"There are probably not many stories about the wandering dwarf kings of Tes'yama in Faerûn that have not been heard of. Counting on one's fingers, it has been more than three and a half centuries since they were driven out of their homeland of the mines of Te's'yama. Their The dream of national restoration is becoming more and more distant." Ms. Gauser knew Jihalin's situation very well.
Because the Teseyama Mine is so famous.
The Kingdom of Teseyama was once known as the Northern Light of the Dwarves, and was located in Faerûn alongside the Great Rift Valley of the Golden Dwarf Kingdom in the Char Plain in the south.
The reason why this place is famous is not because there are as many dwarves living here as in the Great Rift Valley, but because it has the largest fine gold mine and the highest quality iron ore in Faerûn. At its peak, it was the same as the mithril in the Northland. The Hall controls more than half of Faerun's adamantine and mithril output, and the iron ore they produce accounts for half of the total used by the Zhentarim, the Kingdom of Cormyr, the Valley, and the Kingdom of Sembia.
The fall of the Kingdom of Teseyama was not only a loss for the dwarves, but also a loss for the surrounding intelligent races.
Gavin, who had been with the Zhentarim for ten years in his previous life, had been exposed to some secrets that were unknown to outsiders. The fall of the Kingdom of Tethyama was not as simple as being captured by monster forces.
At that time, the kingdom of Tethyama was very powerful, which was very unfavorable to the rise of the Zhentarim, because the mine was located at the northern end of the Mokou Mountains, and its influence included Dagger Valley, Shadow Valley, Mist Valley and parts of the Moon Sea. Importantly, they blocked the Zhentarim's path into the Great Desert of Haenorok and refused to cooperate with the Dark Intelligence Network.
After the demise of the Kingdom of Tethyama, the Zhentarim immediately entered a period of rapid development. Not only did they possess sufficient wealth, they also expanded a black road in the Ainook Desert, crossing the entire Great Sand Sea and connecting the east and west ends of the desert. After being connected, relying on this unique business road, the Zhentarim Association completed its mid-term rise, allowing more merchants to join this dark intelligence network, and in just a few decades, it grew to dominate the entire Moon Sea region. The tyrant organization.
In many things, we should not look at the appearance, but at the final beneficiary. Even if they are not the masterminds behind the scenes, they are still involved.
The Zhentarim were the biggest beneficiary after the demise of the Kingdom of Tethyama. Instead, they were the army of monsters that destroyed the country. Since then, they have become unknown and are only firmly entrenched in that huge underground kingdom. Letting their original owners retake it sounds like they are being controlled as tools.
"Everything is possible." The smile on Gavin's face was so meaningful under the night.
Ms. Gowther felt like she was struck by lightning. A crazy idea spread crazily in his mind. He couldn't help but lowered his voice and said: "You are here this time to sell the dream of national restoration to these dwarves, are you?" ?”
The more I think about it, the more possible it becomes. This fits the other party's behavior very well, and also fits the god behind him.
"They already have the dream of restoring the country, why do they need me to sell it? I just have some business to start with these dwarves." Gavin did not admit it directly this time, because there were many things involved, especially with Zhentarim related, the fewer people know about many things the better, guessing is one thing, admitting it personally is another.
"That's it." Gao Se's mother is also a good person. She understands and doesn't continue to ask questions. There are many things that don't need to be explained clearly.
There are so many dwarves in the world. Isn't it the biggest problem that Gavin travels thousands of miles to look for the exiled dwarf king of Tesyama instead of looking for anyone else?
Boom!
Not far away, the gate of the manor fortress opened, and a group of short and stocky figures walked out of it holding high the eternal fire torches. Their steps were slow and heavy, because they were all wearing heavy armor. Looking from a distance, they looked like Like round iron buckets.
Dwarves are also one of the major intelligent races in Faerûn. Like elves and dwarves, they are also long-lived species, with lifespans of up to four or five centuries.
