SubRosa- Thank you! Buffy tries hard to look up to the brothers (figuratively of course; she has no choice in the literal sense), but she can't help remembering how they bailed out when the going got tough, leaving her and Aela holding the bag to help Kodlak. She tries to attribute that to their internal conflict between Nord and wolf - which is now resolved.

mALX- Thanks! That shot of Superian and Torvar was purely luck. It seems there is a ‘sit down’ spot right there and on that day, Buffy left Superian near that spot. Came back to see that scene. I agree that the Companions was kind of touching – especially after Buffy found Kodlak’s journal talking about her.

mirocu- Thank you! Buffy’s planning her visit to Bruma!

Lopov- Thanks! That induction ceremony was neat and I'm glad that it just worked out to be at night.

DE- Thank you! Although Buffy considers herself a mage, it is not lost on her how rare mages with bows are (as in zero vanilla ones) and that most archers join the Fighters Guild or Companions.

ghastley- Thanks! That means a lot because I tend to only have eyes for Buffy. So well-composed screens are generally more good luck than good management. I need to remember to pay attention to lighting. And I sometimes overlook the critters because they are so everpresent in Buffy's game.

Grits- Thank you! Buffy loves Mjoll’s noble nature, voice, face paint and simple straightforward manner, but feels guilty for 'borrowing' her from Aerin. Although Buffy has a bed waiting at the College, Fort Dawnguard and all the orc strongholds, she really does like the location, warmth and comfort of Jorrvaskr. Thanks too for the tip on that mod that slows down the Companions. I’ll look at that on her next playthrough – as well as one that SubRosa suggested to let Tolfdir become the Archmage at the College.



Today’s update is a collection of shots that all, to varying degrees of directness, express something Buffy hears every day. Her diminutive size has always been an integral factor in determining who she is and how she deals with her world. Despite her tendency to envy any woman who has something she does not, I'm very proud of Buffy for embracing who and what she is. In fact, if teased, she will cheerfully point out her advantages that range from a weight that is too low to set off pressure plate traps to an overall size that not only makes her hard to target, but allows her to hide in places where neither bandit nor falmer can follow.

Winking Skeever.

Jorrvaskr.

Darkwater Crossing.

Forgotten Vale. Buffy belongs to the mammoth faction. I was surprised to see that the resultant acceptance from giants applies to their frosty brethren as well.

High Gate Ruins.

Raven Rock – Et tu, Brute?

Hmm...

If Lothran ever went to Skyrim, I think he´d have something other than goblins and ogres to hunt...

*


These screen sets lately have so many great shots that it is impossible to choose a fave out of them! I'm wanting to make the Winking Skeever my favorite of the set, such an awesome close-up of Buffy! But then there is the moment captured between Buffy and Superion at the end of the set, who can choose between them?

And that Darkwater Crossing shot !!!!! OMG, what the hell is going on in that shot? I was floored by that shot !!!!

And then tiny little Buffy and that enormous b-ugly beast - and I'm wondering how Buffy found out it was going to be friendly to her !!!

I also love the Jorrvaskr shot - and not just because I love every shot of Buffy sitting crosslegged in a chair, lol. It looks like we are eavesdropping on a deep moment in a discussion between Buffy and the man, just before they realize a third person has entered, Awesome shot !!!


And although the shot isn't the greatest of the set, I've got to love seeing Anska calling Buffy "little Elf" - how cute and perfect that line was, like it was written into the game just for Buffy!!! Awesome!!

These shots lately have really come to life, I am so glad you have taken these screens - and even more glad you are sharing them with us!!!


*

mirocu- Once you got through the Steam barrier guarding Skyrim, I bet that Lothran would love the climate! Yes, the giants (and mammoths. . . and snow bears and sabre cats and trolls) can be dangerous there.

mALX- Thank you so much for your wonderfully warm support, my friend! I'm so glad you're enjoying the glimpses into Buffy's world and adventures. One of the reasons that I’ve insisted on keeping Buffy a Bosmer (instead of her own custom race) is for those wonderful lines in game that refer to her as an elf.



Buffy pauses during gift deliveries to review her reindeer’s Superian’s load:

-Two bottles of Evette San’s spiced wine. Both are for Jerric.

-Words of the Wind. Darnand has the heart of an adventurer and the soul of a poet.

-Dark hood/shawl combination. The hood is lined with silk for Lildereth’s sensitive elven ears.

-Amulet of Mara. Abiene will know what to do with it.

-Green apples, carrots and the lower leg bone of a troll. For the critters that travel with Jerric and Co.

-Genuine Falmer blood elixir. Just in case Clark gets overwhelmed by the ladies, this will help him make love like a sabre cat.

-Vial of henna hair dye – with the seasonal brightness of snowberry added. For Teresa of the Faint Smile of course.

-Very old bottle of Stros M'Kai Rum from Solstheim. For the Nordic Dark Elf of Bruma who has everything.

-Ceremonial dagger forged from the antler of a white stag. Buffy may need a bit of help from Hircine getting it delivered to Kraven.

-Magical quill that requires no ink pot. Buffy hopes this will ease Lydia’s task of recording the adventures of her Thane under austere conditions.

-Tome that teaches the spell Fire Storm. Since no aiming is required this is clearly for Maxical.

-Sweet roll. Buffy hopes no one steals it before Maxical can give it to Alex the Mouse.

