Buffy the Bowgirl, Book 1, Thread 3, Do You Know the Way to Kvatch? Options

[Ceidwad]

Acadian, good chapter again. I really enjoy your descriptions of how Buffy feels when she encounters different opponents - how she has neutral feelings towards animals and goblins, but detests necromancers. You work well with in-game examples too.

One question, your description of the scene with Corrick using the staff on the skeleton intrigued me: did this actually take place in your game? I've never used the PC version, but from what I've read it would be possible to use the console to equip Corrick with the staff, summon a skeleton, provoke it, and have Corrick use the staff to kill it. That's one of the reasons I want to get Oblivion for PC someday (that plus mods obviously), to do cool things like that. Too bad my laptop (sans mouse) is impractical for playing Oblivion at the moment.

[Acadian]

83 was the third episode of Buffy's four part miniseries, 'Harm's Folly'. After managing to teach both herself and Corrick how to use a fire staff, Buffy made her way toward Exhausted Mine. While clearing the area surrounding the mine's entrance, she shared her thoughts on goblins and even did some sparring with one to improve her skills.

Rider- I was delighted to realize that we see goblins exactly the same way! Buffy of course is still trying to figure them out and her assessment of them may very well evolve as she learns more about their sophistication. I envision a very distant storyline (not in Book 1) where she actually gains membership to a tribe (Clan of the Cave Mer ). I know that they have factored heavily into the darker side of poor Julian's memories.

Grits- I'm so glad you enjoyed Buffy's 'training sessions'. We had several purposes for the 'goblin sparring':
1. To contrast the 'sweet girl helps farmer' with what it takes for her to earn and maintain that very ability to help.
2. To present yet another glimpse into how Buffy employs the game mechanics that she finds in her world to improve her survival.
3. To display a questionable thought process that is driven by her very powerful need to survive. That is, does her objective justify the means she uses? Intentionally, a reasonable and open question. Nope, nothing simple about her convoluted thought process!

Thomas Kaira- Buffy readily pleads guilty to controversial choices as she goes about doing what she feels is necessary. I do indeed intend for her views to often have gray edges, and her choice to train with a goblin certainly fits that category.

Hypocrisy is indeed among her long list of imperfections. This is an elf who greatly admires and respects those who can wield steel and stand toe-to-toe against their foes; yet her own primary tactic is to preemptively strike while hidden in the shadows like a coward. She touts the nobility of her cause to help free Kvatch, yet her true motivation is purely selfish attraction to her hero in a headband. She will murder for spite, yet refuses to do so for hire.

She will eat a deer to ensure her survival, and sacrifice a goblin to her training for the same purpose; yet she respects them both. The fact that she considers goblins to be worthy opponents is exactly why she tasked one to provide her some training. She does not equate using the bounty of nature for eating, wearing or training as a lack of respect for the creatures that provide it. Her logic here will not meet everyone's standards, but it meets hers and keeps her alive.

She has never laid claim to moral high ground and makes no apology for the actions she deems appropriate to survive. I don't expect her to appeal to the peeves or sensibilities of all readers.

ghastley- Thank you! Buffy does indeed respect goblins. She saves the hard core torture for necrodudes, bandits and highwaymen.

King Coin- WooHoo! The very next episode opens inside that cave!

mALX- So many things to do and so little words! Yes, poor Acadian is sometimes relegated to the role of 'silent partner'. Buffy had a lot to ruminate on in this past episode and the paladin couldn't get a word in.

SubRosa- Thank you! For those not familiar with 1.0, I overreached in trying to creatively say 'cast a soul trap spell'. I'm so glad this version was clearer. I'm also glad you noted our efforts to show some of Buffy's limitations when it comes to magic. In fact, let me hijack your comment into an excuse to review them for all readers:
1. She can't cast ranged healing spells.
2. She casts spells only from an empty right hand with a couple exceptions. She can use both hands to heal. The 'reinforce her bow to block' spell that Boderi drilled into her is the only real left handed spell she can cast. Perhaps it is because Slayer is almost an extension of her arm that allows her to cast this spell into her bow-filled left hand.
3. Her ability with the elemental destruction effects of fire, frost and shock do not extend much beyond the 'flare' spell, heating bathwater, or chilling an ale for Daenlin. The fact that Buffy's destruction skill is almost exclusively focused on drain speed and weakness to poison is of course, quite the source of chagrin to her friend Delphine Jend.
4. Her conjuration skill has not yet progressed beyond the most basic of summons.
5. She needs to be standing to cast. Although she's an accomplished illusionist and healer, simply holding her down so she can't get off her barstool can render her magically helpless.

