"Let's go! Let's go! The sound of footsteps echoed in the players' ears. It seems that because of the usual silence in the tunnels, any sound can be heard far away. Even an experienced Dark Regions scout could tell the subtle difference between natural creatures and potential threats based on the echo alone.

Golden flames tumbled among the covered lanterns and bull's-eye lanterns hanging from the caravan beasts. This is the 2-ring spell Unquenchable Flame at its own point. This spell creates torch-like flames on objects it touches, making it look like normal flames. And it doesn't heat up and it doesn't burn oxygen. So while it can be covered up or hidden, it cannot be suffocated or extinguished. This makes this type of light source particularly effective in the face of the unexpected.

What's more, this light spell can counter or disarm dark spells below the same level. Years of experience in underground exploration have taught the intelligent creatures on the surface that this special item can sometimes work wonders when it comes to attacks from the Dark Elves - so the 50 gold ruby that costs to cast a spell may seem expensive, but it is actually very cost-effective. After all, it can theoretically be used permanently without encountering abilities such as disarming magic. And 50 gold coins is a lot of fuel, but it will always run out one day.

Some people may think that blindly using torches in the Underworld is an unwise choice. This is because it tends to attract some underground creatures that live nearby. These creatures may not be powerful, but they can still cause unnecessary trouble.

But in fact, all creatures in the underground have the ability to have dim vision, dark vision, or simply blindness, blind vision, and so on. However, not everyone in the caravan has the ability to see in the dark. If it is not illuminated, it will form a state of near-transparency of the message. That would be a far greater threat to the caravan than attracting some protozoa.

And after such a long period of contact, players also learned from the dwarves that the yak-like pack beast in front of them is called Lothmon. Just their cloven hooves and their long, thick, fluffy hair. It seems to be telling the players. These big guys carrying goods in front of them belong to the cold zone.

In nature, in fact. Large groups of these creatures roam the mountains and glaciers of the Northlands, as well as the northern city-states. When the attacks of the gnolls and orc tribes are too ferocious, the Los herd will try to move into the hills a little to the south.

Of course, their underground cousins are the main source of food for many of the Dark Elves and Durga colonies, and the free-range animals in the dark areas are smaller, standing at about 4 feet tall at shoulder height when fully grown. It's not like the ones in front of me, which are 6 feet tall at the shoulders like a bison.

At the same time, players also learn from the dwarves that this boreal creature is not fully adapted to the climate of the Norhan Kingdom. That is, in the summer. They are often not able to be used as normal animals. It can be said that the reason why they are raised is purely for the preparation of underground trade.

The wonders of the dark region attract the attention of players at first, but over time, no matter how strange and magnificent the scenery is, it loses its original appeal. The unchanging environment and the dim lighting made Claudia . Auditore couldn't help but complain: "It's really boring to come all the way!" Couldn't something interesting happen? ”

"Take your time! Based on past experience, caravans have at least 1 month to travel before reaching the forward fortress. The dwarf on the back of the Lothmon said without looking back.

According to the plan, nearly a quarter of time will be wasted in these cold and dark cave tunnels. It can be said that this is far more depressing than the officers and men of the Navy in the submarines in the depths of the ocean. However, for the sake of the potential experience of the mission, and the face of the reward, Barrett felt that it was worth it - Mr. Barend gave it to all players except the anvil. All provided a passable offer. Of course, for players who are forced in, this price is just acceptable.

Often, the only thing that adds excitement to this simple and tedious journey is the only way to add excitement. It's the monsters that emerge in the dark region. In many cases, the Native caravans of the Shadows encountered an average of one battle every two to three hours along the way, sometimes more frequently. However, the route players are taking now is too close to the surface and has been combed too many times by the Norhan Kingdom. As a result, it became a rare safe place in the middle of the shadows.

And Barrett, who was on the dwarf's side, also turned around at this time and said, "Don't worry! According to the route, we will arrive at the first transit camp in a few days. You might even meet some interesting people there. ”

"Big man, I think your wish will be difficult to fulfill. I'm afraid there aren't a lot of interesting guys there. At this moment, an aboriginal dwarf not far from the players suddenly spoke.

"Barrett, lean back, it's a little cold if it's too far away." Claudia. Auditore suddenly complained. After hearing this, Barrett, who was about to lean forward, immediately shrank back. So that the spell attached to the cloak can envelop all companions.

It is important to know that the sun is the biggest source of heat, and the temperature is significantly lower than that of the surface in dark areas where there is no sunlight. Some areas with lava flows and sources of heat radiation are indeed incredibly hot, but for the entire dark region, the light and heat are too much of a drop in the bucket.

Barrett, who had adjusted the speed of his mount slightly, asked the dwarf, "Since you don't think others are very interesting, how about you tell a joke about this gentleman?" Isn't that what you're good at? ”

"We're good at telling jokes, but the jokes in our stomachs aren't limitless." The dwarf in front of him touched his mustache, "So they have to stay behind." After all, you're not bored to that extent right now. ”

At this moment, there was a sudden noise in front of me, and then I heard someone saying "Water!" ”

"What's going on? Could it be that something happened? "Claudia. Auditore immediately swept away his previous fatigue and showed a look of eagerness.

At this time, it was the dwarf who spoke again: "It's just that the water source was found earlier." This kind of thing is rare, but it is not unprecedented. ”

"Found a water source? Shouldn't you come every year on this route? How can you still use this kind of statement. "Claymatis. Bot immediately felt a little strange.

