Buffy - Book 4, Drodda the Icewitch Options

[Grits]

Oh my goodness, Kynareth’s entrance was lovely! I adore her warm, straightforward manner. (And a pair of Nordic plaits draped in front of the shoulders cannot be improved upon. )

I never considered that Phantom would have remains somewhere, so the idea that someone had sought them out for misdeeds was especially chilling. That darn Drodda and her siphoning spells! Buffy’s response was no surprise. Where do I go to kill her?

I was glad to see such tenderness from Kynareth. Even though Buffy carries those who are most important within her including memories of Savlian, leaving everyone in her life who loves her is a terrible decision to have to make.

[Lopov]

A beautiful and vivid description of Kynareth's arrival and transformation.

My mouth also remained opened for a while, after reading that the Ice Witch's plans actually exist in the past. Finally we also read for the first the name, that's mentioned in the subtitle of this book.

I'm sure that Buffy will fair well in the past, but without her fellow companions it'll definitely be a challenge and a unique experiences...just like for us, the readers.

[Acadian]

Previously- Buffy met with Kynareth and learned that an ice mage is siphoning the residual magic from Phantom’s long frozen corpse – some 750 years in the past. Kynareth agrees to consult with the Dragon God of Time about the possibility of sending Buffy back in time to intervene. In the meantime, Kynareth suggests Buffy consider whether she is willing to leave the life she knows behind.

*

Renee- Thank you! Yes, Kynareth will be a major character in Buffy’s future and we’ll spend plenty more time developing her. And it does look like there may be some time travel involved to get Buffy where she needs to be. Regarding Skyrim - very early on, it was a dragon who saved Buffy’s life from the Imperials who kidnapped and wanted to behead her so she had no qualms with dragons. She also quickly learned that Stormcloaks disliked elves. Then she learned to dislike Thalmor as well. So. . . about the only organizational alliances she had were with the College of Winterhold and the Companions.

Rider- Well, the acorns are out of the bag now and it does indeed look like ESO for Buffy. Our challenge was devising a reason compelling enough to cause her to leave the life she knows in Oblivion. The Elder Council will display yet another ‘crack’ in its ability to wisely rule the Empire, and Kynareth will elaborate more on how dire the threat to Buffy’s dragon mare is. Once those pieces are in place, Buffy’s final decision should seem natural, even predictable.

SubRosa- Thank you for your kind words regarding our depiction of Kynareth. She will develop into a major character as she earns Buffy’s trust and Buffy worms her way into the Divine’s heart.

macole- I’m so glad you are learning more of what makes Buffy tick. My challenge with such a long multibook saga is trying to review relevant pieces of her history and lore adequately as we progress. As I’ve mentioned, I welcome questions should my efforts in that regard prove insufficient.

Grits- Thank you! My hope is to present Kynareth as both the goddess that she is, but also possessing a warm approachability to her paladin. We spent much time devising some purpose that would coax Buffy to travel to the Second Era for, as you say, leaving her friends behind will not come easily. A nice thing about Kynareth is that, like Acadian, she is timeless and will be with Buffy regardless of Era.

Lopov- I appreciate the kind words about Kynareth’s arrival. She has been interesting (and enjoyable) to write, and will remain an enduring character in Buffy’s world.

* * *

Episode 4

Kynareth had certainly given me much to think about. I was distracted as I spent much of the day catching up on local news with Nilawen while helping in her general store. By early evening, Daenlin stopped by and coaxed me to dinner at Silverhome on the Water.

I was well into a grilled salmon steak when my old Bosmeri archery master remarked, “You seem distant, Buffy, what troubles you.”

I finished chewing, swallowed and took a small sip of wine as I carefully considered my words. I would not lie to or mislead Daenlin. But neither did I want to worry him. “I have a decision to make. . . and it’s a big one.”

“That sounds serious.” He wrinkled his brow. “Would it help to talk it out?”

“I don’t think so, Master.” Though he was no longer my archery master I continued to use the honorific. “Kynareth has called me to consider a quest for her. The mission is important but would take me far away for perhaps a very long time. Beyond that, it involves details I cannot discuss.”

Daenlin set his fork down. “I can see this is important to you. Whatever it is, I know you’ll make the right decision.”

I took his hand. “Thank you, Master.”

“How do you enjoy living at the guild?” asked Daenlin, helpfully changing the subject.

