Whether they are the militiamen who have been patrolling and standing guard outside all day, or the merchants passing by, or the farmers who have nothing to do during the slack season, they all gather here to have a drink, listen to the lame bard on the stage playing country tunes, and chat about their recent experiences and interesting things.
Since there are no other entertainment activities besides creating humans on weekdays, and the speed of information transmission in the continent of Faerun is very slow, a unique tavern culture has been formed here.
A large number of locals and outsiders habitually exchange information in pubs or hotels, and regard the stories and experiences told by others as a form of entertainment.
Those who are interested will get the information they need from it.
Of course, as an audience, inviting the person who tells the story or provides information to have a drink is also the most basic rule and common sense in the pub.
Right now, Zuo Si was constantly buying wine for an adventurer who claimed to have just come from the northern Waterdeep City, and then listening to this guy's bragging.
"Dear Soth, listen to me, Waterdeep is not as good as the outside world says.
The port area in particular was like a huge garbage dump, filled with the disgusting smell of rotten fish and shrimp.
Moreover, countless gangsters and criminals are hidden in various low and disorderly buildings.
Even the port area of Amn controlled by the Shadow Thieves is many times better than the port area of Waterdeep."
The thirty-year-old man named Imogen raised his head and took a big gulp of liquor, his tone full of naked and undisguised disgust and contempt for the port area of Waterdeep City.
Of course, he didn't feel that way himself.
This was the unanimous evaluation of everyone in the tavern who had been to Waterdeep.
Some even think that the reason why the situation in the dock area got out of control was that those mentally retarded lords of Waterdeep expelled the Shadow Thieves, causing the originally relatively well-behaved underground gangs to become even more violent, bloodthirsty and chaotic.
Although the Waterdeep government has always boasted about how enlightened and advanced its system is, even commoners have the opportunity to become lords and participate in the management of the city.
But in fact, the serious consequences of this kind of "backroom politics" are far more complicated than they seem on the surface.
However, considering that the entire Faerûn is like a huge "social experiment field", it has almost everything from the most primitive tribal system to countries like Amn and Sembia that are close to the mercantilism and capital oligarchy system of the Age of Exploration.
Some places practice slavery, some places practice tyranny, some places are enlightened monarchies, and some places are controlled by spellcasting organizations.
Therefore, Waterdeep's secret lord system didn't seem so difficult to accept.
At least compared to Calishite, which practices slavery, it is definitely much more advanced and civilized.
"If it's really that chaotic, how can merchant ships ensure the safety of their goods?" Zuo Si asked with interest.
Imogen grinned and replied, “Of course, you pay a portion of the protection fee according to the rules of the gang, and then the goods can be safely transported out of the dock, sent to the commercial district or the southern caravan area, and then enter the city’s internal logistics network.
In order to save this money, many people would even skip the dock area and use small boats to deliver goods ashore near the south gate, and then rent local caravans to transport them into the city.
Based on my observations over the past two years, the number of ships docked at Deepwater Port has decreased year by year.
If those shitty lords don't do something, it's only a matter of time before the dock area is completely abandoned and turned into a paradise for criminals.
In addition to the dock area, the Underworld and Skull Harbor are also huge hidden dangers.
Just over half a year ago, one night, a large group of monsters suddenly rushed up from below for unknown reasons and attacked hundreds of houses in an instant. It is said that two or three hundred people were killed in their sleep. I was one of the witnesses at that time. "
At this point, Imogen's eyes became obviously filled with fear. She quickly raised the glass and drank all the remaining wine in one gulp. Even her breathing became rapid.
Zuo Si also noticed that his hands were shaking slightly involuntarily, which was obviously a strong stress response.
Fortunately, the man calmed down after a while, pointed to the scar on his cheek near his neck and continued, "Can you believe it? I was lying in the lounge of the Crawling Spider Tavern in Waterdeep City, hugging a cute girl who was wearing a sexy black tights and dressed herself up as a drow elf.
But who would have known that when I opened my eyes, I discovered that the little cutie in my arms had turned into a real dark elf without me noticing!
That sinister and cunning bitch was holding a dagger against my neck, with the tip even going in.
If I hadn't reacted quickly enough and kicked her away, I would probably be lying in the coffin like those unfortunate dead, a rotting, smelly, maggot-filled corpse in the cemetery.
I shudder every time I think about this brush with death.”
