DF Novices, Team-A, Sessions 60 and 61 - Diary of Merrill Tangled Tail
Here is a summary of sessions 60 and 61 from the player of Merrill. As always, I am giving out an Impulse Point to any player who writes a summary for the blog.
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 Dates: 28 November to 3 December, Year 645 of the Vycenaean Empire.
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Diary of Merrill Tangled Tail:
*This entry is written on a page half torn out of the diary, with at least one preceding page missing.*
After finding cave of Troll and treasure of Troll in cave, friends return to Cribble. It take longer than walking to north of lake, because everyone moving slow slow. In end, Merrill decide to keep broken staff and try to find skilled master of woodworking later. Merrill very certain that Merrill will have to explain what means Kintsugi, but it worth it. Of mistakes lessons are learned, yes yes, and there no master that Merrill know of that not made mistakes in life.
Perhaps Master Lomarr... but that impossible to say.
Still, Merrill certain that it possible to save staff, and one day look back proudly on unique pattern of Wabi Sabi. One mistake not end of path. That too is lesson to learn.
However, this mean that Merrill now carrying broken staff and staff that used to belong to Erizax, and much coin, which heavy. So much coin that it not fit in coin pouch. Erizax offer to carry all coins Merrill could not carry in pouch, but Eleanor say that perhaps Merrill should carry coins in backpack, and scoop up coins that fell out of pouch. That very kind. But Merrill also concerned... this more coin than Merrill ever before carry.
Slowest of all for while is Stout, who carrying head of Troll. Merrill not certain why, but also see no reason to ask Stout to leave head. It late evening when friends arrive back in Cribble, and there crowd of villagers waiting. They seen friends walk along shore of lake, and want know what happen. Then they see head of Troll, and know what happen. Friends and Merrill invited into Inn with no name, and ask about how Troll defeated. Merrill about to tell tale when Erizax quickly whisper to Merrill to not let villagers know that Erizax is mage. This little bit difficult, so Merrill need to change what Merrill going to say, and so tale that Merrill told... not entirely truthful. It good tale, of that Merrill is certain, but it not truth. It shock Merrill to see how easy it is to not tell truth when it convenient, and Merrill meditate and sleep badly that night.
Before sleeping, Merrill ask Eleanor if perhaps Eleanor would do Merrill honour of going up hills and meet Master Sillis. It important, Merrill think, that when student leaves Master, Master know in which company student leaves. And Merrill certain Sillis approve of Eleanor, yes yes!
It not to be. When Merrill wake up early, after bad night of no dream, Erizax already awake and urge Merrill it important friends go to Mere first thing in morning. This seem very serious, and Merrill ask Erizax how important it to Erizax to go find master. After all, Merrill never remember Erizax speaking of master except perhaps in passing word, but it very clear immediately that Erizax more worried about master than Merrill first thought. This serious as dark moon!
So when morning come, Merrill speak with Eleanor and change plans. Eleanor not mind sudden change, and begin organising food for trek to Mere. In end, friends receive much much food for trail, although there no special food for Merrill as Merrill know well, and there even fishing gear for Ben, with spare in case of breaking. This put smile on face of Merrill. People of Cribble always friendly and generous, yes yes, and Merrill suggest to Haldor that perhaps he name Inn with no name. Merrill suggest name 'The Troll's Head'. Perhaps when next Merrill come to Cribble, there new sign outside of inn...
It take several days to cross Strider Barrens, but Ben always certain of way and direction. In truth, Merrill very impressed with Ben, and how Ben find way so easily across terrain that to Merrill all look the same. Ben even find comfortable places to build camp when to eyes of Merrill there nothing around but flat land, rock, and dry grass. It uncanny! Merrill only wish that Ben more confident of own skills, and Merrill decide to be guiding master to Ben. Not for skill, because skill no problem for Ben, but for confidence. Merrill know that Ben think of self as stupid and fit only to stand in front of enemy and hit hard with axe. But Merrill know better. Ben smart and kind, and these things Merrill going help Ben express, yes yes!
There small commotion in morning when close to Mere. Eleanor yell at Doran that, next time Doran on watch and hear people sneak around camp, Doran wake others. True, Erizax in some way protecting camp with spell, but Merrill not know which. Merrill only know Merrill sleeping very well in warm tent.
To Merrill, Mere look much like Cribble, if bit smaller. That not mean there less people, but people smaller. Merrill seen few halflings before in Temple and Bridgegate, but this first time Merrill seeing entire village of halflings. In truth, it make Merrill smile. Halflings very happy people, happy as Merrill, and usually have good food. Good food and happy people, these two things that bring Merrill joy.
People waiting for friends not halflings but humans. One is Squire, other is scribe, other other is... bodyguard of Squire? Merrill not certain, but it certainly appear this way. Squire look at friends and seem confused. Confused or disappointed. It sound to Merrill that Squire expecting Erizax come alone. That curious.
