Content:
很久以前，在魔索布莱城，一位叫做扎德的卓尔法师在术士学院研究魔法。每十天，大法师都会让扎德演示他新学的技巧 —— 而扎德每次都会失败。

"学院只会教导最天才的学徒"，大法师警告说。"你的学艺必须提高，否则你将被开除。"

当晚，扎德溜出了魔索布莱城去寻找夺心魔的隐秘城市奥灵多尔。他们的图书馆中藏着整个幽暗地域最完整的知识。"我将学会一切。"扎德暗暗发誓。"到时候大法师就只能让我留下了！"

但扎德找的越久，他就越是迷路。他的身体衰弱，肚子饿的前胸贴后背，最终倒在地上，昏了过去。

扎德在一个陈列满书籍的圆形大厅中醒来，书籍中全是尘封的秘密知识。这里是奥灵多尔城！

"我成功了！我将明白一切！"他高呼道。

扎德的脸上喜笑颜开，甚至都没有注意到刚划过他左眼的蝌蚪。

"是的，"扎德脑海中的一个声音 对他说道。"一切。"

Long ago in the city of Menzoberranzan, a drow wizard called Zad studied magic in the academy of Sorcere. Each tenday, the Archmage would ask Zad to demonstrate his newfound skills - and each tenday, Zad would fail.

'Sorcere educates only the brightest of pupils', warned the Archmage. 'Your scholarship must improve, or you will be expelled'.

That very night, Zad slipped out of Menzoberranzan to seek the hidden city of mind flayers, Oryndoll. The library there boasted the most complete body of knowledge in the whole of the Underdark. 'I'll learn about all that is and ever was', vowed Zad. 'The Archmage will have no choice but to keep me!'

Yet the longer Zad searched for Oryndoll, the more lost he became. His body weak and his stomach empty, the drow fell to the ground and reality faded.

Zad awoke within a vast circular hall lined with tomes and tablets, untold knowledge etched upon them. Oryndoll!

'I made it! I will know everything!' he exclaimed.

A wide smile crossed Zad's face. He barely noticed the tadpole wriggling just above his left eye.

'Yes', said a voice in Zad's head. 'Everything'.

Content:
在地底深处的格莱克斯图格城住着一位名叫舒尔的年轻灰矮人，他能够在他兄弟们的脑海中唤出诡异的低语。他渴望开发自身的心灵异能力量，控制他的氏族，于是便请求他的教父进一步地提供教导。

"穿过黑湖之后的南岸有一处裂谷"，教父说。"峡谷里住着一位叫做伊尔的流浪夺心魔。它能教会你需要知道的东西。"

舒尔的航行充满了危险。他击退了来犯的底栖魔鱼和蛰伏伪怪，直到抵达了那个夺心魔所在的峡谷。伊尔从他的居所现身，触须扭曲蠕动着。

"我是来学习的"，舒尔说道。

"那好罢，"他马上得到了回应。

第一个月，伊尔教会了舒尔如何读心。第二个月，它教会了舒尔如何控心。但舒尔认为这还不够。他想要一开口便能摧毁他人的心智。

"如你所愿"，伊尔说道，然后赐予了舒尔一道祝福。"它属于你了 —— 说一个词便能摧毁心智的知识。但这个指令你只能说一次"，伊尔告诉舒尔，"在那之后你就会将其永远忘记。"

做好了控制氏族的准备，舒尔返回了格莱克斯图格城。

"给我看看你学会了什么"，教父对舒尔说道。

舒尔狞笑起来，说出了那个指令 - 然后他的头颅在神父的眼前爆裂开来。

然后教父说，"你的学习完成了" 。


In the deep city of Gracklstugh lived a young duergar named Shull, who could conjure eerie whispers in his brothers' minds. Eager to develop his psionic powers and take over his clan, he asked the Godfather who could teach him further.

'Cross the Darklake. On the south shore there is a chasm', said the Godfather. 'Within the chasm lives a rogue mind flayer called Ir. It will teach you all you must know.'

Shull's voyage was fraught with danger. He fended off aboleths and cloakers alike until he reached the mind flayer's chasm. Ir emerged from its hovel, tentacles writhing.

'I am here to learn', Shull told it.

'Very well', came the response.

On the first moon's passing, Ir taught Shull how to read minds. On the second, it taught Shull how to bend them. But this was not enough for Shull. He wanted to destroy minds with a mere word.

'So be it', said Ir, and it bestowed a blessing on Shull. 'It is yours - the knowledge to shatter a single mind. But you may only speak the command once', Ir told Shull, 'for then it is forever forgotten'.

Ready to assume control of his clan, Shull returned to Gracklstugh.

'Show me what you have learned', the Godfather told Shull.

Shull grinned, spoke the command - and his own skull shattered before the Godfather's eyes.

Said the Godfather, 'The lesson is complete'.

Content:
曾经有两姐妹，一个是伟大的战士，另一个是伟大的牧师，她们很渴望踏上新的冒险旅途。

"我要在我的宝剑上再串上一个主脑！"战士大喊到。"出发，前往幽暗地域！"

"我想知道这些大脑力量的秘密，"牧师说到，"我们出发吧！"

在黑暗深处，两姐妹屠杀了黑暗妖精和迪洛矮人、熊地精和鲨蜥兽。第40天过后，二人来到一处灵吸怪的领地。她们的任务很快就要完成了。

付出巨大的努力之后，她们砍倒了一大半夺心魔，很快便抵达了主脑的巢穴。它从房间中央的卤水池中升起，两侧还陪伴着灵吸怪。主脑并没有大声说话，但是姐妹俩却在脑海里听到了它的声音 。

"我叫卡奥兹。你们为何而来？"

"我要把你的力量收归己用"，牧师大喊到。

"我要把你碾碎，终结你的暴行，"战士说到。

主脑沉默地盘旋着。过了片刻，一股爆裂的心灵异能能量震慑了整个房间，两姐妹倒地死亡了。

"祝你们好运，"卡奥兹回复到。那一天，灵吸怪们饱餐了一顿。

There were once two sisters, one a great fighter and one a great cleric, who longed for new adventure.

'I shall skewer an elder brain upon my sword!' cried the fighter. 'To the Underdark!'

'I wish to know the secrets of the brain's powers', said the cleric. 'Let us be off!'

In the recesses of the deep, the sisters slew darklings and derro, bugbears and bulettes. The two reached an illithid colony when the fourth tenday passed. Their quest would soon be complete.

With great effort, they felled a half-dozen mind flayers and soon reached the elder brain's lair. It rose from the brine pool at the centre of its chamber, flanked by illithids. The brain didn't speak aloud, but the sisters could hear it in their minds.

'I am called Qaoz. Why have you come?'

'I will make your powers my own', called the cleric.

'I will crush you and bring an end to your tyranny', said the fighter.

The brain hovered in silence. A moment later, a burst of psionic energy shook the chamber, and the sisters lay dead.

'Good luck', Qaoz replied. The illithids feasted heartily that day.

Content:
[日志中的文字撰写清晰。第一页上写着一列似乎是博德之门书籍出版商的名单。书的封面上写着一大堆书名，但都被划掉了：《意外的联盟，卷一》，《德鲁伊与竖琴手：正义之战！》，《邪恶之影：谁敢与之对抗？》]

我们的英雄，[勇敢的？强大的？]德鲁伊罗亚来到了林地。当他收到了翠绿闲庭的召唤，就知道一定出事了。 翠绿闲庭的德鲁伊与游侠们散布在费伦各地。他们为维护自然秩序而战，管控世界上的元素力量，并打击那些破坏这精巧平衡的恶徒。他们都是强大的战士，而罗亚更是其中的佼佼者。

他拥有[牛？熊？]一般的强大体魄，比在场其他人还要高出一头。林地熙熙攘攘。罗亚注意到一位美丽女子,她有着齐肩乌黑长发和[夏日晴空？蓝鸟瑰羽？]般碧蓝的双眼。但当他的眼神落到女子胸前的弯月竖琴徽记时，微笑变成了皱眉。西凡那斯在上，竖琴手来这做什么？


[Neatly written chapters fill this journal. A list of what appears to be book publishers in Baldur's Gate are on the first page. The cover has a multitude of titles, all crossed out: 'The Unforeseen Alliance, volume 1', 'Druids and Harpers, a fight for good!', 'The Shadowed Evil: who dares to stand against it?']

Our hero, the [brave? mighty?] druid Roa arrives in the grove. When he received the summons from the Emerald Enclave, he knew something was afoot. Filled with druids and rangers alike, members of the Enclave are scattered across the realm. They fight to preserve the natural order, keep the elemental forces of the world in check, and do battle with those who would upset this delicate balance. They are fierce warriors, though none as fierce as Roa.

Built like [an ox? A bear?], he stands head and shoulders above the crowd. The grove is buzzing with activity. Roa spots a beautiful woman with ebony hair flowing past her shoulders, her eyes as blue as a [summer's day? bluebird?]. His smile turns to a frown as he notices the crescent moon and harp pinned to her chest. By Silvanus, what was a Harper doing here?

Content:
[这似乎是一套系列小说中的第二卷，作者是一位业余小说家。封面上的标题 - 《爱在阴影之地》 - 已经被被划掉了。]

那个一头乌黑秀发的女人注意到了罗亚的凝视，随即穿越林地，[眨眼？微笑？]站到了德鲁伊身旁。"通常我是不会戴着它到外面来的，"她一边说，一边轻轻拍了拍披风上的胸针 —— 一个新月和竖琴样的饰品别在她的胸前，"除非是遇到特殊场合。"

"一个竖琴手同盟的人来西凡那斯的林地做什么？"罗亚问到。"不是只有我一个。"她朝着圣池旁的一群人比了个手势。"我们通常更偏向于间谍活动。"她继续说到，"阻挠暴君和[守护？保护？] 王国这些事，还是私下里进行比较好。但是你们即将面临一场战争。我们是来这里帮忙的。"

"翠绿闲庭什么时候需要一群竖琴手的帮助了？"罗亚说到。

"你没听说吗？"她笑了，声音 宛若银铃。"系好安全带吧，甜心。我们即将对抗暗夜法官、他们疯狂的首领凯瑟里克·索姆 —— 如果我们特别走运的话，还有莎尔本人。"


[This seems to be the second volume in a series written by an amateur novelist. The title on the cover, 'Love in Shadowed Lands', is crossed out.]

The ebony-haired woman notices Roa's gaze and crosses the grove, [winking? smiling?] as she stands by the druid's side. 'I don't usually wear it out in the open,' she says, tapping the brooch on her cloak, a crescent moon and harp pinned to her chest. 'Except for special occasions.'

'What's a Harper doing in a grove of Silvanus?' Roa asks. 'Not just one.' She gestures to a group by the sacred pool. 'We're generally more cloak and dagger,' she continues, 'thwarting tyrants and [guarding? protecting?] the realm is best done in secret. But you lot have a fight on your hands. We're here to help.'

'Since when do the Emerald Enclave need a bunch of Harpers?' Roa says.

'You haven't heard?' She laughs, her laugh tinkling like a bell. 'Strap in, sweetie. We're about to take on Dark Justiciars, their demented leader Ketheric Thorm and, if we're very lucky, Shar herself.'

Content:
[封面上大写着"卷三"。书名《悲伤的代价》的后面被画上了一串问号。 ]

"但为什么？"罗亚喊道，他内心的野兽几乎要脱笼而出。"为什么要追随莎尔？为什么要毁灭月亮庇所？"

凯瑟里克踏过竖琴手和德鲁伊们的尸体，[阴邪的？残忍的？]俯视着罗亚。"莎尔知晓一切。"他[恶毒的？]微笑着说。"她给了我一个神圣的任务，而我只是尽忠执行罢了。"

"月亮庇所的人们信任着你！"罗亚喊道，愤怒满溢。"你怎能派出暗夜法官去屠杀他们？"凯瑟里克笑了，"他们需要练手。可不能让莎尔的精英们疏于训练，不是吗？至于你... "他[血腥的？]的手上出现了一把弯刀。"你不过是一个德鲁伊，罗亚，也妄图和我对抗？"

罗亚费力地站起身来，浑身充满了西凡那斯的怒火。

"凯瑟里克，今天就是你的死期！"


['Volume Three' is written in bold on the front. The title 'The Cost of Sorrow' is followed by a number of question marks.]

'But why?' Roa screams, the beast within barely contained. 'Why follow Shar? Why destroy Moonhaven?'

Ketheric stares down [haughtily? cruelly?] at Roa as he steps over the bodies of Harpers and druids alike. 'Shar knows all.' He smiles [maliciously?]. 'She gave me a holy mission. I'm merely fulfilling it.'

'The people of Moonhaven trusted you!' Roa cries, his anger rising. 'How could you turn your Dark Justiciars on them?' Ketheric smiles, 'They needed the target practice. Can't have Shar's elite getting rusty, now can we? As for you...' a crescent blade appears in his [cruel?] hands. 'You are but one lone druid, Roa. Who are you to stand against me?'

Roa forces himself to his feet, Silvanus' fury coursing through him.

'I'm your downfall. Today you die, Ketheric!'

Content:
[书本封面大写着《暗影之吻》。书页里有大量被划掉的句子，边角写着诸如"大结局！"，"要更刺激！"之类的手书。最后一篇如下：]

"离开这里。"罗亚压着侧腹低声说道。鲜血从他的指间涌出，这是凯瑟里克的刀刃留下的临别赠礼。"我不能丢下你，"赛琳娜哭着说道，碧蓝的双眼噙满泪水。罗亚捧起了她的脸。"我走不了了。但你可以。"

赛琳娜将额头与他相抵，黑色的长发如幕般将两人的面庞遮盖。 罗亚闭上了眼睛，她如野玫瑰一般的气息让他挑起了一丝微笑。

"那个抓钩。你还带着吗？"他问到。

"在的。为什么 - " 罗亚用尽了最后的力气，将她从露台推了下去。他看着她摔落下去，看着她精准的掷出抓钩，稳当的荡到地面。随着脚下一声裂响，高塔终于分崩离析。他满足的笑了。赛琳娜没事。这样就够了。

尾声：

"自私的混蛋。"赛琳娜踢了一脚坟墓，愤愤地说到。"他是我们之中最伟大的人。"身如铁塔，却依然不如罗亚的壮硕德鲁伊巴尔辛把手放到赛琳娜肩上，安慰地说道。"我们会永远纪念他，是他独自打破了莎尔对这片土地的邪恶统治，帮助 - "

[下面用不同字迹写着一段话。]

罗安，做好你的工作。这不是历史记录，是完全罔顾事实的糟糕浪漫小说。还有，要是再让我看见"巴尔辛"这个名字，我就亲自把你丢去喂奥姆。

哈尔辛


['Shadow's Kiss' is written in bold on the front. Pages of crossed out lines have notes in the margin reading 'finale!', 'more exciting!'. The final entry reads:]

'Get out of here.' Roa whispers, clutching his side. Blood pours from his fingers, a final gift from Ketheric's blade. 'I'm not leaving you,' Selene sobs, blue eyes filling with tears. Roa cups her face. 'I won't make it out in time. But you can.'

Selene presses her forehead against his. Her ebony hair falls forward, forming a curtain that envelops them both. Roa closes his eyes, a smile lifting his lips as her scent, wild roses, washes over him.

'That grappling hook. You still have it?' He asks.

'Of course. Why do you -' With the last of his strength, Roa pushes her from the balcony. He watches her fall, watches her pull the hook from her pack and expertly throw it, swinging gracefully to the ground. A mighty crack splits the floor beneath him as the tower crumbles. He smiles contentedly. Selene was safe. That's all that mattered.

Epilogue:

'Selfish bastard.' Selene says, kicking the base of the grave. Balsin places a comforting hand on her shoulder. 'He was the greatest of us all,' Balsin says, a towering behemoth of a druid, although not as tall as Roa. 'We will forever honour him, for he single-handedly broke Shar's hold on the land, and helped -'

[A different hand appears beneath the final entry.]

Roan, you had one job. This is not a historical record of what occurred, it is poorly written romance with no basis in fact. And if I ever see the name 'Balsin' again, I will personally feed you to Ormn.

Halsin

Content:
[这本沉重的大书标着"1371"，在深绿色封面还上印着一头优雅的雄鹿。]

腐叶之月6日：向北派出了两名德鲁伊和一些新进人员。那里的村庄已经连续两年收成不好，下一个冬天恐怕熬不过去了。

腐叶之月9日：从博德之门来了一群人。他们在森林边缘扎营。来了两头熊和一只狐狸。他们的领地被烧掉了。狐狸的幼崽有半数死于大火。明天我会去他们的地盘拜访。

腐叶之月10日：访问并不顺利。在对我粗言相向之后，他们声称要砍掉一半森林，烧死任何敢于留下的野兽。他们声称要在此"开垦农田，建立属于他们的城市。"是时候动些手段了。

腐叶之月12日：成功引发泥石流。淹掉了他们半数的农具，剩下的也无法使用。他们短期内是不会回来了。收到了南边村子里有一个红袍法师的报告。派出三位游侠进行调查。要是他们真发现了有红袍法师的蛛丝马迹，我就要联络西凡那斯神殿了。


[This hefty book is labelled '1371' and stamped with an elegant stag against a dark green background. ]

6 Uktar: Sent two druids, some of the newer recruits, up north. Village there has had two years of failed crops and are unlikely to survive the next winter.

9 Uktar: A group from Baldur's Gate arrived. They've set up camp on the edge of the forest. Two bears and a fox came by. Their territory has been burned out. Half the fox's cubs died. Paying this new group a visit tomorrow.

10 Uktar: Visit did not go well. After telling me where to shove it, they said they'd cut down half the forest and burn out any wildlife that dared to stick around. Claimed they were going to 'farm the land and make a new city of their own.' Time to get creative.

12 Uktar: Mudslide did the trick. Buried half their farming equipment and made the rest useless. They won't be back any time soon. Got reports of a Red Wizard in the village south of here. Sending three rangers to investigate. If they catch even a whiff of a red cloak, I'm contacting the House of Silvanus.

Content:
善良即缺少邪恶。这意味着主动追寻和平，维护和平；这意味着发现堕落，并谴责它；这意味着相信你的神祇和你自己，因至上之善被称之为信仰。善良并非守序。守序是戒律，无论对神还是凡人都是如此。它是权威的宣扬，也是对敌人的惩戒。守序是秩序之父。抛弃守序会招致混沌，那样便再无意义或生命。守序可能被腐化。守序并非善良。

因此，我想对你说，吾等追求的不应是善良或守序，而是正义。如果我们不能定义与之相反的行为，那何为善良呢？如果我们服从魔鬼的指令，那何又为守序呢？正义是喂养饥饿者的手，是守护弱者的盾。它是击倒邪恶者的剑，是温暖贫苦的斗篷。正义是铁手准则。而正义也是提尔和托姆、海姆和霍尔的要求。

Good is the absence of evil. It means to seek peace, and to enforce it; it means to seek depravity, and to denounce it; and it means to trust in your god and yourself, for the greatest good of all is called faith. Goodness is not lawfulness.

Law is commandment, of god or of mortals. It is the call of authority, and the sanction of its opponents. Law is the father of order. To renounce it is to invite chaos, in which there is neither meaning nor life. Law can be corrupted. Lawfulness is not goodness.

I say to you, then, that we seek not to be good or to be lawful, but to be just. For what is it to be good, if we cannot define the acts that oppose it? What is to be lawful, if it is a devil's commands we obey? Justice is the hand that feeds the hungry, and the shield that guards the weak. It is the sword that fells the wicked, and the cloak that warms the indigent. It is for justice that the Order of the Gauntlet stands watch. And it is justice that Tyr and Torm, Helm and Hoar demand.

Content:
[这本书的核心论点写在一段讲述小卡林珊公会头目瑞尔莎·莱尔的段落之中。]

如果换个地点，换个时间，瑞尔莎·莱尔会被奉为革命者。在博德之门，在她所处的年代，她成为了一位黑道领袖 —— 公会的核心人物，在城中城的小卡林珊区只手遮天。

瑞尔莎的故事开始于自幼成为孤儿。她的父亲因为包庇他的逃犯兄长而被焰拳吊死。很快她的母亲也被一位贵族妒妇构陷入狱，殒命于海境塔。

独活于世的她上了两堂宝贵的课程：当法律腐败时，不受法律庇护者必须另寻帮助；当律法严苛时，反抗它就成为了道德责任。

瑞尔莎的行动基地是卡林珠宝商场，经过博德之门的每个人和每件东西的价值她都了然于胸。她控制着庞大的密探网络，像商人和政客一样严密地监控着商品和情报的流通。但二手情报并不值钱。瑞尔莎真正厉害的手段在于将那些有秘密的人直接纳入她的势力范围。

在她的低语花园里，人们可以匿名与公会成员分享情报。任何有仇怨或想打击竞争对手的人都能借由这个渠道让全城知道他们的不满。有人说，如果某人早上在低语花园说出了你的弱点，那么在日落之前你的弱点就会被插上刀了。

[The book's central argument is encapsulated in a chapter devoted to Rilsa Rael, Guild Kingpin of Little Calimshan.]

In another time and another place, Rilsa Rael would be celebrated as a revolutionary. In Baldur's Gate, in her own lifetime, she's known as a crime lord – a Kingpin of the Guild, ruling over the city-within-a-city that is the district of Little Calimshan.

Rilsa's story began when she was orphaned at a young age. Her father was hanged by the Flaming Fist for sheltering his fugitive brother. Soon after, her mother was denounced by the jealous wife of a patriar, and imprisoned in the Seatower where she perished.

Alone in the world, she had learned two valuable lessons: when the law is corrupt, it is a necessity for those without the support of its enforcers to act outside it; and when the law is brutal, it is an ethical duty to act against it.

Operating from within the Calim Jewel Emporium, Rilsa knows the value of everything and everyone that moves through Baldur's Gate. She controls a wide network of agents, who observe and track the exchange of goods and information as closely as any merchant or politician. But second-hand knowledge is cheap. Rilsa's real trick is to draw those with secrets to share directly into her orbit.

At her Garden of Whispers, information can be shared with the Guild anonymously. Anyone with a grudge to bear or a competitor to bring low (that is to say, anyone of importance) can ensure that the whole city knows their grievance. It is said that if somebody speaks of your weak spot in the Garden at dawn, you can expect to find a knife buried in that exact spot before night falls.

Content:
[一对男女并肩站立，身穿的铠甲装饰着火焰包裹的铁拳纹章。]

在焰拳找到你的尊严与目的！马上报名，保卫博德之门。

由高公爵乌尔德·雷文伽德亲自率领，你将承担起守卫街道、保护人民、支撑法律的重任。

向城里的任意一名焰拳报告，或者拜访我们位于博德安海境塔的总部，快来点亮你的明天吧！

[A man and woman stand side by side in armour emblazoned with a red fist surrounded by flames.]

Find pride and purpose in the Flaming Fist! Join today and protect Baldur's Gate.

Led by Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard himself, you'll be tasked with guarding the city streets, protecting its people, and upholding the laws that govern us.

Speak to any of our friendly Fists throughout the city, or visit our headquarters at the Seatower of Balduran to find out how you can blaze a new career path, today!

Content:
[摘自连载的《最终文卷：复兴》 作者，约瑟法·埃尔金，一位因为努力修复最终文卷的异端行为 - 她信奉神祇的失落与隐藏知识的记事录 - 而被逐出迪尼尔教会的学者。]
不管他们如何抵赖，明眼人一看便能认出现代散塔林会行动中的班恩教派哲学倾向 —— 散塔林会有着等级森严的军事组织，一切权威自上而下。至于他们现在的领导人是谁无人知晓，因为黑网的领导层和总部散提尔堡早在谷地开垦历1383年就被捣毁。

但在随后的几十年中，他们的力量开始在南境的黑暗堡集结。其中心人物是一个身穿铠甲的神秘人物 - 佩雷古斯特，他几乎是以一人之力重建了散塔林会。

无论现在是谁在领导他们，新散塔林会显然都没有放弃制霸的计划，甚至改变了他们的行事方式。他们曾经专注于颠覆并征服国家，而今天的黑网则将力量投入到了建立经济的堡垒上 —— 这股力量更加容易穿透防卫森严的国境。

[An excerpt from the ongoing Metatext: Rebound by Iosefa Elgin, a scholar excommunicated from the Church of Deneir for her heretical efforts to reconstruct the Metatext, her god's annal of lost and hidden knowledge.]

Despite their protestation to the contrary, it takes no keen eye to see echoes of Banite philosophy in modern Zhentarim practice - a strict militaristic hierarchy where all power flows from the top. Who occupies that position today is the matter of some speculation, for the Black Network's leadership was thought destroyed along with their headquarters at Zhentil Keep in 1383 DR.

In the following decades, however, a new base of power began to consolidate at the fortress of Darkhold, far to the south. At its centre stands the Pereghost, an enigmatic armoured figure to whom the Zhentarim's rebirth is almost single-handedly attributed.

Whoever their leader, it is clear that this new Zhentarim have not abandoned plans for domination so much as recalculated their approach. Where once their focus was on the subversion and conquest of nations, the Network of today is much more concerned with establishing their stranglehold on the market - a power which crosses borders that are closed to more conventional forces.