“It’s good for me, I think, to be surrounded by my guildmates. I. . . I’m thankful that you and Kud-Ei forced me to sell my house and move into the guild. You both were right; I was not doing well by myself after losing Savlian.”

“A thank you, is it?” asked Daenlin with a smile and wink. “I’ll take that over the ‘Daenlin, I hate you!’ and bruises on my back I received when I carried you over my shoulder out of your house to the guild hall.”

I chuckled, even as I felt a flush of embarrassment. “I hope I’ve learned some of the wisdom both you and Kud-Ei have tried to teach me over the years.” With a last small drink, I emptied my wine goblet, set it on the table and pushed it away.

Daenlin watched and said, “I expect you have much to think about. How about I walk you home to your guild?”

Later that evening, Ardaline and I were upstairs, sitting cross legged on our beds wearing flimsy sleeping tunics and catching up with each other. Kitsune was comfortably curled up on my pillow, her luxuriant tail draped over her head. Our occasional giggles were interrupted by Kud-Ei. “I am sorry to interrupt your girl talk but I received an unusual letter from the Arch Mage today.”

“Unusual?” I asked.

Kud-Ei nodded. “Arch Mage Traven has called for a meeting three days hence of Guildmagisters and senior staff of the University. It is unusual for its short notice. Such things are normally scheduled several months in advance. Whatever it is, must therefore be quite important. Ardaline, I want you to act as temporary Guildmagister in my absence.”

“M-me?” squeaked Ardaline. “Would not Buffy be a better choice? After all she’s a Knight Arcana in the Order of the Lamp.”

“Nonsense, young lady. I’ve seen how deftly you manage customers as our alchemist. Fair, courteous but not easily cheated or manipulated. This will be a fine opportunity to further develop your leadership and confidence. Besides, Buffy will be escorting me to the University.”

I tilted my head. “I'd be honored to do so, Guildmagister. . . but I’m curious. You’re a grandmaster illusionist and the road between here and the University is reasonably safe. . . .”

“Your perceptiveness does not fail you, Buffy. Whatever news the Arch Mage has to impart must be important for him to call us together on such short notice. As Ardaline reminds us, you are a Knight Arcana; I think we both can predict Palatinus Boderi Farano will want to see you after the meeting.”

I nodded. Kud-Ei was Guildmagister for good reason. “When do we leave and are you comfortable riding one of the stable’s horses?”

“I have preparations to make tomorrow. We’ll leave after breakfast the following day. And yes,” she admonished, “I do know how to ride a horse.”

Ardaline and I stayed up later than we should quietly speculating in the dark about what could cause the Arch Mage to call such a meeting. Once finally asleep though, my dreams were visited by visions of an evil ice mage trying to draw power from Acadian’s dragon.

*

My escort mission to the University was uneventful.

Boderi Farano was not only Palatinus of the guild’s Order of the Lamp and fellow paladin, but she had been my advisor, then mentor since I first came to the Arcane University to begin my studies. I had never kept secrets from her. Her discretion was without question and her advice always wise. It was Boderi, in fact, who maintained custody of my completed journals and memoirs. She knew about Acadian, Phantom, my godmother Azura. . . everything. No surprise then that the evening before the Arch Mage’s meeting, I had shared the details of the situation Acadian and I faced with Phantom and the choice that Kynareth was soon likely to present me. Though Boderi offered no advice better than what Kynareth had already told me, it felt good to share the situation with her.

This morning, however, I found myself making a pot of tea in Boderi’s parlour and waiting for her to return from the Arch Mage’s meeting. At length, I heard her door open. I poured cups for each of us and turned toward the door. “The tea is hot and I hope the Arch Mage had good-“ I froze as I saw Boderi. Her beautiful green skin had a gray ashen tinge and the look in her ruby eyes was one of despair.

“The news is not good, Buffy, and there is no easy way to say it,” the Dunmer began. “The Elder Council has decided to disband the guild. They’ve given Arch Mage Travin six months to complete the process.”

I managed to get the cups onto a table without spilling too much and my small butt into a chair without my knees buckling. “What could possess them to make such an absurd proclamation?!?”

Boderi’s unsteadiness was much more subtle than mine, but she slumped into a chair as well. “It would seem,” she said with a sarcastic bite to her voice, “that our successful support of the Empire during the Oblivion Crisis revealed that, when necessary, the guild can be a martial force to be reckoned with. Our reward for the brave actions of our battlemages and healers is to now be perceived as a potential threat. The Council is apparently concerned that should the guild disagree with whatever policies they might decree, that we could muster the power to unseat them.”

