Whoa, it is lucky for Buffy that Corrick didn't take offence at her taking charge of his son's burial arrangements without asking him what he wanted done! He buried Kayleen right next to his house and speaks to her several times per day, and with the loss of his son he has nothing left but Harm's Folly, which he never leaves. He could have viewed that as presumption - Buffy must have charmed him, (edited out chewing tobacco and spitting - behind the scenes joke), lol.

Screenshot #1 - Corrick is a pretty buff stud-looking guy for being old and feeble, I may have to take a short trip over there (leaving Stoker at home) with my new mod and check out that butt, ROFL !!! - kidding !!

Awesome write Acadian, your skill as a writer (which was already well above mine) has grown in leaps and bounds the last couple months! Great chapter!

I liked your description of how to use a staff, it is one of those many things the game never really elaborates on. It not only makes the story come alive, but it also give the beginning player a training manual on how to use soul trap and soul gems to recharge magic items by summoning a critter to use as a handy victim (I presume that was a weakness to fire spell Buffy used on it before shooting it with the staff? Edit, I think DiGNiiTy begs right, you said it was purple, so that would be mysticsm, meaning soul trap).

I also liked your brainstorming on the way goblin society worked, and how goblins themselves fit into the "food chain". It is something that I have given a lot of thought to as well for a future chapter in the TF. Not surprisingly I came up with something different!

What was especially illuminating was Buffy's view on goblins as being more similar to animals than people like necromancers or monsters like Daedra. It reveals more of who she is and how she ticks, which is always good in storytelling! :thumbsup:

Finally you again showed us through the story how a beginning player might safely practice their block skill. Using the command creature spell to first subdue a single target, weakening its strength so it cannot harm you much when it hits, etc... I usually just find mudcrabs instead though!

I also enjoyed how you pointed out how hard Buffy has to practice at using magic at the end. Likewise the comparison of her ability to that of the battlemages. This shows us where she fits into the world magical-ability wise, which is not an easy thing to convey with something as general as magic.

I've been visiting family and friends over break but I am catching up at the moment.
I've finished catching up, and I loved what you've been doing

There are moments in the best stories that illuminate the character in just few words. It goes back to the "mr. and mrs. treydog formula for rating movies (or books)"- the question is:

"Do I care what happens to this person?"

And because Buffy cares so obviously (and deeply)- for Arnaud and Corrick, for Superian, even enough to try to understand the goblins- we care just as deeply for her. Yes, the skinny blonde wood elf lives in the minds and hearts of all who have been fortunate enough to read her adventures.

I beg to differ. If I had to guess I would say it was soul trap. B)

Drain speed is my guess! Will Acadian give a prize to the correct answer? ....

Oh my. . .



I'm so very sorry that there may have been some confusion here. As do many of us, I try to describe the effects of a casted spell enough to make it clear rather than writing something like, 'I cast a soul trap spell on the skeleton.' Unfortunately, that can sometimes lead to less than perfect clarity. Thank you for pointing out the possibiltiy for misunderstanding here. Again, I apologize if my description and context were not quite clear enough.

The mage's staff that Buffy had made at level 12 does 60 damage. Her summoned skeleton has 20 hitpoints. It did not occur to cast weakness to fire. The summon will remain docile for the first couple of attacks, so drain speed did not occur to her either. Her primary intent with the summon was to recharge the staff. Since the staff, of course, does not have a soul trap effect on it, Buffy found it necessary to cast a soul trap spell. Once again, I'm sorry if that was not presented clearly enough.

That said, it seems friend Digz wins the prize for deciphering my attempt at describing the effect. :icecream:

That doesn't help me, I am color blind B) - Digz wins with Digniity! Lol !!

Invoking the cliche about pleasing all of the people, I would like to say that I liked the more subtle reference to the soul trap spell. It invited me to bring a piece of myself into the story by supplying the unspoken identity. In art, the modern schools of thought are often about finding ways to involve the viewer in the creative process.

The comments following one of your chapters are always a pleasure to read but treydog's comment stood out so profoundly I just have to add that he hit the bullseye. Your writing is so outstanding because you have made me care very much about Buffy.

