Buffy - Book 4, Drodda the Icewitch Options

[ghastley]

I am a little worried if ambient cold is making them use frost resist potions. Drodda will be using stronger stuff.

And can I learn "summon bucket"?

[SubRosa]

It looks like Bufirri will be enjoying some rabbit stew tonight.

I am sure we talked about it before, but Buffy's giving thanks to the spirit of the rabbit is very much in line with what we know of some RL hunter/gatherer beliefs going back into the stone age. One our earliest known forms of spirituality was the idea that animals were essentially spirit beings that temporarily took flesh here on Earth. When a hunter killed one, they thanked the spirit for its gift of meat, and were essentially nice to it. The idea being that they wanted the spirit of the animal to return to the Earth again in a new body, so they would have more rabbits. This goes back to Joseph Campbell's writings. So it is a bit dated. There is probably much new and more robust scholarship on it these days.

“Why am I not surprised? You dance with butterflies, carry a dragon within you, pray over bunnies and talk to your nixad and horse – who clearly understand you.”
That does sum it up!

Radiant Glory sounds like one of Silverlight's spells.

It looks like we are coming to the endgame at last. Colder in the keep that outside, that makes sense. Bodies frozen like statues, again, not surprised. Buffirri are definitely in the right place.

[Grits]

Gosh I love a camp scene, and this one really delivered! Buffy’s practical magic is endlessly fascinating. How clever to warm the cave with some Radiant Glory.

Uh oh, it’s colder inside? Sounds like they found an ice witch. Those poor frozen people.

“There is evil here,” I reported in a low voice. Carsomyr filled my hand.

This moment gave me chills. Kynareth’s paladin! Whoop! And also, yikes!

[haute ecole rider]

After dispelling my staff, I knelt beside the animal. “Thank you small one, for your gift of sustenance. Rest now, until Kynareth guides your spirit back to her forest and you once again hop among us.”

This little phrase made me twirl! Though we haven't yet seen this in Lili fiction, she does the same thing with the animals she hunts! How much like each other that I could call them (as Grits and I like to say) Sisters from Different Mothers!

While recently running Direfrost Keep in ESO, I kept thinking of Buffy and Mirri and how they would fare with little Willow in this forbidding ice castle. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how things unfold in the Buffyverse!

[Lopov]

Resting up in a cozy shelter before the hunt in the ice fortress begins! I really liked the scene in the cave.

It seems like Buffy can detect Drodda's evil presence. I assume that only one of them will walk out of that encounter alive.

[Renee]

Buffy = CG, yes I agree. She does plenty of good works if she can, yet shall step outside the boundaries of what the rulemakers say is "okay" if she has to.

It's been a while, but I definitely have a memory of Buffy's horse bonding with a dragon. Whoa, so Drodda is involved with Phantom's spirit, yikes, that isn't good. Well hopefully this doesn't have fatal consequences for Superian. But I think there will be some consequences.

I love how it's possible to light up a room with magic, but old-fashioned considerations must be made when it comes to the smoke caused by campfires. Even in Tamriel, seems carbon monoxide and soot and other yucky stuff must be avoided.

Superian doesn't sleep? Perhaps he doesn't need to.

Your elf talks to the nixad like a mother to a child!

Direfrost Keep, here it is. Quite imposing, yes. "There is evil here..."



This post has been edited by Renee: Apr 28 2025, 06:33 PM

[Acadian]

Previously- After spending the night in a small cave near their destination, Buffy and Mirri found their way into Direfrost Keep the following morning. They soon encountered a pair of ice magic victims frozen in midstride as they had apparently been attempting to escape.

*

Kane- Though it will take several more episodes to get to their quarry, Drodda will prove to be a tough foe. Hopefully, the skills Kynareth gave Buffy and the practice she has had with Mirri will prove sufficient.

ghastley- Looks like their plan is to keep those one hour potions up and effective the whole time they’re in Direfrost Keep. Buffy’s conjuration skill is excellent with simple mundane items like a towel or bucket. A lute is about as complex as she can manage.

SubRosa- You nailed it on Buffy’s thinking when it comes to hunting food animals. Mirri’s already figuring out that animals form a significant part of Buffy’s ‘network’. Just as Silverlight can call upon the power of the moon, Radiant Glory calls upon the power of the sun.