"So... you don't like the cute little dark elf now?" Zuo Si joked with a smile.
"Hahahaha! That's right! After this incident, I realized that my initial fascination with the dark elf-style waitress at the Crawling Spider Tavern was just out of curiosity and a desire for sensory stimulation. Believe me, if you knew those black-skinned drow, you would never have even the slightest thought in that regard."
Imogen laughed at herself, not at all angry about being teased.
Just the opposite!
Every time he thought back on it, he felt how stupid he was.
"Bartender, give my friend another drink."
Zuo Si casually threw a golden "dragon" towards the bar.
The thin bartender caught it with one hand very skillfully, and after feeling the weight and color, he immediately showed a satisfied expression, picked up a bottle of medium-quality white wine in the store, and immediately filled Imogen's empty glass.
Due to its close proximity to Waterdeep, the currency used in Daggershore is basically the official currency minted by Waterdeep.
Among them, copper coins are called "points", silver coins are called "fragments", silver and gold coins are called "sambar", gold coins are called "dragons", and platinum coins are called "suns".
In addition, Waterdeep also minted two special currencies.
One of them is a brass coin called "Thor" with a round hole in the middle of a square, also known as "Taoer". According to official regulations, its value is two gold coins "dragons".
However, once it leaves Waterdeep's sphere of influence, this credit currency, which is given value by government power, immediately becomes worthless.
In comparison, the palm-sized crescent-shaped platinum coin "Bay Moon" is in slightly better condition.
Maybe because it is a platinum coin, a large proportion of gold and silver are inlaid in the middle and on both sides.
Therefore, the value stipulated by the Waterdeep government is fifty gold coins, but it can be worth two gold coins in other places.
Because he had helped resolve the attack by the Lizardman Tribe, the Daggerford Council gave him three hundred Waterdeep gold coins, so Zuo Si was quite generous with his money.
He even treated everyone in the pub to several glasses of strong dark beer at four copper coins a glass, and he seemed to have become the most popular person here, no doubt about it.
You have to know that for those low-paid militiamen and farmers, they would only drink this "good wine" with a very high alcohol content during festivals.
On weekdays, we usually drink bitter beer at a copper coin a glass.
How about the taste...
Just smelling it made Zuo Si feel a little nauseous.
After taking a sip of the "expensive" white wine worth one silver coin, Imogen asked tentatively in an uncertain tone: "Thoss, if you don't mind, can you tell me why you want to go to Waterdeep? Are you going to the academy there to learn knowledge, magic, and combat skills? Or are you going to visit relatives, or to develop the family business?"
"No, neither. I just want to buy a house in Waterdeep as a place to stay, and by the way, see the famous underground maze with my own eyes." Zuo Si smiled and stated the purpose of his trip.
First buy a house, then set up a coordinate teleportation point in the basement of the house.
In this way, he could travel easily between Waterdeep and Askatla.
In fact, according to the original plan, there will be such a place in Baldur's Gate.
Unfortunately, it was ultimately destroyed by the foolish and arrogant actions of the Dukes of Baldur's Gate.
But it doesn't matter.
He believed that it wouldn't be long before these guys would pay the price for their actions.
"Go to the Underworld? Oh my God! Are you...are you crazy?"
Imogen's mouth opened in disbelief and shock.
Because even he didn't dare to enter the place that Elminster called "the place where adventurers become famous and the largest hero's tomb in Faerun."
Although there have always been many stories circulating in Waterdeep about people who made a fortune after entering the underground maze.
But there are even more nameless adventurers who never come back after entering.
Only those who have the best luck, the strongest strength, and the smartest people who can control their greedy desires have the opportunity to come back alive from the huge maze with priceless loot.
Zuo Si shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly: "Don't worry, I'm not going in to explore deeply. I'm just going to take a look at the shallow layer."
Hearing this, Imogen instantly breathed a sigh of relief, stroking the two small mustaches on her lower lip and said, "It's just wandering around in the shallow layer, so the danger won't be too great.
I recommend you go in through the entrance at the Yawning Gate Inn in Dunan.
Since there are adventurers coming in and out frequently, all the monsters and traps in a large area have been cleared.
But one thing you must remember is never stay in this hotel.
Because every time the monsters from the ground maze rushed to the surface and caused chaos, the first group of unlucky people were always the guests of the Dunan Hotel.