The elves are known as the sons of the forest, and the dwarves are known as the sons of the earth. Legends about the dwarves can be said to be everywhere, not only because their footsteps are all over Faerun, but also because they possess the top forging technology in Faerûn. Dwarf forging has become a proper noun, referring to the best, even the best among the best.
Their character is also like a stone, smelly and hard. Their philosophy of life lacks flexibility. Even nine oxen cannot pull back the things they believe in. This is the lingering racial label of the dwarves.
Their castles and fortresses are either in the mountains or underground, and are usually connected to various mines and mineral veins. Because they advocate collective life, few dwarves go out to travel and adventure. Such existence is either a secret of the clan. Destroyers, or those with unique missions for the clan.
Therefore, in human cities, there are not many opportunities to encounter dwarves. Once they appear, they are usually the best forgers in the local area and have their own blacksmith shop.
The shape of the dwarf is just like their name. It is a shorter-looking human, usually between 1.2 and 1.4 meters, but no one will confuse him with a human or a dwarf.
Because dwarves are born with well-developed muscles. Regardless of whether they are men or women, their arms are as thick as thighs and as thick from top to bottom. Their vertical development is lacking, but they have an absolute advantage horizontally. Each one is 1.3 meters tall. The weight of an adult dwarf is usually the same as that of a 1.8 meter human adult - this refers to normal body size, not obese or thin.
All dwarves cherish their beards, even on the axes in their hands, and it is integrated into their aesthetics. It is said that the first thing dwarves look at when choosing a mate is their beards.
A dwarf without a beard is a very strange thing. Forcibly shaving a dwarf's beard is the greatest humiliation to him. This humiliation can only be washed away by blood.
Walking at the front was a very standard dwarf, thick and strong, with no hair on his head. It was shining under the light of the eternal fire torch, but he had a thick beard that stretched down to his belly. , these beards were carefully taken care of, divided into five bunches, and tied with a large number of beard rings, but there was no way to hide the traces of time. His beard was completely white, and his forehead was full of wrinkles, as if carved with a carving knife. Same, deep enough to trap flies.
Just like most long-lived species, they stay in the youth and middle-aged stages for a long time. The young stage is only slightly longer than that of humans, but the aging period is as short as humans. When the aging characteristics show up, When it's on them, it means they are very, very old.
This is the case for the old dwarf in front of him. He is now as good as a ninety-year-old human. If Gavin remembers correctly, he only has ten years left to live before he dies. For this kind of death, let alone the priests There is no way to resurrect with the resurrection spell, even if the gods come in person, because this means that he has completed the reincarnation of this life. No matter how much entanglements, resentments, and regrets he had during his lifetime, he no longer has anything to do with him. Relationships must enter the kingdom of God or enter the cycle of life.
This person is none other than Jihalin, the last dwarf king of the Kingdom of Tethyama, the son of Glareen, the wandering dwarf king, and the leader of the Iron Clan. He is also one of the top blacksmiths in Faerûn.
"General Gavin, the stars and moon I have been waiting for you to come to are almost gone. Okay, okay, okay, the general is more extraordinary than I imagined. Come on, come on, come on, please come in quickly." Jiharin said. Holding Gavin's hand, enthusiasm almost flowed down his face. People who didn't know it would have thought that the two of them were old friends who hadn't seen each other for many years. From him, you couldn't feel the coldness and stubbornness of the dwarf at all. .
It was indeed the first time Gavin and Jihalin met, but the correspondence had already begun a few months ago, after Gavin acquired a batch of fine gold.
It's just that the letters at that time were just like disappearing into the sea. There was no reply. I don't know if the other party didn't receive them? Still didn't take Gavin, a young boy, seriously at all.
I believe that the latter is most likely. After all, at that time, Gavin was only slightly famous in the rocky areas and valleys, and he was really not qualified to talk to Jihalin.
