[!] NGS EXPEDITION: Into the Aegean Strath

[Frisket 4538]

 

Spoiler

Credits to @Sevafor the majority of the writing! <3

NGS EXPEDITION:  INTO THE AEGEAN STRATH

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W R I T T E N  B Y
VIVIEN MAELSTORM 

&

PHOEBE DE SENNA

E T  A L .

 

P U B L I S H E D  B Y  T H E
N O R T H E R N  G E O G R A P H I C A L  S O C I E T Y

 

O N  T H E
13 T H  O F  MALINS WELCOME,  2 0 64

 

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The Azure Forest

North-West Azuras

 

 

On the 13th of Malin’s Welcome, 2064, a party of explorers and scholars of the Northern Geographical Society, accompanied by assistants, ventured westwards into the blue wilderness which marks a small crater along the edge of Azuras. This valley, henceforth named the Aegean Strath was charted in its entirety by the following expeditioners:

 

• Vivien Maelstorm (Expedition Leader)
• Agariel Glenmaer (Expedition Provisioner)
• Phoebe de Senna (Scribe)
• Florian Enswerp (NGS Junior Member)
• Calenwyn Seregon (Assistance)
• Sylfrid Colborn (Assistance)

 

It would be remiss of the expedition to not begin this report with the Monolith which hangs suspended above the crater. This structure is of unknown origin, radiates mana as if it were a voidal tear, and yet is wholly unnatural compared to all previous knowledge of such tears. Marked strangely, this structure does not seem to be corrupting the landscape in the traditional sense. Previously scholars have maintained that voidal energy is a source of destabilization in an ecosystem. This is not the case here. The landscape of the region is twisted by the energy it is enveloped in, and yet flora and fauna thrive regardless. Senseless mutation does not appear to be present, instead there appears to be a symbiotic tinge to the biome. Indeed, reports indicate druids who have attempted to cleanse the land and “aid” the flora with shaking off the mutations instead sparked the opposite, with deific magic being either nullified or potentially aiding in the sustainment of the ecosystem. Further testing on the effects of this Monolith are required.

 

The second most notable aspect of the biome is its blue tinge. While elaborated on further in the section on flora, even the dirt and stone seems to take on an odd hue within the crater. It is assumed that this is due to the mana leeching into the earth, however further testing may be required.

 

The water in this region was found to be strangely attributed, like the rest of the landscape. While still being clearly water, and fed from the same water table as the surrounding regions, the properties of it were oily and thick, and most notably, warm. It is unknown at the current time whether the properties of said water are due to the mana being absorbed, or due to the flora and fauna which inhabit the crater, seeping something into it to create a different mixture.

 

On the Flora:

 

While proper taxonomy for most of the plants found within the region are unable to be made without further study, the majority of the flora found within the crater sport a blue colouration, likely reflected by the influx and polarity of mana flooding into the area. This mana is absorbed by the plants, similar to sunlight, causing them to recede from the usual green colour we are used to. It is our theory at the current moment that this strange colouration is an adaptation meant to better absorb such mana for sustenance, though the truth of this is inconclusive.

 

Aside from the strange colouration, the trees, vines, and other shrubbery reflect an area with much warmer tendencies than other forests in this region. Yet at the same time, large mushrooms which prefer a deciduous climate thrive alongside the trees which prefer such warmer weather. It is the observation and the assumption of the expedition members that the cacophony of flora in this region are subject to a different type of filter than standard biomes, that of voidal temperance. Temperature which might be required in other regions to foster greater sunlight or more hearty plants is of ill-issue in this region, as the majority of energy is absorbed directly from the mana in the air. The potency of this energy allows all manner of flora which can withstand such to thrive despite their lack of usual climate needs being met.

 

The mushroom trees found in this region are of special note, aside from the vines and normal wooden variety. These mushrooms glow partially, releasing their spores along with quick bursts of mana they have absorbed. Creating a symbiotic relationship with the mana in the air, instead of relying on wind to spread their progeny, the mushrooms in the crater ride the mana currents.

 

On the Fauna:

 

❧ The first animal encountered by the expedition was a form of rodentia, known as a “Mana Mouse”, commonly known to thrive in the ecosystems of Aevos. These animals are similar to normal mice, however thrive in areas of intense mana, and are prone to the act of teleportation when frightened. In appearance, the mana mice in this region sported blue and purple streaks in the same pattern seen on other fauna affected by the void. For further information, consult previous chartings of their encounters.

