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

[DarkZerker]

Loves it!!

This chapter catches Buffy's true persona. And I always wondered what vampires did when you cast a Frenzy spell and now I know...

[haute ecole rider]

Outstanding description of the quest. I think you did a great job describing the mess that is the basement of the mine. Buffy's Frenzy spell is one I never think to use when confronting more than one enemy. Geez!

And another cliffhanger! Don't keep us waiting too long!

[hazmick]

It's important to improve penetration, wait...ignore that.

that was a good chapter, brilliant descriptions of spells and arrowheads. rubbing vamp dust on Buffy was a good touch, and a new fashion statement perhaps? we'll see.

The vampires talking to one another and asking for death was a good touch, quite emotional.

[Olen]

Exciting stuff there, quite a choreographed feel to it and some clever use of tactics. Well described too which was most enjoyable. Disintegrate armour on an arrowhead, there's an idea. You could even put frenzy on one, or turn undead (there's a spell I never think to use).

I donned my ring of light.

Oh dear. That's sooo last year. Just everyone uses nighteye now, it's the in thing.

My only slight confusion was at the vampires, while I liked the way you showed them as people and understand that they might attack prey on sight I don't get why, given that they want to be defeated, they didn't damage their own equipment or something like that to make them easier to kill (or kill eachother even?). Just an observation.

[Zalphon]

Another Buffy Chapter, another laugh.

[Remko]

Bring peace to the poor tormented vampires.... okies *twack*
Wonderful as always

[Acadian]

Chapter 23 was the fourth episode of the seven part 'Child of Dawn'. Buffy continued deep into Gutted Mine, destroying vampires on behalf of Azura. We left the bowgirl with a cliffhanger; it seemed she was being charged by a very large, very fast vampire.

All- Buffy did indeed major in illusion at Boderi's Academy of Mystic Archery. The take away of course is that she is getting rather adept at manipulating the minds of her foes in a variety of ways. Although similar in some ways to frenzy, she was actually using the command humanoid effect in the above episode. A frenzied target will attack the nearest actor, requiring distance considerations to ensure the target does not attack Buffy. It works of course, but can be a tad risky in close quarters. A commanded target will only attack Buffy's enemies - even leaving her side to seek out nearby foes. If there are no nearby enemies, the commanded target simply stands calmly, allowing Buffy to attack up to three times before turning hostile.

I try to resist saying something like 'cast a command humanoid spell', although I came close at the end of the above story with: 'The tall slender glow of the Altmer that I had commanded was quickly extinguished.' I suspect any confusion may have been a combination of my vague wording the first time Buffy used the spell, and the well-known popularity of frenzy for starting fights. Forgive me for perhaps being a touch vague in describing the effects of her spells sometimes - I will try to creatively and more accurately suggest the intended effect in the future, thanks to the wonderful feedback here.

Foxy- Thank you. When fighting heavy metal foes, and I caution Buffy that a longbow is a poor tool for piercing plate armor, she smirks, reaches into her quiver and says, "Watch this!" - I just had to figure out a somewhat plausible explanation.

SubRosa- Thank you so very much for drawing out the tortured duality of those vampires. Nille and Avita hated what they were, but struggled unsuccessfully against the urges and self preservation of the beasts within. They found themselves unable to undermine or intentionally lose the fight to Buffy.

Disguising herself while hunting - yup, you were thinking just like Buffy; she couldn't find any vampire urine, so she settled for their dust. It seems a little inconclusive, but Buffy thinks it worked.

I thank you for the inspiration you provided that led us to come up with disintegrate armor as part of the whole armor piercing arrow explanation.

mALX- Thank you! Buffy forgets lots of things in the heat of battle too, but her focus is on bow + illusion so she usually does ok with those. She has trouble trying to remember that sometimes a summons can help though, so we know what you mean.

treydog- Thank you. Yes, I was hoping for some display of her fancy University training as well as trying to deepen the mystery - or in her case raving confusion - over the whole business of vampires and how they relate to Buffy. Despite being in a scary dungeon with more important things to worry about, Buffy was relieved that if she had to smell, at least it was like a pretty (albeit lethal) flower.