Although he was an exiled king who lost his country's territory, his skinny camels were bigger than horses, and there were still thousands of dwarves loyal to him. He would form an army at any time if he wanted, and in 1364 At that time, that is, five years later, the Iron Clan launched a counterattack against the Teseyama Mine and formed a dwarf army called the Mithril Legion to try to regain their homeland, but unfortunately it ended in failure.
After that, the Iron Clan never launched any effective conquest against the Tethyama Mine. Until the Arcane Catastrophe came, there was no chance again, because the Tethyama Mine and most of the Mokou Mountains were destroyed. Directly erased from the continent of Faerûn.
Even without this identity, he is still a legendary blacksmith. The dignitaries and adventurers who want to visit him every day and entrust him to help him build equipment can break the threshold of his family. It is impossible for him to meet them one by one, let alone This kind of letter is the reason why Gavin already knew his whereabouts but did not visit him rashly. People like him will not give in for money unless you are strong enough or powerful enough for him to see it. to another possibility - assisting him in his restoration.
Obviously, Gavin, who was sitting on the conqueror's army, had such qualifications. When he received Jihalin's reply, Gavin had already led the conqueror's army to the Dragon Coast.
This time, it was Gavin's turn not to be in a hurry. He just kept exchanging letters, but did not come to visit him for a long time.
Since the other party takes a fancy to his own power, he should use the power in his hands to push it to the extreme before it is too late. This delay will last a month.
This month has not been in vain. If he had come a month ago, he would not have been able to enjoy the courtesy now.
"It's really presumptuous to come here late at night. I just need to discuss the recovery of the rocky land in the imperial city during the day, and I really can't do it." Gavin randomly found a reason, but everyone knew it well, and they just didn't want to put the cooperation between the two sides aside for the time being. Relationships are exposed to the public.
Jiharin looked unconcerned, "The door of our True Shield Trading Company will always be open for the general. Let's go, let's go, let's go. I have sent people to prepare a banquet. We will not return until we are drunk today."
"The banquet is skipped. Let's talk about business first. The time I can stay is very limited. We have to leave at dawn." Gavin didn't come here to eat or drink.
"I didn't expect that your master would be more impatient than us dwarves." Jiharin couldn't help but glance at Ms. Gowther. The implication was obvious. What they were going to talk about involved many secrets. Is she suitable to participate?
"We need a liaison between us, and Ms. Gowther will launch a series of business activities in the Kingdom of Cormyr. Some business operations that are not suitable for us to come forward are best left to her." Gavin told Gowther. Women bring nature for a reason.
"The General is indeed as prophetic as the legend says, and he is worthy of being chosen by Ms. Strategy." Jiharin said no more, because after so many years of wandering around, he was very aware of the inconveniences caused by his sensitive identity. .
Although the Kingdom of Cormyr allowed them to settle in the kingdom, it also took great precautions against them. At least it did not allow them to place their family estate in the city of Arabe, nor did it allow them to retain too much armed force. There were even countless war mages secretly. Watch them.
I believe that Gavin's visit has now been sent to King Asan's desk as urgent information.
After all, they were once a kingdom, not an ordinary power organization, so they would naturally be treated completely differently.
If anything, he represents the forces of an old kingdom that is about to pass away.
So, the young man in front of me represents an emerging new force full of vigor and vitality.
When the old and new came into contact and met, it was not only Jihalin who was trembling in his heart, but also the competitors of the conqueror in the rocky land.
In addition to being stubborn, dwarves are also famous for their straightforwardness. They don't care whether you are humble or not. Since you say you don't need it, then they will treat you as if you don't need it and will not show courtesy a second time.
Jiharin did the same. He took Gavin and Ms. Gowther directly into the depths of the manor's fortress and into the main underground hall. After sitting down, the wandering dwarf king pinched his gray beard and said: "At the official start Before that, I want to see the general’s adamantine technique.”
