Compiling this is going to take some time, please be patient. - Archivist Theta
Author:
Captain Amaya Sariel Pneuma
For
Captain Marinus who taught me all that I know about sailing. May he rest in peace.
Year 1 - 1158AGC
Month of Stella
1/1/1158AGC - Perhaps it is time I began to write something in this journal. I wanted to wait until it was confirmed that the voyage will be possible, but I can tell that Grau had worked very hard on making this journal. Not only is the rich leather cover imbued with various designs stitched with Sable Fiber, but the pages feel wonderful. This must have been expensive to make, and it seemed Grau wanted it to last for a good, long while. I hope the Royal Court approves of the funding this time. The letter I sent this time is quite good, possibly the best I have ever written. Furthermore, there is so much out there to discover, so much that has been beyond our grasp since The Great Collapse. Well, the C.M.V. Marigold promises to be a fine ship, I just need the right crew for her. The kind of sailor I seek will not be cheap, not to mention the supplies needed to survive the journey I have in mind.
2/1/1158AGC - I just received word from Taenya, the Executive Exchequer of Centrum had approved the funding for my voyage. There are some string attached of course, like the clause that says if I bring back nothing I lose the ship, but it is something. To commemorate this news, I am celebrating the New Year for an extra day.
10/1/1158AGC - Sometimes, fate just loves to play a cruel trick. As part of the Exchequer's terms for funding, I have to agree to make Captain Pontius Ophiucus part of the expedition. I suppose I have no choice in this matter. Pontius has influence over several high-members of the Centrum Directors, and no doubt his ill-gotten gains have something to do with that. I don't know how I'm going to tolerate his presence on the Voyage but at least I have time to figure something out.
25/1/1158AGC - It seems that some people in the Queendom of Lunaria have taken an interest in my expedition. One of their captains, Darya Silvermoon, has requested to be a part of the expedition. As she explained it to me, she wants to prove to
Queen Shava that the Queendom needs to look beyond the shores of the continent to secure their future. I have yet to follow her logic on that, but I'm glad for the offer of assistance nonetheless. I have accepted Darya's offer of assistance. That brings this expedition up to three ships.
Month of Terra
2/2/1158AGC - It seems that another captain will join the expedition. Captain Svalis Xiloscient, who is renowned among the northern tribes. They say he has perfected travel across the arctic shores. I think he will prove to be a valuable member of the expedition
Month of Aqua
1/3/1158AGC - I finally have a healer for my vessel, and his name is Amator. He has a reputation for healing even the direst of ills, something that will be needed for a voyage as the one I plan to embark upon. They had one demand though- to do no harm. I guess that rules them out as a fighting arm.
Month of Vita
14/4/1158AGC - I finally have my crew together. Not the best bunch of sailors there ever was, but they'll do. Captain Pontius, Captain Darya, and Captain Svalis have sent word that their crews are ready as well. We are just waiting for clear sailing conditions before setting out. They say a storm is approaching Centrum, and that it could get bad. Here's hoping none of our ships are too damaged before we have had a chance to set sail. In the meantime, I've invited the captains for a dinner tonight in order to discuss some last minute preparations.
18/4/1158AGC - We are setting sail! I have decided to sail to the Western Occulus Gate and then travel along Quassus' Southern coast. Once we reach the southernmost point we will sail southwards to the Deshret Continent. Hopefully Pontius is not as good of a sailor as he constantly boasts to be and he will run his ship aground in the rocky shallows this shoreline is known for.
23/4/1158AGC - We have reached the Western Occulus Gate. The Lunarian Queen met us to see our small flotilla in person.
31/4/1158AGC - We have sighted an unexpected storm as we exit the Western Occulus Gate. Sylren believes that this storm is magical in nature. That's bad news for us as it should be upon us before the day is over and we are not near any safe port. Time to batten down the hatches!
