Lord of Spells from Faerûn

Bryn Shander is not like the other villages in the Ten-Towns. Its proud flag flies high on the top of the central hills of the tundra between three lakes, south of the Dwarven Valley. No boat on the lake flies its flag, and it has no docks on any lake, but it is indisputably the geographical center of the region and the hub of activity.

This is where the main caravans from Luskan stay, the dwarves who come to trade, and most of the artisans, craft makers, and appraisers. Bryn Shander was inferior to other towns only in terms of fish catch. Tamaran and Targos on the south shore of Lake Duerden, as well as Kaikoni and Cadineva on the west shore of Lake Dinisha are the overlords on the lake.

High walls surrounded Bryn Shander, keeping out the cold winds as well as the invasion of goblins and barbarians. The buildings inside are very similar to those in other villages and towns in the area: low wooden buildings. It's just that the houses in Bryn Shander are close together, and there are usually several families crowded into the same small house. Although it is very crowded, there is still a certain degree of comfort and safety in the city. This is the largest civilized place within four hundred miles of desolate land.

After Imrik returned to the demiplane from Inkanistayum, he went alone through the teleportation device to the location of the locator dropped by the black dragon. This is one of the ten towns of Icewind Dale [Brin· Shande], a prosperous trade center in a bitter cold land.

Imrik was walking on the street wearing a black wizard robe, but the fishermen and caravans coming and going were used to it. In this small town near [Luskan], the figure of the mysterious wizard would always appear in people's sights. In sight.

He walked around various vendors and shops with great interest, and opened a room in the tavern. He wanted to stay for a few more days to appreciate the unique ice and snow scenery and humanistic customs in this northern town.

At the same time, a heated meeting was taking place in the mayor's mansion of [Bryn Shander].

"Fellow speakers,"

A short halfling stood on a podium in a gorgeous hall and said to many well-dressed leaders in the audience.

"While I respect the importance of the debate between Kedinewa and Keikoni's spokesperson, I believe we have more pressing issues to discuss."

Before he came to power, Dolin Luga was a scrawny, dark-skinned man. and Jasin Brandt, a younger blond man. The two representatives were arguing fiercely about the territorial dispute between them.

At this time, under the interruption of the short halfling, the two of them turned blue, but everyone else looked at the halfling curiously.

"This is a good start," thought the halfling Regis, "I've got everyone's attention."

He cleared his throat, trying to steady his voice and make it more impressive: "I know without a doubt that the barbarian tribes are going to unite to attack the Ten Towns!"

Although he tried to make the announcement sound more dramatic, Regis found himself facing an indifferent and confused crowd.

"Unless we form an alliance," Regis continued in an anxious tone, "that group of people will break through our towns and kill anyone who dares to resist them!"

"Indeed, the Regis spokesperson of Lone Forest Town." Cassios said in a deliberately calm voice, but in fact he was mocking Regis. "We've been attacked by barbarians before. There's no need to be here..."

"This time is different!" Regis shouted.

"All the tribes have united. Previous raids were one tribe against one city, and we usually handled it well. But how could Tamaran or Kaikoni, or even Bryn Shander, possibly fight against all the barbarians in Icewind Dale?" Union Army?”

Some of the speakers sat back in their chairs to ponder what the halfling had said; others began to whisper among themselves, some with concern, others with anger and disbelief. Finally, Cassios banged the gavel again, silencing the entire chamber.

Then Kemp of Targos slowly rose from his chair with his familiar bravado. "May I speak, friendly Cassios?" he asked with unnecessary politeness. "Perhaps I can help everyone see this momentous announcement in a more appropriate light."

Targos is the largest and most powerful of the nine fishing towns. Its fleet is twice the size of Tamaran, the second largest.

"Members of the Council," Kemp began, leaning forward to make himself appear larger to the others. "Let us know more details of the halfling's story before we worry. We have fought off barbarian invaders too many times to trust that the defenses of even our smallest towns are adequate."

