"I will clear this Exhausted Mine that threatens your farm, Corrick."
I had more than a faint smile on my face as I read this. The entire episode hurtles us to this conclusion. By the end, Buffy's decision was inevitable. Given who she is, there is simply nothing else she could do.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Mar 1 2011, 06:29 PM

Yeah Buffy !!!! This was always one of my fave chapters in the original Buffy stories, love this chapter !!! Awesome Write !!! WOO HOO !!!

Well, the other Buffy-compatible options were:

"I've already cleared that mine" which would deprive us of another great chapter, and

"I'll wipe out every Goblin in Cyrodiil" which would deprive us of everything else.

Buffy's even taking us readers into consideration! (I suspect help from someone else in that decision).

I love the description of Buffy’s empathic healing. I hope Corrick can find his spark again, his situation is so sad. Sounds like it’s time for some goblin hunting!

LOL I'm glad Corrick didn't take offense.

Good chapter! I liked the description of Buffy's healing powers!

There isn't much for me to say that hasn't already been said. It's a beautiful place, but I can understand the luster has gone from it for Corrick now that he is all alone in the world. He's been deprived of all his reasons for living, and is adrift at the moment.

But death by Goblins certainly isn't the way to go. Just ask Julian. I'm glad Buffy is planning to handle things on that end. This is how one makes friends, especially the best kind. And there is no doubt Corrick Northwode will be one of the best friends Buffy will have.

(In the tune of Follow the Yellow Brick Road)

We're off to slay some goblins! Some wonderful goblins to kill! Their blood shall decorate the walls and we will all cheer you on still!

Go get em' Buffy! Vengeance will be had for this lonely farmer's grief. I suggest you restrict yourself to frost damage, as well (if possible). As you know, revenge is a dish best served cold.

ROFL !!! OOPS !!! In my head I am hearing this:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK0gXuifSAA


(Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)






This post has been edited by mALX: Mar 2 2011, 03:22 AM

82 was the second episode of Buffy's four part miniseries, 'Harm's Folly'. She decided to stay at the farm for the night with plans to try and teach Corrick to use his new staff the following day. Upon learning more about Corrick's woes however, she decided she would also clear nearby Exhausted Mine of the goblins that had been plaguing his farm.

SubRosa- Thank you! Buffy is intrigued by goblins and doesn't hate them any more than wolves. It was therefore important to build quite a compelling reason for her to go hunt them, and I'm so pleased it produced a smile of agreement from you!

mALX- Thank you for those kind words! How clever that your 'Goodby Yellow Brick Road' sings about a farm!

ghastley- Heh. I'm hoping to present a little depth to goblins in the next couple episodes. Thanks!

Grits- Thank you! Buffy's empathic healing is both a curse and a blessing. The physical constraints of having to touch her patients and receive some of their pain is the curse. Her ability to diagnose and even glimpse into the character of her patients is the blessing. Regardless, she has her paladin to both thank and blame.

King Coin- Buffy felt pretty safe agreeing to stay the night. Thank you for liking the powers and limitations of her healing.

Rider- Your kind words regarding poor dear Corrick let me know that my intent came through loud and clear. Thank you!

Thomas Kaira- Thank you! Buffy's mantle of vengeance and dark feelings of revenge are generally reserved for humanoids possessing the free will to choose the path of evil. She likens goblins to clever packs of wolves acting more on instinct than free will. Since she considers Corrick's claim on Harm's Folly to be greater than that of the goblins, clearing them will be a task that is necessary, but not one that will give her pleasure. Heh, on the frost damage recommendation, Buffy only really knows enough about frost to extinguish torches or perhaps chill a bottle of ale. She's gonna have to rely on what she does best: bow and illusion.



I stood in amazement, my mouth open. Displayed before me, in the first streaks of morning light, was all of Cyrodiil itself. I could clearly see the Imperial City, with its White Gold Tower reaching almost to the clouds. There was that horrible prison, where I had watched Emperor Uriel Septim die. Behind the city, I could see my Arcane University. Looking even farther to the south, I sighed as I wistfully imagined that I could even see Bravil.

"Now you understand why Kayleen and I chose this spot." Corrick Northwode pulled open the gate to his split rail fence around Harm's Folly. "Not a day goes by that I don't work this land and marvel at that view."

Closing my mouth and nodding silently, I removed the enchanted staff from my back. I looked to see that Superian was safely behind the farm house. "Okay, whatever we do Corrick, let's not point this thing at the straw roof of your home." Extending a finger, I added, "In fact, let's aim for that large stone down the hill there."