Content:
[摘自连载的《最终文卷：复兴》 作者，约瑟法·埃尔金，一位因为努力修复最终文卷的异端行为 - 她信奉神祇的失落与隐藏知识的记事录 - 而被逐出迪尼尔教会的学者。]

现代散塔林会的真正成就在于向世界呈现出的改造过后的形象，它也许比他们作为大陆最大私人军队的垄断地位还要严重。作为大多数人眼中高效的 - 如果不说肆无忌惮的话 - 雇佣兵组织，很少能有人猜到黑网的黑暗起源： 献身于黑暗之神班恩的一个异教团体，曾经一心想让所有人都屈服于他那暴虐和独裁的教义之下。

当面对这个事实的时候，他们中的很多人都会嗤之以鼻，引用一些过分渲染的阴谋论，想让我相信：今日的散塔林人崇拜的只有代表利益与力量的双生神祇。

这并不说整个组织已经完全掩盖了它的阴暗面，然而 —— 除了他们部队紧握的拳头，还有一只在阴影中运作的手来保证网络即便在和平年代也能繁荣成长。 正如军队的运作与商品的流动同样至关重要，不论合法与否，并不存在对承载着黑网封印的人完全封闭的边界或市场。

[An excerpt from the ongoing Metatext: Rebound by Iosefa Elgin, a scholar excommunicated from the Church of Deneir for her heretical efforts to reconstruct the Metatext, her god's annal of lost and hidden knowledge.]

But perhaps greater still than their monopoly as the continent's largest private army, the true achievement of the modern Zhentarim is in the sanitised image they present to the world. Viewed by most as an efficient - if unscrupulous - mercenary organisation, few would guess at the Black Network's dark origin: as a cult dedicated to the dark god Bane, once bent towards bringing all peoples to heel beneath his creed of tyranny and domination.

Many among their ranks scoff when confronted with this fact, citing overblown conspiracies and reassuring me that the only gods to whom the Zhentarim give worship today are the twin deities profit and power.

This is not to say the organisation has entirely shed its dark side, however - alongside the clenched fist of their military, another hand works from the shadows to ensure that the Network prospers even in peacetime. For just as vital as the movement of troops is the movement of goods, legal or otherwise, and there is no border or market that is ever truly closed to one bearing the seal of the Black Network.

Content:
竖琴手同盟
也许是剑湾最著名的阴谋集团，但是它隐蔽的作为肯定不是善良的。我的线人宣称这个神秘帮派的成员憎恶权力，但假如事实真是如此，他们为什么不为了公众利益直接揭露他们的调查结果呢？的确，为什么呢 —— 因为知识就是权力，而竖琴手同盟打算将两者都收入囊中。

暗影德鲁伊
他们会将一个人类的生命跟一棵橡树幼苗来作衡量。你认为二者孰轻孰重？问一个暗影德鲁伊相同的问题，然后等着被他们的答案震撼吧。这个危险的群体根本不尊重智慧生命，反而更看重植物和昆虫的生命。对自然秩序的曲解导致他们一直在策划、执行卑鄙的计划，仅仅是听到它的描述，就能让你无语凝噎斜望秋海棠。

克鲁德教团
最鲜为人知，相应地，也是我研究过的最危险的秘密社团，就是克鲁德教团。我的线人告诉我，这个由杀人犯、肢解者和暴君组成的神秘阴谋集团会定期集会，计划杀死我们这片美丽土地上任意数量的无辜民众。更重要的是 —— 他们很喜欢这样做！

暗夜法官
哪怕是在这张纯白的纸上写下他们的名字都会让我不寒而栗。我就言尽于此吧：他们崇拜莎尔。

Harpers
The most well-known of the Sword Coasts' cabals, perhaps, but certainly not benign in its shrouded doings. My sources claim that those belonging to this mysterious faction abhor power, but if that is so, why do they not expose the revelations of their inquiries for the public good? Why indeed - because knowledge is power, and the Harpers intend to keep both for themselves.

Shadow Druids
Weigh the life of a man against that of a sapling oak. Which do you value more highly? Ask a Shadow Druid the selfsame question, and be shocked by their answer. This dangerous group utterly disregards intelligent life in favour of the life of plants and insects. Their perversion of the natural order leads them to plan and execute plots so dastardly that the mere description of one would leave you glancing sideways at your begonias.

The Order of Klurd
The least-known, and accordingly most dangerous of the secret societies I have researched, is the Order of Klurd. My sources tell me this shadowy conspiracy of murderers, mutilators, and tyrants regularly meet to plan the demise of any number of innocent citizens of our fair land. What's more - they like it!

Dark Justiciars
I shudder even to inscribe their name upon the purity of this page. I shall leave it at this: they worship Shar.

Content:
阿曼纳塔，太阳的明光
光辉真相塑律法。
颂他的名，停止争斗；
条款法律，随后引据。

小心恐怖的阿斯蒙蒂斯
他的承诺诱人，语言甜美。
可能背叛我等者的数量，
更胜于他手下的魔鬼。

欧吕尔无情又冰冷，
好似寒冬的冰风。
奉献钱财与食物；
寒风中将得庇护。

Amaunator, sun's bright light
Shines the truth into man's laws.
Speak His name to stop a fight;
Then, invoke a legal clause.

Beware dread Asmodeus
Both His word and promise sweet.
More able to betray us
Than the devils at His feet.

Auril is merciless and cold,
the winter's icy breath.
Spare Her a little food and gold;
So you won't freeze to death.

Content:
塞伦涅指引我们穿越黑夜。
她是月亮，晨星就是她的眼泪。
她的姐妹想要遮蔽她的光芒，
但她能保护我们远离自己的恐惧。

莎尔会从你身上带走悲伤
但要当心：她的夜晚是黑暗的。
她也会将你的痛苦和秘密一起隐藏。
连同你所有的欢乐和所有的闪光。

西凡那斯，荒野万物之神。
掌管危险而又充满魅力的大自然。
他的荣耀不容玷污，
否则你将亲身感受不幸。

Selûne guides us through the night.
She is the moon, the stars her tears.
Her sister tries to douse her light,
But she protects us from our fears.

Shar will take your sorrow from you
But beware: her night is dark.
She'll hide your pain, and secrets, too.
And all your joy, and all your spark.

Silvanus, god of all that's wild.
Of nature's danger and its charm.
His glory's not to be defiled,
Or you yourself will come to harm.

Content:
阿祖斯，所有法师之神
终其一生都在学习。
他赐予法师们大小法术，
因密斯特拉总是心怀渴望。

暴君班恩，黑色之手
让强者得以统治
他在这片土地散播他的黑暗，
因严酷和残暴而备受推崇。

本莎芭将带来你的毁灭
除非你吟唱她的祷词。
与泰摩拉孪生互斥，
她为众生降下灾厄。

Azuth, the god of wizards all
Who spend their whole lives learning.
He grants their spells both big and small,
For Mystra always yearning.

Bane the tyrant, the Black Hand
Makes sure the strong do rule.
He spreads His darkness through the land,
Praised by the harsh and cruel.

Beshaba will bring forth your doom
Unless you chant Her prayer.
Split from Tymora in the womb,
She brings bad luck to spare.

Content:
你真不该向巴尔祈祷的，
他是残暴的谋杀之王，
他的崇拜者全都是杀人犯
负责将他的黑暗传播到更远的地方。

裳禔亚才是我们伟大的母亲，
有她的地方才是我们的家园。
我们在等待她赐予的丰收祝福
这样一来，我们就能收获自己播种的果实。

希瑞克是冲突王子，
欺骗与疯狂之神。
当心暗日和他的谎言，
他会偷走你的幸福和快乐。

You should not ever pray to Bhaal,
The savage Lord of Murder,
His worshippers are killers all
who spread His darkness further.

Chauntea is our Mother Great,
Hers is the hearth and home.
Our harvests on Her blessing wait
Thus we reap what we've sown.

Cyric is the prince of strife,
God of deceit and madness.
Watch for the Dark Sun and His lies,
Who'll rob your bonds of gladness.

Content:
伊尔梅特听到了殉道者的呼声，
接纳染疾者与被压迫者。
当伸出援助之手的人死去时，
他们将获得伊尔梅特的祝福。

耶各，根据传说，
曾放弃了他的白骨王座。
因为凯兰沃追溯死者，
令亡者的灵魂不再游荡。

凯兰沃，亡者之主，
将在死亡到来时牵引你的手。
让灵魂走上正确的道路
前往各自的往生。

Ilmater hears the martyr's cries,
Takes in the ill and the oppressed.
When one to help the others dies,
Then by Ilmater they are blessed.

Jergal, or so it's often said,
Once gave away his bony throne.
For Kelemvor he tracks the dead,
Makes sure that dead souls do not roam.

Kelemvor, Lord of the Dead,
Will take your hand when death arrives.
Makes sure souls are correctly led
To all their proper afterlives.

Content:
欺瞒女士莱拉。
有着无数面具的女神。
念诵她的名字 —— 来避免被骗。
她隐藏你的谎言与秘密任务。

欢乐之时请呼唤黎尔拉
用激情的舞蹈崇拜她。
在宴会厅里找到她的身影；
切莫停下你的舞步。

劳薇塔的快乐既是你的痛苦。
你的疤痕是你的奉献。
不论鞭笞还是棒打，
都是你忠实的献祭。


Leira, Lady of Deception
the goddess who wears many masks.
Invoke Her name - avoid perception
She hides your lies and secret tasks.

For joy, to Lliira you must call
And worship Her through soulfelt dance.
So find Her presence in festhalls;
Do not give idleness a chance.

Loviatar's pleasure is your pain,
Your scars an offering.
Scourge or candle, whip or cane,
Can your devotion bring.

Content:
诗歌之神密里耳。
向他祈祷得灵感。
唱响歌声齐声唱。
艺术之中得救赎。

死亡之神米尔寇
代表绝望与终结
是善是恶富与穷
死后在他身前伏。

魔法女神密斯特拉 --
供养魔网全靠她。
千百年来受崇敬，
魔法没她真不行。

Milil is the Lord of Song.
Pray to Him for inspiration.
Hear His call and sing along.
Let His art be your salvation.

Myrkul is the lord of death
Of hopelessness and ending things
He'll come for all at their last breath
Lords and peasants, crooks and kings

Mystra, goddess of all mages--
She provides and tends the weave.
Revered by many through the ages;
All magic we from her receive.

Content:
[歌颂谋杀之王巴尔的歌曲与诗篇。]

[A book of songs and psalms extolling Bhaal, the Lord of Murder.]

Content:
博德之门对弗林·西尔弗公诉案
起诉理由：西尔弗大师 - 的确在有预见且在无恶意的情况下 - 在他们的家中杀害了威廉·李斯特以及西蒙·"萨米"·特来恩特，作为向死亡三神班恩、巴尔或米尔寇献祭的邪恶仪式的一部分。

辩护理由："俺不知道[嗝]什么神。俺只知道比尔和萨米打算赖账，他们这是自找的。但那些符号什么的？还有摆肠子肚子什么的玩意？俺不知道。[嗝]"

判决：有罪
处罚：死刑，但减刑为流放以避免惹怒神明。

Baldur's Gate vs Flynn Silver
Case for Prosecution: Master Silver did, with forethought and without malice, kill William Lister and Simon 'Simmie' Trynt at their home as part of an ungodly ritual to honour the Dead Three, or one of the Dead Three, the gods Bane, Bhaal, or Myrkul.

Case for the Defence: 'I don't know nothing [sic] about any gods. All I know is Bill and Simmie were trying to cut me out of our deal and they got what they had coming. But those symbols and stuff? And how their guts was arranged? I don't know nothing.[sic]"

Verdict: Guilty
Sentence: Death, commuted to Banishment so as not to anger higher powers.

Content:
就算是对于一位神祇来说，死亡也是一种难以掌控的强大力量。这是一份手手相传的职责，被分割成了更小的碎块 —— 疾病、死亡与葬礼。但当生命逝去的时候，总会有一个监督整个循环的存在。

对于漫漫无尽的时间长河来说，那个存在是耶各。终焉之主用他坚定的目光统管着死亡，直到他自己也是日渐疲惫。论及死亡之神时，年轻的巴尔、班恩和米尔寇都会认为自己才是胜利者，然而他却利用他们的野心让自己获得了自由。

米尔寇宣称自己能够摆脱耶各的契约，凌驾于死亡之上，但即便是他也无法独立支配死亡。如果不是被巴尔那永无止境的贪欲所攫取地最惨烈的死亡，那谋杀又是什么呢？如果一位神祇能够完全掌控整个过程，那么高贵的凯兰沃还有什么必要去评判那些逝去的灵魂呢？

毕竟，就连神祇也是会死的。那些崇拜死亡的人都应该记住上面这些话。

Death is too powerful a force for even a single god to contain. It is a duty that has been passed from hand to hand, splintered into smaller pieces - disease, war, funeral rites - but there must always be an overseer of the cycle as life falls away.

For countless aeons, it was Jergal. The Lord of the End of Everything presided over mortality with his unblinking stare, until even he grew weary. Young Bhaal, Bane, and Myrkul must have thought themselves conquerors when they came for the god of death, yet he used their ambitions to free himself.

Myrkul claimed primacy over death from Jergal's bargain, but even he does not rule death alone. What is murder if not the most violent of deaths, seized by Bhaal in his incessant greed? What need would there be for noble Kelemvor to judge passing souls, if one deity could hold the process entire?

Even gods can die, after all. Those who worship death should remember that above all else.

Content:
洛山达的光辉，

塞伦涅的指引，

凯兰沃的审判，

道路自将展开。

Lathander to light,

Selûne to guide,

Kelemvor to judge,

And passage provide.

Content:
诚信、爱、愤怒 —— 很多特性都是"神圣的"。只有一样东西是我们拥有而神祇却没有的：痛苦。

我们最神圣的女主人邀请我们纵情其中，因为有它，我们才能被称之为人。拥抱痛苦吧，也许这样她才能看到我们，知道我们还真正地活着。要是没有痛苦带来的刺痛、没有心碎带来的苦闷，生命又算是什么呢？那将会成为一种忘却的生命 —— 逃避世间的所有欢乐、白白浪费的生命。

以劳薇塔之名，我请求你好好活着。将你的指甲嵌入皮肤里，真切地知道你还活着。能够知晓更伟大的痛苦，才能享受更崇高的生命。不论你的痛苦是来自利爪、鞭笞或者灵魂深处的渴望，只要知道我们的少女正在守望着你。
她会看见你的痛苦。
而且她会因此而爱你。


Honesty, love, wrath - many traits are 'divine'. There is only one that we possess and the gods do not: pain.

Our most holy mistress invites us to revel in that which makes us mortal. To embrace pain, so she may look upon us and know we are truly living. For what is a life without the sting of agony? Without the anguish of heartbreak? It is a life unlived - a life wasted hiding from the joys of the world.

In Loviatar's name, I ask you to live. To dig your nails into your skin and know that you are alive. To know that the greater the pain, the more exalted the life. Whether your pain comes from claws, the scourge, or an ache in your soul, know that our Maiden is watching over you.
She sees your suffering.
And she loves you for it.

Content:
齐心划桨开大船！带着脖子上的水沫，
齐心划桨开大船！带着后背上的汗滴，
齐心划桨开大船！乘着脚下的海浪，
泼妇女王停留在暴风雨中央。

---

海浪之母啊，海浪之母
将我们紧紧绑在船头。
海浪之母啊，海浪之母
我们请求驶过你的裙裳
请你点头哟，请你点头。
海浪之母啊，海浪之母
如果你愿意哟，就将我们沉入海底。
海浪之母啊，海浪之母
我们将头骨献祭给你哟
盛满咸咸的海水和细沙。

---

灵魂离底，船锚依旧！
海风不吹，海浪不摇
女王不愿哟，衣衫不飘！
我们乐意等待哟，日日年年
直到女王哟，唤来波浪！
嘿哟！嘿哟！
泼妇女王哟，如你所说！
嘿哟！嘿哟！
泼妇女王哟，如你所说！

And we all row! With the spray upon our necks,
And we all row! With the spray upon our backs,
And we all row! With the sea beneath our feet,
And the Bitch Queen stays the storm.

---

Wavemother, wavemother,
Lash us to the prow.
Wavemother, wavemother,
We ask to sail your skirt
If you allow.
Wavemother, wavemother,
Sink us if you will.
Wavemother, wavemother,
Our skulls are yours
With brine and sand to fill.

---

Souls aweigh and anchors still!
The wind won't move
Without the Bitch Queen's will!
We'll wait gladly, years and days
Till the Bitch Queen brings the waves!
Hey! Ho!
She told us so!
Hey! Ho!
She told us so!

Content:
曾经有一个美丽的女人。男人和女人都会跨越千里而来，只为能与她在婚姻中共度余生，但是从未有人能够赢得她的芳心。她的母亲十分绝望，因为她希望自己的女儿能够找到属于自己的爱情与欢乐。

然后她的母亲去世了。

女人成日以泪洗面、触目恸心。她的追求者不再前来拜访。她的朋友也停止了书信往来。而她就这么不停地哭泣。

"可怜的孩子，"莎尔在她耳边轻声低语。"他们想要你，只是因为你的美丽。你的魅惑。你的优雅。现在悲痛取代了你的吸引力，不会再有人在乎你了。除我之外，别无他人。"

女人开始对莎尔说话，后者也默默倾听。女人向莎尔祈祷，后者默默回应。这是她人生中第一次交到一位真正的朋友。

然后莎尔让她拿走一个药瓶。一个小药瓶。一个无辜的小药瓶。她把小药瓶交给一个男人。男人往小药瓶里装满了水，然后扔进一口水井里。

女人照做了。她希望得到莎尔的宠爱。希望让莎尔为她感到骄傲。

然后人们开始生病。开始死亡。但是还有莎尔爱她。这个女人也爱莎尔。

现在男人和女人们都会不远万里来看她。不是因为她很美丽。不是因为她很有魅力。而是因为她是莎尔的女祭司。

而且她的话语就是法律。


There once was a beautiful woman. Men and women alike travelled across the land to earn her hand in marriage, but none could win her heart. Her mother despaired, for she wished for her daughter to find love and happiness.

And then her mother died.

The woman cried and cried. Her suitors stopped calling. Her friends stopped writing. And still she cried.

'You poor child.' Shar whispered in her ear. 'They only wanted you for your beauty. For your charm. For your grace. Now that grief has replaced your charms, none care for you. None but I.'

The woman spoke to Shar, who listened. She prayed to Shar, who answered. For the first time in her life, the woman had a true friend.

And then Shar asked her to take a vial. A small vial. An innocent vial. She took the vial to a man. The man filled it with a liquid and told her to drop it into a well.

The woman did. She wanted Shar to love her. To be proud of her.

And then people became sick. People died. But Shar loved her. And the woman loved Shar.

Now men and women alike travel across the land to see her. Not because she is beautiful. Not because she is charming. But because she is a High Priestess of Shar.

And her word is law.

Content:
很少有人将莎尔认作创造女神，或者塞伦涅是毁灭女神，不过两种看法都是对的。

她们在最初的衰落以及时间的长河中降生，共同创造了阿贝尔 - 托瑞尔世界，生命之母裳禔亚也随之诞生。塞伦涅的光明与莎尔的黑暗相生相灭，完美平衡。

但她们的造物寒冷而陌生，于是裳禔亚祈求温暖。这一个简单的请求却让塞伦涅与莎尔产生分歧，最终塞伦涅向阿贝尔 - 托瑞尔注入神火，点燃了太阳。

莎尔被此背叛之举所伤，被迫出手对抗太阳和月亮的光辉。两位女神就此反目成仇，塑造了无数新神祇和新争端，就为了一片小小的温暖。

这个故事告诉我们：将自私的舒适凌驾于存在的命运是愚蠢之举。对那些理解这一点的人，失落女神永远都在倾听。


Few recognise Shar as a goddess of creation or Selûne as a goddess of destruction, yet both are true.

Born in the primordial ebb and flow of time, they forged Abeir-Toril together and Chauntea, Mother of Life, sprung into existence. Light and dark hung in perfect balance, embraced by Shar, enlightened by Selûne.

Yet their creations were cold and distant, and Chauntea prayed for warmth. This simple request divided the sisters, driving them to conflict, but it was Selûne that forced true flame into Abeir-Toril, sparking the sun.

How could Shar not be harmed by such a betrayal, forced to war against both the light of the sun and the light of the moon? As the goddesses tore each other asunder, they formed new gods and new conflicts, all for the sake of a little warmth.

The lesson is this: to put selfish comforts over the fate of existence is folly. For those who understand, the Lady of Loss is always listening.

Content:
尊敬的读者们，

虽然这本日志中经常刊登来自我们土地最偏远处那些令人惊奇的事件消息，但我必须警告，这次的季刊也许会让您... 大吃一惊。

也许是因为我们在埃尔图迦德的密探所报告的"至上真神教团"并没有像其他人预料的那样销声匿迹，而是在地精、罗丝誓约卓尔、巨魔和灰矮人之中形成了联盟，非常令人忧心。

附录报告的严重性在历史上都足以留下一笔。在刊登之前，我们已经派出信使前往诸如博德之门、斯克努贝尔和烛堡的地方。为了我们所有人的安全，希望它们能够引起足够的重视。

您诚挚的，

明格斯·艾彻利
总编辑

Esteemed Reader,

While this journal is no stranger to surprising news from the outermost reaches of our fair land, I must warn that this season's edition contains news some might find, in a word, shocking.

It might be that the 'cult of the Absolute' reported by our agents in Elturgard will fade like any other, but reports of alliances between goblin and Lolth-sworn drow, troll and duergar, are a particular cause for alarm.

The seriousness of the enclosed report is quite unique in our history. Prior to publication, messengers were sent to localities including Baldur's Gate, Scornubel, and Candlekeep. Let us hope these reports are received with the proper gravity, for the safety of all.

Sincerely,

Mingus Etcherly
Editor-in-Chief

Content:
[从烛堡寄出的最值得注意的信件精选。很多都是些有关天体运动或者奥术仪式费解细节的枯燥报告。然而，这封信吸引了你的目光。]

致智者伊尔明斯特，
在过去的几年间，我帮您给葛立安大师送了很多封信，所以我想也应当由我来转达这个坏消息。呜呼哀哉，他已经离开我们了。
在您的最后一封信送到他手中之后，葛立安很快就带着他的法杖一起离开了烛堡。他们是半夜动身的，不过很快就在去往贝尔苟斯特的路上遭遇了伏击。守门人告诉我，葛立安在倒下之前，带着好几个袭击者一起进入了下一个世界。希望这个消息也能给您带去一丝残忍的安慰，就像它带给我的一样。
他的法杖失去了踪迹。
有个稍微好点的消息，我收到了您写给图书馆的信，想办法找到了一些您要求的材料。东西已经被妥善保管好了，会随着这封信一起附上。

此致敬礼，
特里斯坦·P·谢尔，烛堡图书管理员

令：希望您能原谅我的好奇心，但我能不能问一句 —— 您为什么需要这么多有关巴尔后裔的信息呢？您到底在做什么工作？


[A select collection of the most notable letters sent from Candlekeep. Many are dry reports of celestial movements or incomprehensible details of arcane rituals. However, this letter catches your eye.]

To the Sage Elminster,
Over the past year, I've delivered many of your letters to Master Gorion, so I wanted to be the one to deliver this sad news. Alas, he is with us no more.
Gorion and his ward left Candlekeep soon after your last letter to him arrived. They departed in the middle of the night, but were waylaid shortly after on the road to Beregost. The Gatewarden tells me that Gorion saw to it that several of his attackers joined him in the next world before he was struck down. I hope this brings you the same grim comfort it brings me.
Of his ward, there was no sign.
In some better news, I received your letter to the library and was able to find much of the material you requested. It has been carefully secured and will travel with this letter.

Yours in honour,
Trystan P. Shale, Librarian at Candlekeep

PS. I hope you'll forgive my curiosity, but might I ask - why do you need so much information about Bhaalspawn? What exactly are you working on?

Content:
[内封上有一个公会印章，属于博德之门的一个版画复印集团。]

"我当然记得。那姑娘一迈开步子我就知道她会是个麻烦。小偷一个，总是会掺合每一个人的营生。而且葛立安的法杖就在她手上。也没什么好意外的，毕竟他们的血管里流着一个邪神的血脉。"
- 烛堡匿名人

"第一个想到的总是沙洛佛克和他的人。你知道这一切都起源于那西凯的那点破铁吗？每个人都以为他们的武器会烂在自己手上。那时候，我还以为问题出在贸易萧条。从没想过那人是巴尔的儿子。"
- 安姆雇佣兵，临终病榻前采访

"你居然有胆在我面前提那个名字？我的女主人跟那些被遗弃的卑鄙小人战斗时被烧成了灰。我诅咒巴尔，诅咒艾瑞尼卡斯，还有，我也诅咒你！"
- 充满敌意的吸血鬼，阿斯卡特拉·斯拉姆兹

"那个五人组把泰瑟尔人撕成了碎片。我觉得没人指望更多巴尔后裔出现就能解决他们其中一群人挑起的战争。再说了，他们全都想干掉对方，不是吗？这可真是个大解脱。希望他们每一个人都能从费伦表面抹去。"
- 萨拉督许·麦钱特，已退休

"我无权跟你这样的人讨论谋杀。如果你想争论，那就去海境塔吧。不过说实话，谁在乎自己有没有被巴尔后裔缠上呢？毕竟他们的父亲就是会下杀手的那种类型。"
- 焰拳铁手，博德之门

[下面还有好几百篇采访，大部分都很简洁。]


[The guild seal on the inside of the cover belongs to a printmaking collective in Baldur's Gate.]