-Two pendants. Both crafted from a single piece of Elsweyr moonstone into the two halves of a heart that perfectly fit together – just like Aravi and Kharjo do.

Later, when her rounds are complete, Buffy will be joining Caramel and Malin at the Bard College. The trio will render their traditional song and dance of the season.

Maxical and Alix the Mouse send their thanks to Buffy, and wish her a happy Saturalia too!!!

I´m sure Lothran will send his thanks too, once he gets back from the frozen valley!


-Thanks in advance, Buffs!

Teresa will send her thanks by way of a vial of hair gel made from bergamot and lavender - all freshly picked from the forests outside of Bravil - with a dash of primrose supplied by Tadrose.

Nice shot, and the fox in the background fits there good too.

She's so small that she can comfortably sit on that chair with crossed legs.

One of my favorite locations and a lot of friendly folks there. Did that bear tried to ruin the party or is he just sleeping?

And looks like it applies to Serana too.

Since when does size matter?

Good to see that she didn't travel to Solstheim alone.


How neat, thank you! I'm sure Lydia will be pleased to find the magical quill when she returns to Whiterun. Hopefully her Thane will give her some septims to buy something for Buffy in return.

Jerric’s Solitude Apartment, Evening Star’s End

Darnand sat in the smaller armchair beside the fire, a glass of wine at his elbow. His feet rested comfortably on a tufted hassock. He supposed that his seat had been intended for the Nordic lady of the household when this apartment had been furnished. The chair’s proportions suited his Breton frame far better than did the throne-like seat that loomed opposite. For now Jerric’s giant chair housed a stack of Darnand’s books, leisure reading for this quiet time between holidays. Jerric lay where he had been for the last few days, sprawled across the largest bed back in the master bedchamber.

Soft footsteps in the corridor announced Abiene’s impending arrival from the sickroom. Darnand slipped his fingers between the pages to keep his place and closed the book over them.

Abiene scooped up a cushion on her way past the bench. She shifted Darnand’s books with her customary precise care, then arranged herself in Jerric’s seat leaning on the pillow. The stone in her Amulet of Mara caught the light as she moved.

“His fever has not returned,” Abiene said in response to the anticipated question. “He hasn’t rested this well since the Third Era.”

“I suppose it must have been the Hegathean flu, or perhaps the world’s longest hangover. You convinced him to take the potion?”

Abiene smiled. “I put it in one of his empty spiced wine bottles. Now he’ll drink anything if he thinks it’s from Buffy.”

“Make sure you keep those bottles,” Darnand said. “He intends to fill them with Jerric’s Juice and carry them on the road as a remembrance.”

“Gulping directly from a wine bottle before battle will hardly damage his reputation, but I see the jest he intends.”

Darnand snorted. “Imagining the future reactions of strangers has amused me these past hours.”

The front door closed with the gentlest of clicks. Darnand watched the doorway for Lildereth’s approach, but her voice reached them first. No footfall betrayed her.

“Ulfe!” the elf called down the corridor. Darnand heard a thump from Jerric’s chamber followed by a thin whine.

“Suit yourself,” Lildereth replied to the distant hound. She appeared in the reading nook, loosening her dark shawl and letting the hood fall onto her shoulders. “Has he moved yet?” she asked Abiene.

The healer shook her head. She shifted in Jerric’s chair, making room for Lildereth.

The elf dropped another cushion against the chair’s other arm and snuggled in next to Abiene. She leaned her face on a fold of her hood, absently rubbing the silken lining against her cheek.

“I suppose Ulfe will drag her troll bone around with her until next Saturalia,” Lildereth said. “She will not be separated from it.”

“Troll tibia,” Darnand murmured.

Lildereth and Abiene shared a glance.

“‘I am not a necromancer,’” laughed Lil.

Darnand smiled at the old jest. First Abiene’s and then Lildereth’s eyes went to the fire. A comfortable silence fell between the three.

Abiene’s hand went to her Amulet as she watched the flames. Her fingers brushed across it.

Lildereth sat utterly still as was her way. The firelight made living jewels of her eyes.

Darnand’s gaze dropped back to his book of Ashlander verse, but this time he didn’t need to read it. The words were already written in his heart.

I will not pray for that which I've lost
When my heart springs forth
From your soil, like a seed,
And blossoms anew beneath tomorrow's sun.

A series of thumps and the scrabble of paws on tile arose from the back bedchamber. Soon the reading nook was filled with Nord and hound, a bedcover half-wrapped around one and tangled under the feet of the other. Ulfe’s golden coat shone with health and care. The Nord’s could use extensive grooming.

“He lives,” Darnand said in greeting.

Jerric yawned, grinned, and scratched a hand over his belly. “Did I miss Old Life Festival? Is that wine in your goblet, Breton? What’s for dinner?”

Jerric, Darnand, Lildereth, Abiene, Ulfe, and the herd of pampered horses send their love to Buffy along with their thanks for her wonderfully thoughtful gifts. They left a package for Buffy in Bruma in the care of the Mages Guild:

A wheel of Skingrad’s finest cheese crafted by brother Bosmer Uuras the Shepherd, Master of Sheep’s Cheese from Buffy’s fellow woodster Lildereth. (Jerric estimates that it will feed her for a month, since he was not allowed to ‘sample’ it.)

A bottle of Tamika’s sparkling white from Jerric, who thinks of Buffy’s delicate grace every time he opens a bottle with his teeth and spits the cork away.

