Journals of Captain Hoarwae: Part 1

The adventures of Captain Hoarwae is widely known throughout the lands of both Cytal and Ascor. During a time when many were focused on portal magic, discovering the unknown realms and seeing what else was out there in the cosmos. Hoarwae looked for adventure closer to home, buying a ship and setting sail to explore all that he could in the oceans of Violem. What he achieved is something many would struggle to do even to this day.
His main achievements was starting a strong relationship between the continents of Ascor and Cytal, finding the lost continent of Adolane (now renamed Hoarwae) and charted many of the islands, isles and small land mass in the Untouched Lands. He sailed the oceans for 9 years before he and his crew meeting their demise at sea fighting a watery creature of legend (Kra-Ken).
Throughout his adventures, Hoarwae kept journals and donated them to the council of Oralyn, except for the last that was lost at sea. The 8 volumes now reside in the great library of Birohhal as historical artefacts, safely locked away in the vaults deep below the main building. Below are a selection of extracts released for public reading.

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Vol 1: Day 15

The past few weeks out on the open have been difficult for many of the crew. These are seasoned sailors and no stranger to the rocky waves and the lack of land for days upon days. But this time feels different. We entered uncharted ocean and the uncertainty has gotten to the head of some of the men. In particular Colcha.
When I hired him in the Splish Splash tankard he seemed as eager as the others but that night I did wonder if I saw a flicker of doubt in his eye. Maybe it was the light of the candle or maybe it was the reflection of moonlight from the outside water barrel. But I saw something in his eye that night, something I ignored until today.
He is a fine enough lad, younger than most. But his mind is sharper than any other I have seen. He plays mind games with the sailors for fun. When he is resting, he is reading anything he can get hold of. He even had the nerve to knock on my quarters in the night and ask for another collection of papers. I admire his confidence. But on the waters he seems to be falling behind a little. His body a little less adapted to life at sea. I fear I have taken on a land lover who can't cope with scale of this voyage. I shall speak with him in the morning after I address the crew in an attempt to raise the morale.
Many seemed restless today, the spirit we had at the start is starting to dwindle. It could weeks or months before we see land again. They knew the risks when they came aboard, I told each one personally. But hearing something and living it for yourself are not always equal. How I can help them I do not know, but my job as the captain of this ship is to take care of all aboard. If I cannot do that, then I shouldn't be at the helm of this fine vessel. But the winds are strong and the sails are up, forwards is the only way we can advance.
Signing off, Captain Hoarwae

Vol 4: Day 204

There are days when my position as a captain is something I enjoy. The sensation of ocean winds hitting my face whilst at the wheel, the intense battles of silver and wizardry along side my noble crew. A crew that have proven time and time again that they would follow my lead to the end of realms and back. My family of brothers at sea, who I share this desire for more of our world just beyond the horizon.
But then there is days like today, where I succumb to the reality of life. Reminded that the lives of myself and my men are not the same as ancient gods and spirits of eternity. We are mortal. Which is why I write with a heavy heart of the fall of Ivamor.
He was one the first to join this mission of mine. He wanted to see what beyond the docks he grew up on. To see what happened after the ships sailed into the vast emptiness of the sea. Ivamor was many things. A brave sailor, a caring son to his sickly father. A skilled swordsman, I always said a talent far better than his own arcane hands. But neither could save him from his fate on this dark day.
We were not prepared for what could have come at us inside the fort. We were outmatched and outnumbered in those damn twisting tunnels and overgrown brick mazes. I tried to pull us out. I tried to get my men out, all of them out safely. But Ivamor was more stubborn than I realised. He is, was, a brave soul to the very end. Before I had time to even think, he had the doors sealed shut. Nothing getting out, including himself. He had time, I am sure of it. If he had explained what he was doing to me, he could be with us now.
But he knew the risks.He knew the costs of joining my quest across the seas. And I can say with confidence, he never wasted a moment on this ship. From rallying the sailors on the nights when we had seen no land for weeks. To leading the charge against demons in treasured caves, he was a man that anyone could look towards and find inspiration. He was a friend I will miss dearly. I pray to the Acurans that came before to give me strength when we return home to Cytal. Looking his father in the eye and telling him the events that unfolded today. A day that I will not forget, a day that I fear will haunt me for who knows how long.
For Ivamor. Sailor, Swordsman, Friend
Signing off, Hoarwae

Vol 5: Day 263

The originals of this world never cease to amaze me. For almost half a dozen star rotations later me and my crew have seen a spectacle. As the first rays of the daystar reflected off the still waves of the sea, came a new formation to witness.
This is not uncommon for us, we have after all been exploring these untouched lands for years now. But still our amazement, we saw an island unlike any other. For it was not sat comfortably on the horizon, nested in the waters we have come so use to sailing. But instead high up in the sky, amongst the clouds se saw a floating island. Suspended by what we can only assume is an ancient and powerful magic. I had heard of such a feat achieved by the Acuran of Storms, but to it with my own eyes is something mesmerising.
As we gently drifted near the aroma of fresh greenery intertwined with the salty air of the sea. The cascading fresh water that seemed to tether the oceans and sky echoed a soft and serene sound of pouring waters. What could we do but stand and stare at this beauty. Even the old ship was silent in its creaking to admire what we had discovered. Birds called from high above, soaring in the high lands. Casting shadows down to our land loving boat.
As we anchored our vessel, I felt a rush of excitement as I always do when we discover something new. The feeling, the sensation of tingling lapsing over my skin and the build of happy emotions just waiting to explode are almost too much to handle. But I am the captain, and these our my men. If I cannot keep composed in these times of pure joy, nothing would get done.
We did not have such means of flight or elixirs to allow us to ascend, but we had something better. The Alum with a connection to the waters, a fine edition to our crew. Including one of the very first, An-Ca. A natural born sailor, who shares just as much excitement for adventure as I do. And his ability to create a staircase in the falling rivers themselves would have been impressive on any other day. But what we saw once we set foot on the blue yonder above might be my favourite find yet.
Once arriving at the top we took a moment to take in the view this high up. What we saw was the ocean spreading more miles in all directions, but it was more than that. The daystar shone and exposed to us dozens of more isles below. Hues of sunkissed red treetops and beaches whiter than a pearl with the enchantment of truth. Stretching as far as we could possibly see with the bare eyes, surrounded in a blanket of deep blues and coastal greens. There is little else I could do all day but awe at this viewpoint. Perhaps the first mortals to ever witness this.
But like all days, this came to an end just the same, with the shades of sapphires turning to rubies and eventually the obsidian ceiling that projects stars into the night. I entered our temporary camp. Surrounded by my crew who told tales of all that they found on this floating wonder. I raised my ale around the low burning fire, to salute them all to their hard work. To finding this place together and to the many more fascinations we will discover in the future.
Signing off, Captain Hoarwae

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Check out Part 2 here:

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