Another wonderful chapter,

I really liked that Buffy reminds us that she is still working on her skills, and taking every opportunity she has to improve those areas that need improvement. It makes her more flawed, less ?ber, which IMO makes for a very boring character and a dull story.

The Hero, his Daedric bound armor clanking with every step, strode up to the ogre and drew his Daedric enchanted claymore. The long blade flashed through the ogre's abdomen, entrails following its tip onto the dust of the road. With a grunt, the ogre fell backwards onto the hard ground, his blood cascading from the gash in his belly. Looking down at his body, the Hero sheathed his weapon, glanced up at the sun, and continued walking.

Now who wants to read that? I see a passage like that and I'm just itching to throw it out the window. Dull, dull, dull.

So keep Buffy flawed, but growing through blood, sweat and tears. Much more compelling for me. Loving every word of it!

I really enjoyed the awe that Buffy felt when she gazed down on the IC from the northern highlands. Doesn't it make you hop up and down in frustration those few times you get a nice view and the rain has set in ?? Nothing to be seen except dark clouds and lashings of rain.......

Very cool observation to note that wood elves and goblins have similar ears.

I am looking forward to seeing Buffy take on the tribe within the cave. I hope her sword is sharp and see can run better than Teresa.

I have read and re-read this chapter several times now. I agree with all the comments made about how beginning players can use your stories as primers for how to play Oblivion. Your description of staff usage was perfect, as was your description of the Imperial City as seen from Harm's Folly. Buffy's personality made her reflections on goblins fascinating to read. But each time I read the section near the cave I couldn't help feeling that something was missing. I carried this feeling around with me all day until I finally realized what it was. :lightbulb: Usually Buffy's interior monologue is more like a dialogue between Buffy and the old paladin who has taken up residence in Buffy's subconscious (I assume.) His silence in this chapter registered with me like the sudden inexplicable absence of an old friend. Even though I enjoyed this chapter immensely I found myself missing Acadian in a way that made me envy you, Acadian, for having the ability to make a reader care about your characters so much. :trophy:

Loved it! Really nice on how you made Buffy mess around with the staff before getting the hang of it.
To me, this sentence stood out:
:rofl:

I enjoy reading the fanfic, of course. What I really enjoy, tho', is how much it has affected and improved my game-playing. The characters are so interesting now; I can't help wondering what makes them who they are, how they feel. No more plowing through the game. When I return Rockshatter today, maybe Maeva can spare some time to tell me about her and Bjalfi.

I like how Buffy can look at her map and know where she is. I know it seems like a simple thing, but if I get turned around 3 times in the dunny, I'm lost! Being inside a blonde sheila's head is not always a confused ditzy place. I kind of like it when Buffy stops in the middle of something and thinks about stuff. In this story it was goblins, then training. It really helps show what makes her tick. I was impressed to realise how serious she is about perfecting her fighting skill - ouch!

Okay, caught up on Buffy again, Acadian. I really enjoyed the fact that you worked in what is a very short xp-garnering sidequest in the actual game and made it a rather touching little vignette that, with only a few paragraphs, completely fleshed out a very minor character in the story. Well done.

And mALx, just because he is "fleshed" out, does not mean you need to be ogling his backside, missy.

ROFL !!!! OH!! I read something about a bunch of barbarian Nords who got fresh with some witches. The witches then began a series of harassment on the Nords. They cast some spell that left them pantsless. I wonder if Manheim was one of these?

:rofl:

Where did you find that? That sounds like my kind of humor!

Now I have to go over and look at Corrick meself . . .

Though I love looking at the Redguard pirate that sings about the sweet lady of Wayrest, the bare-chested one from the Marie Elena. I call him my Blackguard! :drool:

Oh, go to the Inn of Ill Omen and check out Manheim. You have to go behind the counter - he is pantsless. In my game, you can see the MOON rising to the west of his apron. (or east if you are on the other side of him) For some mysterious (cough cough) reason (cough cough) there are no underwear in my game! (gaaaah) * Lightning struck mALX *

In Chapter 52, Buffy taught Corrick Northwode, of Harm's Folly, to use a staff. She then made her way to the entrance of nearby Exhausted Mine to clear the goblins that threatened Corrick's farm.