Many people were even killed in their sleep, cruelly and mercilessly. "
"Thank you for your advice. I will be careful."
Zuo Si raised the cup to gesture, then tilted his head back and drank all the goat milk in it.
Yes, he drinks pasteurized milk in the pub instead of alcoholic beverages.
Ever since he accidentally saw how the farmers on Dagger Beach processed various grapes and wheat under the command of the winemaker, Zuo Si vowed never to drink any kind of wine produced on the continent of Faerun.
Because he had confirmed with his own eyes that those who were responsible for trampling the grapes were not "beautiful girls" at all.
They weren't even women! They were just a bunch of men who hadn't even washed their feet and were stinking of sweat.
After all, stepping on grapes is a physical job, and women will become exhausted after a short while.
And a lot of messy things will be mixed in during the trampling process.
For example, all kinds of insect corpses, foot skin, sweat hair, dandruff, cow dung, bird droppings...
Because the brewing technology is primitive and there is no concept of hygiene, the taste of wine in different places is very different.
In addition to the influence of climate, land, water quality and grape varieties, these "additives" are also one of the very important reasons.
After getting the information he wanted, Zuo Si sat at the bar in the lobby on the first floor of the hotel and chatted with Imogen for a while, then he made up an excuse to go back to the guest room upstairs.
As soon as he walked through the door, he saw a stable ball of light in Isadora's hand.
Zero-circle trick [Light Magic]! No doubt!
This means that the girl has crossed that hurdle and has officially become a true mage apprentice through learning.
"Sos! Look! I did it!" Isadora shouted excitedly, holding up the ball of light in her hand.
"Well done! By chance, I have a book that is perfect for you right now."
As he spoke, Zuo Si took out the book "From Apprentice to Master, the Tricks You Should Master" from his bag and handed it over.
It can be said that no other book can compare with this one during the apprenticeship period.
Because by learning a large number of zero-ring spells, apprentices can have a more intuitive and keen understanding of the magic of the eight major factions.
And based on one's own interests in certain specific factions and the deviations in one's perception of the magic network, one will eventually choose the faction that best suits one's specialization when one becomes a formal mage.
"Thanks!"
Isadora held the heavy book in her arms, her eyes revealing excitement and joy.
Of course, what made the girl excited and happy was not the book, or the knowledge and spells recorded in it, but the fact that Zuo Si gave her the "gift" personally.
"You're welcome. I'm looking forward to you becoming a master of both psychic powers and arcane magic one day." Zuo Si encouraged the girl with a smile as he smoothed the hair that hung from her ears.
Isadora solemnly promised: "I swear, it won't be long before I can provide some help in the battle like Davian and Huntington."
Upon hearing this, the Dragonborn Knight couldn't help but smile and responded, "No, Miss Isadora. With your current abilities, you can also play a significant role in many battles. It's just that the master doesn't want you to be in danger, so he didn't allow you to face those overly powerful enemies."
"That's right! With Miss Isadora's mental interference and control, my arrows can often be shot more accurately." Archer Huntington also added.
Because summoned creatures of the [Soldier] category often have the strongest obedience and are loyal to the Planeswalker.
Therefore, both of them were very fond of this girl who was willing to devote everything to Zuo Si without reservation.
"Thank you for your affirmation! I will work harder in the future!" Isadora blushed with praise.
Through her innate psychic powers, she could clearly feel that Davian and Huntington were not just being polite, but recognized her from the bottom of their hearts.
This made the girl, who had lived in the darkness and malice in the hearts of adults since she was a child, feel a little warmth for the first time.
With joy and satisfaction, Isadora quickly got into bed, closed her eyes and fell asleep.
It was not difficult to tell from the slightly upturned corners of her mouth that she was having a sweet dream, not a horrible nightmare like in the past.
Compared to the girl who was a little sleepy, Zuo Si, who had an adult soul, had always had a very regular sleep schedule of eight hours a day, no more and no less.
Especially after gaining divine power and becoming a chosen one, one will not feel the slightest bit of fatigue even if one does not sleep for a long time.
Therefore, sleep has long become a "ritual" necessary simply to restore spell slots, rather than to meet physiological needs.
What's more, due to the rapid increase in arcane spellcasting levels recently, there are a large number of fourth-ring and fifth-ring magic that require time to learn, and super magic skills - spell enhancement and spell extreme effect also need to be practiced repeatedly.
