Chapter 106 Entering the Desert (Second update, please subscribe)
Bernard did not pay too much attention to the fact that there was an extra paladin serving Ilmat, the god of suffering, among his entourage.
Because he simply didn’t understand what Ailuo Lin’s appearance meant to this journey.
Not to mention that Zuo Si, whom he regarded as his "savior", had unknowingly become a huge trouble.
With the merchant's order, this huge team finally slowly began to move slowly along the ancient trade road.
Since three experienced guides were hired in advance and there were mercenaries responsible for surrounding the caravan and fending off possible bandits and monsters, the entire caravan seemed to be in order.
Although thousands of camels stretch end to end for several kilometers, there is no sign of chaos at all.
As for those slaves, when they heard that they would become free civilians and get stable jobs after arriving in Amn, they all showed great effort and had no intention of escaping at all.
In this way, the entire caravan spent a whole morning crossing the plains covered with low vegetation without incident, and officially entered the endless desert.
Looking at the huge undulating hills in the distance, Zuo Si, who had never been far away, could not help but sigh slightly: "What a magnificent and spectacular scenery!"
"Yes! The vastness and harshness of the desert always make mortals involuntarily feel awe and fear.
According to ancient legends, the Kalin Desert was originally a rich forest and plain.
< br>But later, a war broke out between the wind djinn, who first established the Carlin Empire, and the fire djinn, who later established the Memnon Empire.
The terrible magical power destroyed everything. It became what it is now.
Some people say that the giant spirits are still imprisoned in the depths of the desert by the magic released by the elves.
Whenever there is a sandstorm, it means they are fighting each other again. ”
The paladin Elroline took the initiative to talk about the origin of this great desert.
As she described, the history of Calimshan began more than 9,500 years ago. A group of djinn nobles who came to Faerûn from an alien plane a year ago, and a group of efreet mercenaries who also came from an alien plane a thousand years later
Their names and the capital of the empire they once established. , were still intact and became the two most important port cities in the south and north of the desert.
Even more than 7,000 years ago, when humans expelled the djinn and established the first dynasty. The seven small fishing villages that were the starting point for Netherese civilization may not even exist yet
It would not be until more than 2,500 years later that the latter would dig up the famous "Scroll of Netheril" and start his own era.
So although the history of the Calimshan region is far less important, glorious, powerful and arrogant than Netheril in the eyes of many scholars.
The latter almost represents the highest achievement that the human race can achieve in magic.
But Zuo Si, who has carefully read the history of Calimshan, related materials, and research notes, is very clear that there is not a lot of precious magical knowledge and materials preserved here.
Especially those djinn who were captured and imprisoned after the collapse of the empire, brought unimaginable wealth to the spellcasters in Calimshan.
You must know that Djinn, a special alien creature, is a bit like the magic lamp in the story of Aladdin's Lamp on Earth.
Can give a non-djinn race three times an ability similar to the nine-ring magic [Wish Spell].
So the high-level spellcasters here can often obtain a lot of knowledge, rare materials and various weird creatures from other planes through the wish-making ability given by the djinn.
Of course, there are many idiots who "disappear" out of thin air because they are too greedy and make wishes that cannot be realized.
"Sounds like a good place for adventure and treasure hunting, doesn't it?" Zuo Si made a half-serious joke.
Of course he was very interested in the treasures buried in the desert, but he would never try his luck without any guarantees and preparations.
Elloline stared at Zuo Si like a madman, and after half a minute she warned: "You'd better give up this unrealistic idea. There are a lot of things to do in Calimport overnight. Adventurers who dreamed of getting rich, as well as mages and warlocks who longed for powerful power, they never came back alive after entering the depths of the desert."
"If I insist on going, you are still there. Will you follow?" Zuo Si asked with interest.
“Of course! This is a trial and test given to me by God!”
Ailuolin responded in the affirmative immediately without any hesitation.
Zuo Si raised his eyebrows incomprehensibly: "You know you are going to die, but you still want to stay with me? Are all paladins as rigid and ignorant of flexibility as you?" "No! This is not about being rigid and ignorant of flexibility! It's Courage, persistence, responsibility, protection and sacrifice! I promised the officiant that I would stay by your side, even if the price I have to pay is death." Ai LuoLin corrected with a serious look.
It can be seen that this young girl has extremely firm beliefs, and her two dark blue eyes are as clear and transparent as lake water.
"So that's it..."
Zuo Si finally understood why the paladin profession was known as "the last hope that will never be extinguished."
Even if they disagree with some of their behaviors and ideas, others around them will retain the most basic respect.
From the moment they were inspired to become paladins, these people almost gave up all "personal desires" and became outright "altruists".
That is, if you have a paladin companion by your side.
Then before he dies in battle, there is basically no need to worry too much about being injured.
Because the paladin will use his body and life to protect everyone around him, even complete strangers.
pure!
Selfless!
Dedication!
Regard fighting evil and protecting the weak as your lifelong pursuit!
Paladin represents the most beautiful and shining part of human nature, and is also the embodiment of all virtues.
After understanding the logic of Ellen's behavior, Zuo Si quickly held up a parasol and closed his eyes as if falling asleep.
But in fact, he was reading the books that had been stored in the "Thinking Library" but had not been read carefully.
After all, the length of this desert from north to south is at least more than 600 kilometers. According to the speed of walking 30 to 50 kilometers a day, it will take at least about half a month.
Instead of wasting your precious time staring at the yellow sand in the sky all day long, it is better to use it effectively.
Anyway, with Alena driving the camel, there is basically no need to worry too much about getting separated from the caravan.
Seeing that Zuo Si closed his eyes and stopped talking, Ailuolin also chose to close his mouth and pulled the cloak hard to block the harsh sunlight as much as possible to prevent the metal armor on his body from being burned and causing his body temperature to rise.
Although the paladin rarely gets sick under the protection of the power of worship, she does not want to make trouble for herself.
You must know that in a dry desert, there is no way to take a bath.
Water, the source of life, is a truly scarce resource here, sometimes even more precious than gold.
Compared with the others who were sweating profusely, Alena, who was close to Zuo Si, not only couldn't feel the slightest bit of heat, she didn't even sweat a drop.
Because the [frozen pearl] hanging on the camel saddle has reduced the surrounding ambient temperature to about ten degrees.
Alena even felt a little cold, so she took off her hood to let the harsh sunlight shine directly on her head.
Soldiers in heavy armor and werewolves followed closely around, enjoying the slightest coolness brought by the [frozen pearl].
Only the half-orc warrior Rhett, who knew nothing about this, was walking at the front of the team, chatting with the mercenaries to pass the time.
As for the poor drow prisoner who was tied behind the camel, he had already fainted from the hot sun.
After all, the black elves were originally a race living in the underground world, and they had a strong hatred and fear of the sun.
Not to mention being thrown into the desert and exposed to the sun like now, even the most ordinary sunlight during the day can make them feel weak, painful and desperate.
(End of this chapter)