“Troll dung!” I exclaimed. “The guild has never attempted to interfere with the policies or politics of the Empire. Emperor Uriel understood this. So did Martin Septim. Their deaths, it seems, have dealt far-reaching and dangerous consequences to the Empire. That Elder Council is as useless as a sundial in a sandstorm.”

“Your words echo much of what we heard at the meeting, Buffy. Believe me, the Arch Mage feels as you do. Yet we are certainly not going to do what the Council fears and wage war against them. I’m afraid we have no choice but to stand down the guild and the University.”

“What’s to become of the responsible study of magic? A descent into hedge wizardry?”

“That is a possibility I suppose,” she said, “but frankly, none of us know. The overwhelming administration of this task will be shepherded by Raminus Polus.”

“Small and bitter consolation," I replied, "that Raminus is peerless at managing the myriad details that standing down the guild will require.”

“Buffy,” Boderi tried to smile, “my beautiful butterfly-dragon. Last night you asked my advice regarding the choice Kynareth may present to you and I had none for you at the time.” She sighed. “Today I would urge you to seriously consider what she may offer. I fear there are dark days ahead for the Empire.”

I nodded solemnly.

“Oh,” added Boderi, “Dagail was at the meeting and asked that you stop by the visiting Guildmagister quarters before you leave for Bravil and she for Leyawiin.”

“I’m not sure when Kud-Ei might want us to leave and, since I’ve no idea when Dagail might depart, I’d better do that straightaway.”

Boderi and I stood. I closed the two paces between us and we hugged. I couldn’t help but feel this might be the last embrace we ever share.

[Renee]

SubRosa asked if there's any ties to ESO which is good! I was wondering the same thing. But I'm always asking those sort of questions, and then I sometimes feel bad if that portion of the story is based on imagination, rather than the game or some mod.

Correct, I remember the Goddess of Wind & Nature is the Aedra Buffy is most akin to,.

Ah, it's Daenlin. Owner of Archer's Paradox. "Because a perfect arrow flies forever, and I have no perfect arrows..." (sheds a tear).

I'm still amazed that they had to 'force' her to sell her house. I remember from BB3 launching a bunch of questions almost to the point of interrogation about what this means, Acadian!

Cool, a trip to the AU. Yeah, the Elder Council's not too keen on Third Era policies and programs, just like political changes in real-life. Pretty sure that's how the lore actually goes, too; Mages Guild, disbanded. And so begins the slow decay of the Empire.

[haute ecole rider]

What a way to start this book - so much sadness and grief. But that's to be expected in the aftermath of the Oblivion Crisis - that's something that will take years, even centuries, for Cyrod to recover from. It certainly does feel like we are witnessing the dying of the once great Empire of Talos Septim.

All good things come to an end, or as Chaucer puts it: “But at the laste, as every thing hath edne”

It is no less bittersweet, however, to see Buffy visiting old friends and familiar faces in Bravil and the University.

And I wonder if the Arcane University will go underground, as the Blades did/will do, if we are following the lore of Skyrim.

This makes me want to keep reading! SGM!

[Lopov]

It's Daenlin "the perfect arrow"!

Uh oh, the decision of the Council doesn't bode well for the future of the Mages Guild.

You left us hanging on a cliff there...I'm sure that most of us expected to read about Buffy's decision to "travel into the past", instead we got presented with another shocker - the oncoming disband of the mages guild. Maybe these events are even somehow intertwined. So now we actually got more than just one cliff-hanger.

[SubRosa]

There is some nice catching up with old friends in Bravil here. Then the portentous news that something is afoot at the Mages Guild. I wonder if this is about necromancy?

The Elder Council is going to disband the Mages Guild? What morons. It sounds like exactly the sort of thing a government would do. One that is fearful of losing its power over its own citizens.

I have to agree with Boderi when it comes to the usefulness of the Elder Council.

I wonder if Dagail might have some prophetic insight into Buffy's future. Or would that be her past? If she does indeed travel back to the Second Age, then from a vantage point in the Third Age, she has done it already!

[Grits]

Oh good grief! The coming disbandment of the Mages Guild feels like a gut punch even though it’s no secret in later history books. I can imagine the cascading questions and despair that such an abrupt announcement would bring. Not to mention the utter lack of confidence in the Elder Council, which Buffy already has experienced.