Wolf- Buffy has so missed your beautiful support! Particularly after this somewhat controversial story, your words were like a soothing potion to us.

Ceidwad- I so appreciate that you enjoy riding along with Buffy as she ruminates regarding differing foes. We enjoy weaving her thoughts into her actions and even brushing against the occasional in-game quest.

As to your question, although the goblin training session was an extremely accurate description of the event in her game, we did not equip Corrick with the staff for his training up at the farm. What you suggest regarding equipping NPCs is possible via the command console. For our screenshot showing Corrick for example, we replaced his dwarven mace with a steel one that we thought better suited a farmer. I understand there are mods that include the ability to more easily equip NPCs as desired. Although we do not have it, one such mod is Companion Share and Recruit. Do not be discouraged by the lack of a PC or mods for your game. Honestly, we find passion and imagination to be the magic ingredients. In fact, of Buffy's relatively short list of mods, it is the very simplest ones (portable campsite and saddlebags) that we find the most immersive to our play.

All- Whew! Sorry for the long windedness, dear friends. I so hope you will now enjoy the conclusion of Buffy's 'Harm's Folly' storyline.

* * *

84 Harm's Folly, Part 4

My tactics clearing the first two levels of this mine had been safe, simple and effective. Upon locating groups of goblins, I used the power of illusion to induce fights among them. Remaining hidden in shadow, I allowed them to reduce their own numbers. I would repeat this as necessary, not hesitating to disappear or summon a distraction when needed. Survivors were then sniped off. No less than eighteen goblins were now dead.

Poison, illusion spells and salvaging arrows had helped control the depletion of my quiver. Digging into my magic bag for spare arrows, I couldn't help but smile as my hand touched upon the beautiful leather-bound book with blank pages that Mazoga had given me. I realized it would soon come into service, since my current journal was now full.

Adding the last seven spare arrows from my magic bag brought the count in my quiver up to twenty three. Superian's saddlebags were magical enough that they could hold arrows, but I had already taken the last of her supply before leaving Harm's Folly. I had just under a full quiver to not only kill any remaining goblins, but to safely see me home to Bravil. Home. . . .

It was the pervasive odor really, more than the cold or damp, that returned me from homesickness back to my task at hand. The lack of fresh or circulating air emphasized just how badly goblins smelled. Clearly, neither bathing nor housecleaning was part of their culture.

I stood now in front of another door. After I wiped off several layers of dirt, my torch revealed the words: 'Exhausted Mine Bottom Section'. Relieved at the implication that this would be the final level, I extinguished the light.

As soon as I slipped through the door a screeching challenge pierced the air, leaving no doubt that I was detected. All I could see was a large glow with arms and legs looming before me. The pink aura itself served as an eerie light source that revealed the silhouette of an axe being raised. Protective magic burst instinctively into my bow as I raised it to block. Despite my panic, I managed to fling off a spell. My emerald illusion magic swirled into the pink enemy to fill the tunnel in front of me with disorienting color.

Thankfully, the axe stopped in mid-swing. The goblin wielding it was convinced to turn and engage the two other bright glimmers of life rapidly approaching us.

I pressed my back against the door, as the three goblins met in a clash of steel and howls right in front of me. A lavender globe of magicka escaped from my fist. As the conjured bones of my summon appeared, I hoped he would help even the odds.

One goblin fell, then my skeleton. Nocking an arrow, I aimed at the two glowing combatants now locked in a mortal dance. I felt the splatter of what must have been a spray of goblin blood as it traced across my breasts. I cursed the door behind, that forced me into this close range.

As one goblin fell, I loosed my arrow into the other from less than two paces away. Three bodies now lay at my feet. Slowly, I scanned and counted six more life signs; none were close however. I decided to pause here a few moments and let my racing heart slow a bit.

"Acadian, are you proud of me?" I lit a torch and knelt to cut my arrow from the goblin. "There was a time when this 'door trap' would have left me badly wounded, dead or at least in a puddle on the floor, crying. That can still easily happen of course, but with training and hard work I think I'm getting better." I sheathed my knife and inspected the arrow.

The paladin quietly replied. "You're doing a fine job keeping this frail body we share alive. I rather appreciate that. As to your question, I am always proud of you, my bowgirl."

