Buffy the Bowgirl, Book 1, Thread 1, Do You Know the Way to Kvatch? Options

[Acadian]

Welcome to the adventures of Buffy the Bowgirl!

My name is Acadian. Buffy is an elven mystic archer that I have the pleasure to travel Tamriel with.

This is Book 1 of her journal. It begins with Buffy being briefly incarcerated in the Imperial Prison, and ends as she attempts to bring freedom to the city of Kvatch. It is a sprawling story that will require 176 episodes, spread over five threads. Appropriately, I have nicknamed Book 1, 'Do You Know the Way to Kvatch?'

Buffy's personal journey is more important than her destination. Our writing style is character-driven. I help Buffy write her journal because I have a truckload of passion for her, not because I am a writer. We take plenty of liberties with quests and NPCs, but only few liberties with game mechanics because there is an aspect of 'how to / mystic archer guide' woven into her stories. Therefore, we tend to eschew earthly things and stick rather closely to Nirnian physics. In Buffy's world for example, a skilled archer can 'zoom in' on her target and cause her enemies to 'turn green' with poison. Buffy has never been to medieval Europe or ancient Rome, and her world does not resemble those places.

I thank you so much, should you find our humble effort earns and maintains your readership. My hope is that Buffy will worm her way into your heart, as she has mine.

Edit: Buffy has completed this book as of August 2012, and I would like to think that the reading of it is a satisfying experience - both complete as well as suggestive of sequels. For those newer readers who would like to catch up to us in one short sitting, you might find this helpful: Buffy – The Executive Summary Thread.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Oct 28 2012, 12:33 PM

[Acadian]

Chapter One found Buffy on the losing end of a confrontation with an Imperial Legion soldier.

SubRosa- Thank you so much for the encouragement and warm reception to our return!

Foxy- I'm so glad to have you reading. You were instrumental in turning me from a true novice into an adequate storyteller. Rider is exactly correct; the unmodded Oblivion ponytail is low and loose, and camouflages those ears fairly well. You would be correct of course for most 'high' ponytails as well as many tightly drawn back ones. *Acadian stuffs the blond ponytail back up under the Templar helm*

Rider- Aww. . . thanks so much for the kind words. Buffy appreciates the authority of another woman supporting her hair choices.

Remko- Thank you for the enthusiastic welcome back! We still have the draft I shared with you where Buffy meets Zerina, complete with music! - many chapters in the future now.

Zalphon- Thanks for the loyal support, Z. Heh, Buffy will get much better at the sweet talking stuff later. She will always have her awkward moments, but she will also get to where she can sometimes display some pretty impressive verbal dueling skills.

treydog- Rest assured, my friend. There will always be a softly crackling fire in her hearth and a comfortable spot on Buffy's bed for the wonderful little dachshund. She quite adored his visit. That Buffy could inspire fan fiction about her story from a writer of such magnificent talent is so very humbling. Thank you.

MyCat- Since mALX and I are the cause of you joining this forum, I am very pleased to be able to now continue the story for you. I'm so flattered to have you reading and look forward to your picture. The wonderful Ayumifan recently drew a great picture and sent it to Buffy. It's from Buffy's 'Let's get naked dinner party' with Lady Leyawiin. Ayumifan calls it Excellent Wine.

Destri- WooHoo! Thank you, my friend! I shall have to save that jewel for about 100 chapters, then paste it right in! You certainly made Buffy swoon! Methinks you have concisely nailed her destiny. If she didn't have such a short attention span and become so easily diverted, she would get there much quicker. Please see the latter part of my comments to wonderful treydog, for they apply to you as well. I am in awe of your talent and so humbled by your support.

* * *

Chapter two not only needed to be completely rewritten (as did chapter one), but also required expansion into two chapters. To preserve our original chapter assignment, I shall call the two parts 2.1 and 2.2. Future chapters should require only minor editing and I hope very much not to expand the chapter count with any future chapters.

2.1 The Great Escape

I awoke to a horrible stench, and the damp, bone-piercing cold of a stone floor. Ok, Buffy, keep your eyes closed and don't move; you really don't want to get shield bashed again. There was silence.

After a few more moments, I squeaked my eyes open just a crack to see dimly lit grey walls. Opening my eyes fully, I lifted my head. There was a door made of iron bars. Looking up, I could see a small window, also barred, that explained the source of light. With a bolt of terror, I realized I could only be in one place - the Imperial Prison.

Barely choking back tears I began to survey things. I still had all my parts attached ok, but my head sure hurt. Climbing to my feet, I felt quite faint and had to go back down to the floor.

I got up again, much more slowly this time and began looking around. There was another prisoner in the cell across from me, a Dunmer. I tried to talking to him, figuring that might make me feel better.

"Look at the pretty little twig," he crooned with an evil grin, "how's it feel to know you'll never dance among the trees of your precious forests again? The guards will be coming for you soon." He laughed cruelly and his voice turned harsh. "Yes, that's right - you're going to die in here, wood elf."

I sat down at the little wooden table in my cell and began to cry.

Shortly, I heard voices, and the metallic jingle and clank of armor approaching. Oh please Mara, don't let that Dunmer be right. Let them pass me by; I am but a small, insignificant she-elf.

A torch appeared in front of my cell, revealing three soldiers and an older Imperial dressed in elaborate robes. One of the soldiers seemed to be in charge. She said menacingly, "you there, prisoner. Step away, back by the window. We won't hesitate to kill you." This was it. I was going to die. My heart didn't know whether to race or stop as I backed up until bumping into the wall behind me. They unlocked the door and came in.