Digz- To say that Buffy lives as a real person is a high compliment indeed! :wub: Thank you so much!

mALX- Thank you for pointing out your concern regarding Arnaud's burial arrangement. Here was my humble thinking: The Arcane University (in Buffy's World) is an elitist institution within a medieval system. The University had no intention of trying to preserve the decaying corpse of a new student who barely got into the University before getting himself killed. Perhaps they would consider frost enchantments or spells to delay the decay of an arch magister or wizard while arrangements could be pondered, but not for bottom of the food chain Arnaud. Further, they would be unwilling to wait who knows how long for the possible dispositional desires of Arnaud's father, an insignificant dirt farmer. Buffy, as a very low level mage herself, feels very fortunate that she was able to convince the University to establish a cemetery at Wellspring Grove, and that she was able to save Arnaud from simply being 'disposed' of. If Corrick had indicated he wanted Arnaud moved, Buffy would have invited him to attempt his own arrangements directly with the University and wished him luck. My main purpose with the burial arrangements was to emphasize the significance of the VIEW from Harm's Folly down into the Imperial City. Although certainly debatable, I believe the choices I made accomplished this. So sorry it caused you pause, and I thank you for taking the time to point that out. You certainly bring up interesting food for thought!
Thank you for the gracious compliments as well!

SubRosa- Thank you! Yes, staves have always been mysterious to us.
The goblin views simply flowed right out of Buffy's impressions.
Yes, I should think magic takes much practice and dedication, particularly when splitting attention between that and bow craft.
Finally, I still like to take her back to her roots sometimes - she began life as a vehicle to help aspiring mystic archers play Obivion.

mcbeanie- It is wonderful to have you back, and I hope your holiday break was enjoyable! Thank you for the kind words!

treydog- Buffy is so appreciative that you would care so much for her. Her attitude towards wolves, lions and even goblins and trolls is far different than her view of necromancers, vampires and bandits. She seems to draw a distinction between the instinctive, natural behavior of beasts, versus beings that possess free will to influence their own path.

bobg- 'Tis a treat to hear how much you care for Buffy. After all, you are the one who taught me how to love my character. With Angel and Sarrah, you have shown us the way my friend, and I adore them both. I so look forward to introducing Buffy to little Angel.

hauteecole rider- Thank you! Yep. Buffy sure has plenty of flaws! How she perceives her own lethality will ebb and flow. I will ask you to temporarily bear with her for awhile as her confidence/competence grows towards the necessary peak she will soon need. Unfortunately, high peaks are normally followed by low valleys.

Wolf- Thank you! The view of the IC from Harm's Folly truly is beautiful.
Goblins are clever, but hopefully Buffy will prevail.
She aches to return to our home town of Bravil for a break. See ya there mate! :wave:

Destri- The more I read of you own wonderful thread, the more humbled I am by your kind and supportive words. Thank you so much for missing Acadian! I so appreciate that you enjoy their interaction. He and Buffy need each other - they are both still learning just how much.

Remko- Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the staff training. Oh, and the ears; leave it to Buffy to notice that. She really is quite self-conscious about her big 'Superian' ears, so she is quick to notice things like that.

Nieres- Thank you so much! Buffy was originally designed to help convey game techniques and try to display some of the depth that can be found in the game. She has certainly diverged some from that, but it is so wonderful to hear that she has a positive influence on someone's game!

Koala- I'm pleased you enjoyed being inside Buffy's head - or her ruminations as I call them. The bow comes naturally to Buffy, from her Bosmer mother, and was nurtured from an early age by Daenlin. Despite the mystical talent that she inherited from her Breton father, she must practice her magic relentlessly. Even so, she is truly only impressive with illusion and alchemy. Most of her other magic skills are quite focused in limited areas. With destruction for example, she is good with weakness to poison and drain speed, but horrible with the more classic fire and lightning type effects. Similarly with alteration - she can open locks, but not much more with it.