This inevitably made Zuo Si feel that no matter how much time he had, it would never be enough.
Likewise, he could increasingly understand those mages who transformed themselves into liches.
Compared with the long-term magical learning and research that can easily take weeks, months, or even years, the human lifespan of just a few decades is too short, and the body is too fragile.
Even if you can avoid terrible disasters such as explosions, random teleportation, soul stripping, etc. caused by failed experiments, you will still die suddenly due to excessive fatigue if you are not careful.
In contrast, liches, as undead creatures, have no such worries at all.
And compared with profound knowledge and magical power, human's low-level desires are really not worth mentioning.
No wonder the Entangled Talisman, with just a copy of the "Book of the Dead", could make so many talented wizards voluntarily transform themselves into liches and join the organization as one of its members.
If he had not ignited the spark to become a planeswalker, or if he had not gained divine power to become the chosen one, Zuo Si was not sure whether he would have ended up on the same path.
But now, he has a better choice, so naturally he looks down on the lich, an undead creature with huge flaws.
Using this time before going to bed, Zuo Si learned another fifth-ring magic [Bigbai Protective Palm], and used the mana gained from killing lizardmen during the day to make this magic into a LV3 card.
Its effect is to create an invisible palm about three meters long and wide, which always floats beside the caster to shield it from enemy attacks.
Because it is pure force field protection, it is very similar to [Wall of Force].
Not only can it resist almost all forms of physical attacks, but it can also block magic missiles, the impact of the Ram Ring, and the touch of various incorporeal creatures.
But the difference from [Wall of Force] is that this palm can move freely within a range of dozens of meters according to the needs of the caster.
This means that Zuo Si can completely use the [Bigbai Protective Palm] to hit the enemy's face as a means of surprise attack, and then use the [Force Wall Technique] to attack from the front and back, forcibly locking the opponent in place and making him unable to move.
In addition, the five-ring magic [Weapon of Destruction] is also very practical.
It can allow melee weapons to gain amazing positive energy in a short period of time, instantly destroying those undead creatures that are not strong enough.
Similarly, the five-ring magic [Resurrection of the Dead] also allowed Zuo Si to obtain the first magic that could truly bring the dead back to life.
However, this is limited to those who died recently (one day longer for each level of the spell) and whose bodies are well preserved and have not been desecrated by any evil magic or negative energy.
Moreover, the resurrection process must be agreed by the target soul, otherwise the spell will fail.
If the soul is destroyed or imprisoned, there is no way to resurrect it.
In addition, this spell cannot resurrect undead creatures, constructs, elementals, outsiders, or people who have died of natural causes.
Most importantly, each casting must consume a flawless diamond worth more than five thousand gold coins as a casting material.
The high cost alone means that 99 percent of ordinary people cannot enjoy it.
But no matter what, Zuo Si was still quite interested in this resurrection magic that could bring the dead back to life.
It was around ten o'clock in the evening before he reluctantly closed the spell book and lay down on the bed to rest.
Early the next morning, Zuo Si and his men greeted the "Duke of Dagger Beach" Pyle Howl who was on patrol, and then took a ferry to the north bank of the Deringbir River.