It was a treat to see Buffy with some of her closest friends.

Yikes! More dark days ahead, and even more loss for Buffy. Now Buffy and Ardaline’s slumber party seems bittersweet. It’s hard to imagine them giggling together under that roof again.

Hmm, I wonder what Dagail has to say to Buffy.

[ghastley]

Well now, Buffy has things that need dealing with in two very separate eras. I hope Dagail can reveal that they are connected, and she can help one situation by sorting out the other. Or else she's going to want to be in two places at the same time, and possibly two times in the same place.

[Acadian]

Previously- Buffy enjoyed dinner with her old archery master, Daenlin. Once settled into her guild for the evening she learned that she would be escorting Guildmagister Kud-Ei to a short notice meeting at the Arcane University for Guildmagisters and key University staff. It seemed Arch Mage Traven had a major announcement. After the meeting, Buffy was informed by Palatinus Boderi Farano that the Elder Council had directed the Arch Mage to stand down the Mages Guild and Arcane University within six months. Boderi asked Buffy to speak to Guildmagister Dagail who had also attended the meeting.

*

Renee- After losing Savlian Matius in Book 1 Buffy went to Valenwood in Book 2. Book 3 found her back in Bravil and her grieving was not going well at all. She was neglecting herself and engaging in self-destructive behavior to the point it required the ‘intervention’ she and Daenlin just discussed in our last episode to force her from her house into the guild hall and under the supervision of her guild mates. Happily, that was just what she needed at the time.

When we first started writing Book 1, Buffy’s accounts were quite accurate reflections of her game. Gradually, however, we have moved well away from that and now use her game merely as inspiration. This will continue. Her Second Era Tamriel should feel familiar to those who play ESO but we’ll take loads of liberties when it comes to specifics and mechanics. As ever, I appreciate the opportunity to answer questions about Buffy’s long history and future plans.

Rider- I’m glad you agree that it feels as if we are watching the Empire beginning to crumble. This is intentional of course, to make it easier for Buffy to feel comfortable abandoning it for Kynareth’s quest to the past. We won’t be closing the loop on what ultimately happens to the guild/University but today’s episode will shed some resolution on Kvatch’s future. Thank you for your insights.

Lopov- Sorry for the cliff hangers. We are indeed trying to simultaneously create a rather grim present to help ‘push’ Buffy away from the early 4th Era while portraying a situation in the past compelling enough to ‘pull’ Buffy into the Second Era. Thanks for bearing with us.

SubRosa- Thank you. Buffy has such a long history in Oblivion and so many dear friends there that saying goodbye will be a challenge for her. Yes, the Elder Council’s unfounded paranoia does not bode well for the Empire. Dagail - yes, let’s see what she has to share with Buffy in today’s episode.

Grits- Thank you. Gut punch is a perfect description of the Council’s decision to disband Buffy’s guild. Yes, with the prospects of Kvatch, the Mages Guild and Buffy’s dragon mare in question, things will be a bit somber for a few episodes.

ghastley- Thanks for reading! I’m afraid there’s not much Buffy can do about the Mages Guild going forward. I’d wager she’ll be able to do something about that pesky Second Era ice mage though.

* * *

Episode 5

Dagail was Guildmagister of the Leyawiin chapter and a very old Bosmer. I believed her to be a seer of some sort, for she knew things that seemed unknowable. She was somehow aware that my spirit was combined with that of the old paladin, Acadian. She told me I would become a paladin well before Kynareth called me. Her gift had taken a toll on her mind, however, for she routinely drifted in and out of lucidity.

I found the set of visiting Guildmagister quarters she was using. Before I could raise my hand to the door, I heard her voice, “Come in, Buffy.”

Unsurprised, I opened the door and stepped inside. Dagail was dressed in a burgundy brocade gown and her gray hair was fashionably arranged in an upswept style. The experience of numerous centuries was written in the lines upon her face. “Guildmagister, it’s good to see you again.”

Chestnut eyes returned my gaze. “Congratulations, paladin. I have not seen you and Acadian since Kynareth called you, but I knew the Divines would choose wisely.”

“Thank you. I am learning much about my new patron. Did you have a pleasant trip?” My question was motivated more by concern about her travel arrangements than idle conversation.

“Yes. My deputy Guildmagister and I shared a carriage.”

“Boderi said you wanted to see me?”

