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

[SubRosa]

I have thought about the whole detect life and undead business, and I have decided for the TF I am going to say that what the spell actually detects is the magicka that is held within a person's soul. That is why you only see glows off things you can use a soul trap on (or in the case of the TF, a magicka trap), and not off every insect, tree, or blade of grass.

What I especially like here is Buffy's indecision on what to do when she faces Jalbert. Having no idea what he really is, how can she proceed? It is a problem every adventurer with a conscience faces. Do you make assumptions and ambush someone who might be innocent, or risk yourself and find out for certain if the other person is friend or foe? When I wrote this same chapter in the TF, one of the reasons I went out of my way to show the evidence of Jalbert's cruelty in the preceding rooms was to make this question clear-cut to Teresa.

"You returned my offer of life with the threat of death. I shall not extend that offer should I encounter your kind again."
That is our Buffy, cuddly as a rattlesnake. Here we see one of the building blocks of the Buffy Doctrine™ as well.

I only carry four pairs of shoes and just half dozen or so outfits
This is so incredibly girly! I love it!

[D.Foxy]

*grumble*

I was about to rush into praise for your excellenct characterization of the adventurer's dilemma on shooting first and asking questions later, and your understanding of Buffy's need for clothes...

...but I see I've been beaten to the keyboard.


Ah well. Kudos to you, friend - it's touches like these that show your brilliance!

[DarkZerker]

Hey, I just started reading the Buffy the Bowgirl saga and ITS AMAZING!

I found this considering you are really famous in the TES forums on the Bethesda official forums. So I'm on board!

[Zalphon]

Does it ever get better? No, it's already perfection.

[Winter Wolf]

That chapter was a treasure trove of fun!

Look out the next necromancer that comes across our cute and cuddly rattlesnake!!!!

[Destri Melarg]

Arrow, Cobra’s Dance, second arrow . . . dead Redguard! Buffy begins to evolve as a natural tactician. As always your description of the exchange reads like a primer for anyone wanting to learn how to play as an archer. I loved the Bosmer stubbornness that Buffy gives us so soon after literally having the pee scared out of her:

There was a third solution, but I was loath to retreat after fighting my way through four levels of bandits and undead. I had paid the price with my blood to be here.

You’ve paid the price with other bodily fluids too, Buffy.

[Acadian]

In Chapter 7.2, Buffy learned how to identify necromancers, and that they are hostile. It is a lesson she will remember. She emerged from the bowels of Vilverin with an Ayleid enchanted bag of holding (mod).

Olen- Danger and frivolity. Thank you for that perfect characterization. At this young age, her mind is a swirling stew of the exhilaration she feels using her bow, protective loyalty to friends, terror, overconfidence, vengeance, and. . . yes, what shoes to wear. All simmering within the broth of youthful naivete.

Rider- Oooh! Thank you for picking up on the early indicators of the 'Buffy Doctrine'. And of course, the high priority she gives to wardrobe considerations. I suspect she would quickly be rejected by the Legion, based on what Mrs. Acadian calls being 'lethally blonde'.

SubRosa- Yes, I agree on detect life. I think of it as shorthand for life force or spiritual presence or such. 'Soul trappable' is a good acid test, as you say.

Buffy's dilemma over identifying the black-robed figure was new in this version, and I think more realistic, given her age and lack of 'Nirnliness'. You did a masterful job of dealing with this in a different manner in TF.

Thank you also for picking up on the cuddly rattlesnake with a fashion fetish.

Foxy- Thank you for those kind and insightful words! She will learn better and safer arcane ways to identify her targets in the future than blurting, "Hi, I'm Buffy".

DarkZerker- I am so pleased that you found your way over here. Yes, Buffy is quite the chatterbox over there on the Bethesda Oblivion forums. She is indeed an unusual 'crossover' between both the game and fanfic forums. In fact, she was originally forged as a training aid on those forums to discuss mystic archery and rapidly developed her own persona. It was heartening indeed to hear that Buffy has influenced your own game play.

Zalphon- Thank you for those very kind words. I'm sure I could never write anything except the journal of Buffy - so it's wonderfully rewarding to hear that you think we have some talent for that.

Wolf- Yes, necromancers have joined Buffy's list of varmints. Despite a short attention span, she does have a long memory. Thank you.

