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]

In Chapter 5, Buffy completed her second recommendation quest for admission to the Arcane University. Acadian led her to the discovery of a new special power, Cobra's Dance. Buffy addressed, head on, her feelings about killing those who would harm her or her friends. The head of the Leyawiin Mages Guild, Dagail, astounded Buffy by shedding some light upon Acadian.

Rider- I believe Acadian is getting used to Buffy's unpredictability. In just this chapter, he got told to mind his own business about her attire (or lack of), then was threatened with a hug after leading her to the Serpent Stone.

Buffy likes Leyawiin also, despite the disheartening racial strife - it seems she can find beauty wherever she goes (yes, even in icy Bruma). Perhaps that is a requirement to live happily in her humble town of Bravil. I know she will absolutely adore the beautiful city that Julian calls home.

ureniashtram- Thanks for reading, and I'm glad you're enjoying it! Yes, Buffy and the 'voice in her head' are beginning to adjust to each other.

SubRosa- The original version started the same way. Back then, I didn't know what a media res was, but thought it was really neat to start at the peak of the action for a change. I'm so glad to get your endorsement that the 'jump in time' transitions worked clearly.

I incorporated both your suggestions for clarity. My intent with that first reference to nirnroot, was simply to introduce more depth, but on second thought, since I have no definite plans to incorporate that quest in her first book, I will delete it - I can always bring it up if/when needed later. Thanks!

Wolf- Dagail has always struck me as wise, mystical and old. She is the perfect one to understand what she sees when Buffy stands before her.

Even to this day, when it comes to paralyze, Buffy only has a standard short duration paralyze on touch spell and Cobra's Dance. I fully suspect that Cobra's Dance will enable paralyze at the alters. It is a wonderful once a day panic button for a young no-melee character. In leading Buffy to the Serpent Stone, Acadian walks a fine line; he wants the fragile elf to chose her own path, but he also wants her to survive the journey.

Remko- Thank you! In the original, Buffy asked Dagail about the Acadian voice in her head. Dagail's response made it clear that she knew what Acadian was, but actually speaking to him is indeed new.

Olen- By structure, I guess you mean starting the story in the middle, then catching up. For some reason that just struck us as the way to do it back when we originally wrote this chapter. I'm just so glad that it was not confusing. I'm pleased you liked Dagail ok here; as far as Buffy and I know, even to this day, she is the only NPC that can detect Acadian.

enclave private- It was your encouragement, and that of many others, that prompted us to resume our storytelling. During our three month break, Buffy and I spent countless hours debating our return to writing as we roamed Cyrodiil. We learned to achieve balance, and are both enthusiastic with our choice to continue. I am so delighted that you have come over here to read.

* * *

6 Superian

"Don't waste my time unless you're ready to do what it takes to earn my recommendation, Associate," snapped the head of the Cheydinhal Mages Guild. Cold gray eyes matched the color of his slicked back hair. He struck me as more than simply a stern old mage. Perhaps even more than a haughty Altmer with one eyebrow so typically raised in permanent disdain. His face looked mean, almost cruel. I was quite taken aback.

"I- I'm ready." I lied, as I looked up at the towering elf.

"Hmph. We'll see." Falcar picked imaginary lint from the sleeve of his black and burgundy finery as he tersely continued, "I was doing research with a Ring of Burden. Somehow it got misplaced and I asked some other associate to find it for me. I suspect he was too stupid to complete the simple task and, rather than admit failure, simply ran off." He appraised me with a frown. "I hope you can do better, but I won't hold my breath." He then wheeled about and walked off.

Welcome to Cheydinhal, Buffy. Suddenly, I wanted to be back with Kud-Ei and my own mages in Bravil. I blinked a few times, determined not to make things worse with tears.

An Argonian mage wearing a beautiful blue velvet gown motioned for me to approach. She quietly said, "We need to talk." I learned her name was Deetsan. After glancing around to ensure Falcar wasn't near, she explained that another young associate named Vidkun had indeed been given the same task and disappeared. "Try the well behind the guild, but please be careful. I would hate to lose another useful associate. Now, here is the well key, and let me teach you this spell. It might just come in handy."