Leydenne- What a wonderful treat to have you drop in! We always have a warm fire and goblet of Tamika's waiting when you stop by on your rounds. Thank you so much the encouragement and kind words.


53 Exhausted Mine

My tactics clearing the first two levels of this mine had been safe, simple and effective. When faced with a group of goblins, I would command one while I remained hidden in the distant shadows and allow them to reduce their own numbers. I would repeat this as necessary, not hesitating to disappear or summon a distraction when needed. I then sniped off the stragglers. No less than 18 goblins were dead now. 27 arrows remained in my quiver to not only kill any remaining goblins, but safely see me home. My heart ached to return to Bravil.

It was the pervasive odor really, more than the cold or dampness, that pushed me from homesickness back to my task at hand. I hadn't realized goblins smelled so badly.

I stood now in front of another door. After I wiped off several layers of dirt, my torch revealed the words: 'Exhausted Mine Bottom Section'. Extinguishing the light, I melted into the inky blackness, relying on my twin rings of detect life to warn me of threats.

As soon as I entered the final level of this mine, a wailing challenge left no doubt that I was detected. All I could see was a living glow with arms and legs looming before me. The pink aura itself served as an eerie light source that revealed the silhouette of an axe being raised. I panicked, but managed to fling off a spell and raise my bow to block. My swirling emerald illusion magic mixed with the pink enemy, to fill the tunnel in front of me with disorienting color.

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

I pressed my back against the door I had just entered, as the three goblins met in a clash of steel and howls right in front of me. Quickly tossing a lavender globe of magicka in front of me, a zombie appeared - the kind with no head. I hoped he would help even the odds.

One goblin fell, then my zombie. I nocked an arrow and aimed at the two glowing combatants locked in a mortal dance. I felt the splatter from what must have been a spray of goblin blood trace across the front of my black leathers. I cursed the door behind me that forced me into this close range.

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

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

The paladin and I had managed to improve our communication quite a bit, and his telepathic response was immediate. You are doing a fine job of keeping this frail body we share alive. I rather appreciate that. As to your question, I am always proud of you, my bowgirl.

The very short tunnel I occupied, opened into a large, dark cavern. Pulling out a torch, I sparked it to life with my fingertips. I found nothing of interest in the cavern except another tunnel leading deeper into the mine.

With the darkened torch now stowed, I silently crept into the shadowy corridor. After completing a sharp turn to the left, another cavern appeared ahead of me. This one was well-lit by a campfire and contained three life signs. I could see one goblin quite clearly. He was seated, cutting up dead rats and placing the meat into a stewpot that hung above the campfire. His two flanking comrades were hidden from view by the stone walls of the tunnel.

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

As soon as the first goblin charged into my tunnel, magicka flew from my fingertips as I reached for another arrow. The illusion convinced him to immediately wheel and intercept the goblin on his heels. As I hoped, the two joined in combat and ignored me - for the moment.

I waited, watching along the shaft of my nocked arrow. The yowling and screeching sounds of goblins were becoming well-familiar, but remained eerily chilling. As one of them fell, my arrow finished the victor.

I lit my torch and entered the cavern.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv43/Acadian6/Buffy%20I/ScreenShot222.jpg

Relatively safe for the moment, I sat by the campfire, trying to ignore the bubbling pot of rat stew. Parwen, the goblin hunter I had met in Skingrad, had told me to beware of shaman spell casters, often found in the deepest parts of goblin lairs. I figured that pretty much summed up where I was now, so I decided to start watching for them. After repairing and recharging Slayer, I searched the cavern. Again, I found only a tunnel leading deeper.

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

I could see two more pink glimmers in the distance and snuck up to the end of the tunnel. Slipping a third ring onto one of my fingers, the black cavern ahead blossomed into blue clarity. It was of medium size and I could see several large rock outcroppings rising from the stone floor. On the far side, was an opening - to yet another tunnel. The distant life signs were well beyond the rock walls ahead. I removed my ring and cautiously lit a torch to search the cavern.