Month of Ignis
22/5/1158AGC - My expedition has arrived at the Deshret Continent. What a sight it is to see. The shoreline is a dense jungle, and rising high in the distance the
Rayiq Mountains. I have only ever heard stories about those peaks, and none have done the sight justice. I can already tell that they will be a formidable obstacle to overcome. However, I'll deal with that later for this expedition needs a place to dock and to resupply. I know there's a port-town somewhere along this shore, but I am uncertain as to whether it is east or west of our current position. I think I will choose to head west as there is a port in that direction. I believe the port's name is Azraq.
31/5/1158AGC - We've found a port town for us to dock and take stock of the affairs of the continent, or so we hope. Going to have to put our best face on as we greet the locals. We may be here for a few days.
Supplemental: The town is called Azraq, and it seems that I can learn some things about the continent here.
Supplemental II: Ailill ran off. I hope the cat doesn't cause too many problems.
Month of Sol
2/6/1158AGC - Ailill brought back some kind of worm thing.
12/6/1158AGC - We make sail again, this time to travel down the coast.
14/6/1158AGC - The sky was yellow today. They tell me that it is one of Deshret's great dust storms. They say it could last a day or the rest of the month.
17/6/1158AGC - The waters here are very pretty.
18/6/1158AGC - We have spotted ships of an Azumanami make heading our way. Strange for such ships to be sailing out here, they usually keep to the Shizukana Sea.
Month of Viridi
5/7/1158AGC - We have entered Vavahady.
9/7/1158AGC - We have entered the Orinururu Desert. I've never felt air that was so dry before!
11/7/1158AGC - That was sudden. A magic storm of fire. Not my first encounter, but the sheer scale of it out here is hard to believe. That incessant roaring is damn near deafening! Good thing we found this cave when we did.
21/7/1158AGC - What a strange game boulder lasso is, but quite enjoyable.
22/7/1158AGC - I'm going to cross the Nerehet Sandsea. This is going to be different.
25/7/1158AGC - This is much bigger up close, but the view is already something to behold! Will see if I can reach the peak. This climb will take several days, and the air will only get thinner. Will need to save an entire day for the summit trip as I do not want to be too high up at sundown.
Month of Lux
25/8/1158AGC - We have returned to Vavahady, and not a moment too soon is seems. Many eyes are upon us now compared to when we first arrived, and not all of them are friendly. I will keep up my guard for the time being as I try to enjoy the comforts of civilization that are not to be found in the middle of the great desert.
Month of Messis
1/9/1158AGC - The waters here seem different than up north. Is it because water swirls opposite to the northern hemisphere? No, not just that. There's more to it. Just have to figure out what.
8/9/1158AGC - I have just had the strangest dream. I do not remember much, but I recall a voice calling to me. The sword Marinus left me was present in the dream too. I wonder what it all meant?
9/10/1158AGC - I have been exhausted all day. I cannot seem to shake off these dark dreams that I have been having.
12/9/1158AGC - We have arrived at Glacialis. It was a surreal moment, this expedition represents the first footsteps on this forgotten continent in over a thousand years. At least, the first that I know of. The best word to describe this landscape is white. White ground, white sky, white horizon, and my now white ship and crew. The snowing never stops, not to mention the wind. This may not be a long stay.
These pages are missing. We don't know yet if these were lost, destroyed, or taken during the theft.— Archivist Theta
18/9/1158AGC - In a rare display of unanimity, the captains and crews of all vessels have decided that a week was more than enough time to get to know Glacialis. I'm inclined to agree most of all; I have never detested coldness this much before. I may return one day to even the score, and to reveal the secrets Glacialis undoubtedly guards with envy. In the meantime, there are preparations to be made before sailing. It is a shame that I may never discover when or how I lost Marinus's sword.
20/9/1158AGC - Not sure if I should be concerned or amazed. I can summon Marinus's sword at will now. I was having another of my arguments with Pontius when, in a rather embarrassing fit of emotion, I summoned the blade out of thin air and almost impaled my fellow captain (unfortunately in hindsight). While it is undoubtedly my sword, it has changed. The sheen is darker, and there appears to be a marking of some kind on the hilt; the same mark I see in my dreams. I do not know what to make of this.
Month of Aeris
1/10/1158AGC - Jerry fell out of the ship again. His timing could have been better, the water is much too cold for that sort of nonsense. The snivels will be his just reward.