This where Merrill confess that Merrill sometimes appear more weary of world than truly true. But Merrill used to listening, and hearing, and pondering. And then Squire ask Erizax to follow to house of Squire, where Squire speak to Erizax. Alone. That moment Merrill remember that friends spoken before of other mage that go missing in Mere. And that other mage missing in Mere was apprentice of mage that now missing, who named Termion. That very curious to Merrill. Squire also very anxious disappearance of Termion remain secret.
After short while, Erizax leave house and lead friends to house of Master Termion. It that moment, Merrill ask question. Merrill used to asking questions, that purpose of Path of Two Moons. But Merrill learn on Path of Ten Tigers, that while it important to know Why, How, and What... but it also important to know When. So Merrill ask question when out of shot of ear of Squire.
Why Squire send messenger to Erizax in Bridgegate, when Baron to who village belong much much closer?
Erizax not know answer.
Merrill can tell that Eleanor understand weight of question. If Squire truly worry about Termion, why send messenger far far away when there more help close by? Why ask for third mage to come to place where two mages already missing? Why expect third mage to come alone?
These questions that go around mind of Merrill when friends arrive at house of Master Termion, which is nice little house against side of much bigger tower. Friends wonder What and Where, sometimes even How, and Erizax cast many many spell to see with eyes that not in head through closed door and other side of wall. Merrill knock on door of tower, but get no answer. Ben look through window, and say Ben certain that window been forced open before.
It short matter to open window, and there short discussion about going into house of Termion or not, because Termion not like visitors. Question of If not usually important on either Path of Two Moons or Path of Ten Tigers, so Merrill slip in through window while discussion taking place, followed swiftly by Eleanor the Swift.
There we find that it almost certain Termion truly missing. Merrill certain Termion not taken from house, since no key on inside of lock, and certain as certain that Termion not intended to stay away this long, because there food in pantry that spoiled. When cheese at point of making more cheese, it sure sign someone been away for some time. There also small statue on ground by chair, and Erizax tell us not to touch. Then Erizax climb in through window, and touch small statue, speaking word which Merrill never before heard and knows not how to write down.
Statue then grow into tall being who introduce self as Eleven. It appear Eleven sort of guardian to Termion, but Termion not take Eleven with when last Termion leave house. Erizax ask if Termion go to swamp to gather herbs and Eleven say that yes, this Eleven remember Termion saying. Then Eleven ask if Termion in trouble, then insist Eleven go with friends. Unfortunately Eleven not able to remain awake for long, so Erizax turn Eleven back into statue and take statue with.
Before leaving for swamp, where Eleven warn magic not work, Eleanor want replenish stock of food for everyone. Merrill happy to find that special spices and incense available in Mere, so Merrill can eat again without worry about not having food at end of week. Then Erizax go speak with elderly halfling, and Merrill decide it time to meet locals. Elderly Halfling called Groak, and Groak very happy to speak to Merrill. Merrill also very happy to speak to Groak and drink together. Normally Merrill drink milk, and in truth Merrill not do well with alcohol, but there no harm in small beer. Of Groak, Merrill learn many many interesting things about village. Groak tell Merrill that whole village concerned for Termion, because it Termion who defend village from bandits and raiders, usually with much fire. It so effective, village never needed soldiers, or protection from anyone except Termion. Groak also say that village pay taxes to Baron, via Squire, who work for Duke. There many thing Groak say that make Merrill nod, and smile, and think.
When discussion over, and Merrill bid good day and bright moons to Groak with promises to share more drinks when Merrill return, Merrill have many things to ponder. Of many things that Merrill ponders, it seem most likely to Merrill that it in best interest of Baron that Termion never found. So when friends walk out of village and are on road, Merrill share this thought with friends. It seem that for first time friends consider that this possibly not simple case of old mage that get lost in swamp when gathering herbs. It when friends ponder this, that Stout whisper to Eleanor, and then to Merrill, that friends being followed.
So Eleanor and Merrill wander back towards village, together and without seeming care, so that if someone need to speak to Merrill, they can speak to Merrill without being seen in village. But it take while before it clear we being followed by sneak sneak, and with transparent ruse Merrill corner sneak behind bush.
Immediately Merrill sorry about it, because sneak sneak is small halfling child. So Merrill squat down and speak pleasantly to child, who seem terrified of Merrill, until Merrill realise child more terrified of punishment by whoever sent little one. So Merrill let little one go, and promised little one that Merrill not angry one bit. Eleanor follow little one, but by time Merrill arrive in village, Eleanor tell Merrill that it not worth pursuing. Eleanor refuse to tell Merrill where little one go to, and Merrill know better than try to change mind of Eleanor. It more simple to change path of moons in heavens.
So Merrill and Eleanor walk back to friends and continue on way...
This very curious place, with mystery that mysterious. But if Merrill ever find out anyone in village threaten or punish child for being caught, then Merrill swear by Light of Bright Moons and Claws of Ten Tigers, that someone soon be very sorry.
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