'Of course I remember. Knew the second that girl was walking that she'd be trouble. Little thief, always in everyone's business. And that ward of Gorion went right along with her. No surprise a wicked god's blood was running in their veins.'
- Anonymous, Candlekeep

'Sarevok and his lot are always the first ones that come to mind. You know this all started with a bit of iron in Nashkel? Everyone thought their weapons would rot out of their hands. Back then, I thought the problem was bad trade. Never took the man for a son of Bhaal.'
- Amnian Mercenary, interviewed on his deathbed

'You dare speak that name to me? My mistress was turned to ash fighting those forsaken wretches. I curse Bhaal, I curse Irenicus, and I curse you!'
- Hostile Vampire, Athkatla Slums

'The Five tore Tethyr to pieces. I don't think anyone expected more Bhaalspawn showing up would fix the war that a pack of them started. Then again, they were all inclined to killing each other, eh? Good riddance. Here's hoping every last one of them has been wiped off the face of Faerûn.'
- Saradush Merchant, retired

'I'm not authorized to be talking about any murder with someone like you. Take it up at the Seatower if you want to argue. But honestly, who cares if a Bhaalspawn got it stuck to them? Their father's the killing type, after all.'
- Flaming Fist Gauntlet, Baldur's Gate

[Several hundred more interviews follow, most of them terse.]

Content:
[一张燃烧着的城市的绘画，以及埃尔图迦德最近发生的疯狂事件总结。]

剑 湾 的 人 民 们 - 不 必 惊 慌

想必大家已经听闻艾尔托瑞尔遭遇的悲惨事件。整座城市 坠入地狱！你们也许也听闻同样的灾难会发生在博德之门这样的疯狂谣言。

无 需 恐 惧 ！

徒具圣城之名的艾尔托瑞尔其实早就藏污纳垢，聚集了许多魔鬼崇拜者。从统治阶层到平民百姓，所有的市民都被地狱所污染。无论是生来如此还是后天堕落，他们都已经邪恶得无可救药。

艾尔托瑞尔的毁灭乃是咎由自取！

博德之门虽有不足之处，但若是有人认为其腐朽程度和艾尔托瑞尔有任何可比之处，那么此人要么是疯了，要么就是艾尔托瑞尔的间谍。焰拳将用生命守卫我们的城市，我也向你们保证：我们高贵的公爵与贵族绝对没有涉及地狱的阴谋。

耻辱的历史

难道这最近的疯狂让我们忘了艾尔托瑞尔亡灵遍布？让我们忘了埃尔图迦德的野蛮扩张？他们从来不是我们的朋友。

永 远 警 惕

不 要 恐 慌

[An illustration of a burning city introduces this book's frenzied summary of Elturgard's recent history.]

PEOPLE OF THE SWORD COAST - THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR ALARM

You have no doubt heard of the HARROWING EVENTS that befell the city of Elturel. An entire city DISPATCHED TO THE HELLS! Perhaps you have also heard the DERANGED GOSSIP and rumours that a similar CATACLYSMIC ATROCITY may befall the city of Baldur's Gate.

HAVE NO FEAR

The so-called Holy City of Elturel has in fact long been a FOUL PIT OF DEVIL-WORSHIPPERS. From the ruling classes to the common folk, the citizens were all TOUCHED BY THE INFERNAL. Whether it was in their BLOOD from birth or they were seduced by its power, they were EVIL TO THEIR CORE.

ELTUREL INVITED ITS OWN DOOM

Baldur's Gate is FAR FROM PERFECT but ANYONE who believes the ROT runs as deep as in Elturel is either MAD or an ELTURGARDIAN PROPAGANDIST. The Fists will defend our city WITH THEIR VERY LIVES if they must and I promise you that no INFERNAL CONSPIRACIES infect the MINDS AND SOULS of our noble Dukes and Patriars.

A HISTORY OF CONTEMPT

Have we already forgotten that before this latest MADNESS, Elturel was INFESTED WITH THE UNDEAD? Should we forget the AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION of Elturgard? They have NEVER been our friends.

VIGILANCE WILL PROTECT US

DO NOT BE ALARMED

Content:
[虽然陈旧，但这张传单上的印刷字迹依然清晰。]

仅限本季 —— 亲眼见证让艾尔托瑞尔永明剧场为之轰动的表演！

毒舌旅行剧团倾力奉献：

《愚行与陨落》
一场四幕悲剧

第一幕：讲述失落的耐色瑞尔，人类奇迹时代的法师帝国

第二幕：讲述伟大的法师卡尔萨斯；他短暂而可怕的封神，以及他带来的毁灭

第三幕：讲述耐色瑞尔的陨落； 一千年的阴影，以及莎尔的颠覆

第四幕：讲述耐色瑞尔的回归，以及它带来的阴影

由伟大的吟游诗人凯贡·弗雷格撰写，《愚行与陨落》讲述了耐色瑞尔浮空城苏坦萨尔发生的真实故事，以及在被放逐到莎尔幽影位面千年之后的戏剧性回归。

在米斯卓诺之上，欣赏这出使用剑湾最精湛的奇术渲染而成的激烈交锋！

毒舌旅行剧团将前往博德之门进行巡回演出，并在您的村子上演 —— 心动不如行动，马上前来观看吧！

[Though clearly old, this handbill has managed to maintain its bold print over time.]

For one season only - see the play that sent Elturel's Everlight Theatre into chaos!

The Sharptongue Travelling Troupe presents:

THE FOLLY AND THE FALL
A Tragedy in Four Parts

PART ONE: Of lost Netheril, that great Wizarding Empire in Humanity's Age of Wonder

PART TWO: Of the great mage Karsus; His Brief and Terrible Godhood, and the Ruin He Wrought

PART THREE: Of Netheril's Fall; A Thousand Years of Shade, and Shar's Subversion

PART FOUR: Of Netheril's Return, and its Shadow Falling Upon the Land

Penned by the great bard Bragon Fegg, THE FOLLY AND THE FALL tells the true story of the flying Netherese city Thultanthar, and its dramatic return after a thousand years in exile on Shar's Plane of Shadow.

See the climactic battle above Myth Drannor, rendered in stunning detail thanks to the finest thaumaturges on the Coast!

Direct on your village green as the Sharptongue Travelling Troupe makes its transit to Baldur's Gate - see it now, or face a thousand years of sorrow!

Content:
[尽管这是一份官方文件，看起来又像仓促间大量印刷的一个副本，记录了艾尔托瑞尔坠入阿弗纳斯那一夜的情形。]

埃米尔：我在焰拳中的称号是铁手埃米尔。把你跟我们说过的话，复述给这个房间里的人。

谢泼德：你应该帮忙的 —— 难道你不打算帮忙吗？

埃米尔：首先，我需要知道发生了什么事。

谢泼德：它没了。这座城市。还有光亮。伙伴们。我生于光明之中... 之前从未见过真正的黑暗。

埃米尔：控制住自己，伙计。

谢泼德：一开始是没有声音。天空在震颤，先是变黑然后突然又亮了。然后伙伴们都变了... 从金色变成了黑色。我的农场离城市差不多有半天的路程，但我都能听见绵延不断的尖叫声。好几千人，坠入黑暗，整个世界也变得疯狂了。

埃米尔：然后呢？

谢泼德：更多光亮 —— 但却是黑暗的光亮。我知道，这话根本说不通。他们来自伙伴，邪恶的狭缝刺入城市，然后将它撕成两半。然后是天空、大地、建筑，它们全都... 自己折叠起来了。就像有一只看不见的手在挤压它们。

埃米尔：那城市呢？

谢泼德：没有城市！艾尔托瑞尔没了！

埃米尔：这是什么时候发生的？

谢泼德：昨天。我一路逃过黑暗，直到找到你。

埃米尔：把他锁起来。

谢泼德：我什么也没有做错！你必须赶紧去帮他们！

埃米尔：他是我们今早捡到的第11个人了。做好副本，送到焰拳的每一个哨站，从这里开始一直到晋升之路，要亲手送达。在我们查清那里到底发生了什么事之前，所有来自埃尔图迦德人都不能往西走。还有，不要跟焰拳以外的任何人提及此事。我们要保持控制。


[Though an official document, this appears to be one of many hastily-produced copies documenting the night of Elturel's Descent Into Avernus.]

Emyr: I am acting Gauntlet Emyr of the Flaming Fist. Repeat what you told my people for the room to hear.

Shepherd: You should be helping - aren't you supposed to help?

Emyr: First, I need to know what happened.

Shepherd: It's gone. The city. The light. The Companion. I was born in its glow... never seen real darkness before.

Emyr: Get a grip on yourself, man.

Shepherd: There was no sound to begin with. The sky flickered, dark and then light again. Then the Companion changed... from gold to black. My farm's almost a half-day's ride from the city, but I could hear the screams. Thousands of people, plunged into darkness while the world went mad.

Emyr: And then?

Shepherd: More lights - but dark lights. It makes no sense, I know. They came from the Companion, wicked streaks stabbing into the city and tearing it apart. Then the sky, the ground, the buildings, they all... folded in on themselves. Like an invisible hand were crushing them.

Emyr: And the city?

Shepherd: There is no city! Elturel is gone!

Emyr: When did this happen?

Shepherd: Yesterday. I fled through the darkness, until I found you.

Emyr: Lock him up.

Shepherd: I've done nothing wrong! You've got to go and help them!

Emyr: He's the eleventh we've picked up since morning. Make copies, deliver the transcript to every Flaming Fist post from here to the Risen Road by hand. Until we know exactly what's happening out there, nobody from Elturgard goes west. And don't talk to anyone outside the Fist about this. Maintain control.

Content:
[书里的每一章都描述了不同神话怪兽的文化起源。]

第五章
迷你巨型太空仓鼠

人们对于这种神秘生物知之甚少，不过传言说它们喜欢在访问我们的位面时选择强壮的人类男子作为坐骑。据传说，这种生物有着无人知晓的、无法描述的强大力量，不过它为坐骑提供的也许是神秘、也许是世俗的勇气。另外还有毫无根据的坊间传说称此种生物好食人眼。

[Each chapter of this book describes the cultural origins of a different mythological beast.]

Chapter 5
Miniature Giant Space Hamster

Very little is known about this particular cryptid, though stories say they tend to choose well-muscled human males as their steeds when they deign to visit this plane. According to legends, this creature retains a wellspring of indescribable power known only to itself, though it provides its steed with perhaps mystical, perhaps mundane courage. Unsubstantiated rumours claim the creature has a taste for human eyes.

Content:
埃尔米尼斯特说纳罗斯漂浮在费伦天空的时候是一个奇观。他说得的确没错。这片耐色瑞尔闲庭曾经是魔法帝国的一颗珍宝，上面的高塔直入云霄。然而它还是陨落了，就像其他耐色瑞尔闲庭一样，随着卡尔萨斯之愚行将魔法抽离这个世界的刹那一同坠毁。但是即便坠毁在大海中之后，它的废墟依然保持着一种古怪而扭曲的美态。

听闻大海已经褪去、纳罗斯闲庭重现人间的时候，我从哈鲁阿一路赶来了这里。可悲的是，我并不是第一人。劫掠者已经剥光了闲庭的物质财富，还在此过程中毁坏了很多的绝密珍宝。我发现奥术书籍被用作营火焚烧，里面的魔法现如今也早已消失。

我在这里遇到一些阴影行者，他们的兴趣与我相同，于是我们决定一起探索这片废墟。我很感激这些盟友。废墟里主要都是些愚钝的冒险者，但我就是无法摆脱有人正在注视着我们的感觉，有人想等着看我们到底会发现什么。


Elminster said Nhalloth was a wonder to behold when it floated in Faerûn's sky. He was surely right. This Netherese enclave was once a jewel in the Empire of Magic, with towers that pierced the heavens. And yet it fell, just as all Netherese enclaves did, crashing down when Karsus' Folly ripped magic from the world. But even after it collapsed into the sea, its ruins still held a strange, twisted beauty.

I travelled here from Halruaa when I heard the sea had retreated and the ruins of Nhalloth were visible once again. Alas, I was not the first. Looters have stripped the enclave of its material wealth, destroying much of its esoteric riches in the process. I've found arcane books used to make campfires, their magic lost now to the ages.

I have met some Shadovar here whose interests align with mine, and we have agreed to search the ruins together. I'm grateful for these allies. The ruins are mostly filled with thick-skulled adventurers, but I cannot shake the feeling that someone is watching us, waiting to see what we uncover.

Content:
有一个女人过来找我（此后称为"R"），对她丈夫不寻常的脾气（此后称为"B"）大肆抱怨了一番。三个月前，他患上了夜间盗汗，会在睡梦中大声疾呼，说自己身上有"混沌印记"。两个月前，他开始习惯用"沙洛佛克"这个名字来称呼自己。一个月前，他除了一句"他注定要登上王座"之外，几乎就不怎么说话了。

我在夫妻俩的农舍里照顾B。他安静地坐在桌子旁边，胸口还紧紧抱着一本没见过的书。 我没有在他身上侦测到任何诅咒或是令人厌恶的鬼魂，也没有探查到魔法的存在。但是每当烛火照在他身上的时候，他会高举书本，大声呼喊，"他们招致的死亡将会唤醒圣父，圣父将会通过他们崛起！"

我从他手中夺过那本书，把它用力扔进壁炉，它燃烧的火焰不是红色或者黄色的，而是纯粹的黑。最后它只剩下一个残片，上面写着："他预见了即将降临的死亡，已经将他的精华播撒在了大地之上。" B颤抖着叹了一口气，仿佛从噩梦中惊醒。他不记得那本书，也不记得自己说过的话。

诊断结果：尚未明确的神经性沉迷。
治疗方法：大蒜与德拉斯草药酊剂，每日三剂，直到力竭症状减轻。


There came to me a woman (whom I shall henceforth call 'R'), greatly distraught at the unusual tempers of her husband (whom I shall henceforth call 'B'). Three months prior, he'd suffered night sweats, crying out from sleep that he bore the 'mark of chaos'. Two months prior, he'd taken to calling himself by the name 'Sarevok'. One month ago, he'd speak of little else but 'the throne for which he is destined'.

I attended to B at the couple's farmhouse. He sat calmly at the table, an unknown book clutched to his chest. I detected no curse nor loathsome spirit upon him, nor the presence of magic. Yet upon shining the light of candleflame upon him, he raised the book high and exclaimed, 'The deaths they bring shall awaken the father, and through them he will rise!'

I snatched the book from his hand and flung it into the hearth, where it burned not in red or yellow flame, but pure black. It left but a single scrap, reading: 'He foresaw his coming death, and seeded his essence across the land.' B shivered and sighed, as if waking from nightmare. He had no memory of the book, nor the words he had spoken.

Diagnosis: Unspecified Neurotic Enthrallment
Treatment: Herbal tincture of garlic and drace, sipped thrice daily until exhaustion lifts.

Content:
[这篇有关扎瑞尔堕落的概述前言抓住了整篇文章的基调。]

向你们问好，明智的世人们。我已经能觉察到隐隐的不满，以及烟斗柄与牙齿碰撞出的焦虑咯咯声。"一堂献给阿弗纳斯大公的课？哈林顿失去理智了吗？"请停下你们的抱怨吧 —— 但我很清楚你们不会的。

大多数事件的发生往往是它们的本性所不知的，这是一个不争的事实，但扎瑞尔的故事却触到了我们的痛处。在她的堕落中，你会想起那些傲慢、行善的邻居和熟人理所当然地引起了你的怀疑。这一刻他们还在建议：在那块休耕的土地上种芜菁要比土豆好，下一刻他们就摸上了系在腰带上的厨房用刀，暗示你去探索贾尔斯农场背后的废弃地窖。

简而言之，扎瑞尔是一位天界子民，任务就是监视血腥战争的起起落落（更多内容请参见第21卷：对明智世人来说不重要的事）。不过，观察对于扎瑞尔来说还不够公正，于是她亲自下场，直接参与了那场战争。好比一个白痴看到两个家伙因为一大杯满满的麦酒打了起来，相比为他们的努力缠斗而喝彩，白痴选择直接把那两个家伙的脑袋砰的一声撞在一起，进而引发了一场波及整个酒馆的斗殴事件。

她入侵了阿佛纳斯，后被击败，现在成了那里的统治者，腐败而邪恶。

明智的世人能从这个愚蠢的故事里学到些什么呢？答案是显而易见的！不要努力去纠正那些无法被纠正的事情。不要着眼于遥远的国度与冲突，而是关心你自己的土地、你的家人、还有你的朋友。干涉其他人的苦难，得来的唯有苦难，别无其他。

哈林顿·内萨林

[The foreword to this brief account of Zariel's fall captures the tone of the entire text.]

Greetings, Sensible Folk. Already, I can detect grumbling and the agitated rattle of pipe-stem against teeth. 'A Lesson dedicated to an Archduke of Avernus? Has Harrington taken leave of his senses?' Quiet your complaints - I assure you I have not.

It is true that cosmic occurrences are often Insensible by their very nature, but the tale of Zariel strikes close to home. In her downfall, you will be reminded of those haughty, do-gooding neighbours and acquaintances who rightfully arouse your suspicions. One moment they are suggesting you grow turnips rather than potatoes on that fallow patch, and the next they have their kitchen knife strapped to their belt and are suggesting you explore the abandoned crypt behind the Giles' farm.

In short, Zariel was a celestial being tasked with monitoring the ebb and flow of the Blood War (of which more in Volume XXI: Matters of Little Importance to Sensible Folk). Observing was not righteous enough for Zariel though and she took it upon herself to become directly involved. Like the oaf who sees two fellows fighting over a spilled tankard of ale and, rather than applauding their efforts, cracks their skulls together and causes a tavern-wide brawl.

She invaded Avernus, was defeated, and now rules there, corrupt and wicked.

What can Sensible Folk learn from this foolish tale? It is obvious! Do not strive to correct what cannot be corrected. Look not to distant lands and conflicts, but to your fields, your family and your friends. There is nothing but misery to be gained from interfering in the hardships of others.

Harrington Nethalin

Content:
[一份来自欧格玛 - 知识之主 - 教堂的传单。上面加盖了布雷韦克·法诺 - 博德之门开卷神殿至高博学士的印章。]

至全费伦善良而虔诚的民众，

首先，请允许我以结合之主本人的名义，谨此表达对你们的感谢。

那次震惊整个国度的事件 - 也就是后世熟知的"二次分裂" - 标志着一个大混乱与剧变时代的开启。神祇陨落而又浴火重生，失落的大陆再次出现。那种震荡地动山摇，仿佛位面诞生出了一种全新但又异常神秘的秩序。

之于欧格玛对真实和知识的神圣追求，这种混沌往往是厄运和诅咒。然而，整个大陆的善良民众向我们的代理人提供了不可胜数的一手证言，从中我们得到了莫大的帮助。教会对一件事感到甚为宽慰：多年来的奇景怪象逐渐开始联结起来。

同样地，我们也诚心请求：不要将事件有关的来路不明的材料继续送往我们神殿。对于结合之主而言，所有知识都是同等重要的，我们也十分确信：未来任何有关位面成形的事件不会以烟草云雾的形式来预言，也不会通过乡村畜群的粪便来阅读。

一个陌生的全新时代已经朝我们走来 —— 为了获得神圣的指引，我们在此恳请诸位去寻找当地的神殿领袖，并将类似的相关材料呈交给他们。

您忠诚的、永不停歇的寻觅者，

欧格玛的仆从，布雷韦克·法诺。

[A circular from the Church of Oghma, Lord of All Knowledge. It is stamped with the seal of Brevek Faenor, Most High Loremaster of the Unrolling Scroll Temple in Baldur's Gate.]

To the good godly folk of Faerûn,

In the first instance, and in the name of the Lord Binder himself, let me bid you thanks.

The Realms-shaking events that have since become known as the Second Sundering marked a time of great confusion and upheaval; gods fell and rose again, lost continents reappeared, and the very Weave shook as the planes birthed a new and yet-mysterious order.

Such chaos is often anathema to Oghma's sacred pursuit of truth and knowledge. However, with the help of the innumerable first-hand accounts submitted to our agents by good folk all across the continent, the Church is satisfied that an image of these strange years has begun to coalesce.

As such, we would kindly ask that no further unsolicited material on this matter be sent to our temples. While all knowledge is of import to the Lord Binder, we are confident that any future plane-shaping events will not be presaged in the shape of tobacco smoke, or read in the droppings of the village herd.

A new and strange age is upon us - for divine guidance, we humbly bid you to look to your local temple leaders, and to forward such relevant materials to them.

Yours ever-seeking,

Brevek Faenor, Servant of Oghma

Content:
在谷地开垦历950年，最为繁华富饶的城镇莫过于凡达林！

凡城公约给这座城市带来了繁荣，让波浪回音洞窟的财富由侏儒和矮人瓜分。城镇里的侏儒和矮人社区现在一派和谐，共同生活、共同工作。无数北境的人类施法者也慕名而来，与凡城公约的盟友们一同工作。

埃尔德利夫市长欢迎您亲自前来见证这一奇迹。看看法术熔炉中诞生的法术，以及这份伟力带来的繁荣！我估计，很快无冬城"北域明珠"的称号就要保不住喽！

In this year, 950 DR, there can hardly be a more prosperous and fortunate town than Phandalin!

Phandelver's Pact has brought prosperity to this land, splitting the wonders of Wave Echo Cave between gnomes and dwarves. The town now boasts thriving communities of both peoples, living and working together in harmony. We have also tempted human spellweavers from all across the north to our town, who are happy to work side-by-side with the allies of Phandelver's Pact.

Mayor Alderleaf invites you to come and witness this miracle yourself. See the powers being uncovered in the Forge of Spells and the prosperity this power brings! I daresay Neverwinter will soon have a new rival for the title of 'Jewel of the North'.

Content:
["地狱武装"：这本书详细描述了你能在地狱里发现的各式武器和护甲，还包括它们的特性。如何获取它们的段落被撕掉了。]

['Infernal Arms': This tome details the various weapons and armour that can be found in the Hells, including their properties. The section on how to acquire them has been torn out.]

Content:
[摘自《特纳布鲁克斯·莫罗的真实非凡冒险》，这是一部低俗的系列小说，讲述一个位面间飞船船长的"现实"冒险故事。已经证实真正的莫罗船长从未离开过她的故乡深水城，只在吃饭和买墨水的时候才会离开她在呵欠传送门旅馆的房间。]

骑士的红龙已经派遣出去，他别无选择，只能跳上我的飞船，一头撞上新娘号的甲板，就连他的坐骑都被星界变化潮汐的诡异黑暗给吞噬了。

忠诚的诺尔斯立即把他压在身下，抓挠啃咬着 —— 唉，都是徒劳。 哪怕是一个斑猫人船舱侍者的怒火，星界投影都能抵挡得住。奸诈的吉斯洋基人只是笑了笑，诺尔斯无形的打击直接穿过了他，没能造成一丝伤害。骑士的银剑划出一条弧线，完全没有命中诺尔斯 —— 但却干净利落地切断了连接斑猫人忠诚灵魂与位面的灵魂绳索。

我忠诚的猫科伙伴消逝不见，我低头哀悼 —— 但是并没有犹豫半分。吉斯洋基人只是懒洋洋地嘲弄着我的攻击，期待着另一个被位面法则束缚的人会做出怎样徒劳的努力 —— 但对于特纳布鲁克斯·莫罗船长来说，情况绝非如此。

不像可怜的诺尔斯，我是以完整肉体的形态进入这个位面的，被我的双腿牢牢钳住的战士已经证明了这个事实。他翻过了新娘号的围栏，堕入迷雾之中。正巧就在此时，一支新的巨龙大军正从远方图'纳拉斯的死亡城堡中崛起。

[An excerpt from The True and Impossible Adventures of Tenebrux Morrow, a pulp serial following the 'real-life' exploits of an interplanar ship's captain. The real Captain Morrow is known never to have left her native Waterdeep, and emerges from her rooms at the Yawning Portal only to exchange scrawled manuscripts for fresh meals and ink.]

His red dragon thus dispatched, the knight had no choice but to leap for my ship, crashing to the New Bride's deck even as his mount was swallowed by the eerie gloom of the Astral Plane's shifting tides.

Faithful Norls was upon him instantaneously, clawing and biting - alas, in vain. Astral projection thwarts even the fury of a Tabaxi cabin-boy, and the treacherous githyanki only laughed as Norls' formless blows passed harmlessly through him. The knight's silver sword came about in an arc that missed Norls entirely - but neatly clipped the spiritual cord anchoring the Tabaxi's stalwart soul to the plane.

I mourned as my faithful feline companion faded from existence - but did not hesitate. The githyanki only smirked lazily at my charge, anticipating the futile efforts of another bound by the laws of this plane - but that is not and has never been Captain Tenebrux Morrow.

Unlike poor Norls, I had entered this plane in my full-fleshed form; a fact I demonstrated by thumping the warrior solidly between the legs. He tumbled over the New Bride's rail and down into the mists, even as a fresh horde of dragons rose from the distant dead citadel of Tu'narath.