Zerker- I'm so glad you're enjoying this!

Rider- Thank you. Your warnings to not underestimate that dungeon are wise indeed. As you say, it's a tough layout with a tough crowd. Whew! It looks like four of the beasts are down. By Buffy's count, only one left. How hard can it be? *nervous gulp*

hazmick- Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed Buffy's tricks, and that we were able to bring a little depth to the vampires.

Olen- Thanks of the nice words on tactics. On night eye, Buffy's preference in dungeons is to use ambient light, seeing her world primarily as pink glows. Her vulnerability with this is approach is traps - by moving slowly and knowing this weakness, she can usually (ouch) find them before they find her. She carries a couple torches and her rings of light and night eye. She typically eschews the torches and dons one of the rings only when needed. In this case she wanted to see the true colors as she examined her defeated foes, unhindered by that blue cast. She tends to use the night eye ring when she needs to examine something, and there are foes nearby - also for underwater work sometimes. Night eye is certainly a wonderful tool though.

The vampires longed for defeat indeed. I suspect they were extremely limited in their ability to undermine themselves for several reasons:
1. The humanity that remained within them was overpowered by the powerful urges and survival instincts of the vampiric beasts within.
2. If they gave up or killed each other off, the quest would be no fun.
3. If they took off their armor and attacked in their underwear, it would add a severely humorous aspect to a serious quest.

Zalphon- Thanks! I'm glad you're finding some humor in our bowgirl's misadventures.

Remko- Thank you for the kind words!

* * *

24 Child of Dawn Part 5- What Am I?

The pink glow was big all right - and despite the rattle and metallic clanking that sounded like plates of heavy armor, the vampire was approaching at an astonishing speed.

As he stormed from his cavern and presented a clear shot, I drew the silk bowstring to my cheek and loosed the enchanted arrow. The slender, hardened arrowhead pierced the steel of the orc's cuirass with a small burst of orange magic. The impact, along with my bow's enchantment, stopped the armored monster in his tracks. I could see his green skin darkening, as my poison quickly flowed into his body. My hand was already sliding a second arrow of the same type from my quiver.

The bow's drain speed effect was powerful, but of short duration. The orc shook his head as if to dispel confusion, then resumed his charge.

By the time he advanced a few more paces, I had loosed my next arrow. He again staggered briefly, then relentlessly continued his rush towards me.

He was too close for a third arrow now. The dancing cobra, that had decisively turned the tide of several fights to my favor, swirled from the fingertips of my right hand. In addition to its poison-like damage I figured it would put the orc on the ground for a few seconds - long enough for me to bring my bow to bear again and even call forth a command spell if needed.

I stood in horror as the vampire ignored the paralyze effect, his charge unabated. Pale red eyes clearly reflected torment and fury as the long sword in his right hand swept straight out to one side, preparing to swing.

My left hand came up as Daenlin had taught me. Simultaneously, Boderi Farano's training caused white magic to flash into my bow, strengthening it to meet the oncoming attack. I braced myself to block, even as I began to form a spell that could command the vampire.

The orc's horizontal slash mercifully slammed into one of the nearby wooden support beams with a thunderous explosion of splinters and dust. The mountain of green flesh and heavy armor bearing down on me however, did not stop. His body struck my reinforced bow and I was swept from my feet. The growing spell in my right hand fizzled as the vampire's momentum drove both of us into the wall behind me.

There was a flash of light, then I was swallowed by silent blackness.

I was fighting to breathe as I awoke under a crushing weight. Struggling, I managed to push and shove the dead monster that covered me until I could gratefully fill my lungs. Then I kicked and wormed my legs out from underneath the orc until I was able to sit up. I drew both knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. My shaking became uncontrollable, then turned to sobs.

Tears eventually yielded to the realization that I sensed no more vampires here.

