Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 169 Troll Mountains
Unlike the mage's composure, or Rick and Morty's nonchalant attitude, Nancy and Kegan, seasoned veterans of the game, understood all too well what it meant to have a mid-level mage in their team, let alone this unpredictable individual.

The surprise came as suddenly as a storm. They thought that Zhang Yuan's transformation into a level six mage after not seeing him for half a year was already enough to challenge their preconceived notions, but they never expected that he could go even further on this journey.

Breakthroughs just like that? How can you face those struggling, even brilliant, mage apprentices who toil away in the sea of ​​learning?

But this is undoubtedly a good thing, a very good thing. Who knows what kind of dangers we will encounter on this journey? Take the vampire who launched the attack under the cover of night, for example. What use is your experience if you are a vampire?

All sorts of bizarre monsters and treacherous spells that were impossible to guard against. Even Lawrence, a wanderer of many years, fell victim to them. If it weren't for the mage captain's summoned creatures and his own intervention, who knows how many more people would have been lost.

The person they were talking about was sitting quietly in his tent, contemplating which spell to memorize and prepare, while flipping through his attribute table:

Owner: Zhang Yuan
Race: human

Identity: Auto Chess Messenger
Class: Blademaster (Level 5) / Mage (Level 7)
Age: 25
Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Strength: 19 (Hill Giant Strength Belt +3)

Agility: 15 (Speed ​​Boots +1, Vera's Blessing +1)

Constitution: 20 (Vera's Blessing +1)

Intelligence: 18
Intelligence (Perception): 12 (Necklace +2)

Charisma: 11
Weapon Specialization: Longsword, Dual Weapons
Combat Specializations: Evasion, Rolling, Agile Attack, Dual-Weapon Combat, Dual-Weapon Mastery, Dual-Weapon Attack, Dual-Weapon Defense

Spellcasting Feats: Armored Spellcasting, Hand-Free Spellcasting, Magic Insight, Scroll Drawing, Spell Penetration, Spell Specialization: Conjuration, Evocation, Transmutation, Combat Spellcasting

Skills: Spirit Slash, Basic Alchemy

Spell slots: First Ring: 12 (doubled by the Ring of Sorcery), Second Ring: 6, Third Ring: 5, Fourth Ring: 4 (Intelligence bonus +2)

Having just been promoted, he only learned three fourth-circle spells: Level 4 Summon Monster, Leomon Sanctuary, and Anywhere Door.

Considering the area they were about to enter, Zhang Yuan decided to memorize a few more spells that could cause acid and fire damage, such as Aganathar's Scorching Heat, Fireball, and Mestil's Acid Spray.

As for the fourth-level spells, he still chose two summoning spells, one portal, and the last slot was given to Leomon Sanctuary, an essential spell for home travel, murder and arson (just kidding).

Of course, there is an even more important one: fire weapons. This second-circle arcane spell, which lasts for a considerable period of time, allows teammates to have a way to completely kill those troublesome monsters.

Meanwhile, someone who had just received a spellcasting level upgrade also came to the long-unused interface for purchasing chess pieces. They had already acquired most of the level 1 to 3 pieces and were just waiting for the level 4 pieces to be added.

During the time it took to deal with the vampires, it was just past midnight, and the daily chess piece shop update arrived as scheduled.

"Doomsday Bringer, Timbersaw, Underworld Dragon, Medusa, Goblin Tinker"

A doomsday dad?!
The system was very kind, giving me two four-cost minions on the very first day I obtained the fourth-circle Summoning spell, including the big boss, Doom. If mages are the overlords of other classes, then in a sense, Doom can be considered the mages' father. At the very least, mages who haven't entered the high-circle sequence are almost powerless against Doom's ultimate.

After spending 80 energy points to acquire two pieces, Zhang Yuan immediately combined the two-star Dwarf Sniper and the two-star Blood Demon, Beast King, and Overlord, creating several level four pieces.

With the two-star Drow Ranger and Axe already acquired, the Beastmaster Hunter lineup, which is very strong in the early and mid-game of Auto Chess, is basically formed. If there is a lack of ranged firepower, with Medusa and Drow Ranger as the core, a powerful output lineup of six hunters can also be formed.

It's a pity there's no Lightbringer, otherwise the explosive AOE of the six-mage lineup would be enough to sweep through everything. Any ordinary mobs would just melt when they encounter this combo.

Lost in thought, the person gradually drifted off to sleep.
The next two days were like still water in a pond, with occasional ripples but no real waves. After easily dealing with a few waves of mindless low-level undead, the Canaan team finally emerged from this stinking, stagnant mud on the fourth day after entering the Land of the Dead and the seventh day after setting off from Baldur's Gate.

What they left behind were piles of bones—from the skeleton soldiers, and a blood debt—from An'erle.

As the carriage traveled, the landscape on both sides of the road gradually changed from dark brown mudflats to lush green meadows, and various trees and shrubs gradually increased in number.

What's most noticeable is the presence of life and nature around us. After the deathly atmosphere and rampant spirits of the past have faded away, we've started to see signs of squirrels, rabbits, and other small animals. These little creatures are busy preparing a small home for the coming winter in this bountiful autumn season.

The original stillness, punctuated by the annoying buzzing of mosquitoes, gradually transformed into a symphony of croaking frogs, chirping cicadas, and birdsong. Meanwhile, on a lawn ahead, several deer cautiously watched the approaching convoy from afar.

This is a natural landscape, a paradise for animals, and a fertile land teeming with life.

But it's definitely not a good place!

Having done enough research beforehand, and with Nancy and Kagan, two seasoned veterans who knew them inside and out, the group was not fooled by the seemingly beautiful scenery.

Of course, Rick and Morty are exceptions.

Looking into the distance, beyond the verdant hills and the dense thickets and shrubs, a valley rises in the distance.

This valley is as if it has cut a gap in the neck of a mountain range that resembles a winding dragon, splitting its body and head in two.

The mountain range extending westward from the valley is called Troll Mountain, while the solitary peak on the east side of the valley is called Troll Claw!

There's almost no need for extensive investigation or speculation; just hearing the name is enough to get a general idea. In fact, on the north side of Troll Mountain, there grows a vast forest—the Troll Howling Forest.

These three elements together constitute the terrifying Troll Mountains.

This is one of the dangers that caravans traveling north via trade routes cannot escape. Whenever this journey is mentioned, most merchants and mercenaries will have an uncontrollable and obvious fear and hatred on their faces, because of the nightmares they have to forget about the trolls.

Yes, those are trolls, those hideous, idiotic, drooling, foul-smelling, resilient cockroaches that are incredibly strong and cannibalistic green scum.

(All the troll synergy pieces: ???)
Thank you to Qu Luo Man Tian Xing, Book Friend 161123231338744, and Reader 1174299710196486144 for your monthly ticket support!

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(End of this chapter)