Her gentle but gnarled hands grasped mine as the old Bosmer looked into my eyes. “After Kynareth sends you to where and when you must go, seek me in the Leyawiin guild. I will be much younger then, but I will know you and how to help you.”

“I-I have not even been offered a choice about her quest yet. How do -“

“Shh, I must rest now.” With that, her eyes began to glaze. I knew further conversation would not be productive. Instead, I helped her into bed and quietly left.

As I closed Dagail’s door behind me, Kud-Ei approached. “Oh, Buffy, Boderi said I might find you here. I’m sure she told you the grim news. I must head back to Bravil immediately to notify our chapter and begin making arrangements.”

“I can retrieve your horse from Equestria and we can leave within the hour if you wish.” I found it odd that Kud-Ei was wearing a halter top, loincloth and her feet were bare.

She shook her head. “I will travel alone by swimming the river – faster, safer and an advantage of being an Argonian. You were right, I do not really require an escort. I will ask your help though.”

“What can I do, Guildmagister?” I asked.

“Follow me.” She led me into the nearby visiting quarters she was using. “Can you escort that nice mare the Bravil stable loaned me home from the University’s stable?”

“Of course. What else do you need?”

She pointed to the bed, upon which were arrayed her possessions including a mage robe, pair of sturdy shoes, several books and what appeared to be a journal. “Do you think you could get my belongings home for me? It would speed my travel greatly.”

“Of course. I’ll be back to Bravil only a day or so behind you.”

“Thank you, Buffy. I will go now.” With that, she turned and left.

I summoned my magic storage trunk. It had been a gift from Sanguine after I completed his questionable prank of magically disrobing the Countess of Leyawiin and her guests at a stuffy dinner party. As I opened it and placed Kud-Ei’s things inside, I smiled, recalling the look on Countess Caro’s face and her futile efforts to cover her naked bits. The chest allowed me to use the mage pouch of holding at my waist for quick access to only the things I might need in a hurry or more discreetly.

I closed the trunk, dispelled it and looked around. That was it. There was nothing more for me here. “Acadian, we’ll leave in the morning. I’ll say goodbye to Thernd, Equestria’s stable manager, when we pick up the mare that Kud-Ei used. We’ll tether her behind Superian for the trip back to Bravil.”

I was up the next morning before most of the University came to life. I coaxed the kitchen out of some fresh bread, soft cheese and a handful of strawberries before heading out through the main lobby. The young apprentice on duty at the reception desk was not known to me but I was greeted with, “Good morning to you, Dame Buffy.” She handed me one of several copies of the Black Horse Courrier on her desk. “The Courrier’s delivery rider just dropped these off.”

“Thank you,” I replied while glancing at the headlines. I skimmed over the lead story about my guild being dissolved, simply to verify there was nothing in it I didn’t already know. Another story caught my eye however:

Elder Council names new ruler of Kvatch!

A spokesman for the Elder Council announced late in the day that Canuvius Carvain would succeed the late Countess Odalys Goldwine and assume the mantle of leadership at Kvatch, effective immediately.

As reader’s will recall, Countess Odalys recently died after her long bout with a mysterious wasting sickness. Her illness is believed to have been contracted while a captive during the Daedric occupation of Kvatch. Daedric magic is suspected.

The name Carvain will be familiar to those who follow Cyrodiilic politics, for Canuvius is the son of Countess Narina Carvain, who has ruled Bruma for many years. Though this is young Canuvius’ first foray into a position of responsibility, he comes from a family of well-respected Imperial nobles who have lived in Cyrodiil for many generations.

~

I returned the Courrier to the stack it came from and looked at the apprentice busily writing in her official logbook. She was a Breton who could not have seen more than sixteen summers. What will become of you, I wonder? You, who are just beginning your journey into the arcane. Will it be truncated by the short-sighted paranoia of fools who sit on the Elder Council? What dreams do you have for the future that the guild could have helped you achieve? Finally I said, “I wish you well, Apprentice, wherever your journey takes you.”

She looked up from her task. “Thank you, Dame Buffy. . . may I ask you a question?”

“Of course,” I replied.

“My instructor said I will be unable to graduate since there is not time to complete my studies before the University has to . . . well, you know. And, you see, my family spent most of our gold for my tuition. . . .”

“Headmaster Raminus Polis is a wise and fair man. I’ve no doubt the University will return your tuition to you if they are unable to complete your studies.”

