This sturdy fortress, which was probably built in the age of Netheril or even earlier in the age of giants, was constructed from top to bottom using an unknown black rock. Even after thousands of years, it still shows no signs of erosion by wind and sand. It is an important stronghold of the Zhentarim.
It is located in the Sunset Mountains, roughly at the border of the Kingdom of Cormyr, the Great Desert of Anauroch, and the Western Heartlands.
It controls the important road traffic from Zhentil Keep to Cormanthor, then to the Dale, Cormyr, and across the green plains to Baldur's Gate on the west coast of Faerun.
If you look at the map, the Dark Castle is like a nail, firmly embedded in a very sensitive position, ensuring that the Zhentarim can expand their sphere of influence to further places.
Especially those relatively independent and easily conquered small and medium-sized towns and villages in the West Heartland region.
Since 1312 DR, a minimum of eight hundred troops have been stationed here to ensure that action can be taken when necessary.
Don’t ever think that eight hundred people are a small number.
Just the opposite!
This is a decisive force capable of dominating the entire region.
Since the West Heartland region has not formed a unified country, and the most powerful Baldur's Gate does not have the ability to reach into the far inland, most towns may only have dozens or even two or three hundred militiamen.
When faced with the "huge" number of well-trained professional soldiers in Zhentil Keep, they often surrendered before the battle even started.
It was precisely because of the deterrent power of the Darkhold that the Zhentarim directly or indirectly controlled a number of towns and villages, and launched a protracted battle with the Harper Alliance in this area.
But now, the army stationed here has been completely killed or injured by the poison and plague, leaving only a very small number of corpses that have been transformed into undead, still guarding the towering gates and walls.
As the lord of the Dark Castle, Ximanmeng was sitting in his own seat, with his hands crossed and his chin supported, as if waiting for someone to arrive.
Sudden!
A portal suddenly opened out of nowhere, and a man with long golden hair and beard, wearing black armor and holding a scepter walked out from the other side.
moment!
Ximanmeng, who was sitting motionless in the previous second, stood up from the chair in the next second, and couldn't help but reveal a sense of nervousness.
After more than ten seconds, he couldn't help but say, "You are late, Qian Berry."
"Sorry, I had a little trouble to deal with, so I'm inevitably a little late." The man called Qian Berry answered casually.
Needless to say, he is the second-in-command of the Zhentarim, the elect of Bane, the god of tyranny and the supreme leader of the church, the tyrant of the Moon Sea, and the one who scares countless people, Fuzor Chamberlain.
"Damn it! Do you know how big a risk I took? If the instructor knew that we were in contact privately, he would definitely kill me first without hesitation." Ximanmeng cursed in a low voice with gritted teeth.
I'm afraid Mansong would never have thought that these two seemingly conflicting enemies would actually communicate in private.
But Fuzor Chamberlain didn't care and sat down to pour himself a glass of wine, then asked without looking up: "How is Mansong's reaction when he learned that I was planning to seize control of the Zhentarim?"
"He is furious. To be exact, this failure dealt a severe blow to his self-confidence and even caused him to doubt himself. This is the most vulnerable moment." Ximanmeng made his judgment without hesitation.
"Oh? Is that young man named Soth really so powerful?" Fu Zol Chamberlain suddenly became interested.
As the chosen one of Bane, the god of tyranny, he has been collecting intelligence and information about the chosen ones of other gods across the entire continent of Faerun.
Among them, Zuo Si, as the only chosen one of the goddess of poison and disease Talona, is naturally the top priority.
What's more, it was later reported that he had also become the chosen one of the Magic Goddess.
"It's more than amazing! If you were there at the time, you would also be shocked by the power displayed by Soth.
Remember the Silver Fire Burst mode that Elminster used? In his hands, he could even go a step further, piercing through the magical protection on the mentor with just one strike and killing him.
Furthermore, this guy is immune to time stopping, and holds a powerful artifact of unknown power and ability.
Most importantly, he is an army all by himself.
Please note that this is not an exaggeration, but a very appropriate description.
I don’t know what method he used, but he could summon and control several giant dragons and powerful monster armies such as beholders in a short period of time.
Even though the teacher teamed up with the chief of those red-robed wizards, he was ultimately unable to gain an advantage and was instead at a disadvantage from the very beginning.
