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Post by Phoenica on Apr 20, 2008 23:55:06 GMT
The Phoenican Senate has just approved an exploration voyage at the request of the Slavinica Fishing Guild. The Guild hopes to find fertile fishing grounds due east of the coast.
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Post by Phoenica on Apr 21, 2008 5:35:44 GMT
A day after the Senate aproval, Captain Fenix looks over his ship as dockworkers finish loading provisions. This will be an expensive voyage, Fenix thought. In fact, the Senate only begrudgingly approved such a dangerous mission after weeks of severe lobbying by the Fishing Guild and others. More lobbying than usual that is, Fenix corrected himself. Sometimes it's amazing that the Senate keeps this country together with all the gilded politicking going on.
The mission will be tricky due to the strong southern currents along this part of the coast. Added to that the exploration is only a quarter of what it should be. The original plan was to take up to 50 ships to scour a vastly larger swath of ocean, but the Senate axed that idea because it would put undue strain on the already outdated navy. After much deliberation, Admiral Gemish was lucky enough to get about a dozen ships in all. Hopefully it'll be enough, Fenix thinks, as his ship slowly makes it's way out of the harbor. This may be more dangerous than most people realize.
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Post by Emperor Adonai on Apr 21, 2008 14:50:20 GMT
After a few hours or so at sea, the southern currents have pushed you slightly farther than planned, but otherwise the voyage appears to be in good condition. Every now and then, a small chuck of rock, a tiny island, drifts into and out of view. The sun is sinking from the sky, light slowly turning orange...
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Post by Phoenica on Apr 22, 2008 3:19:27 GMT
It's been a week...we only held out for a week.
Fenix's ship is still in good condition, despite the many rocks and crags poking through the surface of the water. The only noticeable difference being that his ship is alone. Somehow last night the ship got separated as the fleet was fanning out in their search. As his ship was deployed on the extreme south end of the fleet, they probably didn't notice him missing until earlier this morning. As it stands now Fenix is in previously uncharted waters with no idea where to rendezvous with the fleet.
Might as well continue on. If I go back early they'll have doubts about my loyalty to the mission. I never liked staying in port anyway...
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Post by Emperor Adonai on Apr 23, 2008 0:59:18 GMT
In the distance, you can make out some kind of island. The sharp rocks surrounding you make maneuvering difficult, but you should be able to manage.
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Post by Phoenica on Apr 23, 2008 2:18:34 GMT
By drifting further south and east due to the currents of the ocean, Fenix looks out over the bow and can just see the haze of distant mountains. Land? Out here in the middle of this desolate ocean? (Good fishing grounds have not been found as was hoped) Well, even if there are hostile natives about, we'll need the provisions. We can't hold out much longer with what we've got.
A voice rings out from the helmsman, "Orders Cap'n?" Fenix spits on the deck. "Set a course inland Mr. Inam."
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Post by Phoenica on Apr 25, 2008 5:04:06 GMT
It turns out the natives weren't hostile after all, in fact Capitan Fenix has stayed on the island quite longer than he intended, mostly because his crew wouldn't have it any other way. The Natives call their island country Matros and the population is over 80% female. How this country survives demographicaly remains unknown, however the men of Fenix's crew have grown quite friendly to the females of Matros these past several days.
More importantly, Capitan Fenix reckons he can sail back to Phoenica with the Matrosians' extensive knowledge of the sea around their island. The people back home will have to know about this new country. Besides, even when their thoughts are crowded with their present pleasure, Fenix's men know they can't stay on the island forever. Starting tomorrow, Fenix will begin plotting a course toward home.
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Post by Phoenica on Apr 26, 2008 2:12:32 GMT
"Curse the Sea!" Fenix muttered. Why so many, why now? And Admiral Gemish!
Fenix's ship just arrived in the shipping port of Resar in Phoenica this morning after a surprisingly short voyage across the western part of what is beginning to be called the Matros Strait. Not two hours went by when a currier arrived with a letter from the leader of the Supreme Senate summoning him to the capitol city of Salvinica. As news of the discovery of Matros has spread like wildfire, Fenix assumed it was to be a celebration in the crew's honor. (Fenix never thought in terms of his own glory) He would be only half right.
Now at home, after all the celebration, Fenix can recount in his mind what he was told just before the parade:
Three days before Fenix arrived in port a merchant ship spotted a small fishing dingy about 9 miles off the eastern coast of Phoenica. Inside were 5 men, only one of which was alive. Apparently, a few days after Fenix's ship got separated from the fleet that fateful night, a large storm, stronger then anyone had yet seen rose up and capsized every single ship in the fleet. The men did what they could in the waves, some holding on to pieces of broken wood, some were lucky enough to find one of the few fishing dingies that broke free unharmed. Only one man would survive.
