely. Merrill believe Erizax, but still little wood felt evil, so Merrill go with Eleanor when she decide to check on Kevik.

When we emerge from wood, there no Kevik. There also no path on which Kevik stood. Path does not wander away, as Merrill thought, so Eleanor say, and so Merrill suggested basic wisdom of Path of Two Moons Dancing. That path, at edge of forest, is at edge of forest. So, if follow edge of forest, we find path. If we find path, we follow path, we find Kevik. Much truth in this, and Eleanor agree. Merrill certain Doran with us also agree, but Doran as always silent as deep cave. After short wandering, we find path, go back into woods, find rest of group, and exit woods.

There still no Kevik.

Ben believe Kevik left with other group. Then Merrill watch in wonder as wanderers chase Big Moon, and then as Big Moon chase Little Moon, until Little Moon once more chase Big Moon. Eventually it decided that, since Kevik go to Fairhill, we need go to place near Fairhill, we also go to Fairhill. Find place, possibly find Kevik. Merrill hope we find Kevik, because Merrill promised to return. Merrill afraid Kevik will think Merrill dishonest!

On way, we spy damaged building further to west. Merrill insist we check out structure, as people could be inside that need help. Eleanor, Doran, and Erizax came with. Merrill pleased at this... perhaps could call them friends in future, yes yes. Structure was ruin, there nobody there that need help, and so wanderers wandered on. After half hour, wanderers wandered back to ruin, because it getting dark and Merrill think their eyes not see well in dark. Also, possibly there wolves or other dangerous animals. Wanderers made big tent from smaller tents, and big fire for warmth.

Merrill look at sky, give thanks to Moons and reflect upon what was learned today. Then Merrill meditate for hour upon things seen and things believed that no longer certain. Merrill then sleep, but others restless and bereft of warm fur. Merrill sleep badly.

It now four days since feast of Two Moons, and Big Moon chases Little Moon. As every day, Merrill brush fur and tie hair ribbons in new pattern. Pattern of Fourth Day Waning take some time to tie, it good time to think of question to ask about what is certain. Today, Merrill chose to open day with question of Why. Why we go to place near Fairhill in first place? There some confusion among wanderers, who appear not to brush their hair in morning like Merrill, and it eventually clear that this is task of Renaud. Always unpredictable, Renaud first uncertain if answer, then uncertain how answer, but finally Renaud answer. There undead at Titan's Hand. Wanderers want to stop undead. That seem simple, but Merrill always wary of simple truth. Little Moon often ask question of simple truth that Big Moon unable to answer, and Big Moon swell bigger when simple truth become complicated reality.

After few hours, we find stone in field. This unusual, because no other stone nearby and fields are big big. As far as Merrill can see big big. There also tracks of unknown creature near stone, which seem to Ben like big bird. Bigger than Merrill, although that not unusual because Merrill still little. Today Merrill also learn that Erizax speak strange language. Merrill know there are languages Merrill does not know. But Merrill does not know how many languages Merrill does not know, because Merrill does not know the languages Merrill does not know. Now Merrill knows Merrill does not speak Old Vycenaean, and Merrill's knowledge of ignorance grows! This very exciting!

In Old Vycenaean, stone say it so many miles to Bridgegate. Erizax believe this old waymarker from ancient road. There no road now, but as Merrill say to wanderers, where there is road, there important things on either end of road. We come from important place, so we find important place on other end, yes yes. Ben leads wanderers away towards direction of Fairhill, but Merrill beginning to believe wanderers have never been to Fairhill, and do not know where find Fairhill. 

Merrill impressed that wanderers willing to explore uncertainty without hesitation. Like Master Lomarr and First Disciple, they wander seeking enlightenment, but Merrill believe they do not yet understand ignorance. But Master Lomarr and First Disciple wandered four times four years, so Merrill can be patient. That longer than Merrill has been alive. Merrill cannot begin to imagine things he will not know when Merrill has wandered four times four years!

We find Titan's Hand. It look like hand sticking up from ground. It titanic. Merrill beginning to believe people in this part of world not very imaginative when naming things. Merrill also hopes this means Fairhill will be beautiful place on hill not too steep.

There door in base of Hand. Eleanor try open with bits of metal, but lock stronger than bits of metal. Ben try open door with shoulder, but door stronger than Ben. Renaud try open door with sword, but door stronger than Renaud... and sword. Agis been telling Merrill many many thing about sword, so Merrill now know that it not good sign when one sword become two. This Merrill now knows, and Merrill certain Renaud also learned important lesson about sword. When trying to pry open door, use crowbar instead. There now one thing Renaud know that Renaud did not before, and Merrill certain there now many things Renaud question about sword and use of strength. The Moons shone bright, today will be interesting day.

There other opening into Hand, but it high up. Wanderers wonder about rope, about flying, about many many thing. But Merrill eyes distance, and Merrill climbed this high since Merrill was kitten. It not too difficult. But Merrill never get chance to offer to climb.

Birds arrived. Big birds. Birds bigger than Merrill, and one bird try to snatch Merrill from ground. It seem birds not go near base of Hand, so Agis suggest we run away through open field. Little Moon catch Big Moon, and it decided we stay near base and fight if necessary. Renaud offer to be target, so Doran and Eleanor can use axe and crossbow. Big birds fly fast around Hand. Merrill can feel odd instinct stir, but stills tail. Still, Merrill move to stand by Renaud, leaving staff by base of Hand. Merrill certain this is time for hand and claw.

Big bird swoop down on Merrill again, but Merrill turn and let pass like water flowing by rock. Simple simple, Merrill done this many times in Temple. Big bird seem surprised and nearly hit ground. Doran throw axe and big bird fall to ground.

Other big bird swoop down on Renaud. Renaud stand like mountain in wild river, and big bird bounce off shield. Merrill impressed!

Merrill climb now?