DF Novices, Team-A, Session 58 - Diary of Merrill Tangled Tail
We are actually up to session 61, but the blog is a little behind. Here is a late summary of session 58 from the player of Merrill.
Party roster:
Ben, half-ogre barbarian, 177 points (PC)
Doran Longbeard, dwarf warrior (knight), 203 points (PC)
Eleanor Bayley, human thief, 233 points (PC)
- Dagne Timar, human priestess of Metallys (cleric), 147 points (NPC Hireling)
Erizax Ofaris, human wizard, 232 points (PC)
Randall, human veteran (knight), 157 points (NPC)
Maximilian "Stout" Grupher III, goblin cleric of Ishtanna, 121 points (PC)
Merrill Tangled Tail, cat-folk martial artist, 140 points (PC)
Campaign Date: 27 November, Year 645 of the Vycenaean Empire.
------
Diary of Merrill Tangled Tail:
There many things that bring Merrill joy. Warm spot by fire, good food, bright day with no rain, sparring with skilled opponent, speaking of things, listening to others, help where Merrill can... Many many things, yes yes. But still, Merrill certain greatest joy in long long time is seeing friends again.
It been many days since Merrill become student of Master Sillis. Lately, it seem to Merrill that Master Sillis hinting more and more strongly that perhaps it time Merrill leave again. Of this, Merrill not entirely certain, but certain as certain can be that perhaps slight hints given. Scratch also not getting friendlier to Merrill, no matter how much Merrill try be friendly, and perhaps Merrill too sensitive to tense mood. So when Merrill walked down to Cribble to clear head early in early morning, for moment Merrill not certain if not seeing things. It true Merrill hope that friends come to Cribble before snows melt, but it impossible to know if letter sent to Eleanor the Swift arrive swiftly. Or at all. But when Merrill walk into inn with no name, there friends! For moment Merrill so uncertain, that Merrill go back out and come in again, to make certain. Friends still there!
Many many things need saying in short moment of time, and all things said after Merrill give each friend hug, including new friend who very small and shaped like Goblin. Friends say, little goblin is Stout, but has longer name. Merrill never meet goblin before with long name and good manners, so Merrill call new friend Stout as new friend request.
Then Eleanor take Merrill outside to speak of other things, important things, and things Merrill need know that happen since Merrill leave Bridgegate. Merrill and Eleanor still speaking of things when messenger arrive on horse, looking for Erizax. There brief confusion about who sent messenger with message, or which message messenger need say, until Erizax tell messenger he not go anywhere until messenger pass message and say who sent message with messenger. Finally messenger say that messenger and message sent by Squire of Mere, and that master of Erizax missing, but messenger told specifically not to pass message to avoid panic. This seem strange to Merrill, but Merrill not know if this normal for messages sent by Squires. Erizax thank messenger and sent messenger on way with message to Squire.
When all ready, friends go hunt for Troll to north of lake. This exciting! Merrill like village of Cribble much much. It small, it not complicated, it full of people who live lives that not complicated and want lives to remain that way. Merrill was hoping to convince friends to go hunt Troll, but now they come to Cribble to hunt Troll anyway, thanks to letter Merrill sent to Eleanor.
It perhaps strange, but Merrill feel that Eleanor... still swift, yes yes, but also guiding friends on correct path. That not new, but it first time Merrill feel it strongly, and Merrill certain Eleanor found new path to walk. This good. Very good, yes yes.
As friends walk and talk, Merrill listen. Friends say much friends not aware they saying, but there things Merrill write down on slate in mind. Of thing Merrill remember clearly, it seem Ben very very much want go fishing, seeing lake so clear and pure, but Ben not have equipment to fish. This little odd to Merrill, because friends arrive yesterday, in village of people who fish.
Late night, Merrill meditate in peace after eating good good food. Eleanor kind enough to bring special food for Merrill from Bridgegate, with new backpack and belt for potions for Merrill also. It heavy, but they gifts. Merrill not complain about weight of gifts, that way of spoiled kitten, not way of master. Still, Merrill happy when it time to make camp and set down burdens. There brief discussion about watches, and who in which tent, and if necessary to put camp further towards lake to be safe from Troll. Merrill point out that Troll known to attack boats who come too close to shore, so putting camp on shore of lake probably not great defense.
When Merrill done meditating, it time to crawl into tent and sleep. Merrill certain there was talk of which tent Merrill supposed to sleep in, but Merrill not listening at time, and so find nearest warm tent and go to sleep. There no shriek in darkness or complaint, so Merrill probably in correct tent. Mrrr, warm. This much better than when Merrill sleep in bush on way to Cribble.
In morning, Ben find track of Troll. This very exciting, yes yes! It mean Troll near, and if Troll near, then soon it time to deal with Troll. Ben lead friends to follow tracks, and tracks lead through narrow space between rocks into beautiful basin with tiered rock terraces and lake in middle that shine like diamond in morning light. Merrill first to admit Merrill not too fond of swimming in water, but even to Merrill lake look beautiful.
Merrill admits now to being distracted by beauty of lake. There discussion about who go where, and Eleanor trying to get attention of Merrill and Erizax and Doran. But at same moment, Troll appear. To surprise of Merrill, Troll not coming out of cave, but suddenly on top rim of basin, eating what Merrill believe is breakfast. Certainly Troll chewing on bone of sort, holding axe in other hand, and demand know what people doing near lake of Troll. Merrill say that friends looking for Troll. Troll then say that friends need pay toll. This unexpected, so Merrill ask how large is toll?
There response from Troll, but it interrupted by Erizax waving hands and making ball of fire appear on head of staff. Troll not like this, throws away bone, and jump down with axe ready.
Quick as quick, Merrill run toward Troll. Ben on wrong side of basin, Doran not quick as Merrill, Stout too little to fight Troll, and Erizax much much too close to Troll for safety. So Merrill feel it duty to protect friends and delay Troll until Ben arrive to deal with Troll.
It only when Troll very close that Merrill realise how big is Troll. Bigger than Ben. To Merrill it seem, Troll as big as mountain. Angry mountain. Merrill still skidding into place on treacherous loose rock of ledge when Merrill realise mistake. But is Merrill not on path of master? Is Merrill not quick as quick? Is Merrill not skilled? And, this important, is Merrill now not also student of way of Ten Tigers?
So Merrill gather chi, and roar at Troll for first time. It good roar! Merrill told, roar of chi root opponent to spot, and Merrill confident in skill of roaring Kiai.
But Troll not impressed, and take swing at Merrill with very very large axe.
In reflex, Merrill put new staff between self and axe. And with splintering crack, staff break in half. Staff that was gift of Eleanor when Merrill being on path of master, staff that defeated Scratch, staff that fought Master Sillis... staff that Merrill planning to carry for rest of life. Broken.
Moons, but this bad bad!
Comments
Post a Comment