Amara Project

It'd be nice to get there. There are so many questions I want to ask, so many people I'd want to meet. But more than my personal curiosity, it would be most fulfilling to tell the people of this "Abravost" that their sailors succeeded, in the end. I'm sure they missed them terribly.

— Kyi'lin Rulnet

The Amara Project is a Lawaguum government agency dedicated to bridging the gap between the continents of Thurásin and Abravost. Though it is currently focused on constructing an exploratory fleet to Abravost, it has multiple avenues of research ongoing.

Structure

The Project is headed by Uwin Abiiban, a minister in the Lawaguumawa government. They have appointed four experts to helm the various aspects and research directions of the Project, who themselves have many who work under them.

Dyuyam Ulanaam

Dyuyam Ulanaam is the head of the "Nautical Department". This department oversees the construction and acquisition of the many boats needed for the exploratory fleet, as well as the staffing of these ships. Once the fleet is ready, Dyuyam will serve as its captain aboard the flagship, YL Aburawudu.

Íesā

Íesā is the head of the "Planar Department". This department is charged with researching the potential uses for Portals in crossing the significant gap between Abravost and Thurásin while avoiding contact with the formidable dragon known to occupy the oceans.

Biidalyan Thülötsla

Biidalyan Thülötsla is the head of the "Aerial Department". This department deals with navigational and scouting concerns, sending out dragon-rider parties to map the south-eastern oceans and identify possible island stops and safe paths, as well as if flight to Abravost is viable.

Kyi'lin Rulnet

Kyi'lin Rulnet is the head of the "Cultural Department". This department handles the cultural aspects of the planned expeditions, such as language, religion, and social conventions, in hopes of making the initial contact with Abravost as smooth and conflict-free as possible.

History

Prior to the year 33 Contact, no-one on the continent of Thurásin was aware of the existence of another continent far to the south-east, called Abravost. This changed when the Dyiiladuun Fleet was shipwrecked off the coast of Yalaruun, destroyed at the jaws of a colossal dragon. When the three survivors were brought to Lawaguum by their Merfolk rescuers, speculation abounded over whether their story of being from such distant lands was sincere.
Inspired by their story, many people tried to independently reach Abravost. Most of these would later return, admitting to having turned back after being disheartened by endless oceans or having failed to bring enough supplies, while others never returned at all.
These efforts attracted the attention of the Lawaguumawa government, who decided to coordinate all of them under a unified banner that would, it was hoped, be more successful. The Amara Project was formed in 31 Return after extensive consultation with many experts on the topic, among them sole remaining survivor of the Dyiiladuun Fleet, Dyaba Ladura. Many of those experts were appointed to important positions within the Project to oversee its development.
Despite the great deal of enthusiasm for the task at hand, progress was slow in its early years due to a lack of information about the route. This has slowly been surmounted by regular surveying by sailing ships and dragon riders, as well as the arrival of a translated copy of the Dyiiladuun Fleet Diaries that contained some information about the route the Fleet had taken to arrive in Thurásin in the first place shortly after Dyaba's death in 34 Return.
The Project has also been bolstered by collaboration with other countries, with the Shyanhol League sending some of its experts in history and language to help in the "Cultural Department", as well as a significant funding arrangement to support the ongoing construction of the fleet. Another notable collaborator is the local population of Merfolk, who have volunteered an expert on Portals as a potential avenue for connecting the two continents.
As of the year 39 Return, construction of the fleet's flagship is well underway, and the Amara Project hopes to set sail in just under 2 years.

Founding Date

31 Return 8 Years Ago

Type

Governmental, Department

Alternative Names

Abravost Expedition

Parent Organization

Lawaguum

Notable Members

Uwin Abiiban
Dyuyam Ulanaam
Íesā
Biidalyan Thülötsla
Kyi'lin Rulnet

Personality Clash

Though the "department heads" are theoretically united in their goal to connect Thurásin and Abravost, each have very different visions of how this connection should occur and what should happen once a route between the two is established.
In particular conflict are Dyuyam Ulanaam and Íesā, the "nautical" and "planar" experts respectively. While the former sees a normal sailing lane as the only acceptable route, the latter does not believe the boats will be remotely enough to survive the trip, having witnessed the Dyiiladuun Fleet with his own eyes.
To Íesā, until such boats are made and tested, the only real way to connect the two will be a series of portal connections. Even once constructed, they will be best served by portals to avoid the dangers of the "Abravost Dragon".

There's no point sending out a fleet if you have no clue where the end goal is. Wait for my team to get back from their trip - it'll only take a year - and we'll see if we've got more information.

— Íesā

His nagging has caused a great deal of conflict in the team, certainly not helped by Dyuyam's stubborn refusal to veer from constructing the kinds of boats they are most familiar with. Many in the Project fear the difference between the two experts may spell doom for the fleet when it finally sails, regardless of the Project's eventual successes.

Portal by bertvthul, PublicCo, and anaterate