Buffy - Book 3, We're Having a Crisis Here! Options

[Acadian]

Welcome to Book 3! As ever, Buffy’s tale of continuing adventure remains one that is character-driven with more focus on her journey than the destination.

Buffy is a Bosmeri child of Tamriel, raised in Bravil and trained at the Arcane University. Her bigger story arc will eventually and magically cross temporal boundaries, enabling her to travel between Eras.

Near the end of Book 1, Buffy helped the man she loved, Savlian Matius, free his city of Kvatch. They were successful, but the terrible cost included Savlian's very life. It was a physically and emotionally broken elf who retreated in grief and despair to her ancestral homeland. Book 2 picks up shortly thereafter and chronicles Buffy's journey of recovery and self-discovery through Valenwood. Book 3 takes place in Cyrodiil and will see the Oblivion Crisis finally yield to the dawn of a new Era – even as Buffy accepts the challenges of walking an ancient path of her own. The small elf has traditionally danced between darkness and light; in this book, she must ultimately and entirely commit to one or the other.

Books 1 and 2, in their staggering entirety as well as an executive summary concise enough to comfortably be read in one sitting, can be found on our sub forum. That said, enjoying Book 3 does not really require more information than is contained right here in these few introductory paragraphs. I have taken care to have Buffy review significant aspects of her past as they become relevant. More specifically, I want new readers to feel comfortable just jumping right into Book 3 without feeling obligated to read Buffy’s previous books first.

I estimate that at one episode per week, Book 3 will require roughly seven months to post. My fervent hope is that you find our humbly-offered efforts worthy of your time.

* * *

~ Part 1 – Welcome Back to Cyrodiil ~

Episode 1

The few determined streaks of early sunshine that managed to penetrate the forest merely teased my right shoulder with their fleeting warmth. Superian’s visible breath drifted up and back to join with the misty fog of my own. Kitsune – my vixen familiar – loped along easily but alertly beside us. The sound of hooves on the Green Road’s worn cobblestones was comforting, but could mask the subtle sounds of approaching danger from the sensitive long ears that all three of us possessed. My sharp eyes, augmented by twin rings of detect life, moved constantly, even as I also relied on the long noses of my precious mare and fox familiar to detect the scent of foes.

Numerous small life signs on the road ahead brought us to a stop. I urged the mare forward cautiously until the forms of half a dozen vultures and several jackals squabbling among themselves came into view. Enough of the armored head and reptilian body remained to identify the carcass they feasted upon as that of a clannfear.

Kitsune teleported up to her spot between my lap and the pommel of Superian’s saddle. The carrion feeders were larger than she and we had no interest in fighting them. We skirted the edge of the road, and those tasked by the Nirn Mother with cleaning her forest briefly gave ground. The unmistakably large tracks of a grizzly bear in the soft ground just off the road told the story. Soon enough, the hungry arguments of the scavengers and acrid smell were behind us. Kitsune leapt to the ground to resume her easy lope alongside Superian.

Cyrodiil had become a much more dangerous place since my return from Valenwood a few months ago. Oblivion Gates had begun appearing with disturbing frequency. Most of the Daedra remained close to the gates that spawned them but some roamed - leaving terror and death in their wake.

The Nirn Mother had responded to the flaming blights within her forests. Grizzly bears, like the one responsible for the tracks I had just seen, were not shy about attacking Daedra.

Spriggans were now more numerous. They and their black bears struggled to protect and restore the forest. They also diligently planted vines near closed Oblivion Gates that could, over time, heal the charred land and even consume the jagged stone detritus left behind.

Thoughts of Oblivion Gates drew my mind to a dear friend, Sir Mazoga. The last I had seen of her was when she and her mate, Sir Agronak, left Kvatch with Martin Septim in tow. Since then, the only word I had of the orcish pair came from reading about how successful they were at slaying Daedra and closing Oblivion Gates. Their squire, Fanador, had become quite the prolific scribe when it came to recording the heroic deeds of his knights.

Well before the sun reached its zenith, it was swallowed by a darkening sky. As we cautiously continued, the road’s next curve allowed a better view. Fear and anger grew within me as I saw the flaming arc of jagged stone that stood before us in the distance. Ominous streaks of red lightning pierced the sinister clouds that hung above this portal to the realm of Mehrunes Dagon.

Had this Oblivion Gate been out in the wilderness, I would have given it a wide berth and moved on.

Alas, such was not the case here.

