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 9, a friendly Legion rider helped Buffy map a route from Chorrol to Skingrad, but progress was slowed when she and Superian were accosted by a highwayman. The encounter left her pondering her own quick readiness to vengeance and the responsibilities of owning a horse.

SubRosa- Buffy is wrestling with a dark side of herself that will take some time to develop and resolve. Thank you for appreciating some of the smaller details of how she interacts with her weapon and her world. She is determined to love and travel with that horse, so I am hoping to balance game mechanics with somewhat reasonable explanations and solutions to help her along. She has much to learn and put together, but eventually, she and Superian will travel as an effective team.

Rider- I'm so glad you understood Buffy's rage. I would expect nothing less from our own veterinary vixen. It will be awhile before she and Superian learn how not to bump into danger along the roads. The very next episode in fact, starts with another such bump. Thank you so much for the kind words regarding the emerging of her character. The fact that Julian clicks well with Kud-Ei, speaks very highly of both ladies.

Olen- Buffy will get darker yet, I fear, before she eventually comes to terms with the proper role of her quick tendency to vengeance. Thank you for your kind observations on Buffy's world. Seeing things through her eyes opens my own.

Wolf- Speaking as an outsider?!? This, from Buffy's Aussie Godfather? No no no, my friend. You know her extremely well. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the pacing or build up of the chapter. Yes, her recent travels do indeed make Bravil seem comfy. Thank you for commenting on some of the details of Buffy's world. It was Foxy that, long ago, helped me work out the details of silk for bowstrings and how/where archers develop calluses.

* * *

10.1 You Don't Look Like a Mage

After the mountain road carved its way sharply around some massive rocks, we were met by the hissing screeches of three goblins that appeared to be guarding the entrance to a mine. One sent a hand towards his quiver while the other two menacingly reached for short swords.

Superian's assessment was quicker than mine. With a flashing of hooves, she showed the goblins her tail and we were off the way we came as fast a Black Horse Courier. A single arrow flew past, well wide of us as we raced to safety. After a minute, we drew to a stop. I turned in the saddle looking and listening for any sounds of pursuit. There were none.

The mine was right along our path on the Gold Road, approaching Skingrad. I slipped to the ground and made my way back towards the green sentries.

It took some scouting around, but I was able to find a spot on a large rock that provided a clear view of my targets from fairly long range. It had not been difficult to reach my perch without being seen. Goblins, unlike imps, weren't very good at detecting sneaky elves.

I had learned a few tricks about killing groups of foes. Offsetting the aim point just slightly to one side caused my arrow's impact to often spin the target around, so any allies couldn't really tell which direction I had attacked from. By hitting the farthest target, other nearby enemies would often search in the wrong direction. Lots of range, of course, helped reduce the sound of my bowstring and made it harder to see me. Sometimes I could remain hidden between shots, sometimes not. That's why being ready to disappear was also a good idea.

I coated three iron tipped broad head arrows with poison, laying two carefully at my feet and setting one to the nock.

Bow partially drawn, I studied the green targets beyond the tip of my arrow. Their pointed ears swept gracefully rearward, and were even larger than mine or Superian's. The farthest goblin produced a brown glass bottle from between two rocks, opened it against the crossguard of a sheathed blade and took a long pull. A second comrade extended both arms wide in a lazy stretch. Each hand ended with three fingers and a thumb, all capped with large black claws. Raising a yawning muzzle skyward displayed dagger-like teeth. The final member of the trio revealed himself to indeed be a he-goblin by lifting his crude loincloth and casting a yellow stream upon on the trunk of a tree.

If there was any doubt as to the danger posed by this motley crew, it was put to rest by the remains that marked the area. There was a variety of bones that appeared to be from men, mer and horse. A nearly complete skeleton of some hapless traveler wore the tattered shreds of a burgundy shirt.

The moment I loosed my arrow, I snuck two steps back down my rocky perch, breaking line of sight with the targets. I was rewarded by the sounds of a sharp screech and breaking glass. After a brief pause, I crept back up the rock to survey the results. One goblin was dead. The other two quickly gave up searching and returned to their posts.

Another poisoned arrow knocked the archer to the ground. The remaining guard's short sword sang from his scabbard as his beady eyes darted among the rocks, trees and brush that hid me. If he saw my third arrow coming, he did not have time to react before he joined his comrades in death.

I checked the area around the mine. Each of the goblins bore a black symbol, vaguely resembling a skull, emblazoned on their upper right arm- perhaps some sort of tribal identification? Grim totems, fashioned from spikes with skulls impaled upon them, flanked the entrance. Crude letters, that had been carved and burned into the rickety wooden door spelled out the words, 'Derelict Mine'.

The goblins carried roasted rat meat and beer as rations, but nothing of value except the archer's quiver of arrows. I cut my own three bloody arrows free from their corpses, but upon inspection, only one remained useable. Goblin blood was red like mine. I wasn't sure why that surprised me.

I quickly repaired their poor quality equipment and left it. Tucked among the boulders along the sides of the road grew several nightshade and peony plants which I harvested for later poison making.

Backtracking until I could see Superian patiently waiting, I cast a spell for her to join me. Fluttering nostrils and a soft snort indicated her displeasure at the smells of blood and death upon me, but she was beginning to get used to it. We then continued west along the Gold Road.

Although not as massive or intimidating as the Imperial City, Skingrad was certainly impressive, as its slender towers and sharp spires came into view. Red and black banners depicting Masser and Secunda in quarter phase flanked the East Gate. A solitary figure clad in red-trimmed mail, topped by the helmet of a city guard, stood sentry.