Destri- Thank you. Stubborn? Yes, 'guiding' Buffy along is akin to herding cats. I'm so pleased that you find the 'mystic archer how to' aspects of interest. That was the original genesis of her stories and we are proud to say, aspects of it will always remain.

* * *

8 Water Makes Her Clothes Fall Off

Earana towered over me in her green silk finery, seething. "You gave 'Fingers of the Mountain' to Teekeeus? Stupid girl! I don't care how you get it, but I want that book! Despite your incompetence I'll even still give you the reward I promised."

"If you want me to choose loyalties between a rogue mage with a bad attitude or my guild, you lose," I snapped angrily. "That book is the property of the Mages Guild now."

Earana's face contorted into a mask of hatred and her golden Altmeri skin reddened. "You just earned yourself a dangerous enemy, little one."

Bristling, I instinctively raised my left hand towards my bow. Just as quickly I stopped myself and slowly lowered it. I was intimidated by the Altmer mage and pretty sure that she would win if it came down to a fight in the open. It didn't matter though, as, from the corner of my eye, I saw the guard under the Great Oak. The message his hand sent as it moved to rest upon the pommel of his sword was unmistakable. I didn't want to get into a fight with a guard either. I figured he just had a job to do and maybe even a family. Besides, my last confrontation with a soldier only lasted a second or two and didn't go well at all for me.

"W-we're done here, Earana." I promptly wheeled around and stepped off towards the North Gate trying to display confidence instead of fear. It might have worked had I not stuttered like a pathetic child. If I were an an Argonian, I'm sure my tail would have been between my legs. I sure hoped that guard intimidated Earana as much as he did me. I figured he was the only thing preventing a fireball in my back.

Luckily for me, the only things that flew my way from Earana were threats. "You think we're done?" she hissed. "Far from it, tree elf. The guards can't protect you forever"

I paused briefly, torn between the fear and anger that swirled within me, then forced myself to continue walking away. I whispered, "Nor can they protect you from what you will never see, Earana."

Approaching the guard on duty at the North Gate, I forced a smile his way, then exited the city of Chorrol.

With the comfort of forest in front of me and city gate pressed firmly against my back, I allowed some of the fear I had felt during my encounter with Earana to flood over me. I began to shake. It would not be safe to visit Chorrol again as long as she lived. I knew that I lacked the skill to survive a fair fight. That's not the kind I had in mind though. Let it go, Buffy - for now.

Superian was grazing outside the gate, as I absently rubbed my fingertips together. Magic can be quite disconcerting for horses, yet she travelled with a mage and it was important for her to be comfortable around spell casting. We had worked together, gradually and carefully. She had gotten used to seeing me cast detect life spells, and even disappearing and reappearing next to her. She had never been the target of my spells though. I hoped we were ready for this next step.

Channeling magicka into my hand, I released a small swirling green trail at Superian. When it struck, she was bathed in a soft glow and her head popped up from grazing. She immediately came running. I gave her a hug, then positioned my hands on her neck to assess her condition. I smiled as I sensed her calmness. "Thank you for your trust, my friend." I unsheathed my hunting knife and sliced an apple, which we shared.

As we munched our snack, I could see the trail winding north from Chorrol that led to Cloud Top. During our trip there two days ago to recover that troublesome book, the sound of moving water had drawn me off the trail to a pair of ponds connected by a cascading stream. The falling water cleverly concealed a cave called Black Rock Caverns. I didn't care about the cave, but I now felt the call of those beautiful waterfalls.

Superian insisted she get the last piece of apple, then we rode the short distance to the falls, and climbed to the upper pond. I removed the leather keep from my ponytail and shook my hair loose. After carefully placing my bow, quiver, clothes and pack on the ground, I dove into the cool water.

After a short swim, I climbed out of the pond and sat next to my pack. I basked in the sunshine now drying my skin and hair. A lazy breeze helped the tree branches above gently dance to the calming sounds of rushing water. Superian was peacefully grazing on the same carpet of green softness that tickled the backs of my legs. I just needed to revel in being a wood elf, even if for a short time.

I counted off the recent cities, extending my thumb, then a finger for each one - Bravil, Leyawiin, Cheydinhal, Bruma, Chorrol. After five guild recommendations, this break was welcome. No trudging off to the next town for another silly fetch and carry task. Not yet.

I was sure Acadian had probably placed some blue mark on my map. I hadn't looked, and right now, didn't care. The map could wait.