The very short tunnel opened into a large cavern. A search of the chamber revealed nothing of interest except another passage leading deeper into the mine.

With my darkened torch now stowed, I silently crept into the shadowy corridor. After completing a sharp turn to the left, another cavern appeared ahead of me. This one was well-lit by a campfire and hosted three life signs.

I could see one goblin quite clearly. He was seated, skinning dead rats and placing the meat into a stewpot that hung above a cooking fire. Next to his feet, onions and carrots surrounded several heads of cabbage that appeared destined to join the rat meat. He paused briefly to sip a beer, then poured the rest of the bottle into the pot. His two flanking comrades were hidden from view by the stone walls of the tunnel.

After applying poison to my arrowhead, I fit the nock to Slayer's silk bowstring. The arrow propelled the chef from his stool. I was confident he would not get up. The glows of his two comrades instantly reacted however.

As soon as the first goblin charged into the tunnel toward me, magic flew from my fingertips. My hand then shot over my shoulder for the tail of an arrow. The illusion convinced him to immediately wheel and intercept the goblin on his heels. As I hoped, the two joined in combat and ignored me - for the moment.

I waited, watching along the shaft of my nocked arrow. The yowling and screeching sounds of goblins, while now well-familiar, remained eerily chilling. As one of them fell, my arrow fatally congratulated the victor. I then entered the cavern.

Relatively safe for the moment, I sat by the fire, trying to ignore the bubbling pot of rat stew. Parwen, the busty Bosmer I met in Skingrad, had told me to beware of spellcasters. Apparently they were often found in the deepest parts of goblin lairs. I figured that pretty much summed up where I was now. After repairing and recharging Slayer, I searched the chamber. Again, I found only a tunnel leading deeper.

Hugging the cold stone walls, I crept into the narrow corridor. I could make out that the cavern ahead contained a single life sign. I readied a spell. Other mages called the effect telekinesis, but I used it to help identify long-range targets. I focused on the pink form ahead and was able to divine that it was a goblin berserker. A single arrow, dressed with poison, extinguished him.

I sneaked up to the end of the tunnel. The grotto containing the dead berserker was of medium size and bathed in a subtle glow from above. I could see several large rock outcroppings rising from the stone floor. On the far side, was an opening - to yet another tunnel. Two distant life signs were well beyond the rock walls ahead.

In addition to the corpse of the berserker, I found no less than a dozen skeletons of men and mer. Were these the remains of intruders who had neglected training their skills? Or perhaps trophies? Thankfully, the same open shaft to the surface that admitted soft traces of natural light, also helped reduce the stench of decay. I had glimpsed into the nature of goblins enough be amazed at their clever complexity.

Wisp stalk grew abundantly on the floor of the cavern. I gathered several portions of the slender mushrooms that could easily be made into lethal poisons.

As I looked beyond the next tunnel and surrounding stone walls, I could see the living aura of only two remaining goblins. I crept into the tunnel. Up ahead, the narrow corridor took a sharp turn to the right. The glows beyond were now quite large.

With my empty right hand twitching to either cast a spell or grab an arrow, I crept around the corner toward the life signs. Barely breathing, I stopped as I faced what appeared to be a small cavern. Both goblins within, were obscured by the stone walls of the tunnel.

In order to clearly see my enemies, I would have to enter the small grotto and stand between them. I backed away some. Raising my hand, I watched my arm disappear as the illusion I cast settled over me. Unseen, and silently gliding like a ghost, I entered the chamber.

The small space had a right and left wing, each containing a goblin. I readied my target identification spell. I didn't need to cast it, which would sacrifice my invisibility; I merely needed to concentrate on my targets with the spell in mind. I quickly divined one to be a skirmisher. The other had an unfamiliar name - 'Netherboss'. Just as silently, I retreated from the cavern toward relative safety.

I hated the panic and fear that I felt when I had to react quickly in a crisis. If I was scared or pressed, I just couldn't think very nimbly. I was at my best when I could take the time to devise and think through a plan, so that's what I did.

As my cloak of invisibility expired, I selected a very powerful and complex poison. It prevented spell casting while delivering three types of damage. After applying it to the tip of a broadhead arrow, I nocked the vile missile. I then crept forward until I stood undetected and just far enough into the small cavern to strike. The shot, at this range, would be easy but I would need to be quick with my magic.