Heaving a troubled sigh, I whispered to the spirit of the old paladin who dwelled within me, “Acadian, I know the message Kud-Ei gave me last night from Boderi Farano directed that I report to the University straightaway, but this gate is close enough to the Green Road that it poses a serious threat to any who might attempt to travel between Bravil and the vulnerable villages and inns south of Pell’s Gate. I-I can’t leave it open.�

“I share your trepidation, Buffy,� replied Acadian, “but I am proud of your choice.�

While maintaining a good distance from the gate, I circuitously maneuvered Superian up onto a ridgeline that provided adequate range and cover. After carefully selecting a concealed spot among several trees, I dismounted Superian and unshouldered Slayer – my bow.

Kitsune and I crept just clear enough of the trees to gain a commanding view of the gate. Sure enough, I could see a pair of scamps and a single Daedroth patrolling just outside the gate.

There was no banner planted in front of the flaming portal to indicate anyone was inside attempting to close it. Such warning precautions had become necessary. Whether Mehrunes Dagon realized it or not, the very sigil stones that powered these gates had incentivized their destruction. They were prized for their ability to powerfully enchant items with neither training nor access to specialized altars. Bands of intrepid adventurers had grown wealthy closing gates and harvesting the valuable stones. Some of them had undergone the Legion’s gate-closing training program conducted at the Arena, while others had simply gleaned what knowledge they needed from the authoritative writings of Fanador as he described the exploits of his lieges.

“Well, here goes, my paladin. We’ve got to clear those sentries first,� I whispered. “I hope I know what we’re doing.�

As soon as the emerald swirl completed its journey from my fingertips, the Daedroth roared a challenge to the scamps who answered with a barrage of fireballs.

As the Daedra battled, I nocked an arrow.

When the burned and wounded Daedroth stood victoriously alone, I drew my bowstring. The weapon responded by assisting me to fully achieve and maintain its heavy draw. I was able to leisurely aim, then loose. Slayer also helped control the bowstring’s recovery, resulting in a quiet hiss instead of the loud snap normally associated with releasing an arrow. My missile lethally penetrated the monster’s chest.

A scan of the area detected no pink glowing life signs nearby.

I knew I had to move fast, as the Oblivion Gate would soon spawn replacement sentries.

Superian quickly and surely carried me directly down the side of the ridgeline. When I could feel the heat from the portal’s flames, I dismounted and summoned my elven hunting knife. I cut a green branch to a length that matched my height then affixed the small green Mages Guild pennant I carried. I then planted my banner near the gate. It would suffice to warn any who approached that a guild mage was inside. Those foolish enough to enter such a marked gate could expect to die when whoever was inside pulled the sigil stone. We had originally learned this lesson the hard way when Menien Goneld did not survive the closing of Kvatch’s gate.

I checked that my waterskin was full, wishing I had two of them. After augmenting my twin detect life rings with a third ring to help resist the heat of the Deadlands, I asked, “Acadian, would you recall our dragon-mare to safety within us?�

“Vensahliz, I need you,� was my paladin’s simple incantation. Vensahliz was Phantom’s name in dragon tongue, meaning wind-phantom-ice. Phantom was Acadian’s ice dragon mount. Though they both perished serving Kyne during the great dragon war at the end of the Merethic Era over four thousand years ago, their spirits lived – Acadian within me and Phantom within Superian. In order to return to Acadian, Phantom transformed the body she shared with Superian into the essence of their combined spirit. The mare evaporated into a pale blue vapor which made its way to my fingers. I closed my open hand to absorb her.

A moment later, Acadian announced, “She is safely with me now.�

With a glance from me, Kitsune disappeared. Satisfied with the preparations, I took a deep breath. Before I could change my mind, I slipped into the flaming portal.

Even as the dry heat began to permeate my buckskins, I sought a place of hiding among the rocks. The layout of this piece of the Deadlands seemed blessedly simpler than that which Savlian and I had navigated at Kvatch. I moved quickly to the sigil tower, relying on my detection magic and stealth to avoid several roaming Daedra.

Working my way up the tower, I used illusion spells to start several fights among its guardians. The ensuing distractions served to focus their attention away from me as I manipulated any doors or switches necessary to ascend.

The top of this sigil tower was guarded by a storm atronach and dremora warrior. After my magic coaxed the two into combat against each other, I sprinted to the sigil stone and grabbed it.

As the tower rumbled and began to collapse, intense white light forced my eyes closed and I felt myself falling and spinning. After a few terrifying seconds, I bounced off the cold ground of Nirn and scrambled to my feet.