Snowberry lip balm made by Abiene’s loving hands for an Elven woman whose beauty needs no enhancement.

From Darnand a leather-bound travel journal enchanted to resist damage from frost, fire, falling, dirt, water, sharp objects, blunt objects, lightning, and tears of both joy and pain. It is a special kind of magic that lets a dry page sing the song of the road and recall the light on distant mountains.

The packet of brown sugar cubes is for Superian, who carries her elf safely through all kinds of adventures.


Some pictures from the Saturalia party at the Bards College:

Darnand has to read Buffy’s gift Words of the Wind immediately.

Darnand reads another verse while the bards and friends party on.

Lil employs Buffy’s gift and becomes a shadow to catch her breath.

Dancing to Buffy’s Saturalia song with Caramel and Malin, the highlight of the evening.

Happy Saturalia and a joyous New Life Festival!!

Happy New Year, Buffy and Superian!!


Edit: Nice pic of the month, but why does Buffy look like a companion to Princess Grumpy...?

mALX- I hope that Maxical, Alix and Misa all had a wonderful Saturalia and enjoyed New Life Festival! And Buffy is extremely appreciative of the beautiful jade figurine amulet that Maxical and Misa sent her via PM!

mirocu- Buffy sure is enjoying her visit with Lothran in Bruma! She looks a bit grumpy in her screenshot of the month for January because that pesky guard is trying to curtail her lollygagging.

SubRosa- Aww, thanks so much to T&T! Given Skyrim's harsh clime, hair care is always a challenge.

Lopov- Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed Buffy’s version of Big World, Little Elf. Buffy’s delighted that Lydia finds that quill useful in recording the adventures of her Thane. She also much appreciates the alteration circlet and ice wraith essence gifts from Lydia.

Grits- By Kynareth’s wings! I’m overwhelmed . . . by how attuned you are to everything going on with Buffy, that her gifts went over so well, at the incredible creativity and skill with words you lavish upon every endeavor, and the wonderful gifts that Buffy found waiting for her at the Bruma Guild of Mages! So very beautiful and thoughtful. Thank you so much. Buffy’s reaction to reading your tale of Jerric and Co’s Saturalia was simpler and less restrained -


I suppose it was inevitable that, given her name, Buffy would investigate the vampire slayers of Dawnguard. The next three updates will include glimpses into her adventures as she, for a time, found herself the reluctant sidekick to a most unlikely ally.

A rocky introduction as Slayer meets Daughter of Coldharbour.

Arrows and ice.

You want me to do what to me?!?

Courage in a small package.

Though we shall walk through the valley of the shadow of death...

... we shall fear no evil...

... for we are the baddest babes in this damn valley!

These are all great shots, but this one wins hands down as my fave! How on Nirn did you do that? AWESOME !!

Next: "You want me to do what to me?!?" - Great expression on Buffy's face, plust I am absolutely in love with those feathers in her hair, lol.

Great screens!

What the.... It´s Ghost Rider!!

So Buffy and Serana, or BS?

When I read "You Want Me To Do What?" it set my little lesbian heart to leaping. Turns out it was not quite what I was hoping!

I really love Buffy's eye color in these. It is a nice soft teal.



If Nicholas Cage looked like that, I might watch those Ghost Rider movies!

Bold: SPEW !!! Now that made my day, I haven't heard your humor for far too long, SR! That was a real "Thanks, I needed that" moment! <3

*Cracks knuckles*

Let's get busy because Buffy certainly has!


~ What do you want, little elf? ~
Buffy may be small but there are plenty of benefits with coming small sized. I am glad she knows and accepts this as well because not many people might see it that way. I tend to side with Buffy.

Winking Skeever- Seeing Buffy look up and the Nord look down is a shot that shows us just how small she is in the land of blond-haired Thors.

Jorrvaskr.- Is that Skor Buffy is sitting close to?

Darkwater Crossing- This is a nice community. Very friendly, I've heard. I see everyone is warming up by the fire.

Forgotten Vale- Kaarstag! One of the great chosen Hircine plucked for his Bloodmoon game. Good to see him big and dangerous. I guess Buffy must have summoned him?

High Gate Ruins. Oooh! Two good looking elves.

Raven Rock – Et tu, Brute? Nice horse. I do wonder where Caesar might be?

Saturalia Time!

Great list! Lycus has received his nice ceremonial dagger and he makes sure to honor Buffy by sending a rather late Saturalia gift of a nice quiver of arrows made from the content of unicorn horns brought straight from Oblivion. He gives his thanks!

Child of Dawn. Hmm. I am not surprised Buffy would once again take the vampire-hunting mantle. It is an odd ally and friend that she has made. I understand making friends with vampires . . . but pureblooded ones? Yikes. This is the second time, I guess . . . if you count her brief friendship with eh, Cardius

Soul Cairn is such a creepy place. I bet Buffy was quick to get in and quick to get out. Not a place for the living. The haunting spirits, walking shambling dead and shrieking spectres are rude to the ones with flesh on their bones. Even Serana must get the creeps. Eerie shot but I'm content to see Buffy slaying some bloodsuckers. Somehow I find that amusing as much as the creatures themselves.

OK, catching up! First the Little Elf set:

I love the way Corpulus is smiling at Buffy in the Winking Skeever. I’m sure she is his favorite as well as his tiniest regular, with her chin practically on the bar. This picture shows how pretty the beads on Buffy’s hair feathers look with her eyes.

