A sneeze destroys a magical civilization

In Faerûn, the history of the Underdark precedes the surface world.

Long before the Creator Races arose and established the first civilizations, the aboleths were the undisputed overlords of the Underdark.

Among them, ancient races like the Kuo-Toa can be traced back to the time when the creator race ruled the earth before the rise of the dwarves and elves.

Later, with the arrival of the dark elves, and the gradual emergence and proliferation of gray dwarves, beholders, mind flayers, and underground gnomes, the competition for precious survival resources here gradually became more and more fierce and bloody.

For example, clean drinking water may be nothing in the surface world, but in the dark regions it often means the survival of a city or even a race.

Therefore, most ethnic groups that enter the underground world and derive corresponding subraces often show cold, cruel, and evil characters that are completely different from their cousins.

This is true for the dark elves, a subrace of elves, and the gray dwarves, a subrace of dwarves.

In Zuo Si's view, the result of this convergent evolution is most likely not only related to the evil gods they believe in, but also to the harsh and cruel living environment in the Underdark.

After all, in the face of the pressure of survival, so-called morality is worthless.

When the surrounding resources are extremely scarce, any race that wants to thrive must do its best to compress the living space of other races.

They even plunder what they need from the other party, including food, water, slaves, minerals, etc.

This is why most cities in the Underdark still retain the original slave system and are very keen on expansion and conquest.

Among them, the dark elves and gray dwarves, who occupy relatively strong ecological niches, often enslave slaves several times their own number to perform various heavy manual labors to ensure the normal operation of huge underground cities, or in battles Sometimes used as cannon fodder to attract the opponent's spell attacks.

If there are too many slaves, they can be sold to the mind flayers.

Anyway, these monsters who make a living by eating brains always have an attitude towards slaves that they take as much as they want, and they are extremely generous in paying remuneration, and they never care about it like other races.

In fact, the true Underdark is far more complex than surface world scholars believe.

Many times, what people call the Underdark is actually just the shallowest layer of this huge underground maze, and it is also the upper layer closest to the surface.

Since food and water resources are relatively abundant, and trade with the surface world can be carried out to a certain extent, the number of races and various creatures living on this layer is also the largest.

Most of the more famous underground cities are basically concentrated in this area.

Further down, in the middle level of the Underdark, water and food begin to become extremely scarce, and large gathering places or cities rarely appear.

Creatures such as Kuo-Toa, troglodytes, goblins, and kobolds all live scattered in small tribes of no more than three hundred people.

Because they are weak and lack the means to resist, they are the main source of slaves for the dark elves, duergar, and mind flayers.

As for the deeper, third level, food and water are so scarce that they cannot support civilization.

Any race living here needs to fight for their right to live through extremely barbaric and cruel cannibalism.

At this level, intelligent life is actually not much different from beasts.

Under normal circumstances, except for those myconids that look like large mushrooms, the most common way to greet you is to suddenly burst out of the darkness, and then use fangs or claws to tear you into pieces and eat you.

No communication!

No communication!

There is only the eternal killing between hunter and prey.

As he went deeper and deeper into the underground world, Zuo Si could clearly feel the huge impact of environmental changes.

In particular, the dark elves headed by Drizzt became silent, nervous, and vigilant at a speed visible to the naked eye, and their eyes would flash with a cold light from time to time.

Obviously, this is completely different from their relatively relaxed state on the surface.

In order to reduce the potential dangers caused by speaking and making sounds, the entire team's communication method has completely changed to complex sign language since officially entering the Underdark.

Fortunately, Zuo Si had spent some time learning it a long time ago, so he was not unfamiliar with this kind of body language.

Just the opposite!

He can even use sign language fluently to issue orders to every dark elf in the team.

At first, even the experienced Drizzt was shocked by this move.

The legendary ranger originally thought that Zuo Si was already quite powerful if he was proficient in Underground Common and Drow.

It would take at least several months to a year for someone born in Menzoberranzan to master such complex sign language.

But what makes Drizzt even more incredible is that as a surface human, Zuo Si seems to be no stranger to the Underdark.

Especially a dark environment that is so quiet that you can hear your own heartbeat can easily cause inexplicable panic in people who are used to living in the sun.

But Zuo Si always acted like a normal person and did not show any discomfort.

Coupled with the effect of transformation magic, the dark elf ranger even had the illusion that the other party was a fellow dark elf.

While he was sitting down to rest, Drizzt finally couldn't help but came over and asked in a low voice: "Have you been to the Underdark before?"

Zuo Si immediately smiled and shook his head: "No, no, this is the first time. But I have been to the Leyline Maze City in Waterdeep City before, where I met the dark elves, mind flayers, beholder demons and other people living in the underground world. I’ve dealt with creatures before, so the Underdark isn’t completely foreign to me.”