Quite wary after Deetsan's warning, I unlocked and raised the hatch atop the well. I thought about what to do if there was anything dangerous down there. My bow would be useless, and magic couldn't travel through water. Using spells underwater required one to directly transfer magical energy by actually touching the target. But what kind of energy would be best? I guessed that fire would just fizzle or steam and besides, I didn't want to risk cooking myself. Frankly, I didn't fancy the idea of being in the same water as frost or shock effects either. My new absorb health spell seemed like the best choice. Besides, in my short time as a mage, I had learned that restoration magic came much more naturally to me than destruction.

I placed my clothes, pack, quiver and bow on the ground. After casting two spells, enabling me to see and breathe in the dark water, I dove in

Nothing attacked me and I could breathe, so I relaxed a bit. It was dark, but my spell let me see well enough to search in the cold water. My heart sank, as I discovered the body of a young Nord. I searched him and discovered what had to be Falcar's Ring of Burden. Once I grabbed it however, I found I was not strong enough to carry it up and out of the well. Ok Buffy, don't panic.

Recasting Deetsan's spell allowed me continue breathing. I replaced the ring on the body and climbed up out of the well unencumbered.

Wet, naked and scared, I sat on the ground next to the well and hugged my knees to my chest. Was Falcar trying to kill me? The dead Nord surely had to be that other associate. What did Deetsan call him? Vidkun, I remembered. Drowned by that cursed ring.

I suspected Falcar dropped the ring in the well himself, just to kill associates. But why would he do such a thing? I could feel my anger growing. A fleeting image popped into my head of an arrow streaking from my bow as it sought Falcar's heart. Let it go Buffy.

That ring was a murder weapon and the city could retrieve it from the bottom of the well for evidence when they pulled out poor Vidkun. I figured the only loyalty I owed Falcar was affording him the opportunity to turn himself in to the Cheydinhal guards.

I then got dressed and strapped on my pack and quiver. With Cobra's Dance at the ready and my bow in hand, I nervously stepped inside the guild to confront Falcar.

He was nowhere to be seen, but there was quite a ruckus going on. I found Deetsan. She explained that she had challenged Falcar. "He was furious." Her orange eyes grew bigger than I thought possible. "I thought he was going to kill me!" She went on to describe Falcar storming out of the guild spouting threats.

"Vidkun is dead," I said, shouldering my bow. "I believe Falcar tossed that ring in the well himself. It cost Vidkun his life and very nearly killed me as well."

The Argonian was visibly shaken to learn of Vidkun's death. After a moment, she composed herself and said, "Don't worry, Associate. I'll let the guards know about Vidkun. I'm sure they'll arrest Falcar if he shows up around here."

At Deetsan's urging, I searched Falcar's quarters just in case he had written a recommendation for me, and found a locked drawer. Despite City Swimmer's efforts to teach me, I wasn't very good at picking locks so I tried a new spell I had learned. Whoosh, the drawer was open. Inside were two unusual soul gems. These were black instead of the normal blue-gray color I had seen on others.

"Black soul gems? Oh dear, this is worse than I thought," Deetsan said. "You had better let me have those. I will send them on to the Council along with my report. I will write and include a recommendation for you. I'm sure, under the circumstances that will be more than acceptable."

I liked Deetsan, and hoped the Council of Mages would place her in charge of the Cheydinhal branch.

It was getting late, so I decided to stay the night. A very nice Altmer magician named Orintur introduced himself. I learned that his mate, Eilonwy, was the guild alchemist and, over a wonderful meal, we chatted about the types of useful plants that I could expect to find as I made my way north towards the Bruma and Chorrol guilds. After dinner, Eilonwy bought all the potions that I had made since leaving Leyawiin.

Early the next morning I packed and staged my things in the dining room. After fortifying myself with some strawberries, apple-berry juice and a sweet roll, I said my goodbyes and left the guild.

Inside Borba's Goods and Stores, I laid wolf pelts, bandit trinkets and everything else I could spare on the counter and haggled with the shrewd Orc businesswoman whose shop bore her name. I swept the gold she gave me into my already heavy purse and didn't buy anything.

"That looks like quite the full purse for a fur trader," Borba raised a black eyebrow pleasantly.