Everything hurt. A pair of soothing potions eased some of the pain. I ran both hands over myself to make sure I still had all my parts. There was a small amount of blood from around my neck and right shoulder - probably just scratches. Miraculously, nothing seemed broken. Boderi had insisted that my bow-blocking spell include a shielding effect for my body. I figured that explained why I had survived being caught between a charging orc and a rock wall. And yes, somehow my greaves were still dry.

I stared, in awed amazement, at the body of the orcish vampire sprawled next to me. Extending my thumb and fingers as I counted, I tried to add up how much it had taken to kill him: Whatever harm his companion did; one poison; two arrows, each with my powerful bow's enchantments; and finally, the venom from Cobra's Dance. I slowly shook my head, figuring he must have died about the time he drove me into that wall.

"Worthy foes? I damn well guess they are!" I inspected the mighty bow that had staggered, delayed, knocked down, burned and killed its way through this den of vampires. I would not have survived with a lesser weapon. Even now, it was undamaged and had over half its powerful charges remaining. It didn't seem right to thank Mara for the dark magic I had employed to enchant the bow, but I certainly had no lingering doubts about my choices.

I tried standing. My head began to swirl and I quickly grasped a support beam to steady myself. I could feel something else. . . coursing through me, as if carried by my very blood. Something evil. I cast my healing spell several times. My arms, legs and even my head felt better, but the sick feeling was still there.

I looked at the dead vampire before me and was struck by a chilling thought. Was I a vampire now? Would I need to seal up the exit and spend eternity here in the cold tunnels of Gutted Mine? I opened my mouth and ran my fingers along my teeth - no fangs. How much time did I have?

My mind started racing. Who would take care of Superian? Would Acadian stay with me? What about - Buffy, stop it! Take a deep breath and think.

I took my advice.

Ok. I remembered from my restoration classes that vampirism was a disease. Could it be cured? I quickly dug through my pack until I found the root of a mandrake plant. I hoped it would purge this disease as it had cured other minor illnesses for me. After a few bites, I chased the bitter taste with another soothing potion. Quickly, I could feel my body rejecting the evil. "Thank you, Mara," I whispered.

I turned my attention back to the orc, I recalled him charging right through Cobra's Dance. It had very nearly cost my life to learn that vampires cannot be paralyzed. A search revealed an ancient parchment note around his neck. I carried it closer to one of the suspended candle lanterns.

'My name is Ghola gro-Muzgol. My companions' names are Aranalda, Nille Elf-Daughter, Avita Cassiana, and Umar gra-Khar. The vampire Dratik died by our hands, but the price was dear. Those into whose hands we have fallen, we thank you, and pray your favor. We served Lady Azura. Bring these, our last words, to Her Shrine. We praise Her with the full fountain of our devotion. Our destinies were written in the stars, that our souls and reason be slain, and our world lost forever. None can escape Her Fate. But let us be remembered at Her shrine, and in the hearts of Her servants. It is only by fate that any life ends, and only by chance that it is mine. . . not yours.'

The cutting edge of Ghola's long sword was still deeply embedded in the support column that had intervened on my behalf. With both hands on the grip, and one foot against the wooden beam, I tugged and wrestled the blade free. Gently, I laid it next to the noble orc who had come so close to killing me. "Be at ease, Ghola, you are free now." I then commended his spirit, and those of his companions to both Mara and Azura.

I hoped that the chamber in which Ghola had killed that Altmeri archer - I guessed from the note that her name was Aranalda - was the last area of this mine to be searched. Perhaps I would find answers there. So much had happened that I didn't understand. "Acadian, although you can't read my mind, I know that you can see my actions and feel what I feel. Can you sense the discomfort within me when vampires are near?"

He could.

"It seems they can detect me as well, only by scent - they said I smell like nightshade to them. Remember that first orc asked me if the legends were true? Those two women I overheard called me a messenger of death. Acadian, all this is making my head spin! Do you understand any of it?"

The old paladin was as mystified as I, which further deepened my concern.

"Who am I?" I then shuddered as I added what was probably a better question: "What am I?"

* * *

From Buffy's scrapbook: Screenshot

[D.Foxy]

Woo eee...