Buffy looks adorable sitting cross-legged in her chair at Jorrvaskr. How neat that she can use the furniture as she sees fit!

Buffy’s bear steals the show at Darkwater Crossing. That’s such a friendly and comfortable place to spend a night.

Wow, that frost giant! I haven’t seen one in ages, and never like that. It’s great that Buffy can walk up to them without making them want to kill her.

Lol, Buffy looks taken aback by Anska’s rudeness. I’m sure Anska was nicer by the end of her adventure with the little elf!

How fun to see Superian in Raven Rock, and looking absolutely huge in that picture!

Child of Dawn group:

Buffy and Serana look great together! I love the dark and light contrast. I imagine that Buffy appreciates Serana using Ice Spikes and staying out of Buffy’s way. I see some of Serana’s handiwork in the background of Arrows and Ice. At least that time Serana resurrected another archer!

Indecent Proposal: Lol, I didn’t know what to expect! Did one of my characters wander/sneak/break into Buffy’s world?! Nice.

Courage: That’s the perfect title. It took Valdi ages to decide what to do and then take those first steps. Even Mikke who was Dragonborn and utterly fearless hesitated to go into that realm. Helmets off to Buffy for facing the unknown.

It looks like Buffy found her way in the Soul Cairn and even brought Superian in with her! One should not underestimate a courageous and determined elf. Baddest babes, indeed.

My favorite of this group has to be We shall walk through the valley. I love Buffy’s expression, and it’s a beautiful shot of her face. She looks so grim and determined!

mALX- Thank you! Convenient Horses mod really made that 'dual rearing' shot possible. When you whistle for your horse, they come running; however if you call for them via a Nordic horn (the Skyrim version of Buffy’s Call of Corsair) the horse will teleport to you, you will automount and the horse will rear. As you begin to blow on the horn to call the horse, your follower(s) will do the same. So that dual rearing shot was captured just after Buffy and Serana called their horses into the Soul Cairn.

mirocu- Ghost Rider indeed! More on that not today, but in our final of three Dawnguard updates. Thanks!

SubRosa- Aww, Buffy is so very flattered that you like her eye color and one of those screenshots even set your heart a fluttering. Thank you!

DE- Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed Buffy’s Little Elf shots - her size and physical frailness have shaped so very much of who/what she is. That big fellow in the Vale was simply a Dawnguard frost giant – Buffy had never encountered them before. I also figured you would get a kick from Buffy having to join up with a Daughter of Coldharbour for a time. Glad Lycus got the gift and Buffy’s very thankful for the magical arrows!

Grits- Buffy simple fell in love with any sort of 'feathers in her hair' mods – even dating back to her time in Cyrodiil. I still thank you and Lil for the concept of sitting oddly in chairs to accommodate a lack of height. I agree that Darkwater Crossing is nice – good people, free to use bedrolls, nice fire and they don’t mind if you keep the critters around at night. Glad you noticed in that one shot that Serana reanimated a very ‘Darrylesque’ helper for a time. Thanks so much for your kind words about Buffy!



This is the second of three updates that showcase some of Buffy’s efforts to help the Dawnguard. The vampire Serana’s ironic destiny was to save Nirn from a prophecy of permanent darkness set in progress by her own clan. Over time, Slayer and Vampire gradually transitioned beyond their instinctive animosity. Required to work together, their grudging tolerance was gradually forged by fire, ice and arrows into a surprising degree of mutual respect – even friendship.

Stay your weapon, Qahnaarin, for I would have words with you.

Durnehviir enjoying some freedom – and helping Buffy out.

How fortuitous for the Dawnguard that the bowgirl’s kinship with butterflies extends to moths.

While Serana’s vale Bambi keeps watch, Slayer and Vampire approach a ghostly Paladin of Auriel.

Superian's boney horse accouterments fit in so perfectly with the Soul Cairn.

From that second pic, I think old Durney could use some Listerine for that breath!

Buffy is indeed all aglow with her butterflies no less.

I suppose Buffy would not be put off by ghostly paladin's by now!

This screenshot is stunning! Gorgeous! All the shots are great, but this is my absolute favorite of all! Next: "Stay Your Weapons." At first glance I actually felt fear for Superian, thought she was right in line to be attacked by the dragon! Awesome shots, all of them!

I've rarely found the right occasion to summon Durnhevir, as it's always too hectic when he'd be really useful. So most of my characters have never learned the whole shout. Has Buffy?

I saw the moths picture and though "Oh look a waterfall. It's a good thing Buffy's distracted."

If that's Serana's Bambi, I hope it was a Vale Sabre Cat that made it ppssible.

Buffy in company of a vampire - a sight to see! I bet that they checked each other out as women often do at first sight.

Arrows and ice work well together, as do big Nord and small Wood Elf.

Great job by showing Buffy standing on steps leading to Soul Cairn instead of showing her walking - now it seems that even as courageous as she is, there was some uneasiness in her when approaching Soul Cairn. That will have to be my favorite screenshot from this selection.

Babes and their horses! Another very good screenie.

Great to see Durhnehviir free at last, it's kind of Buffy to take her time and talk to him and of course, to fulfill his wish.

The screenshot of Buffy surrounded by moths is pure beauty.

That Bambi is not really alive anymore, is it?

