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 7.1 found Buffy deep within the Ayleid ruin of Vilverin. Overconfidence and distraction turned a skeleton encounter into a disaster. In the aftermath, she learned some more about Acadian and appeared determined to learn from her mistakes as she continued deeper into the dungeon.

Rider- Heh, skeletons. I wonder why undead show up as life signs? Buffy is just glad they do, assuming of course she remembers to cast her spell. She and I have to keep reminding ourselves just how ignorant/innocent she was at this point so long ago. Her naivete about encounters with dark strangers in scary places is on stunning display in her next journal entry below.

SubRosa- Buffy's encounter with that skeleton, and the aftermath, was a powerfully emotional scene for both her and Acadian. I remember, with vivid clarity, your personal endorsement of her embarrassing problem in the first version. I appreciated it then, as I do now. You are right that this scene highlighted some of her many quirks, imperfections and vulnerabilities that simply make her. . . Buffy. Thank you for your kind words. Thank you also for noting my formatting oversight so I could fix it.

Destri- Thank you so much for the kind words and in depth comments! I'm so humbled that there was much for a writer of your skill to like.

I tend to think of myself as very simplistic in a weaving story, but I wonder if, in the case of Superian, my bread crumb trail was too light? Buffy was wowed by the majestic stallion of the Black Horse Courier rider in Ch 5. The next afternoon, while camping at the Serpent Stone, she lamented about needing to save money as she wondered how much such a horse cost (I was trying to foreshadow her plans). In her merchant dealings in both Ch 5 & 6, I tried to make her seem almost obsessed about selling off potions and saving up her septims. My hope was that in Ch 6 at the stables, it would become clear what her plans were for the money she had been trying so hard to save. You are so right that Buffy indeed often has the meddling Acadian to thank or blame (Cobra's Dance, visiting Dagail, going to Vilverin), but getting 'my little pony' was actually all her idea. If it wasn't clear though, it's the writer's fault, and I will bear that in mind going forward. What I did do was edit in a few line of dialogue in Borba's store to more clearly reveal her plans; I hope that helps. Thanks again so much.

Zalphon- Buffy and I blending? You can see how she has wormed her way into my avatar. Seriously though, we have learned to understand each other very well. Thank you.

* * *

7.2 Vilverin

The blade trap offered a narrow but predictable window of time. After safely sprinting through it, I slid the grummite bow from my back and slowly crept forward. Finally, I was far enough away for those infernal blades to stop. The quiet was welcome.

I continued forward until a life sign began to glow ahead. Judging by the size, shape and movement it appeared to be man or mer. I had encountered only bandits, skeletons and zombies in this ancient place called Vilverin, and assessed this as likely another bandit.

Silently creeping within the dark embrace of the stone corridor, I moved closer. My view was now unobstructed, and I let the pink glow surrounding the figure expire so I could see it better. The large chamber ahead was lit by several flickering sconces that lined the walls. Even in the cold of this deep ruin, the smell of decay from several corpses laced the air. The Redguard moving about was dressed in black flowing robes, cut like those often worn by mages. He did not look to be in league with the thuggish bandits I had encountered above.

I quietly watched him as I debated what to do next. Although I suspected he was a foe who would attack me, what if I was wrong? Was I willing to bet his life on it by sniping him dead from the shadows? Should I give him the chance to declare himself? Perhaps he was simply a mage who was researching Ayleid ruins. Had his party been besieged by the bandits of Vilverin until he was the only survivor? I should think that bandits would rather starve mages to death than try to fight them directly. Maybe that could explain the corpses in the chamber. Of course, if I was wrong, the thought of taking on a mage in a fair fight was quite unsettling.

I wrestled with the dilemma: Safely kill an unknown mage from the shadows, or confirm his nature, and if he was hostile, very possibly be outmatched. There was a third solution, but I was loath to retreat after fighting my way though four levels of bandits and undead. I had paid the price with my blood to be here.

I thought about quietly asking Acadian what to do, but I feared the paladin's answer.

I made my choice. Please Mara, help me to survive what I dread is the right decision.

I reached into my pack for a green vial, but then remembered something City Swimmer had taught me. Once, when we were talking about Argonians being immune to poison, she told me that Redguards have a strong resistance to it. Oh great, Buffy, can this get any more dangerous? Then an encouraging thought came to mind. The deadly Cobra I had learned from the Serpent Stone could care less if my target was a Redguard.

With my bowstring partially drawn, but the tip of my arrow directed unthreateningly at the stone floor, I stood upright and stepped from the shadows into the corridor. "Hail, friend. I am no bandit, but a fellow mage and I mean you no harm. Do you require assistance?"

The Redguard's head snapped towards me. With hatred in his eyes, he hissed, "What have we here? A new plaything? You may prove entertaining, once your corpse is cold, elf."

His intent was clear from the first word. The rest of his short speech gave me the time to raise the tip of my arrow and loose it. As soon as the bowstring snapped forward, my right hand immediately followed, unleashing my green swirling serpent.

His glowing hand spiked the air, but whatever spell he was attempting fizzled as the impact of my arrow staggered him.

Before he could react, my cobra struck his chest, releasing its venom. Powerless to control his limbs, he collapsed to the floor allowing me time to accurately release a second arrow that proved fatal.

I approached the body, anxious to confirm who I had just killed. The front of his black robes bore an unfamiliar symbol - a skull and bones emblazoned in red. A search produced an undelivered letter that confirmed who and what he was.

I remembered Kud-Ei telling me that the Arch Mage had banned the practice of necromancy within the guild, so I had never seen one of its practitioners before - until now.

"I will remember the symbol on your robes," I said grimly to the corpse. "You returned my offer of life with the threat of death. I shall not extend that offer should I encounter your kind again."

Further searching of the room revealed a key and some treasure that I put in my pack, groaning at the weight.

Then I noticed a large iron bowl in the middle of the chamber that contained a faintly glowing cloth sack. Inside, was an ancient parchment that explained its magical properties. The bag was waterproof, and I could carry it with me in my pack. I could put items of any size and shape inside and they would weigh nothing!

Given the flawlessly lethal traps and magically elegant construction I had seen in this ancient ruin, I figured the invention of such a bag was well within the ability of the Ayleids.

"By Mara!" I sat down with this magic bag to think about the possibilities. All the stuff I wanted to stay dry like this journal, a loaf of bread and my bedroll. Then it really hit me - clothes! Every girl needs extra clothes, and they would stay nice and dry in there. I mean, I only carry four pairs of shoes and just half dozen or so outfits and a rain robe with hood, but the weight does sort of add up. Especially including my leathers, and oh yes, that fur cuirass I found to wear up north.

I figured I would sort things out later. For now I just tossed a few things into the bag, then slipped it into my pack. Ah, much better!

Aside from the way I came in, there was only one other tunnel in or out of that room. I grabbed my bow, cast my spell and snuck off down that corridor. Soon I encountered a locked gate. It yielded to the key I had found and I was near the exit.

Shielding my eyes from the bright but welcome sunshine, I emerged from the darkness. Superian took a step back and flared her nostrils at the smells of death and other things on me. After a few reassuring words however, I forced her to endure a hug. We then moved over behind the ruin and down to a small pier at the water's edge.

Having scared myself enough today, I carefully avoided catching a glimpse of my reflection in the smooth waters of Lake Rumare. I started washing Vilverin off of me and everything I owned.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Jul 12 2010, 02:28 PM