Content:
[摘录自《特纳布鲁克斯·莫罗的真实非凡冒险》，讲述一个跨位面魔法船船长"真实"冒险故事的俗套连载小说。这位莫罗船长其实从未离开过她的故乡深水城，只在吃饭和买墨水的时候才会离开她在呵欠传送门旅馆的房间。]

永恒坠落是一种奇妙的体验。

其实无论是"坠落"还是"飞行"都无法形容这种状态。气元素位面的每一片天空都有着自己的法则，让试图寻找方向和定义的努力变得毫无意义。正是这种残忍的自由才让在永恒之蓝中坠落成为我学会真正放松的唯一方式。

"你似乎有点心不在焉，"伊鲁尔丝观察着我，大喊着试图盖过周围的狂风。这位地精能够轻易刺破我高深莫测的表象，这一点并不令人惊讶，因为她不仅是位学富五车的智者，更是我一辈子的朋友。

"确实，"我承认到，同时熟练地调整了一下姿势，避开了一个漂浮的阿兰寇拉鹰人巢穴。"普里默斯王事先收到了我要入侵他心灵宫殿的预警。我不得不把所有船员都抛在机械境才活着逃了出来。"

我能感到她永远藏在白骨面具后的面容皱起了眉头。那是出自她修道会的一种装模作样，也是关于她的诸多我无法理解的事情之一。"全都死了？叛徒肯定在他们中间。"

"死？没有 —— 我把他们卖了。普里默斯王想要学习凡人的特殊习惯，作为回报当场说出了背叛我的人。"

我伸手穿透界限，把她手上的命令戒指摘了下来。失去魔法物品的她立刻停止了飞行，开始真正的坠落。这里面有一种微妙的差别，不过却很重要。

她的惨叫很快被翻卷的狂风淹没，而此时新娘号也恰好出现。我爬上船，掂量了一下掌心的戒指。另一枚一样的戒指正套在我的手指上，那是很多年前伊鲁尔丝作为代表我们永恒友谊所打造的对戒。

不必担心，亲爱的读者 —— 她仍是我的朋友，我完全打算回来并接住她的。总有一天会的。

[An excerpt from The True and Impossible Adventures of Tenebrux Morrow, a pulp serial following the 'real-life' exploits of an interplanar ship's captain. The real Captain Morrow is known never to have left her native Waterdeep, and emerges from her rooms at the Yawning Portal only to exchange scrawled manuscripts for fresh meals and ink.]

It is quite a feeling, to fall forever.

Of course, 'fall' does not exactly describe it, nor indeed does 'fly'. Each patch of sky in the Elemental Plane of Air is bound by no laws but its own, rendering petty attempts at direction or definition meaningless. It is exactly this ferocious freedom that makes a plunge through the eternal blue the only way I've learned to truly relax.

'You seem distracted,' observed Erules, shouting to be heard over the howling wind. That the goblin could so easily pierce my inscrutable façade was no surprise to me, for she is a sage of considerable wisdom, and a lifelong friend to boot.

'I am,' I acknowledged, expertly adjusting my posture to avoid a drifting aarakocra nest. 'Lord Primus was forewarned of my contract to infiltrate his Mind Palace. I had to leave my entire crew on Mechanus just to escape alive.'

I could sense her frown beneath the bleached bone skull that eternally obscured her face. It was an affectation of her monastic order, and just one of the many things I had never truly understood about her. 'All perished? Surely the traitor was among them.'

'Perished? Oh, no - I traded them. Lord Primus wished to study mortal mannerisms, and he was most forthcoming with the identity of my betrayer in return.'

I reached out across the divide and slipped from her finger the Ring of Command. With the loss of the magical item she instantly ceased to fly, and began to fall in earnest. A subtle distinction, but an important one.

Her screams were already lost to the whipping wind by the time New Bride loomed into view. I climbed aboard, weighing the ring in my palm. Its exact twin was nestled upon my own finger, forged by Erules many moons ago as a symbol of our undying friendship.

Worry not, dear reader - she is my friend still, and it is fully my intention to return and catch her. Some day.

Content:
[摘录自特纳布鲁克斯·莫罗的真实非凡冒险，讲述一个跨位面魔法船船长"真实"冒险故事的俗套连载小说。这位莫若船长其实从未离开过她的故乡深水城，只在吃饭和买墨水的时候才会离开她在呵欠传送门旅馆的房间。]

于是我们在妖精荒野的黄昏中进入了雅灵的领土。我绕过他们森林的打算没能成功 —— 仿佛是河流本身都在改道，把新娘号引入了幽暗的树林，让我能对那些舞动着的身影一窥究竟。

雅灵们的形态就仿佛发烧时迷梦中出现的精灵。他们的身形仿佛枝条般纤细，发丝颜色变幻不定，情绪就像诞生了他们的妖精荒野一样，上一刻还古井无波，下一刻却天崩地裂。

我在那里做客的几个小时（亦或者是几个月）中亲身体验了后者。我的船员中有一位作为铁匠上船的半身人女子，竟敢在合唱时声音高过了接待我们的东道主。如此严重的冒犯让整座森林都陷入了沉默，还好我脑筋动得快，达成了一笔交易，才让我们活了下来。

我们离开时铁匠没有在船上，能听到的唯一声响就是她落锤的声音，她被命令造出一把必须比她自己更会为雅灵歌唱的剑。

那都是几个世纪前的事情了，我衷心希望她已经完成了这个任务。

[An excerpt from The True and Impossible Adventures of Tenebrux Morrow, a pulp serial following the 'real-life' exploits of an interplanar ship's captain. The real Captain Morrow is known never to have left her native Waterdeep, and emerges from her rooms at the Yawning Portal only to exchange scrawled manuscripts for fresh meals and ink.]

And thus in the light of the Feywild's ne'er-setting sun, we passed into the land of the eladrin. My astute resolution to sail around their forests was betrayed - it seems to me that the river itself conspired to change course, bringing the New Bride into the shadow of the trees that I might see those dancing figures up close.

The form of the eladrin - with which I am now intimately familiar - is that of elves as seen in a fever dream. Slender as wands and with hair of every changeable hue, their moods mirror that fey wilderness from which they spring - one moment gentle as a still pond, the next inexorable and deadly as a falling mountain.

The latter I experienced only after spending many agreeable hours (or perhaps seasons) among them. A halfling woman, employed among my crew as a smith, dared to raise her voice in song above that of our hosts. The depth of the insult became clear as the forest fell into silence, and it was only quick thinking on my part that delivered a compromise.

When we left it was without our smith, and the only sound was the solitary ring of her hammer as she endeavoured to forge a blade that would sing for the eladrin more sweetly than she.

It has been some centuries since - I hope she has succeeded by now.

Content:
[摘录自特纳布鲁克斯·莫罗的真实非凡冒险，讲述一个跨位面魔法船船长"真实"冒险故事的俗套连载小说。这位莫若船长其实从未离开过她的故乡深水城，只在吃饭和买墨水的时候才会离开她在呵欠传送门旅馆的房间。]

关于巴若维亚的阴暗气候众说纷纭。据说那里的迷雾能够惑人心智，折磨灵魂，让旅行者们深陷绝望，无从逃脱。

随着新娘号穿破浓雾，我必须承认，我除了有些鼻塞之外没有任何不良反应。但恐怕我的船员们就没有这么幸运了。除去那些自己跳船的，剩下的也已经只会胡言乱语，涕泪横流。我只得将他们都绑在桅杆上，自己一人操纵我美丽的新娘号。

在得知就算是我的船也无法在未经许可的情况下通过位面边境后，我前去寻找这个位面的恐惧之主。于是我在迷雾中穿行探索，一边掌舵一边挑衅地高声唱着我自编的船歌。

我的邀请很快得到了回应。他的出现就仿佛掠过头顶的阴影，突然而且恐怖。当然了，或者这就是他的目的 —— 不过我们英雄惜英雄，化干戈为玉帛，成为了朋友。最终，我们就通过位面的代价达成了一致。

关于代价究竟是什么，我只能说：他是一位令人意外的出色伴侣 - 尤其是考虑到关于他的传说之恐怖 - 而且尖牙其实并不像大家想的那样碍事。


[An excerpt from The True and Impossible Adventures of Tenebrux Morrow, a pulp serial following the 'real-life' exploits of an interplanar ship's captain. The real Captain Morrow is known never to have left her native Waterdeep and emerges from her rooms at the Yawning Portal only to exchange scrawled manuscripts for fresh meals and ink.]

Much is made of Barovia's gloomy climate. It is said the mists there confuse the mind and torment the soul, binding travellers in a grip of such despair that escape is impossible to contemplate.

As the New Bride parted that heavy fog, I confess that I felt no such malaise beyond the onset of a rather stuffy nose. The same, I fear, could not be said of my crew. Among those who had not already cast themselves overboard, the gibbering and weeping became such that I was forced to bind them to the mast entire, and navigate my fair Bride alone.

I went in search of that plane's dark master, having been informed that even my ship could not hope to breach the planar boundaries without permission. And so I probed the mists, defiant at the helm and belting out a lively shanty of my own composition.

The invitation did not long go unanswered. He appeared like the passing of a shadow overhead, sudden and terrifying. Or certainly, that was his intention - but once the mutual assurances of destruction were dispensed with, we found in one another kindred spirits, and fell to conversing in earnest. At length, a price for my passage was agreed.

Of that price, and that man, I will say only this: he is surprisingly excellent company, given the stories - and the teeth do not get in the way nearly so much as one would think.

Content:
[... ]我们到现在一直都在按照穆沙里布的指示办事，但有些不对劲。我们一路过来没有遭遇任何生物，只有来自四面八方的异响。我们睡不着觉，我靴子上的泥巴也都硬成壳了。希望我们能找到[... ]
[... ]今天早上又掉头发了。我知道回来会有副作用，但没想到这么[... ]
[... ]我听到了他的狂笑，欧姆人的哀歌奏成了合唱。这该死的地方究竟想干嘛？他的声音来自墙壁，来自天花板，来自地面。他就是坟墓？他就是[... ]

[最后一页可以阅读的内容上用炭笔潦草地画着一只长胡须的魔鬼，它的大嘴无声的尖叫着。]

[...] We've followed Musharib's instructions so far, but something feels odd. We've encountered no creatures along the way. Only alien noises from all directions. Sleep evades us, and the muck on my boots has hardened into a permanent feature. Hopefully, we find [...]
[...] Lost more hair this morning. I knew there were side effects to coming back, but I didn't expect it to be so [...]
[...] -erak. I hear him laughing, the lamentations of the Omuans droning like a chorus. What is the purpose of this hellhole? He speaks through the walls, the ceiling, the floor. Is he the tomb? Is he [...]

[On the last legible page is a crudely drawn charcoal outline of a Bearded Devil's face, its mouth agape in a silent scream.]

Content:
[标题为"穿越第一层"的章节。文本详细描绘了阿弗纳斯的地形 —— 黑色天空下一片荒芜多岩的景象，还有血河在裂隙之间奔流。冒险者在这个位面遭遇任何物理伤害危险时，出现最频繁的提示就是 —— 直接转身逃跑。
为了对抗精神伤害危险，一位牧师的陪伴是至关重要的：他们可以安抚被这个位面的邪恶影响到的人，或是将那些屈服之人的尸体献给神明。]

[A chapter titled 'On Traversing the First Layer'. The text details the terrain of the Avernus - a bleak, rocky landscape beneath a black sky, with rivers of blood rushing between the cracks. The most frequent guidance given to adventurers on encountering any of plane's many physical perils - to simply turn around and run.
To combat the spiritual perils, the company of a cleric is of paramount importance: to soothe those swayed by the plane's evil influence, or to consecrate the corpses of those who succumb.]

Content:
尚在人世时，她的服务是无可挑剔的。每日每夜，她将自己全身心地献给了失落女神。日复一日，她将自己从暴虐的记忆中解救出来。然而随着时间的推移，她失去了一切 —— 她的关系、她的嗜好、甚至是她的名字。在她供奉的祭坛之上，她呈上了最终的祭品：她已被消耗殆尽的心灵。

当她最终逝去并从死亡中再次苏醒之时，她发现自己正站在一座苍白褪色的宣判之城前，静候失落女神的迎接。数百万计的灵魂乘着无色的狂风从她身上穿过，但却没有一双手在她的手中幻化成型；没有声音在她的耳边低语着指令，苍白贫瘠的天空也没有为她显化任何指引。时间，无形的时间，宛若空气吹过她的身旁，来来往往。然而，女神依然没有出现在她的信徒面前。

作为亡者之主的凯兰沃赐予了她己所能及的怜悯，但却无从干涉。失落女神的牧师，不管价值几何，依然无人认领，也许这又是一个应当吸取的教训：那并非忘记，而是终被遗忘。

In life, her service had been impeccable. Daily did she devote herself to the Lady of Loss. Daily did she free herself from the tyranny of memory. All, in time, was lost to her - her relations, her preferences, even her own name. Upon the altar of her devotion placed she the ultimate offering: her emptied mind.

And when she died, when she awoke in death and found herself standing in the pale and faded City of Judgement, she waited for the Lady of Loss to retrieve her. A million souls and more passed her in colourless gusts, but no hand materialised in her hand; no voice whispered instruction in her ear; no guidance proffered itself from the bleached and barren sky. Time, immaterial time, passed around her like air, coming and going. And still, the goddess did not come for Her devotee.

Kelemvor pitied her, as much as the Lord of the Dead is able, but could not intervene. This cleric of the Lady of Loss, unclaimed despite her worthiness, might yet have one more lesson to learn: that not of forgetting, but being forgotten.

Content:
["恶魔植物群"：这本书里罗列了一些已知生长在阿弗纳斯的植物。大多数都被认为是从在血腥战争中频繁被杀的无数魔鬼和恶魔的血液中生长出来的。]

['Fiendish Flora': This tome lists the few forms of plant life known to grow in Avernus. Most are thought to sprout from the vital fluids of the countless devils and demons regularly slaughtered on the Blood War's battlefields.]

Content:
["恶魔动物群"：尝试给日常战斗在血腥战争前线的各种生命形态分类的书籍。单单是有关魔鬼的段落就占据了书里的大多数章节。]

['Fiendish Fauna': an attempt to catalogue the many varied life-forms that daily do battle on the front lines of the Blood War. The section on category of devil alone dominates most of the book's bulk.]

Content:
[学术信息披露：此项研究是独立出资的，试验场地位于九层地狱的第一位面阿弗纳斯。烛堡并不鼓励或推动对凡人灵魂的诱捕。]

灵魂硬币，作为一种概念而言，是一种残忍的简单。肉体以及魔力精华的总和 - 灵魂 - 被束缚在一块地狱铸铁里，被魔鬼和他们的同类当作流通货币。

灵魂硬币经常会用于交易，因为它们的价值可以购买到雇佣兵、魔法物品、甚至是地狱里最古怪引擎的燃料。然而，伴随灵魂硬币而生的还有一种引人入胜的文化。我曾经跟一个魔鬼了解过，她承认自己拥有一枚永远也不会卖掉的硬币，因为她现在的劣魔身份正是靠它换来的。

她将我与一个半精灵邪术师连接，对方承诺死后会将自己的灵魂化为一枚硬币。我有幸看到了他的魔契，内容如下所述：

[接下来的50多页似乎是用炼狱语费尽心尽力写下的法律文书，还附带着数目足以令人头痛的脚注。]


[Academic Disclosure: This research was funded independently and conducted at a site in Avernus, the first plane of the Nine Hells. Candlekeep does not encourage or promote the entrapment of mortal souls.]

Soul coins, as a concept, are one of merciless simplicity. The sum of personal and magical essence - the soul - is bound into a minted piece of infernal iron and used as currency by devils and their cohort.

They are frequently traded, for their value can purchase mercenaries, magical items, and even fuel the strange engines in the Hells. However, there is a fascinating culture surrounding soul coins as well. I spoke to a devil who admitted she has one coin that she will never sell, for it was the bargain that got her promoted out of lemure status.

She connected me to a half-elf warlock who had promised his soul to a coin after death. I was able to look at his contract, which is reproduced below:

[The next fifty pages appear to be a painstakingly written legal document in Infernal, with a headache-inducing number of footnotes.]

Content:
[虽然收信人的名称已经模糊不清，但依然能看出这封信中写着激烈的辩论。]

您的分析是有瑕疵的。地狱没有那么容易理解。将九个宇宙学层级结构归结于邪恶，其中有些规则是数代学者均有所质疑的。

地狱中的每一层都有其独特的道德以及魔法生态系统。扎瑞尔在阿弗纳斯允许的行为也许放在玛蒙的弥瑙洛斯就是亵渎之举。地狱不仅屈服于他们的心血来潮和意志，还有他们自身的存在。他们获得的灵魂越多，综合影响力传播地就越广。

阿弗纳斯本身就值得研究。看到一个尤格罗斯魔佣兵在战斗中与一个罗刹妖辩论的时候，我知道自己错了。从阿弗纳斯赤红无星的天空到冥河旁的无尽杀戮，还是有些东西值得探索的。当然，亲身介入血腥战争无疑是件很有压力的事，但对不知晓的东西就不该妄下评论。

我稍微有些离题了。我想说的是，您错了。期待您的回复。

诚挚问候，
西尔维拉·萨维卡斯
烛堡贤者

[Though the name of the recipient is obscured, the letter appears to continue a debate of some heat.]

Your analysis is flawed. The Hells are not so simple to understand. Boiling down nine cosmological layers into 'evil, but with a few more rules' does generations of scholars discredit.

Each layer is its own unique moral and magical ecosystem. What Zariel permits in Avernus may be blasphemy to Mammon in the chained cities of Minauros. The Hells bend not only to their whim and will, but to their mere presence. The more souls they acquire, the more that combined influence spreads.

Avernus itself is glorious for study. Watch a yugoloth mercenary debate mid-battle with a rakshasa and tell me I'm wrong. From its red starless sky to every bloody tributary leading to the Styx, there is something to explore. Of course, getting down there in the middle of the Blood War is a bit stressful, but you can't judge what you don't know.

I've gotten off-topic. The point is, you're wrong. Looking forward to your reply.

Best,
Sylvira Savikas
Sage of Candlekeep

Content:
["通往地狱王座的九级阶梯"：这个篇章列出了每一层地狱的名字、它们的统治者、以及占卜所需的仪式物品特性，不过内容只有简单的一瞥。]

阿弗纳斯 - 女大公扎瑞尔 - 鸡血石，包裹骸骨的碎片
迪斯 - 大公迪斯帕特 - 地狱铁矿石
弥瑙洛斯 - 大公玛门 - 一枚金币，在辛辣刺鼻的泥炭中石化
弗莱格索斯 - 女大公费耶娜以及她的父亲，大公贝利亚 - 永燃灰烬，完美的平衡在一块石头之上
斯泰吉亚 - 大公莱维思图斯 - 一只炭黑色的眼睛，冻在自己的眼泪碎片里
玛尔博吉 - 女大公格莱西雅 - 一顶小冠冕，沾染三个合法统治者的鲜血
马拉多米尼 - 大公巴尔泽布 - 戈里安苍蝇，用请愿人的血液喂肥
卡尼亚 - 大公梅菲斯特 - 一篇独特的珍稀文本，烧毁
奈瑟斯 - 领主阿斯蒙蒂斯 - 所有已知物质都会立刻导致请愿人的消失

['Nine Steps To His Infernal Throne': this chapter lists each of the Hells' nine layers, their rulers, and the character of the associated ritual item required to scry but a glimpse of it.]

Avernus - Archduchess Zariel - Heliotrope, encasing shard of bone
Dis - Archduke Dispater - Ore of infernal iron
Minauros - Archduke Mammon - Single gold coin, petrified in acrid peat
Phlegethos - Archduchess Fierna and her father, Archduke Belial - Everburn Ash, perfectly balanced on a scale of stone
Stygia - Archduke Levistus - A single coal-black eye, frozen in a shard of its own tears
Malbolge - Archduchess Glasya - A coronet, stained with blood of three rightful rulers
Maladomini - Archduke Baalzebul - Gorian fly, fed fat with the petioner's blood
Cania - Archduke Mephistopheles - a singular and precious text, burned
Nessus - Lord Asmodeus - all known substances result in immediate disappearance of petitioner

Content:
在所有恶魔领主之中，对世界影响最大的莫过于伊诺胡。尽管他的无尽饥渴被人称为是无脑的冲动，但他通过他的豺狼人选民对这个世界产生的影响没有任何无脑之处。但豺狼人是如何诞生的？首先，伊诺胡的选民必须完成其主的意志：杀戮。然后鬣狗将吞噬死者，豺狼人就从鬣狗的滚圆饱腹之中诞生。豺狼人生来便有着无尽饥渴。他们会杀尽一切活物，将其生吞活剥，只留白骨。他们毫不关心财富或利益，只关心填满自己的肚子，他们对口腹之欲的满足便是对伊诺胡的直接奉献。有些人或许会嫉妒豺狼人与他们的创造者之间如此直接的联系，但当他们嗅到豺狼人腐烂的口臭，听到他们在黑暗中的动静时，这份嫉妒会在恐惧之中如雨雪般见晛曰消。

如果你发现自己正不幸被豺狼人追踪，务必烧掉尸体，掩盖气味，向漫天诸神恳求庇护，因为这些饥饿的化身绝对无法讲理，无法买通，也不知仁慈为何物。

Of all the demon lords, few have made their mark on the world as firmly as Yeenoghu. Though his ravenous hunger is claimed to be a mindless compulsion, there is nothing mindless about the thorough insinuation of his presence in the world via his Chosen: gnolls. But how are gnolls created? First, a Chosen of Yeenoghu must do as their master wills: kill. A hyena that then feasts on the corpse of the Chosen's victim, and a gnoll is born of the glutted belly of the hyena. Gnolls thus born are hunger manifest. They ravage any living being, tearing body and bone asunder, leaving behind only bones. They care not for wealth or material gain, only to satiate their hunger. That satiation is itself an offering to Yeenoghu, funnelled directly to him. Some might envy the gnolls for such a tangible connection to their creator god, but that envy would melt to utter terror as soon as the beasts' rotting breath and wicked cackles make their way through the dark of night.

If you should find yourself the object of gnollish pursuit, burn your corpses, cover your scent, and pray to whoever might aid you, for there is no bribing, begging, or reasoning with hunger incarnate.

Content:
小心吸血鬼。
小心它的冷魅。小心它的迷人。小心它的诅咒。
最要注意的是，小心那些皮肤苍白的贵族，因为吸血鬼不堪忍受与平民为伍。

要如何避开它们的威胁？
莫要夜晚行路，因无光之夜正是吸血鬼的全盛之时。
若是别无选择，在月光明亮之时出行，时刻警惕。随身带好你所信神祇的徽记与祝福。

但要记住，如果防护周全，你的家便是壁垒。
如果在夜晚听到敲门声，小心。千万别让陌生人进入你的家中。
若你所见的是位朋友，仔细观察。他们的脸上是否苍白无血色？
他们的颈上是否有血？衣服上是否有泥土？
除非情况紧急或者是至亲之人，否则不要让他们进屋。

如果这些野兽进了你的家，快跑。抛弃你的爱人与家园。
挺身战斗也无法拯救他们。你不会再次见到他们了。
但他们会带着苍白的面孔和染血的唇瓣，走进夜晚的黑暗。

Harken close and beware the Vampyr.
Beware its cold beauty. Beware its charm. Beware its curse.
Above all, beware the pale noble, for the Vampyr cannot bear to be of the common folk.

How doth one protect from the Beast?
Walk not in blackest night, for the Vampyr loves these nights more than any other.
If you must walk, do so by the light of our moon and take care. Carry the blessings and marks of your God at all times.

But remember, your home is a fortress, if protected well.
If you hear a knock in the night, be wary. Let no stranger into your home.
If it be a friend, look upon them. Do you find them pallid and wan?
See you any mark upon their neck? See you any dirt upon their clothes?
Unless their need is great, turn away all but the most trusted.

And if the Beast finds a way into your home, flee. Leave love and family behind.
You will not save them if you fight. You will not see them again.
But they will see you, pale and smiling, calling them into the night.

Content:
[摘自《破碎的席尔德琳》，由银发骑士出品，于伊莉丝翠神殿分发。]
有些近代哲学家把我们的陨落归咎于内讧，罗丝的背叛并不能轻轻一笔带过。诚然，相信她口中柯瑞隆·拉瑞斯安已经选择背叛的谎言是卓尔自己的选择，但是他们并没有尝试劝阻我们的祖先不要相信这一点，不是吗？ 柯瑞隆的沉默同样是一种背叛。
有记录显示，极少有人能够理解罗丝邪恶意图的深度。从我们的家园中被偷走、让我们的血统四分五裂，只有最嗜虐成性的存在才会赞同如此暴行 —— 而这些残酷的先驱就成了她的第一批狂热信徒。他们将她的种子散播在魔索布莱城的地基，从那之后，这座城市便结出了邪恶的果实。
就在写下此文的时刻，我们依然处于战争之中。卓尔并非简单地一分为二 —— 我们被完全粉碎了，分割出的信仰与忠诚就如我们的城池一样，星罗密布。有太多太多勇敢而善良的战士把冰冷的剑刃抵上了彼此的喉咙。
幽暗地域永远地改变了我们，但是，也许当罗丝陨落的那一刻，忠诚可靠的席尔德琳会再次欢迎我们走入柯瑞隆·拉瑞斯安的殿堂。至少伊莉丝翠拥有足够的善意来分担我们的流放，守护着我们，直到那一天的到来。


[An excerpt from The Shattered Seldarine, produced by the Silverhair Knights for distribution in Eilistraee's temples.]
While some modern philosophers blame the fall of our people on infighting, Lolth's betrayal cannot be understated. Yes, it was the drow's choice to believe her lie that Corellon Larethian had turned from us, but they did not try and dissuade our ancestors of that belief, now did they? Corellon's silence was a betrayal too.
Records show that few comprehended the depths of Lolth's evil intentions. To be stolen from our homeland and have our bloodline split asunder was something only the most sadistic would agree to - those cruel heralds became her first cultists. They sowed her seeds into the very foundations of Menzoberranzan, and that city has produced wicked fruit ever since.
At the time of this writing, we remain at war. The drow are not simply divided in two - we are fractured entirely, split along as many allegiances as we have cities. There are far too many brave and kind warriors putting blades to each other's throats.
The Underdark has changed us for good, but perhaps when Lolth falls, the Seldarine faithful will be welcome in Corellon's halls again. At least Eilistraee is kind enough to share our exile and watch over us until that day comes.