As Soth said, we didn’t surround him, he surrounded us.”
While saying this, Ximanmeng's hands were shaking slightly uncontrollably.
In order to calm himself down, he quickly took a cup of dark red liquid with a pungent fishy smell from the container next to him, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.
The moment the mouth opened, the sharp canine teeth hidden in the mouth were finally exposed.
There is no doubt that at this moment, Ximanmeng is no longer a human being, but a vampire who has just completed the transformation.
Because just a few days ago, he was accidentally infected with both poison and plague at the same time, and he was almost killed like those soldiers.
Although he managed to survive with the help of magic potions, he suffered psychological trauma from it. He was afraid that this kind of revenge would be continuous, so he secretly transformed himself into a vampire to become completely immune to diseases and toxins.
Fuzor Qianbury undoubtedly sensed the fear and dread in Ximanmeng's eyes, and continued to ask: "Then what are his arcane spellcasting levels and divine spellcasting levels?"
"Don't ask me how I know. Many of the spells he used were ones I had never seen before, and they looked very likely to be legendary magic. As for the Nine Rings Splitting spell, he threw five or six at once during the battle, and four of them were super magic skills without any chanting or casting movements - instant spells. Do you know what this means?"
Xi Manmeng told him everything he had seen at that time.
Instant spells require memorization of a spell slot four levels higher than the current magic level.
If it is a ninth-level spell, then a spell slot memory of at least thirteen levels is required.
All spell slots starting from the tenth ring require the legendary feat [Improve Spell Slots], and you have to make the same choice at least four times to get a thirteenth-ring spell slot.
Four instant Great Disintegrations mean that you have to go one step further on this basis and get three more, consuming a total of seven legendary feats.
If one feat is gained for every three levels, that is about twenty-one levels of legendary arcane spellcasting. Adding the previous twenty-one levels of ordinary arcane spellcasting, the total is as high as forty-two.
When Xi Manmeng saw his teacher being killed, he immediately ran away. Most of him collapsed in fear due to this inference.
You have to know that even the great archmages of the Netherese civilization can rarely reach this level of spellcasting.
Manshoon also realized this after his resurrection, so the more he thought about it, the more scared he became, and he even began to doubt himself.
Fuzor Chamberlain's face became a little solemn, and he questioned in a shocked tone: "How is this possible! He still looks so young, even like a child. Even if he came from another material plane and even destroyed a world with the power of plague, he could never reach such a height."
"Then I don't know. Maybe Soth has mastered some unknown technique that can instantly cast high-level magic, or maybe he has received additional gifts from the Goddess of Poison and Disease or the Goddess of Magic. But one thing is certain, that is, as an enemy, he is definitely the most terrifying one, and he will definitely not be as merciful as the other voters of the Goddess of Magic."
After saying that, Ximanmeng stuck out his tongue and licked the dark red blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, his eyes flashing with deep fear.
"I have no doubt about this. Because not long ago, he massacred the entire Luskan. Not only did he uproot the pirates, the Thieves Guild and illegal merchants, he also forced the entire population of Mingtan Island to move to Luskan. This kind of behavior does not seem like something the good camp would do." Fu Zol Chamberlain analyzed, touching his chin.
Ximanmeng nodded in agreement: "Only pursuing results without caring about the process and means, this is the most distinctive feature of Soth.
