In Faerun, the history of the Underdark precedes that of the surface world.
Long before the Creator Races rose to power and established the first civilizations, 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 dwarves and elves.
Later, with the arrival of the dark elves, and the gradual emergence and growth of gray dwarves, beholders, mind flayers and deep gnomes, the competition for precious survival resources here has gradually become more and more fierce and bloody.
For example, clean drinking water may not mean anything in the surface world, but in the underworld it often means the survival of a city or even a race.
Therefore, most of the ethnic groups that entered the underground world and derived corresponding subspecies often showed cold, cruel, and evil personalities that were completely different from their cousins.
This is true for the dark elves, a subspecies of elves, and the gray dwarves, a subspecies 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 closely related 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 various resources around are extremely scarce, any race that wants to reproduce and survive must do its best to squeeze the living space of other races.
They even plundered what they needed from the other side, including food, water, slaves, minerals, etc.
This is also why most Underdark cities still retain primitive slavery systems and are very keen on expansion and conquest.
Among them, the dark elves and gray dwarves, who occupy a relatively strong ecological niche, often enslave slaves several times their own number to perform various heavy physical labors to ensure the normal operation of the huge underground cities, or to serve as cannon fodder to attract the enemy's magical attacks during battles.
If the number of slaves is too large, they can be sold to the mind flayers.
Anyway, these monsters who live on eating brains always take as much as they can as slaves, and are extremely generous in paying their wages, never haggling like other races.
In fact, the true Underdark is far more complex than surface world scholars imagine.
Many times, what people call the Underdark is actually just the shallowest layer of this vast underground maze, and it is also the upper layer closest to the surface.
Since food and water resources are relatively abundant, and a certain degree of trade can be carried out with the surface world, 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.
Going deeper, into the middle layer 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 mostly live in small tribes of no more than three hundred people.
Due to their weak strength and lack of means to resist, they are the main source of slaves for the Dark Elves, Gray Dwarves and Mind Flayers.
As for the deeper third layer, food and water are so scarce that they cannot support civilization.
Any race living here needs to fight for their right to survive through extremely barbaric and cruel infighting.
At this level, intelligent life is actually not much different from wild beasts.
Usually, except for those myconids that look like oversized mushrooms, the most common way to say hello is to suddenly jump out of the darkness, then tear you into pieces with fangs or claws and eat you.
No communication! No exchange!
There is only the eternal killing between hunter and prey.
As he went deeper and deeper into the underground world, Zuo Si could more clearly feel the tremendous impact of environmental changes.
Especially the dark elves led by Drizzt, they all became silent, nervous, and alert at a speed visible to the naked eye, with cold light flashing in their eyes from time to time.
Obviously, this was very different from their relatively relaxed state on the surface.
In order to reduce the potential dangers of speaking, the entire team's communication method has completely changed to complex sign language since they officially entered the Underdark.
Fortunately, Zuo Si had spent some time learning it a long time ago, so he was not unfamiliar with this body language.
Just the opposite!
He could even use sign language fluently to give orders to every dark elf in the team.
At the beginning, even the experienced Trist was surprised by this move.
The legendary ranger originally thought that it was quite impressive that Zuo Si was able to master both the Underworld Common Language and the Drow Language.
Even for someone born in Menzoberranzan, it would take at least several months to a year to master such a complex sign language.
But what made Drizzt feel even more incredible was that as a surface human, Zuo Si seemed to be not unfamiliar with the Underdark at all.
Especially in a dark environment where it is so quiet that you can hear your own heartbeat, it is easy for people who are used to living in the sun to feel inexplicable panic.
But Zuo Si acted as if nothing had happened and did not show any sign of 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 sitting down to rest, Drizzt couldn't help but lean over and ask in a low voice, "Have you been to the Underdark before?"
Zuo Si immediately smiled and shook his head: "No, I haven't. This is my first time. But I've been to the Underworld in Waterdeep before, where I dealt with dark elves, mind flayers, beholders, and other creatures living in the underground world. So the Underdark is not completely unfamiliar to me."
"You've been to the Underworld? No wonder!" Trist suddenly showed an expression of sudden enlightenment.
He had also visited Waterdeep and knew that beneath this legendary city there was a large area that was very similar to the Underdark, and it was even a huge maze connected to the Underdark.
