Bag any Ashcan trolls on the way down there?

No, but he will on the way up to Cheydinhal



Also; yesterday I removed nine years of savegames from the active folder and placed them in an archive instead. This will speed up future saving and also there was no point having it all there.

I love this! Reminds me of PhonAntiPhon, when he posted an update like "just outside of Bravil", or some such!





Omg you've been playing with fire! I'm not really sure how it works with PC, but as a still-sometimes-console player I know having too many saves in the active Saves folder can cause slowdowns .... or worse.

I don't remember but yeah, maybe he did that

Didn't have much else to add at that stage so I figured I'd post an even shorter update than usual


Never had an issue other than it took some time getting to the save/load lists when clicking on them as the entire list with all the saves had to load up. But only first time per playthrough. If I kept saving during a run it got quicker. Still, archiving the bulk is not a bad idea. Last time I did that was January 1st 2013

Lothran is now at Drunken Dragon Inn. He will next continue north and at the Imperial Bridge Inn, or by the chapel rather, he will use the boat to make a brief stop in Bravil to offload some stuff that belongs there.

Is it raining where Lothran is? That is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of where he is.

No rain right now. And as always that depends upon what the almighty Weather Master feels like it should be...

Lothran had a very pleasant walk from Cropsford to Cheydinhal today. Overcast and late afternoon made it quite atmospheric. As usual he also visited Morcant and bought some ingredients from her.

Interesting thing of note: when coming to the old All Things Alchemical, two legionnaires were fighting with each other! There was also a spriggan there and the way it was all set up, it looked like the guards were fighting over her!

This post has been edited by mirocu: Oct 17 2023, 06:34 PM

Fighting over a spriggan? Well, Buffy's heard the Anvil guards remark that they'd rather sleep with a horse than a Bosmer so what do they know about good taste in ladies?

When I left Lothran at Newland's Lodge this evening, it seemed like the entire staff of Rivendell was there. Or at least three of them. Pretty rare

Lothran is now at Roxey Inn as is usual for his routine after Cheydinhal on the way to the Imperial City. Autumn is really cracking on!

Wow, last chance to update spells/enchantments at the AU afore heading to Bruma!

You know me too well. Or... I've done this for too long!


On topic: It has been some time now since Lothran updated a spell or enchantment. Not saying everything is absolutely perfect, but I reckon good enough. After all, everything has been thoroughly tested. But we'll see if anything gets an upgrade this autumn

Lothran is spending time in the Imperial City as usual before moving north. Yesterday he decided to bet on a match in the Arena, 100 gold on the Blue team as is his custom. Money wasted as it turned out and he actually wasn't surprised. "His" fighter had only a shortsword while the opponent had a huge warhammer. Didn't seem fair really.

Oh, well. Money lost. Lothran was about to leave the Arena district when he doubled back; he just couldn't accept that loss. So same again; 100 gold on the Blue team. This fight was better on the offset; both had a weapon and a shield and this time the Blue fighter won. So at least Lothran made his money back.

The Arena is a tough business - Lothran is smart to bet instead of fight there.

Here is an excerpt from Buffy's story posted years ago that portrays her final Arena match:



I paused at the bottom of the steps and looked up at the afternoon brightness of the Arena. The sun would be on my left side for this match. After poisoning three arrows, I carefully slid two of them into the sheath strapped to my right calf. I mentally rehearsed my intended actions one more time. Just because I had a plan didn't mean the yellow team combatant had to cooperate; I cleared my mind and hoped for the mental agility to be able to adjust if needed.

I knew a couple things for certain: This fight would be measured in seconds instead of minutes, and I could afford precisely zero mistakes.

With Slayer filling one hand, a poisoned arrow in the other, and my stomach churning, I started up the stone steps.

"Good people of the Imperial City." The booming voice silenced the crowd. The announcer then changed his tone to a thundering guttural growl that ignited the sea of spectators to cheering. "Welcome, to the Arena!"

For the twelfth time in my life those words brought my heart to my throat. Buffy, execute your plan. Nocking my first poisoned arrow, I aimed through the gate.

Concentrating on my target, I pulled him more clearly into view. I was expecting to see the orc, but it was still a sobering sight as the sun glinted off the blade of his axe. I swallowed hard, knowing I could not allow this first arrow to miss. That my opponent was such a massive target was scant comfort. Action in the presence of fear. As the gate came down, I drew silk to cheek, adjusted my final aim point and loosed the arrow.

The orc was fast. He was halfway across the Arena before the impact of my arrow and Slayer's enchantments caused him to pause, and sparks to dance around his body. My poison flooded into him, darkening his green skin. He collapsed, paralyzed, taking frost damage, losing health and having his speed slowly but permanently reduced. Within seconds however, he struggled to his feet and resumed his charge, slightly slowed now.

Calling forth the energy of Cobra's Dance, magic flew from my fingertips. The emerald snake was still swirling through the air as I reached toward my right thigh for the tail of a second arrow. My serpent struck the orc in his chest, paralyzing him again and adding more damage over time. He collapsed, but momentum carried him within two paces of me, showering my feet with sand. His axe was still firmly in his grasp.

I waited with my bowstring partially drawn. I didn't want to risk angle-skipping this arrow off the heavy raiment of the prone orc. He stirred. I knew within the next few seconds one of us would be dead. Struggling to his elbows, he looked up and our eyes met. I loosed my arrow into the exposed flesh at the junction of his throat and chest. The impact at this range jerked his hulking mass back to the sand.

It was over.

I stared down at my dead opponent, the announcer booming meaningless words and the crowd roaring. Shaking now, I had controlled my fear for only as long as had been necessary.

I looked up at the sea of timid souls cheering in the stands. None of them were worthy to even carry the axe of the almost unstoppable combatant at my feet.

"Rest in peace, Gladiator."

I turned and headed down the tunnel to the Bloodworks, blinking back a tear. Whatever stupid lust I had for battle was gone now. In fact I felt sick. Quickening my pace, I got to the renewal basin at the end of the tunnel as I started to retch.

That is so well written, and it shows perfectly who Buffy really is. Not backing down from a fight, not hesitating to defend herself, but also not dead inside so she just walks away afterwards. Even in a mortal fight she has sympathy for the one falling for her arrows if it is a foe worthy of it.

A big heart in a small body - that's my Buffy!

Aww, thank you for the kind words, my friend.

Lothran has spent a cozy day in the foggy Imperial City and more specifically the Market District. He also paid a visit to the prison, but only to visit and have a look around..

He's currently resting at the Guilded Carafe, the fine store with a terrible name, or so he's heard.

I'm guessing Lothran's next likely stop will be Aleswell?