另外，他还大量使用低级亡灵生物作为劳工，完全不在乎那些善良和中立神祇教会的抗议。
据说晨曦之主洛山达的一名牧师仅仅是提出了要求停止这种行为，整个教会就被彻底驱逐出耐兰瑟尔群岛。
所以我之前才建议老师，尽量不要招惹索斯而是要与其保持良好的合作关系。
只可惜，老师被银火的力量所引诱，最终犯下了一个不可饶恕的致命错误，连带着散塔林会在北地的情报网遭受毁灭性打击。
这也是为什么我会选择跟伱合作的前提。”
“哼！曼松恐怕永远也不会想到，自己最信任的学徒会在这种关键时候背叛他。那么告诉我，你认为我们眼下应该如何度过难关？”
傅佐尔·钱伯瑞眼睛里闪烁着的名为野心的光芒。
毕竟早在散塔林会成立之初，他还是个班恩教会微不足道的低级牧师时，就无比渴望能够把一直头顶死死压着自己的曼松给掀翻。
但遗憾的是曼松太过于小心谨慎，过了这么多年始终没有找到半点机会。
不过现在，这个机会终于来了。
随着路斯坎行动的失败，整个散塔林会高层的内环成员都开始对曼松产生不满，并认为他已经没有资格在继续领导这个庞大的黑暗情报网。
同样的，散提尔堡也出现了许多反对的声音。
尽管这些声音大部分都遭到了快速的镇压，可涌动的暗流却并没有停止，反倒是以更加隐秘的方式在暗中串联。
席曼蒙低着头沉思了片刻，很快说道：“解决目前的困境很简单。首先要跟索斯达成和解，至少确保散提尔堡不会再莫名其妙的被投毒。不然的话，这种人心惶惶的状态维持不了多久就会彻底崩溃。当然，以索斯的性格肯定会狮子大开口，我们必须要做好支付沉重的代价。”
“你觉得在发生了这种事情之后，他还会接受我们的和解提议？”傅佐尔·钱伯瑞惊讶的挑起眉毛。
“为什么不呢？”席曼蒙意味深长的反问道。“他是个彻头彻尾的现实主义者。虽然拥有异于常人的强烈报复心，但却同样也非常冷静跟理智。尤其是在对付希瑞克教会扩张的时候，我们的立场是一致的。除此之外，老师和他的那些宝藏也可以成为摆放在谈判桌上的筹码。”
“你的意思是……必要的时候甚至可以把曼松当做交易的筹码卖掉？”
傅佐尔·钱伯瑞瞬间明白了对方的想法，脸上浮现出十分意外的表情。
此时此刻，他终于意识到为什么曼松会放心把黑暗情报网交给席曼蒙来维持日常运转。
虽然这个阴险狡诈的男人平日里总是表现得跟曼松十分亲近，但骨子里却是个精于算计且冷酷无比的家伙。
在席曼蒙的眼中，身边所有人都是可以被操控、利用和出卖的工具，哪怕是自己的老师也不例外。
只不过以前曼松能给的东西，要比傅佐尔·钱伯瑞给的多得多，因此才会忠心耿耿为前者办事。
“这个世界上的所有人都有一个价码。
我有、你有，我的老师也有。
只不过有些人的价码高一些，有些人的价码低一些。
既然老师已经成为了整个组织继续发展前进的障碍，那为什么不趁着他的价码还没有下跌之前，将其交换出去来争取一个强而有力的盟友呢？ 毕竟我们都知道，希瑞克教会肯定还会卷土重来。”
在说这番话的时候，席曼蒙的语气是如此的淡定且从容，完全看不出有半点愧疚或是迫不得已。
自从摒弃了对于曼松的个人崇拜之后，他明显变得更加可怕，并且隐约有了那么点成为强者的潜质。
傅佐尔·钱伯瑞抿起嘴角微笑着赞同道：“你说的没错。不过曼松可不好对付，我们必须小心一点。”
“别担心，我已经有了一个详细的计划。到时候里应外合肯定能够一劳永逸的解决老师。最重要的是如何让索斯相信我们的诚意，以及确保露面之后不会被他直接干掉。”
一想到要再次面对左思，席曼蒙就明显有些心里没底。
因为双方的实力差距太大了，大到可能连开口的机会都没有就会被【时间停止】、【大裂解】等高阶法术秒杀。
“别怕。这一次我会陪着一起。”傅佐尔·钱伯瑞不加思索的给出承诺。
“你？”席曼蒙瞬间愣住了。
在他的印象中，这位暴政之神班恩的选民一直都跟曼松一样，以谨小慎微而著称，几乎从不会让自己暴露在强大敌人的面前。
傅佐尔·钱伯瑞似笑非笑的解释道：“因为我突然发现，这个叫做索斯的年轻人似乎有成为暴君的潜质。如果能将他从魔法女神那边拉拢过来，那么整个北地连带费伦大陆西海岸都将成为我们的盟友。说不定还能借此机会强行推广班恩的信仰，让我们所侍奉的神复活。”
毫无疑问，寻找暴君、培养暴君，成为暴君身边最信任的左右手，一直都是班恩教会所奉行的最高准则。
每一个牧师和信徒，都会竭尽所能从身边寻找那些有成为暴君潜质的人加以培养。
当年魔法女神选民萨马斯特，就是被一名班恩的牧师发现有成为暴君的潜质，所以才跟随在他的身边不断蛊惑，直至其彻底陷入疯狂创立了拜龙教。
尽管这位牧师因为傅佐尔·钱伯瑞表面上改信班恩神之子对其大加抨击，但两人在骨子里对于暴政之神的理念却是一样没有分毫的动摇。
“什么？你疯了吗！”席曼蒙目瞪口呆。