The older man stopped and stared at me. His voice was kind. "Do not be afraid, prisoner. We will not harm you." He introduced himself as Uriel Septim, Emperor of all Tamriel! How was I to know? And his guards were not going to kill me.

There I was, dressed in rags, dirty and I knew my hair was a mess. I was also sure I didn't smell too good. He didn't seem to care. In fact he talked to me as if I was someone that actually mattered. My face was familiar from his dreams? Why would he dream about dirty-faced elves? It seemed the Emperor and his guards were trying to secretly flee the city.

The woman soldier caused a section of stone wall to slowly grind aside. One of the others, a Redguard, took his keys from the sword belt at his waist and removed my wrist irons. "Looks like this is your lucky day, prisoner."

As quickly as the group had entered my cell, they disappeared down the newly opened dark tunnel.

With the magical wrist irons no longer blocking my spell casting, I rubbed my fingers together and was rewarded with a soft glow that formed in my hand. I felt a little less helpless.

Just like Marz, one of the priests of Mara had taught me, I closed my eyes and allowed magical energy to build up in my right fist. I then raised my hand above my head and opened it. A soft and soothing glow of white light slowly cascaded down my arm and all the way to my toes. My aches and pains were eased.

I gulped and stared down the dim passageway the Emperor and his party had taken. Wherever it led had to be better than where I was.

Suddenly, a breeze came through the small window of my cell and I felt a presence very near or beside me, or perhaps all around me. Whatever it was, I could sense it meant me no harm. It felt calm and benevolent - and old. Somehow I could feel it was urging me not to follow so quickly; perhaps stealth was a better choice.

The presence seemed strangely familiar, but I couldn't imagine why. I was sure I was crazy or maybe still suffering from recently being shield-bashed, but I was in no position to refuse help from any source at this point. I decided I would welcome the assistance. But, what was it? I looked around at the emptiness in my cell. I didn't understand why, but the name fell easily from my lips as I whispered, "Acadian, I sure hope you know what we're doing."

Off I crept, down the dark stone tunnel.

I heard shouting and the sounds of fighting ahead. Stopping, I pressed myself deeper into the shadows. Shortly, silence returned and I slowly continued.

The squeaks gave me but a moment's notice before a pair of giant rats bounded into view. I started backing up, and fire instinctively flew from my fingertips - over and over again. Smoke, light and the acrid smells of burning fur and flesh filled the air. Fire blasted harmlessly into the walls ahead several times before I could make myself stop casting.

Once my pounding heart slowed, I stepped over the charred rats and crept forward towards the source of the fighting sounds I had heard. The woman soldier and a pair of men in red robes lay dead on the stone floor. Searching them yielded a pair of swords. I wasn't strong enough to do more than irritate someone with a blade, and wasn't about to try using one now. They were also heavy, so I left them. The little fire spell that Delphine Jend had taught me would just have to get me by for now.

Missing stones in the wall ahead revealed an opening to a cavern, which I entered.

Finding a worn leather cuirass and oversized boots that reeked of mildew, I was able to replace the prison sandals and sack cloth shirt I was wearing.

A Bow! The hand grip and ears were rusted iron, but it was a bow nevertheless, along with a quiver of arrows. I adjusted the old linen bowstring to improve its tension and hoped it would last more than a few shots. As I inspected the arrows, I had to cull out about half of them for warped shafts or damaged fletching. I loaded the good ones into their quiver.

With a supply of arrows on my back and a bow in my hand, I felt a lot more able to defend myself. More searching turned up a few healing potions. Good thing too, because in the next few chambers I was attacked by a fair number of rats and even a zombie. I picked up a small rusted dagger and decided to keep it with me. I couldn't fight with it, but it came in handy for cutting arrows from the bodies of those I shot. Some of those recovered arrows were still good enough to use again.

The sneak advice I got from Acadian seemed to be serving pretty well. I was able to shoot most enemies while hidden. For those that got too close, I put up my bow to block like Daenlin had taught me, and cast Delphine's handy fire spell.

Eventually, I heard voices ahead that led me to catch up to the Emperor. He talked to me some more about death and stuff I didn't fully understand. Emperor things I guess.

"Sire, we must continue," interrupted one of the Emperor's two remaining guards.

"Let me rest a moment longer, Baurus." Uriel Septim then turned to me again. "Tell me, do you know the Nine?"

I nodded. "The priests of Bravil taught me to love Mara. I don't know too much about the others."

"It is only by the grace of the Nine that I have ruled Tamriel for these many decades, but my time draws to a close shortly. Assassins have killed my sons, and I am next," he explained.

"Are you not afraid?" I asked.

"No trophies of my triumphs shall precede me. But I have lived well, and my ghost shall rest easy." He then sighed heavily and continued, "My end is written in the night sky. What do your stars say?"

"I-I don't know what you mean," I stammered.

"Tell me, when you were born," he commanded gently.

I wasn't sure what he was getting at, but he was the Emperor, so I dutifully replied, "Rains Hand, the nineteenth, Third Era in the year 415.

The Emperor smiled and nodded. "Younger than my sons. There will be troubled times ahead that jeopardize all of Tamriel, and the sign of the Mage shall guide your path. You are not the one who will save the Empire, but it cannot be saved without you."

"I don't understand," I said, truthfully.

"Nor can you at this point." He started to continue, I-"

"Sire, we must continue," repeated Baurus more insistently.

With a resigned look on his face, the Emperor nodded. He and his two guards resumed their trek through the maze-like rooms and passageways.

Having seen that Red Robes were drawn to them like moths to lanterns, I decided that staying well behind in the shadows was still prudent.

I lost track of them again and crept along in the shadows, alone.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Jun 19 2010, 10:01 PM