After leaving the tavern, Elminster strolled along the city streets at the easternmost end of the military steppe, guarding the only link between the Galena Mountains and Vasa, feeling the atmosphere and environment of ice and fire.
The reason why it is said to be a world of ice and fire is, on the one hand, because the day and night repairs on the city walls and the fighting are intertwined with the prosperous commerce and all kinds of entertainment in the central area.
Although they are only separated by a distance of more than a hundred meters, they are like two completely different worlds.
On the other hand, the mental state of the orcs here is also incredible. There is no tension or panic at all about being surrounded. Instead, they just do whatever they need to do.
Many guys who had just come off the front line and were covered in blood could even sit in pubs and restaurants directly after taking a shower, eating and drinking, and at the same time bragging to others around them how many followers of Gruumsh they had killed today.
, there is no trace of a fierce battle.
There are also orc shamans organizing propaganda activities in the city, causing more and more orcs to begin to worship Warchief Thrall as a god.
A kind of fanaticism that cannot be described in words is spreading at an extremely fast speed and quickly transforms into the power of faith.
Through the silver fire given by the goddess of magic, Elminster was even able to observe the divine light that was constantly flashing over the mansion where Thrall lived.
There is no doubt that this great chief is constantly losing his ordinary nature and moving steadily towards the direction of god.
And not only in Illingur City, a similar situation also occurred in the sky above Vasa, which was blocked by mountains.
You don't need to ask to know that the old, weak, women, children and troops of the orcs who were evacuated from the Rongma Grassland have been secretly sent to the land that is probably the most completely isolated land from the outside world in Faerûn.
As long as they win this battle for survival, they can build a country and civilization of their own, completely break away from the chaotic and evil influence of the orc gods and embark on a completely different path.
Elminster didn't know whether such an outcome would be a good thing or a bad thing for humans and other intelligent races.
After all, when the orcs break away from barbarism and ignorance and begin to embrace order and civilization, they will inevitably burst out with unprecedented enthusiasm and vitality, and continue to become stronger through settlement, trade, and construction.
When an orc kingdom or empire that has developed in all aspects and has no shortcomings stands at the northernmost tip of the central continent, who can guarantee that it will not launch aggressive wars against other surrounding countries and regions to obtain more land, wealth and human resources?
?
Especially the neighboring country Damara, which had been severely beaten before, now has no power to resist at all.
These powerful orc armies who have experienced hundreds of battles do not need to cross mountains and ridges. They can easily attack cities and seize territory by directly following the Palauville River that runs through the two countries to the east and using the water network extending in all directions, and even open a route southward to the Sea of ​​Fallen Stars.
If it gets mixed up with the Zhentarim and Zhentil Keep, a terrifying evil alliance will be formed.
It may not be able to pose any threat to a behemoth like the West Coast Empire for the time being, but there is definitely no problem in beating and annexing other small countries and city-states around it.
The most important thing is that they will have a patron saint of their own right away.
And the person standing behind this patron saint is Zuo Si, who has been making troubles, launching wars, and planning all kinds of conspiracies since he came to Faerûn.
At least from Elminster's perspective, Zuo Si is the biggest, most terrifying, and most troublesome source of trouble in the world.
But think on the bright side, when the orcs are no longer barbaric and become more and more civilized, it might not be a bad thing to join this competition between different races and cultures.
At least after establishing a country, they will no longer plunder and destroy unscrupulously. They will also trade and promote exchanges with other city-states and countries. Even if they start a war, they will not easily massacre civilians.
After all, even if you think about it from a utilitarian point of view, living people are also a kind of wealth. If you sell them as slaves to Zhentil Castle, the red-robed mage Seer will immediately get a large sum of money.
Therefore, Elminster's mood is quite complicated regarding the rise of this orc.
He was happy that finally an orc dared to stand up against Gruumsh's chaotic and evil rule, but he was also worried that the other party would become a new threat as it grew stronger.
With such contradictory and complicated feelings, the great sage of Shadow Valley finally arrived at the door of the mansion.
Before the orc warrior guarding the entrance could come forward to ask, the originally closed door slowly opened, and a rather old-looking male orc shaman walked out.
You must know that as a race with an average lifespan of less than thirty years, it is usually difficult for orcs to live beyond forty years.
Because under the brainwashing of Gruumsh's social Darwinism, young and strong orcs are always secretly spying on the location of older orcs.
Once the latter reveals flaws or shows signs of weakness, they will immediately kill and replace them, even clergy priests.
Yes, you are not mistaken.