The golden warmth felt delicious on my skin. It was such a contrast to the cold and snow. Sunshine was supposed to be warm. I suspected the sun they had in Bruma was pretend though. It was bright alright, but had no warmth to it at all. I had to wear an ugly fur cuirass, along with leathers and boots on my legs and feet to keep warm. The views of the Imperial City were spectacular though, and Bruma was a good area to find milk thistle and wormwood.

The guild recommendation there had been a simple matter, really. There was the absent-minded guild head with perhaps not the highest level of skill, a pair of silly boys pulling an immature prank, find this, get that. . . . Well, it wasn't all bad I guess. I found Volinaro, the Altmer jokester, to be kind of attractive and rather charming. Oh, and he did help me to get better at using spells to coax open locks.

Ultimately though, Jeanne Frasoric, the guild head, said she would forward a recommendation to the University, and assured me it would carry great weight with the admissions magisters. I left Bruma as soon as I could. I guess wood elves just weren't made for the cold.

Noticing that the warm sun above Chorrol had dried my skin, I grabbed my journal and exchanged affectionate glances with Superian.

The road from Bruma to Chorrol had been uneventful. When danger approached, Superian simply broke into a run until the threat was well behind us. As we had neared Weynon Priory I remembered the Emperor's amulet, still in my pack. I vividly recalled some of his words about his own death, "No trophies of my triumphs shall precede me. But I have lived well, and my ghost shall rest easy." Smiling to myself, I hoped he was indeed resting easy. The Emperor had been kind to me and I was happy to try and deliver his amulet.

Jauffre had been upstairs, seated at his desk reading a book. I recalled what Baurus had said, "He is the grandmaster of my order, although you might not know it to look at him. He lives quietly as a monk at Weynon Priory." I decided the description was accurate. One had to look carefully past the advancing years, balding head and simple brown robe to see that he appeared to be a powerful man.

"The Emperor sent me," I said simply. "I have the Amulet of Kings."

"Who are you?" Jauffre barked, visibly shaken. "What do you know of the Emperor's Death?" Then he sternly continued, "The Amulet of Kings? I don't believe you. You'd better start explaining right now, young lady!"

Instantly, I disliked this man. I pulled the large red amulet from my pack and dropped it on his desk.

"By the Nine!" exclaimed Jauffre. "This is the Amulet of Kings!" His wide open eyes shifted from the amulet to me, then narrowed sharply, "How did you get this?"

Resenting his interrogation, I wondered if he meant that a simple she-elf from Bravil was not worthy of touching the Amulet of Kings, or perhaps he thought I stole it? Defiantly, I lifted my chin and stated, "The Emperor gave it to me." I then curtly described Uriel Septim's last hours and words.

Jauffre told me the story of Martin, the Emperor's illegitimate son. He said Martin had last been seen living as a priest in Kvatch. Then it came: "You must find Martin!"

I snapped back angrily, "No I mustn't! The only reason I am here is because the Emperor and Baurus asked me to deliver this amulet. Both those men were kind and courteous to me. You are neither of those things. You're the boss of the Blades, so send one of them." I planted my hands on my hips and added, "You're not the boss of me!" With that, I walked straight out the door, mounted Superian and continued to Chorrol.

Sitting by the pond, I watched the beautiful cascading water for awhile longer. I leaned over to fill my water bag, and stared at the reflection. My hair was still down, so I pulled it back to see better. I frowned at my big ears. Normally, I tried to hide them a little by pulling my hair back over them into a pony tail. I giggled as I thought that they looked like Superian's ears, and made silly faces at my reflection. And so the beautiful afternoon continued, until the sun nestled into the branches of the trees. I then set up my camp and gathered some firewood.

I hated to see the day I had enjoyed in this place end. I giggled again, "Ok Buffy, that's enough time playing naked wood nymph." I tied back my hair and pulled on a hunters outfit and leather boots, then shouldered my quiver. Grabbing my bow, I set off on foot, hunting for dinner.

Two hours later I was back, sitting in front of a cheerfully crackling campfire. I savored the smell of venison cooking with fresh herbs, and the calming sounds of the falls. The clear sky was full of sparkling stars, and light from Masser and Secunda reflected off Superian's glossy black coat. My bedroll was waiting next to the fire.

