A sneeze destroys a magical civilization

Luskan is the northernmost city on the entire west coast of Ferenc.

Since the original rulers, the Arcane Brotherhood, were uprooted and all pirates and criminals based here were purged on a large scale, it has become the area with the fastest population and economic growth in the entire northern region.

Because of Zuo Si's previous forced immigration, as well as the massacre of orcs and the liberation of slaves, a city cluster with a total population of more than 300,000 was forcibly created on this land.

Although from the perspective of modern society on earth, this population can only be regarded as a slightly larger town at best.

But for Faerun, whose productivity is relatively backward, this scale can be regarded as a handful.

On the entire west coast, it is estimated that only Port Calim in the south, the capital of Amn, Askatra, the royal capital of Tethyr, Zazespo, and the famous Waterdeep City can rival it.

Of course, just having a large population would not be enough to make Luskan prosperous in such a short period of time.

The fundamental reason is that these residents have been effectively organized, either working on farms outside the city, or tearing down and rebuilding the originally chaotic city, and obtaining stable wages through work.

In other words, they have money in their hands and can buy all kinds of daily necessities they need.

If there are people, money and demand, a stable market will naturally form.

Merchants traveled thousands of miles from the south to transport food and various daily necessities here for sale. When they left, they purchased the furs, handicrafts, precious wood, furniture, rare herbs, cold-water pearls and so on that are special products of the North.

Due to the scale effect, specialties from other surrounding towns will also be transported to the market in Luskan via rivers and land for sale.

With a prosperous market and stable order, a city will naturally attract outsiders to settle there.

Whether they are adventurers who want to make a fortune or make a name for themselves, or ordinary people who come to make a living, they have brought unprecedented vitality to Luskan.

This is a new city, a city where hope can be seen every day, a city where anyone with ability and talent, regardless of origin, can become an official or even a noble.

Although in the eyes of some countries with a long history and ancient nobles, the "Kingdom of Nelanthel" that rules Luskan is just a new country established by whitewashed pirates. It relies entirely on monopolizing maritime trade to maintain its powerful army. How long it will last is not certain.

But the dark elf ranger Drizzt Do'Urden likes this place very much. He comes here almost every two months to take a look, enjoying the comfort of sitting in the tavern and having a drink, while listening to other guests bragging about their adventures. experience.

Although dark skin and white hair may occasionally cause a little trouble, there is no need to worry about causing violent conflicts or being evicted.

Because he is not the only dark elf in this city. There is also a team of dark elf mercenaries who fled to the surface from the underdark. They have also been hired by the Luskan city government and will be responsible for patrolling the streets at night. , arrest those spies with suspicious behavior or saboteurs with malicious intentions.

Although the residents of Luskan do not have any good impression of these drow elves who are known to do all kinds of evil in the legend, they even think that the people in the city hall and the wizard tower are crazy, otherwise why would they hire such a group of dangerous elements.

But Drizzt was somewhat happy to meet such a group of compatriots in the surface world.

In particular, the other party abandoned the twisted and pathological values ​​​​in the dark elf society and chose to actively integrate with the rulers of the surface cities. This made him feel that his compatriots might not be so hopeless after all.

At least they can continue to survive in another way after leaving their hometown.

Just when the legendary ranger picked up the cup and took a sip of mead to moisten his throat, the closed door of the tavern was suddenly kicked open with a bang.

Followed by a dozen cloaked figures walked in from outside.

There are men and women among them, and the only thing they have in common is that they all have dark skin and white hair.

There is no doubt that these people are the dark elf team hired to patrol the streets of Luskan at night.

The leader, a tall and strong woman, threw a money bag directly on the table and ordered the tavern owner: "Immediately serve my people the best wine and steaming stew. This damn weather is so bad It’s almost freezing people to death.”

"Hold on!"

The tavern owner opened the bag, took a look at the coins inside, and quickly gestured to the kitchen.

After a while, several steaming cauldrons were taken out and placed on the table.

In addition, there are a few bottles of rum, a specialty of the Nelanthel Islands.

The cold wind had been blowing outside for a long time, and the dark elves, who had already been frozen to the point of stiffness in their hands and feet, did not care about elegance at this moment. They directly picked up spoons and buttered bread slices and started to cook. When they were thirsty, they Take a sip of liquor.

Looking at the lips of these compatriots who were slightly blue from the cold, Drizzt couldn't help but ask: "The first winter on the surface must have been difficult for you, right?"

"It's more than unbearable. I feel that the biting cold wind and snowflakes outside can even freeze my ears alive. Compared with the warm underground world, the living environment here is really too harsh." Leader Zhuo The woman rolled her eyes angrily.

Drizzt couldn't help but smile and comfort him: "Don't worry, the coldest days will be over soon. In a month or two at most, the weather will start to get warmer. By then, you can start patrolling It’s going to be a lot easier.”

"There will be at least another three months of freezing period. I've asked other people, and Luskan won't start to thaw until April. During this period, we all have to brave the cold wind and patrol at night. Damn it. ! Sometimes I really want to spread my legs and rely on the hundreds of special skills I learned in the dark elf society to directly hook up with the real owner of this city. Then I won’t have to work so hard."