Ok, heart pounding less now. Can write...

PHEW that was...CLOSE!!!


And I LOVED that screenshot. How the heck did you make that Orc so big? He's easily THRICE Buffy's weight!!! And how did you get that pose???

[treydog]

Acadian! Please don’t scare me like that! First, the charging mountain of a vampire-orc smashes into our tiny elf. (My greaves stayed dry after that- barely.) And then she finds blood- on her neck!- and I’m thinking “Oh, dear,” (or words to that effect.) And now she feels something swimming in her veins. Thank the Nine for her University training and the mandrake root.

As is so often the case, if I highlighted everything I liked, I would simply reprint the entire episode. But if I must choose:

My mind started racing. Who would take care of Superian? Would Acadian stay with me? What about - Buffy, stop it! Take a deep breath and think.

That is so typical of our bow-girl- thinking of her horse and her paladin…. But then we see her growing ability to use reason instead of simply reacting.

Gently, I laid it next to the noble orc who had come so close to killing me. "Be at ease, Ghola, you are free now." I then commended his spirit, and those of his companions to both Mara and Azura.

Simply wonderful.

"Who am I?" I then shuddered as I added what was probably a better question: "What am I?"

One problem solved, and a deeper mystery presents itself.

This whole installment was brilliantly written. I think I need to go lie down until my heart stops trying to gallop out of my chest.

[mALX]

I love that screenshot !!!!!! It took me forever to see Buffy - HOW did you do that? ARGH! AWESOME chapter!!!!

[Zalphon]

"I cast my healing spell, my legs, my arms, even my head felt better. But the sick feeling was still there." Excellent view on how heal spells work.

[SubRosa]

When fighting heavy metal foes,
This made me imagine Buffy fighting Judas Priest or Iron Maiden...

The slender, hardened arrowhead pierced the steel of the orc's cuirass with a small burst of orange magic. The impact, along with my bow's enchantment, stopped the armored monster in his tracks. I could see his green skin darkening, as my poison quickly flowed into his body.
A very eloquent way of describing the armor-piercing arrow, as well as the game mechanic of turning green when poisoned.

Phew, that was a close fight! Poor Buffy learned that vampires are immune lots of things, including paralysis, and learned the full value of Boderi's training. Likewise, she was a smart vampire hunter, and brought a cure disease with her her.

Finally, we leave Buffy confronting this new, strange relationship she has with vampires. You certainly leave plenty of room open there!

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Sep 2 2010, 05:24 PM

[hazmick]

phew, too close. I know she will reject the idea of a sword but could you have a word with Buffy about getting something to re-enforce her bow---even if it's a dagger or some destruction magic.

good screenshot to finish, more please.

[Olen]

Now that was an exhilerating part. And a lesson in vampire killing, have a cure disease on hand and don't rely on paralysis. Though she did remember the most important detect creature. Still a very good fight, having Buffy win it somewhat by luck certainly makes her seem less invulnerable.

And then more mystery. What is this connection with vampires? I'll certainly be reading to find out.

[Remko]

1st. of all, brilliant. Loved the way Buffy handled the vampires
2nd. Hilarious screenshot

[Acadian]

Chapter 24 was part five of Buffy's seven part miniseries, 'Child of Dawn'. She managed to kill the final vampire in Gutted Mine for Azura, yet her frustration continues to grow. She can still make no sense of the confusing things she is learning about herself as it relates to vampires. She hopes for some answers in the final chamber of this mine.