 

❧ Further on towards the center of the region, the party encountered small glowing entities. These were later found to be amphibious and insectoid in appearance, creatures which denigrated in the bog-like interior river and pools of the crater. Their eyes seemed to glow partially, and they appeared well at home in the mana-rich atmosphere. The expedition team has decided to name these creatures: “Taracci”.

 

❧ Following the initial encounter with the previous creatures, a larger amphibious entity broke through the trees, on the hunt for the smaller ones. This being stood well above the others, and appeared to be closer in approximation to a full toad, albeit at towering size. At the time of discovery, this creature was assumed to be the apex-predator for the region, reaching a slightly larger size than it was thought possible for a being of its species due to the richness of the mana in the air. Keen hunting grounds seemed to have made the beast slower and more lackadaisical with its meal-taking. The expedition team has decided to name this creature a: “Parhor”.

 

❧ After leaving the previous predator to its feast, the expedition team stumbled upon one of the lakes in the region, catching sight of a colony of beings that appeared to be made from coral itself. Despite their unintelligent nature, the engaged in a work which appeared both social and necessary, the collection of black pearls from the riverbeds. The expedition team has decided to name these: “Polyps”.

 

❧ Further on into the region the lake was closed in on properly, and a full host of the previous creatures, minus the larger frog morph, were found. In addition, small worms covered in fluffy coats were found climbing along the lilypads and water-front. These worms were seen in their natural habitat, seemingly processing the raw mana in the air into a physical form, with one observed being half-way finished with excreting a small crystal. Further study is necessary. These glowing worms were hence called: “Luminous Silk Worms”.

❧ Following the sight of the silken worms, another predator was discovered lingering on the other side of the river. A “Pygmy Flint Lizard” as they have been dubbed on previous continents, which seemed to call the forest its home. Interestingly, the natural ability of these lizards to spew flames was not hindered by the strange properties of the landscape, though it could be said that it became more difficult to scorch the flora in the area. These creatures were seen on Aevos, and scholarship for them abounds.

 

CONCLUSION

 

Even with further investigation, the vast possibilities of this region are still undiscovered, through further observation and research we may find clues as to many other questions about the void, the world alike and its odd interaction with Azuras as a whole. It is of my own opinion that with the sudden appearance of the monolith and its heath, there may be more to this natural mystery than meets the eye. 

 

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Vivien Maelstorm, AUTHOR, Leader of the Expedition @Frisket

Her Ladyship, Phoebe De Senna, SCRIBE, Lady Archivist of the Imperial Court @Seva

 

Her Ladyship, DAME MANON YVAINE VON VOLKRICH, SUPERVISOR
@esotericas

Dame of Arts, Lady of Deguise,
Baroness of Guise and Distrugestadt,
President of the Northern Geographical Society

 

P U B L I S H E D  U N D E R  

T H E  A U T H O R I T Y  O F  T H E  

N G S

“ A D  T E R R A S  N O V A S ”

THE VIEWS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF ITS AUTHOR(S).

THE NORTHERN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY CONTENTS.

 

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[Mescaffier 6197]

1 hour ago, Frisket said:

IMAGE DESCRIPTION GOES HERE IF APPLICABLE.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE AN IMAGE, USE THE CREST AND DELETE THIS TEXT.

1 hour ago, Frisket said:

Calenwyn [last name]

 

"Tell your manager to read over her papers before sending them out ..! How much are us TAXPAYERS spending on this, for them to need to re-print all these and send them out again! Grah!" an elderly Novellen complained to her daughter, Phoebe. @Seva

[Frisket 4538]

Vivien heard the yells of the Novellen, as she trembled in fear from more judgement she began to write and erase faster…

[Sonybut7 530]

Ulfric's new favorite NGS member, Calenwyn [last name] seemed to have done great.

[Seva 624]

Phoebe de Senna shivers at the possibility of a missive being taken from her drafts without finishing it. She uses her Jedi Mind powers to will the missive to a correct state, edited and repaired!

[Mescaffier 6197]

6 hours ago, Frisket said:

Vivien heard the yells of the Novellen, as she trembled in fear from more judgement she began to write and erase faster…

The old woman smells Vivien's fear. She's getting closer, and she has a sandal held in her left hand.