Played on 14 Oct 2026
Today, Elmer moved in the reef!
They hardly got to say hi before all the creatures started darting into the sponges for cover as a dark shadow loomed. The passing silver cloud turned out to be a giant school of herring. As they passed through, they picked the algae clean.
The populous reef is going to get hungry if we don’t find more food quickly. We decided to return to the site of the big clam, a creature that offers a good amount of flesh without being too much of a threat.
The clam was right where they last saw it. Polpo used their fork to jam it open, while others darted in and out quickly to retrieve its pearl and meat. Glad that I could help carry a sliver of clam meat with my tail!
On the way back, another huge school of 600 mackerels swam passed us. I wonder what a school of this size looks like when they have to stop for some sleep? We were almost home when we met a lost nudibranch who was looking for a safe haven.
They were friendly and warm from the get go, asking a dozen questions about our journeys. A real extrovert! We shepherded them to the reef, deposited them and all the clam meat that we harvested. That should be enough food for now.
With no more pressing needs from the reef, we decided to ride the currents and explore a new area. Midway, we found ourselves surrounded by a gang of nautiloids.
They kept shoving their shells in our face and sticking out their tentacles, so we decided to take them out. I landed my first blow on one of these boys! They didn’t stand much of a chance and we were soon on our way again. The reef veterans recounted the tale of their previous encounter with nautiloids, when they were being kicked around by the dolphins. I made a mental note to stay out of a dolphin’s way.
After we passed some sandy grounds, we came upon a little hill with some coral growth. It’s another reef! Peeking out from some stones, a spiny Buffalo Sculpin called us over with their low, booming voice.
Uncertain about their motivation, we tasked a Clownfish Bro to sound them out. They was upfront about their desires of wanting to implement an experimental commune, where mixed fish of all kinds would live together. As a predator, it’d have to eat some of the fish from time to time but it’d offer its strengths to the community in other ways! I don’t know what that meant exactly, but may the other fish who decide to take up residence here clarify that they move in. It asked us to convince creatures we meet to move into its reef, and in turn, it will learn how to speak Reef.
We decided that we’ve seen enough on this excursion and turned back so we can relay the discovery of another reef. Along the course, we spotted a long, glistening fabric that bobbled all the way to the surface. It turned out to be a blanket octopus that we managed to evade.
Once we returned to the reef and shared the tale of the Buffalo Reef, we ventured out again in search for a new shell for School Locker. Coincidentally, we bumped into a huge Triton snail whose shell was the perfect size.
I learnt about O(cean)D&D while surfing blogs and discovered session reports recounting tales of the reef. I was so intrigued by its premise that I went to seek out a game.
I was largely passive since this was a game of many firsts for me (first underwater game aside, I’ve never joined an open table, seen a hexmap in-game nor played OD&D) but I had a good time. I really enjoyed the premise, and exploring the vastness of the ocean. It was interesting embodying an animal character, without anthropomorphising it. How do I carry things as a creature without hands? I simply can’t. That’s the beauty of it.