While saying this, the drow woman lifted up her cloak to reveal her plump and curvy figure, causing many male guests in the tavern to subconsciously swallow their saliva.

"I advise you not to do that. Because the real master of this city may even be more dangerous than the matrons who hold power in the dark elf city." Drizzt warned seriously.

"Oh? So you know the real owner of this place?"

The drow woman's eyes instantly shone, and her body leaned forward slightly, with a curious look on her face.

Because she has noticed that in the city of Luskan, the nominal supreme ruler, King Eric, actually does not have much power.

Although the municipal assembly has executive and judicial powers, it does not control the army.

Out of sensitivity to the ownership of power, this female drow has long realized that the real power of Luskan and the kingdom of Nelanthel is actually firmly controlled by an invisible huge black hand.

But she had no idea who the owner of this black hand was.

Just as Drizzt was about to educate his fellow dark elf on some relevant information, a twisted black shadow suddenly appeared out of thin air and said in an extremely low and hoarse voice: "Drizzt Do'Urden, the master is here right now. He wants to see you in the mage tower in Luskan."

"Now?"

Looking at the high-level shadow appearing in front of him, the ranger showed a very surprised expression on his face.

He knew that all the shadow creatures in the area around Luskan were controlled by Yelnia, the King of Shadows.

There is only one person who can be called the master of these terrifying creatures, and that is the real master of the west coast of Faerun Continent—Zuo Si.

"Yes, that's right now. In addition, these drow compatriots of yours can also come together. The master may need them."

After saying that, the high-level shadow creature instantly turned into a ball of shadow and disappeared into the darkness.

There is no doubt that this sudden scene made the drow woman seem to realize something, and she immediately narrowed her eyes and asked: "Is the master that the monster just mentioned is the real ruler of this city?"

"Do you really want to know?" Drizzt asked meaningfully.

"Of course! Every dark elf woman has been pursuing strength and power from the moment she was born, and I am no exception. What's more, even if I escape to the Landmark World, I don't want to be like this endlessly for the rest of my life. Spend time on patrol." The drow woman raised her chin slightly, showing an ambitious expression.

"In that case, then come with me. But I hope you won't regret it."

After saying these words, Drizzt stood up, tightened his cloak, walked straight out of the tavern and disappeared into the dark streets.

The drow woman and her two most trusted men followed closely behind.

The two sides kept a distance of about ten meters, one after the other, and soon arrived at the location of the mage tower.

Since the previous war almost leveled the island where the main tower of the Arcane Brotherhood is located, the rivers on both sides of the place have been completely filled in and turned into a raised hill.

The original tree-shaped mage tower, which was a bit twisted and weird, has been transformed into its current umbrella shape after several renovations and expansions.

On weekdays, there are more than 200 mages and at least 400 apprentices living here for a long time. It is the third largest gathering place for arcane spellcasters in the entire North after Waterdeep City and Silvermoon City.

Of course, one of the reasons why so many people can be gathered is the massive magic knowledge and spell reserves, as well as the strong support of the Church of the Goddess of Magic.

Many wild mages in remote villages came all the way to find out what it was because of the recommendation from the church pastor.

As a result, when they saw the astonishing amount of books in the library, these mages all expressed that they could not walk.

Due to the influence of his father Zaknavan in his early years, Drizzt's attitude towards arcane magic has always been complicated. He has awe of this powerful power, but also the coldness, ruthlessness, cruelty and wanton behavior of mages. deep impression.

In his opinion, mages are a group of extremely dangerous and selfish people.

It's best to avoid dealing with them if possible.

Especially the huge mage tower in front of him always reminded him of the days when he lived in Menzoberranzan.

"Dark Elf, please indicate your identity and purpose of coming."

The golem guarding the door suddenly stretched out its thick arm and blocked the ranger's way.

"I am Drizzt Do'Urden, and I am here at the invitation of the master of this place." Drizzt said his name calmly.

He didn't pay attention to the strange looks from the people around him, or he was already used to it.

"Drizzt Do'Urden? Ah! Please come in, the master has been waiting for you in the drawing room for a long time."

After confirming the identity of the visitor in front of him, the golem immediately made way for him and made a gesture of invitation.

"Thank you so much."

The ranger responded politely, and then walked into the mage tower with several compatriots following him.

The moment he stepped onto the stairs with one foot, he suddenly felt like the world was spinning in front of him.

The next second...

The whole person appeared directly in a warm reception room, and the red fire was even burning in the fireplace nearby, giving people an indescribable warmth and comfort.

On the table were a pot of hot tea and a few high-end-looking snacks.

A very young-looking human was sitting on the sofa teasing a fat and strong orange cat in a very comfortable posture.

If it were anywhere else, when Drizzt saw this scene, he would most likely think it was a rich young man playing with his pet.

But he knew very well that the young man with black hair and black eyes in front of him was the double elect of the Goddess of Magic and the Goddess of Poison and Disease. A tyrant who dared to order a purge of the entire Luskan could make all the changes with a single move. The terrifying plaguebringer who nearly wiped out the orcs in the North.