While aiming Slayer at the Netherboss, I could see the skirmisher off to my right side. I was actually concentrating on an illusion spell.

The bowstring was still snapping forward when my now empty right hand spiked out to one side and fired a spell toward the skirmisher at the other end of the cavern.

Dark with poison, the Netherboss spiked the air with a hand, but no magicka blossomed. The skirmisher, now under my command, launched a vicious attack against the spellcaster. I nocked a second arrow and waited.

The Netherboss wielded his mace to defend himself, but it was too late. Poisoned, pummeled and unable to cast spells, he fell. My arrow hit the skirmisher in the center of his back, driving him against the stone wall. As his glow faded and he slid to the ground, Azura's Star sang the final haunting note of this battle to clear Exhausted Mine.

After shouldering Slayer, I allowed a tiny flame to leap from one fingertip to the head of my torch.

Searching this final small grotto revealed an unusual amulet around the neck of the Netherboss. It was beautifully ornate, with a large jade stone set in gold. There was an inscription on the back, clearly identifying the rightful owner.

As I tucked the amulet into one of the pouches on the outside of my pack, I said quietly, "Be at ease, Kayleen. Corrick will get this back. He can now live out his days in the home you made together."

* From Buffy's scrapbook: Screenshot

This post has been edited by Acadian: Mar 10 2011, 04:48 AM

[mALX]

WOO HOO !!! I hated this cave! Buffy made short work of it, but goblins give me the creeps !!! GAAAAAH !!! GO BUFFY !!!!

[haute ecole rider]

And vengeance has been wrought. Good job Buffy - it shows how caution and planning wins the day, even when confronted by unexpected events. The door trap is a perfect demonstration of the value of drill, drill, drill. Her responses to the situation were appropriate and more importantly, fast. Fast enough to save her life? You betcha!

I did catch one nit:

That can still easily happen of course, but with training and hard work I think I'm getting better.{"} I sheathed my knife and inspected the arrow.

It looks like the goblins scared off the closing quote here.

And our paladin finally gets a word in!

[Thomas Kaira]

I don't expect her to appeal to the peeves or sensibilities of all readers.

Your own ideas come first. The interpretations of your readers can help you along, but when it comes to such concepts as morals and motivations, only you know what is best for your character. Quite frankly, I must applaud you for sharing such a controversial selection with us. It allows us to understand that not only is Buffy flawed, but she recognizes it and has no wish to change who she is. Some might disapprove of this, but not me. Selfishness (to an extent) is a virtue in my eyes, and Buffy is a perfect example of why. She is guilty of no folly, and I think none the less of her for her misgivings.

OK, to the story...

Only Buffy could deliver combat in this way. It never gets old, as it is most creative. There is no lost honor in sniping in the shadows, in fact "honorable battle" is an oxymoron. When one man wishes to kill you, I really could care less what others think of me in my attempts to preserve my life. Wait... that sounds like a familiar argument.

Azura's Star sang the final haunting note of this battle to clear Exhausted Mine.

Most excellent finale!

EDIT: In more than one sense, as well, I'd wager. I feel a 4th thread coming, and coming very soon....

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Mar 10 2011, 06:50 AM

[King Coin]

I really enjoyed this chapter! I'm glad Buffy's better at handling close-in action now than before!

[SubRosa]

The lack of fresh or circulating air emphasized just how badly goblins smelled.
Ewww!

Phew, that was a close call at the door. Every archer's worst nightmare is being cornered like that. Yet Buffy showed her stuff with her cunning use of magic and archery.

my arrow fatally congratulated the victor.
Elegantly put!

Finally, an excellent picture of Buffy standing amongst the goblin's victims. Linking the light shaft to the surface with a premeditated decision to put the corpses there was an excellent bit of goblin building.

So now then, I take it Buffy will be off to Bravil for a well-deserved break?

[Grits]

I’m not so sure about the rat meat, but I have to admire a culture that puts beer in their stew! Whew, that was a long day’s work in the mines. Buffy’s narration had me captivated every step of the way. I hope there is a waterfall on the way home. Buffy’s training has really paid off. Now I can see her working her way through a sigil tower.

[Thomas Kaira]

Beer in your stew?

[Ceidwad]

Popcorn, cheese and beer? No thanks.

[Rihanae]

I love reading about Buffy's adventures. This chapter was equally thrilling.
Keep up the good work
Amazing.