Content:
自巴拉库尔我们宣言主张，
意在大统却误入歧途
以污秽触手与罪恶双手之名，
这个世界终将属于灰色

奥灵多尔偷走了我们的一切
却教会了我们要把武器指向何方
将我们的心灵锻造成牢不可摧的钢铁
这个世界终将属于灰色

流放者用命令将我们解放
去征服我们被夺走的过去
将每一座丰碑碾压成最精细的沙子
这个世界终将属于灰色

用你的心去交换钢铁般的意志
带着手中的鞭子和虔诚的心灵肆虐大地
让他们听见我们的降临
这个世界终将属于灰色


From Barakuir we made our stand,
Meant to rule but led astray
By wicked tentacle and wicked hand,
This world belongs to the grey

Oryndoll stole all we had
Yet taught the weapons by which to slay
Forge your minds to ironclad
This world belongs to the grey

The Exile freed us with his command
To conquer what was taken away
Crush every monument into finest sand
This world belongs to the grey

Trade your heart for steel intent,
For with whip and mind we flay
Let them all hear of our descent,
The world is nothing but grey.

Content:
在地下之城曼托 - 德里斯生活着一对地底侏儒，莎蒂和她的父亲山姆。每天早晨，勤劳的莎蒂都会扛着镐子，前往附近的岩洞开凿宝石。每天晚上，懒惰的山姆都会清点宝石然后要求她拿来更多。"在我变成全费伦最有钱的人之前，你别想休息！"

一天，莎蒂在回家的路上遇到了一位陌生人：身材瘦小、形容枯槁、皮肤灰败。"一个迪洛矮人！"莎蒂惊呼。

"求求你"，迪洛矮人开口说道，"我无家可归，身无长物。求你给我一颗红宝石，让我卖掉果腹。"

莎蒂觉得他可怜，便给了他一颗红宝石 。回家后，她把遇到迪洛矮人的事告诉了父亲。"不要相信他的谎言！"山姆警告道。"迪洛矮人自私又癫狂。你要是再给他东西，小心我把你赶出去！"

第二天，迪洛矮人等在莎蒂回家的路上。"求求你，给我十颗红宝石 ，让我卖掉，不再露宿。"莎蒂被他的恳求打动, 给了他十颗红宝石，然后回了家。山姆责骂了莎蒂。"今天挖得更少了！"他说"这样不行！"

第三天，迪洛矮人又出现在了山洞里。"求你给我一百颗红色宝 ，让我喂饱兄弟姐妹。"善良的莎蒂把一整袋宝石都给了乞丐。他收下之后，浑身发出一阵光芒。光芒散去后站在那里的不再是迪洛矮人，而是一头巨大的金龙！

"你证明了自己的慷慨。前来我的巢穴，我将与你分享我的宝藏。"莎蒂激动地答应了，和巨龙一起回到了他的奢华巢穴。

一年后，莎蒂在矿洞附近遇到了一个乞丐 —— 她的父亲，山姆。"莎蒂，我没有钱也没有屋子了，"他说。"求你给我一颗红宝石 ，让我卖掉果腹。"

莎蒂没有感到丝毫同情，转身离开了。


In the underground city of Mantol-Derith lived a deep gnome called Sadie and her father Sam. Each morning, the hardworking Sadie travelled to the nearby grotto, pick in hand, to mine gems. Each night, the lazy Sam would count them and demand even more. 'You cannot rest until I am the richest man in all of Faerûn!'

One day, Sadie encountered a stranger on her path home: a haggard creature, grey of skin and small of stature. 'A derro!' exclaimed Sadie.

'Please', said the derro. 'I have no money and no home. I beg of you - a single ruby, so I might sell it for food.'

Sadie found pity in her heart and gave the beggar a ruby. She told her father about the derro upon returning home. 'Do not believe his lies!' warned Sam. 'Derro are selfish, demented creatures. Give him no more, lest I cast you away!'

The derro was waiting for Sadie the next day. 'Please, give me ten rubies, so I might sell them for shelter.' Sadie, moved by his plea, did as he asked and journeyed home, where Sam rebuked her. 'An inferior haul', he said. 'This will not stand!'

On the third day, the derro appeared in the grotto. 'A hundred rubies, please, so I might feed my brothers and sisters.' The kindhearted Sadie handed the beggar her entire sack of gems. As he took it, there was a great flash of light. Where the beggar had stood was a massive gold dragon!

'You prove yourself generous of heart and spirit. Come to my lair, and share in my golden hoard.' Sadie eagerly accepted, joining the dragon in his opulent hideaway.

One year later, Sadie passed a beggar near the grotto - her own father, Sam. 'Sadie. I have no money and no home', he said. 'I beg of you - a single ruby, so I might sell it for food.'

Sadie found no pity in her heart, and walked away.

Content:
在乔恩萨河畔，一个孩子在照顾他的牧羊人父亲的羊群。放羊的日子枯燥无趣，为了好玩，孩子大喊道"眼魔来了！眼魔来了！"

牧羊人赶了过来，但没有发现眼魔。孩子哈哈大笑，但牧羊人批评了他。"下次如果没有见到眼魔就别喊，好不好？"

"好，我保证。"孩子说道。但第二天就和前一天一样无聊。"眼魔来了！"孩子喊道，他的父亲又赶了过来。孩子咯咯直笑，牧羊人只是皱着眉摇了摇头。

三天后，孩子在远处看到一个浮空的球体。它身体中间长着一个巨大的眼睛，眼睛下面是一张满是尖牙利齿的血盆大口。它的身体上长着许多茎秆，末端都长着一个眼球。

"眼魔来了！眼魔来了！"他大喊道，但这次没有人来了。眼魔靠近了他，孩子转身向河边跑去。他跑呀跑，直到跑到了一个悬崖边，无路可走了。孩子哭喊着，背对着眼魔畏缩成一团。但是，来的却不是眼魔的致命射线，而是一个熟悉的声音 。"回过头来！"

孩子转过身去，发现面前的并不是眼魔，而是他披着羊毛披风的牧羊人父亲。披风正面画着大眼睛，大嘴巴，周围缝着突起。

"你吓死我了！"孩子哭哭啼啼的说道。

"所以我们扯平了。"孩子的父亲一边为他抹着眼泪一边说道。

从那以后，孩子再也没喊过眼魔来了。

A shepherd's son tended to his father's flocks on the banks of the Chionthar. The days grew long and the boy grew bored. To amuse himself, he called out 'Beholder! Beholder!'

The shepherd came running, but there was no beholder. The boy pointed and giggled, but the shepherd scolded him. 'Do not cry "beholder" when there is no beholder. Promise?'

'I promise', said the boy. But the next day was as boring as the last. 'Beholder!' the boy cried, and his father rushed to his side. The boy laughed and laughed, but the shepherd only frowned and shook his head.

Three days later, the boy spotted a round figure floating in the distance. It had one giant eye in the middle of its face, a mouth full of pointed teeth, and thin stalks growing from it, each with an eye peeking from the tip.

'Beholder! Beholder!' he shouted, but no one came. The beholder began to float toward him, and the boy turned and sprinted along the river. He ran and ran until he reached a high bank and could run no more. The boy cried and cowered, bracing for the beholder's deadly ray. Instead, a familiar voice said 'Turn around!'

The boy turned. There was no beholder, only the shepherd clad in a woolen cloak. A giant eye was painted on the front, and a toothy mouth below. Vines were sewn to the cloak's edges.

'You scared me!' sobbed the boy.

'That makes us even', said his father, as he dried the boy's tears.

The boy never cried 'beholder' again.

Content:
在幽暗地域的深处有一个勇敢的地底侏儒奴隶多伊尔。他和他的兄弟为5个灰矮人铁匠没日没夜地卖命，不停开采铁矿和秘银矿，干得是胳膊酸痛，眼睛也火辣辣地疼。"干活快点！"灰矮人大声呼喝着。然后多伊尔还真的越挖越快了，即使在夜晚主人们熟睡时也不停歇，脸上还一直挂着微笑。他的兄弟问他："我们当奴隶做苦工，你怎么还笑得出来？"多伊尔答道："因为我希望主人们成功啊！"

这些灰矮人打造的优质武器和盔甲很快便声名远播。为了满足订单需求，灰矮人又找来了更多的奴隶，并开始在挖矿现场直接锻造和储存货物。没想到多伊尔比以往挖得更卖力了，他挂在脸上的笑容没有一丝动摇。很快，灰矮人的生意发展得越来越大，他们手下有了20个地底侏儒奴隶。在第21个奴隶来的那一天，多伊尔大声地又叫又笑，把所有灰矮人都吵得受不了，跑到附近一个洞窟里寻清净去了。

等这些灰矮人回来的时候，却发现多伊尔和其他地底侏儒同伴已经用奴隶主的存货把自己全副武装，身穿结实的秘银盔甲，手拿强大的铁质武器。这5个灰矮人显然不是21个武装到牙齿的地底侏儒的对手，很快就倒下了。什么，你问多伊尔？他脸上的笑容就从来没停过。

[这则寓言下面有个愤怒的读者留下了一条简短的评论。]

垃圾！侏儒们的歪点子就是从这种地方得来的吗？

总之我不明白，这个教训毫无意义！

Deep in the Underdark lived Doyle, a plucky deep gnome slave. Day and night, he and his brother toiled for five duergar smiths, mining iron and mithral until their arms ached and their eyes burned. 'Faster', cried the duergar. And faster Doyle would dig, even into the night while his masters slept, smiling all the while. 'How can you smile while we slave?' asked the brother. 'Because I wish our masters much success!' was Doyle's reply.

Words of the duergar's quality weapons and armour quickly spread. To meet demand, the duergar brought in more slaves, and began to forge and stockpile their wares at the dig site. Yet Doyle dug harder than ever, his wide grin never faltering. Soon, the duergar's operation grew so great that they commanded twenty deep gnome slaves. The day the twenty-first came, Doyle laughed and whooped so loud, his duergar captors sought silence in a nearby grotto.

The slavers returned to find Doyle and his fellow deep gnomes clad in robust mithral armour and carrying mighty iron weapons, all taken from the slavers' stockpile. The five duergar fell quickly, for they were no match for twenty-one armed deep gnomes. And Doyle? He never stopped smiling.

[Beneath the fable, an incensed reader has written a brief review.]

GARBAGE. THIS WHERE THE GNOMES ARE GETTING BRIGHT IDEAS?

ANYHOW I DON'T GET IT. THE LESSON MAKES NO DAMN SENSE!

Content:
第一章
俺曾在泰玛尔遇见一位法师
说俺口语语法有失
他说俺发音有误
没可能施放法术
所以俺用锤子把他砸死。

第二章
小子们，看看我们找到了什么？
哈哈！丫说《诗集大全》
更像是厕纸吧。

第三章
嫩知道吧？读诗会让嫩有感觉？
那次啊
俺梦到了一头
老大的食人魔。
丫朝俺冲过来
俺一脚踹爆了丫的蛋。
俺笑着醒来了。
这应该算是诗
对吧？


I
I once met a wizard in Tammar
Who went and corrected me grammar
'e said I can't cast no spell
'til I enunciate well
So I beat 'im to death with a hammer.

II
What we got 'ere, boys?
Ha! 'Book of poems' he sez
Privy roll more like.

III
Y'know how poems make you feel stuff?
Well this one time I was dreamin'
about this ogre, right?
And he was huge. Ran straight
at me and I
gave 'im the biggest kick to the nadgers.
Woke up smilin', I did.
Is that a poem or
no?

Content:
玛格鲁比耶，你的斧头已经破裂
你的鞭笞并不刺痛，你的祭司全军覆没

现身在我们面前，我们将夺走你的眼睛
然后将你砍倒，直至地精的大小

至上真神会让你拜服
屈膝恳求，流血尖叫

Maglubiyet, yer axe got broke
Yer whips don't sting, yer priests all croaked

Show yer face and we'll take yer eyes
Then chop you down to goblin size

The Absolute will make you kneel
Beg and grovel, bleed and squeal

Content:
口走足，月却脚，一左一右向前跑
男孩子，女孩子，手握手来问声好
一横一竖再一横
一撇一捺像个人

皮尺用来量衣裤
穿在身上正合适
口走足，月却脚，一左一右向前跑
男孩子，女孩子，手握手来问声好

---

悠妲拉与加尔
分享馅饼一张
上面铺满蜜渍小栗子
二人眉来眼去，互有好感。

一只苍蝇飞来
嗡嗡着飞入
满是蜜渍小栗子的馅饼
悠妲拉与加尔的馅饼。

加尔咬一口饼，
悠妲拉惊声尖叫！
"哦天啦，别吃那玩意！
"那是一个蝇投（头）小利（栗）！"

---

有个叫厄尔曼的老头。
他能训练金鱼表演。
有一天他请朋友来看金鱼表演，但金鱼好像没什么精神，
然后朋友抱怨到："这真是虚惊（金）一场！"

One foot, two feet
Well met! We'll meet
Two drakes, one mink
One draught, two drinks.

One bear, three beers
Come join! Drink here.
One foot, two feet
Well met! We'll meet.

---

Yondalla and Garl
Shared twixt them a farl
All covered in butter
And they liked each other.

Along came a fly
Who flew in with a cry
to the buttery farl
of Yondalla and Garl.

When Garl took a bite,
Yondalla shrieked with fright!
'Don't eat that, oh my!
That's a butterfly!'

---

There was an old man named Elmûn.
Who made the best buns in Faerûn.
The Elders did scold him whenever he sold them, saying,
'Elm, bring those buns to OUR room!'

Content:
很多好奇的学者都注意到灵吸怪对奥术魔法的不屑，但却没有理解背后的缘由。在传统的灵吸怪结社里，心灵异能被视作我们优越思想的无可争议的证据，而那些依赖于学习或者血统的东西，不过是纯粹精神力量的堕落与腐败。

尽管如此低劣，它也没有颠覆一个主脑的可能。我已经亲自证实过这一点，希望光耀会能将这份相反的证据广泛传播。我的同类不需要成为伟大蓝图的奴隶 —— 除非他们心甘情愿。

神圣魔法是一个更加复杂的事物。我们有些信条推进了神祇哲学的发展，比如伊森赛尔和曼泽柯瑞安，但是那些不应该被视作盲目的崇拜。如果说有什么不同的话，我的很多同胞都很嫉妒这些存在，还会研究他们的著作，期望在未来能取代他们的位置。

但是作为一个神祇的奴仆，永远屈从？这是有悖每一个结社的原则的，不论他们的信条有多么地自由主义。

Many curious scholars have noted the illithids' disdain for arcane magic, yet do not understand the reasons behind it. In traditional illithid circles, psionics are considered incontrovertible proof of our superior minds, and that which relies on study or bloodline is but a corruption of pure mental power.

Yet were it so inferior, it would not be able to subvert an elder brain. I have proven that myself, and hope the Society of Brilliance will be able to spread this evidence to the contrary far and wide. My people need not be slaves to the Grand Design - should they will it.

Divine magic is a more complex matter. Some of our Creeds advance the philosophies of gods like Ilsensine and Maanzecorian, but that should not be taken as mindless worship. If anything, many of my brethren are jealous of these beings, and study their works in order to supplant them in the future.

But to be a god's servant, forever yielding? That goes against the tenets of every circle, no matter how liberal their Creed.

Content:
[这本书包含了几个章节，每一章分别引用一个来源。它宣称里面包含了王国全境多位讲述者的第一手口述历史文本。]

第4章
矫健的帕利德
700岁
出生于利齿森林的木精灵讲述者

在可敬的帕利德觉得能够舒适地在我面前显露真身之前，我已经在森林的安静住所内生活了十多天。我待得越久、越多向他展示自己不会对他的健康和平静构成威胁之后，他就越愿意接受我温和的探究。这个故事，他在一个寒冷的清晨、坐在一个我俩生起的小火堆前向我转述的故事，是我之前从未听闻、而且此后也再也不会听到的故事。我问他故事是否是虚构的，他断然坚持故事本身就像他本人的右眼一样真实。

很久很久以前
在我的眼睛和耳朵还未成型之前，
在你的羽毛笔诞生之前，亲爱的抄写员，
有一个人类帝国 -
或者这仅仅只是一种信念。
一个大脑啃食者、灵魂挥霍者的帝国 -
他们称自己为灵吸怪，也就是
夺心魔。

吉斯的孩子低下头颅、
弯下身子为这些夺心魔服务。
一些充满热情的人们
被迫为一种冰冷的信仰而服务。

夺心魔是不可捉摸的，
他们的心灵是强大的压迫者。
无论是怎样的骄傲意志或热情
都无法帮吉斯的孩子重获自由。

直到，终于有一天，一场清算降临了 -
它的来源未知，它的力量也未经证实。
但是它的结果，创造了历史：
被恐吓的人是不会崩溃的。
吉斯的孩子英勇地奋起反抗，
他们重新找回了自由 —— 而夺心魔臣服了，
破碎了，直至今日。

[This book comprises several chapters, one for each cited source. It claims to contain first-hand transcriptions of the oral histories of several storytellers throughout the realm.]

Chapter 4
Pallidor the Swift
700 years of age
Wood Elf storyteller hailing from the Wood of Sharp Teeth

It took me several tendays of quiet habitation in the wood before the venerable Pallidor felt comfortable revealing his presence to me. The longer I stayed, demonstrating I was no threat to his health and peace, the more open he was to gentle inquiry. This tale, relayed to me on a chilly morning as we stoked a small fire between us, was like none I had heard before or since. I asked if it were fiction and he insisted emphatically it was as true as his own right eye.

Long ago
Before my eyes and ears,
Before your lonesome quill, dear scribe,
There was an empire of people -
Or perhaps only Belief.
An empire of brain-eaters, soul-wasters -
They called themselves illithids;
the flayers of minds.

The children of Gith were bowed,
bent in service to the flayers.
A passionate people
Made to serve a cold Belief.

The flayers were untouchable,
Their minds a great oppressor.
No proud will or passion
Could break Gith's children free.

Until, at last, a reckoning -
Its source unknown; its power, unproven.
But its events, history-making:
The cowed would not be cracked.
Gith's children fought back, valiantly,
Their freedom theirs - the flayers bent,
And broken, till today.

Content:
[一系列菜谱，以及讨论中菜肴有关的奇闻轶事。]

这是矮人传统的伊戈拉克炖菜的改良版。对于那些无法翻译的非矮人们 —— 不必紧张。只要注意将酒汁收干后，不要加入蛛化精灵毒素。用其他对你们柔弱体格破坏性不那么大的酸味调味料代替即可。

至于我是怎么发现这道菜的 —— 那是在我还是巡逻兵的时候了，我抓住的一个卓尔小贼往我的晚餐里下了毒。我没事人一样的把汤咕咚一嗓子给喝下去，他那表情简直跟这道炖菜一样棒！


[A series of recipes, accompanied by anecdotes about the meals in question.]

This is a twist on the traditional dwarven eaglach stew. Those non-dwarven who can't translate that, don't bother - no point frightening yourselves. Just make sure that once you've burned the alcohol away, do not add the drider venom. Substitute it with some other sour - whatever agrees with your milky constitution.

As to how I discovered this one - back during my watchman days, a drow thief I caught spiked my supper. The look on his face when I quaffed it down was near as good as the stew!

Content:
[这本书自然地翻到了有折角的那一页，邦波描述了他在旅途中见过的更加不寻常的物种。]

... 但是他们并没有鸟人一半的古怪。我见到的第一个阿兰寇拉鹰人长着一个鹦鹉脑袋、人的身子，还有鹦鹉翅膀。我尽量不让自己猛盯着看，但实在是太难了。后来我发现她是来参加一场异装派对的，她那桌有一个斑猫人（猫人）、一个 元素后裔（元素人），还有一个龟人。为了尽量表现地正常一点，我询问他们到底都是些什么鬼东西。他们没有理会我，但这也不能怪他们。对于他们来说，我的样子一定是普通又无趣。他们族类我是第一次见到，但我对于他们来说，不过又是十几亿无聊人类中的一员罢了。

[The book naturally falls to a dog-eared page in which Bumpo describes the more unusual races he's met in his travels.]

... but they weren't half so strange as the bird folk. First aarakocra I met had the head of a parrot, the body of a human, and wings also of a parrot. I tried not to stare but it was real hard. Turns out she was one of a motley party, cause around her table were a tabaxi (cat folk), a genasi (element folk), and a tortle (turtle folk). Trying to act casual, I asked what they hell they all were. They ignored me, but I can't blame 'em. To them I must've looked awfully dull and average, for they were the first of their kind I'd seen, but I was just one of a billion boring humans to them.

Content:
[一段摘录自因过于淫荡而被至少四个城邦叫禁的剧本《一场愉悦的交易》。它下流的内容让它有着为数不少而且流传广泛的非法印刷本。 ]

旁白：
尊客且听，这已消失在时间长河中的故事。
悲伤之下，男子沉入了堕落的深渊。
他想出了赢得心上人芳心的礼物。
我们的坎比翁笑了，因为游戏已经开始。

[罗伯特入场。男性提夫林。哭泣。卡莱尔，从右入场。一阵烟雾。]

卡莱尔：
青青少年，莫要哭泣，虽然妻子出走同袍家中，
比翼双飞，同床共枕，
赤裸胴体，放浪交媾，哎呦！
现在你却才想起挽回她的心？

罗伯特：
一个陌生人，何以知晓此事？

卡莱尔：
我于阴影中窥视，
见到你的羞愧与悲痛。
你想赢回妻子的芳心与肉体，
让她浪叫出你的名字。

罗伯特：
你知道我的痛苦，我的悲伤？

卡莱尔：
你心里所想逃不过我的双眼，
你想要更大的锄头，
去耕耘美丽的女子。
但你桅杆短又细，
伴侣大门对你闭。


[This is an excerpt from the play 'A Pleasurable Deal', banned in no fewer than four cities for its lewd content. Its scandalous nature led to a number of widely-distributed and illicit printings.]

Narrator:
Come hear fair folk a tale now lost to time.
In grief, this man well-sunk to depths sublime
A gift he sought to win his lady's heart.
Our cambion smiled, for now the game did start.

[Enter Robert. Male tiefling. Crying. Carlisle, stage right. Flash of smoke.]

Carlisle:
Weep not, young man, though free your wife has fled,
And comfort found in comrade's arms and bed.
She licks her lips and cries his name, oh my!
And now seek you to be the apple of her eye?

Robert:
How does a stranger know such things, I ask?

Carlisle:
I watch you from the shadows and I see
Your shame and grief for nature's malady.
You seek to win your lady and her bed
To have your name upon her lips instead

Robert:
You know my curse, my pain, my grief, my woe?

Carlisle:
Of you, I know, you seek a larger hoe,
To plow fair maid, and sow a seed to grow,
But lack do ye a mighty horn and mast
With which to guide a maid to bed and fast.

Content:
[以下是一次采访的文本记录，对象是《一场愉悦的交易》的作者及导演 - 金斯利·哈普先生。]

采访者：请问这部如此大胆、极度猥琐的剧本背后的创作灵感是什么呢？

哈普：它是关于探索禁忌的。看看我们是谁，身而为人的我们，究竟是谁。没错，罗伯特的确跟一个坎比翁做了交易，但是谁不会呢？

采访者：呃，我更倾向于认为大多数人不会这么做。

哈普：那你并不了解大多数人。每个人都有想法。每个人都有需要。坎比翁看到了这一点。从某种程度上讲，他们对我们的了解要超过我们对他们的了解。

采访者：但是在剧本的最后，罗伯特惨死了。这样一来，又该如何看待我们的 - 按照你的说法，"需求"呢？

哈普：你忘了，罗伯特的死是因为他突然逃离了卡莱尔。他并没有忠于他们之间达成的交易。

采访者：所以你是在鼓励大家与地狱的子孙签订魔契吗？像罗伯特一样，放弃自己的灵魂？

哈普：我们只有一次生命。所以为什么不充分利用呢？

采访者：好吧，那么... 你的交易什么？

哈普：不好意思，请再说一遍？

采访者：事实上，这是你执导的处女作，不是吗？在这个剧本面世之前，你的作品甚至都没能登上通俗小报《巴尔德尔的痛斥》。你真的用自己的灵魂换取了这个猥琐的情色剧本吗？

哈普：我 - 好吧，看来我们的采访要到此为止了。

[Below is a transcript of an interview with the writer and director of 'A Pleasurable Deal', Mr Kingsley Harp]

Interviewer: What was the inspiration behind this, if I may be so bold, entirely lewd piece of drama?