至于不太方便弄到船上去的马车，则由十米高的巨型石元素扛着直接蹚过去。
反正对于这个几十吨乃至上百吨重的大家伙而言，区区五六米深的河水也就刚好漫过腰部，根本造成不了什么太大的困扰。
等抵达对岸后，戴维安立刻便将马匹套好，沿着大路向北疾驰。
由于匕首滩以北已经是深水城的势力范围，所以沿途几乎看不到什么盗匪和怪物。
只是在路过阿笛普森林的时候，意外遭遇了一头拥有猫头鹰脑袋和熊身体的魔法生物——枭熊。
据说这种生物最初是由一个疯狂的法师，用强大的变化系魔法力量将猫头鹰和熊进行了跨物种杂交。
由于性情凶猛、好斗且暴躁，因此在野外遭遇它们往往意味着相当可怕的后果。
但在左思的眼中，这不过是又一个“可爱”的小宠物罢了。
他直接让伊莎多拉用心灵力量控制了这头枭熊，然后将其制作成自己最喜欢的召唤生物卡牌。
费伦“宝可梦大师”收藏图鉴+1。
算上这张，以及最近一段时间制作的四环和五环魔法卡牌，左思的卡牌持有数量赫然达到了惊人的一百二十张。
趁着距离深水城还有一段路，他直接召唤出“遗产”查看自己的任务栏。
【持有卡牌总数量达到一百二十张（奖励一次抽卡机会，已完成）】
【制作五张宝物牌（奖励两次抽卡机会，已完成）】
【搜集当前世界至少五种以上跟法师有关的进阶职业与相应知识（奖励两次抽卡机会，已完成）】
算上之前持有卡牌数量达到一百张时给的一次，现在又有了六次抽卡机会。
带着些许期待与忐忑，左思又一次启动了抽卡转盘。
眨眼功夫，六张新卡牌出现在他的掌心。
【魔法牌：奔腾大地】，LV5红色卡牌，能够在旅法师指定的位置引发地脉岩浆喷涌，对周围所有生物造成大范围且无差别的火焰攻击。
使用时需要支付十点红色法力值或者通用法力值。
如果在使用的时候额外支付六点红色法力值，那么在该区域内范围内所有的红色卡牌召唤出来的生物，其力量、敏捷和体质都会额外增加三点。
【魔法牌：天降陨石】，LV6红色卡牌，可以召唤一颗半径为五十米且熊熊燃烧的红色陨石从天而降撞击指定位置，同时造成冲击伤害与火焰伤害。
使用该卡牌需要支付十五点红色魔力，亦或是十五点通用魔力。
【生物牌：巨型熔岩元素】，LV5红色卡牌，召唤一名高度超过十米、浑身上下由滚烫且流动岩浆构成的巨大元素生物为旅法师服务。
使用时需要支付十点红色法力值或者通用法力值。
【魔法牌：土石武装】，LV4绿色卡牌，可以在任意指定目标身上覆盖上坚硬的石块跟藤蔓，使其暂时变成半元素、半构装体形态，不仅可以增加其体型大小，同时还能获得强大的物理和魔法抗性。
使用时需要支付七点绿色法力值，亦或是七点通用法力值。
【生物牌：板甲碾破兽】，LV7绿色卡牌，召唤一只与欧兰黎多头龙初始大小相差无几的赞迪卡板甲碾破兽为旅法师服务。
这是一种拥有类似蜥蜴一样的外形，但拥有六条腿的巨型生物，浑身上下长满坚硬鳞片与倒刺，甚至就连附魔攻城弩都无法对其造成哪怕一丁点的伤害。
相同体积下，板甲碾破兽的体重是欧兰黎多头龙的两倍。
凭借其自身的重量，它可以通过跳跃来制造小范围的地震，同时践踏阻挡在其冲锋道路上的一切敌人。
没有任何东西能够挡得住一头全速奔跑的板甲碾破兽，哪怕是城门和城墙也会在遭到撞击的一瞬间轰然倒塌。
而且板甲碾破兽完全免疫一切魅惑、精神干扰和心灵控制。
使用时需要支付二十五点绿色法力值，亦或是二十五点通用法力值。
【魔法牌：壮大成长】，LV3绿色卡牌，可以赋予目标生物获得两个体型单位与年龄层的成长，同时获得相应的基础属性、生命力和天生武器强化，直至生物死亡或者取消召唤为止。
使用该卡牌需要支付五点绿色能量，或者五点通用能量。
“好家伙，红绿各占一半。几乎所有卡牌都来自赞迪卡。看来遗产的主人果然去过那个危险的世界，而且还应该待了很长一段时间。”左思盯着手中的六张新卡牌喃喃自语道。
尤其是板甲碾破兽，绝对不逊色于欧兰黎多头龙。
虽然大后期成长性可能比不上能够随着地牌增加而无限膨胀的欧兰黎多头龙，但也绝对达到了“巨兽”这个级别。
除此之外，【天降陨石】、【奔腾大地】和【巨型熔岩元素】三张卡牌可以同时使用形成一套连招，其威力绝对足以瞬间给一大片敌人造成毁灭性杀伤。
至于【壮大成长】，更是可以跟欧兰黎多头龙配合使用威力翻倍。
不过相比起这些魔法牌和生物牌，左思倒是更希望能够抽到几张“地牌”。
因为赞迪卡世界是一个典型的“超魔”世界。
其能量与法术力之充沛，可能比费伦大陆所在的托瑞尔星球强出不知道多少倍。
起码耐瑟瑞尔魔法文明的浮空城，还要借助“密瑟拉之核”这样的传奇炼金造物。
可赞迪卡的世界，像飘在天上的山峰、从天而降的海水、还有被强大法术力激活的太古树木和元素生物，几乎随处可见。
魔法能量的溢出，使得任何一个地方都能制作出LV7以上的高等传奇地牌。
就在左思摸着下巴畅想来自赞迪卡的地牌能够给自己提供多少法力值的时候，任务栏最上边的三个任务已经更新完毕。
【持有卡牌总数量达到一百四十张（奖励一次抽卡机会，目前目前持有卡牌数量：126）】
【探索并进入一个新世界（奖励两次抽卡机会）】