"Have you been to Earthline Maze City? No wonder!" Drizzt suddenly showed an expression of realization.

He had also visited Waterdeep City before, and knew that there was a large area under this legendary city that was very similar to the environment of the Underdark, and was even a huge maze connecting the Underdark.

Everywhere you go on an adventure is basically equivalent to going to the Underdark.

"By the way, how far are we from Menzoberranzan, your hometown?" Zuo Si asked casually.

Drizzt replied without thinking: "It should be very close.

We entered the Northern Underdark through the Luskan Underpass.

Therefore, it is relatively close to the city of Gleixtug and Mantodris.

Further north, you can even see the ruins of Bullingdon Stone City, which was abandoned by the dwarves.

Heading eastward along the tunnel, you will soon see a huge underground lake - Lake East Negaton.

This is where Menzoberranzan is used to raise Loth beasts, and there are often dark elf patrols around.

As for the fungus forest you are looking for, it is just south of Menzoberranzan and Lake Donegadon, occupying almost a large area in the center of the Northern Underdark.

It is said that the fungal creatures there are very ancient, especially the myconids, which are too numerous to count.

The city of Menzoberranzan has sent several teams to investigate the fungus forest, but without exception, they have never returned, even the undead creatures controlled by the priests are no exception.

Perhaps this ancient fungus forest was created by the fungus lady Zugmoy. "

"In other words, in another twenty hours, we will officially enter Menzoberranzan's sphere of influence?"

Zuo Si touched his chin and glanced at the simple map of the underground world in his hand.

He is obviously very interested in this ancient dark elf city.

According to the information currently available, ever since the old matron of the Baenre family, who lived for more than 800 years, was killed while leading an army on an expedition to Mithral Hall, the entire city of Menzoberranzan has been plunged into chaos.

Since the first family no longer has overwhelming advantages and power, the other dark elf families behind them have taken advantage of the situation.

At present, many ambitious matrons are doing their best to recruit troops, hoping to take advantage of the chaos to improve their family's strength and ranking.

At this moment, the entire city of Menzoberranzan is like a huge powder keg, and no one knows what will happen tomorrow.

Of course, it was this chaos that gave countless mercenaries the opportunity to make a fortune.

But only for dark elf mercenaries.

If they are gray dwarves or other races, they are very likely to encounter a situation where the blacks eat the blacks, or they may simply be captured directly and sold into slaves without paying any salary.

The chaotic and evil nature of the dark elves determines that they will not abide by any so-called contracts or terms, and they may backhand their so-called "allies" at any time whenever they have the opportunity.

Drizzt nodded slightly: "If nothing else happens, we should encounter the first wave of Menzoberranzan patrols in about ten hours.

You must deal with it carefully, and you must not be able to see even the slightest flaw, otherwise our situation will become extremely dangerous.

In addition, remember that in front of a woman, especially a priestess, never try to talk back or refuse any request she makes, otherwise it will be considered an offense. "

"Don't worry, I know how to play a sinister, cunning and ambitious dark elf male."

While saying this, Zuo Si stroked his long white flowing hair.

At this moment, he no longer looked like a human, but a very young-looking dark elf mage, who even wore a badge symbolizing noble status on his chest.

You don't need to ask to know that this badge is a counterfeit that he made by himself with his powerful magic creation ability.

But if a dark elf is asked to identify it, no matter its superb and complex craftsmanship or the powerful magic blessed on it, the other party will regard it as a real noble badge.

You must know that in the society of the dark elves, the gap between the nobles and the common people is not just as simple as the ruling class and the ruled class. The former even holds the power of life and death over the latter.

Therefore, it is particularly important to have a noble status at this time.

"If everything goes well, we can enter the city of Menzoberranzan and try to find out something about the Fungal Forest and the Druid you mentioned before. In addition, due to the sensitivity of my identity, you'd better Don't call me by my first or last name, that may cause unnecessary trouble." Drizzt warned with a serious look.

He would never forget what a shocking battle the Spider Queen Rose had made in order to hunt him down. Even thinking about it now still makes his scalp numb.

What's more, Zuo Si, a voter with terrifying power, is not a vegetarian.

If a fierce conflict really breaks out between the two sides, the entire city of Menzoberranzan may be turned into a dead city due to the horrific plague.

This is why Drizzt obviously didn't want to return to his hometown at all, but he finally accepted Zuo Si's invitation and chose to join the team.

He hopes that through his own efforts, this matter will end as much as possible without causing an uproar.

Zuo Si obviously knew what the dark elf ranger was worried about, and responded with a smile: "You don't need to be so nervous. I said I was just looking for someone this time, and I will not do anything to Menzoberranzan and the darkness living inside. The elves do something.”

"I hope you can maintain such a calm attitude when you see how they torture the slaves and how the priestess gives orders from above." Drizzt complained softly with a wry smile.