SubRosa- Thank you! Buffy did have fun during her time with Serana (once she stocked up on anti-cramping potions. ) Heh, I pretended that when she was told that collecting bark was necessary to draw the butterflies, she scoffed and said, “Just watch me!”

mALX- Thank you! Buffy left Superian outside the place where you fight Durnehviir so the mare would be safe. When she came back out the dead dragon had resurrected right close to Superian! Buffy instantly conjured her bow, but the dragon just wanted to talk.

ghastley- Buffy did learn the whole shout, but mostly as a favor to Durn. I agree that the dragon is not that helpful. I suppose summoning him as you approach a fort that is well guarded by foes could be useful. Yes on the vale bambi. Someone (or something) other than Buffy or Serana killed it originally – you’re probably right that it was likely a vale cat. Thanks!

Lopov- Thanks! I thought the Dawnguard DLC was pretty well done. Buffy went through it once before and felt kind of claustrophobic at being stuck with Serana so long. This time she relaxed, realizing that Serana could not really get lost or killed. We also did install a mod to address Serana’s repetitive dialog. Overall though, a very appropriate DLC for Buffy and she enjoyed it.



This is the final of three updates that showcase some of Buffy’s efforts to help the Dawnguard. When the time finally came for Serana to confront her own father, she came through – earning her an unusual but highly respected place in the clan of vampire hunters known as Dawnguard. . . .

Let's ride! Although a day time shot, this was inspired by the movie Ghost Rider. Someone mentioned it when we first showed Serana’s flaming steed. If not familiar, the caption and inspiration for this screenshot came from this 2:45 video clip from the movie. I’m not a big fan of that movie, but as far as I’m concerned, a fast horse and Sam Elliot’s voice can carry any piece of film.

Rallying the vampire hunters in Fort Dawnguard before heading to the other side of Skyrim for the big battle.

After the final fight, Serana is bathed in the light of righteousness as she stands up to her ankles in paternal goo.

Leading the orphaned vampire to her new home among the Dawnguard.

During their time together, Buffy and Serana grew rather close. Alas though, keeping the odd couple together was a bridge too far. Buffy needed potions to manage the cramping that being near a vampire caused. And Serana could do little about the feelings of impending doom that being so close to a slayer caused. Serana said she would seek a cure if Buffy asked her, but the elf would never allow her friend to take the possible risks that suddenly rendering an ancient daughter of Coldharbour back into a mortal Nord would likely entail – like over a thousand years of instant aging. The eve before they parted ways, Serana gave a tearful Buffy this beautifully bittersweet musical gift.

I still cannot overcome that Buffy worked together with a vampire!


So totally unheard of from her cyrodilic journeys

I've had a great time looking through this thread! It's so good to see Buffy's adventures extend beyond Cyrodiil. I was a little shocked to see her team up with her prey… but then I remembered the Buffy Doctrine(™) and I realized that, since Serana presents herself as a person vampire in need, Buffy would of course try to help her. It is good to see that, along the way, she and Serana grew close. What an interesting story that would make (hint, hint)!

I think the shot of our favorite bowgirl with the moths is the one I like best. But I am curious: if the 18th century Ghost Rider is on horseback, and if the 20th century Ghost Rider sports a chopper… does that mean that the millennial Ghost Rider would whip through traffic on a segway?

Well, you can't get those hover-boards we were promised!

I love the flaming steed with Ghost Rider Serana! And yay for Sam Elliot! He is one of my favorite under-appreciated actors. He was fantastic as General Buford in Gettysburg.

Talk about paternal goo! I hope Serana remembers to wash those boots afterward...

To be fair, all of us are here as a result of 'paternal goo.'

*Yeah, Destri's had a looonnnnggggg day and he's feeling a little loopy.*

Durnehviir! I loved meeting him in the Soul Cairn in the middle of all that vampire business. What a great moment captured in that screenshot.

Woo, sunlight on his tattered wings! Valdi likes to summon him when she’s crossing the plains near Rorikstead. He flies all over the place and it’s usually sunny.

Aww, waterfalls and a multitude of moths. Lovely!

Serana resurrected something cute! Buffy does not look relaxed in that picture. Wandering around in the dark is one thing, but ghosts popping out at you could be unnerving!

Let’s Ride is my favorite!! Buffy’s bow gives her the perfect mystical contrasting touch to Serana. (‘Can you keep up’ is my favorite moment in that movie. )

That’s a neat shot of the Dawnguard’s pep talk. One thing I especially like about Dawnguard is the variety of easily recognizable characters, unlike the Civil War questlines.

I really like that Serana is the focus in the battle’s end shot. It looks as if she’s telling her sidekick Buffy that she couldn’t have done it without her rather than Buffy bathing in the glory. Also ‘paternal goo,’ lol!

What a touching musical tribute from Serana. She and Buffy must have grown close if Serana would cure her vampirism if asked. I’m afraid that neither of my Dawnguard characters was kind enough to Serana to get that option from her. It was very sweet of Buffy to bring Serana home to the Dawnguard fortress and say farewell to her there rather than ditching her at the scene of her father’s demise. The Buffy Doctrine proved once again to be true.

Good one, but Serana can't best Buffy just like that.

Buffy really stands out in this picture because her outfit is very different than of everyone else.

Paternal goo

This one is beautiful, both the pic and the title, there's certain warmth to it, it shows that Buffy takes care of her acquaintances even if they're vampires as long as they know how to behave themselves.