【创造一个自己独有的法术并制作成卡牌，等级不得低于LV5（奖励三次抽卡机会）】
毫无疑问！
随着势力的不断提升，“遗产”已经在开始通过任务提醒左思，不要总拘泥于学习别人的知识和魔法体系，也是时候创造一些属于自己的法术了。
但问题是LV5这等级实在是有些偏高。
按照五环魔法只能达到LV3或者LV4的等级来看，怕是要起起码创造一个七环魔法，才能勉强达到要求。
他自己现在还不会七环魔法呢，又怎么可能创造得出来。
至于选民能力，那都是剧毒与瘟疫女神塔洛娜直接通过神力赐予的。
左思只是单纯的使用者，根本无法做到理解，更不用提制作卡牌了。
“主人，深水城到了。”
驾驶着马车的戴维安突然转过身提醒了一句。
瞬间！
透过窗户，马车内的三个人都看到了前方排队接受检查的壮观场面。
长长的队伍一直从大桥对面的城门，一直排到河对岸桥的另外一边，差不多足有几公里。
其中绝大部分都是装满了食物和各种商品的货车。
另外，从深水城里出来的车队、商旅和冒险者也是层出不穷。
透过用魔法修筑的坚固石桥往出海口看，依稀可以看到不少商船就停靠在河岸口，然后用小船一点一点将货物运到岸边，再走雇佣大篷车走陆路运进城内。
一切的一切都跟伊莫金描述的没有半点差别。
左思赶忙收起“遗产”，打开车窗朝外面张望，饶有兴致看着这副颇为壮观的景象。
要知道在安姆首都阿斯卡特拉，由于有极其发达的海运和河运，所以商人们在抵达克瑞穆尔后，无一例外都会换成运输费用更加便宜的船只。
因此城门区一带虽然也很热闹，但绝对没有如此长的队伍。
几名看上去像是商人打扮的家伙，试图通过贿赂来收买卫兵让自己插队，结果被佩戴正义之神圣徽的队长抓了个正着，眼下不得不垂头丧气的掏钱缴罚款，并且还要回到队伍的最后边重新排队。
与金钱万能的安姆不同，深水城至少表面上还有法律和公理。
所以在这里正大光明的行贿，基本上跟找死没有任何区别。
说实话，左思真的很佩服这几个明显就是安姆商人打扮的人，竟然敢当着一名正义之神提尔信徒的面破坏规则跟秩序。
得亏像这种小额行贿，在深水城法律规定中只需要缴纳一点罚款。
否则全都得进监狱里蹲两天。
“这里就是大名鼎鼎的深水城？”伊莎多拉眼睛里闪烁着强烈的好奇。
左思微笑着点了点头：“是啊，这里就是深水城。怎么样？你觉得它跟阿斯卡特拉比起来哪一个更好？”
The girl held her chin in her hand and thought for a few minutes, then quickly replied, "I think Askatla should be better. Because everything here looks messy, like a hodgepodge of all kinds of people from all over the world gathered together."
Upon hearing this comment, Zuo Si couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Hahahaha! Very accurate description.
To some extent, Waterdeep was originally a hodgepodge. There were no so-called Waterdeep people at all. All the settlers migrated from other places.
Although the secret lord system has been established in the last few hundred years, the real power still lies in the hands of the guilds and nobles.
Chaos, contradiction and conflict are the eternal themes of this city.
But at the same time, it is this open and inclusive political attitude that has attracted a large number of talents to Waterdeep.
Especially a large number of high-level spellcasters and the voters of the two magic goddesses.
It is because of them that Waterdeep has the prosperity and stability it has today."
"You mean... Waterdeep's magical power is very strong?"
