Climbing a mountain, especially a steep cliff that is inaccessible and has a river running through it, is definitely a nightmare for all climbers.
Although it is the largest river north of Baldur's Gate and runs from northeast to southwest, the Winding River is actually divided into two parts, the upper and lower parts.
The source of the upper reaches is called the Snake Tail River. Its fresh water resources come from the Supreme Forest, the Viper Mountains adjacent to the Supreme Forest, and the Cherimba Swamp further west, and finally meet at the three forks north of the Baliskel Bridge.
, flows into Sword Bay along the downstream several-shaped river.
The Troll's Claw is such a group of mountains that stand on both sides of the upper reaches of a zigzag river with an altitude that is not too high.
Although it does not occupy a large area, its geographical location is very important to both warring parties.
Standing on the top of the mountain, you can almost overlook the entire battlefield situation below, as well as the enemy's troop movements.
If it weren't for the fact that there is no existing road to the top of the mountain, and one can only climb hard on rugged and steep rock walls and hillsides, if one is not careful, he will fall down and turn into a corpse and be eaten by the local trolls, they would have probably been there long ago.
There was a big fight around occupying high and favorable terrain.
You must know that because the Troll's Claw completely surrounds both sides of the entire river, both Baldur's Gate and Zhentil Keep are actually facing a two-front battle.
One of the battlefields is located on the north bank of Wan Ting River, and the other battlefield is located on the south bank of Wan Ting River at the Place of Death.
If you only concentrate your forces and want to bet everything on one battlefield, you will most likely be attacked by the enemy by sneaking across the river and then being attacked from both sides.
The most important thing is that the mountains cut off normal vision, making it impossible for anyone on the two battlefields to see the situation on the other side.
Zhentil Castle is a little better. There are relatively many spellcasters such as mages, warlocks and priests. They can use flying magic or magic eyes to observe at all times, and then notify the other side through magic such as communication.<
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But for Baldur's Gate, which is relatively lacking in spell power, things have become quite troublesome.
Although Sarevok also has a small number of mages and warlocks under his command, they cannot match the wealth that Zhentil Castle has accumulated through years of training.
What's more, the arcane magic resources in the Baldur's Gate area have long been monopolized by Habatha Delin, who was promoted to the legendary lich.
Without his approval, all the mages hanging around in this area would dare to take sides casually.
Once you accidentally offend this big boss and the sales and supply channels of the "Witch Grocery Store" are cut off, for most middle and low-level arcane spell casters, it will be no different than being sentenced to death.
Maybe even many important casting materials are difficult to obtain, and there is no way to quickly convert the equipment, props, and potions you make into money.
After all, not all mages will waste time and energy learning to master the ability of [casting without materials].
Fortunately, Sarevok won the support of a shadow druid sect in Cloak Forest through the efforts of his men.
The latter's ability to control and talk to animals has successfully made up for its lack of magical reconnaissance and communication capabilities.
But the price is that after winning this war and becoming the ruler of the West Hartland region, he must order a ban on people cutting down forests and trees, not allowing anyone to hunt in the forest, and at the same time closing all mines and metal smelting industries.
Ensure that the great forces of nature take control of the land.
There is no doubt that just listening to these requirements will tell you what kind of virtue the Shadow Druid sect is.
They are those extreme lunatics who like to massacre villages and towns. They attempt to eliminate all civilization, industry, agriculture and excessive population, and return the world to the most primitive and barbaric state of the jungle.
But what the Shadow Druid Order didn't know was that Sarevok had no intention of fulfilling his promise at all. His real purpose was to create a tragic massacre, and it would be best if all the soldiers on both sides died.
In this way, a large number of killings and deaths will stimulate the divinity and power of Baal in the body, until a spark is ignited to become a god in situ and inherit the blood throne of his father.
Therefore, whether it is the army urgently recruited by his subordinates, the Shadow Druid sect, or the bandits, adventurers and mercenaries who join for money, land, and noble titles, they are all resources and consumables on the road to becoming a god.<
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Their only value is to die on the battlefield and bring more killings to the enemy before dying.
As for winning or losing, become the king of the mortal world and gain more wealth, fame, land, beauty and power...
Sorry.
Sarevok, who is out of vulgar taste, is not interested at all in these things that are extremely precious in the eyes of mortals.