Well, "Paternal Goo" is NOT my fave screen,

I loved the "Rallying" shot; that kind of ceremony really defined the Companions for me when I first started that questline - it just feels very right for the times/setting and most def gives a feeling of being a part of a faction much bigger than the three you usually only see. Love this shot, it has to be my favorite of this set; it is a part of Dawnguard I don't remember seeing before; Awesome shot !!!

Next has to be "Let's Ride" - Have to love seeing Superian airborne in her hurry to get away from ColdHarbour, lol.

The last shot, bringing Serana back to the Dawnguard - Buffy looks down/sad; you managed to capture that expression so fitting to the moment, Awesome shot !!!

I quoted the little comment at the bottom, that was an awesome description of why keeping Serana as a follower would never work, things I didn't think about until you mentioned them here, lol.

Wonderful update !!!'

Oh no, you did NOT go there! Urk,

You know, the horse did somehow remind me of that movie Ghostrider. I saw it on FX when it came on. That was a great scene. I fell in love with that horse! I wasn't a fan of the game's blue fire effect but it still looked good. Very fit for a horse from an undead in Oblivion.

The vampire hunters joined together shows that the Dawnguard have well-equipped and capable people ready to bring down those pesky bat-nosed bloodsuckers. Seriously, why is Serana the only beautiful pureblood out there?

Hehe.... that's some goo alright. Pretty disgusting. I suppose Harkon is in Coldharbour and I can't imagine he's having too much fun.

Buffy's concerns do remind me what happened to Rona Hassildor, Janus' wife. Perhaps Buffy learned from that? Or no? It wouldn't be wise curing a millennia + vampire. That and the fact that Serana went through a lot just to obtain the "gift". Buffy is a great friend.

mirocu- Thanks! I know that Slayer working with Vampire was quite unusual. Although not covered in any of Buffy’s stories, the concept of a vampire who has some control of the beast within is not new to Buffy. She did meet Count Hassildor of Skingrad after the events of her Book 1. And in Skyrim, she is acquainted with Solitude’s court mage – also a vampire. Happily for Buffy, Serana never ever did try to bite her.

Destri- So nice to see you back and catching up – thank you! Although we don’t tightly hug either the lore from TES nor Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I do recall Buffy’s TV namesake working with vampires on a couple occasions. On ghost riders, perhaps one from the future will fly a flaming X-wing fighter?

ghastley- Segways, hoverboards and those sand racers from Star Wars! All aflame! Nah, nothing’s as cool as the horse.

SubRosa- Thanks and nice to hear that, like me, you’re a Sam Elliot fan! I got quite the chuckle over the reactions to our use of ‘paternal goo’.

Grits- Thank you. It sounds as if you think like I do. Those dragons are simply magnificent – even the tattered undead ones. Really makes you wish you could join their faction. I don't see how they could screw up Skyrim's political landscape any more than the Stormcloaks/Imperials/Thalmor do. I’m so glad you liked our nod to ‘Ghostrider’. Thanks to Convenient Horses, Serana comes with that flaming beauty. And she’ll get pretty snippy if you ask her to ride a ‘normal’ horse. Thank you also for pointing out the ‘sidekick’ in Buffy. That role really does suit her ever so much more than being ‘The Chosen One’. As I tell Renee, Buffy is much more of a Gabrielle than a Xena. In Oblivion, Mazoga was Buffy’s ‘Xena’. Serana did fill that roll during the Dawnguard main quest. If Buffy were to ever do the Skyrim main quest, it would likely be as a sidekick to some larger than life hero like Mjoll the Lioness.

Lopov- Thanks for your kind words. I really like the outfit you mentioned because it strikes me as a mixture of College of Winterhold and Assassin’s Creed robes that suits Buffy well. Buffy can be rather cold blooded when it comes to her two-legged prey, but she really is quite nurturing to her friends.

mALX- Aww, thanks, as ever, for your warm support! One thing I liked about Dawnguard, is that when the questline is over, you are simply a working knight of the Dawnguard – not the darn ‘boss’ like every other significant TES questline wants you to be. I’m with you, and really enjoy screenshots with Superian – animals always steal the show, don’t they? Thanks also for your understanding and support of Buffy and Serana’s choice to not remain a permanent traveling duo – and for leaving Serana as a vampire. I’ve no doubt she’ll serve the Dawnguard well – who (besides a Slayer) to better kill vampires than another vampire?

DE- Thank you. As I was telling mALX, I quite enjoyed the Dawnguard – largely because Buffy was not the hero (Serana was) and Buffy was not pushed to become Grandmaster of the Order. Not to mention the natural match of a character named Buffy with vampire hunting. I knew that, with your keen interest in vampires, you would likely appreciate the hazards of separating an ancient Daughter of Coldharbour from her gift.



So what might trigger Buffy’s use of the dark side of her doctrine? How about this?

It was quite evident that this 'Astrid' was part of the Dark Brotherhood. Buffy figured that a reasonable path to them might be to impersonate one of their assassins.

Summoned from her sleep, Buffy meets Astrid and is asked to choose her next victim.

An easy choice for the elf.

And my wrath shall fall upon not only you, but your entire family.