“不，我没疯，而且前所未有的清醒。相信我，如果这个计划成功了，那么我们将培养出一个前所未有的强大暴君，甚至足以让整个世界瑟瑟发抖。试想一下，到那个时候复活之后的班恩将会变得有多么强大且不可战胜？届时我们都会因此而受到难以想象的奖赏。”
傅佐尔·钱伯瑞用充满激动地声音描绘着未来美好的前景。
或许在其他班恩的信徒面前，这一套可以让对方甘愿为之付出生命的代价。
但席曼蒙非但没有心动，反而变得异常警惕。
因为每当傅佐尔·钱伯瑞开始画大饼的时候，就意味着他在暗中谋划着另外一个不可告人的阴谋。
最终，两人还是勉强达成了合作协议。
正忙着稳固自己地位的曼松根本没有意识到，之前散塔林会内部高层的动荡只不过是故意被抛出来吸引他注意力的烟雾弹，真正要命的还在后头呢。
……
与此同时，随着路斯坎的情况步入正轨，左思也终于离开这座城市回到了安姆的首都阿斯卡特拉。
由于他已经彻底掌握了西海岸大部分贸易航线所需要经过的水域，所以六人评议会立刻与其进行了长达两三个小时的商谈，然后敲定了一系列包括军事、政治、贸易、运输和商业方面的合作。
作为一个典型的商业帝国，安姆高层一直都非常注重保障自己的贸易路线畅通。
否则也不会花费大笔资金，维持一支规模庞大但却不怎么派得上用场的海军。
不过当看到最后一支成规模的海盗被彻底剿灭，整个大海上再也没有什么成气候的威胁时，他们就产生了把舰队卖掉以节省开支的想法。
反正只要缴纳货物价值一成的保护费，商船就能在路斯坎、无冬城、博德之门、深水城、穆兰、扎泽司泊、迈拉特玛、曼农、卡林港等重要港口和贸易枢纽自由往来，哪里还用得着维持什么海军。
统统卖掉全部换成商船去赚钱难道不好吗？
如果有军事需要，到时候直接花一笔钱雇佣耐兰瑟尔群岛的舰队。
资本和商人的短视，在这些家伙身上得到了完美的体现。
而且作为这笔交易的赠品，安姆方面还会把两个用来建造大型战舰的船坞连带工匠一起打包作为礼物送出去。
对于这种送上门来的好事，左思当然不会拒绝。
毕竟随着吞并路斯坎之后，他的势力范围扩展到了极北之地一带，需要维持安全的海域面积增加了差不多一倍，正是需要更多战舰的时候。
所以在付出了一些蔗糖之后，双方皆大欢喜的达成了这笔交易。
六人评议会认为自己占了大便宜，不仅把沉重的负担甩出去，而且还换回了目前最能带来利润的奢侈品——糖。
而左思则用没有任何成本的白糖，换到了自己麾下势力最迫切需求的战舰。
要知道安姆的战舰可是标准的风帆战舰，在结构和外形非常接近适合远洋航行的卡拉克帆船，否则也没资格去开发远在大海另外一端的马兹特克大陆。
就这样，安姆六人评议会彻底把决定自身贸易和商船安全的权柄交到了左思的手上。
The astonishing profits brought by the specialties of the Maztec continent drove them completely crazy, and they urgently needed to build more merchant ships to ensure that they could seize as much market as possible before other countries and forces discovered the route to the New World.
As for the warships that are not only unable to generate profits but also require continuous spending of money, they should be rolled away as far away as possible.
So after comprehensive consideration, the six-member council made an extremely bold decision.
In their view, Zuo Si has long been deeply tied to Am's interests and is 100% "one of ours", so the risks are completely within controllable range.
When Vanessa, a lich, walked out of the municipal building with the agreement, she couldn't help but sighed: "I can't believe that the six-member council is so short-sighted that they would give a push at such a critical moment.