I could sense that even Acadian had enjoyed our day here. The hardships of my recent travels had been washed away.

I reached for my map.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Aug 1 2013, 04:08 PM

[D.Foxy]

Unbowed (well, at least outwardly) and Unbossed is our Buffy. Yes, our bard of the bowgirls understands young female minds quite well..

I WONDER if our own Acadian had not fallen in love with a Buffy early in life...or if he has a Buffy like daughter...

[SubRosa]

Hmm, given the title, I suspect a lot of guys (and a few of us girls) are going to start carrying lakes and waterfalls around with us...

"You're not the boss of me!"

This has always been one of my favorite Buffy lines! I am so glad you kept it.

This was a busy chapter, recapping events of both the Bruma and Chorrol MG quests and Buffy telling off Jauffre. Tying it all together with Buffy relaxing by the lake was a good touch. It not only brings us up to speed on events, but also gives us a nice little moment to rest with Buffy. I would not have thought to weave them all together in such a fashion.

After a while the fetch and carry nature of the MG recommendations does become tiresome. The Anvil one is the most interesting, imho, and I am guessing you are saving it for last

[enclave_private]

I'll keep it simple. Fantastic

[haute ecole rider]

Once again I enjoyed Buffy's encounter with Grandmaster Jauffre. It's always interesting to see everyone's interpretation of this particular character - yours ranks up there with 'Friar Jauffre!'

The summary of the Bruma recommendation was fun, too, and I liked how Buffy, though blonde, was actually smarter and more clued in than a certain inept Breton mage. (So much for racial advantages, huh?) Her words about Bruma made me smile (and even laugh here and there). Chorrol is so much more pleasant for someone like her. Me (and Julian) - well, we tend to find beauty in nature where ever we go, be it wintry mountains (like the Wrangells), wild coasts, even swamps. It's civilization that tends to be ugly. Oh well.

I especially liked the title of this piece - water makes her clothes fall off!

[DarkZerker]

Lol. This is my second time reading this and it's still pretty funny how Buffy just says to Jaufree, "You have blades, so go do something with them!"

I've always wondered why he relied on an escaped prisoner when he has highly trained elites.

[Zalphon]

Buffy, you make the rest of us feel like amateurs... Bully...

[Olen]

I like how you handled the chorrol quest, focusing on the only interesting bit after the event is refreshing because whoever designed the quest should be shot. You moved things forward naturally and quickly to another interesting point. And the characterisation in relaxing is a good touch, I continue to be impressed at how well you weld the game and fanfic together.

Telling Jauffre where to go was very Buffy, somehow I suspect she'll find herself in Kvatch in not so long though... As for the map marker - I'm guessing Azura's shrine - it has me intregued.

[Winter Wolf]

Where do I start with this one? My fav chapter so far!

The character development is simply oozing out of this chapter. Earana (welcome back my dear.... ), naked swimming elves, Superian learning to adjust to magic, Buffy's view on the recommendation quests and the snubbing of Jauffre.

All magnificient. Especially the last one. Who does he think he is pushing around a Bravil girl??? Go Buffy!!

And this -

I was sure Acadian had probably placed some blue mark on my map. I hadn't looked, and right now, didn't care. The map could wait.

I really like this. It brings back all of those awesome moments of solitude that attracted me to Oblivion in the first place. The ability to have a quiet little pocket of wilderness that belonged only to you and nobody else. Your story captures this better than anyone.

[Destri Melarg]

I think we’ve all wanted to tell Jauffre off at one time or another! Your portrayal of Earana is interesting. I have always found her to be the nicer of the two options in that recommendation quest, Teekeeus just annoys the hell out of me! I agree with Olen, the Chorrol recommendation is by far the most annoying of the recommendation quests, and that is saying something.

At first I thought that she was going to go into Black Rock Cavern. I wanted to scream ‘NO!’ at the screen. I should have known that Buffy would have better sense than to enter strange dungeons without an enchanted weapon (When you put your head under the waterfall, Buffy, be sure to get all the dust from Viverin out! ).

[Acadian]

Chapter 8 found Buffy in Chorrol, having just completed her fifth University recommendation, and earning a dangerous enemy in the process. She spent most of the day relaxing by a beautiful set of waterfalls as she reflected on her recent journeys through Bruma, Weynon Priory and Chorrol.