“Thank you. That will really help my family. I had hoped to learn enchanting and work as a guild mage. . . but I guess my mother knew best after all when she said I should learn to sew and become a seamstress like her.”

“Best wishes to you and your family, Apprentice.” I forced a smile to hide the bitterness I felt. Dreams, indeed.

The morning sun was still low as my feet carried me down the long and winding stone steps to Equestria in the Valley of Horses below the bridge connecting the University to the Imperial City. Acadian remarked, “At least this young Carvain is not the son of Count Bravil.”

I sighed. “I guess that’s something. I just hope he’s wise enough to listen to Sirs Mazoga and Agronak. And his court mage, Sigrid. Oh, and Lucilius Marcus, his guard force commander.”

Before long, we were on the road south again, the borrowed mare from Bravil tethered behind Superian while Kitsune loped along beside us.

“I feel like my world is going to Oblivion in an ox cart, Acadian. I don’t know how much more bad news I can take.”

“I share your trepidation, my elf, for it does indeed seem like a dark time for the Empire.”

“Speaking of time, Acadian, we have not talked about the momentous choice Kynareth may present me with. All I know for sure is that I’ll make no such decision without your counsel. Tell me your thoughts.”

“I go where you go, Buffy. And I will not second guess your path.”

“That’s reassuring of course, my old paladin, but you're evading my request.”

“I suppose I am, Buffy. The hesitancy is because my thoughts on the matter are selfish. Phantom is as precious to me as Superian is to you. . . but I know how important your wide circle of dear friends here in Cyrodiil is to you.”

“I am torn as well, Acadian. I do believe, however, that as much as I treasure my friends, family is even more important. You, I, Superian and Phantom may be the oddest family imaginable, but we are the only family we have. If Phantom's spirit is truly in danger and we must forsake the life we know here to save her, then so be it.”

“I. . . thank you, Buffy.”

Well, this was something new. There had been many times when fear or worry had wound me up to the point where I fluttered about, trying to fly up and hide in the tallest tree I could find. And, as many times, despite my sometimes lashing out at him, Acadian had calmly talked me back down to Nirn, easing my fears with just the right words. Never before, however, had I known him to be uncertain, torn over what to do. . . even a bit fearful perhaps. And it had been I who calmed him down for a change. For I could certainly feel that his trepidation had eased. It somehow made me feel better as well – something I desperately needed now.

[haute ecole rider]

Do Bosmer really live that long? I guess you are taking a few liberties with lore (as I am with mine . . . hmmm). I was a bit surprised by Dagail's hint that she would be quite the spry young thing when she and Buffy next meet.

I was, however, unsurprised by Kud-Ei's decision to swim back to Bravil. Of course the water route would be so much faster for her! And she always struck me as a very practical lady, even with her fancy dress.

Canuvius Carvain, huh? I must admit I'm full of memories of my own Countess Carvain, and am not sure I recall how you presented her in Buffy's world. If your Countess is similar to mine, then there is hope for Kvatch yet. Otherwise, if she is closer to the likes of Count Bravil and Countess Leyawiin, well . . .

And the latest conversation between Buffy and Acadian makes me think of the old adage about the student becoming the master, and vice versa. Yay for both!

[Lopov]

Sorry for the cliff hangers.

Don't apologize, I love cliff hangers. They make me more eager for stories to come.

Looks like that Buffy is about to meet young Dagail. That will be a fantastic journey...to the past. I wonder, what the young Dagail was like. Maybe she was more sane at that time.

Though the name Carvain rang a bell, it's been obviously too long since my last visit to Cyrodiil, so I didn't make two and two together, until the name of the Countess came up. I like the segment of the article in the middle of the story plus the picture and the font change.

I too like the conversation between Buffy and Acadian at the end..

[ghastley]

I'll admit I was expecting the Arcane University to separate from the Mages Guild, rather than close. My expectations were that the split that results in Synod and College of Whispers would be just that. The AU (theoretical magery) would become the College and the battlemages etc. (practical magery) would become the Synod. It still has time to work out that way by dissolution and reformation, but the scenario you bring out of interrupted study is an argument for Raminus doing his best to keep AU intact.

I am looking forward (backward?) to a young Dagail being a significant player in the story.

[macole]

Do Bosmer really live that long? I guess you are taking a few liberties with lore (as I am with mine . . . hmmm). I was a bit surprised by Dagail's hint that she would be quite the spry young thing when she and Buffy next meet.

