Lynn was resolute in his decision to refrain from mining in the Fangyin Mountain Range. Santir Castle could harbor no benevolent intentions; the very allowance for mining signified a multitude of lurking dangers. Although the theme of this world often revolved around adventurers conquering various monsters for rewards, Lynn did not consider himself fortunate enough to play the protagonist.
As for the notion of contending for the Reani family surname, it was utterly absurd. Attaining the title of a Reani descendant was akin to someone joining the National Army in '49—purely a sign of folly.
A moment's reflection would reveal the truth: if there truly remained a chance to return to one's homeland and reclaim a position of prominence, why would Uncle Robin send them north as part of an expeditionary force? What value would the Reani surname hold if obtained? Did the winter wolves and earth gnomes care for such matters?
When Robin announced the northern expedition, it essentially indicated that the Reani family had little hope of returning to Imburt to live a life akin to that of the Celestial Dragons. If even he had forsaken the idea of returning to their homeland, seeking to establish a new venture in Santir Castle, then Lynn certainly needed to contemplate his own future.
Mining was not a viable pursuit; however, the potential for conflict in the north, coupled with Santir Castle's lack of strength, offered Lynn a glimmer of possibility.
Santir Castle was the domain of the followers of Bane, where the significance of power was emphasized to an extreme degree. Should the opportunity arise, Bane's acolytes would gladly strip others of their authority, desiring to wield control over all. Yet, their current situation revealed a deficiency in strength, implying that a power vacuum would inevitably emerge in the northern landscape.
After all, this was a newly unfolding realm, rife with chaos and disarray, thus presenting countless opportunities. A seemingly innocuous action by a deity could trigger a cascade of repercussions among mortals. The sudden emergence of this lawless territory held far too many prospects to contest.
In comparison to gold and gemstones, the more critical commodity was power: although Lynn counted himself among the followers of Orcas, he resonated more with Bane's perspective.
In a world where might reigns supreme, acquiring greater strength is the sole rule of survival. And what if one is not powerful enough? The answer lies in obtaining more authority to command greater forces—this is indeed the survival principle of this realm.
While others pursued gold, Lynn believed he should aim to seize a measure of power in that land: with power, he could utilize it as a gift, thereby securing a ticket to join the upper echelons of Santir Castle.
This plan may seem like something only a follower of Bane would undertake. Yet, in Lynn's view, if one must adopt a belief in Faerûn, Bane was surely a far superior choice to Orcas. In truth, he believed any deity representing order was inherently stronger than the agents of chaos; concerns over good or evil became trivial.
After all, the moral standards of Faerûn were somewhat divergent from his own.
If he could indeed ally with Bane and extricate himself from Orcas, it would not be a misfortune. The challenge lay in devising a strategy for achieving this. Following the conclusion of the meeting in the hall, Lynn pondered these thoughts deeply. Having clarified his general direction, he chose to venture toward the western district of the castle.
He resolved to pay a visit to his relatives residing within the castle.
The Reani family's Fons Manor had been purchased many years prior, during the family's zenith, and the castle was quite luxurious, ranking among the finest in the Santir Castle region.
It comprised a castle with a trident-like structure, accompanied by several acres of land. Santir Castle functioned as a city-state, and due to the frequent conflicts among nations near the Sea of Moons, imposing stone fortresses had become the prevalent architectural style among the nobility. As cultists, the Reani family particularly valued the castle's robustness and prosperity, thus Fons Manor was undoubtedly one of the most magnificent strongholds.
When it was purchased, Duke Reani had commanded great influence; however, following numerous instances of regicide, he had come to realize that a peaceful end was increasingly improbable. He sought to secure an escape route for himself, yet his untimely demise thwarted those plans. His legitimate children, blinded by power, were loath to abandon their positions, while Robin Reani proved to be more astute, promptly extricating himself along with his three daughters and a cadre of obedient followers, seeking refuge in Santir Castle, where they took residence in Fons Manor.
From this perspective, Robin Reani was indeed perceptive and quick to react. However, his inability to inherit the Duke's legacy and retain power only exposed his shortcomings.
This family's most exceptional talents were limited to such a level; it was no wonder they harbored little promise for the future.
The trident-like structure of Fons Manor comprised three distinct sections. The central area, where the hall resided, served as Robin's personal quarters, featuring a meeting room, a shrine, and a library, typically off-limits to other family members.
The bastards dwelled in the eastern section of the castle, which also functioned as the family's practice space for spellcasting. Given that the Reani family focused on necromancy, the entire eastern wing was often permeated with the stench of blood and decay, and various strange undead creatures roamed the castle, encountering skeletons and specters even in broad daylight.
Robin paid little heed to their living conditions, likely due to the overwhelming number of bastards residing within Fons Manor.
The precise count of the late Duke Reani's illegitimate offspring remains uncertain; however, there were a staggering sixteen within this estate. He had been notorious for his debauchery during his lifetime, and after his death, Robin had gathered the bastards together. According to the customs of the people of Imburt, although bastards possessed no claims to inheritance, they were still considered part of the family. They were, after all, more reliable than outsiders and could undertake a greater array of responsibilities. Typically, they assisted the family in managing slaves or performing tasks that required literacy and arithmetic; it was not uncommon for families like the Reanis to regard their bastards as valuable assets.
After the Reani family's decline, outsiders were deemed untrustworthy, leaving only the bastards as dependable allies. Unfortunately, their collective habitation in the eastern district rendered the once-spacious quarters somewhat overcrowded. Their fervor for necromantic studies contributed to the considerably unpleasant atmosphere.
When a multitude of necromancers cohabited, issues of sanitation inevitably arose.
Yet, there remained a portion of the manor that was distinct. Lynn circled back from the central area to the eastern wing, approaching the rear door. He entered a basement, swiftly traversing its threshold before stepping into a narrow corridor.
Within the corridor, an unpleasant roar echoed. Lynn halted, bestowing a courteous bow upon the imposing ghoul that materialized before him. He harbored no fear; he was well accustomed to this route. "I am Lynn from the eastern district, here to visit Miss Vera in the western district. I wish to continue recounting the tales of the drow; I hope you will permit my passage."