In fact, Gruumsh, like the Spider Goddess Rose, constantly encourages his followers to fight among themselves and kill each other, believing that in this way the strongest can be selected to lead the tribe to remain strong forever.
As everyone knows, in a developed and mature society, the elderly often play the role of inheritors of knowledge and experience, teaching young people what they have accumulated throughout their lives.
Therefore, this directly leads to the fact that any technology and knowledge that requires a little experience and accumulation cannot be passed down well among the orcs.
Even if a few people learn it, they may die tragically during the next change of power, eventually leading to the loss of the technology.
"Welcome to you, the great sage of the Valley of Shadows, the first chosen one of the goddess of magic, Lord Elminster."
The old orc shaman took the lead and bowed with one hand on his chest, his attitude completely lacking the disdain and hostility of ordinary orcs towards other races.
"Who are you……"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Elminster was obviously aware of the strong elemental power emanating from the other party, and was somewhat unsure of the other party's identity.
The old orc replied with a smile: "My name is Monaro. I used to be a priest, but now I have become a shaman who has embarked on the path of elements and souls. I currently serve as an advisor to Warchief Thrall. Please follow
Let me come, the chief has been waiting for you for a long time."
"He knew I was coming?"
Elminster was obviously stunned for a moment.
"Yes. He has already sensed your existence from the moment you entered the Rongma Grassland. You will understand this after you see him with your own eyes."
After saying this, Monaro smiled slightly and turned around to lead the way.
Upon seeing this, the orc warriors standing around lowered their heads and bowed to the old orc.
From this point alone, it is not difficult to see the prestige and lofty status he holds within this new regime.
Elminster obviously noticed this, but did not continue to ask, but followed closely and entered this huge mansion transformed from the city hall.
Along the way, he saw many boys and girls around ten years old sitting in the open space and listening to a shaman imparting knowledge. He also noticed that human bureaucrats and scholars from the West Coast Empire were talking about how to build an administrative system from scratch and how to
How to collect taxes and help ignorant lower-class civilians master farming, herding, fishing and various simple handicrafts.
There is no doubt that this kind of emphasis on knowledge and inheritance is something that will never be seen in other orc tribes.
The most important thing is that Elminster felt Thrall's grand scheme and ambition.
The other party is not simply building a primitive country and a base of faith based on feudalism or slavery, but is building a national system with the ability to self-reform and evolve.
This is something that even most human countries cannot do.
You must know that the biggest difference between having a national system and not having one is sustainability and stability.
Why were all Carlin's shirts in such a mess, but when Shane VII returned, they instantly returned to their former glory?
Why did Halrua survive the devastating disaster at the end of Netheril and establish the most powerful mage nation in Faerûn?
Why was Ser able to remain relatively intact and never split apart despite such fierce internal fighting among the red wizards?
Why can Waterdeep still rise again to become the most powerful force in the North after experiencing so many turmoils?
The reason is that they have complete operating systems, mature talent selection mechanisms and bureaucratic systems.
A typical example that is diametrically opposed to this is that of other city-states and countries on the continent of Faerûn, which suddenly rise with the appearance of a strong man, and then suddenly decline with the death of the strong man.
Since the ruling structure is a huge grassroots team, and power is built around individuals or a very small number of families, once there is a problem at the core or the fragile balance of power is broken, there will immediately be an internal struggle for power and even a war.
Therefore, the establishment of a national operating system alone makes Elminster take a high look at Thrall.
With great anticipation, he walked through several complicated and winding paths, corridors and stairs, and finally arrived at a reception room on the third floor.
But the moment he crossed the threshold and entered, Elminster quickly locked onto an old acquaintance.
The other party obviously noticed him too.
"How will you be here?"
Elminster instantly showed strong vigilance.
Because the other party is none other than the current leader of the Zhentarim and Zhentil Keep—Fozor Chamberry.
"Haha, why can't I be here? Don't forget, the Rongma Grassland and the Moon Sea are bordering each other." The Tyrant of the Moon Sea asked with a sneer.
moment!
Elminster seemed to understand the intention of the other party's appearance here. His tense nerves quickly relaxed and he said sarcastically with disdain: "It's not easy. It turns out that you are also scared sometimes."
"Afraid? No, I am just expressing my respect to Mr. Sal and proposing some future cooperation intentions. After all, as neighbors, it is normal for us to communicate with each other and start trade, isn't it?"
Fu Zouer Chambery defended plausibly.
After all, with his character, he would never admit that he was really scared.
Especially the divine war that may break out at any time.
To be continued...