The Imperial, bearing the city's dual moon symbol on his cuirass and shield, was not much older than I. "You'll find the guilds are inside the north walls to the west." He then looked at Superian. "The stables are just outside the West Gate on the other side of the city." Grinning at the confused look on my face, he added, "You can get your horse there by using the narrow path between the castle and the city walls."

"Thank you," I smiled. I didn't really understand, but I turned Superian towards the direction he indicated. She and I slowly rode west outside of the city's southern wall. I could see the castle looming large above us on our left.

As we got closer, I shuddered involuntarily as a strange sensation came over me. I could feel some sort of distant presence. It got stronger, and I reined in Superian as we reached our closest point to the castle. Unlike the comforting feeling Acadian gave me, whatever this was seemed brooding and dark.

I placed one hand on Superian's neck. She was calm and did not sense what I did. "Acadian, can you feel a dark spirit? Perhaps from the castle?"

The paladin felt only the fact that I was uncomfortable. Like Superian, he did not detect the ominous presence that I did.

As we slowly continued and opened our distance from the castle, the feeling faded until it was gone. Whatever secret Castle Skingrad held would remain a mystery for now, as we picked our way west along the path.

Finally we found the Grateful Pass Stables. I gave Tilmo, the stable hand, a few septims, along with instructions for Superian's care. "If she gives me a good report, there will be some more gold for you when we leave." The cheerful Altmer returned my smile as I handed him the reins.

I entered Skingrad through the West Gate. The inside of the city was a confusing maze of tall buildings that cast shadows across narrow cobblestone streets. I had to ask directions again before I finally found the Mages Guild.

"I trust you have good reason for interrupting me?" Adrienne Berene lowered her book, raised an eyebrow and looked up from her chair in the library.

"I-I'm working hard to enter the Arcane University." I added hopefully, "I already have five recommendations from our other guilds, can you help me?"

The Breton lifted an arm draped in blue velvet, and touched a manicured finger to her chin as she thought for a moment. "Well, Associate, there is a matter I haven't had time to deal with myself. Perhaps you can help. One of my mages is missing. I'll tell you what; find Erthor for me and we'll see about that recommendation."

Well, that sounded familiar. Perhaps another invisibility prank like the mages in Bruma pulled on their guild head. "Do you know where I might start looking for him?"

Adrienne frowned. "Associate, if I knew where he was, I wouldn't need your help now, would I? Try talking to the other mages. I'm busy, now run along." She then quietly snapped her book closed and rose to her feet. The blue gown swirled elegantly as she turned to leave. Her braided golden hair was flawlessly styled back into a bun.

Welcome to Skingrad, Buffy.

Feeling a little inadequate, I started wandering around the guild hall. Some my best friends were Argonian women - City Swimmer and Kud-Ei came to mind. One of the nicest mages I had met outside my own guild house was Deetsan. I loved the curiously flat, precisely enunciated manner of their speech. I also found them to be very friendly. So, when I saw an Argonian woman wearing blue robes, my spirits lifted and I approached her to ask about Erthor.

"What? Who are you? Oh, who cares. I'm Druja. You want something, or are you just practicing your Cyrodiilic?"

I was getting used to cranky guild heads like Adrienne by now, but I was taken aback to encounter a grumpy Argonian. Don’t stammer again, Buffy. "Can you help me find Erthor? I'm trying to earn a recommendation from Adrienne to enter the University."

Druja looked at me for a moment. I could see her staring at the longbow and fletched shafts protruding above my shoulders. Her orange eyes then roamed down the blue raiment to my bare legs and gladiator sandals. Finally, her reptilian features softened. "I'm sorry Associate. I didn't realize you were in the guild. You don't look very much like a mage. I would be happy to try and help you." She continued to explain that Adrienne had sent Erthor to Bleak Flats Cave to do his research after some sort of spell mishap. Erthor spent much of his time there, but had been checking in with the guild periodically. "Come to think of it, I have not seen Erthor for weeks now. Here, let me mark that cave on your map for you. You should remind Adrienne that she is the one who sent him there."

"I'll do that. Thank you Druja." I don't look very much like a mage?

Adrienne pursed her lips and stared at the ceiling in thought. "Oh yes! I do remember now sending Erthor to that cave. Oh well then, you'll just have to go there and fetch him back for us, won't you? Here, let me teach you this weak fireball spell. It just might come in handy. Now, off with you."

The Skingrad facility was quite elegant compared to my comfortable, but somewhat humble guild hall in Bravil. I found a nice room upstairs and unpacked some of my things. It was early afternoon by the time I spread my map on the red and gold brocade bedspread and looked at Bleak Flats Cave. Tomorrow, Buffy. I was tired from traveling and relished a touch of civilization.

I set up my alchemy equipment on the small desktop. The next couple hours resulted in a large collection of potions and poisons from all the wonderful ingredients I had gathered during the long trip from Chorrol. I frowned at my hands. The stains of goblin blood were now joined by a rainbow of colors from grinding up ingredients. My nose informed me that I was also a little ripe from several days on the road.

With a little more exploring, I found the guild's copper bathtub. After working the hand pump for a few minutes, I practiced my new fireball spell several times to heat the water. A hot bath later, I donned a simple blue and green dress - with matching shoes of course. I combed out my hair, then gathered it back into a ponytail with my leather keep. It was nice to feel like a clean elf.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Jan 14 2011, 01:17 AM