Foxy- Thank you, my friend. Yes, there is indeed a very real ghost that animates Buffy.

SubRosa- She truly can't resist a swim at every waterfall she finds. I must agree that 'You're not the boss of me!' is very Buffy - It was quite refreshing to hear her say it to someone besides me. Yes, a busy chapter - two cities and elements of three quests! More ground than we would cover nowadays in one chapter, but I am glad it worked with only minor editing. Thank you as always for the warm support.

enclave private - Thank you so much for dropping in. It is wonderful to have you reading. Please stop by for a goblet of Tamika's anytime.

Rider- Buffy's reaction to Jauffre was completely different than any other character I have had encounter him. I think it was the big strong guy trying to send a scrawny elf off to do his bidding that really did it. My prior characters were all strong guys who never took exception to that. Buffy taught me very quickly how it feels to be small and vulnerable. Thank you!

DarkZerker- Yes, when that escaped prisoner is a little teenaged elf, it seems even less likely that she would be asked to go save the Empire. Thanks so much!

Zalphon- I'm humbled by your kind words. Thank you. I hope you enjoy your pending camping trip.

Olen- Thank you. The challenge here was preserving the massive amount of ground covered in the original version of this chapter without expanding it into multiple chapters. It took some creative transitions and flashbacks, but I think it worked well. There are some chapters ahead that will require expanding into more than one.

That pesky Acadian does sometimes put blue marks on Buffy's map. Sometimes she follows them. The following chapter quickly reveals her next destination.

Wolf- Thank you so much. I must admit that I liked the Chorrol chapter very much for the same reasons you mentioned. If someone were to ask 'who is Buffy?' this is one of a few chapters I would recommend to answer that question. I am so pleased at your reaction. It will take awhile, but we will see Earana again. Buffy does not make idle threats, and she assumes that Earana does not either.

Destri- Thank you. I agree that the choice between Teekius and Earana is not easy or clear cut. In Buffy's case, it was largely a young girl's loyalty to her guild. She has seen bad examples in the guild (Falcar), but she has also seen the best the guild has to offer in her very own guild head, Kud-Ei.

* * *

9 Ride Fast and Shoot Straight

"Hail citizen. Where are you bound?" The question was a friendly greeting from the approaching Imperial Legion rider.

"I'm trying to make my way to Skingrad," I nervously responded as our horses pulled abreast and stopped. My experience with the Legion so far had been painful. I was almost eye to eye with the iron clad soldier. His veteran bay gelding ignored Superian's youthful inquisitiveness. "Can you offer any advice for my journey?" I asked hopefully.

The rider leaned closer. "By the Nine Divines, if you've got to travel, stay on the roads. The wilderness just isn't safe anymore. We've had sightings you see, the Daedra." Concern in his calm authoritative voice gave me pause. I had seen drawings of Daedra in books and knew that some mages could summon them, but I had never actually seen one for real. The Imperial's weathered features reflected the hardships of a lifetime of service to the Legion, yet there was also kindness in his steel blue eyes. He didn't appear to be in a hurry. In fact he seemed quite willing to pause along his patrol route to talk for a bit. "Let me see your map."

I opened my map so we could both see. "Here." Placing my finger on our present position along the Black Road near Chorrol, I dragged it south to the blue mark at Skingrad.

"No," his face clouded as he shook his head, "stay on the roads." With a heavy gauntleted finger, he then traced a route east along the Black Road, south using the Red Ring Road and finally southwest to Skingrad along the Gold Road. "It'll take longer, but it's safer. And remember, if you run into trouble, come find me, or one of the Legion."

"Thank you." I smiled, then added truthfully, "I'm glad I ran into you."

He leisurely tapped two fingers to a spot on his helm above his right eye as if in friendly salute and smiled back broadly. "We're here to serve, citizen." With two clicks to the bay gelding, he slowly continued towards Chorrol.

I turned in the saddle and watched him for a few moments. I recalled that another soldier had knocked me unconscious with an ease akin to swatting a fly. That was the trip with City Swimmer that landed me in the Imperial Prison. I reluctantly had to admit though, the soldier in that case really was just doing his job. City Swimmer and I were the ones that broke the law. I decided to take the advice and put my map away. Superian and I continued riding along the Black Road towards the Imperial City.