My Lord, now all the sea trade routes in the west of the entire Faerun continent are in our hands.
It not only means huge wealth, but also means control over channels and expansion of political influence.
In fact, we are now an important cornerstone for the stability of cities and countries on the West Coast.
If you encounter any trouble, they will definitely do their best to provide help.
Because by helping us, we are helping themselves.
You know, I originally thought that it would take at least ten to twenty years to achieve the strategy we had formulated.
But who would have thought that it would be accomplished in less than two years.”
Zuo Si responded nonchalantly: “That’s why I keep reminding you, never let too many businessmen interfere in politics.
Because as long as they can get more profits, this group has no bottom line.
Once the profits they gain cannot satisfy the appetites of these nobles and wealthy businessmen, they will start fighting among themselves.
Therefore, it can be predicted that Amn will inevitably decline in the near future, and even fall into endless civil strife.
By the way, I asked you to send people to take over the concessions and strongholds left behind by the red robe mages. How is it going now?"
“I have given full authority to Habaser Delin to handle it.
You know, he has always been resentful about the Red Robe Wizard setting up a concession in Baldur's Gate and stealing business, so he volunteered to take on this task.
If nothing unexpected happens, the magic scrolls, potions and other items produced by the organization have now replaced the Red Robe Wizards and become the main magic supplier in various places.
At the same time, you can also use these channels to acquire a lot of interesting things and materials.
I think Habaser Delin is very suitable for this job, so let him run it."
When this matter was mentioned, Vanessa immediately showed a playful expression.
To some extent, the reason why Habaser Delin made up his mind to join the organization was really thanks to the Red Robe Mage and the Silver Shield Duke who brought the Red Robe Mage in.
"Put the right people in the right jobs. It seems you have mastered the essence of management. Let's go. It's time to see what's brewing in Badi's belly."
After saying that, Zuo Si took the lead and walked towards the cemetery area.
As it was completely dark at this moment, the entire Athkatla cemetery was silent.
Apart from a few people on night patrol, there were basically no living people to be seen.
As with most burial sites in Faerun, these night watches and patrols are mainly to prevent people from stealing the burial objects in the tombs, or simply stealing the corpses and transforming them into undead creatures.
According to historical records, several terrorist attacks launched by necromancers generally started near cemeteries.
Because only here are there enough corpses for resurrection.
Therefore, the most important duty of the night watchmen and patrol personnel is to provide early warning, to ensure that no matter what happens, the defenders and major temples in the city will be aware of it at the first possible moment.
But the situation in the Athkatla cemetery is more complicated.
As early as the Shane Dynasty, this was where the nobles buried themselves and their loved ones. There were many floors built from top to bottom, and there were also mechanisms and magic traps to prevent tomb robbery.
It is said that the deepest levels have long been occupied by resurrected undead spirits.
In addition, there was a tradition of burying slaves with the dead at that time, so skeletons, zombies, mummies, ghouls, demons and other undead spirits were often encountered.
Regarding this point, the guys in the Shadow Thieves Guild who specialize in tomb robbing should have the most say.
Every month, a few unlucky thieves are accidentally surrounded by the undead and never come back alive.
Of course, Zuo Si didn't care about the life or death of these thieves.
He didn't even pay attention to the men in black who were trying to pry open the door of a tomb not far away, but stood there quietly waiting.
After a while, a woman with short black hair and pale skin walked out from the shadows.
She placed one hand on her chest and bowed deeply, then took the initiative to say, "Please follow me. The hostess has been waiting for a long time."
"A vampire spawn?" Vanessa looked at the other person with interest.
As a great wizard specializing in necromancy, his favorite thing is to study, create and transform various undead creatures. Naturally, he cannot help but be curious about vampires, high-level undead creatures with independent consciousness.
"My name is Weilan, and I'm the master's servant." The female vampire derivative carefully and proactively gave her name.
Because she had been warned when she came here, she knew that neither the man nor the lich in front of her could afford to offend.
"Interesting. Can you tell me what changes have taken place in your thinking, consciousness, and living habits before and after you were transformed into a derivative?" Vanessa continued to ask.
Weilan obviously hesitated for a moment, and then answered in a tone that even he himself could not be sure of: "I... I don't know. But serving the mistress and obeying every order she gave did make me feel extremely satisfied.