"Okay!" Gavin responded readily.
Jihalin clapped his hands and said, "Come in!"
After hearing the news, the three dwarves walked in. Each of them held a piece of shining golden armor in their hands, which was printed from the same mold and looked exactly like the battle armor Gavin had just obtained at that time.
Pointing to the three pieces of armor, the Wandering Dwarf King explained: "This is the adamantine alloy armor that I imitated based on the characteristics of the battle armor described by the general after receiving a letter from the general. Unfortunately, there is no way to reproduce it 100%. I suspect that some of the characteristics mentioned by the general are caused by faith. Therefore, I abandoned some of the characteristics mentioned by the general and focused on exploring the ability of the material itself to make it more convenient to cooperate with the fine gold technique mentioned by the general. Therefore, , they are only semi-finished products now, and if you want to fully tap into their capabilities, you still need the cooperation of the general's fine metal technique."
"The patriarch is interested." A hint of joy appeared on Gavin's face. This was one of the purposes of his trip, to turn the precious metals accumulated in his hands into useful armor. However, he did not expect that this legendary blacksmith would be more powerful than he expected. To be honest, I haven't seen the true appearance of the battle armor, so I can imitate it with just a few words in my letter, and I still produce my own materials for testing.
Gavin also knew that this was also a process of self-identification. He had to prove that he was the conqueror, the supreme commander of the army of conquerors, and he also had to prove that he was the person who corresponded with Jihalin. There was no way to just introduce yourself. Win the other party's trust.
"I have said before that Adamantine is not my personal ability, but the ability that comes with a weapon of mine. I need to take out this weapon." Gavin was worried that if he took out the War Reaver rashly, what would happen to him? To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, get vaccinated in advance.
"General, please excuse me." The Wandering Dwarf King showed sufficient confidence. With just two people, they couldn't make a splash in their manor and fortress, even if they were covered in top-notch equipment.
Gavin untied the War Reaver hanging from his waist like an ornament, and controlled it to transform into a more convenient medium-sized war hammer.
"Moradin's beard! Artifact! High-level artifact!"
Jiharin jumped up and screamed with an incredulous look on his face.
High-level artifact? !
Everyone's eyes fell on the adamantine warhammer in Gavin's hand. The shock and greed in their eyes could not be concealed. Every high-level artifact was terrifying and could influence the situation of a war. Existence, many adventure legends in Faerûn revolve around a high-level artifact, or preventing them from being reorganized and allowing their powerful power to be used by evil forces, such as Clinshinibon, the Shattered Demon Crystal, another example is the Cyril Sutra being created by Cyric, the God of Conspiracy, and so on.
It's just that every high-level artifact has a name and surname. Why have I never heard of a high-level artifact with a similar shape?
But Jihalin is a legendary blacksmith. In terms of weapons and equipment, he can be said to be at the pinnacle of the mortal world. Even if the gods want to forge some powerful and unique magic tools, they may seek advice and help from him. , it is absolutely impossible for him to admit his mistake.
The wandering dwarf king couldn't help rubbing his generous hands, and asked a little embarrassedly: "Can you lend me this weapon of yours?"
The moment he saw this weapon, Gavin's identity was basically confirmed. How could a person holding a high-level artifact pretend to be someone else? This can also explain why Gavin the Conqueror was able to rise to the top and grow to his current level in less than a year.
"Please." Gavin handed over the War Reaver readily, because this was exactly what he wanted to do. If he wanted the adamantine technique, there was no need to hold the War Reaver in his hands. He just hung it on his body. can be effective.
Naturally, this has a profound purpose, not only to further prove one's identity, but also to prove one's own strength. The more powerful one is, the easier and smoother it will be to negotiate a deal with this group of dwarves.
Dwarves’ love for weapons and equipment is the best place to start.
"Please wait a moment and bring water and holy oil." Jihalin ordered loudly again.
(End of chapter)