As the mourning continued for the dead, the Supreme Senate authorized the seizure of 2 km of land north along the coast for the construction and maintenance of a new shipbuilding port to revamp the Phoenican Navy and replace the ships that were lost.
Meanwhile, as the architects begin designs for the new port and the widows continue to mourn for their dead, all Fenix can think about is Admiral Gemish.
He was such a mentor to me. I'll never forget him. Never.
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Post by Phoenica on Apr 26, 2008 4:28:38 GMT
The people of Phoenica can barely catch their breath due to the emotional roller coaster they have been through these past few days, and now a new issue has been thrown before them. Who will replace the top man in the navy, Admiral Gemish? Although the appointment of Admiral is strictly bureaucratic within the navy, some of the general public already have their own idea of who it should be. Luckily this time the navy agrees.
Capitan Fenix has superb command experience, not to mention his success in the recent exploration voyage. Even more than this however, his reputation has soared over these last few days in the eyes of the general public. Not only is he a national hero, he is well loved for the way he puts his men before himself in every situation. Some might find his lack of assertiveness as a character flaw, but others might see it for what it really is, an ability to think clearly and not be caught up in the emotion of the moment.
With his new appointment, *Admiral* Fenix will be one of the top men in the navy. His first appointment will be to oversee the overhaul of the Phoenican Navy, based in Resar.
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Post by Mátros ~NPC~ on Apr 26, 2008 4:34:21 GMT
A day after Fenix is appointed Admiral, a small yacht with Matrosian markings sails into Phoenica's main port. The crew of the ship say that they were told to deliver a small gathering of presents to Phoenica when they landed at Matros. They unload numerous gold pots, jewels, and precious minerals, before sailing off.
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Post by Phoenica on Apr 28, 2008 3:48:24 GMT
Word of the generous and valuble gift reaches the high command of the Phoenican Navy and ultimately Admiral Fenix himself in just a few short hours. Dumbfounded with the news, a plan is quickly formed to gather a corosponding Phoenican gift to show apreciation and mutual good will. Fenix appoints Captain Pite to head the envoy back to Matros. Although Pite's primary mission is to deliver the gift to the Matrosians, he is also told to scout past Matros to the east if possible due to rumors from the Matrosians of a second landmass.
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Post by Phoenica on May 1, 2008 19:02:28 GMT
Capitan Pite has delivered the gift on schedule. The Matrosians continue to be more than hospitable and the two nations continue to grow quite close. Armed with rumors and a few tattered maps, Pite is now busy scouting east of Matros to find the second land mass.
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Post by Phoenica on May 3, 2008 5:25:59 GMT
It has been an interesting voyage for Pite, this marks the first time he has been given the opportunity to explore unknown areas of the world. These past few days have been quite unnerving to him, the uncertainty of the sea is almost enough to drive a man mad.
Added to that, the Great Storm that destroyied Admiral Gemish's fleet will not soon be forgotten in Phoenican memories. Luckily so far the weather has been good, perhaps the fearful storms only occur north of Matros? Pite didn't know.
Pite looks over his course for today. He's approaching the end of the Matrosian maps, not that they were terribly helpful. Just about the only thing they're good at is showing some kind of landmass to the east.
A lot of good that does me, thought Pite. I know there's a landmass there, I'm trying to reach it! "These maps are terrible at distance calculation." Pite said under his breath.
Just then, as if hearing the Capitan's thoughts, the lookout cried, "Land Ho!" Mariners everywhere scrambled up from inside the ship to see with their own eyes as Pite ran to the door to see for himself.
The first mate came and stood behind him. "That might just be it Capitan." he laughed.
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Post by Phoenica on May 4, 2008 4:42:08 GMT
Pite continued sailing around the coastline for a few days. He would have landed and gone inland had he been more manned and supplied. As it stands now, he just decided to create accurate maps of the coastline and the sea route to reach it.
Once these are obtained, it should be relatively easy to follow the route again and establish an outpost. And once that's in place, we could scout further inland and push back the boarders of the known world!
Pite shook his head, he was getting too far ahead of himself. He had charts to create.
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Post by Emperor Adonai on May 4, 2008 4:46:50 GMT
The coast Pite has found consists of alternating sandy beaches and rocky cliffs. There are no signs of human life, except for a shipwreck of Matrosian origin. The water gets fairly shallow as you approach the coast, preventing ships from moving too far in.
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