Foxy- Thanks! The screenshot took heavy command console work to get, since Buffy actually did that quest so very long ago. We restyled Buffy's hair and equipped her with low level gear. We resurrected Ghola, killed him, added low level gear to his inventory, then had him equip it. Buffy is small - rather than the 1.0 of a Bosmer woman, she is 0.9 like a Bosmer man. We then bumped the orc up to 1.2 for the shot (1.1 is Altmer size) for a dramatic effect. Finally, we have a pair of posing mods (Actors in Charge and OSR) that helped Buffy get into position. I'm so glad several readers enjoyed it.

treydog- Thank you for picking up on all the things I was trying to do here. The next chapter provides some of the answers Buffy seeks.

mALX- I'm so glad you enjoyed the screenie. Buffy is quite the little poser and seems to enjoy our 'photo session quests'. Her play is well ahead of her story, so we are not advancing her game when we go out. Rather, we are enjoying sessions that involve studying the scenery/NPCs to support the story, clearing non-quest dungeons, visiting her friends throughout Cyrodiil and photo shoots. She is also much more active in the writing and editing of her journal, and normally sits on my shoulder as we work.

Zalphon- I'm glad you enjoyed Buffy's description of how her healing spell worked. Thank you.

SubRosa- Thanks again for your help in improving how armor piercing arrows can work in BF. Yes, the turning green when poisoned, like 'zooming in' with her bow, is a nod to how her game works - thanks for your support on that stuff. I know we walk a unique line between reality and TES fantasy. Thank you for the compliment on the fight. Having listened to the masters here, I visualized the scene, then wrote what Buffy and I saw.

hazmick- Thank you so much for your concern about our fragile glass cannon. Buffy is quite touched. Embracing bow and magic in Buffy's world means some compromises. She will never be very good with fire/ice/lightning or armor, for example, and will continue to eschew any weapon besides her bow. Her potential for a direct damage spell lies in her natural abilities with restoration. She promises to develop a strong absorb heath on-touch spell for underwater fighting and emergencies that illusion can't solve.

Olen- Thank you. The many obstacles in that dungeon are frustrating for a ranged attacker. We decided to let one of those wooden support beams actually help Buffy. Fortunately for her, the orc chose to try a wide slash in a confined area rather than a thrust.

I so appreciate your (and everyone's) patience as we have built up some mystery, and hopefully let you share in Buffy's confusion regarding vampires and how they relate to her. I promise some answers in the following episode as we delve into an odd blend of TES and BF that is uniquely Buffy.

Remko- Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed how Buffy survived the vampires, and her screenie.

* * *

25 Child of Dawn Part 6- The Journal of Dratik

A search of the final chamber within Gutted Mine revealed a dust-covered stone coffin and an ancient text. I lit both the nearby wall torches and sat down with the book. Opening it, I found fragile parchment pages quilled in what appeared to be blood:

I was born Dratik, at the dawn of the Third Era when Tiber Septim ruled the newly united provinces. As the son of a wealthy noble in the Court of Cheydinhal, I was privileged, and wanted for nothing. As I grew to maturity, I was blessed by Arkay to capture the heart of a raven-haired maiden with flashing ruby eyes and silken blue-emerald skin. Sadene and I were soon joined, and rendered each other complete.

As time passed, our passion intensified, and any separation became intolerable. We became obsessed with any threat to our togetherness, including untimely death or even the natural expiration of our long Dunmeri lives. We grew determined to conquer mortality.

As word of our inquiries and research traveled, we were not surprised one morning to discover a parchment had been slid under our door. The cryptic invitation was accompanied by a map to Redwater Slough, well to the south.

It took several days to reach the cave, but behind its bloodstained door we found our answers.

We readily accepted Hindaril's offer, and joined the Altmer's den of vampires. The clan included almost a dozen, but Sadene and I were the only two turned to darkness by Hindaril himself. He gave us the full gift of his ancient line - eternal life.

Hindaril explained that the immortality we enjoyed was not absolute.

Ancients were well-advised to deal cautiously with Daedra Lords, for should they direct it, we could be destroyed by their followers. It was, after all, from the loins of Malog Bal and the rape of a Nedic virgin that all vampires originally spawned - at least according to Hindaril.

The only other threat to an ancient was to suffer defeat in combat at the hands of a Slayer. Every vampire instinctively knew the threat posed by these mysterious women, and our keen senses recognized the scent that announced their presence. They could detect us well. How they did so was unknown, since masking our scent could not deter them. Slayers often possessed minor powers that aided them in battle. They could not be turned to vampirism; porphyric hemophilia, when contracted, simply produced severe illness until cured. Hindaril proudly proclaimed that over the centuries, he had killed two Slayers.