Directing the end of the staff toward my target, I thought about a fireball and began to feel destructive magic growing within me. No, Buffy, it's not supposed to take magicka; the staff should have its own power. Oh, I wished I had paid more attention at school. I concentrated on the staff and imagined fire flying from it. An orange spark or two popped out but simply fizzled to the ground. Trying again, with better focus this time, I was rewarded when each of the gnarled tips at the end of the staff began to flicker in unison. A fireball quickly formed and flew down the hill. I missed the intended boulder of course, but almost squealed with excitement nonetheless.

Within a few more tries, I could successfully shoot magical fire from the enchanted length of wood. By adjusting position of the staff's tail for alignment, I could even hit the target sometimes. Handing the weapon to Corrick, I tried to explain what I had learned.

The farmer progressed rather quickly. I guessed part of that was his Bretonic natural affinity for magic. Before the sun had climbed but a small way, he too was displaying some accuracy.

"Well done, Corrick!" I giggled then added, "especially given the poor credentials of your teacher. Okay, now I'll have you try it on a target that's alive - well, sort of."

Forming a sphere of magicka in my hand I tossed it in front of us. As a skeleton materialized, I said, "Get ready, but don't fire yet." I cast another spell to infuse the bones of the summon with a lavender glow that would help Azura's Star capture its energy. "Now Corrick, blast away!"

The Breton obediently launched a fireball from the staff. As the skeleton evaporated in flame, I heard the soft reassuring 'whoosh'. Removing the Star of Azura from my pack, I partially charged the weapon. We repeated this exercise several more times, resulting in a fully charged staff and a farmer proficient in its use. I handed Corrick several soul gems, each softly glowing with energy, and explained their usage. I then pointed toward the Imperial City, "Can you see the Arcane University?"

"Yes, just behind the city," Corrick replied. "Why?"

"The University can recharge your staff also, as well as sell you more filled soul gems." I continued gently, "Just to the left of the Imperial City, is a small island rising from Lake Rumare. It is the site of a beautiful grove called Wellspring. That is where the wood for this staff was grown. It is also where Arnaud died bravely."

Corrick looked toward the island, then at me. "Buffy, you've done much for me - and Arnaud." He shouldered the long weapon. "I seem to be a little better with this staff than my mace. I will come with you to Exhausted Mine. You have given me hope and confidence. Between the two of us, I believe we can eliminate those goblins once and for all."

"No, Corrick." I shook my head. "I believe you have a son to reunite with his mother. Don't worry though, I'm at my best when fighting alone, and I'll stay safely in the shadows. Besides," I smiled, "I need you to ensure no harm comes to Superian while I'm gone."

*

Two life forces began to glow at the edge of my twin rings' ability to detect them. Taking out my map, I figured I was halfway down the slope from Harm's Folly toward Exhausted Mine. The glows were likely goblin sentries. I crouched and quietly moved among the bushes and boulders until I had an unobstructed long-range view. The pinkish signs of life were near a rocky outcropping that could be the mine entrance.

After poisoning an arrow, I fitted its tail to Slayer's silk bowstring. As I concentrated on the distant glows, they snapped sharply into focus. Two goblins all right. One had a short sword and shield, the other a bow. After carefully aiming, I loosed my arrow at the archer. The missile struck the left side of the goblin's chest. His mouth flew open, but at this range it was a silent cry. The off-center impact staggered and spun him around, thereby confusing the direction my arrow had come from. I could see his body turning a deeper shade of green as he struggled to remain on his feet. Within a few seconds, he collapsed.

His companion launched into a frenzy of activity, searching for me. Confident in my stealthy perch and distance, I calmly watched and waited for him to give up. I used the time to review what I knew of goblins.

Not surprisingly, the Mystic Archives at the University had little information on them. I had fought them before, but not in large numbers. Under the supervision of Boderi Farano, I had even isolated and sparred with individual goblins to improve my ability to block and more effectively use my armor. What I knew about them was from limited first-hand experience and a conversation I now recalled with a goblin hunter named Parwen.

I first noticed the archer at the West Weald Inn in Skingrad. We were both Bosmeri women with bows, but there the similarity ended. The mail-clad Parwen had brown hair and eyes, a dagger riding on her hip and she quite filled the top of her cuirass. I consoled myself, speculating that perhaps her large breasts interfered with shooting a bow. At any rate, we struck up a conversation. While breaking bread and sharing a bottle of Tamika's, I learned that Parwen was a member of the Fighters Guild. She seemed quite familiar with hunting local goblins.