Grits- I’m so glad you enjoyed the camping scene. The idea of heating the rocks to help stay warm was inspired by Captain Kirk and his crew heating rocks with their phasers to help stay warm on cold planets. Yes, it looks like Kynareth’s paladin is already sensing the nearness of her quarry.

Rider- I’m not surprised that Lili has similar beliefs when it comes to hunting animals for food. It does seem in many ways that Lili and Buffy are leaves from the same tree. As you have been through Direfrost Keep, I hope that, though it should feel somewhat familiar, you’ll bear with me regarding the significant changes we’ll see to better support our story. I’m hoping Willow will pull her weight even though she won’t be slaying any foes.

Lopov- I’m glad you enjoyed our little camping respite before the ladies have to get down to work. Thanks for mentioning that Buffy detects evil. I’m going to grab this opportunity to review the basic abilities that all paladins possess in Buffy fiction: Light (‘calling card’ & utility), Healing (laying on of hands), Ward Evil (protects the spirit), Detect Evil (passively detects evil auras). I borrowed those four paladin skills from The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elisabeth Moon. All four of those will come into play in this dungeon.

Renee- Thanks for noting that Buffy checked for where any campfire smoke would go when they assessed that little cave. Buffy's mare had a long day and night but will be unsummoned and able to ‘rest’ while Buffy’s inside Direfrost Keep. Heh, Buffy finds herself sort of negotiating with Willow, explaining why the nixad should not eat butterflies or get some sleep. On the other hand, now that Willow’s claimed Buffy’s mage pouch, she’s not shy about scolding Buffy when the elf tries to rummage around in there to get something instead of asking Willow first. Thanks for that great pic of Direfrost Keep!

* * *

Episode 37

We continued through the eerily quiet fortress encountering several more victims of ice magic frozen in midstride. That changed when the narrow passages we crept along opened into a medium-sized chamber. On the far side I could see an open doorway leading beyond, and that it was guarded by four. . . undead ice soldiers? I could sense their aura of evil.

Still hidden, we backed up to where we could quietly plan our attack. Mirri offered, “How about you tag one with a bolt from your staff, then stay behind me as they charge? I’ll intercept them while we’re still here in this passageway so they can’t surround us or get past me to you.”

I shook my head. “They don’t appear to be overly strong foes. Let me open with Blazing Spear and see if it will immobilize them in place. I might be able to kill them all where they stand before they recover. If I’m wrong, then you intercept them as you said.”

Mirri nodded. “If they take one step this way, you get behind me.”

My first Blazing Spear damaged them and I could see, even as I loosed my second one, that the immobilization effect had worked. They all fell to my third cast.

“That was easy,” said Mirri, “for me at least.”

I smiled. “It wouldn’t have been had they been able to resist the immobilization or break free of it before I killed them.”

“Fair enough, partner,” she agreed as we moved to where they had fallen.

I knelt to examine the bodies. "Each bears an emblem on the chest of their armor that I recognize from Ciceri's book. How were these Direfrost Clan witch hunters turned into corrupted undead soldiers of ice?

Mirri shook her head ruefully. “I think we both know who did this, Buffy.”

We stepped over the corpses and, as we approached the open doorway to the passage beyond, Willow darted in front of us, chittering urgently. We both stopped at her warning while she hovered close to the ground and pointed. As Mirri and I knelt to look more closely we could see a thin strand of what appeared to be silk strung across the doorway at ankle height. “Thank you, Willow,” I said. We stepped over the tripwire and crept down the passageway beyond

After several turns, the corridor opened into a very large chamber which sprawled out from a central altar. There was one figure near the altar. We crept part way around the perimeter to satisfy ourselves that no one else was in the chamber and positioned ourselves behind the lone figure who seemed focused on the altar. He appeared to be another undead Direfrost Clan ice soldier. He wore a hooded robe and wielded a scythe. His weapon and robe were the color of ice.

“He looks important,” Mirri said softly enough to barely be heard.

“And dangerous,” I whispered, “but perhaps he can yield a clue that may help us defeat or at least find Drodda.”

Before she could reply, we both watched as the figure slowly turned until facing us. “Two more souls to join us?”

Oh well, so much for surprising him.

Mirri stood and strode toward him. “Hey, snowman, we’re lost. Help a couple ladies out?”

