Chapter 303 Elder Halua
Brian carefully looked at the guests who came to his study, wanting to know the true age of the wizard in front of him.
He knows that the vast majority of wizards can let the traces of time stay at the age they most want after their strength reaches the legendary realm.
Generally speaking, for the sake of reputation and prestige, male wizards tend to be at a more mature age to show wisdom and rich experience.
Female wizards, such as Myrcella, the female lord of Arabe, pay more attention to their own charm than their prestige. In order to keep her beauty in the most perfect moment, she uses life extension rituals, and even He also used the blood of ancient elegans in the Fairy Wilderness.
Arad, the wizard elder from Halrua, looks to be in his prime, no more than fifty years old, with fine wrinkles all over his forehead, corners of his mouth and ends of his eyes.
Although he specializes in the necromancy school, his gray eyes look gentle, deep and wise, and his body does not exude the negative energy that keeps strangers away.
Seeing this face that he had seen in the game world, Brian couldn't help but recall some information about this elder Halua.
Arad, one of the twelve members of the Supreme Council of Elders in the Kingdom of Halua.
In Halua, their form of rule is mainly oligarchy.
That is, a small number of absolute rulers, mainly Halua elders, share power, and then divide the territory into independent areas for rule.
So, in the Kingdom of Halua, the number of elders with strength above level 4 remains at least around 400.
One of the essential conditions for joining their Supreme Council of Elders, which is composed of twelve elders, is that their strength must reach the medium legendary realm.
Each elder has a wizard group, or wizard organization, under his command.
The elder Halua in front of him is the leader of the Silent Wizarding Society. This group of spell casters mainly focuses on the two major sects of necromancy and illusion.
According to the information that Brian once had, the experience of this elder named Arad is quite legendary.
Of course, it is undeniable that every professional whose strength reaches the legendary realm will have more or less praiseworthy legends in their career.
In the Kingdom of Halua, wizards like Arad, who are quite talented in magic and were born into ordinary civilian families, develop according to the normal historical trajectory without the support of financial resources and connections.
His life will be about reaching the first level of strength, and after graduating from the Arcane Academy, he will fall into making magic scrolls, potions and magic items, and even go out on adventures to make a living, just to save money to buy more In an endless loop of using advanced magic knowledge to improve one's own strength.
If you have the opportunity to reach level three or above, you will join the Council of Elders and become a superior being.
Otherwise, even if one reaches the second level of strength (around level 5-10), it will be difficult to find a life that is not life-threatening and very relaxed in a society like Halua, which is severely involution. (Note: In the Kingdom of Halua, more than 90% of the death rate among spell casters is due to spell research experiments and magic production, 8% is due to outside adventures, and the remaining 2% is due to other accidental deaths.)
In the end, he will be like most wizards, like a leek, constantly giving in his unequal labor force, and being harvested bit by bit by the upper class.
This is indeed the case. As his strength and age continue to grow, Arad's life is indeed moving towards a three-point-one lifestyle.
But people often say that ‘knowledge changes destiny, magic creates the future’.
And this sentence is vividly reflected in Arad.
As a wizard who graduated from the Magic Restriction Branch of the Arcane Academy, he has a very high talent for magic restriction and magic protection systems.
And he was obviously very aware of his abilities and development direction, so in order to collect magic materials faster for research and experimenting with spells, he eventually committed the crime of theft and was caught on the spot by the law enforcement team. catch.
But in the magic prison in the small town of Dongbishan, Halua, in less than half an hour, he used his ability to open the magic shackles, and then used the disguise spell to lie that he was here to do business. He walked out swaggeringly.
After escaping, he tried to use the magic skills he had mastered to break the airship's protection system and magic restrictions and steal it. As a result, he was captured again and taken to the magic prison of the town.
What is surprising is that during three months of imprisonment, he actually teamed up with his fellow inmates to successfully break through the cell's magic restrictions and space locks, and successfully escaped from prison for the second time through teleportation spells.
After he was released from prison, he devoted himself to training for a year, and his hard work paid off. Finally, he used his knowledge of restraint and protective spells to successfully steal an airship in a small town.
Who would have thought that the owner of this airship belonged to the Halua Law Enforcement Team, the ruler of the town, and immediately contacted his relatives far away in the capital, a legendary strongman, and used prophecy to kill him Successfully arrested and brought to justice.
With previous experience and Arad’s many criminal experiences, the town’s law enforcement team sentenced him to death without any surprise.
After learning the result, in order to save himself, he began to study magic. Finally, on the day of his execution, he successfully developed a three-ring spell called 'Arad Breaking the Forbidden Technique', and also obtained Talas. Silver Star Badge personally awarded by the Magic Temple of Mt.
Because of his major meritorious service, the entire town of Dongbishan became famous, so the town’s council of elders decided to exempt him from the death penalty and change it to a suspended sentence. He was imprisoned and continued to support him. He studies magic.