Based on what she had told me and my own experience, I found goblins rather fascinating. They had a tribal system, apparently centered around spellcasters called shamans. Territorial disputes were common, and their raiding parties were often led by warlords. Known for coordinating their efforts and a cooperative social structure, they even raised rats for food.

Unfortunately for Corrick, they were also known to raid farms for vegetables and attack anyone who was not a member of their tribe.

By now the distant pink glow, whose search efforts I was monitoring, had given up and returned to his sentry duties.

I had wondered, with their sophisticated culture, if goblins were some form of primitive cave mer. I knew however, that the Star of Azura considered their magical energy to be that of creatures. Likening them to extremely clever packs of wolves, I believed they lacked the degree of free will found in men and mer.

I might confess some satisfaction in killing evil beings that possessed a free will to choose their own path, such as necromancers or bandits; however I took no more pleasure in dispatching goblins than I did wolves or lions. Sometimes killing them was simply necessary. I had determined that, on behalf of Corrick Northwode, this was one of those times.

First though, I would ask the remaining sentry in front of the mine to provide me some training. After a few moments spent rummaging in my pack, I stripped off my buckskins and blouse. I then tugged on a set of light mail greaves, pulled my boots back on and donned a hardened leather scale cuirass.

I snuck down the hill undetected, stopping about thirty paces from the pink glow. As I rose from my crouch in the tall grass, I launched a spell at the goblin.

My new ally promptly sprinted to a position just in front of me and waited for my command. Making a small incision along his forearm with my hunting knife, I drizzled the contents of a green vial over the wound. The poison would permanently damage the goblin's strength, thereby reducing his ability to hurt me. After sheathing my blade, I gulped down two shield potions and unshouldered Slayer. I quickly reviewed the procedures I would use if more goblins emerged from the mine: Command my sparring partner to fight on my behalf, then summon a skeleton and disappear to seek a safe shooting perch.

As my illusionary control faded, the goblin raised his arms and shrieked a challenge.

Shielding magic flashed into my bow as I raised it to block the goblin's crude short sword. I practiced keeping my elbow flexed and tried to deflect his blows - as Mazoga had taught me. I maneuvered as I needed, careful to keep the entrance to the mine in sight. Once satisfied, I cast a spell on the goblin that caused him to fall limply to the ground.

Before he could recover from the paralysis enough to sense pain, I killed him with a single arrow. I did not hate goblins; rather, I respected them as creatures of nature, and worthy opponents. Besides, they had big pointed ears just like me.

The training session helped my blocking and even improved my ability to maneuver wearing light armor. I lamented the fact that I could not cast spells with even so much as an arrow or potion in my right hand. The only exception Boderi had ever been able to drill into me was a left-handed spell to reinforce my bow for blocking. I knew battlemages could loose devastating magic with a shield in one hand and a weapon in the other, but I could not.

There was so much more for me to master. That's why I sparred with goblins and lived with the bruises. It was the same reason I practiced with my bow and cleared chapel undercrofts until the calluses on my bow fingers bled. Almost every night before bed I practiced spells, stopping only when my hands were magicka-burned. Enough idle thinking, Buffy.

The arrow that I cut free from the body at my feet, once wiped down and inspected, made its way back into my quiver. Although the other goblin had broken the shaft of my arrow when he fell, I was able to salvage five serviceable ones from his quiver.

The entrance to the mine in front of me was marked by the skulls of men and mer on stakes; I had learned this was a common totem used by goblins. Nearby, grew green stain cup which was useful for poisons that could damage speed or even kill. I also found summer bolete - a key ingredient for my shield potions. I made a note to gather some of each once my task at the mine was complete.

After checking the tension and condition of my bowstring, I recharged Slayer, healed my bruises and took a long pull from my water bag. I then approached the old wooden door to Exhausted Mine.

* From Buffy's scrapbook: Screenshot

This post has been edited by Acadian: Mar 4 2011, 02:17 PM

Once again I find Buffy's musings on Goblins very interesting.

Sometimes I wonder if they are a form of corrupted mer from the Dawn Era that have devolved into beasts. IRL, as the difference between human and animal becomes more and more blurred, it's a fascinating subject that has me thinking at the oddest times.

I really do think Goblins have some type of intelligence. After all, they use magicka. And while Azura's Star may consider them creatures rather than humanoid, my work with animals makes me consider that distinction rather arbitrary. But a line has to be drawn somewhere, and unfortunately Goblins end up on the far side of that line.