As a gray stone fort loomed into view along the road ahead, I saw a Khajiit running towards us. He did not have a weapon in his hand and I thought he might be in trouble or running from an animal. I drew Superian to a stop and began to get nervous as the Khajiit got closer. I could see he was wearing a fur cuirass, and from over one shoulder protruded a handle that I assumed was attached to a large weapon.

"Give me your gold." His tone was cruel, as yellow eyes hungrily sized me up. I could clearly see the huge axe on his back now as he stood by my left knee. My mind raced as I conjured all sorts of horrible images, and I wasn't sure at all that surrendering my gold would end his demands. My most precious possession was between my legs after all. I mean, Superian could fetch a price that far exceeded all the gold I carried.

"I warn you, I'm prepared to defend myself." I hoped my attempt to back him down sounded more confident than I felt.

A toothy grin slowly formed, preceding his reply. "This one likes it that way." His hands started up towards the handle of that giant two-handed axe.

Superian sensed my intent. In the blink of an eye, she had whirled us around and we were off. I heard a forceful thud behind us that must have been the Khajiit's axe as the blade hit the ground, probably just missing my mare's flank. In less than a minute, we stopped.

I turned in the saddle, straining my senses. I could hear Superian breathing, birds chirping and a breeze rustling in the branches above, but no sign of pursuit.

With my heart in my throat, I jumped to the ground and carefully inspected Superian's hindquarters. I then closed my eyes and whispered, "Thank you Mara." But for her incredible quickness, the mare could have been mortally wounded. The giant axe must have been slow to equip and swing, and I was sure that had worked to our favor.

My thoughts turned to the Khajiit. He had looked initially like a traveler in need of help. I had been ready to offer him assistance! The shudder that ran through me as I imagined how close his axe must have come to Superian's haunch yielded to rage.

On foot, I made my way back towards that fort, moving carefully among bushes for cover. The Khajiit was just standing by the side of the road. I bet he simply ducked out of sight whenever the Legion patrols came by, then came back out to rob wood elves like me.

I slid the grummite bow from my back with a grim determination.

The poison was a simple one, but it would do the job. If the highwayman who swung his axe at my precious horse died slowly and painfully, so much the better.

I nocked the arrow, partially drew my bowstring and leisurely aimed. It was a pretty long shot. I savored the sight picture of the Khajiit as I moved the arrow's broad head tip slightly up and down above the target, fine tuning my aim point. Head shots were too easy to miss, although deadly. Chest shots were what I normally tried for, as they were lethal but easier. This however, would be a belly shot. Hopefully it would not kill him right away.

The next actions were really a single fluid motion, developed from years of hunting. I took in a normal breath, released about half and paused breathing. Drawing the bowstring smoothly to full tension, I loosed the arrow.

The Khajiit jerked involuntarily and cried out as my arrow slammed into his gut. His body was quickly flooded by poison.

I was still undetected and could have easily stopped his pain with a second arrow. I would have done so for any wild animal. Instead, I watched him wrestle with the pain of trying to remove the deeply imbedded arrow from his belly. "I hope it hurts," I whispered.

The image that briefly popped into my head would have been amusing under less deadly circumstances. A bow-equipped mouse toying with a cat. Within a few more seconds his body went limp and collapsed. I shouldered my bow.

After backtracking until Superian came into view, I cast a spell asking her to come to me. She willingly did so at a run, and I buried my face in her long black mane, savoring her smell. We rode to the dead Khajiit. From the saddle, I looked down at the highwayman who had accosted his last wood elf. I didn't mind the satisfaction of killing someone who deserved it, but this was different. The rage I felt as I imagined him swinging his axe at Superian. . . . I had taken cruel pleasure in killing this Khajiit slowly. I mean, I had the skill, but is this what I wanted to use it for? I didn't understand my feelings at all.

The sun was now flirting with the treetops to my west. I slid to the ground, unsheathed my knife and pulled out a repair hammer. My mind was active as I worked. We had spent much of the day going up and down a fairly short stretch of the Black Road. I needed to figure out a better way to travel. I needed to figure out a lot of things.

Rising to my feet, I could see that the road passed right through Fort Ash. I led Superian into the circular open ruins for the night. After removing her tack and doing some grooming, I fished into her saddlebags for some carrots to augment the soft grass near the walls of the fort.

Clambering up to a stone overhang above her, I then set up camp.