As Sadene and I began to discover our power, the newly heightened senses we enjoyed impassioned not only our lovemaking, but fueled a rampaging bloodlust. We reveled in the slaughter of men and mer under the stars, and for over a decade, our immortality allowed the unopposed carpeting of eastern Cyrodiil with blood.

Whispered rumors began to drift up from the wounded land that our reign of terror had attracted the attention of the Slayer, Vianele.

As Sadene and I traversed a small meadow one night, the sweet deadly scent of nightshade announced the approaching threat. The small Breton suddenly appeared in the moonlight, and lifted a glowing hand. As she opened her fist, a brief burst of sunlight burned our eyes, skin and minds. By the time we recovered, she had reappeared behind us. Flashing a pair of flaming blades and moving like a cat, she turned upon my love.

Knives of blue ice flew from the fingertips of Sadene's off hand, while her short sword parried many of the Slayer's fiery slashes and thrusts. I answered the attack with my katana, powered by vampiric strength and speed.

I paid the ultimate price for victory that night. My precious elf, along with our dream of everlasting love, lay destroyed in my arms.

I loosed a roar to Masser and Secunda that shook the very trees. My fangs tore into the soft, still warm throat of the dead Slayer to feed my rage and try to gain some of her power. Immediately, I spat her blood from my mouth as it seared my lips and throat.

Dawn was approaching. I waited to embrace the sun with Sadene, that it might claim me as well. Although her body turned to dust and slipped through my fingers under the early burning rays, no such relief would come for me. I roared in pain as my skin burned and blistered, but death still avoided me. Finally, the searing torture forced me into a nearby cave. My charred flesh regenerated in the darkness as I waited for night to fall.

Empty and alone, I returned to Redwater Slough.

Immortality was suddenly an endless nightmare of loneliness. From the depths of my despair, spawned hatred for Hindaril. It was he who had given Sadene and I this gift, now turned curse.

I set upon him with my katana, but a battle between two ancients could not deliver the death I now sought. His skill exceeded my own however, and I was driven from the cave.

My night wanderings eventually yielded to permanent refuge in a ruin that had been named Fanacas by the Ayleids. I became obsessed with ending the curse of an everlasting life without she who gave it meaning. All thoughts and effort were bent to this task.

I reasoned that if cured, I could cast my life aside and join Sadene. The witches of Glenmoril were believed to know the secrets of curing vampirism. A midnight visit however, revealed they knew not how to cure an ancient. In my rage, I slew most of the coven. Gathering the books in their camp for study, I retreated to Fanacas.

A Slayer had destroyed my Sadene, so it followed that they were the subject of my next line of research. What little I knew of them was from the teachings of Hindaril and my own devastating encounter. The Glenmoril texts provided some additional insight.

All Slayers possessed Bretonic blood, be it pure or mixed, and were born at the precise moment of either sunrise or sunset. What hand of fate selected them from among women that met these criteria was unknown.

Slayers enjoyed one or more unique minor abilities, with seemingly no pattern to what those powers might be. I recalled that Vienele had the rare talents of smoothly wielding two blades at once and calling forth magic to fill the air with damaging sunlight. The texts reported that another Slayer could walk upon the surface of lakes and rivers without magic, thereby luring vampires to a watery grave. A power attributed to one Slayer was the ability to cast spells with perfect efficacy, unhindered by even the stoutest of armors.

My research in this area was for naught however. There was no information on where or how to find a Slayer. The only one I was aware of had died by my hand. I cursed the uncontrollable beast within. While insufficient to save my mate, it had managed to kill the Slayer and condemn me to eternity alone. If only Vienele had vanquished me along with Sadene. . . .

Frustrated, I set aside thoughts of cures and Slayers. I delved into the only other possibility - Daedra Lords. After much study, I sought the shrines of several. I traveled at night, spending my days in caves among rats and fellow creatures of darkness.