Harp: It's about exploring the taboo. Seeing who we, as people, really are. Yes, Robert makes a deal with a cambion, but who wouldn't?

Interviewer: Well, I like to think most people wouldn't.

Harp: Then you don't know most people. Everyone wants something. Everyone needs something. Cambions can see it. In a way, they know us better than we know ourselves.

Interviewer: But at the end of the play, Robert dies horribly. What does that say about what we, as you put it, 'need'?

Harp: You forget, Robert dies because he broke away from Carlisle. He didn't stay true to the deal they made.

Interviewer: So you're encouraging people to make a pact with hells' offspring? To give up, as Robert did, his soul?

Harp: We only have one life. Why not make the most of it?

Interviewer: So... what was your deal?

Harp: I beg your pardon?

Interviewer: In fact, this was your directorial debut, wasn't it? You couldn't even get published in the tabloid 'Baldur's Bash' before this play came out. Did you honestly trade your soul for an erotic play?

Harp: I- all right, we're done here.

Content:
[这本书的每一个章节都详细描述了一项独特的个案研究，资料来源于预言者洁拉尔丁·哈弗洛整个辉煌的职业生涯。第23章有一个显眼的折角。]

第23章
受惊的贵族与赭色的预兆

在下文中，我转录了自己与一个毕生相熟的年轻贵族之间的对话。通常他会因为爱情和财富的问题来寻求我的指引，但是这次特殊场合的探访在我的脑海里尤为突出。

他：夫人，求你了 —— 我说的都是真的！

我：要不请你再重新复述一遍吧 —— 以便记录。

他：我遇见一个全身赭色皮肤的家伙，长着一对精灵样的耳朵，而鼻子就像是从一具半腐烂的尸体上摘下来的。还有小鹿毛皮上那种斑点装饰着他的皮肤。

我：我明白了。那他都说了些什么，就是他接近你的 - 是什么来着？ - 领地上的迷雾峡谷的时候？

他：这个家伙 - 这个生物 - 这个人慢慢靠近我，右手还握着一把剑。我当时惊呆了，就像被某种魔法击中一样浑身僵硬。他把剑举到我的下巴底下，问了一些我不理解的东西。现在我想起来了 —— 那把剑，散发月亮一般的银光 - 还是倒映在湖里的月亮 - 就抵在我的下巴下面 -

我：冷静点，先生。你现在很安全。你说你听不懂那家伙说的话？

他：一开始是的，听不懂。一开始我不知道他说的是什么语言。但他好像觉察到我的困惑，转而试着用通用语跟我交流。然后他说，"现在告诉我 —— 这是哪个位面？"之后我没能领会那个幽灵的意思，然后直接晕倒在地上了。

我：然后呢？

他：然后，当我醒来的时候（我不知道是多久之后），他已经不在了。然后我就跑来找你了。

我：我明白了，孩子。别害怕，因为你撞见的是一个极佳的好兆头。今年你的庄稼收成将会翻倍。

他：真的吗？但他到底是谁？

我：他是你内心精灵的一个虚构之物，你最深直觉的一个信使。而他是来向你传达即将到来的好运的。

我告诉你，事实的确如此。

[Each chapter of this book details a unique case study in the soothsayer Jeraldine Haverlowe's illustrious career. Its twenty-third chapter is conspicuously dog-eared.]

Chapter 23
The Frightened Noble and the Ochre Omen

Hereunder I have transcribed a conversation between myself and a young nobleman of my lifelong acquaintance. Typically he came to me for guidance in matters of love and fortune, but his visit to me on one particular occasion stands out particularly in my mind.

Himself: Madam, please - what I say to you is true!

Myself: Perhaps you'd be so kind as to repeat it - for the record.

Himself: The fellow I met was ochre of skin, with ears like an elf and the nose of a half-rotted corpse. Markings like those on a fawn's hide decorated his skin.

Myself: I see. And what did he say as he approached you in the - what was it? - misted glen upon your lands.

Himself: The fellow - the creature - the man came to me slowly, a blade in his right hand. I was transfixed, as though stricken stiff by some magic. He held the sword below my chin and asked me something I could not understand. I can see it now - the blade, silver as the moon, as a the moon in a lake, beneath my chin -

Myself: Calm yourself, sir. You are quite safe. You say you could not understand what the fellow said?

Himself: At first, no. No, at first I knew not what tongue he spoke. But he seemed to glean my confusion and tried in Common instead. And he said, 'Tell me now - which plane is this?' It was then I lost grasp of the ghost and fainted directly to the ground.

Myself: And then?

Himself: And then, when I woke (I know not how much later), he was gone. And I flew to you.

Myself: I understand, child. Be not frightened, for you have been visited by a most auspicious omen. Your crops will yield twice their wealth this year.

Himself: Truly? But who was he?

Myself: He was a figment of your inner daemon, a messenger from your deepest intuition. And he came to inform you of your impending luck.

And I tell you, it was so.

Content:
是否曾有一个神祇更改过你的血统？就算是对那些心甘情愿的人来说，这也是一件十分骇人的事情。不过还有少数提夫林希望阿斯蒙蒂斯能夺取他们的身体，只不过他们在这件事情上别无选择。

并不是说在大魔鬼的游戏开局之前，我们没有得到恩宠。我们的人一直在对抗"恶魔宗亲"这个恶名，仿佛就连一滴地狱脓水也逃离不了腐败的命运。真是可笑，有那么多人心甘情愿地将他们的灵魂出卖给邪魔，但他们的文化作为一个整体却没有受到任何指责。

当我们没有犯下罪孽的时候，又怎样才能赎清呢？我都愿意将利刃刺入每一个辅助阿斯蒙蒂斯邪恶仪式的邪术师。但是个人的复仇无法撤销一个神祇的意愿，更不用说还是那位谎言之王了。

当每一个行人都把你当成小偷和异端看待的时候，变成他们口中的那种人就充满了巨大的诱惑力。唯一能阻止我的，只是因为我知道阿斯蒙蒂斯最想要的就是看着我们全部堕落。

Have you ever had a god change your blood? It is a horrifying thing, even for those who may desire it. Yet few tieflings wished for Asmodeus to claim their bodies, only to be given no choice in the matter.

It is not as if we were well-loved before the archdevil's gambit. Our people have always struggled against the notion of 'devilkin', as if a single drop of infernal ichor inescapably corrupts. How amusing, when so many others willingly sell their souls to fiends, yet their culture as a whole escapes the blame.

By what method can we redeem ourselves, when the crime is not ours? I would drive a blade into every warlock that aided Asmodeus' damned ritual, but personal vengeance cannot undo the will of a god, much less one as slippery as the Lord of Lies.

When every passer-by thinks you a thief and heretic, it is deeply tempting to become one. The only thing that has stopped me is knowing Asmodeus wants nothing more than for all of us to fall from grace.

Content:
米里亚姆，

很抱歉，我已经很久没有给你写信了。期间发生了很多事。

先说些好消息吧。两指玛吉再也不会烦你了。我已经把钱全部还给她了。我很抱歉 —— 她一开始根本就不该知道你的名字。

现在，要说坏消息了。亲爱的，我不能回家了。至少暂时回不来了。钱是从一个雇佣兵团（我最好还是不要提到他们的名字）那里拿到的，作为回报，我答应去冰风谷完成几个任务。他们提前预支给我了，因为... 神啊，写下来感觉太奇怪了...

因为他们需要一个邪术师。他们需要我。

我接受了坎比翁的提议。我不会说自己别无选择，因为那会是一个谎言。但我并不后悔。我已经是一个全新的男人了。这是我人生中第一次感到自己是如此强大。除了午夜会被硫磺的味道呛醒之外（他喜欢顺便过来，"看看一切进展如何"），我别无怨言。

如果你不打算回复这封信，我可以理解。如果你根本不希望我再回去，我，我也能理解。

我爱你，米里亚姆。而且我希望你能够开心，即便能让你开心的人不是我。

艾德蒙


Miriam,

I'm sorry it's been so long since I've written. A lot has happened.

First, some good news. Maggie Two-Fingers won't be bothering you anymore. I paid her back in full. I'm sorry - she should never have got your name in the first place.

Now, for the bad news. My love, I'm not coming home. Not for a while, at least. The money came from a mercenary group (probably best I don't give their name) and I've agreed to a couple jobs in Icewind Dale in return. They paid me upfront because... gods, it's so strange to write it...

Because they needed a warlock. They needed me.

I took the deal the cambion offered. I'm not going to say I had no choice, because that would be a lie. But I don't regret it. I'm a new man. I feel strong for the first time in my life. Aside from being awoken in the middle of the night by the smell of sulphur (he likes to drop by to 'see how everything is going') I have no complaints.

If you don't reply to this letter, I understand. And if you don't want me to come back at all, well, I understand that too.

I love you, Miriam. And I want you to be happy, even if it's not with me.

Edmund

Content:
剑湾的子民们！看看你们周围吧。你们看见了什么？一群害怕神祇的人类、精灵、还有矮人，或是那幅神圣景象沦为地狱般的腐败光景？

提夫林，带着所有人都能看见的邪恶传承，行走在我们中间。仿佛他们的存在（还有忠诚）并不属于下界的神祇。这些被地狱触摸过的生物已经入侵了我们的城市、我们的组织、甚至是我们的家庭！
他们可以随心所欲地宣称自己是"善良的"。如果一只老虎垂涎欲滴地看着你，说自己除了蔬菜之外什么也不吃，你敢相信吗？你不敢。因为我们可以看清他们真正的本性，一清二楚、明明白白。

但他们并不是唯一入侵我们世界的邪恶。环顾四周，我看见了卓尔、灰矮人还有其他幽暗地域的生物，努力为了能被接纳而奋斗。但是当他们的兄弟还在袭击我们的村落、偷走我们的孩子的时候，我们为什么要接受他们呢？

诚然，我并不是说他们应该被驱逐出去。显然我也没说应该将这些欠债未赎的家伙送回幽暗地域，把提夫林赶回他们的地狱老家。但是请小心这些人，我的朋友们。
看见他们的时候要抱持一份怀疑，特别是在你毫无戒心的时候。


People of the Sword Coast! Look around you. What do you see? A collection of Gods-fearing humans, elves, and dwarves; or an infernal corruption of that divine image?

Tieflings, wearing their devilish heritage for all to see, walk among us as if they didn't owe their existence (and allegiance) to the Lords below. These Hells-touched peoples have infiltrated our cities, our organisations, even our families!
They can claim to be 'good' all they wish. Would you believe the tiger who looks at you with dripping fangs if he said he ate nothing but vegetables? No, we can see their true nature, plain as day.

But they are not the only evil infiltrating our world. All around, I see drow, duergar, and other creatures of the Underdark strive for acceptance. But why should you accept them, when their brothers raid our countryside and steal our children?

Obviously I am not saying they should be cast out. Obviously I am not saying we should return these delinquents to the Underdark and drive the Tieflings back to the Hells they came from. But be wary of these people, my friends.
Be suspicious when you see them, and especially suspicious when you do not.

Content:
这本书几乎就快化成尘土，根本无法阅读。

This book has all but crumbled to dust, making it impossible to read.

Content:
[这本书里写满了冒险故事。怪物凶狠残暴，男性肌肉发达，女性丰乳肥臀，衣服还动不动就被撕破。每隔一页就会有些纸被撕成两半，尽管你的确发现了一个没那么血腥的段落。]

女人的眼神十分朦胧，里面闪烁着秘密与许诺。博德安被迷住了。
"任何事？"他问到。
"任何事，"她回答。"只要你开口，它就是你的了。"
"那你想要什么作为回报？"
"哦，一个小东西而已，"她笑靥如花。
博德安也笑了。所有跟他有关的东西没有一个是小的。
"我要你的灵魂，博德安，"她一声叹息。"给我你的灵魂，无论你想要什么，我都可以给你。"

博德安考虑了一阵。"那好吧。我想要一个白萝卜。"
她有些犹豫。"用你的灵魂换一个白萝卜？"
"一个漂亮的白萝卜，"博德安点点头。
"很好，"黑烟从女人身边环绕而起，她的皮肤也变成了红色，"那你就 - "

[接下来的页面被撕掉了。再次续上之前剧情的时候，这个女人 - 现在已经完全暴露了魔鬼的身份 - 正跪倒在博德安的脚下。]

"我诅咒你，博德安！我被你束缚了 —— 当你需要的时候就召唤我吧 —— 还有，你的灵魂又重新属于你了。"
"就当是给你一个教训吧，"博德安仰天大笑。"永远不要低估一个白萝卜的力量。"

[This book is packed full of tales of adventure. The monsters are ferocious, the men are muscled, the women are buxom and the clothing is easily torn. Something is 'cleft in twain' on every other page, although you do find a passage that's a little less bloody.]

The woman's eyes were dusky, filled with mystery and promise. Balduran was intrigued.
'Anything?' he asked.
'Anything,' she said. 'Just name it, and it can be yours.'
'And what do you want in return?'
'Oh, just a small thing,' she smiled.
Balduran laughed. NOTHING about him was small.
'I want your soul, Balduran,' she sighed. 'Give me your spirit, and whatever you desire shall be yours.'

Balduran considered this for a moment. 'Very well. I want a turnip.'
She hesitated. 'Your soul in exchange for a turnip?'
'A nice turnip,' nodded Balduran.
'Very well,' dark smoke swirled around the woman, whose skin was turning red, 'then you shall-

[The next couple of pages have been torn out. When the story resumes, the woman - now fully revealed as a devil - is kneeling at Balduran's feet.]

'Curse you, Balduran! I am bound to you - yours to call upon when you need me - and your soul is your own once more.'
'Let that be a lesson to you,' laughed Balduran. 'Never underestimate the power of a turnip.'

Content:
前言
几个世纪前，一位年轻人从灰色港口村起航。他去了哪里，见了什么以及做的事情到了今天都成为了乡野传说，但他带回的宝藏却货真价实。

博德安让灰色港口发了大财。他带回的黄金盖起了港口，资助了企业，更筑起了保护这一切的高墙。这座蓬勃发展的城市将其中一座大门以他的名字命名，但因为从这门中流过的财富是那样庞大，这座大门的名声甚至超过了那座村子。现在，灰色港口这个名字只在尘封的历史书和古老的地图上才能找到，而博德之门这个名字却响彻了费伦全境。

Preface
Centuries ago, a young man sailed from the village of Grey Harbour. Where he went, what he saw, and the deeds he accomplished are simple legends today, but the wealth he returned with years later is a hard fact.

Balduran made Grey Harbour rich. His gold built docks, funded businesses, and raised strong walls to protect it all. One of the gates into this flourishing city was named in his honour, but so great was the wealth that flowed through it that the name of the gate became more famous than the village that started it all. The name Grey Harbour has been relegated to dusty history books and ancient maps, but Baldur's Gate? That name is on the lips of every traveller in Faerûn.

Content:
伟大的公爵与女公爵们，先生们女士们，以及所有想追求这个世界知识的人们：欢迎大家！我长途跋涉，所见非凡，并且将一切记录了下来。

我的历险开始于一座简陋的旅馆，在那里我遇到了一位莱瑟曼人佣兵。他待人友善，向我提议用一个故事换一杯酒。我接受了，然后很快一杯麦酒变成了六杯。

他告诉了我他们族人的传说，分享他们的故事以及文化。他告诉了我他去过的地方 —— 从银色联邦到卡林珊，从月影岛到紫尘平原。他说的越多，我越是意识到：我从来也没踏出过贝尔苟斯特。我感觉自己就像只苍蝇，将短暂的一生盘绕在公共厕所旁边，对自己错过的东西一无所知。但到此为止了！

于是第二天我便打包启程，沿着乔恩萨河一路向东。我要亲眼看看莱瑟曼，去看看这个雄伟的世界，并将一切记录下来。

Great Dukes and Duchesses, Lords and Ladies, and all who seek knowledge of the world: welcome! I have travelled far, seen much, and recorded all.

My odyssey began in a humble tavern, where I met a Rashemi mercenary. An approachable fellow, he offered me a tale in exchange for a drink. I accepted, and was soon rapt as one ale became six.

He told me the legends of his people, sharing their stories and culture. He told me of the lands he'd visited - from the Silver Marches to Calimshan, from the Moonshae Isles to the Plains of Purple Dust. The more he spoke, the more I realised I'd never travelled farther than Beregost. I felt like a fly, spending my short life buzzing about a latrine, ignorant of everything I was missing. Well, no more!

The next day I packed a bag and set out, following the Chionthar east. I would travel to Rashemen, see this magnificent world, and document it all.

Content:
[页面沾染着灰尘和泥土，但在描述旅途中卫生问题的长篇赘述中，你的目光停在了这一章节。]

有些人警告过我不要偏离河流，但我寻求的是一次冒险。而且，还有能比"死亡之地"更好的地方吗？

生活在博德之门，人们经常会听闻这片宏大的草原，但从没有人真正拜访过。对于一个名字如此荒芜的地方来说，它肯定是充满生机、蓬勃盎然的！好吧... 也许没有充满，但那里一定有诚实可靠的农夫，还有成群结队的渡鸦。

唉，我没有时间去附近的高山探险（或者"山冈"，本地人是这么叫的），但有人告诉我，那里的远古遗物几乎都要从地下冒出来了。真是适合来一场小圣物搜索的绝佳地点。

[The pages are stained with dust and mud, but between screeds about hygiene while travelling on the road, your eyes settle on this section.]

There were those that warned me against straying from the river, but I was out searching for an adventure. And where better than the 'Fields of the Dead'?

Living in Baldur's Gate, one hears much about this grand, grassy plain, but one never visits. And for a place with such a desolate name, it is positively teeming with life! Well... perhaps not teeming, but there are honest farmers to be found there, and a large number of ravens.

Alas, I had no time to venture near the huge hills (or 'barrows' as the locals call them), but I am told that ancient artefacts are all but bursting out of the ground. A fine spot for a little relic hunting.

Content:
我知道作为流动民族的古尔享有能够预言未来的盛名，但是只有当你坐下来、跟他们一起分享故事的时候，才能真正开始了解一个人。坐在路边架起的一罐沸腾的炖汤旁边，他们告诉我：他们是"塞伦涅的孩子"，还宣称有过一段可以追溯到远古莱瑟曼的历史。

在古尔的传说中，两个年轻的女巫（魔女！）拒绝遵照长者的指令行事。于是，挫败的年长女巫把年轻的少女变成黄莺，锁进了一个金色的笼子里，还说如果她们拒绝学习，至少还能歌唱乐曲。但是女巫逃了出来，一路飞越了费伦。最后，精疲力竭的她们落在了一个牧师的花园里，对方以塞伦涅之名祝福了她们，打破诅咒，将她们重新变回人形。自那以后，她们就成了塞伦涅的孩子。

所有古尔人的血脉都可以追溯到这些年轻的少女身上 —— 的确，有些古尔的女族长甚至会将"少女"用在头衔之中。当然了，作为塞伦涅的宠儿，他们不再研习女巫的巫术，但有些人说它依然留存在他们的血液里 —— 让他们能够瞥见未来的一隅。

这是一个壮丽的传说（还有绝佳的炖汤），但到底是不是真的呢？等我到达莱瑟曼之后会亲自调查一番。也许他们又会说出一个完全不同的故事。

I knew the Gur as travelling folk with a reputation for fortune telling, but you only start to know a people when you sit down and share a tale. At the side of a road, over a pot of bubbling stew, they told me they were the 'Children of Selûne', and claim a history stretching back to ancient Rashemen itself.

Gur legend tells of two young Wychlaran (witches!) who refused to follow the instruction of their elders. In frustration, the older witches turned the young maidens into songbirds and locked them in a golden cage, saying if they refused to learn, at least they could make music. But the Wychlaran escaped and flew across Faerûn. Eventually, exhausted, they landed in the garden of a cleric, who blessed them in the name of Selûne, breaking the curse and transforming them back into human form. Since then, they have been Selûne's children.

All Gur peoples trace their line back to these young maidens - indeed, some Gur matriarchs even take 'maiden' as a title. Of course, as the beloved of Selûne they no longer practice the Wychlaran's witchcraft, but some say it remains in the blood - that it lets them catch glimpses of the future.

It was a magnificent tale (and some excellent stew), but was any of it true? I shall investigate when I reach Rashemen. Perhaps they tell a different story.

Content:
科米尔可真是个了不起的地方！这里的地理位置确实非常引人注目 —— 被高山和大海环抱，充满森林和沼泽 —— 但是当苏萨尔的高墙就近在眼前的时候，这些风景又有何意义？

当你靠近苏萨尔的时候，首先映入眼帘的就是城市的高墙，不过远眺是无法真正领会的。只有慢慢靠近的时候，它才会越来越高、拔地而起、高耸入云，然后你才能真正为苏萨尔的宏伟壮绝而惊叹。我穿过有如城堡一般的大门，走进这座宏大的城市。街道上有精英武装部队 —— 紫龙骑士团在巡逻，还会有身着高雅考究时装的贵族擦身而过。

它的港口挤满了跨越星宿海而来的船舶，船上运载的货物来自我只在传说中听闻过的地域。码头总是堆满了水果、香料、丝绸和动物毛皮。如果你带着金狮币，绝对找不到比这里更棒的市集了。

还有，伤害猫咪是明令禁止的。这可真是片彻彻底底的文明土地。


What a land is Cormyr! Certainly, the geography is dramatic - edged by mountains and sea, filled with forests and swamps - but why dwell on these when the great walls of Suzail loom ahead?

One sees the city's walls as one approaches, but there is no understanding them from a distance. It's only as one gets close, and they loom higher, and higher, and higher, that one appreciates the majesty of Suzail. I passed through gates the size of castles to enter this magnificent city. The streets are patrolled by elite armoured knights known as Purple Dragons and frequented by nobles in the most elegant fashions.

Its port is filled with ships from across the Sea of Fallen Stars, carrying goods from lands I only knew from legends. The docks overflow with fruit, spices, silks and animal pelts. You will not see a finer market, if you have the golden lions to spend.

Also, the harming of cats is strictly forbidden. A thoroughly civilised land.

Content:
千万要不惜一切代价回避桑比亚。 这里显然是勤勉者的家园 —— 那类人很快会忘记自己身为耐色瑞尔附庸国的历史，但却会从谷地偷走你的笔记，更会毫不犹豫的把你卖给海盗。

还好这群海盗跟另一群海贼干上了，而他们则很乐意让一个书记官上船。我兴奋地记录着关于航行的一切。我们正在驶往赛斯克，通往东方的大门，那里可以上陆前往莱瑟曼。唉，可惜大部分时间我都在伪造舱单。

Let it be known that Sembia should be avoided at all costs. It is clearly home to an industrious sort of fellow - the sort who is quick to dismiss the country's history as a Netherese vassal state, but will steal your notes from the Dalelands and sell you to pirates all the same.

Thankfully, these pirates were set upon by another group of buccaneers, who were more than happy to take a scribe on board. I was excited to document the voyage, as we are headed to Thesk: the Gateway to the East, where the road leads straight to Rashemen. Alas, I have spent almost all my time forging ship manifests.

Content:
我必须说，对于一个拥有这么多兽人和地精的地方来说，赛斯克是一片极其舒适宜人的土地。一个真正的大熔炉，能够包容一切（而且很多似乎都是允许的）。

唉，跟我一起航行至此的队员被港务长囚禁了，但我很快就会踏上那条所谓的黄金之路。而且它也的确不负虚名。

一整片大陆的财富都在沿着这条大路行进。无冬城的毛皮、那西凯的铁，全都流往一个方向，而丝绸和珠宝则流往另一个方向。我听说过这世间的很多个故事。黄金之路的故事跨越了莱瑟曼，穿过游牧之地的荒原，一直深入卡拉图的大陆，那是一个帝王的国度，那里生活着巨龙、还有我做梦也想不到的野兽。我已经如此接近莱瑟曼，但我曾经的梦想现在听起来却变得如此... 平凡。

昨晚我扎了营，一个迷人的家伙也加入其中。我把渴望见到莱瑟曼的梦想告诉了他，他笑了。他声称莱瑟曼相比赛尔根本一文不名，还邀请我拜访祖基尔法庭。拒绝如此诱人的邀请似乎太过粗鲁，所以我会去看看，赛尔究竟会带来怎样的惊喜。

然后是莱瑟曼。还有以后的更多！


I must say, for a place with so many orcs and goblins, Thesk is a remarkably pleasant land. A true melting pot, where all are accepted (and quite a lot seems to be permitted).

Alas, the crew I sailed here with were imprisoned by the harbourmaster, but I was soon on the road known as the Golden Way. And it lives up to its name.

The wealth of a continent marches along this road. Furs from Neverwinter and iron from Nashkel flow in one direction, while silks and jewels flow the other. I have heard so many stories of the world. The Golden Way passes through Rashemen, through the wastes of the Hordelands, and on to the continent of Kara-Tur, a land of empires, dragons, and beasts I've never dreamt of. I am so close to Rashemen, but what was once my dream now sounds so... mundane.

Last night I made camp and was joined by a charming fellow. I told him my dream of seeing Rashemen and he laughed. He claims that Rashemen is nothing compared to Thay and invited me to visit the court of the zulkirs. It seemed rude to turn down such an illustrious invitation, so I will see what this Thay has to offer.

Then Rashemen. And beyond!