Going on adventures anywhere is basically equivalent to going to the Underdark.
"By the way, how far are we now from your hometown, Menzoberranzan?" Zuo Si asked casually.
Drizzt answered without hesitation: "It should be very close.
We entered the Northern Underdark from the Luskan Underpass.
Therefore, it is relatively close to the cities of Glekstugu and Mantodris.
A little further north, you can even see the ruins of Blingdenstone, which was abandoned by the deep gnomes.
Continue eastward along the tunnel and you will soon see a huge underground lake - Lake Donigaton.
This is the place where the Los beasts are raised in the city of Menzoberranzan, and dark elf patrols often appear around here.
As for the fungal forest you are looking for, it is just south of the city of Menzoberranzan and Lake Donegaldon, and occupies almost a large area in the center of the northern Underdark.
It is said that the fungal creatures there are extremely ancient, especially the mushroom people, whose number is too numerous to count.
The city of Menzoberranzan had sent several teams to explore the Fungal Forest, but without exception they never returned, even the undead creatures controlled by the priests were no exception.
Perhaps this ancient fungus forest was created by Fungus Lady Zugmoi."
"That means, in another twenty or so hours, we will officially enter the sphere of influence of Menzoberranzan?"
Zuo Si stroked his chin and glanced at the simple map of the underground world in his hand.
He was obviously very interested in this ancient dark elf city.
According to the information currently available, ever since the old matriarch of the Baenre family, who lived for more than 800 years, was killed while leading an army to an expedition to Mithril Hall, the entire city of Menzoberranzan has fallen into chaos.
Since the first family no longer has overwhelming advantage and power, the other dark elf families behind it took advantage of the situation.
Right now, many ambitious mistresses are doing their best to recruit soldiers and horses, hoping to take advantage of the chaos to improve the strength and ranking of their families.
Of course, it was this chaos that gave countless mercenaries the opportunity to make a fortune.
But it is limited to dark elf mercenaries.
If they are gray dwarves or other races, they are likely to be robbed by their fellow thieves, or simply be captured and sold as slaves without any salary.
The chaotic and evil nature of the Dark Elves determines that they will not abide by any so-called contracts or terms. As long as they have the opportunity, they may stab the so-called "allies" at any time.
Drizzt nodded slightly: "If nothing unexpected happens, we should encounter the first wave of patrols from Menzoberranzan in about ten hours.
You must handle this carefully and must not let anyone discover even the slightest flaw, otherwise our situation will become extremely dangerous.
In addition, remember that in front of women, especially priestesses, never try to talk back or refuse any request she makes, otherwise it will be regarded as an offense. "
"Don't worry, I know how to play a shady, cunning, and ambitious dark elf male."
While saying this, Zuo Si stroked his long, flowing white hair.
At this moment, he no longer looked like a human being, but a very young dark elf wizard, and even wore a badge on his chest that symbolized his noble status.
Needless to say, this badge is a fake one he made himself using his powerful magical creation ability.
But if a dark elf were to identify it, both its sophisticated and complex craftsmanship and the powerful magic on it would make the other party regard it as a true noble badge.
You have to know that in the dark elf society, the gap between nobles and commoners 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, having a noble identity is particularly important at this time.
"If everything goes well, we can enter the city of Menzoberranzan and find out some information about the Fungal Forest and the druid you mentioned earlier. In addition, due to the sensitivity of my identity, you'd better not call me by my first name or last name, as that may cause unnecessary trouble." Trist warned seriously.
He would never forget the shocking scene that Spider Queen Rose had made in order to hunt him down. Even now, his scalp still tingled when he thought about it.
What's more, Zuo Si, the voter who holds the power of terror, is no pushover.
If a fierce conflict really breaks out between the two sides, the entire city of Menzoberranzan might become a dead city due to the horrific plague.
This is also why, although Trist did not want to return to his hometown at all, he finally accepted Zuo Si's invitation and chose to join the team.
He hopes that through his own efforts, this matter can be ended without causing any uproar.
Zuo Si obviously knew what the dark elf ranger was worried about, and responded with a smile: "You don't have to be so nervous. I said that I am only here to find one person this time, and I will not do anything to Menzoberranzan or the dark elves living in it."
"I hope you can remain calm when you see how they torture slaves and how the priestess gives orders from a high position." Trist said with a wry smile.