It feels like a moth longing for light that will die in the sea of fire without hesitation.
I once longed for freedom, but later found that it was nothing but a heavy burden.
Because thinking makes me confused, but when I obey orders, I don’t have to have any doubts or concerns.
I crave the fight, the kill, the blood, but when it's over I feel so empty."
After hearing this, Vanessa nodded with satisfaction: "Very good answer. Thank you, now I have a deeper understanding of vampires. Now lead the way, don't let your mistress wait anxiously."
"As you wish."
Without saying a word, Weilan led the way and walked into a very hidden tomb gate.
Passing through stairs and tunnels covered with cobwebs and a thick layer of dust, the three of them soon arrived at a hall that was hundreds of meters underground and looked very ancient.
Judging from the reliefs and patterns on the stone pillars and walls, this is most likely the tomb of a governor from the Shayne dynasty.
But now it has been completely transformed by the vampires into their paradise.
As soon as he entered the door, the first thing Zuo Si smelled was the pungent smell of blood.
If you walk a little further, you will see groups of vampires sitting next to a huge blood fountain, bathing in blood, drinking plasma and doing some unspeakable debauchery.
Since becoming undead creatures, these guys seem to have completely freed themselves from the last shackles, revealing their inner desires and dark sides without any blind spots.
However, when they saw Zuo Si, especially the Daytime Star hanging around Zuo Si's waist, they immediately showed panic-stricken expressions, and some were so frightened that they fell directly into the pool of blood.
"I really want to do a Sunburst here."
Zuo Si gently placed his hand on the hilt of the Day Star, and his whole body exuded an aura that made the vampires feel uneasy and fearful.
"Forget it. This place is too small and there is no space to dodge. I don't want to be killed by you." Vanessa advised in a half-joking tone.
You must know that the Day Star does not distinguish between friend and foe. Any undead creature within the attack range will be instantly burned by the sunlight and strong positive energy.
"That's true. It's more important to do the right thing."
Zuo Si loosened his grip on the hilt of the Day Star Sword, walked straight through the room and disappeared at the end of the stairs leading to the secret room belonging to the vampire queen Badi on the lower level.
As soon as he left, the vampires present breathed a sigh of relief.
One of the men who had just been transformed couldn't help but ask, "Who was that young man just now? Why did I feel my whole body stiffen and I couldn't move at all when he looked at me?"
"His name is Soth, the chosen one of both the goddess of poison and disease and the goddess of magic. Not long ago, he defeated and sealed a lesser demon lord, and then defeated Manshoon of the Zhentarim and several chief red wizards in Luskan. That sword in particular once killed more than forty descendants of the queen in a single battle. If he had attacked us just now, we would have had no chance of surviving. So don't provoke him, it would be no different from seeking death."
Another older female vampire gave the answer with lingering fear.
"Damn! That sounds terrible. I don't understand why Her Majesty the Queen would cooperate with such a dangerous person."
A vampire who looked to be in his twenties couldn't help but complain in a low voice.
But he was soon warned by other vampires.
Because Badi is the supreme queen here, no one can disobey or question her decision.
On the other side, when Zuo Si and Vanessa came to the underground secret room, they immediately saw Badi lying on the bed, unable to move.
The reason why she couldn't move was that her lower abdomen had bulged into an extremely huge ball of flesh, with a diameter of more than two meters.
Not to mention moving, even turning over became impossible.
And if the vampire's body was not completely supported by negative energy, its physical strength would be countless levels higher than that of humans, otherwise it would have exploded long ago.
"Thank God! You are finally here!" Badi turned his head with a look of relief in his eyes.
Obviously, this huge lump of flesh growing on her body brought her unimaginable pain and inconvenience.
If there wasn't any better solution, she would even want to just cut it off.
"How did it become like this?" Zuo Si asked with a slightly curious tone.
He remembered it clearly. The last time they met, her belly was only slightly bulging.
Badi sighed helplessly: "I don't know. This situation started suddenly after I had a terrible nightmare three days ago. It almost sucked away all my strength, and it is still constantly drawing energy from the surrounding shadow magic net to strengthen itself."
"Shadow Magic Web?"
Hearing this word, Zuo Si's heart suddenly started to alarm.
As we all know, there was originally only one magic network in the continent of Faerun. It was the first generation magic goddess born in the battle between the twin goddesses of light and darkness, Shar and Sulen.