[Winter Wolf]

Wolf- Buffy has so missed your beautiful support! Particularly after this somewhat controversial story, your words were like a soothing potion to us.
Ha Ha! I remember the two schools of thought that roared like fire around this story at Beth. You have certainly cleared up any misconception on Buffy 2.0. At the time it might have been a panic for you, but the great sign was that your readers were passionate about a little Buffy to analyze your writing from every which way. And really, that is all a writer can ask for....

I stood now in front of another door. After I wiped off several layers of dirt, my torch revealed the words: 'Exhausted Mine Bottom Section'. Relieved at the implication that this would be the final level, I extinguished the light.
One of the hardest things in writing is to know when to 'linger' and when to push the story forward- here you allow us to enter the lower chambers instead of labor through the 18 earlier goblin deaths. Readers will always skim when the story becomes repetitive, so kudos to you for keeping the focus very tight!

I pressed my back against the door, as the three goblins met in a clash of steel and howls right in front of me.
I really loved this.

[Zalphon]

My apologies for being gone so long, I really did like this chapter

[MyCat]

I loved this one too, but speedier people have already pointed out my favorite bits.

(Is "snuck" really a word? )

[Acadian]

In Episode 84, Buffy concluded her 'Harm's Folly' miniseries by clearing Exhausted Mine of the goblins that had been plaguing the farm and family of Corrick Northwode.

mALX- Thank you! She finds goblins scary, but fascinating.

Rider- As you know, Buffy is easily flustered when quick or nimble thinking is required. That is why you are so very right about her need to pre-think and drill possible scenarios. Again, Boderi Farano's influence is seen here. Thank you for pointing out the nit so I could fix it!

Thomas Kaira- I'm so glad Buffy's quirky and flawed thinking didn't drive you off! Thank you for the kind words. Thanks also for the beer recipe. Perhaps that rat chef who was driven out of Leyawiin should consult some goblins for additional recipes, or perhaps seek work with one of their tribes.

King Coin- Thanks! She has had to imagine loads of panic type scenarios, fight them in her mind and train quick reaction drills for them. As a result, her ability to compensate for her tendency to fluster under pressure is getting better.

SubRosa- Buffy learned a great deal about goblins here, and she is amazed by them. More and more, she finds herself pondering her 'primitive cave mer' theory as having some merit. Thank you. You are very right that she needs a good break in Bravil!

Grits- Buffy's admiration (and awe) of goblins grew here. I'm so glad you enjoyed her narration. Thank you for your confidence in her readiness to engage a sigil tower. The next time she returns to Kvatch, I bet she will not butterfly away.

Ceidwad- How about some of SubRosa's patented imp chips and beer? Thank you for staying with us!

Rihanae- Welcome to both you and Lissa. I'm delighted that you have joined us and even started your own promising fanfic! Thank you for those kind words.

Wolf- Thanks for your strong encouragement. I'm glad you agreed with our 'summary' of the first two levels of that large and well-populated dungeon. I predict Buffy will soon meet a mysterious elf in black. Very soon indeed.

Zalphon- I so appreciate hearing that you enjoyed this episode. Thank you!

MyCat- Thank you for those kind words! Is snuck a word? I did some digging. It seems the answer is yes, snuck is a word, but sneaked is an older and slightly more preferred word. I suspect you knew that and are just being delightfully tactful to this humble scribe. I took the liberty of sneaking back into the episode and changing snuck to sneaked. I thank you for cuing me to look into it!

All- Allow me to quote Buffy from this most recent episode:

'Digging into my magic bag for spare arrows, I couldn't help but smile as my hand touched upon the beautiful leather-bound book with blank pages that Mazoga had given me. I realized it would soon come into service, since my current journal was now full.'

She is indeed correct that we have arrived at the end of this thread. We shall immediately open thread four and continue her journey. Thank you so much, dear friends!

Thread four and Buffy's other threads may be found on Acadian's sub forum.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Nov 26 2012, 10:03 PM

[mALX]

Beer in your stew?

You can also marinate chicken in two parts beer, one part French dressing overnight - doesn't matter if you grill, bake, or fry it the next day, the wonderful flavor comes through. (I just don't let my husband know I have stolen one of his Budweisers to make his dinner).

[Acadian]

Thank you, mALX! Buffy will have to get some goblin beer, High Rock dressing and try that recipe!



This post has been edited by Acadian: Jul 31 2011, 01:18 AM