In addition to the corpse of the berserker, I found no less than a dozen skeletons of men and mer. Were these the remains of less fortunate intruders? Or perhaps, trophies? I had glimpsed into the nature of goblins enough be amazed at their clever complexity.

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

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv43/Acadian6/Buffy%20I/ScreenShot224.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

As my cloak of invisibility evaporated, I selected a very powerful and complex poison. It prevented spell casting while delivering several types of damage. After applying it to the tip of a broadhead arrow, I nocked the vile missile and crept forward, barely into the cavern. The shot, at this range would be easy, but I would need to be quick with my magic.

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

The bowstring was still snapping forward when my now empty hand erupted with a green aura, spiked out to my side, and fired a spell towards the skirmisher at the other end of the cavern.

Dark with poison, the Netherboss raised his hand, but no spell came forth. The skirmisher, now under my command, launched a vicious melee attack against the spell caster. I nocked a second arrow, intended for the eventual winner, and waited.

The Netherboss pulled his mace to defend himself, but it was too late. Silenced, poisoned and pummeled, he fell. My arrow hit the skirmisher in the center of his back, propelling him to the ground. Slayer svcked his departing life force into Azura's Star.

I removed my ring, banishing the irritating blue tint, and lit a torch.

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

As I pocketed the amulet, I said quietly, "be at ease, Kayleen. Corrick will get this back. He can now live out his days in the home you made together."

I hope I didn't make you mad by spamming your thread, but Leydenne started it, ROFL !!!! (or as Beavis or Butthead might say, "she said fleshed out, uh-huh, uh-huh) Your fight details are always great tips for my character to learn from!! Awesome!!

Once again we see a very effective use of spells and tactics. Players take note! These are ones that not only an archer character can make good use, but really anyone.


I liked this use of euphemism, as it so aptly fits the description of the lights that Buffy sees with her Detect Life spell:
A single arrow, dressed with poison at the tip, extinguished him.


I also especially liked this explanation of how people tend to stop thinking when adrenaline kicks in:
If I was scared or pressed, I just couldn't think very well.



It is the last sentence however, that is the most potent of the entire chapter. It beautifully illustrates exactly what the entire chapter was about. As others have said, I like how you have taken what is otherwise a minor little xp-gaining quest from the game and breathed life and emotional depth into it. It is an excellent example for other writers such as myself of how we can take even the smallest things from the game and turn them into something both substantial and moving. Bravo! :celebration:




She's pretty cool... uh-huh-huh-huh

A great read. I couldn't help comparing how each of my former characters would have played out this scenario. None of them would have had the creativity and versatility of Buffy. Gamers take note. In fact take lots of notes.

It is also clear that it is Buffy's empathic nature that allows her to so profoundly see the tragedy of others. She doesn't see a quest; she sees an injustice that needs to be made right.

A terrific (and educational) read!

I'm madly scribbling notes to myself - check out illusion spells, look at command humanoid spells, try out silence spells.

If I wasn't at work, I'd be firing up my Xbox to try out these techniques! I've often used the bow to reduce the numbers, then close in and engage the survivor in melee combat, preferably after weakening him first. But thanks to Buffy, I'm learning to incorporate magic in my combat style. I'm already using summon skeleton to take on enemies bigger and better armed than myself, and it really helps!

And of course, the fact that Buffy is such a sweet girrl with a strong sense of right and wrong and a determination to fix things appeals to me in so many ways! I like that she is becoming so self-reliant, even when faced with scary situations. Of course, it helps to have Acadian whisper advice into her ear, though she doesn't always take it!

I'm happy to read another chapter! Go, Buffy, go!

Wow. Buffy was certainly at her versatile best in this one!! Kick butt girl.


This would be so cool. Please make sure that you and Bobg make this happen. :nod:


Does Buffy ever need to use a feather spell? I find the low carrying capacity of a Bosmer to be the main reason to dabble in alteration.
A protect other spell would also be handy to cast upon Superian. Not so much ingame as the horse can defend itself, but more so for the realism of the Buffy journals.

Edit - Oh, I just realized that Buffy uses a Bag of holding mod. Is that something you installed before you started Buffy?