Isadora was obviously very smart and understood the subtext immediately.
"That's right. Waterdeep is home to one of the most powerful organizations of arcane spellcasters in the world.
The masked wizards of Amn were nothing like them.
That's why I want to buy a house here and build a stable teleportation point.
If you need some rare and precious spellcasting materials, or want to copy and purchase advanced magic scrolls, you can instantly cross the distance in space and save a lot of time."
After saying that, Zuo Si stood up and walked down from the carriage, canceling the summoning of the giant stone element.
He had been sitting in the car for too long and wanted to get off to stretch his legs and breathe some fresh air.
Isadora and Huntington soon followed.
The three of them followed the carriage, stopping and starting, and it took more than an hour before they finally arrived at the city gate entrance for inspection.
Since there was only one carriage and there was nothing on it, the guards took a quick look and waved their hands to let them enter the city.
As soon as I passed through the city gate, I saw that both sides of the road were filled with densely packed warehouses, freight stations, horse-drawn carriages and busy crowds of people.
This is where more than 70 percent of Waterdeep’s cargo is transported and transferred.
Therefore, the noise and noise along the way were endless, which gave Zuo Si, who liked quietness, a headache.
Just when he was planning to go to the coastal area or the northern part of the city to find a hotel with a better environment to stay in, a young man wearing a wizard's robe and who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old suddenly blocked his way.
"Good afternoon. Are you Lord Soth, the chosen one of the goddess of poison and disease?" the young man asked cautiously.
"I am."
Zuo Si gave an affirmative answer directly, but at the same time he secretly wondered how he could be recognized so quickly since he had just arrived in Waterdeep.
"Great! My mentor, Lord Khelben, hopes to invite you to visit his wizard tower."
The young man stated his purpose without any hesitation.
"Khelben Blackstaff?"
Zuo Si was stunned for a moment, but soon realized that this was probably related to the card he gave to Elminster last time.
After a brief hesitation, he immediately responded, "No problem, please lead the way, I also want to meet your mentor."
"Please follow me. The Black Staff Tower is a little far from here."
The young man politely gestured for invitation, then walked in front to lead the way.
You have to know that the streets of Waterdeep are not as carefully and detailed planned as those of Ascatla. All kinds of messy alleys and lanes are spread across every corner of the city like a spider web.
Even the locals may be killed if they accidentally enter some dangerous places, not to mention outsiders who come here for the first time.
However, thanks to his photographic memory, Zuo Si still clearly remembered every place he had visited along the way.
When we arrived at the famous "Black Rod Tower", we had almost crossed two-thirds of the city.
Since Khelben arrived in Waterdeep relatively early (1150 DR), the location of his wizard tower was quite good. It was not in the bustling city area, but between the relatively quiet coastal area and the castle area.
Without saying a word, the boy walked forward, pushed open the entrance door, and walked straight into the lobby on the first floor.
Then, he pointed to the stairs leading to the second floor and said, "Sir Soth, you and your followers and companions may have to rest here for a while. Because my mentor only wants to see you."
"Wait for me here for a moment."
Zuo Si winked at Davian.
The latter understood what he meant and immediately pulled the reluctant Isadora to sit on the sofa and began to taste the tea and snacks on the table.
Zuo Si and the boy walked up the stairs together and finally reached a room near the top of the tower.
As soon as he stepped over the threshold, Zuo Si immediately felt that this room was filled with powerful and amazing magical protection. He estimated that magic below the third ring would not be effective at all.
Near the window of the room stood a man with gray hair and a beard.
He looked to be between fifty and sixty years old, but unlike Elminster, he did not give people a very old feeling. Even the loose robe could not hide his strong muscles and physique.
In fact, none of the Magic Goddess's elects have a poor physique.
Even an old Elminster would reveal a body of strong muscles when he took off his clothes.
The two looked at each other for a few seconds, and the young man next to them finally said, "Teacher, I have brought your guest."
"You're doing great. You're not needed here for now, go get busy."
Khelben waved to his apprentice.
As the sound of boots stepping on the stairs gradually faded away, the room fell silent again.
Neither Zuo Si nor Khelbourne showed any intention of speaking.
Just the opposite!
They were all looking at each other's energy fluctuations and the magical items they were carrying.
For mages, this is the first and also the most important step to get to know each other.
Because other things may be covered up with lies, but magic will never lie...
(End of this chapter)