In other words, the Goddess of Magic and the Magic Net were formed by tearing off a part of the power of the two goddesses of creation.
As the representative of light and kindness, the moon goddess Suren was obviously very happy about the birth of her daughter and quickly established a good alliance with her.
The first generation magic goddess also tends to help this kind mother to fight against another evil mother who always wants to kill herself and let everything return to darkness and chaos.
In order to take back the power that originally belonged to her, Shar secretly built a very secret shadow magic network behind the back of the gods, which was completely under her control.
It is an incomplete replica of the authentic magic network. Since the main body is filled with negative energy, it greatly enhances the power of enchantment, necromancy and illusion magic, but reduces the power of transmutation, transformation and some positive energy spells.
Moreover, in some dead magic areas and chaotic magic areas where the genuine magic net cannot be used, the shadow magic net can operate normally.
By allowing more spellcasters to use the Shadow Magic Web, the Goddess of Night hopes to weaken the number and influence of the Magic Goddess's followers, and eventually reduce her to a medium or even weak level of divine power like her mortal enemy Sulun.
In this way, she can easily force the opponent to surrender, or even kill him once and for all, and serve as the goddess of magic herself.
When a mage begins to come into contact with the Shadow Weave, he will gradually drift away from the real Weave.
However, the Shadow Weave has a fatal flaw: it is not neutral, but is 100% controlled by Shar.
If you access the network without the guidance of the goddess, it will not only cause permanent damage to your brain, but you may also be "disconnected" at any critical moment.
Therefore, all conspiracies related to the Shadow Web always have Shar's shadow behind them.
"Yes, it's the Shadow Weave. I can feel that this thing is becoming more and more powerful. When it breaks out of its cocoon, I might die. So if you still want to make progress on Erinikas' research, you'd better act quickly. Otherwise, if I die, you will get nothing."
While saying this, Badi's face was full of tension and anxiety.
She didn't want to die, especially not as a victim of some vast conspiracy.
"Vanessa, what do you think?"
Zuo Si ignored the vampire queen's mild threat and turned to look at his men.
After thinking for a moment, the latter immediately responded: "I think we should first confirm what this thing is, and then decide how to deal with it. If it really involves that goddess, I think it is better to be cautious."
“That makes sense.”
With an irrepressible curiosity, Zuo Si stepped closer and observed through multiple magical visions such as [True Seeing], [Eye of Knowledge], and [Eye of Mysticism], and quickly discovered that in the center of the meat ball, there was a life form about 30 centimeters long.
All around it was negative energy drawn from the Shadow Magic Web, which was almost so dense that it existed in the form of liquid.
"Have you ever tried to cut open your own stomach?" Zuo Si asked bluntly.
Badi nodded vigorously. "Of course! I have tried to take it out a long time ago. But the problem is that even magic weapons and adamantium weapons will be corrupted in a very short time when they are close to it, and eventually turn into a pile of residue of unknown origin."
As he spoke, Badi winked at Weilan.
The latter immediately understood what he meant and took out a tray from the cabinet next to him and handed it to the other two.
Vanessa picked up one of the pieces and cast a detection spell, and immediately exclaimed, "How is this possible! These metals have been decomposed and corroded by negative energy and turned into another substance that has never been seen before."
"It's a trace of divine power!"
Zuo Si gave the answer with a serious expression.
As a planeswalker and a chosen one of the gods, his perception of divine power can be said to far exceed that of everyone else.
Although the divine power on these residues was very rare, it escaped his keen perception.
"Divine power?" Badi opened his mouth in shock.
Zuo Si nodded vigorously. "Yes, it is divine power, and it is the kind of corrupted divine power. It seems that Amaunator's disappearance is not that simple. Your blasphemous behavior may just be an inducement. Tell me, have you dreamed of that black sun again recently?"
"Yes. I often dream about that black sun, and it becomes more and more real. I can even feel its amazing heat. Look, this is the burn I got the last time I touched that thing in a hallucination."
Realizing how bad his situation was, Badi didn't bother to hide it and quickly revealed the black burned part of his arm.
You have to know that she is the vampire queen, and she has powerful recovery abilities that even the trolls can't match.
If a wound could remain on her body for so long without disappearing, it was enough to explain something.
(End of this chapter)