I had no choice but to tag along behind my partner.

“I think not,” he replied as he lifted one hand and was quickly embraced by what I suspected was a ward of frost. As his hand began to refill with magic, he pointed it toward us.

By now, Mirri was within range of her ‘gap closer’. Her shield glowed and she was instantly propelled into the ice soldier. Her impact interrupted his spell and her first jab channeled taunt magic into him.

I branded the ground around us with my Cleansing Ritual, cast Blazing Spear and began channeling a heavy attack from my staff. Sure enough, the Blazing Spear did not immobilize this foe. Its damage and that of my staff were noticeably mitigated by the mage’s frost shielding.

As our foe grasped his scythe with both hands, Mirri stayed within arm’s length to optimize the range of her short sword and shield while negating the benefit of his much longer weapon. His ward of frost seemed to render his robe as effective as armor, but I could see that our attacks were indeed weakening the ward as cracks in it became more numerous. Each time he backed up to open some distance, Mirri stayed close, bashing and slashing.

I kept alternating Blazing Spear with attacks from Carsomyr while refreshing my Cleansing Ritual as needed.

Our foe slammed the butt of his scythe into the floor at his feet and the ground around him turned white with frost that rapidly expanded to include both Mirri and I within its grasp. I could feel the cold and see Mirri’s movements slowing. Our potions helped and, thankfully, within but a few seconds the slowing effect was purged by my Cleansing Ritual. While slowed, Mirri had taken a solid hit or two. I cast Healing Ward on her. Though its duration was short, it would heavily shield and heal her as she recovered. I then refreshed Cleansing Ritual on the ground around us and refocused my efforts on dealing damage. This mage was powerful, but his frost ward was getting visibly weaker.

Mirri had, by now, bashed, pushed and otherwise maneuvered our foe between the altar and a heavy brazier where he could not open enough distance to effectively use his scythe. She retained his full ire and, between her armor, shield and my support spells took all the damage he tried to inflict upon her.

He briefly held the scythe above his head and, before Mirri could interrupt him, released a burst of magic. From the ground between Mirri and I appeared bones, held together by sickly pale green magic. More and more bones rose out of the ground and quickly formed into a golem, nearly twice Mirri’s height.

I rippled Blazing Spear repeatedly and was relieved to see that it held the monster fast where it stood and my spell’s burst radius of damage included both the mage and his minion. I moved out of the range of the bone golem’s long arms. As soon as it fell, I channeled Radiant Glory into the mage. My first beam collapsed his already damaged frost ward, and a second cast killed him.

Mirri satisfied herself that our foe was indeed dead then took a long pull from her waterskin.

Once I could see that her breathing had slowed a bit after the exertion this fight had required of her, and having learned from Wormroot Depths, I went to her and ordered, "Hold still."

After I removed my hands from her, she asked, “What say you, healer?”

“You’re fit for duty.”

“I guess you kept me alive then,” she replied with a sparkle in her ruby eyes.

“I could say the same of you, partner.” I then knelt by the mage’s corpse. “His robe also bears the crest of the Direfrost Clan. What in Oblivion happened here?”

“Buffy, there’s a ledger on this altar,” offered Mirri. “Perhaps it provides some clues.”

[haute ecole rider]

I quite enjoyed this rendition of one of the "boss" fights in the dungeon.

I do not expect you to write a blow by blow account of the in game version of Direfrost Keep. That's the whole point of fan fiction - to take something from a favorite game and build it into something - more. It's what I'm trying to do with my Skyrim fan fiction, after hewing rather close to the Oblivion game in OHDH. It's fun to stretch our creative muscles and add layers of meaning and complexity to an otherwise simple and straightforward dungeon dive.

Great illustration of assault and support teamwork here between our sell shield and our glass cannon/healer. I recall playing with Buffy the healer on a few world bosses in ESO and have tremendous respect for her abilities. I'm glad to see Mirri feels much the same.

Trip wire! And a ledger! I really look forward to what they learn from its pages here.

[Grits]

Great catch of that tripwire by Willow! At her size it probably looks as thick as a rope.

I can picture the blinding glory of Buffy’s Blazing Spears taking out the four immobilized ice soldiers. Love it!