[Acadian]

SubRosa- I knew you would remember Fanador from Book 1! Buffy is indeed very protective of Savlian’s memory. Thank you!

Grits- I couldn’t resist giving Fanador his own adoring fan and bringing the play on words full circle. Despite his . . . vigorous personality, Fanador does indeed have a good heart. Thank you!

BretonBlood- TES IV never revealed the Adoring Fan’s actual name, so we did a play on words to name him back in Book 1. Fanador attached himself to the Grand Champion of the Arena (Agronak gro-Malag). When Agronak (thanks to Buffy's matchmaking efforts in Book 1) went to Leyawiin and joined Sir Mazoga as a knight, Fanador went with him and became squire for the couple. Fanador’s book describes both the stealthy approach to closing Oblivion Gates pioneered by Buffy and Savlian, as well as the ‘smash anything in your path’ approach subsequently developed by Mazoga and Agronak. The book did indeed help enable many more brave souls to successfully close gates. Thank you!

ghastley- Clark would have indeed used a Dremora archer to help! Savlian had to make do with a scrawny wood elf. Thank you!

Lopov- Yes, Fanador suffers from an overabundance of enthusiasm. The meetings that Buffy has with Boderi in the next few episodes will reveal the main themes of the entire book. Thank you!

Renee- In Buffy’s world, anyone not in physical contact with whoever pulls the sigil stone will not escape from the Oblivion Gate as it closes. That is a big part of why, in our stories, gate closers plant an ‘enter at your own risk’ banner outside a gate before they go in. Buffy’s voice (both speaking and singing) suits her I think. Though it is not Buffy of course, here is a clip of the voice set she used in TES IV and V. If you don't want to watch the full clip, the last five seconds will provide a good example of her voice. A talented bard, her singing voice is well-represented by both Enya and Malukah. Thank you!

DE- I just couldn’t resist giving Fanador an adoring fan and I’m glad you enjoyed a bit of humor from it. Boderi Farano is a staff instructor at the Arcane University in TES IV. Her role in the game is not significant but in Book 1, we placed her in charge of battlemage training and she was Buffy’s mentor and primary instructor. She will continue to play a large role in Buffy’s story. Thank you!

*

Previously- When Buffy entered the University’s lobby, she was met by the awaiting and animated Fanador - squire to Sirs Mazoga and Agronak. She learned that the orcish pair of knights seek help with the Oblivion Crisis, and it was likely their recent meeting with Boderi Farano that prompted Buffy’s summons to the University. After a brief stop at the Chironasium, Buffy arrived at the Mystic Archives where she learned Boderi was upstairs in her office apartment.

* * *

Episode 5

“Welcome, Journeyman. I’ve been expecting you.� Boderi Farano ushered me into her apartment’s front room that served as both parlor and office. “I trust your trip from Bravil was uneventful?�

I shook my head. “Superian and I left as soon as we got word you wanted to see me. We were waylaid closing an Oblivion Gate though and only just arrived within the hour.�

“That is the second gate you have closed now,� she stated.

I nodded. “I couldn’t leave it open; its location posed too much of a risk to travelers, inns and small settlements along the Green Road south of Pell’s Gate.�

“I would expect nothing less from you, Buffy.� Changing the subject, she asked, “Does the squire of Sirs Agronak and Mazoga know you are here?�

“Yes, Boderi. He just ran into the city to notify them.�

“Good. I know they are anxious to meet with you.�

“As am I,� I replied. “I understand they’re asking for our help?�

“And they shall have it.� The elegant Dunmer stepped over to a ceramic kettle and held a glowing finger against it. “I will let your friends explain in detail when they arrive. Tea?�

“That would be wonderful.� I unshouldered my bow, removed its quiver and shoved both into the small magic satchel at my waist.

Boderi watched me with a lifted eyebrow as she heated the kettle. “I see you have made some modifications to your old bag of holding. But tell me, Buffy, cannot you summon and unsummon the bow we crafted and enchanted for you?�

“Not anymore,� I replied. “After your courier dove delivered the weapon to me in Valenwood via magic summoning scroll, I quickly fell in love with it. Thanks to the foresight of you and Daenlin, that bow kept me alive during my travels.� I dug around in Boderi’s familiar china hutch for cups as I continued, “After returning to Bravil, I learned that when Master Daenlin crafted it, he infused some of me into its staff via strands of my hair that he had removed from a brush in my home. Kud-Ei informed me that Delmar similarly retrieved some of my essence from the University’s arcane flame and used it when he enchanted the bow per your specifications at the Chironasium.�

Once we were seated and a steaming cup was cradled between my hands, Boderi said, “So the summoning enchantment has malfunctioned? I’m sure that Delmar can – “

“No,� I gently interrupted with a smile. “Precisely because the bow contains some of my spirit it has evolved with my needs. I have surrendered the ability to summon and unsummon the weapon. I’ve also forsaken trying to use it while mounted.�

In response to the lingering confusion on Boderi’s face, I continued, “The bow was sustained by a constant drain on my magicka that prevented me from casting other spells while it was summoned. Though better than a ‘cast and forget’ timed summoning - with its inherent risk of dispelling at inopportune times - using it became problematic as a mystic archer. The bow responded by simply becoming a persistent rather than summoned weapon. In return, I’ve regained the ability to smoothly integrate casting and shooting. One consequence is that the ends of its long staff can no longer pass ethereally through Superian’s neck or haunches as required to support its effective use while mounted. Since its quiver no longer has the opportunity to replenish while unsummoned, it’s evolved to replace missing arrows at the rate of one every few seconds whenever below its full capacity of twenty five.�

I smiled. “The true magic of the bow, of course, remains that it actively assists this weak elf achieve the heavy draw that is largely responsible for its impressive power. Daenlin and Delmar both knew that such responsive magic would only be possible if they crafted part of me into the bow.�

“That the weapon can so readily adapt to your needs is a wonderful bonus we had not anticipated,� Boderi replied with a thoughtful nod. After a bit more small talk, she gently asked, “Tell me, butterfly, how are you faring after the loss of your Captain Matius?�

I should have expected the question. Boderi not only wielded considerable authority within the guild, she was also a caring friend and mentor, whose sage counsel had never been limited to mystic archery. I blinked, then gazed into the fire that gently crackled within her stone hearth. “Much of what has sustained me has been hatred for Daedra – perhaps not the healthiest attitude, but it has worked. I am. . . fine.� My sideward glance toward Boderi revealed a skeptically lifted dark eyebrow. “Well, s-sort of.�

“Out with it, young lady,� she gently commanded. “I’m informed that your situation required Guildmagister Kud-Ei’s intervention.�

Blinking to hold back tears didn’t completely work. I summoned a handkerchief to dab my eyes. “I had been back from Valenwood for several weeks. . . and struggling. One morning Master Daenlin dragged me from my house after too much wine had kept me from making a dawn hunting date with him. I kicked and screamed how much I hated him as he carried me over his shoulder right through town and into the guildhall. Once there, things didn’t get any better. Kud-Ei agreed with him and told me in no uncertain terms that I would bunk upstairs with Ardaline until I began eating enough, stopped the wine and started taking care of myself.� I lowered my face into the linen square and quietly cried.

After a few moments, my tears slowed and I felt Boderi’s hand on my shoulder. “Go on, Buffy.�

“For almost two weeks, either Daenlin or Ardaline was constantly with me to ensure I followed Kud-Ei’s guidance. Well, except during my daily time with Superian; she was the only part of my life that I had not let fall apart.� I wiped my face and looked up at Boderi. “But I got better. Soon enough, I was practicing and refining my spells at the guild, and hunting with Daenlin. My house was gone – Daenlin made me sell it, but I grew to love living with my guildmates. I started to put weight back on and my hair began to shine again. In time, I was confidently hunting alone and exploring ruins around Bravil.�

“And what did you learn of yourself?� asked the Dunmer as I paused for a sip of tea.

“That I don’t hate Daenlin, Kud-Ei or Ardaline. I-I love them for what they did and I’ve told them so. I’m sure I’ll continue to struggle with Savlian’s memory but I think I’ve moved beyond the allure of wanting to join him in death – and the self-destructive behavior that such thoughts can bring.� I allowed the bound handkerchief to dispel in a soft lavender cloud. “I still need to frequently remind myself that Savlian’s dying words included his wish that I live my long elven life.�

Blue-green fingers gracefully lifted my chin and Boderi studied my face. “I’ve no doubt that time will gradually soften your pain and enrich the memories of your time together.� After a moment she added, “And now you’ve closed another Oblivion Gate – with no assistance. It is good to see that the dragon has rejoined the butterfly.�

I thought of Acadian. “It never left me. Not for a moment. It just took a long time for me to understand.� Noticing Boderi’s cup was nearly empty, I set mine on a nearby table and stood. “More tea?�

Before Boderi could answer, the sound of steel against wood penetrated the door to her office apartment.

“Enter,� she replied.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Jan 19 2020, 05:41 PM