Now, choices and actions have consequences of course. Somewhere there is a formerly abusive orphanage that is now run by kind and loving hands. And somewhere there is a very disturbed little boy who got what he prayed to the Night Mother for. All Buffy can hope for is that whoever adopts this young man can guide him along a path that is wiser and gentler than hers.


I would be remiss if I did not point out a couple of chuckles that Buffy's brief involvement with the Dark Brotherhood provided. The first was the note itself - that the Listener would sign (and the assassin would carry around) such a blazing beacon back to their own doorstep. The second was that the same Listener who signed a warrant to have Buffy killed would so readily provide the opportunity for Buffy to 'return the favor'.

Oh, that note had me in hysterics! You could not have told that as well as that screenshot did show it, ROFL !!! I could feel Buffy's temperature rising just reading that!

The next "Wrath falling on whole family" - you had to know when you saw that before posting it that it would be my absolute favorite of the set, I LOVE that shot !!!!

Second favorite was the one right before it; "An easy choice." What a great shot that was!

That poor little mixed up boy, what does happen to him after the questline? I'll bet when he said that it shook Buffy up.

This was a great update, you showed some parts of the vanilla game I haven't seen yet - though I did meet the little boy, but it was by accident - I was breaking in to rob the house. For some reason, there was never any writ of assassination for Maxical, and of course Misa hasn't had one either. Hmmmm, I wonder why that is?

Awesome update !!!

Putting out a death warrant on Buffy is a monumentally bad idea. Adding your name to it an even greater blunder. But then, Bethesda is not know for the brilliance of their writing...

I love how Buffy looks in the red light of the Arentino home. Buffy made the same choice Persephone did so long ago, and Astrid now sleeps with the fishes. Maybe Persephone 2.0 will adopt the young lad!

I´d say happily for Serana...



*seeing screenshots and reading text*

UGH!!! This was bout the only time I wished that Lothran was in Skyrim too! He would have helped Buffy in a heartbeat and she wouldn´t have needed to ask or even look at him!!

The last mistake of the Dark Brotherhood was to cross Buffy and she repaid them in full! Great job!

I agree that the note signed with the name of the leader is a bit stupid move for a secretive organization like the Dark Brotherhood.

She actually made Aventus happy, which is good. At least until he grows up and becomes an assassin. I have a feeling that we might see him in TES VI.

Buffy made a good choice about who to kill in the abandoned shack, her arrows pierced Astrid's head, my favorite shot.

And with the Sanctuary cleared of its evil denizens, Buffy brought some more peace to Skyrim.

I don’t think anybody ever accused the Skyrim DB Sanctuary with an abundance of brains. I think the fact that they are so inept is the reason for their survival after all the other Sanctuary’s fell.

I always find it interesting how Buffy is able to square things with her own unerring sense of right and wrong. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t she wind up becoming an assassin in order to justify finding and killing a bunch of assassins? This was a slight stretch of the Buffy Doctrine, was it not? Grelod wasn’t a threat to her, nor was she a threat to Aventus while he was sitting in his house in Windhelm. Everyone takes for granted the fact that Grelod is evil based on hearsay from outside sources and from Grelod’s less than kind way of speaking with the children. Yet she must have some feeling for them, no one else was volunteering to care for a bunch of orphans. Personally I have always seen her as one of those hard-to-love curmudgeons capable of cursing you while still doing a selfless act.

But that’s just me.

My favorite shot was Buffy inside the Sanctuary. Never let it be said that faction precludes the appropriation of a nice pair of boots!!




Interesting point. I can definitely see him as your first DB contact (though, hopefully, not contract) in TES VI: Redguard.

I agree with Destri about Grelod to some extent. But she does taunt the kids a bit too much, so my character slapped her and she took a bad fall. Whoops!

It's a good thing Buffy didn't get to take Serana with her into the sanctuary, or she might have come out with a pet spider. Did she find any shoes she liked?

‘This poor fool,’ lol. Never have those words been more wrong. Should have passed on this contract, Astrid!

I like the Aventus-view of Buffy in the red-light picture. That kid must have gone through a lot to get the meat and bones for the ritual. Ugh.

Looming over petite Buffy’s wake-up in the cabin from the top of that shelf just adds insult to injury. Astrid made the choice very easy indeed. Shot through the face, very nice!

What a great picture of Buffy inside the Sanctuary! I love how the shape of her face echoes the skull emblem behind her. That’s my favorite of this group.

How neat to see Aventus outside. I’ve always wished he could be adopted. He’s certainly willing to do the hard things, so it would be comforting to think you could help him pick what team he’s going to be on.

How interesting to see the Kill the Dark Brotherhood quest Buffy-style!


My first ‘good’ character who murdered Grelod was Jensa. She spent enough time with the orphans to believe them and eventually adopted Runa and Hroar because according to Grelod’s complaints to Constance they seemed to be the most troubled or likely to get into trouble. When Jensa found the closet with the manacles that was it. She had no problem inviting a blight onto her soul by beating an old woman to death. Funnily enough some of my naughtier characters have been squeamish about it. I guess sometimes a righteous person can be more frightening than a criminal.

mALX- Thank you! I’m so glad you liked Buffy’s flirting around the edge of the DB – just long enough to put them down. Apparently, the little boy makes his way back to the orphanage - now under kind and proper management. In fact the new manager of the orphanage sends out flyers urging folks to adopt the wonderful children in need of homes that she has under her care. Some nice touches.

