An island too far

An island too far is the autobiographic tale of the failed expedition into the Canican Archipelago. Based on the notes of the famous Richardian explorer Dan Walgien, it describes the explorer's attempts to explore the unknown areas of the archipelago and establish a permanent presence of Richardian influence.

Purpose

Based on the surviving notes and tales from survivors of the expedition, "An island too far" attempts to idealize the work of Walgien and inspire others to follow in his footsteps. Besides this agenda, it mostly aims to interest the reader in a strange world, full of unknown flora and fauna, and even new races of sentient beings.

Document Structure

Publication Status

After its publication in 1344, several years after the unfortunate failure of the expedition, it quickly became a major success, inspiring generations of young Richardians to go out and discover the world.
It is available in most major Richardian settlements, as it is regularly printed in the great printing houses of this global power. It is also available in many other centers of civilization, being one of the first entertainment products to be produced on a massive scale.

Historical Details

Background

During his lifetime, Dan Walgien was one of the most famous explorers of the known world. A writer, politician, and entrepreneur, he was seen as the embodiment of an ideal citizen, uniting both responsible behavior and an evergrowing love for discovery and knowledge.
His expedition into the Canican Archipelago was supposed to be his great breakthrough, enabling him to explore and catalog and an excellent opportunity for colonization, which would enable him to become one of the most powerful people of his age.
This ambition was, of course, doomed to fail, when Walgien was stabbed to death by a bunch of particularly aggressive natives. The book, however, served his intentions and made him famous and one of the best remembered Richardian heroes.

Public Reaction

The news of the failed expedition came as a great shock for the Richardian public, as they had just lost one of their most popular political newcomers. He was lauded a martyr of Richardia, having gone and searched for knowledge.
The book helped the public to cope, as it idealized Walgien, erasing much of his more questionable behavior, like smearing political opponents and having built his fortune in parts on illegal fighting.

Legacy

While the hero dies on the shores of a faraway island, the journey described had many a young Richardian wishing for the thrill of adventure, to go out and search for the unknown. To this day, it is among the most popular writings of Richardia and is exported to cities throughout the known world.
However, different places interpret the story slightly differently. Whereas the Richardians think it advocates wanderlust and promotes the idea of going on adventures, more risk-averse societies sometimes put emphasis on the violent death of the protagonist, using it as an explanation, why seeking adventure is inherently dangerous and immoral.

Type

Journal, Scientific

Medium

Paper

Authoring Date

1344