2/10/1158AGC - The doctor has confirmed that Jerry has the snivels. This has surprised no one. In all seriousness, I hope he gets well soon. I have no desire for an epidemic aboard my ship nor to gratify that ape Pontius' with a call for assistance.
Month of Festum
1/11/1158AGC - A curious sighting this morning. One of the crew members gave out a cry of surprise I rarely hear in them these days, so the rest of us had to see what he saw. I could not believe my eyes at first, but it was the Iron Whale. I thought such a beast was an overblown sailor's legend. We tried to intercept it so that we could take a look at the thing up close, but it was too fast for us. It later dived out of view to return to whatever depths it had come from.
2/11/1158AGC - This will be the first Month of Festivals away from home. It's actually rather peaceful here on the high seas with no other soul in sight beyond those under my charge. If only father could see me now.
11/11/1158AGC - After sighting the Verdant Archipelago, I have decided that the expedition should make landfall. We can resupply with the island's resources as well as explore the ruins here. I heard Ekla is a particularly interesting place so that is where I will be spending time. There is so much that we don't know about the Ancient Order and few of their monuments survive for our eyes to see.
11/18/1158AGC - We are setting sail from this tropical paradise, and have decided to set a course southwest. There have been tales of a far-off continent in this direction and I look forward to seeing what truth lies behind them.
11/20/1158AGC - There is no shortage of pirates it seems. Several suspicious ships were spotted on the horizon. Probably from one of Zephyr's old hideouts no doubt. We'll try to keep our distance for now, though Captain Darya is working out a more direct solution to the problem.
11/23/1158AGC - A dense fog has been spotted. With the pirates continuing their chase- who are probably using magic to keep up with us- we have decided to set course for the fog. The plan is to navigate it better than the pirates.
11/25/1158AGC - We lost the pirates in the fog, and most of us our awareness. A strange sleep has befallen most of the crew while we were in the fog. It would seem that wild magic continues to surprise.
11/26/1158AGC - My crew is watching a field of waterspouts. I am content to keep my distance from them. Any number of strange occurrences can sink even the mightiest of vessels. I'm sure a lack of caution is the cause of many mysteries.
Month of Luna
30/12/1158AGC - Technically, we could celebrate a day early. Or a day later, I guess it depends on how one looks at it. My crew and I are on the other side of the world after all. The sun rises over here as it sets at Centrum.
Year 2 - 1159AGC
Month of Stella
1/1/1159AGC - And so I begin the new year on the high seas, far from the home I knew. I am also not the same woman I was starting out in this adventure. The lessons of the previous year have been both humbling and eye-opening. I have already seen more than most people in Centrum will know in their lives, and there's still some time before we arrive at the anniversary of this adventure. In truth, I wonder if we will make it that far.
1/14/1159AGC -
Month of Terra
1/2/1159AGC -
Month of Aqua
1/3/1159AGC -
Month of Vita
2/4/1159AGC - We have sighted the jungles of our next piece of land to explore, Chivit. I have never seen so many plants in such concentration before, and the humidity here is already much to bear for some of our crew. We will need to keep a close eye on our drinking water supply.
18/4/1159AGC - The second year of this fantastic voyage begins. I wonder what's in store for us next. We are far, far from where we started and we still have so far to go. If the last year had taught me anything, it is that the world has no shortage of surprises both good and bad. I hope we see more of the former going forward.
Month of Ignis
1/5/1159AGC -
Month of Sol
1/6/1159AGC -
Month of Viridi
1/7/1159AGC -
Month of Lux
1/8/1159AGC -
Month of Messis
1/9/1159AGC -
Month of Aeris
15/10/1159AGC - Judging by our latitude, we must now be traveling along the coast of Planus, the land that lies directly west of the Quassus Continent. Strangely few tales from this place has reached my home continent. The tales I have heard speak of flat plains, a tall mountain range, a great canyon, and a great crater.
31/10/1159AGC - We have sighted the Iron Whale again. This time it follows us closely, but neither gains nor falls behind. It is keeping perfect pace no matter what we try. I know of the stories of sailors recovered from wrecks they claim are the work of this strange iron beast which makes its behavior now quite concerning to me.