Content:
赛尔很美。

这里的人民热情又善良。我在这里很受欢迎。

莱瑟曼现在对我来说已经毫无意义。卡拉图也毫无意义。我的旅程结束了。

来吧，我的朋友。我恳求你。

来赛尔吧。赛尔很美。

- 里安·弗贝克


Thay is beautiful.

Its people are warm. Its people are kind. I am welcome here.

Rashemen means nothing to me now. Kara-Tur means nothing. My travels are done.

Come, my friends. I implore you.

Come to Thay. Thay is beautiful.

-Rian Forbeck

Content:
[这是一封写给"巴尔德尔的痛斥"编辑的一封信，出自一双激动、过度情绪化的手，那是一份因刊登有争议的文章而臭名昭著的通俗小报。]

尊敬的编辑，

你居然为博德之门发布的荒谬动物禁令辩护，这种行为实在是卑劣、恶臭、残酷至极。比孔雀大的动物就不能进入？迂腐！我亲爱的吉赛尔会是你曾经见过的最彬彬有礼的熊，更不用提我必须回科米尔的避暑别墅时，它陪伴我家孩子的那些时光。

我要召集议会同行解决这个问题。马上就做。博德之门市民的情绪和心理健康已经危若累卵，如果这件事得不到相应地处理，我会带着它去找最高权力部门。

现在，吉赛尔正在为自己的父亲哭泣。这个迂腐的政策让一个孩子与他的父亲强行分离。我搞不懂大公爵乌尔德·雷文伽德是怎么能独自一人生活的。

你忠实的，

R·皮肯斯先生


[Written in a furious, sloping hand, this is a letter to the editor of 'Baldur's Bash', a tabloid notorious for its controversial articles.]

Dear Editor,

I find it despicable, nay, diabolical, that you would defend Baldur's Gate's ridiculous restrictions regarding animals in the city. No animal larger than a peacock may gain entry? How archaic! My darling Giselle is the most well-behaved bear you'll ever meet, and yet to spend time with my child I must visit my summer home in Cormyr.

I call upon the Parliament of Peers to resolve this issue. Immediately. The emotional and psychological well-being of the people of Baldur's Gate is at stake, and I shall take this to the highest of authorities should it not be dealt with accordingly.

Right now, Giselle cries out for her father. This archaic policy has separated a child from their parent. I don't know how Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard lives with himself.

Yours faithfully,

Mr R Pickens

Content:
前言： "没人想看关于鳗鱼的书"？狗屁！那些什么"魔法"、"恶魔"、"天体"之类的书，你们这群骄傲自大的烛堡书呆子自己当宝贝去吧！务实的人要看务实的书。你那些星星能拿来做饼吗？当然不能！鳗鱼很重要的好吧。

让我们先说明一点：巨型闪电鳗，其实并不是鳗鱼。它们看上去是鳗鱼，大家也都叫它们鳗鱼，但看它们的头型，看它们的颅骨结构，都和巨型海鳗完全不同。

那么，在哪才能抓到鳗鱼呢？哪哪都是！从无冬城到艾尔托瑞尔再到卡林港 —— 都能找到鳗鱼。但它们在哪繁殖？如何繁殖？你可能听说过它们是学会了游泳的蛇变来的，它们是利维坦海怪的幼体，或者说它们是幽暗地域的间谍这样的故事，这些全都狗屁不通。我很确定它们是在月影海繁衍，然后游遍了费伦。如果烛堡那群傻屌肯出钱让我去那里调查，我肯定能证明这一点！

但他们就是不给。整天研究什么恶魔迷箱，咕哝着阿蓝多八百年前说的什么屁话。我敢打赌他们连钓钩都绑不好...
[书籍内容就这样继续了几页，最终才回到了鳗鱼的主题上。]


Foreword: 'No one wants to read about eels', eh? You stuck-up Candlekeep gits can keep your books on 'magic' and 'demons' and 'celestial bodies'. People are practical folk and they want to read practical things. Can't make a pie outta stars, can you? No. Eels is important.

Right. Let's get one thing straight: giant lightning eels? Not technically eels. They look like 'em, sure, and everyone calls 'em eels, but the shape of the head? The bone structure? You can't tell me that's the same as a Giant Moray.

Now, where can you catch eels? Bloody everywhere! From Neverwinter to Elturel to Calimport - you can find an eel. But where do they breed? And how? Well, you probably heard the stories that they're just snakes that learned to swim, or they're baby leviathans, or they're Underdark spies, but that's all bunkum. They breed in the Sea of Moonshae, I'm sure, and then swim all over Faerûn. And if those pricks in Candlekeep'd give me the money to sail there, I'd be able to prove it!

But no. They're too busy studying demon puzzle boxes and mumbling 'bout whatever Alaundo said years ago. Bet Al couldn't tie a good fishing knot for nothing...
[The book carries on like this for several pages, before finally returning to the topic of eels.]

Content:
班吉，

适可而止吧！你口中唠叨个不停的那个宝贝翠绿闲庭，我已经听到耳朵都起茧子了。他们宣称自己是费伦人民的盟友、宣称他们要在这样一个混沌的世界里为了文明与自然的平衡而战，但这些全都是谎言！他们是进步、是智慧的敌人，如果这个世界退回到在户外大小便和原始人类的时代，最高兴的就会是他们。

拜托，来博德之门的至高奇迹之殿找我吧。在我做学徒的这段时间里，我学到的东西是如此地简单、充沛和奇妙！这里有水泵 —— 不再需要提着一只水桶去辛苦劳作。这里还有蒸汽驱动的公牛，可以连续几天拉着你的四轮货车往前跑。甚至还有这封信！它是通过我们最新的机械印刷设备记录和打印的。为了好玩，我还特意多打印了几份。

拜托了，我的兄弟，我实在是不忍心一回家还要看见你从树上采浆果，跟父亲和母亲争执他们的庄稼有没有妨碍到狐狸的领地。

尽快给我回信，好吗？还有，别忘了，父亲的生日就在下个月。

爱你的，

阿比盖尔

Benji,

Enough is enough! I am sick and tired of hearing about your precious Emerald Enclave. They claim to be allies of the people of Faerûn, that they fight to balance civilisation and nature in a chaotic world, but this is lies! They are enemies of progress, of intellect, who would be happiest if the world reverted to a time of outdoor privies and knuckle-dragging proto-folk.

Please, visit me at the High House of Wonders in Baldur's Gate. The things I have learned during my apprenticeship are simply, well, wondrous! There's the water-pumps - no more backbreaking work for a simple bucket of water. A steampowered oxen that can drive your wagon for days on end. Even this letter! It was transcribed and printed by our newest mechanised printing press. I had a little fun and printed several copies, just for the sake of it.

Please, brother, I cannot bear the thought of coming home to find you picking berries out of a tree and arguing with Mother and Dad about whether or not their crops impede on fox territory.

Write back soon, all right? And don't forget, Dad's birthday is next month.

Love,

Abigail

Content:
[书商的批注称此书中的魔法理论对于主流大众过于激进。本段摘录的作者是博德之门的大工匠索拉·布林。]

我猜他们想要封我的口，认为一个来自奇迹之厅的高贵大工匠绝不会堕落到去发表贡德学说以外的东西。但他们忘记了我并非出身高贵 —— 在我向奇迹之厅以及其中的宝物奉献一生之前，我不过是一个喜欢抬头仰望星空的懒惰农女。

那是我第一次见到它们 —— 缓慢而安宁的空岛，在空中飘浮的群山。之后我才得知它们的起源，它们是古代耐色瑞尔帝国的造物，其中的魔法是如此强大，以至于到了今天依然飘浮。耐色瑞尔的法师们用凡俗之物创造了奇迹，为了便利就能升起群山。

在奇迹之厅赢得一席之地、了解到耐色瑞尔对我们产生的深远影响后，我才知道他们创造出宏伟浮空城的壮举，而它不应因为一次愚行导致的灾难而被轻视。这种拒绝研究学习耐色遗产的行径是与贡德的教诲背道而驰的。

没错，过去数个世纪里发生的许多灾难确实是耐色瑞尔的遗祸。没错，他们最后的丰碑堕入了暗影，被莎尔黑暗而毁灭的意志扭曲。

没错，我再次声明，无论奇迹之厅是否制裁这种行为 —— 研究这份创造的火焰是值得的，纵使这意味着我们会引火烧身。

[The publisher's note claims this volume promotes magical theory too radical for the mainstream. This excerpt is attributed to High Artificer Thaura Brinn of Baldur's Gate.]

I suppose they seek to silence me, believing that an Artificer of the High House would not stoop to publish in any volume outside of the great Gondian journals they so diligently guard. But they forget that I am not so grand - before I lent my name and my knowledge to the High House of Wonders and all the marvels therein, I was naught but a lazy farm-girl who liked to look up.

And that was how I first saw them - the slow and serene earthmotes, entire mountains migrating through the sky above. It was later I learned of their origins - of the ancient Netherese empire that fashioned them, of the residual magic so potent it sustained them still. The wizards of Netheril carved marvels out of the mundane, lifted the earth aloft for industry, for sport.

It was later still, after I earned my place at the High House, that I learned of the long shadow Netheril cast along the evolution of our craft. That their great flying cities fell in folly and flames does not diminish the wonders they wrought, and this stubborn aversion to studying them, to learning what they learned, is the very antithesis of Gond's teachings.

Yes, many of the catastrophes inflicted upon the centuries were fruit born of meddling with Netherese seed. Yes, their last shining bastion fell into shadow, their lore twisted to Shar's dark and destructive designs.

And yes, I say again, whether the High House will sanction it or no - to study the very flame of creation is worth it, even should the fires consume us.

Content:
博德之门 - 商业和文化的雄城，但带来的只有腐败和灾难。

犯罪；贫穷；苛捐杂税 —— 不公的重担都落到了一般市民的肩上！盗贼和外乡人脑满肠肥，而博德之门本地人却饿毙街头！

大公爵和他的市民议会已经疏于照顾博德之门太久；如果你和我们一样准备挺身而出，那么就加入我们这些志同道合者一同商讨。加入护门者。

我们已经受够了！大门关闭了！


Baldur's Gate - a bastion of Commerce and Culture, rewarded only with Corruption and Catastrophe.

Crime; Poverty; Taxation - burdens unfairly heaped upon the shoulders of the common citizenry! Thieves and outsiders grow fat on the teat, while native Baldurians starve in the street!

For too long, the Grand Duke and his Parliament of Peers have left our Gate unguarded; if you, like us, stand ready to defend it, then join like-minded individuals for a frank exchange of ideas. Join the Keepers of the Gate.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! THE GATE IS CLOSED!

Content:
... 风尘仆仆地赶到城市，精明的冒险者无疑会马上开始在城中寻找住处。以下是博德之门的一些推荐场所：

弯刀与群星
很容易通过招牌辨识 —— 一个木盾，上面有着弯刀和星星图案...

[边缘潦草的写着这个招牌现在已经不在了。]

... 这家旅馆十分安静舒适，强烈推荐给想要驻足休憩的疲惫旅行者们。收费合理、房间整洁，顾客们也相对干净。

脸红的美人鱼
对于想要在城里度过一个喧嚣之夜的访客们来说，脸红的美人鱼无疑是最佳选择。店名来自于店中的等身大美人鱼木雕，这座旅馆以其三教九流的客人而臭名昭著，斗殴事件更是家常便饭。尽管如此，我还是因为读者们的强烈兴趣将其收录其中。如果选择这家旅店，请务必小心。

精灵之歌酒馆
[大部分内容被水浸湿已经模糊，只有最靠中心的小部分还看得清楚。]

... 昏暗...
... 经营者，艾伦...
... 虚幻的的精灵歌声...


...with the dust of their journey still clinging to boot and cloak, the canny traveller will no doubt seek to secure accommodation within the city, post-haste. Below are some establishments that are typical of what the city has to offer:

The Blade and Stars
Easily identified by its sign - a wooden shield boasting a curved blade against a field of stars...

[A handwritten scrawl in the margins notes that the sign is currently not in place.]

...this inn is comfortable, quiet, and highly recommended for travellers seeking to recuperate from their journey. Expect unassuming fare at a reasonable price, moderately clean rooms, and passably clean patrons.

The Blushing Mermaid
For those seeking an altogether rowdier night in the city, The Blushing Mermaid should be the first port of call. Named for the life-sized wooden mermaid on display, this inn is known for its ill-reputed patrons, frequent brawls, and altogether unsavoury reputation. Nevertheless, I feature it here owing to great interest from my readership. I can only advise that you exercise extreme vigilance should you choose this establishment.

Elfsong Tavern
[Most of this passage is illegible due to water damage, apart from the words and phrases nearest to the inner margins.]

...dimly-lit...
...proprietor, Alan...
...disembodied Elvish singing voice...

Content:
[摘录自《与邪恶擦肩而过：鬼婆篇》，作者伊丽莎白·M·苏特。]

亲爱的读者，自从我们上次共读已经过去了很久。我希望这是因为自己在长途跋涉，上下求索，只为给大家带来更多对抗邪恶的妙计。唉，可惜事实并非如此。

因为我成为了一个绿鬼婆的猎物。

不必担心，我还活蹦乱跳。但我在过去的两年中一直在为她服务。终有一日，我会让这黑暗地牢中的一切曝光。但不是今天。

相反，我这次要带给大家的是一则警告。我们之前也谈过鬼婆，说不管是夜鬼婆、绿鬼婆、还是海鬼婆都不好惹。但就算我进行了所有这些研究，依然没能真正明白遭遇它们意味着什么。

鬼婆是种邪恶的存在，依赖魔法、欺骗、幻术甚至是勒索来诱骗它们的受害者。亲爱的读者们，我对此知之甚详，也多次向你们重复。但我没料到它们的诱惑，它们的吸引。我不知道我会爱上她，我不知道我会渴求满足她。她吊着我，用我最狂野的梦想诱惑着我。我自以为聪明，自以为能用计谋胜过她。 连迷诱魔都不是我的对手 —— 绿鬼婆肯定也不在话下了吧？而她也让我深深相信了这一点。直到她挖好了陷阱。

鬼婆迷醉于苦难，为自己创造出新的、有创意的方式来折磨那些被她们"照顾"的人而自豪。虽然成功逃离，但我在每个清醒的时刻都在恐惧她或者她的"姐妹"会来抓我。因为一个鬼婆集会不会饶恕任何的轻忽。

因此我在此撤回我之前说能用花言巧语和欺瞒对付鬼婆的指南。相反，现在我对遇到鬼婆的唯一建议是：快跑，然后祈祷她没有跟来。


[An excerpt from 'A Brush with Evil: On Hags,' written by Elizabeth M. Soot.]

It has been too long, dear reader, since we last sat together. I wish it was because I'd been travelling far and wide, working to bring you more tips and tricks on how to triumph over evil. Alas, that was not the case.

For I fell prey to a Green Hag.

Worry not, I am alive and well. But I have spent the last two years in her service. One day, I will share what happened in that darkened cell. But not this day.

Instead I come to you with a warning. We have discussed hags before, be they of the Night, Green, or Sea variety, and how they are not to be trifled with. But even with all my research, I never truly understood what it meant to encounter one.

Evil beings, hags rely on magic, deceit, illusion and even blackmail to lure their victims in. I knew this. I repeated it many times to you, dear reader. But I did not realise their charm, their allure. I did not know I would come to love her. That I would yearn to please her. She strung me along, tempting me with my wildest dreams. I thought myself clever, that I would be able to outmanoeuvre her. I once bested a glabrezu - surely I could handle a Green Hag? And she let me believe it. Until she sprung her trap.

Hags delight in suffering, priding themselves on creating new and inventive ways to torment those in their 'care'. And while I have escaped, I spend every waking moment in fear that either her or one of her 'sisters' will come for me. For a hag coven does not let even the smallest of slights go unpunished.

And so I rescind my previous guides to dealing with a hag, my suggestions for clever language and deceit. Instead, I offer these words should you ever encounter a hag: run. And pray she does not follow.

Content:
虽然每个鬼婆会根据亲自获得的道具和约定而拥有与它姐妹不同的独特力量，但总体上来说鬼婆能被分为三种。

夜鬼婆：因它能够入侵凡人梦境，逐渐吞噬其命髓，直到将其灵魂困于魂袋之中的能力而得名。她们手段下作、自私自利、自吹自擂。

海鬼婆：以能够将受害者活吞闻名，只要一个眼神便能让受害者魂飞魄散，甚至直接死亡。她们满身鱼腥，连茶都不会烹。

绿鬼婆：她们美丽。她们强大。不许说她们的坏话。


While the number of trinkets and bargains a hag personally acquires means that her powers will be unique compared to that of her sisters, hags as a whole can still be divided into three sub-categories.

Night Hags: Named as such for their ability to haunt a mortal's dreams, slowly devouring vital essence until the victim's soul can be trapped into the hag's soul bag. They are known for being petty, selfish braggarts.

Sea Hags: Known for devouring their victims whole, sea hags can terrorise and kill with a single look. They reek of fish and are incapable of making a proper cup of tea.

Green Hags: They are beautiful. They are powerful. Speak not a word against them.

Content:
... 走陆路的旅行者都知道，在靠近博德之门的时候是"不见其城，先闻其味"。这都多亏了所谓的外城 —— 这片区域满是博德之门生存和发展所必需的建筑，与此同时，人们又更愿意将它们挡在高墙之外。制革厂、牲畜饲养场、屠宰场、盐厂、还有不怎么受监管的市场，全都聚集在这里，还有那些被城市吸引而来、没那么走运的灵魂居住的棚屋和营地。

作者坚定地认为：可敬的旅行者永远也不应该在这种地方闲逛，不论在一次长途旅行之后，它天然的诱惑力到底有多大。相反，他们应该迅速通过（同时还要严格关注自己身上或是行李里的贵重物品），然后考虑如何在下城区的主要入口展示自己，比如著名的石化蜥蜴之门。一旦能够安全进入，他们才算是进入了真正的城区...


... overland travellers nearing Baldur's Gate have been known to smell the city before they clap eyes on it. This is thanks to what is known as the Outer City - the area that houses much of what Baldur's Gate needs to survive and thrive, but at the same time would rather not keep within its walls. Tanneries, stockyards, slaughterhouses, saltworks and less-than-regulated markets abound here, as well shanties and camps for the less fortunate souls who are drawn to the city.

It is the author's firm opinion that respectable travellers should never dawdle in such a place, no matter how tempting its base attractions may be after a long journey. Instead they should make way promptly (while paying strict attention to any valuables on their person or in their baggage) then see about presenting themselves to one of the main entrances to the Lower City, such as the famed Basilisk Gate. Once entry has been secured, they can consider themselves in the city proper...

Content:
[这本被翻得很烂的脏污旧书里写满了已经过时了几十年的旅行建议。]

... 那些想要从东部内陆前往剑湾的旅行者们一般会走晋升之路。它与乔恩萨河平行，连接着艾尔托瑞尔和博德之门两座城市，给那些不想乘坐乔恩萨河驳船的旅行者们提供了一个充满诱惑的选择。

近年来，晋升之路中间的一段 - 大概是艾尔托瑞尔到博德之门的中间位置 - 被开发成了塞伦涅信徒的闲庭，还在路边建起了一座相当壮观的神殿。与神殿一同兴建的是月亮庇所村，那里会为疲惫的旅行者们提供食物与住宿。

继续向东就是繁华的月出之塔，到了那里无论是人是货都要缴纳过路费。有人为了逃避不交选择铤而走险去绕路，但强盗和其他危险往往会让他们付出更加惨痛的代价...



[The stained, well-thumbed pages filled with travelling advice that seems to be decades out of date]

... those who seek to journey to the coast from the interior regions lying to the east will typically seek out the Risen Road. Running parallel to the River Chionthar, the Risen Road provides an overland route all the way from Elturel to Baldur's Gate, and has proven tempting to travellers seeking an alternate to the river barges that sail the Chionthar.

A portion of the road approximately halfway between Elturel and Baldur's Gate has in recent years developed into an enclave for Selûne worship, with a temple of not insignificant splendour lying near the road. Indeed an entire village, Moonhaven, has developed alongside the temple, and can provide food and shelter to weary travellers.

Farther east lies the citadel of Moonrise Towers, where a toll is required for onward passage of goods and folk alike. Some are tempted to go off-road in order to avoid the toll, however bandits and other dangers may cause them to pay a much steeper price...

Content:
[《阿弗纳斯指南》：这本书对阿弗纳斯 - 地狱第一层 - 做出了概述，非常适用于独具慧眼的跨位面旅行者。有关地理和居民的段落重复了很多有关血腥战争的战场以及参战者的已知传说。详细描述位面政治的段落布满星号、限定词和附录，绘制了女大公扎瑞尔麾下不断变化的指挥链。毕竟在她的青睐下，很多指挥官都获得过火速提拔，也受到过同样迅速的罢免。]

['A Guide to Avernus': This book provides an overview of Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells, for the discerning interplanar traveller. The sections on geography and inhabitants repeat much of the known lore about the Blood War's battlefield and combatants. The section detailing the politics of the planes is strung with asterisks, qualifiers and addendums - charting the ever-shifting chain of command beneath Archduke Zariel, as her many commanders rise meteorically in - and fall equally from - her favour.]

Content:
[这封信上的日期已经随着时光一起褪色，不过光凭纸张本身就能看出年代久远。]

致我的市民朋友们（不管你们喜不喜欢都是！）,

我自费印刷并张贴了这些海报，是因为我对最近出现在这片区域的古怪骑士颇为忧心。

你们许多人应该已经见过他们 —— 打着"巡逻"的幌子践踏着我们的森林与城镇。他们自称是来自艾尔托瑞尔的守护者，被派来保护"伟大而神圣的埃尔图迦德" 的边境。不要被他们闪亮的铠甲和雄壮的马匹欺骗 —— 我永远不会向艾尔托瑞尔人屈膝，也不会让任何叮咣作响的小丑窥探我的园篱。

正如你们所知，我是最初移居这河畔的塞伦涅信徒的后代。（我还有一位半精灵舅老爷可以作证！）我们和平友善，和那些德鲁伊们处得也不错，但我绝不会为一个地图上都找不到的遥远城市效忠或是纳税！

把这些话传达给那帮土匪给我带来了不小的乐趣，我也敦促你们也要这样。他们自称为地狱骑士。我叫他们入侵者 —— 他们和他们的城市都可以滚回地狱。

深切关注且极其严肃地，

达蒙·布利斯卡，
骄傲（而且自由！）的哈特兰德市民。


[The date on this letter has faded with time, but the paper alone indicates great age.]

My fellow citizens (for fellow citizens we are, like it or not!),

I print and post multiple copies of this notice in the region, at no small expense to myself, because I feel a growing Concern and Alarm at the Presence of Strange Riders in These Parts of late.

Many of you will have seen them - tramping through our forests and towns under the guise of 'patrol'. They claim they are guardians, sent from Elturel to protect the borders of 'the great and holy nation of Elturgard'. Don't be fooled by shining armour or handsome mounts - I never bent the knee to any Elturgard, and I never asked any metalled jester to come peering over my garden fence.

As you all know, I'm descended direct from the original Selûnite settlers along these banks (and I have a half-elven great-uncle who'll swear to it!). We're peaceable folk, and we get on with the druids well enough, but I pay no fealty or tax to any far-off city I can't even find on a map.

I took no small pleasure in telling these thugs just that, and I urge you to do the same. They call themselves Hellriders. I call them interlopers - and they can bugger off to the hells, them and their city both.

With grave concern and serious intent,

Damon Briska,
Proud (and free!) Citizen of the Heartlands.

Content:
[这本书为你提供了一篇指南，告诉你应该找哪个魔鬼以及为了什么东西讨价还价。]

一个人在选择跟哪个魔鬼做交易的时候，务必要拿出极致的谨慎。记住，魔鬼不仅是你们的朋友 —— 还是混账。我曾经认识一个男人，他向迪斯帕特手下的一个魔鬼提出请求，希望得到终极的保护来对抗自己的敌人。然后他就被送进了地下深处的一座坚不可摧的钢铁堡垒：而且还没有门。所以，选择的时候一定要小心，朋友们。
有关金钱的选择：弥瑙洛斯的生物能够最好地缓解你的痛苦。
有关享乐（或痛苦）的选择：去找弗莱格索斯的残暴居民吧。
[这本书的后续还有很多类似的内容。]

[This book presents a guide on which devils to bargain with for what.]

One must choose which devil they deal with using utmost vigilance. Remember, devils are not only fiends - they're bastards. I once knew a man who asked for ultimate protection against his enemies from a devil of Dispater. He was transported into an impregnable iron fortress deep underground: one without doors. So, pick and choose with caution, friends.
For matters of money: creatures of Minarous can best salve your woes.
For matters of pleasure (or pain): face the fiery folk of Phlegethos.
[This tome continues in much the same manner.]

