Previously- In the final episode, Buffy was called to the University’s chapel and questioned by several of the senior staff regarding her new allegiance as Kynareth’s paladin. Buffy acquitted herself well and accepted an invitation to join the Order of the Lamp.
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Renee- Prior to Book 3, we simply maintained that the Green Pact did not exist in Buffy Fiction. After playing ESO we decided to make room for it by, as you saw, crafting other solutions to the Wild Hunt curse. I was glad we were able to craft a relationship with nature for Buffy’s Clan that is much more akin to that of the American Indians. As SubRosa taught me, and I heartily endorse, lore exists to support our stories, not hinder them.
Thank you so much for the enthusiastic support you have provided throughout this story and for readily asking questions that arise, particularly about things from Buffy’s past so I could provide reviews as required.
Lopov- It has been such a pleasure having you along for this story! One of my intents in that final episode was to show the Divines quietly at work as Buffy realized it was knowledge and confidence imparted by Kynareth under that oak tree that enabled Buffy to so adeptly respond to the Arch Mage’s challenge. And, of course the lanterns brightening at the very end.
Rider- Thanks for your wonderfully supportive comments throughout! As you noticed, during this book, Buffy grew from pitying herself and self-destructive behavior over the loss of Savlian to gradually using her memories of him for productive purposes. Like recalling some of the organized warfare things she learned from him and using his death as inspiration to literally do whatever it took to heal Agronak.
Though we have no definite plans, I expect we’re likely to read of Buffy next in the Second Era. One objective of Book 3 was to allow us to comfortably move beyond TES IV if desired.
SubRosa- Thanks for your endorsement of how Buffy handled the question about Yffre. I know you and I have both agreed on how ludicrous and impractical the Green Pact would be in practice, so a more. . . elegant alternative for Buffy was certainly called for. In ESO the Green Pact is very evident in Valenwood but many Bosmer simply blow it off. I’m pleased we were able to come up with a couple alternatives for differing clans.
I’m glad Traven’s ‘test’ for Buffy seemed effective without making him look too much like a jerk. My thinking was that the Arch Mage considers it a big deal to ensure his knights would stop even (especially) him should he advocate the use of magic for evil purpose.
A coop fic effort between January and Buffy could be great fun! I remember what a pleasure it was working with you on our Tournament of Archers. And both ladies do have quite a bit in common in terms of still having much to learn, being impatient, struggling a bit with self-confidence and, above all, having a good heart.
macole- Thank you for joining us on Buffy’s journey! I too think Kynareth was a good ‘fit’ for Buffy. Long ago, I had vague visions of somehow incorporating the Order of the Lamp as a way for Buffy to combine the love of her guild with being a knight. Calling them knights arcana seemed to make perfect sense and sound pretty cool too.
All- I have updated our Executive Summary thread in my subforum to include a concise summary of Book 3. I’ll let this thread rest here for a time, then move it to our subforum. As I mentioned to Rider above, no fiction draft is in the works at this point, though I think it likely that more of Buffy’s story remains in our future. Thank you all again for the wonderful and warm support for Buffy’s fiction!