SubRosa- Long ago, you referred to Buffy as ‘cuddly like a rattlesnake’ and during her DB involvement, I figure that fit pretty well. Yes, Astrid signing that warrant and the assassin carrying it on him were huge mistakes. Although I didn’t cover it in the update, you take news of Astrid’s death to some captain who gives you the spiel that always makes Buffy’s eyes roll. Some big strong guy telling a tiny elf that it is up to her to solve the [insert crisis] - by herself of course.

mirocu- Aww, I know Lothie would have quickly jumped to Buffy’s aid were he there! Thanks!

Lopov- On the Astrid signing her name, I learned long ago that when it comes to writing TES stuff, it is sometimes best to openly poke fun at some of the game things that don’t always make the best of sense instead of trying to tweak them into sense. Another game limitation is that you can never figure out who requested a DB hit on your character in the first place – so your vengeance can’t really go further than Astrid and her cronies. Buffy feels badly that the little boy is still screwed up. She (probably correctly) thinks she is too screwed up to be the one to give him guidance though. That I tell her he was screwed up before she came on the scene is scant comfort to her though.

Destri- Thank you. I love how we can see the same NPCs, yet draw differing impressions of them. Buffy spent some time reconnoitering the orphanage (as, ironically, an Agent of Mara) and came to the conclusion that Grelod was pretty much pure evil – so, as you say, she had no problem squaring her choices. As you also point out, she is pretty good at creatively justifying what her heart tells her to do. Her doctrine was triggered by Astrid of course and she would otherwise have likely never involved herself in the orphanage because, as you say, the situation there was not a threat to her or her friends. It was simply the path to her goal. She’s not big on ‘the ends justifies the means’; in fact she walked right out of the Dragonborn main quest refusing to betray the Skaal to kill Mirak. In the case of taking out Grelod however, that was just a convenient pleasure to accomplish. Her only regret over the whole thing is that the little boy is still screwed up and, as we know, Buffy is hardly the best ‘moral compass’ for the lad. At least she is wise enough to know that adopting him would be a bad choice.

ghastley- Heh, on the shoes. Naturally Buffy tried on all the new whiz bang DB gear while in the Sanctuary. She actually didn’t keep any of their gear though – not even their boots. The boots she’s wearing in the screenshot inside the Sanctuary are part of her Triss (mod) gear. Actually taking Serana inside might have been a good idea. . . that way Buffy could have the vampire resurrect the assassins and kill them twice. Did we mention she’s not averse to vengeance?

Grits- Thank you. Sounds like Jensa spent enough time with those orphans to come to the same conclusion about Grelod as Buffy. Like so many of the neat ‘gray’ things in Skyrim, little Aventus’ uncertain future kept Buffy from being overly confident that she made the right choices.


After several theme-based updates, I’m happy to return to our more random potpourri of sneak peeks into Buffy's life in Skyrim -

Profile in courage.

Well, let's see what he does when he finds a real one.

Where no companion dares follow.

Shopping for shoes.

Good morning, Druglord.

Catch this!

HAHAHAHA this is perfect.

And might I (and my Argonian friend) say, sir, that Buffy is looking great! Must be that fresh Skyrim air.

"Profile in Courage" looks like it should have been called, "Oops, where did my bow go?" I see Buffy's arm drawn back like she is using the bow; and see the arrow in the dragon's arm - but no bow in Buffy's hands! Now THAT is a real archery trick!

This has to be Buffy in Winterhold, and boy does she look ticked off!!! I have GOT to love this one best, HAS to be my favorite! I can just hear Buffy saying, "FINE! He wants to hunt Elves then? We'll see about that!" LOVE THIS SHOT !!!!!


Holy Cow! "Don't Step Into The Light, Superian!" Urk !!! But I can't say much, Maxical took her horse up to the Throat of the World the hard way, lol.


These next two are exciting battles with the glowing weapons and ammo floating around ... or are those spells? Either way, AWESOME to look at !!!

Love this update, but I have to say that I loved the themed ones too !!!

Love the profile in courage. Or maybe "Eat This Bronzie!"

I think Assur might have found more elf than he can handle!

Watch that first step Superian, it is a doozy!

Catch this is just spectacular! What a fantastic slice of time.

And the caption for Catch This is : "I'm OK, it's going to miss my knees"

The bound bow fits Buffy as perfectly as her fitted green ranger outfit. Kicking butt in haute couture!


Speaking of haute couture, I just love the feathers (if those are feathers) in Buffy’s braids. In fact, the whole outfit is just smokin’. ‘Rosa nailed this one. I think Assur is about to have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!


Superian showing off the parkour skills. The mod that allows Buffy to carry the bound bow and quiver on her back is just great.


Caption for this one:

“Again?” asked Superian.

Beautiful but I don't recognize this location, where is it? I assume it's the Reach because it's the area about which I know almost nothing. Also, does Buffy absorb souls and words or is that feature disabled in her world?


She looks very good in what she wears. Are these Shrouded Boots or are they just similar?


By Dibella, what a fantastic shot! 10/10.


Buffy's never alone, not even in Solitude.


Bound bow really fits Buffy well! A fitting end for the undead lord.

So many nice Buffy pixies


As one who remembers her eager return to the south after the Bruma visits when she lived in Cyrodiil, it´s quite astonishing to see her thrive so well in the frozen land


P.S. Great pic of the month!

I missed the new Screen of the Month! What a great shot !!!