Let alone an outsider, even he himself couldn't help but clenched the handle of the scimitar when he saw these when he returned to Menzoberranzan a few years ago.

To know the chaos and evil of the dark elves, even the demons from the bottomless abyss will be amazed.

Some powerful demon lords even learn from the Dark Elf "art" of torture and interrogation.

But Zuo Si shrugged his shoulders indifferently: "My adaptability is much higher than you think. What's more, some of the humans I've seen are not necessarily much worse than the dark elves in their level of evil."

Just when Drizzt was about to say something, Vinal, the female leader of the dark elf team, suddenly came over from a distance, first put her fingers on her lips to make a silent gesture, and then said in sign language He made a follow-me gesture.

Without saying a word, Zuo Si and Drizzt immediately stood up and followed each other to an empty tunnel about two hundred meters away.

Following the direction of her finger, the two soon saw a gray dwarf caravan, which was being besieged by a group of Kuo-Toa fishmen.

There were about thirty people in the former, most of them heavy infantry armed with spears and shields, followed by a group of long-range shooters also wearing heavy armor but holding crossbows.

In addition, there were almost twenty orcs and four ogre slaves.

They drove more than fifty huge wooden carts carried by Los beasts. The carts were filled with goods ranging from weapons, tools, salt, food to fresh fish and crabs. It seemed that they wanted to go to Menzoub Laicheng made a lot of money.

Although the dark elves are famous for their insidiousness, cunning, coldness, and cruelty, their city is not completely closed to the outside world, and the gray dwarf caravans are the most common visitors.

Some gray dwarves who can provide precious necessities of life are even allowed to settle in the city for a long time and have their own fixed stalls in the market.

As for the kuo-toa...

These guys proliferate wherever there is water in the Underdark, and will try to rob all creatures that pass through their sphere of influence.

Especially caravans with a large amount of supplies are almost robbed one by one, and they do not understand the sustainable development routine of protection fees.

From a purely numerical perspective, the Kuo Tao fishmen clearly had the absolute advantage.

There seemed to be more than three hundred of them, and among them were several priests who had the power of divine magic.

On the other hand, on the gray dwarf side, there are no spellcasters at all, they are all warriors.

The battle between the two sides was straight from the beginning.

With a solid defense line composed of heavy armor, large shields and carts, the gray dwarves easily withstood the first chaotic charge of the Kuo-Toa, and killed a dozen of them with crossbows.

But unfortunately, this death is nothing to the latter.

In the blink of an eye, the Kuo-Tao fishmen took advantage of the chaos and rushed up to attack the orc slaves who had no armor protection, and forcibly dragged them into the bottomless pool beside them and drowned them alive.

Seeing the caravan's valuable property, the slaves, suffered huge losses, the gray dwarf at the head immediately became furious and roared at his men at the top of his lungs: "Idiot! Don't look after yourself! Quickly kill all my orc slaves." Get it back! One of them can sell it for a high price of 150 gold coins in Menzoberranzan!"

"Boss, are you kidding? Look at the number of these damn fishmen. If we rush out, we will only lose more." A gray dwarf warrior rolled his eyes angrily.

Another gray dwarf warrior saw this and also echoed: "I think at this time, it is time to take out those treasured magic items and scrolls and put them to use. Otherwise, these fishmen will not retreat easily."

"Shut up! What do you think magic items and scrolls are? Those scraps of copper and scrap metal with a few gold coins? Any magic scroll with more than three rings is worth more than your life."

The caravan owner's tone was full of contempt and contempt for his mercenary guards.

However, those gray dwarf guards were obviously used to the stinginess of their boss and employer, and they immediately assumed a posture of not doing their best. Anyway, they just clung to the convoy and never cared about the lives of the orcs and ogre slaves.

After a while, these slaves who lacked armor were swarmed by the Kuo-Toa and killed them all.

It has to be said that the performance of the gray dwarf guards made the caravan boss furious, but there was nothing he could do.

the reason is simple!

Gray dwarves are representatives of lawful evil. They have already signed a very detailed employment agreement when they were in their own city.

The agreement clearly stipulates that the guards are only responsible for the safety of the goods on the vehicle and the employer himself.

As for those slaves who were later purchased elsewhere, they were not included in the scope of responsibility.

So strictly speaking, the guards did not violate the contract.

What's more, the gray dwarf guards are not fools and understand that their side is at an absolute disadvantage in terms of numbers.

Only by relying on the defense of the trolley can we protect ourselves to the maximum extent and reduce the chance of injury or even death.

After all, the property and goods belong to the employer, but your life is your own.

Anyway, there is a lot of food and supplies in the caravan. They can slowly consume it with the Kuo Tao until the other party can no longer hold on and leave on their own...