"You said you knew about the invasion," Kemp's sharp eyes stared at the halfling. "How did you get this valuable and hard-to-get information?"

Regis found his temples sweating. He knew where Kemp's question would lead, but there was no way around it. "I know it from a friend who often travels on the tundra." He answered candidly.

"The dark elf?" Kemp asked.

With his neck bent upward and Kemp looking down at him, Regis soon found himself on the defensive. The halfling's father had warned him that he would often be at a disadvantage when facing humans, because humans had to physically bow their heads to talk to halflings, just like talking to their own children. Under such circumstances, his father's words made Regis feel heartbroken and true. He wiped a drop of sweat from his upper lip.

His friend, oh that kind and brave dark elf, Drizzt Do'Urden, may the gods punish the pedantic who discriminate because of his appearance.

"I can't speak for the rest of you," Kemp continued, then laughed, looking at the halfling's angry eyes with a ridiculous look, "but I have so many more important things to do. Do it instead of running and hiding in the city because of what the dark elf said!" The burly spokesman laughed again, and this time he was not the only one laughing.

Ago'wa of Tamaran provides some unexpected help to the halflings' failed intentions. "Perhaps we should let the spokesman for Lonely Grove continue. If what he says is true..."

"His words are but echoes of the Dark Elf's lies!" Kemp roared. "Ignore him, we have fought off barbarians before, and..."

But then Kemp came to an abrupt halt as Regis jumped onto the conference table. The halfling couldn't stand it anymore. He had to resort to some dirty tricks to save Ten Towns. He quietly took out a ruby ​​pendant from his vest. It shone on his chest as he walked up and down, using the table as his stage.

"What do you know that you can laugh at the dark elves like this?" he asked the others, especially Kemp.

"Can any of you name the person he harmed? No! You punished him for the sins of his people, but not one of you thought about Drizzt Do'Urden coming to us The reason is because he refuses to accept the way of life of his own people?"

The silence in the chamber led Regis to believe that he had either impressed these people or been dismissed as nonsense. In any case, he was not arrogant or foolish enough to think that his little speech would accomplish his mission.

He walked over and faced Kemp. This time he looked down, but the Targos spokesman seemed on the verge of bursting into laughter at the halfling's remarks.

Regis must act quickly. He bent down slightly and raised his hands to his cheeks, pretending to scratch the itch, but in fact he wanted to make the pendant start to spin. When it swung past, he tapped it with his arm, and then remained patiently silent for a moment. Ten seconds passed without blinking.

"You must understand the wisdom of guarding against this attack," Regis suggested calmly. Then he added in a whisper that only Kemp could hear: "These people look to you for guidance, Great Kemp. Military alliances will only increase your status and influence."

The effect is astonishing.

"Perhaps there is more to the halfling's words than we first believed." Kemp said mechanically, his eyes never leaving Ruby.

Regis was stunned for a moment, then stood upright and hid the gem back behind his vest. Kemp shook his head, as if clearing a confusing dream from his mind, and rubbed his dry eyes. The spokesman for Targos seemed unable to recall those last moments, but the halfling's advice was deeply embedded in his mind. Kemp himself was surprised to find his attitude changed.

"We should listen to Regis," he declared loudly. "Because forming such an alliance will not make the situation worse, but the consequences of doing nothing can be really serious!"

Jasin Brandt seized this opportunity and jumped out of her chair. "The Kemp spokesman said something wise," he said. “Count our town of Cadineva into the army that will repel the enemy!”

The rest of the speakers lined up behind Kemp as Drizzt expected, and Dorin Lugar made another show of loyalty that was even more exaggerated than Brandt's.

Regis left the Council later that day feeling quite proud, his hope for Ten-Towns' survival restored. But the halfling found that his mind was filled with thoughts about the power of the stone that Drizzt had given him. He wanted to find the least likely way to fail and turn this newly discovered power of persuading others to cooperate into profit and pleasure.