Month of Festum
1/11/1159AGC - Judging by the constant curvature of this coast we're traveling along, this must be the great crater as told by Ardito. If the tale I heard at the Wild Oyster is true, there is a secret in this place hidden by fog. This fog I have sighted to the starboard side. I am about to give the order for the Marigold Apace to change course towards it. The choice for the other ships to follow will be theirs.
Supplemental - This crater... this sea... it does not welcome us. We are approaching the fog, though it will be an hour or so before we reach it. The locals claim that any ship that travels in that fog risks never returning. My desire to explore it may prove my undoing, but this is hardly the first danger I and my crew have had to brave on this voyage. The crew has accepted the risk with me, but the other ships are quite content to sit back and watch. I pray my luck does not run out this time. Amator is readying his spells as I write this, so we will try to remove some of the fog as we reach it.
Supplemental II - We have lost sight of the Iron Whale. It is either not following us any further or it is merely beneath the waves now.
3/11/1159AGC - The crew and I survived, but I'm afraid I lost an eye to whatever that beast was. Now that I've had time to think about the battle, it might have been the Kraken. As luck would have it, it was the good eye I lost so some things in my daily routine will have to change which includes relearning how to use my very expensive pistol!
4/11/1159AGC - We have found a port where we can make repairs and resupply. The locals call this place Talafatai. I think it has seen better days.
4/11/1159AGC - We learned more about this strange crater from the locals today. Theories on its origin range from the sight of some arcane disaster, to the site of a great battle. They also say that life has been leaving the area over the years. That is, a great quiet has been slowly descending upon this region, which was full of life at one point. The locals have had many adventurers of their own attempt to travel to the crater to learn its secrets. Most returned empty handed while others did not return at all. I guess that makes my crew and I among the lucky ones.
16/11/1159AGC - The mesa we camped at the foot of had a surprise for us today. It seems that its entire interior had been turned into some kind of citadel. It has been abandoned, and many of its passages have either caved in or are otherwise blocked. Some can be traveled, but we do not know where they lead or what dangers lurk in that darkness. What I and a few others have been able to travel felt watched as if something was waiting. We resolved not to spend another night at this mesa and so continued on to the chasm. We have not left quite empty handed though. One of the crew found several glass disks with intricate designs present underneath their smooth surfaces. Will have to take a closer look as time allows.
17/11/1159AGC -
Month of Luna
20/12/1159AGC - We begin our journey through the arctic wastes of Planus. Svalis and his ship will be taking point during this leg of the journey since he and his crew have unparalleled experience navigating this kind of terrain. I suppose we could have stayed at Talafatai, but the townsfolk made it clear they only had so much for the winter. Brave is already on the lookout for supplies along the coast. Hopefully we'll find some oasis or other so that our supply of food and material will be the greater for the journey ahead.
Year 3 - 1160AGC
Month of Stella
1/1/1160AGC -
Month of Terra
1/2/1160AGC -
8/2/1159AGC - We are trying to find shelter from the approaching storm. However, the shores here are unfamiliar to us. I do not know if we can find suitable shelter in time.
Supplemental - We have encountered riders on great sea horses. They have offered to take us to their town for shelter from the approaching storm and that we needed to hurry. We quickly took them up on their offer and are now making best speed to the town they call Ishnanor.
Month of Aqua
1/3/1160AGC -
Month of Vita
7/4/1160AGC -
Month of Ignis
21/5/1160AGC -
Month of Sol
21/6/1160AGC - We have returned to Centrum. It has been a long time. I am going to visit the Wild Oyster after we have things in order.
Month of Viridi
7/7/1160AGC - We held the auction today.
27/7/1160AGC - Only now does the Director's Council decide to investigate.
Month of Lux
1/8/1160AGC -
Month of Messis
1/9/1160AGC -
Month of Aeris
7/10/1160AGC -
.
Month of Festum
1/11/1160AGC -
Month of Luna
7/10/1160AGC - This journal is all but filled up. Perhaps I can get Grau to make me a new one.
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