DF Novices, Team-A, Sessions 67 and 68 - Diary of Merrill Tangled Tail

       Here is a recap of sessions 67 and 68 from the player of Merrill. We played two sessions in the same week, to see if we could resolve the party's fight for freedom. Once again, things didn't exactly go according to plan...

Session Dates:    Tuesday 5 March and Thursday 7 March 2024

Party roster:

Ben, half-ogre barbarian, 176 points (PC)
Doran Longbeard, dwarf warrior (knight), 202 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, 139 points (PC)

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

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Diary of Merrill Tangled Tail:

*The singed and fragmentary notes continue, seemingly written over a longer period of time in different colours of ink*

First thing bandits do, they take away weapons. Second thing bandits do, they split magic friends from friends who not magic. It seem bandits not think Chi is magic, because Merrill allowed to sit with Doran and Randall and Ben and Eleanor. It last of those that Merrill can not look at without ears burning with shame. Doran seem very concerned for axe, and Merrill not blame him. It nice axe! It hard to imagine Doran losing axe again. Merrill tried to claim staff is for walking, but look he got back from bandit was very dirty. They even find all knives, but forget Merrill has knives on end of fingers and toes. Still, for moment, it probably best not to remind bandits. Already Merrill is without use of one leg, does not want to lose fingers and toes as well!

Leader of bandits ask questions. Where we come from? What we doing? Where we going? Do we know of more clerics? Merrill volunteer that there is rumour of cleric in area, but that friends not know where to find them. Then Merrill try to sneak potion, but bandit see, and call out to leader. Merrill say it only healing potion, for leg, and it probably better for all if prisoner can walk yes? Leader of bandits, he agree, and tell bandits to let Merrill drink potion. It take two potions, but then Merrill feel better. Until bandit reminds Merrill that arrow need to come out of leg.

It much like fishing hook. Never pull, always push through.

Did Merrill say it hurt like thing that hurts lots?

It hurt like thing that hurts lots!

But when Merrill flex leg, it flex. That good, it mean there now whole range of options. Walking, standing, running... fighting, yes yes.

Leader of bandits, who same leader of bandits that friends fight before going into Marsh, say to bandits to gag magic friends, and bring prisoners along. Oh, and if magic friends make trouble, to kill friends who not magic. Then leader of bandits fly away, on pair of large wings that sprout from back. It uncanny!

Without leader, bandits decide to give friends back backpacks but not weapons. Then line up friends to start walking. Quick as quick, Merrill take spot behind Erizax, who like other magic friends has hands tied behind back. Merrill thinking, if he can use claws on rope tying hands, he can free hands of Erizax and then magic deal with bandits for long enough until friends grab weapons and we make fight of things. But that take time, and much subtle things, yes yes.

But soon, there cry from side of column, from bandit. Suddenly one bandit slump to grass, and everyone confused. In moment, Merrill jump forward to slash at bindings, but backpack of Erizax get in way, and Merrill certain he only get few strands of rope and too much fingers of Erizax. So Merrill jump back in line before bandits see, thinking he try again when next there confusion.

And then there more confusion. Suddenly there bright flash where Erizax stand, and Merrill's eyes suddenly hurt, and then everything go dark. Dark as night. Dark as ... very, very dark thing. But Merrill can still hear, and from sounds there is now fight starting. With paws over eyes, Merrill stumble around until he hear voice of Eleanor nearby, calling for friends to get together. So Merrill follow sound of voice, and soon there no more darkness, but brightness. There bright spots dancing in front of Merrill, and it take moments to realise spots not really there, but seen by eyes that seen thing that much too bright. It hard to see things that close by, or far away, or in between. Merrill suddenly feel like bumbling student all over again.

Suddenly bandits everywhere. It seem they decide that, because magic friends cause trouble, they now kill everyone. It soon desperate fight! Merrill and Eleanor quick as quick, but that no help when outnumbered, and needing to cover flanks and backs of other friends. Bandits all around, using swords, and soon it desperate case of swatting away swords and throwing bandits to ground for stronger friends to deal with. Merrill can hear Randall fighting, and Ben being raging menace behind, and Doran shouting in language that clearly meant for insulting in. Merrill have no time for shouting, too busy covering flank of Randall and Eleanor, staying away from sharp bits and pointy bits of swords that being swung everywhere.

Seconds come and seconds go, and there no clear path through fight. Bandits falling nearby, for no reason that Merrill can see, and then there suddenly wolf. So Merrill shout 'wolves' in hopes bandits turn around so Merrill can use claws without getting paws chopped off, but next moment there sword where Merrill not expecting sword, and it cut deep. Deep enough that Merrill nearly fall over, that hurt! Ground suddenly moving and tilting, but then Merrill suddenly feel better. It kind of feeling better that only come from cleric, and it impossible to say if it Stout or Dagne who help. But it great help! There moment, just for moment, where Merrill can see it possible for friends to rush and each tackle one bandit, then break free. Break free or win fight, yes yes! It just take one moment, one chance!

Next moment, second sword slash into Merrill's ribs, and moment of rushing vanish. But there still hope, there still chance! If Merrill can stand here, and keep busy these three bandits, then everything still well. Everything still possible.

Simply... need to stand... keep busy...

... stand... parry...

... ... stand... ...

Why... everything... going... black......?