"Oh, most of it comes from selling potions to the alchemists in my guild. I've been trying hard for some time to save up for a horse. Say, do you know how much the nice black ones I saw at the stables here cost?"

"I don't really know much about horse trading, so I'm afraid I can't help you." The Orc scratched her head. "I imagine quite a lot though, as I understand they're very fast. Sorry."

I smiled and turned for the door, trailing words over my shoulder. "Thanks anyway, Borba."

Standing outside the general store, I looked to my left. I thought about going up the street to the March Rider blacksmith and having my enchanted Arena raiment repaired. No, it would just have to do as is. I had amassed a large amount of gold and figured I would need every septim within the hour. I turned right instead, and headed out the Cheydinhal gate.

I could feel my mouth hanging open as I just stood and stared at her. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The black mare gazed directly back, then nodded several times at me. Morning sun sparkled against her glossy coat emphasizing the rippling movement of every muscle. She then tossed her mane and lowered her head to graze inside the corral of the Black Waterside Stables. I closed my mouth and approached the stable hand. "Is she for sale?"

The Dunmer replied, "Beautiful, isn't she? I just take care of them though. You'll have to go inside and talk to Tovas."

I entered the stables building. "Is the black mare for sale?" I asked, my heart pounding.

"Depends how much gold you have," Tovas replied, rubbing his hands together. He then quoted a figure that staggered me.

I rummaged through my pack, desperately counting. "Yes!" I squealed.

"Then she's yours, young lady," said the Dunmer as he greedily gathered up the pile of gold that now covered most of his counter. "Mivryna will saddle her up for you."

"She's faster than the wind," said Mivryna wistfully, "and since you're even smaller than those Breton girls the Black Horse Courier hires, she'll never even notice your weight." With a twinkle in her red eyes, she added, "What will you name her?"

"I don't know yet. Perhaps she will tell me." I gratefully took the reins from Mivryna, then calmly presented myself for inspection. The mare lowered her head towards me to inhale my scent, then took a step closer. She seemed to accept me readily. I wanted to think we already felt something for each other, but it may have just been the pair of carrots I offered her.

I moved to the left side of this majestic animal and looked up at her in awe. I didn't have two septims to rub together now, but I didn't care.

"Need some help?" asked Mivryna pleasantly.

"No," I replied. "I know I'm short, but I need to be able to do this by myself."

I knew a little about riding. Carandial, of the Bravil mages guild, had allowed me to exercise his bay quite often for several years now.

I reached for the near stirrup and rotated it. Facing the mare's haunch, I lifted one leg awkwardly. With quite a stretch, I managed to slip my left foot into the stirrup. My left hand with the reins was now on the pommel, and my right upon the cantle. After a couple tentative bounces, I used my right leg to spring up and swing into the saddle. Rather proud of myself, I reached forward to pet the mare's neck.

Mivryna smiled and opened the gate wide. "Where are you headed?"

"We'll make our way towards the Imperial City, then I think north to Bruma and over to Chorrol." The night prior, Acadian had placed a blue mark on my map along the north east shore of Lake Rumare.

Once clear of the corral, the mare only reluctantly maintained the walk that I asked of her as we started down the Blue Road. I could feel the energy pulsing through the powerful animal. Her head was bouncing and her hooves fairly prancing. She was built to run and that's exactly what she wanted to do.

I smiled and gently said, "You still haven't told me what to call you." The name then popped into my head, but I instantly knew where it came from. Superior was my father and Terry Ann my mother. I said the resulting combination aloud, "Superian." The mare's ears perked at the name, and I decided it fit her perfectly.

Well here goes, I thought apprehensively - for I knew she would be much faster than Carandial's Bay. Imperceptibly, I tightened my knees and said, "Ok, Superian, I'm ready." Her response was instantaneous and frighteningly dramatic as we shot forward like an arrow. The trees flew by so fast I could barely see them as I held on for dear life. My fear transformed to pure joy as we raced down the road; the same road I had walked only days before as a slow, Nirn-bound creature.

The thunder of Superian's hooves filled my ears and her speed blurred my vision. I crouched forward and pressed my face against her neck. Black mane and blond ponytail blended in the wind. I never wanted it to end!

This post has been edited by Acadian: Apr 20 2011, 08:46 PM