Twenty years passed by. When Arad developed the fifth spell and once again attracted the attention of the Magic Temple, he was finally released from prison.
It is said that in order to thank the Council of Elders of Dongbishan Town for supporting his magic research, he also personally helped the town's magic prison to upgrade the protection system.
From now on, in the magic prison of Dongbishan Town.
Whether it is the pirates from Dambreth, the rune dwarves of the Great Rift, the ghostly halflings of Lulon, or the centaurs, mantises and lions of Char, no one can Jailbreak successful.
"Please take a seat, Your Excellency Arad." Seeing that the guest had entered the room, Brian, who was sitting behind the table, came back to his senses and extended his hand in greeting, "You can speak freely here."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Elder Halua sat on the chair and said softly and politely. "Thank you very much for bringing me the news about my mentor. So, Sir Brian, the young mage of the Kingdom of Cormyr Lord and Lord Protector, your openness and honesty have earned my approval and the opportunity for us to continue talking."
Brian nodded slightly and did not speak, but waited for him to continue.
In the ‘Arcane Catastrophe’ of the last century, the prophets of Halua predicted this disaster in advance and made adequate preparations.
When the goddess of magic fell and the magic network collapsed, they used the power of the mysterious blue flame that was raging due to the collapse of the magic network to teleport all the people of the kingdom into Toril through airships and wizard towers. other worlds.
The small world where Brian was reborn is one of them.
If we investigate carefully, he is indeed a Halua.
The main reason why he found Arad was because Elder Halrua, who was responsible for leading the people to teleport into the small world, was not only a witch who was lucky enough to survive during the Netheril Empire, The demon is also Arad's mentor.
It was this lich mentor who noticed his extraordinary talent and not only secretly sent someone to imprison him in a magic prison, but also fully supported his magic research.
Brian also learned from the game world that Arad has never given up the idea of finding his mentor and a branch of the Wizard Tower.
Unfortunately, it was a closed world located on the edge of the crystal wall system. After the 'arcana catastrophe' was quelled, under the influence of ancient evil things, even the magic network could not cover it.
The most important thing is that the flow rate of time is also different from that of the main material world. Ten years in the small world is equal to one year in the material plane.
In other words, thousands of years have passed since the 'Arcane Catastrophe' a hundred years ago in the small world, and almost all of this line of wizards who have lost the magic network have disappeared into the dust of history.
The unequal flow of time in the small world. After Brian temporarily deflected the ancient evil objects and allowed the magic network to sense the world, he learned from Helister that the world was gradually stabilizing and that the flow of time Already close to the material world.
“Now, I have a comprehensive understanding of the story of Mokou Town and the Lord, and even anything that has happened recently in the Kingdom of Cormyr. Out of caution, this is what I must do, Please don't mind." Arad continued:
"I can agree to your request and lead all members of the Silent Wizarding Society to join you, but under the same premise, you also need to Agree to a few conditions of mine.”
"I like your frankness, Lord Arad."
Brian had obviously expected it. He said nonchalantly, "You have saved us a lot of time in making insinuations. Now, you can say that you "
Arad looked straight, and without thinking, he said seriously and solemnly: "With all due respect, since you can find me directly, you must be aware of the situation in Halua. "Of course I do," Brian said, "otherwise, I wouldn't have extended the invitation to you."
Although the Kingdom of Halua is dominated by an oligarchy. The Council of Elders rules, but within the Council of Elders, it is also divided into three major factions.
The most powerful ones are the faith factions dominated by the goddess of magic Mystra and the god of wizards Azuth. They occupy 6 seats on the Supreme Council of Elders.
This faction was gradually established since the remnants of Netheril settled in the southern territory of Halrua.
This is a conservative group. They advocate loving magic and not using it as a weapon to forcefully change the country by one's own will. As the power continues to grow, one must learn to use magic as little as possible. Only when you learn to restrain your urge to use magic can you learn true wisdom.
The next step is a new faction that was born after the ‘Arcane Catastrophe’ ended and all Halua mages and people returned to their territories.
Due to the disaster of the 'Arcane Catastrophe', most of the spellcasters in the magic-dominated kingdom were infected with the magic plague, and a few people even died as a result.
Therefore, the elders of this faction believe that we cannot rely too much on the magic network. We must develop the skills to cast spells out of the magic network and benefit from all low, middle, high-level, and even legendary spellcasters.
This group of spellcasters have begun to focus on studying the nature of magic, rather than detecting the deeper mysteries of the magic network, and binding themselves to the magic network to prevent the goddess of magic from falling again and causing their own inexplicable death. die.
This faction occupies 4 seats on the Supreme Council of Elders. Their main research topic is the spell-casting skills of 'escaping from the magic network'.
As a time traveler who has experienced nearly ten years of adventure in the game world, Brian is naturally the most qualified to speak out about the future of these two factions.
Because this faction has indeed succeeded in re-emerging the bud of the Arcane Empire.