Her lesson on how to use the staff was also interesting and quite fun. And the view! Yes, I was right, it is a beautiful place!

I found Buffy’s training sessions quite fascinating. She made her plan covering all possible outcomes, then she exercised the patience it took to execute them. Even practicing with the staff on her own summoned skeleton so she could harvest their energy and recharge the staff. I share her curiosity about goblins. It started in the dungeon under the prison. I mean, they use alchemy? Hmm.

First off, I must say this:

Considering Buffy had just used one as a training guinea pig, this seems awfully the double standard to me. The training session, to me, I interpreted as the goblins being not much more than arrow fodder. If you consider goblins to be on the same level as wolves, wolves are living creatures, too. Seems a bit morally reprehensible to submit one to your will and then do what Buffy did. That struck me as her not having respect for Goblins, else she would have let this one die quickly and without the humiliation of being used as nothing more than a training dummy. I'm sorry, Buffy, but I really cannot see continuous assertions of dominance as being a mark of respect.

As for doing this in-game, sure I might do it from time to time, but only on the lowly creatures I no longer have any respect for (because they no longer threaten me). Those opponents I do respect tend to be given a proper (if one-sided in my favor) battle, usually in the form of an unseen arrow in the back. My mark of respect for an opponent in game is found by asking a simple question: do I or do I not wish to kill you quickly? If I do, then you are respected. Buffy did NOT kill this goblin quickly. As far as I am concerned, the battle started the moment she commanded the goblin to her side. His death was then like an old doll being cast aside because it was no longer fun to play with (at least, my interpretation of the words was like that). Perhaps I'm letting my own opinion color my thoughts, but that's interpretation. Nevertheless, it is simply my opinion, and you are at perfect liberty to do with it what you will

But I digress, it was a clever way to handle a little power-leveling for her Block and Light Armor skills.

Seems I'm standing on a box of soap here, too, so let me get off of it real quick....

I enjoyed your little lesson with Farmer John Corrick over how to use a staff, as well as Buffy's having trouble figuring out how it worked. Again, quite clever having Corrick practice on summoned skeletons and using their souls to keep the staff charged.

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Mar 4 2011, 09:57 PM

I think a lot of Buffy's treatment of that second Goblin is her working off the anger from Superian being attacked. Don't confuse her feelings against this particular nest of Goblins with those she may have for Goblins in general, because these just stepped over the line! And we don't yet know how she'll feel about them when the mine's empty and she gets to reflect on the whole episode. (OK we get some idea from the first edition of this, but it may be refined in the editing).

Acadian also notes that the spells Buffy cast have effectively rendered the Goblin oblivious of what's happening to him.

...but it's not clear if the earlier sessions with Bo Derek Farano were done this way.

Another leisurely chapter. I can't wait to find out what happens inside of the cave!

My comment was centered on using the goblin as a training dummy, not on humane treatment (edited my above post a bit so it makes a bit more sense). I can understand a bit of suffering for the sake of her horse, I simply think that Buffy is not setting a good example for her respect of the forest creatures at this time.

Hypocrisy is a pet peeve of mine, if you wish to know.

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Mar 4 2011, 10:18 PM

Something was missing in this chapter - didn't notice it in the last one, but on this one the absence was poignant - Acadian !!! I am so used to her communication with the Paladin in her head that it felt odd without him in this chapter.

Has he gone AWOL ??? GAAAAAH !!!!

Oh, I wished I had paid more attention at school.
This had me smiling!

I cast another spell to infuse the bones of the summon with a lavender glow that would help Azura's Star capture its energy.
And this time around the passage is idiot-proofed!

The off-center impact staggered and spun him around, thereby confusing the direction my arrow had come from.
Once more, Buffy shows her mastery of the bow.

I see Parwen makes an appearance as well, as do her two attributes! Just like young women to not be satisfied with what Mara gave them!

I knew battlemages could loose devastating magic with a shield in one hand and a weapon in the other, but I could not.
This was a clever bit of world-building that helps Buffy from becoming too buffed.

Hey, I was one of those idiots on the original trying to guess !!!! ROFL !!!





ROFL !!! Awesome phraseology, SubRosa !!! I love that line !!

This post has been edited by mALX: Mar 5 2011, 02:42 AM

So was I!

Ahh, the old staff training session with Buffy & Corrick. Yes, I remember this! Beautifully written, especially the musings on the White Gold Tower & distant Bravil.

I then approached the old wooden door to Exhausted Mine.
Buffy the Goblin Slayer! Go girl.