DF Novices, Team-A, Session 44 - Diary of Merrill Tangled Tail

    Here is a write-up of last team A session, from the player of Merrill.

Session Date:    Tuesday 29 August 2023

Party roster:

Ben, half-ogre barbarian, 132 points (PC)
Doran Longbeard, dwarf knight, 159 points (PC)
Eleanor Bayley, human thief, 174 points (PC)
- Dagne, human cleric, 125 points (NPC Hireling)
Erizax Ofaris, human wizard, 178 points (PC)
Merrill Tangled Tail, cat-folk martial artist, 92 points (PC)
Randall, human warrior, 135 points (NPC)

Campaign Date:    6 August, Year 645 of the Vycenaean Empire.

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Diary of Merrill Tangled Tail:

Such fight! It been many, many moon since Merrill has had fight like this, and never this long. Moons, but fight was longest Merrill has ever fought!

It all start when friends go back into mine to look for signs of ... well, this not really explained to Merrill, but signs of something in mine that should not be in mine. That seem sensible. We not find any sign of thing in mine that is not mine or supposed to be in mine, until Eleanor the Swift see trigger wire of trap. She certain it trigger wire to alarm, and she also certain alarm was triggered. Eleanor has better eyes than Merrill, or so Merrill thinks, and more understanding of things in mines, dungeons and other dark places, so Merrill believe Eleanor when she say alarm tripped. It Ben who find secret door to secret entrance that friends found last time they were in mine. Is secret door still secret if it is known? Is door still door after Ben breaks it from hinges? These questions on which Merrill must ponder soon.

There no time to ponder on question at time of question, there not even time for Merrill to ask question of friends to start discussion to lead to understanding, because room on other side of possibly secret possibly door supposedly empty but certainly not. Merrill read that sentence back and is confused by it himself. Please forgive Merrill, it imprecise to write down words which are better spoken. For sake of Eleanor, who dislike when Merrill attempt to be very precise when words not precise enough, causing Merrill to use more words to be clear in all things, Merrill only say this. Where empty room should be, there were people. Orc people, goblin people, hobgoblin people, and wolves. They possibly people too, but Merrill never have chance to find out.

We enter.

They attack.

Moons, but fight was brutal! Merrill certain that if not for Dagne, the cleric friends brought along, Merrill would not be alive now to write these words on paper. For certain, Merrill fought as bravely as Merrill could, by side of Randall and Ben. But Ben busy with two fights near front, Randall busy being stabbed by Orc and Goblin and savaged by Wolf, Merrill suddenly busy fighting Goblin and Orc. There many, many more chips in staff Merrill was given on his tenyear. But staff still good. Staff held. Staff held until it was knocked from Merrill's hands, and suddenly Merrill find himself fighting with claws in style of Two Moons Dancing.

Merrill believe he was struck at least twice in those confused moments, certainly Merrill remember staggering back and being healed by Dagne. Then Merrill swap places with Randall, who also struck many many time. Clawed kick, four claw strike, Two Moons raged until enemies begin fall back. There more light in room than Merrill remember, and Merrill then see wall of flame that been put there by Erizax the Wise, between us an enemy. Well... most of us and enemy, because Merrill and Randall still fighting, until no enemy left to fight.

For brief moment there time to retrieve staff, and Merrill did so. It one thing to sharpen claw on armour, it always better to hit armour from further away. At this moment, Merrill so confused and overwhelmed with sound and fury and Spirit of Moons that when Ben run forward to attack enemies, Merrill follow as soon as Merrill could. A swift strike of crescent moon with staff to angry Orc, and then wall of flame move past Merrill. Luckily no fur singed... Erizax getting good at that.

Then out of fire springs Orc. Or Orc spring away from fire towards Merrill. Merrill no longer remember. All Merrill remember is that one moment he standing and ready to face all foes with Fury of Two Moons, and then suddenly Merrill falling back with blood on robes and sharp pain. Then Merrill remember looking up at Dagne first, who stop Merrill from bleeding own blood, and then very worried face of Eleanor who offer Merrill two bottles of healing potion. That very generous! Of course, fight over by then, and Merrill drank with gratitude.

Merrill matched gift with gift, and offered two healing potions to Eleanor. In honesty, Merrill was touched by Swift Eleanor's worry.

Then come difficult question, such as might be asked in Temple at twilight of day when Little Moon has caught Big Moon, day before Two Moons dance. It Erizax who ask question. Is it better to stay and keep eye on door through which enemies have gone, or go back to town and recover from fight?

Many good arguments made, and Merrill flatter himself in saying that he made several good arguments himself, but in the end it was Eleanor who made most convincing argument. Why wait in dark, dangerous, damp room next to enemy, when we can wait in comfortable inn with soft beds and warm food?

If ever more compelling argument ever made, Merrill has not yet heard it.

Tomorrow we go back to mine and finish job. But tonight, Merrill sleep in warm bed and eat warm food.

Things could be worse, yes?