Whether it is the magic power construct they studied, or the elemental fission and elemental reactor, they all played a role in the re-emergence of the Arcane Empire, which was no less than the changes brought about by the invention of the steam engine in the real world.
Brian's method of making arcane fire also drew on the off-grid skills of the Halua mages.
In a sense, Brian is indeed the wizard of this faction.
The third faction is the shadow faction. Some arrogant Halrua elders were silently corrupted by the whispers of the messengers of the lost lady Shar and were transformed into shadow mages.
This faction has two seats in the Supreme Council of Elders, and they are also two powerful and ambitious shadow mages.
They believe that the magic network of Mystra is the key to hindering the growth of their own power, and because the shadow mages are very united by Shar's belief, they intend to promote the magic of the shadow network and the lost lady in this place where magic is prevalent. Belief.
It was precisely because Brian knew that Arad was an independent faction that he dared to invite him, because his goals were indeed similar to those of the conservatives.
“Since we have the same goals and vision, we naturally have a common language.” Arad said slowly, “Then I will speak out about my conditions.”
"First of all, when the time is right, I need you to go to the Kingdom of Halua in person, fully support our faction, and have absolute say in the Council of Elders."
"I agree to this condition." Bu Ryan said without thinking.
To him, the views of conservatives in the Council of Elders cannot be recognized by him. They are like a group of salted fishes, without even the dream of turning over.
And he not only wants to support the independent faction and occupy the absolute right to speak in the Council of Elders, but also wants to become the true ruler of this group of people.
After all, in the future, the world of Abel, where wild gods are everywhere, will definitely merge with the world of Toril, and the Kingdom of Halrua will be the first to bear the brunt.
Their homeland will be completely destroyed in the collision of the two worlds, and they will eventually have to return to the Enook Desert to fight for the right to live with the Phaerim.
“What a neat nod.” Seeing Brian’s agreement, Arad’s serious face showed a hint of shock, and he couldn’t help but wonder: “So, is this a kind of confidence or blindness?”
"Whatever you think is what it is." Brian replied, "It depends on how you think about it."
"This is really an ambiguous answer." Arad smiled without delving into it. , continued: "The second condition is due to my personal request."
"If what I expected is correct, it should be about the Chult Jungle." Brian greeted Ala With his gray eyes, De said firmly, "Am I right, Lord Arad?"
Silence fell quietly in the study room.
The elder of Halua avoided Brian's deep and bright gaze, moved his body slightly uncomfortably, and then broke the silence and said slowly, "What do you know about this matter?" How much? ”
"The Ring of Winter and the Scepter of the Forgotten." Brian said the names of these two magical equipment clearly and clearly, and smiled: "Is this enough understanding?"
What he said The two pieces of magic equipment are actually two artifacts.
In the big expansion pack of Chult Jungle, a mad lich tried to bring the Abomination under his control, but his plan failed. The fragments of the Abomination disintegrated and scattered. Returned to Chult and used in another evil plot.
And deep in the bottomless crack north of Chult, an evil fragment was sent back to Toril under the auspices of an alien creature.
These creatures are called obiris, and they are older than even time itself.
One of them is Dagon, Lord of the Deep.
From his slimy throne in the Shadow Sea, a layer of the Abyss, the Collector of Secrets directs his minions to bring true chaos to the world of Toril.
In order to thwart the gods and other demon lords, Dagon attempted to bring about the end of the world by summoning the Great Old One, the Night Serpent Dandar.
In addition, there are some things that even Dagon doesn't know about, which are also quietly brewing.
For example, some of the secrets of creation used by Ubtao, the father of the dinosaurs, are also hidden deep in the bottomless cracks of the Chult jungle.
This is another large-scale expansion pack after the rise of the five-color dragon queen Tiamat. The BOSS that appears include: the evil god, the Obiris demon that is older than the Tanar'ri demon, the father of the dinosaurs, and the old domination. There are many evil forces that are ancient enough to be completely forgotten by time.
The most important thing is that in this large-scale expansion pack, three artifacts that can be obtained directly appear, namely the Ring of Winter, the Scepter of the Forsaken and the Sapphire Furnace.
"It seems that we have more common languages than we thought." The elder from Halua sat up straight, put away the subtle contempt in his eyes, and said solemnly, " Maybe we can really discuss cooperation."
"No." Brian shook his head slightly, "I think you must have misunderstood me. What I need is not to cooperate with you. Get your allegiance"
"Allegiance?"
A smile appeared on Elder Adela's lips, "I don't think I heard it wrong, so is this a kind of confidence, or is it blindness? Or is it an ambiguous answer?"
"You can think that it comes from a kind of self-confidence." Brian said slowly, "Because between the two of us, I have the absolute right to speak."
"Really?" Ha Elder Rua looked at him suspiciously and said, "I don't think so."
"That's because you haven't realized your situation and the coming crisis." Brian said calmly , "I am guiding you correctly on how to save yourself. Do you need me to elaborate?"
Elder Halua paused and said slowly, "I... am all ears."
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(End of this chapter)