Malog Bal simply laughed. That I was an ancient was something to be relished, not destroyed.

Clavicus Vile responded similarly. He further volunteered that I would get no relief from his colleague, Mehrunes Dagon. It seemed the Daedric Prince of Destruction was more interested in creating creatures of terror than destroying us.

I turned to what some might consider the more noble of the Princes. One by one however, they refused to even grant me audience, as I was an affront to nature. I bitterly retreated to my lair at Fanacas.

The relief of true death continued to elude me. I bathed in self-pity, tortured by time. Emperors came and went - it meant nothing to me.

There came a time when an audacious thought pierced the fog of my despair. A known way to destroy an ancient was at the hands of devout followers set to the task by a Daedra Lord. I had failed at pleasing one of them to do this very thing. Could I anger them to it? Could I manipulate a Daedra Lord? I was emboldened by the fact that I had nothing to lose.

Within the span of a fortnight, my plans were completed and I traveled to Gutted Mine - almost within moons' shadow of the Shrine to Azura. I hoped my very presence, so near the Daedra Lord that referred to me as a foul creature, would encourage her to set followers upon me.

My intent was to imply that I had selected Gutted Mine as a permanent abode, and I put on quite the starlit show of announcing it. As an ancient, I was not without influence in the mortal world. It had taken threats and gold, but I managed to have several stone coffins and an array of supplies delivered that very night. As final payment to those who transported the items, I tore out their throats, then added the bodies to a large bonfire outside the mine.

As the smell of burning flesh wafted into the night sky, it further announced my unholy presence. I held the expectation that I had affronted Azura enough to generate a reaction.

I had influenced conditions towards my own destruction in many ways. When it came to actual combat preparations however, I discovered there were limits to my control over the beast within. Despite my wishes, the vampire would not allow me to discard my katana or add my armor to the fire. I also knew that when confronted by Azura's followers, I would be powerless to quell our vicious response. Despite my wishes, the beast would not willfully perish.

I retreated into the mine before Azura's precious time of sunrise.

As I quill what I fervently hope to be my final entry in this journal, all I can do now is wait. And hope.

Sadene, my Love. . . . My black heart aches for you. I ask that Arkay forgive our attempts to manipulate that which is his. I trust the blessing of death to reunite our spirits.

* * *

From Buffy's scrapbook: Screenshot

This post has been edited by Acadian: Aug 10 2012, 02:33 PM

[hazmick]

You have created and developed a new character in the space of one chapter, I cannot describe how brilliant this chapter is. The red writing is a good touch and you have answered many questions people have about Azura's quest and vampirism in general. Hurrah for Acadian.

P.S I'm glad to hear that Buffy will take more care in the future.

[mALX]

This was AWESOME!!! You created a whole side story for that quest that is so detailed it feels like I watched the movie! This is so great Acadian !!!!!!!! WOO HOO !!!!!!!

[treydog]

Where is the bow-down emoticon? I need several dozen of them to convey my reaction to this piece of writing. You have written an entire "story within a story" here, complete with characters, plot and emotional impact.

Pardon me while I study your technique so I can steal - ah, learn from it.

This is simply a brilliant achievement, Acadian. Enough so that I barely realized that I missed Buffy- at least until I saw the screenie.

[Olen]

Wow... nicely done. You got the tone of the journal bang on but kept a narrative going too, and a good story it was. It also cleared up a few questions (though posibly raises more) about Buffy's background and abilities.

It also raises questions about exactly how an ancient differs from a regular vampire given that those in the mine had no trouble killing eachother but were infected by an ancient... Interesting. Somehow I doubt we've seen the last of that.

Very detailed and with an interesting moral side, they commited their crimes in the name of everlasting love, does that make it better or worse?

My only nit would be the colour - I find the alternative skin for the forum easier on the eye but the red is completely unreadable in it. Not that it's a huge problem seeing as it's the work of a moment to copy and paste into notepad (though lucidia console always makes my eyes feel runny).

This post has been edited by Olen: Sep 5 2010, 08:53 PM