Difference between revisions of "Area:The Argosian Wreckage"

Recently uncovered from an ancient scroll, I submit for your viewing pleasure, and give certain notice. This historic scroll reads:

Many moons ago, in the great savanna that stretches across the interior of the Thalassian wastelands, there lived a group of nomads who lived in a small area that became to be known as The Galavan Frontier. The Galavans had settled in that area for over five hundred years without problems, but changing weather patterns and migration of territorial predators had forced the inhabitants of the savanna to once again move their civilization in the interest of protecting themselves from the bands of roving marauders and wild predators that competed with valuable natural resources. Their numbers dwindled and their spirits broken, then began the long trek north over months of hard travel through the winter months. Threatened with starvation and dissention, they came upon a lush valley overlooking the Thalassian coastline to the north.

As the Galavans rejoiced, the brave leader, Ibor, braved the thick jungle that sprang before the coastline, traveling to the undisturbed sands of the shore that rested at the end of the base of a large, round mountain. As he and his comrades reached the thundering tide, he fell to his knees in exhaustion and praised the mercy of the gods. As Ibor laid there with the foamy seawater in his beard, the tide grew and bubbled before the adventurers, scattering the weak-willed men back into the jungle. None remained except for Ibor who, in his age and frailty, laid there on the beaches as the great waters bubbled higher around his limp body. Suddenly from a monstrous spout of algae colored water rose a magnificent serpent of shining emerald scale high into the air like a lightning bolt sent from the depths. Ibor gazed up at the horrible creature and his great maw filled with four rows of gigantic, razor teeth and prayed that his journey was not one that was forsaken. As the great beast reached its zenith, it paused and began to speak. "Ibor, rise my son. You who have braved the wilds of this land fearlessly and without regards to your own life, selflessly bringing your people from the dangers and sensing the changes that the gods have decreed upon the world, are spared. My lord, Neptune, has seen your hardships and blesses you and your people with the gifts of the sea and all that it has to offer. Take with you, now, the knowledge of the sea. Teach them the way, pass the knowledge of Neptune's gift to your people and rejoice. Never forget what you have witnessed. May your people live long and your bounty never be undone!" With the last words, the serpent turned and plunged back into the ocean, taking with it the ferocious tide. As the tail of the srpent whistled around Ibor's head, it struck him lightly on his back, and slithered away.

Ibor, still dazed from the serpent's countenance, fell to his knees and rolled over onto his back once more. With the midday sun in his eyes, his mind began to work what seemed to be miracles of invention. As he slumbered on the beach, he dreamed of seafaring vessels and wonderful fruitfulness to be found within the sea. The next morning, Ibor rose and took his wondrous findings to the Galavan people, all who were amazed at his ingenuity and stories. The people began to flood the coastline and built many ships to bring the fish from the sea, and feed their people.

Several years had passed, and the memory of Ibor lived on through the Galavan people. They lived happily along the northern Thalassian coast with little danger until one day, when a fisherman was out on his usual trek along the coastline fishing when the serpent appeared him as it did many years ago before Ibor. "Fisherman of the Galavan people, why have your people not praised Neptune's name? The gods have given you life, security, and the means to fulfill your needs. Why then is there no temple, no resounding visage of Neptune, he who bore you from ignorance and feed you the bread of knowledge?" he said. Stricken with fear the fisherman jumped over the side of the ship as the serpent roared at his insolence. With a grave cry of disgust, the serpent smacked the surface of the water with its tail as the sea bubbled and boiled. Rising from the depths and through the white, foamy turmoil appeared a ship, a great frigate, like a shot straight from the watery bowels of Hell itself. The sounds of the crew echoed throughout the bay as cannon shot after cannon shot rang out, destroying the fisherman's boat. One by one, the god's wrath hunted and sank every vessel in the ocean that came near the Galavan coastline, completely cutting off the people from any sort of contact or food supply found in the ocean.

The Galavan people cursed the ship that wreaked havoc, but were powerless to defeat the ship and its crew. Like a band of demonic hawks, the pirates kept close watch over the Thalassian waters, never allowing any sort of trade, and pillaging the coastline and any attempts at rebuilding their life on the sea. The Galavans suffered greatly over the next couple of years as they quickly built homage to the great god Neptune and his gifts. Then one night when the moon was full and bearing its gift of light upon the surface of the mighty bay's water, the Galavans gathered one last time to praise Neptune and beg him for forgiveness with the gift of a temple, the serpent appeared once more. Behind his massive body rising into the sky and casting a monstrous shadow upon the beach and their pyres, sailed the eerie frigate filled with a devilish crew chomping at the bit. The emerald serpent's voice rang like a chime from heaven upon the coastline, and spoke. "Galavan peoples, you have done well. For two years, you have been been trifled with the reminder that the gods' gifts are not to be taken lightly. You took the gift greedily, and did not pay heed to the Neptune's requests. Now you have risen most honorably and paid homage. For this, I release you from your hardships once more." With a slashing of the great serpent's tail, he struck the side of the ship and capsized it upon a sandbar in the middle of the bay. "Now, live free and prosper. Let this ship stand as reminder that the gods are not to be taken lightly, for all that is great comes from their will and their hands. Pay heed to these words, and your people shall never dwindle." As the serpent descended into the deep one last time, the people gathered at the edge of the dock, singing hymns unto the god Neptune, looking out over the bay at the reminder of their insolence, and the power of the gods.

-Gemellus the Observant,
Excerpt from "The Galavan Migration",
The Year of our lord Neptune, 219.

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