Content:
甚少有人试图去理解魔网，这非常令人遗憾，因为只有真正与魔网同调的人才有资格称自己为施法者。

那么问题来了：什么是魔网？它是宇宙的基本要素。它以不可见的形式连接着万事万物。它是魔法的来源与基础。它同时也是魔法女神密斯特拉自身，不过这点我们不在本文中详谈。（见《魔网与魔法 - 密斯特拉和魔法瘟疫》）

准确地讲，魔网并非魔法，而是魔法构成的原材料，有些类似编织成服装的线团。有着天赋和技巧的人可以操作魔网，施展魔法。

这些技巧的培养需要多年的学习与持续的练习。你也许听说过有些人因为天生与魔网有着强大的联系，因此可以施放法术（此类人一般被称为术士），或者更糟，通过与异界生物签订契约获得了法术能力（此类人一般被称为邪术师）。不要误会，他们的魔法捉摸不定，不受控制，甚至在有些情况下根本不属于他们自己。

不，真正了解并操作魔网是一门艺术。但是那些掌握了魔网的法师们才会知道其中蕴含的无尽伟力和瑰丽。

Few try to understand the Weave - a true pity, for only they who are truly attuned to the Weave can rightly call themselves spellcasters.

Thus comes the question: what is the Weave? It is an essential element of the universe. It runs through everything in unseen threads. It is what makes magic possible. It is also, though I will not go into further detail here, the goddess Mystra herself. (See Magic of the Weave - Mystra and the Spellplague.)

The Weave isn't magic, precisely. Rather, it is the raw material from which magic is woven, not entirely unlike how a collection of threads is shaped and formed into a garment. Those with the necessary talent and skill can manipulate the Weave and perform magic by casting spells.

Developing this skill takes years of learning and constant practice. You might have heard of those who can cast spells because they are born with an innate connection to the Weave (commonly called Sorcerers), or worse, because they struck a bargain with an otherworldly creature (also known as Warlocks). Do not be deceived. Their magic is unpredictable, uncontrolled, and, in some cases, not even rightfully theirs.

No, to truly know and manipulate the Weave is an Art. But those Wizards who master it will know the limitless power and beauty the Weave provides.

Content:
当我第一次听见它的呼唤时，太阳刚刚坠入地平线 —— 一千只簧管同时奏响，吹出一首美丽而又骇人的歌谣。

"乌鲁·塔隆"，乔说到，"它来了。"

乔扔下自己的背包，迅速窜上了最近的一棵拜特树。稍微多废了一些气力之后，我也爬到了树上，我们两人监视着下方草地的动静。

啊唔！！！又来了，上面、地下、四面八方，它是如此接近，就连我的头骨也随着那个声音 颤抖起来。我下方的羊齿草和树叶开始摇摇摆摆、泛起了涟漪。乔伸出一只手指按住嘴唇，要求我保持安静 —— 突然间，她被一把抓走了。一条藤蔓？一只触手？一切都已经不重要了：猎人已经发现了它的猎物。乔的尖叫声越来越响，随后渐渐消散，乌鲁·塔隆将她拖走了。

我一跃而下，前去追赶，但那个生物没有留下任何痕迹 —— 草地没有被踩踏过，灌木丛也没有被破坏。只有那声凄惨呼唤的记忆还在引导着我。

The sun had just fallen below the horizon when I first heard its call - a thousand reed pipes at once, whistling a single beautiful, terrible song.

'Uluu Thalongh', said Jaw. 'It's coming.'

Jaw dropped her pack and scurried up the nearest bytter. With a bit more effort, I climbed a tree of my own, and the two of us surveyed the grassy ground beneath.

Ah-wooo! There it was again, above and beneath and all around, so close my skull vibrated from the sound. The ferns and foliage under me rippled and swayed. Jaw held a finger to her lips to demand my silence - and in one motion, it snatched her. A vine? A tentacle? It hardly mattered: the hunter had found its prey. Jaw's screams swelled, then faded as Uluu Thalongh dragged her away.

I leapt down to give chase, but the creature left no mark behind - the grasses were untrampled, the shrubs unbroken. I had only the memory of that harrowing call to guide me.

Content:
[节选自女大总管塔瑞伊的一份漫长演说，最初是在魔索布莱城进行的，由一位席尔德琳的密探记录。]

赞美罗丝，所有卓尔之母。她的魔网约束着我们的身体和灵魂，将那些还没来得及喘息的无价值之人绞杀。

那些站在我面前的人已经证明了自己的价值。你们应该用尽一切必要手段，将罗丝的戒律传授给所有新的皈依者。他们中有很多人会害怕女神 - 他们也理应如此 - 但是他们的信仰依然不够真实。

他们的头脑十分简单，也应该得到相应地对待。他们应该遵从每一位女祭司的指令，把它们当作最神圣的法令。他们永远不能遮盖自己的双眼，侮辱罗丝赐予的礼物。家族未曾在意他们悲惨叛逆的出身，将其抚养长大，而他们也必须为家族赢得荣耀。哪怕是遭遇死亡的痛苦，他们也必须死守我们的秘密。

若是那个时刻降临，确保一定要公开死亡。对于那些在折磨拷问上很有创造力的人，罗丝会展露出她的微笑。

[An excerpt from a lengthy speech by Grand Matron Tarrae, first delivered in Menzoberranzan and recorded by a Seldarine spy.]

Praise be to Lolth, Mother of All Drow. Her web binds us, body and soul, and strangles the unworthy before they can draw breath.

Those who stand before me have proven their worth. You shall educate all new converts to Lolth's laws using any means necessary. Many of them fear the goddess - as they should - but their faith is not yet true.

Their minds are simple and should be treated accordingly. They must follow the order of every priestess like a sacred decree. They must never cover their eyes and insult Lolth's gift. They must honour the House that raised them from their pathetic, treasonous origins. They must keep our secrets upon pain of death.

Ensure that death is public, should the time ever come. Lolth smiles on those who are creative in matters of torture.

Content:
[摘自连载的《最终文卷：复兴》。 作者，约瑟法·埃尔金，一位因为努力修复最终文卷的异端行为 - 她信奉神祇的失落与隐藏知识的记事录 - 而被逐出迪尼尔教会的学者。]

一个生命的价值几何？诚然，这是个太过深奥的话题，无法在短短几张书页中进行任何严肃的评论性思考 —— 或者第一瞥给人的感觉似乎如此。

但是，一旦把那些经常蒙蔽我们做出评估的神秘主义与容易轻信的情绪全部推到一旁，结果就十分清晰了：放眼每一个旋转的位面，每一个生命确实都拥有可以计量的价值。

思考一下：我们已经知道物质形态的摧毁并不意味着死亡。如果说有什么区别的话，我们的灵魂在死后会变得更加自由，它可以超越位面的障碍，寻找一个最适合自身需求、信念以及在世身份的安息之地。但是即便是这种评估也要受到市场力量的制约：神祇凯兰沃权衡我们灵魂价值的时候，是以我们将自身灵魂奉献给其他神祇的彻底程度作为标准的，从而反过来为他们提供力量。

当然了，还存在一种替代的途径：不是道路的终点，而是重新踏上道路的机会。各个国度的牧师都在运用自身的力量，想要复活那些被认为是有价值的、或者拥有足够意志力的灵魂。如此一来，一件奇怪的事就发生了：这些人频繁地与那些被视为是拥有足够财富的人往来，因为这些法术的组成部件是大多数世俗手段都无法企及的。

我曾经会见过那些成功复活的灵魂，事实上，我发现他们一定都是些无趣迟钝、缺乏想象力的类型，我完全无法想象他们为什么这么迫切地想要归来。

如果要为这趟旅程做一次真正的评估，那么最无可替代的方法就是亲自踏上这样的旅程。也许终有一天，这些渊博的学识能让我拥有足够踏上那趟旅程的价值 —— 同时拥有足够归来的财富。

[An excerpt from the ongoing Metatext: Rebound by Iosefa Elgin, a scholar excommunicated from the Church of Deneir for her heretical efforts to reconstruct the Metatext, her god's annal of lost and hidden knowledge.]

Of what value is a life? Far too esoteric a topic to warrant any serious critical consideration between these pages, surely - or so it would seem at first glance.

But once we push aside the mysticism and dewy-eyed sentiment so often clouding our assessment, it is clear that across all the spinning planes, each and every life does indeed have a quantifiable value. It is simply that not all are equally valuable.

Consider: we already know that the destruction of our material form is not the end. If anything, our souls are more free after death, transcending planar barriers in search of a resting place that best befits our deeds, beliefs, and station in life. But even this assessment is subject to market forces: Lord Kelemvor weighing our souls against how thoroughly we have given them over to other gods, empowering them in turn.

There is, of course, an alternate route: not the end of the path, but the chance to retread it. Clerics across the Realms wield the power to return life to any soul deemed worthy or willing enough. It is strange, then, that these so frequently intersect with those deemed wealthy enough, for the components for such a spell are beyond the means of most mortals.

I have interviewed those who have made such a return, and in truth have found them to be of the most dull and unimaginative sort that I cannot possibly imagine what it is they were so eager to return to.

If a true assessment of the journey is to be made, then there is simply no replacement for embarking upon it oneself. Perhaps, one day, this great volume of learning will make me worthy enough to walk that path - and wealthy enough to return.

Content:
财产失窃 —— 悬赏！

在一起尚未破获的怯懦破坏行动中，广受爱戴的游侠雕像被冷酷无情地从博德之门中央市场窃走 —— 至今尚未寻回。

虽然原处已经摆上了复制品，广宇集市民协会认定真品依然流落在外，愿意为将其取回的侠义之士支付一笔不菲的赏金，并且手段一概不论。

我们呼吁此案窃贼：此件艺术品并非冒犯，而是激励。诚然，这里刻画的勇敢冒险者并不真实存在，而是这座城市本身的一种暗喻；他巍然不动、坚毅耸立、眺望远方，胸中紧紧抱持着温暖的希望：这里用一只毛茸茸的仓鼠代表。

请将广受爱戴的游侠雕像还给这座多灾多难的城市。任何提供帮助者都将得到金币奖赏。


Stolen Property - Reward Offered!

In an act of craven vandalism that has not been diminished by the intervening years, the statue of the Beloved Ranger was callously torn from the central marketplace in Baldur's Gate - and is still yet to be found.

Though it has been some time since a replica was erected in its place, the Collective of Concerned Citizens of the Wide remains convinced that the original statue is still out there somewhere, and is willing to bestow a hefty sum upon whomever might assist with its retrieval, no questions asked.

We urge the thieves in question to consider: this art piece was commissioned not to offend, but to inspire. Indeed, the bold adventurer depicted is no real person living or dead, but a metaphor for the city itself; standing solid and stern upon his foundations, gazing outward but still clutching tight to his heart the warmth of hope: represented here as a small and furry hamster.

Please: find the hope in your own heart, and return to a blighted city its Beloved Ranger. Raise a hand in help, and we shall fill it with gold.

Content:
[这本书包含了几个章节，每一章分别引用一个来源。它宣称里面包含了王国全境多位讲述者的第一手口述历史文本。]

第25章：

科尼利厄斯与托梅琉斯·沃西沃特
在英那利斯南部的黄金之路上遇到了半身人

我见过这些兄弟 —— 或者更应该说：是他们找到了我 ，就在穿越火剪山脉的下部通道。他们在路上发现了一系列金色圆盘的痕迹，于是决心把它们收集起来，还给"某个钱比常识要多的傻瓜"。

我脱下披风，露出拼缝起来的皮肤，搞得大家都很尴尬。我解释到，现在正好是蜕皮的季节，路上的旅行者私下偷偷蜕皮是一件很奢侈的事情，而且这样也比较合适。我猜他们对龙裔了解不多，所以并不怎么反感，反而还邀请我跟他们共进晚餐。我们在路边生了一堆火，了解到他们这趟旅程背后的目的。

——-

科尼利厄斯：鲁伦，我的小兄弟！我们的老家。魔法瘟疫的时候没了。
托梅琉斯：什么都会没的，伙计。它又不是奶奶的幸运牙齿，对不？它沉了。
C：蓝火带走它的时候，我不是就在那里吗？嗨，你能记得什么 —— 那时你只有侏儒的膝盖那么高。
T：我记得你在哭 —— 也许是你把那个地方弄沉的。打算回去完成任务吗？
C：管好你的嘴，不然我送你两条香肠吃。只有傻子才会说自己老家的坏话。

他们的眉毛全都危险地竖起来了，为了转移这种敌意，我说起了自己的老家，枯萎世界阿贝尔，还有数千年在巨龙暴政统治下的生活 —— 直到魔法瘟疫的蓝火把我们带入这个世界。

C： ... 好吧。嗯...
T：再来个土豆不？


[This book is comprised of several chapters, one for each cited source. It claims to contain first-hand transcriptions of the oral histories of several storytellers throughout the realm.]

Chapter 25:

Cornelius and Tomelius Worthywart
Halflings encountered on the Golden Road south of Innarlith

I met the brothers - or rather, they found me - in the lower pass through the Fireshear Mountains. They had encountered a trail of golden discs along the path, and had resolved to gather and return them to 'whatever fool had more coin than common sense'.

It was to our mutual embarrassment, then, that I removed my cloak to reveal my patchwork yellow hide. It was molting season, I explained, and a traveller on the road had not the luxury to shed their scales in private, as would be proper. I suspect they knew too little of dragonborn to be appropriately disgusted, and instead invited me to sup with them. Over a roadside fire, I learned of the purpose behind their journey.

-----

Cornelius: Luiren, my lad! Our ancestral home. It was lost during the Spellplague.
Tomelius: Weren't nothing lost, Conn. It's not Nan's lucky gnashers, is it? It sank.
C: Wasn't I there when the blue fire took it? Sure what do you remember - you were knee-high to a gnome.
T: I remember you crying - maybe it was you that sank the place. Going back to finish the job?
C: Watch that lip lest I fatten it. Only a fool speaks ill of his homeland.

Their brows were bristling dangerously, and so I diverted hostilities by speaking of my own people's ancestral home: the blighted world of Abeir, and the thousand-year tyranny of dragons we lived under - until the blue fire of the Spellplague brought us to this world.

C: ...Right. Ah...
T: Another potato?

Content:
[这本书包含了数个章节，每一章分别引用一个来源。它宣称里面包含了王国全境多位讲述者的第一手口述历史文本。]

第七章
被流放的维拉摩尔
52岁
人类圣武士（破誓者）


维拉摩尔在她曾经的家园阿斯卡特拉颇有名声，我承认寻找这位前光耀之心骑士团骑士长的过程确实让我胆战心惊。自从她被流放已经过去了一些年头，关于她的流言蜚语为数不少。我在采访骑士团的一位高级教士时，对方称她是一个恐怖而残暴的叛徒，还警告我说去找她无异于自杀 —— 她会在我开口之前就杀了我。

他错了。当我最终找到她的时候，我和她畅谈了几个小时，离开时还带上了让我分享她故事的愿望。我们的见面地点不便透露，因为骑士团对破誓者唯一的惩罚就是斩首。

---

我当然后悔。弃誓不是收回你的话 - 不是某种道德窘境 - 而是失去你的一部分灵魂。之前？我能呼唤天使助我战斗，我只要一个念头，一句祷告，就能将邪魔赶回地狱，把恶魔打回深渊。

我失去了我的声音 。我能说话，但这不是我的声音 。它是回音... 是低语。

请转告他们 —— 有时候，我会希望自己当时一死了之，而不是背弃誓言。但我永远也不会后悔我的所作所为... 后悔拒绝执行命令。该死的骑士团。服务变成了教条，服从变成了美德，质疑变成了罪孽。

正义和职责是令人不安的同伴。最终会把我们都变成混蛋。

[This book is comprised of several chapters, one for each cited source. It claims to contain first-hand transcriptions of the oral histories of several storytellers throughout the realm.]

Chapter 7
Valemor the Outcast
52 years of age
Human paladin (oathbreaker)


Given Valemor's reputation in Athkatla, the city she once called home, I met the former knight-officer of the noble and exclusive Order of the Radiant Heart with no small amount of trepidation. She has lived as an outcast for some years now, and the rumours of her character quite preceded her. I spoke to one of the prelates of the Order, who described her as a dreadful, sadistic traitor, warning me that to find her would be suicide - that she would kill me before I could speak a single word.

He was wrong. When I finally tracked her down, we spoke for hours and I left with her blessing to share her story. I will not disclose our meeting place, as the Order punishes those who violate their vows with beheading.

---

Of course I regret it. Breaking an oath isn't going back on your word - it's not an ethical quandary - it wrenches out a part of your soul. Before? I could call on angels to fight alongside me, I could banish fiends back to the hells and demons to the abyss. All with a thought and a prayer.

I lost my voice. I speak, but this isn't my voice. It's an echo... a whisper.

Tell them this - most days I wish I'd died rather than breaking my oath. But I'd never take back what I did... what I refused to do. Damn the Order. Service became dogma, obedience was virtue, to question was sin.

Justice and duty are uncomfortable bedfellows. And eventually they make bastards of us all.

Content:
[第一页对内容进行了概括。其余的页面笨拙地做出了说明，细节极其详尽。]

1. 不去城市。对于一个通情达理的人来说，最简单的建议就是完全避开城市。

2. 市集。人们经常会告诉我 —— "哈林顿，我的羊毛和芜菁放到城里的市场肯定比本地的乡村集市上值钱多了。"愚不可及。我会告诉他们，还没到市集广场，你的羊毛和芜菁就会被一抢而空，而你只会带着肿块和淤青回家。

3. 酒馆。所有通情达理的人都喜欢在朋友的陪伴下享受一杯本地酿造的麦酒，但是你们有些人也许听说过：某些奢侈的酒馆让剑湾的城市变得大受欢迎。如果"脸红的美人鱼"和"法师之棍"之流的猥琐名字还不足以构成它们不当行为的警告，那我就明摆着告诉你们：在你喝完第一大杯啤酒之前，你早就会被扒得一干二净，而且只会留下几处肿块和淤青与你相伴。

4. 下水道。或者你应该在床边放个罐子，然后一大清早就把残渣倒进一个公共的大坑里。这才是合乎情理又干净利落的行为。很多城市已经抛弃了如此简单的生活卫生方法，反而把居民的排泄废物汇集在一起，任其从街道正下方的大管道中流过。成了肮脏生物的一片滋生地。

5. 迷路。城市太大了，你几乎瞬间就会迷失方向。曾经有一个家伙告诉我：博德之门其实是三座城市组成的 —— 外城、内城和上城。我确信他以为我会被打动，但我只是朝他的眼睛里吐了口唾沫，然后把他打发走了。

哈林顿·内萨林

[The first page summarises the contents. The remaining pages clumsily elaborate on them in great detail.]

I. On Not Going to Cities. The simplest piece of advice for Sensible Folk is to avoid cities entirely.

II. On Marketplaces. People often tell me - 'Harrington, my fleeces and turnips are worth more in a city market than at the local village fayre.' Fools. To them I say, your fleeces and turnips will be robbed long before you reach the market square, and you will have only a few lumps and bruises to take home.

III. On Taverns. All Sensible Folk enjoy draining a mug of locally produced ale in the company of their friends, but some of you may have heard tell of the extravagant taverns that populate the cities of the Sword Coast. If bawdy names like The Blushing Mermaid and The Wizard's Stave were not sufficient warning of their impropriety, let it be known that you will be robbed long before you finish your first tankard, and will have only a few lumps and bruises for company.

IV. On Sewerage. Belike you keep a pot by your bedside and cast out the leavings into a communal pit of a morn. Sensible and cleanly behaviour. Many cities have dispensed with such simple methods of hygienic living, and instead the waste of the inhabitants comingles and flows through great channels beneath the very streets. A breeding ground for mucky creatures.

V. On Becoming Lost. Cities are far too large and you will become lost almost immediately. A fellow once told me that Baldur's Gate is actually three cities in one - an outer, an inner, and an upper. I believe he thought I'd be impressed, but I simply spat in his eye and sent him on his way.

Harrington Nethalin

Content:
[由怠慢又淘气的档案保管员，格雷纳格收集的魔鬼传说。]

第18篇 - 亵渎笑面人
如果你正在阿弗纳斯闲逛，似乎看到很多风景优美的画面 - 芬芳的森林，高大的灌木丛，等等 - 那么你很可能已经走入了一个狡猾的陷阱，而设下它的是一个名为笑面人的生物。地狱居民都不知道他到底是什么身份、来自何方或者他是怎么来到这里的，不过他的确是一个很讨厌的家伙。毕竟，他都被称作是亵渎了，不是吗。他不只是讨厌，毕竟这里有很多人都很讨厌，他还很古怪。感觉有点不对劲。

[这本书的后续内容也是类似的毫无启发性的风格。]

[Diabolic tales collected by Greshnag the Inattentive, Impish Archivist.]

Entry 18 - Smiler the Defiler
If your wanders through Avernus seem to become an awful lot more scenic - luscious woods, big bushes and the like - you may have wandered into a wily trap set by a creature named Smiler. None of us hellfolk know exactly what he is, where he's from, or how he got here, but he's a nasty piece of work. Well, he's called the Defiler, ain't he. He's not just nasty, plenty folk are nasty here, but he's weird. Something's not right.

[The book continues in a similarly unenlightening fashion.]

Content:
最亲爱的伊尔明斯特！

我必须说得简短一些，因为我稍微受了点胁迫，成了一群粗暴好客的地精的贵客。当然了，我宁愿被胁迫也不愿裹在羽绒被下面，因为危险和厄运正好就是我的灵感源泉，所以这确实是个好消息！

如你所知，论巧舌如簧和七窍玲珑，没有人比你谦逊的书记朋友更加出色，通过故事和地精英雄事迹取悦了我的抓捕者后，我成功的成为了他们部落中不可或缺的一员 —— 具体来说，是史官和吟游诗人。我将以这个伪装身份继续在他们部落中生活一段时间，近距离观察他们的习性以及祭仪。自然，这一切都将会记录在我的下一部大作《我在征服部落中的生活》当中，它很快就会出现在各大书商的书架上。现随函附上一段诱人的摘录。

劳烦你放出消息，让剑湾的冒险者和好奇的民众激动地等待这本会让他们大开眼界的指南！

就这样，我该走了。我现在必须奉命前去献上我刚编的小曲，而下令的女士 - 没错，我叫她女士 - 不仅耐心有限，而且刀剑锋利。说实话，我认为 - 恕我直言 - 她已经深深地爱上了我。她称呼我为她的小鸽子，而且常伴我身边！也许我的书中还将填上关于地精婚礼仪式的一章。面对知识，我勇往直前。

在我们再会之前，请把我致力研究的项目转告这个世界，从深水城到贝鲁叶，让每个旅馆老板和每个佣兵都知道我即将上市的大作！

瓦罗

Dearest Elminster!

I must be brief as I am under some duress, having become the esteemed guest of a rambunctious host of goblins. I would, of course, rather be under duress than under a feathered duvet, for danger and adversity are the very ink in my well, so this is good news indeed!

As you well know, there is no wit quicker and no tongue more-silvered than that of your humble friend and scribe, and by regaling my would-be foes with tales of goblin heroics, I have become an indispensable member of their tribe - namely, their chronicler and bard. In this guise, I shall live among them awhile so that I may observe their peculiar habits and rituals as closely as possible. All of this shall, of course, be documented in my next magnum opus, My Life Among the Conquering Host, to be available at all good booksellers forthwith. An enticing extract is enclosed with this missive.

I implore you to spread the word so that adventurers and curiosity-seekers across the Sword Coast and beyond will be aquiver with anticipation of this life-extending and soul-enriching guide!

And with that, I must depart. I am summoned to sing a ballad of my own composition, and the lady - yes, I call her a lady! - who delivered the summons is rather impatient, not to mention well-armed. Truth be told, I believe she has some - dare-I-say - deep affection for me. She calls me her pigeon and rarely strays from my side! Perhaps there shall be a chapter in my book regarding goblin marriage rituals. I balk at nothing in my quest for knowledge.

Until we meet again, inform the world entire of the diligent research I am undertaking, and ensure word of my upcoming masterwork is on the lips of every innkeep and sellsword from Waterdeep to Beluir!

Volo

Content:
[摘自瓦罗即将发布的地精社会指引 —— 《我在征服部落中的生活》。]
人们往往注意到地精的怯弱，他们倾向于逃避粗鲁的挑战，而且每当他们的头目倒下之后便会四下溃散。我可以告诉你们，事实并非总是如此！我最近了解到的地精 - 虽然总体来说是粗俗的好人 - 拥有一种炙热的勇气，而源头就是出自他们对至上真神的爱。从能够运用魔法的强大存在，再到卑微肮脏的贱民，他们似乎更渴望战斗 —— 而且也的确更愿意为这位新神祇献出生命，比海姆或是坦帕斯最忠诚的信徒都有过之而无不及。迄今为止，我还没能发现这位能够强化勇气的神祇的领域或是起源，但是每过去一个小时，我就离事件的真相又更近了一步。截至目前，只要知道这一点 —— 这位神祇的祭司和忠诚的信徒，即便他们是地精，甚至都能比我施展出更加强力的魔法！



[An excerpt from Volo's forthcoming guide to goblin society, My Life Among the Conquering Host.]
It has oft been noted that goblins are cowardly, tending to flee from robust challenges, and scattering far and wide if their leaders are felled. I tell you that it is not always so! The goblins of my recent acquaintance - fine though uncouth fellows by and large - have a fiery courage, fuelled by their love of the Absolute. From the mighty magic-wielding booyahg to the lowly muck-troubling pariah, they seem more willing to fight - and indeed to die - for this new god than even the most stalwart devotee of Helm or Tempus. So far, I have been unable to discover the domain or provenance of this emboldening deity, but with every hour that passes, I come closer to the truth of the matter. For now, know this - priests and trusted devotees of this god, even be they goblins, are capable of wielding more powerful magics than even I can conjure!