But it was also under the other's rule that Luskan ended its history as a city of pirates, crime and exile and ushered in a new life.

Prosperous trade, stable situation, safe environment, clean administrative institutions, relatively fair and just laws, and even the thieves guilds that were very common in other cities in Faerûn completely no longer exist here.

Drizzt had privately compared himself to rulers he knew.

Among them, Alustriel Silverhand is undoubtedly the most outstanding and charismatic. Under her rule, Silvermoon City has always been famous for its prosperity and wealth.

Following closely in second place was naturally Zuo Si, who had risen rapidly on the west coast in recent years and controlled ocean trade.

Although strictly speaking, he himself has never stepped onto the stage, but only hid behind the scenes to control the situation.

It is an indisputable fact that all cities and villages under his rule have escaped poverty and become rich in a short period of time.

Compared with the above two people, his friend Bruno, the dwarf king, is really far behind.

While Drizzt was silently sizing up Zuo Si, Zuo Si was also sizing up the most famous dark elf in Faerûn.

I have to say that "Cui Sanye"'s height and weight are really not worthy of his record.

Because this legendary ranger is only just over 1.6 meters tall and weighs only about 60 kilograms. He is a typical dexterous warrior.

Especially the two slender arms, it is estimated that they cannot even swing a slightly heavier weapon.

It was hard for Zuo Si to imagine how someone like this could kill monsters like giants and demons with strength attributes exceeding 20 points in melee combat.

In fact, in terms of personal basic attributes, Drizzt should actually be more suitable to be a mage or priest, rather than a warrior.

Because his intelligence and perception attributes are both as high as seventeen points, while his strength attribute is only thirteen points.

Yes!

You read that right!

A genius with seventeen points of perception and intelligence attributes was forcibly trained to become a warrior.

Thinking of this, Zuo Si couldn't help but ask in a slightly regretful tone: "Have you ever thought about what it would be like today if you had chosen the path of magic?"

"The path of magic? Then I might become like other dark elves, insidious and cunning. I won't even realize the evil of my own race, let alone escape from the Underdark and come to live on the surface." Drizzt smiled. He responded with a shrug of his shoulders.

"That's true. Nice to meet you, Drizzt Do'Urden." Zuo Si took the initiative to extend his right hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Soth."

The dark elf ranger also extended his right hand.

After a simple handshake, the two sat down on the sofa in the living room again.

Zuo Si poured the other party a cup of hot tea, then asked with a smile: "You should know why I called you here today, right?"

Drizzt nodded quickly: "Of course. Your men said when they last met with me that you wanted a map leading to Menzoberranzan and the Underdark."

"So what's your answer?"

Zuo Si raised his head and stared into the eyes of the dark elf ranger.

"I want to know what you plan to do after you get this map?" Drizzt probed cautiously.

"Originally, I didn't have any special plans. I was just interested in the social structure of the dark elves and the unique environment of the Underdark. I wanted to take some time to see it. But now, I need to go to the Fungus Forest to find a man named Angel Poison. The druid of the core.”

Zuo Si did not hide anything and openly stated his purpose of going to the Dark Territory.

Because only by successfully capturing this archdruid or even the legendary druid can he go to the Deep Well of Souls to start his own god-making plan.

"Find someone?"

Drizzt was slightly stunned.

Zuo Si nodded with a smile: "Yes. This druid was once a believer of Talona, ​​the goddess of poison and disease, but later abandoned his faith and chose to worship the fungus lady Zugmoi, and was doing something very dangerous and terrifying. Research. My duty is to find and crush his conspiracy. Of course, it would be better if you are willing to lead the way yourself."

Drizzt quickly recalled the surrounding terrain in his mind, touched his chin and explained: "As far as I know, the Fungus Forest is south of Menzoberranzan and is part of the Northern Underdark. I want to get there. It’s not an easy thing.”

"You mean, we have to pass through your hometown of Menzoberranzan?" A hint of amusement flashed in Zuo Si's eyes.

"That's right. In the Underdark, there is nothing more dangerous than approaching and passing through a dark elf city. Especially since my identity is so sensitive, it can easily cause additional trouble." Drizzt laughed at himself with a wry smile. road.

But Zuo Si spread his hands indifferently: "It doesn't matter! If you are willing to lead the way, I will be very happy to solve all the troubles that may be encountered along the way. And I promise to perfectly play the role of a sinister, cunning and evil dark elf. There will never be a single flaw exposed.”

"Do I still have the right to refuse now?" Drizzt couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

"Of course not. You'd better hurry up and draw a simple map now. I'm going to go downstairs to talk to your compatriots. It's best to collectively disguise yourself as a small mercenary group. In this way, even if you enter Menzoberranzan can also travel among the major families as mercenaries."

After saying that, Zuo Si stood up and handed a quill, a box of ink, and some parchments to the dark elf ranger.

Although the latter seemed a little resistant, he did not refuse in the end. He picked up a pen and paper and began to outline the intricate tunnels...