Mirri stood and strode toward him. “Hey, snowman, we’re lost. Help a couple ladies out?”

I adore this both for the indomitable confidence of a tank who trusts her damage-dealing healer, and for the sheer sass that is Mirri. The Nord dripping crumbs on my shoulder gave a mighty whoop! Go Team Buffy!

As I enjoyed watching the battle unfold I was reminded of the deliberate pace and planning that went into Buffy’s mystic archer fights in the 3rd Era. Entirely different skills but I can see the same Buffy at work. I love that about Buffy’s stories!

[SubRosa]

So Buffy starts off with some solid crowd control, showing what a mage in the group is for.

As Mirri noted, I think we know how the former hunters became undead sentries. Drodda does not let her victims go to waste.

Willow is handy at putting that Rogue find traps skill to good use.

Hey, snowman, we’re lost. Help a couple ladies out?”
Mirri definitely has moxie!

Buffirri give a solid example of a well oiled tank + healer combo in action. One gets stuck in with the foe, the other keeps them going like the energizer bunny.

[Renee]

Smiled at Star Trek reference. Heating of the rocks, that is. Good friend of mine is a Trekkie; I'll ask him to elaborate, so as not drag off-topic here.

Alright, they're going into the fortress. Nice, seems like Buffy took them all out, bam bam crash, just as she predicted. See, being an experienced adventurer helps at times like these. She sized those foes with ease. But does this mean Drodda knows some adversaries, the adversaries she's perhaps been expecting for quite some time, are here to take her down?

Mirri calls the next foe "snowman", oh goodness, what a taunt!

Cool, another foe is down. I like that Mirri's eyes are the color of rubies. "Red" sometimes has a bit of connotation, imo.

[ghastley]

I liked the verbal taunt, too. The game should let you do that.

And the introduction of boss skills that didn't exist back when Direfrost came out. The game should do that, too.

Having your non-combat pet warn you about traps wouldn't be a bad addition, either. If companions can point out heavy sacks, why not?

[Kane]

Buffy and Mirri have their work cut out for them after that battle! I dread to see what obstacles will stand in their path next.

[macole]

A great scene, thoroughly enjoyed the clash between mages. Poor Snowman should have agreed to help the Ladies.

[Lopov]

Looks like the members of the Direfrost clan suffered a fate worse than death. But maybe some of them can still be rescued? Maybe the ledger will provide some information.

I enjoyed the showdown with the scythe-wielding frost mage. He was quite dangerous, it seems. Despite their best sneaking attempts, the mage noticed them and his cold, threatening greeting is my favorite part of this story.

Yay for Willow. She's a natural-born trap seeker.

[Acadian]

Previously- Making their way deeper into Direfrost Keep, Buffy and Mirri discovered several hostile undead ice soldiers wearing the crest of the Direfrost Clan. After they defeated a powerful mage, Mirri found a nearby journal that the pair of elves hope might contain clues about the fate of the Direfrost Clan.

*

Rider- Thanks for your endorsement of using Drodda and Direfrost Keep more for inspiration than nuts and bolts. Thanks also for your kind words about having been on the receiving end of Buffy’s buff/heal skills in ESO. I think the ledger will shed quite a bit of light on what Drodda’s been up to since running away from the guild.

Grits- I really wanted Willow to add some value and have been pleased with the idea of her being a tracker, lock picker, trap detector as well as the utility she can provide via her size and ability to fly. I’m so glad you enjoyed Mirri’s sassy comment to that boss. Thanks for your kind words about Buffy’s obsession about trying to plan out and control fights – Boderi Farano back at the Arcane University wisely drilled that into her to help keep her dragon spirit from getting her butterfly butt hammered.

SubRosa- Yes, it's looking more and more like Drodda's quite gone to the dark side. Buffy’s seen hints and evidence but the journal she and Mirri are about to read will add a layer of depth I think. Neither Mirri nor Buffy could ever hope to perform the other’s role – and I think that’s what leaves them rather in awe of each other.

Renee- Buffy can sense that Drodda is siphoning Phantom’s corpse of its residual magicka – she can feel it in the dragon-mare’s spirit. She suspects that Drodda wants to ensure no one interrupts her and the witch has apparently somehow frozen and enslaved the Direfrost Clan to guard her new lair. Hopefully, Drodda is overfocused on her task and overconfident in her minions. Heh, I couldn’t resist the snowman taunt.

ghastley- As you can tell, we’ve taken quite a few liberties with ‘non-combat pets’ and Direfrost Keep overall. It would be nice if you could choose from a list of simple utility skills that you could assign to your non-combat pet like our fiction has done with Willow.

