DF Novices, Session 34 - Diary of Merrill Tangled Tail

    Here is a write-up of this week's session from the player of Merrill.

Session Date:    Tuesday 13 June 2023

Party roster:

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)
Agis Keylar, wood elf cleric, 135 points (NPC)

Methra, cultist of Subgar, unknown points (NPC)
Ganelon, cultist of Subgar, unknown points (NPC)

------

Diary of Merrill Tangled Tail:

There are times when Merrill know he has made mistake. There was time when Merrill used moment of bow before sparring to strike blow to head of Master Lashki to win quick. To this day, Merrill still remember the sound of the thwock of knuckle on skull, the look of disappointment in Master Lashki's eyes, and then the swift thump that made sure Merrill did not remember anything else for rest of day. To this day, Merrill believed that was most horrible mistake Merrill had ever made. Until today.

Today, Merrill made mistake much, much worse.

But if mistake was made, then Merrill not alone. After fight against zombies in Titan's Hand, which Merrill's new friends assure Merrill were evil because they were undead walking upright and should be laying down, Merrill was looking forward to good nap. It true, Merrill always looking forward to good nap, but in this case, Merrill had seen big box in corner of room. Merrill now admit, Merrill was looking forward to good nap in box. Merrill not sleep well night before, but boxes always make Merrill sleep better. It strange thing. But Erizax say that this box had magical feeling. Merrill never tried sleep in magical box, never open magical box either, but Doran open box anyway. Merrill believe friend Doran overcome with curiosity. Sometimes it hard to remember not to follow little voice in head that say 'do this, do that', but many time Merrill able to remember wise words of Masters: It better to never know what in mystery box, than be eaten by mystery box.

When Doran open magic box, magic box tried to eat Doran. Or, if Merrill is accurate, very angry pudding tried to eat Doran. Now, this thing Merrill know! Merrill has seen angry pudding before, and knows angry pudding, it dangerous. When first time Masters told young Merrill to be careful because angry pudding around, Merrill go look for pudding. Then wonder why pudding not in bowl. Then find out that pudding is very very angry, and then spend week growing fur back. That lesson well learned! See angry pudding, stay away from angry pudding. Hit with stick from far away, yes yes. Doran soon learn this lesson too, but Doran chop at thing with axe and bit of pudding fall away from Doran. Then Renaud learn lesson too, but Renaud sometimes slow learner, so Merrill think.

In end, we thwack, chop, slice and bludgeon pudding. There sudden fire, but it seem fire made again by Erizax and so Merrill not worried of losing fur. Then finally pudding fall to floor, and fire move on top of pudding. After that, Renaud nearly fall to floor from nearly eaten by pudding, and Agis not fall to floor only because Agis fall against wall and then slide to floor, from keeping Renaud alive. Bit of Renaud armour melted away, but luckily Renaud inside not melted and dissolved. This good thing!

It decided we all take nap. Merrill decide this good idea and nap in corner. Merrill thought of taking nap in box, but although box empty, Merrill did not want to nap in box still covered in bits of angry pudding. Why risk fur?

It good nap until suddenly there is loud noise, table used to block door moving across floor, and Ben being pushed back by table and door while trying to push back. That bad sign. Bad bad.

But Merrill used to wake up in hurry because of loud noise. Usually it temple bell, or one of Masters testing reflexes in morning. Still, Merrill on feet in moment. It shame Renaud and Agis too tired to get up, but Merrill supposes not everyone as used to waking up in hurry as Merrill is. Because friend Renaud not awake, and Merrill close by, Merrill decide to stand between door and Renaud.

That mistake!

When door finally open, Merrill can see big thing. Big big. Much bigger than Merrill, although that not difficult because Merrill still small, but bigger than Ben. And Ben is big as mountain. Merrill now believe, it was reflex.

Certain, it reflex.

Reflex, because clearly Merrill not thinking.

When big big thing walk into room, head scraping ceiling, Merrill reach out and smack thing with staff. Immediately, Merrill reminded of Master Lashki and duel when Merrill was younger kitten. There dull thwock of staff on big thing, and then big thing look at Merrill. Luckily, Merrill already moving when big big weapon came at Merrill, and Merrill escaped by width of whisker.

Then suddenly there flash of light, much much heat, and explosion around big thing. Explosion big big! So big Merrill singed! But Merrill stand between thing and Renaud, yes yes, while Methra and Eleanor drag Agis away from danger.

In next moment, light vanish as Ben step in front of Merrill. Ben, big as mountain. Ben, strong as earthquake. Merrill touched by gesture, and luckily it mean Merrill no longer in danger of being touched by big thing. Undead thing, Merrill could now see.

And smell, urgh!

On other side, Doran hack away at thing like dwarf possessed. Hack hack with axe, while Ben chop chop with hatchet. Sadly it seem hatchet blunt, because big thing not feel much. Then Merrill move, see again flash of fire come past face, and then Merrill remember other lessen shared between novices. It not official wisdom, certainly it not wisdom ever taught by Masters in temple, but it good wisdom... when in doubt, go for face!

Luckily, face was big and ugly. Soon uglier after Merrill hit it several time as hard as Merrill can. It not much compared with strength of Ben, or strength of Doran, but Merril help! But in end, it Doran who bring down big thing. While Ben chopping, and Merrill hitting thing in face, and Erizax throwing fire, Doran hacking away. Finally, big thing crumble under relentless attack.

Merrill happy, because it Doran who made mistake, but also Doran who fix mistake of Merrill. Merrill now certain that wanderers are friends, yes yes.

Ben find ladder going up in room big thing came from. We put table back against door and decide it time for another nap.

There always time for naps, yes yes!