Not to mention outsiders, even when he himself returned to Menzoberranzan a few years ago and saw these, he couldn't help but subconsciously tighten the handle of his scimitar.
You have to know that the chaos and evil of the dark elves are so amazing that even the demons from the abyss would be amazed.
Some powerful demon lords even learn a bit from the dark elves' "art" of torture and interrogation.
But Zuo Si shrugged his shoulders and said, "My adaptability is much higher than you think. What's more, the evilness of some humans I have seen may not be much worse than that of the dark elves."
Just when Drizzt wanted to say something, the female leader of the dark elf team, Vinar, suddenly walked over from a distance, first put her finger on her lips as a gesture to keep silent, and then made a gesture of "follow me" in sign language.
Without saying a word, Zuo Si and Trist 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 caravan of gray dwarves being besieged by a group of Kuo-Toa fishmen.
There were about thirty people in the former, most of whom were heavy infantrymen armed with spears and shields, followed by a group of long-range archers who were also wearing heavy armor but holding powerful crossbows.
In addition, there are about twenty orcs and four ogre slaves.
They were driving more than fifty huge wooden carts carried by Los beasts, which were loaded with goods ranging from weapons, tools, salt, food to fresh fish and crabs. It seemed that they wanted to go to the city of Menzoberranzan to make a fortune.
Although the Dark Elves are known for being insidious, cunning, cold and cruel, their cities are not completely closed to the outside world. The most common visitors are the Gray Dwarf caravans.
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 Tao murlocs...
These guys flood all water areas in the Underdark and try to rob any creature that passes through their sphere of influence.
Especially for caravans with large amounts of supplies, they would rob almost anyone they encountered and had no idea about the sustainable development strategy of receiving protection fees.
Judging from the sheer numbers, the Kou Tao fishmen are clearly the side with an absolute advantage.
There seemed to be more than three hundred of them, and among them were several priests who possessed divine powers.
On the other hand, there are no spellcasters on the gray dwarf side, only warriors.
The battle between the two sides was a bloody one from the very beginning.
With the solid defense line composed of heavy armor, large shields and carts, the gray dwarves easily withstood the first wave of chaotic charges by the Kuo-Toa murlocs, and even shot and killed a dozen of them with crossbows.
But unfortunately, this little death means nothing to the latter.
In the blink of an eye, the Kou Tao fishmen took advantage of the chaos to rush forward and attack the orc slaves who had no armor protection, and forcibly dragged them into a bottomless pool nearby and drowned them alive.
Seeing the caravan's valuable property - slaves - suffer huge losses, the leading gray dwarf immediately became furious and roared at his men: "Idiot! Don't just think about yourselves! Take back all my orc slaves! Each of them can be sold at a high price of 150 gold coins in Menzoberranzan!"
"Boss, are you kidding? Look at the number of these damn murlocs. If we rush out, we will only lose more." A gray dwarf warrior rolled his eyes in annoyance.
Seeing this, another gray dwarf warrior also agreed: "I think it's time to take out those treasured magic items and scrolls and use them. Otherwise, these murlocs will not retreat easily."
"Shut up! What do you think magic items and scrolls are? Are they just scraps of metal worth a few gold coins? Any magic scroll above the third level is worth more than your life."
The caravan owner's tone was full of contempt and disdain for his hired guards.
However, the gray dwarf guards had obviously long been accustomed to the stinginess of their boss and employer, and immediately put on an attitude of working without putting in any effort. They just wanted to guard the convoy and absolutely did not care about the lives of the orcs and ogre slaves.
After a short while, these slaves who lacked protective gear were all killed by the Kou Tao fishmen.
It has to be said that the caravan owner was so angry at the performance of the gray dwarf guards that he was jumping up and down, but there was nothing he could do.
The reason is simple! The gray dwarves are representatives of lawful evil, and they had 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 cargo on the vehicle and the employer himself.
As for slaves later purchased from other places, they were not included in the scope of duties.
So strictly speaking, the guards did not violate the contract.
What's more, the gray dwarf guards are not fools and understand that they are currently at an absolute disadvantage in terms of numbers.
Only by relying on the defense of the cart can you protect yourself to the greatest 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, the caravan has a lot of food and supplies in its vehicles. They can slowly fight the Kou Tao fishmen until they can no longer hold on and leave on their own...
(End of this chapter)