I inspected and counted arrows, including the one I had cut from the belly of the Khajiit. After cleaning it up, I noted with both guilt and satisfaction, that it was still useable.

The grummite bow was serving me well, and I was thankful that Daenlin had switched me from linen to silk bowstrings. The silk ones didn't stretch, even when wet, and therefore didn't need to be waxed or spend as much time unstrung. They also lasted longer. The only drawback to the silk, besides cost of course, was that it was harder on my fingers. I recalled that the ladies of my guild in Bravil all had beautifully soft hands. Well, except for Kud-Ei of course; hers were kind of scaly. I frowned as I looked at my own. The bowstring fingers of my right hand looked like small versions of Daenlin's - marred by heavy calluses.

The light of my campfire now bounced off the old walls of the ruined fort. It felt comfortable and safe up on this ledge under the stars.

Laying out my bedroll, I set the bow and quiver next to it, then pulled some dinner from my pack. I took a long pull on my water bag, confident that I could top it up tomorrow as we intercepted the Red Ring Road near Lake Rumare.

Sitting there munching bread and cheese, I realized that traveling by horse was a mixed blessing. Superian was a wonderful companion and we were getting very close. I smiled, as it occurred that between her and Acadian, I was never lonely. We could also cover ground quickly together, and her amazing speed allowed us to outrun any foe. Yet at times like today, we were quite vulnerable.

Trying to shoot from horseback with a longbow was so cumbersome as to be completely ineffective. Equally frustrating was that I could no more cast a spell astride Superian than while sitting in a chair. Spell casting involved channeling magical energy through the entire body in a fairly precise stance. Being threatened on horseback therefore, meant either running away or dismounting to fight.

While removing my Arena raiment, I unhappily remembered I still lacked the skill to repair it. I was already practicing on everything I could find - even the dings in that highwayman's axe and the hole from my own arrow in his cuirass. Of course, I had just thrown them on the ground after repairing them.

Finally, I crawled into the waiting bedroll, my mind still swirling over the events of the day.

[SubRosa]

The title for this always makes me think of the Immortals of Persia, who were taught from childhood to ride, use the bow, and speak nothing but the truth.

Here is an important chapter, as it illustrates a very important facet of Buffy's character. We see an example of the Buffy Doctrine in action when she goes back to kill the bandit. We also see her very natural anger over Superian's close call with the bandit's axe. Combined with her ability with a bow and growing confidence in its use, the end result was one dead bandit. Cuddly as a rattlesnake. Yet at the same time we see her guilt over her bloodlust, showing us that she is not a sociopath.

Excellent descriptions of bow use here, as we have come to expect from our paladin. Likewise with the observations on her bowstrings.

Also good hints for playing the game, such as repairing things you do not plan to keep just to get your skill up (reaching that 50 in Armorer is always my first priority, so I can fix magic items. I always make an effort to get 5 points of training in it each level until I do).

Finally a good rationale given for why she cannot cast spells from horseback. Honestly the biggest reason I never use horses in the game is because you cannot do anything on them. If you could fight and cast spells, almost all my characters would go mounted. Hopefully they will include that in ESV.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jul 16 2010, 10:45 PM

[haute ecole rider]

I'm with Buffy there - anyone who abuses an animal in my presence will suffer horribly . . . IMHO death is too easy for such people (same goes for sexual predators, but that's another story).

I agree with your comment regarding Kud-Ei - she is someone that Julian clicks very well with in her own story, for much the same reasons that you regard her as the best of the best in the Mages Guild.

I loved Buffy's musings here - it was great to see her character emerge further, and reach a new level of maturity as she considers the risks not only to herself, but also to her Superian.

And by the Nine, stay on the roads! But beware of Greenmead and Grayrock Caves! Julian has learned to stop Paint well before those caves and clear the road on foot.

A beautiful chapter all around. Loved it!

[Olen]

That chapter had some great lines in it. And some good character advancement. She certainly showed a vicious edge there, in fact bordering on a bit psycopathic...

[quote]The sun was now flirting with the treetops to my west[/quote]and[quoteA bow-equipped mouse toying with a cat[/quote]
Are great images, the 'cat' particularly takes a common phrase and subverts it somewhat in the ES world.

[quote]confident that I could top it up tomorrow[/quote]
This makes me wonder where characters are meant to drink from... There's not many streams which look that suitable. Nice merging of reality into a 'gamey' story there.