Kane- I think you're right; the ladies will have several more challenges ahead before they finally reach Drodda.

macole- Your comment that ‘snowman’ made an unwise choice reminds me of a line Mirri will often say in game after a successful fight: "Would it kill them to run away? Well, no, I guess it wouldn't. Maybe they should try that." It’s a real hoot when she sometimes says that after killing a strangler - a carnivorous plant that can magically pull you to it but cannot move or ‘run away’.

Lopov- I think the ledger will provide some answers, but I fear they won’t be good. I’m glad you mentioned that mage’s greeting – meant to be a frightening surprise to the sneaking pair of elves. Was Mirri’s quick response pure moxie, or an intentional tactic to divert interest from her fragile healer? I’d like to think both.

* * *

Episode 38

Side by side, we opened the leather-bound journal and both read as I turned the pages for us. . . .

~ Journal of Vladgeir Direfrost ~

- 2E 582, Sun’s Dawn the 4th. An unusual visitor arrived at Direfrost Keep. A young Nord named Dreanna. The poor thing was a half-starved refugee from her pursuers – apparently an evil coven of witches anxious to claim her as their own due to her skill with ice magic. I confess my heart went out to her as, with tearful eyes, she informed us that the witches had killed her family. It was only her own skill with ice magic that enabled her to escape to Windhelm where she was forced to live in hiding as a beggar. Eventually, the coven learned her whereabouts, and she was again forced to flee. We assured her that she had come to the right place and would be safe within our keep of witch hunters. We fed then cleaned her up and found a dress to replace the rags she wore.

- 2E 582, Sun’s Dawn the 18th. Though skittish and fearful at first, Dreanna has begun to reveal quite a charming nature and captivating smile. In fact, cleaned up and fed well, she is quite a beautiful young woman.

- 2E 582, Sun’s Dawn the 27th. I am amazed how Dreanna passes by the younger lads of our clan, preferring to spend time with me. At first, I thought her interest was purely in learning about necromancy – and I happily indulged her. Yet. . . dare I imagine there is more to the interest in her eyes and occasional brush of her hand against mine? Don’t be foolish, Vladgeir. What interest could such a lovely young woman possibly have in a man of twice her years who uses necromancy to hunt witches?

- 2E 582, First Seed the 6th. While I was guiding Dreanna’s hands to reanimate a dead rat, she turned her face up to me. I could not resist her mesmerizing gaze and lowered my face until our lips met. Rather than recoil in disgust or slap me, she responded to my kiss. Tentatively at first, then fully and with passion.

- 2E 582, Midyear the 12th. Dreanna and I have become inseparable. Not only does this beautiful woman return my affections and possess an affinity for necromancy, but she is truly gifted with ice magic. I am the luckiest man in Skyrim.

- 2E 582 Midyear the 19th. When Dreanna came to me today, her blond hair had turned the color of newly fallen snow. I told her it looks quite becoming.

- 2E 582, Hearthfire the 19th. My love told me that she can sense an immense source of energy frozen beneath this very keep. She believes that absorbing this power could enable her to ward the entire keep with ice should our clan come under attack, perhaps from the evil witches pursuing her. I assured her the concept is brilliant, for the clan has never suffered a shortage of enemies. All she asks is some strong backs to clear the ice and expose the way below. I shall talk with my clansmen.

- 2E 582, Frostfall the 28th. Digging progresses well. Dreanna continues to impress with her necromantic aptitude and how she can blend it with ice magic. I’ve noticed that her skin has become paler and cooler to the touch. . . . Today, she used ice to kill a rat, then reanimated the frozen creature. The result was a surprisingly powerful rat that she claimed could live perpetually in undeath and never deteriorate like zombies or most other undead do. Her results are exciting. . . and somewhat disturbing.