I was a little surprised too, so I searched a bit. If I read the timeline correctly, the 3rd era is around 433-years in duration. So, I looked at it this way, depending on when Dagail was born in the 2nd era she could be somewhere between 25-100 years old; teenager to young adult. That would make her around 500-years old during the Oblivion crisis. Extremely high for Bosmer, but conceivable given Dagail's condition.

[ghastley]

I was a little surprised too, so I searched a bit. If I read the timeline correctly, the 3rd era is around 433-years in duration. So, I looked at it this way, depending on when Dagail was born in the 2nd era she could be somewhere between 25-100 years old; teenager to young adult. That would make her around 500-years old during the Oblivion crisis. Extremely high for Bosmer, but conceivable given Dagail's condition.

ESO takes place 312 years before the end of the 2nd era. 3rd era was 433 years, as you wrote. Buffy will be going back 745 years. However, the time she'll arrive in has its calendar stuck, as it is still 2E582 after ten RL years.

For reference, Barenziah was 380 years old when she gave birth to Helseth. Divayth Fyr is in both ESO and Morrowind, (and possibly looks younger in the later era). Add in magic, and anything can happen.

[haute ecole rider]

And let's not forget Mannimarco/King of Worms. Guy keeps coming back like a soap opera star.

[SubRosa]

The Buffster's meeting with Dagail was direct and to the point. Clearly, Dagail's psychic abilities are as sharp as ever. I am looking forward to meeting Young Dagail, the Teenage Witch in the future, um, the past.

A trunk of holding is a handy thing to have. January is already finding her bag of holding to be invaluable.

So now we know who the new ruler of Kvatch will be. A relative of the Countess of Burma. As he is someone who was never introduced in the story (at least I do not recall if he was), I can't say I have any opinion on him one way or another. He might turn out ok, he might not. But I do not think we shall have the time to tell in this tale.

I appreciated the little scene with apprentice. Was thinking of people exactly like her: students who might never to be able to complete their training. What is going to happen to them? Are all their lives going to be derailed by the Elder Council? Will there be other options? Nature hates a vacuum, and the lack of a Mages Guild is just begging for some less than trustworthy replacement to rear its shady head. Like a magical correspondence course, that takes all your money, but teaches you nothing in return.

[Renee]

Oh good grief!

Ha ha I love that reaction!

Acadian: What's an example of a self-destructive behavior from your fragile elf? For my Fo3 story character it was drugs, for instance. But I know Buffy's not a skoomahead, so are there any other examples in previous books? ~ Other than neglecting her home?

Dagail is aware of Acadian, in the sense that Buffy's got an association with an unseeable entity, interesting.

Uppp, here it is. New ruler of Kvatch has been appointed. Canuvius Caravin, son of Narina. 👑 Sounds good. I have a feeling the young fellow's going to be featured in some future chapters, we'll see... Very nice layout there. Book Antigua font bumped up two sizes, really love the BHC header, too.

Sad, the part when she looks at the young Breton guildmate, and ponders what sort of future she might have. Indeed, what's to happen with all the apprentices and members who suddenly must find new futures. Good grief.

Yes indeed, the words from the paladin seem vague at best. The elf remains a bit unsure what to do. Maybe it's because the paladin doesn't want to suggest a decision until more info has been gathered. What if the paladin says "so, try doing X!" but 'X' winds up being a very wrong choice, with horrible results in the future?

Do Bosmer really live that long?

I wonder this too, but for different reason. I have trouble with elves living such long lives in general (as portrayed in the single-player games, at least)! Not including Buffy, it rarely seems long-lived elves gain much wisdom over the decades, and sometimes centuries. Earana is an example. Not sure how old she is, but her face has wrinkles, so perhaps middle-aged, which according to ES lore would put her somewhere between 100 and 200 years-lld. Yet her decisions in ES4 come across as juvenile. To me, anyway.

Sorry for off-topic.

This post has been edited by Renee: Yesterday, 05:27 PM

[haute ecole rider]

Earana is an example. Not sure how old she is, but her face has wrinkles, so perhaps middle-aged, which according to ES lore would put her somewhere between 100 and 200 years-lld. Yet her decisions in ES4 come across as juvenile. To me, anyway.

Speaking from experience dealing with people over 19 years of veterinary practice and 12 years of retail service, some people never grow up . . .