The dwarf straightened his hat: "What is this?" I've been going back and forth on this caravan for 10 years. It's an old man. In my memory, I can say every journey. There will be new situations that will arise. For example, the collapse of the cave, or the migration of some invincible magical beasts, and the emergence of new underground passages. Therefore, it is completely normal for the dark river to be diversioned. ”

As the team advanced, the sound of flowing water could be heard from the darkness in the distance. When they turned a corner, a lake that was not too small appeared in front of everyone's eyes. Although there is no sunlight or moonlight, the many fluorescent creatures still make the surface of the lake gleam. It looks like a mirror lake on a full moon night.

At the same time, the caravan immediately stopped. Several dwarves, heavily armed, then cautiously approached the source of the water that they didn't know if they could drink.

Immediately after that, the self-cooked gnome began to explain to the players: "There are usually other creatures coming to drink next to the water source, and there may be more powerful monsters. So be careful. ”

A group of people slowly approached the lake, but no creatures were found. After confirming that there was no danger in the lake either, the caravan began to move slowly. The skilled alchemists in the team also took samples from the lake, ready to confirm that the water was drinkable. to decide whether to replenish the fresh water you carry.

At this moment, there was a sudden sound of striking in the distance, and this movement immediately raised the vigilance of all members of the caravan. As a few bullseye-lit lanterns shone in the direction from which the sound came. Illuminated by the light, the venocious creature known for its darkness - a hard, sharp beak with a vulture-like head. The dreadclaw showed its hideous face at this moment, and even the few beards on the sides of its cheeks could hardly improve its fierce appearance.

Although the godless pupils in the red eyelids seem to inform people. This guy is a near-blind creature with amblyopia. But this beetle-like creature has a hard shell on its back. Its upper limbs resemble a pair of hooked claws, with thick and strong lower limbs with sharp claws. Give them an effective tool to catch their prey. At the same time, the sharp bony spikes that cover the surface of the body give them the upper hand when grappling.

Gray-black skin is easier to hide in the dark. So a simple search didn't find the creature in the distance. The discovered Dreadclaw Monster was not in a hurry to attack, but instead used its mouth and carapace to make a striking noise.

"That guy seems to be planning to summon his companions! Stay on your guard, this creature could pounce on the rock wall of this cavern. Soon the caravan was heard with the sound of Mr. Barend's warning.

However, as a mature and well-armed caravan, a few Dreadclaws were not enough to lead them to the enemy. Although this is a cunning and territorial monster, it will launch a merciless attack on all "intruders". But their shells as hard as rocks were not enough to withstand the enchanted tomahawks in the hands of the dwarves, let alone magic.

The two spells of "Silence Technique" and "Light Technique", which were not of high level, were immediately cast, and the sudden magic light made the dreadclaw monster in front of him couldn't help but cover his eyes with his forelimbs. The complete disappearance of the sound made its sensory organs nearly paralyzed.

Because the Dreadclaw has a sense of hearing that most creatures don't have, they can hear high-frequency sound waves. Whereas, when approaching a target, it emits specific sound waves like a bat. After receiving the sound waves reflected back from the objects that hit the surrounding area, the Dreadclaw was able to determine the distance, direction, and nature of the reflected sound waves within a radius of 60 feet.

With silence negating its most sensitive perception, the creature in front of him could only rely on its faint vision of only 10 feet. But the eyes that were afraid of strong light were almost abolished under the effect of the "light technique".

Taking advantage of the favorable conditions created by this spell, the dwarven warriors in the front row launched a charge. Sensing the danger, the dreadclaw monster bent its legs slightly, then kicked hard and leaped high. It seems that they want to escape the scope of the "silence technique" in this way.

"Whoosh! Sou! Sou! A series of breaking sounds came to mind, and black shadows shot towards the dreadclaw monster in mid-air like lightning. The Dreadclaw, which is out of range of the "Silence Technique", wants to resist with its hook claws in a panic. However, when it finally picked up some of the crossbow arrows into the air, it already had a few more arrows on its body that were still shaking.

However, this injury was not enough to inflict a heavy damage on the Dreadclaw. The ferocious creature swung its hook and attacked the nearest dwarven warrior. But then a large axe slashed into the dreadclaw's leg, breaking through the hard shell and spilling the dreadclaw's blood all over the ground.

More dwarven warriors then rushed to the dreadclaw, expertly dismembering the predator known for the shadows. Immediately after that, the compatriots who arrived in this group of creatures were also concocted by the dwarves in the same way. In just over ten minutes, they had dealt with five Dreadclaws.

"It looks like we're in luck. Because most of the time the number of Dreadclaw encounters is more than 10, each battle will delay a lot of time. But this time there should be no other compatriots in those corpses. The dwarf who said this tightened his grip on the sword at his waist even more.

In fact, there was no danger in such a skirmish. For the caravan, it is a good pastime to familiarize yourself with the environment, practice your skills, and even pass the time - the players don't even have time to make a move, and all the problems have been solved.

And the real trouble on this trade road is actually getting lost. As the dwarf had just said, the geological changes in the Dark Regions were striking. Roads that were navigable last year could be blocked today due to landslides. At the same time, migrating creatures can sometimes make some of the original paths more than worth the loss.

As for the forward fortress and the three underground staging stations, they were built on a rare geologically stable structure. How to find out this area is a secret that belongs to the dwarves. It's hard for outsiders to find out. It can be said that without the support of the dwarves, the underground strategy of the Norhan Kingdom would be a castle in the air. (To be continued......)

PS: The modification is complete.