- 2E 582, Sun’s Dusk the 12th. Our workers have reached an area in the lower reaches of the keep that is intensely cold. Upon examination, Dreanna informed us that the source of power she seeks rests beneath only a few more layers of ice. Compassionate soul that she is, she has asked for a pause in the digging for now. Tomorrow she will cast a massive spell, warding everyone in the keep from the dangerously lower temperatures she expects we will encounter when we break through to the lowest cavern. I believe in her growing mastery of the cold to protect us, for even her eyes have become the color of ice.

- Dates have surrendered their relevancy. My clan is not only warded from cold, but the passage and ravages of time as well. My Mistress is more brilliant than I could have comprehended. Only with Her gift of icy undeath can I now fully appreciate that we shall endure forever in Her service. Some of my clansmen foolishly did not trust the spell she planned to cast upon us and tried to flee. They are now statues of ice, serving as reminders to other fools who might resist or challenge Her wisdom.

~~~

We closed the book. Mirri let out her breath with a low whistle. “Poor fetchers. By the time some of them began to realize. . . it was too late.”

“It seems more than Drodda’s ice magic has blossomed,” I said as I briefly summoned my magic chest and stored the journal within. “She’s clearly mastered feminine wile and developed a taste for necromancy as well.”

“Interesting,” commented Mirri, “that she gave them the name Dreanna instead of Drodda.”

I replied, “Drodda is known as a dangerous ice witch – a name I should hardly think she’d use to introduce herself to a clan of witch hunters as she sought their sympathy and support until she could enslave them.”

“You’re starting to shake, Buffy. I’m feeling colder too. Let’s drink another of those resist frost potions. They seem to work quite well.”

Mirri pulled a potion from her thief satchel as Willow disappeared into my mage pouch long enough to retrieve one for she and I to share. “Four left for each of us,” I noted to Mirri. Once we were again fortified against the cold, I added, “Let’s continue.”

“Through that narrow passage or up the wide staircase?” asked Mirri.

I shrugged. “I’d imagine that staircase leads somewhere important. Let’s try that?”

[Renee]

Dreanna shows up telling lies, it seems in the journal. Uh oh, she's getting flirty. Yup. Vladgeir Direfrost succumbs to her wiles. And over a dead rat, of all moments! Love blooms in the weirdest of moments, sometimes...

Yikes, this is fascinating. So in just under a year, she's taking over the place, and Direfrost doesn't see it coming, even after finding some of her actions "disturbing".

Some of my clansmen foolishly did not trust the spell she planned to cast upon us and tried to flee.

"foolishly"... It's not mentioned, but I can only imagine some of these workers complaining to Direfrost when his beau isn't around. Him scoffing at their concerns. "Get back to breaking the ice, or I'll [fill in punishment here]!" -- So now, after reading that entire process, I now believe the original Dreanna is gone. She's completely within the Dark Side.

"Let's drink another frost potion," Mirri says. And see, that could be the trick. Drodda isn't really doing anything so far but waiting. Like a spider who's in the middle of a very frosty net.

This post has been edited by Renee: May 7 2025, 04:07 PM

[haute ecole rider]

As I read the diary (ledger?) I was reminded of Nabokov's Lolita . . . the young girl seducing the older gentleman. Classic. Dreanna/Drodda is clearly cunning beyond her years. Now I wonder if Drodda was the survivor of that attack on that farming family - the last Witch left standing? I'd have to reread the earlier posts to confirm the details in my hazy memory.

The conclusions drawn from the book are certainly spine chilling - and flesh chilling as well! Brrr! Poor ladies - the only warm blooded creatures in this icy fortress!

I could say I'm looking forward to the next post, but I'm also dreading what lies in wait for our intrepid trio.

[SubRosa]

Reading the journal is quite a journey. It starts with Dreanna using whatever tools she can to insure herself a safe and secure place in the fortress, namely by manipulating the emotions of others, especially the man in charge.

Then it takes quite the left turn at Albuquerque with the immense store of energy beneath the keep. We know what that is. From there on out it lines up really well with what we have seen in the keep, and explains how its occupants became Drodda/Dreanna's undead henchmen.

[Grits]

Oh no, any hope of redemption for Dreanna is gone. She showed up ready to manipulate from the beginning. What a creeping sense of dread as I read the slow seduction of Vladgeir.

The need for another potion gives a handy sense of time passing. I wonder how close they will have to get to that intensely cold source of power.

I’m on the edge of my seat!!