Right now, he was sitting in the largest tent in the camp, feeling that the power belonging to Baal, the God of Murder, was becoming restless as the small groups of cavalry outside continued to kill each other. His eyes were flashing with a terrifying red light, and his head was shaking.
He asked without looking up: "How long will it take for our troops to be fully assembled and reorganized?"
"At least five hours, Your Excellency."
A male officer who replaced the former Duke Iltan's crony in charge of the Flame Fist mercenaries quickly stood up and answered.
In any case, Sarevok became the Duke of Baldur's Gate and took power through the normal process.
Therefore, no matter how many people within the Flame Fist mercenaries miss Iltan, they must now obey the orders issued by the new commander.
Otherwise, they will not be able to receive generous military pay, and may even be at risk of being disbanded.
"It's too slow! Send someone to urge them to speed up those who are still marching."
There was obvious dissatisfaction and impatience in Sarevok's tone.
He knew very well that his identity as the son of Baal could not be kept secret for long, and it would soon become known to everyone.
Therefore, the earlier the decisive battle is launched, the better.
Otherwise, if the delay continues, things may change.
Especially if his true intentions are known to his subordinates, an army of tens of thousands may fall apart in minutes.
"Your Excellency, our soldiers march for fifteen hours every day, almost from dawn to dusk.
This is almost the limit.
If we speed up any more, I'm afraid many people who can't stand it will choose to run away.
What's more, even if they drag their exhausted bodies to the battlefield, they may not be able to join the battle immediately.
After all, the enemy arrived on the battlefield several days before us.
Moreover, there are a large number of trolls, ogres, orcs, gnolls, goblins and other monsters among their soldiers.
They are far more advantageous than us in terms of endurance and ability to withstand casualties.
In addition, Zhentil Castle has rich war experience due to its years of fighting in various places.
The organizational power and obedience of the Church of Bane, the God of Tyranny, are the strongest in Faerûn.
I think you must not be in a hurry when fighting against them. You should first ensure that you do not make any mistakes."
Another officer suggested cautiously.
It has to be said that there are still people in Baldur's Gate who understand that the odds of winning this war are actually very low for our side.
Rather than taking the initiative to attack and launch a decisive battle, it is better to build a camp and defend it on the spot, and then ask for help from Waterdeep in the north or Amn in the south.
In fact, if you look at the history of the rise and expansion of Zhentil Castle, you will know that no city-state can rely on its own strength to fight against this evil army united around the Benn Church.
Except for the interference of those top powerhouses, from the Sea of ​​Moon to the Sea of ​​Fallen Stars, there are only a handful of countries capable of defeating them in a frontal war.
Among them, Cormyr, the earliest feudal kingdom in mankind, is one of them, Sere ruled by red-robed wizards is also one of them, and the Mulhorand Empire can barely be counted as one.
As for the rest, in the face of the strong military power of Zhentil Keep and the infiltration, assassination and control of the Zhentarim, it is basically difficult to cause any trouble.
A large number of towns occupied by the Bann Church are living examples.
If it weren't for the Harper Alliance led by Elminster to cause trouble, it is estimated that the west of the Sea of ​​​​Moon and the Sea of ​​Fallen Stars would have been the sphere of influence of the Bane Church.
"Hmph! Are you afraid of our enemies?"
Sarevok suddenly raised his head and stared at the other party with a slightly contemptuous and sarcastic look.
The officer quickly shook his head and explained: "No, Your Majesty the Grand Duke, you misunderstood. I just want to win at the minimum cost."
But Sarevok immediately sneered and interrupted: "Misunderstanding? Hahahaha!
I don't think this is a misunderstanding.
Look at how fearful you are!
Listen again to what you just said!
You are just afraid!
Afraid!
If we, the soldiers of Baldur's Gate, think like you, how can we possibly defeat Fuzor Chambery and drive Zhentil Keep's army into the sea?
Remember!
From now on, I don’t want to hear anything about making others’ ambitions destroy my own prestige!
All you have to do is obey my orders!
Do you understand?"
As the last word blurted out, both the servants loyal to Sarevok and the officers in the tent who had not been cleared out in order to maintain the combat effectiveness of the troops were immediately shocked by the momentum unintentionally released by the Son of Baal.
They did not dare to defy the will of the supreme commander of the army and could only respond loudly and affirmatively.
To be continued...