The First Land Herald/450-01-20

Article Number: 94

Dateline: 450-01-20

A WILD SEASIDE MAMMOTH RIDE GRACED BY UNAKA'S PRESENCE When we covered the Nascent Unknown's orbital attack, Miskton received a vision that a crystal shard like the ones broken off from the anomaly was resting on the ocean floor, cracked and vibrating, contracting and expanding (see The First Land Herald article from 448-05-05). This incident, coupled with the fact that the Merelew hold all things balanced in high regard made us wonder if they, too, were experiencing any oddities or magical fluctuations in their world under the sea. Allye and I were inspired to investigate further, but with the island of Andreshlew beneath the water's surface for the season the Merelew can be difficult to find and communicate with. We felt our best option was to try talking to the drivers of the mammoths that frequent to and fro between Acenamacra, Fang Cove, and Ratha. Unsure what to expect, we were delighted to see so many show up with concern for our underwater allies and their submerged city. We were equally saddened by the recent news that several of our friends on land were taken from Arhat's Tower and held in an unknown, unreachable location. Adding clues of their whereabouts to our agenda of inquiries, we all - around thirty of us - squeezed atop the platform on the tall mammoth's back and disembarked from Acenamacra Pier towards the dock in Fang Cove. Aboard the mammoth, thick barnacle-encrusted ropes secured the platform, its wooden planks following the curve of the beast's neck, allowing the driver an elevated vantage point as he did his best to lead the sea creature to and fro across the vast ocean. Birds' nests could be seen all around the platform and are woven intricately into the fur. Riding with us were Saragos, Anuril, Vaerek, Daerlynn, Kerennya, Maintain, Illiya, Shavay, Katriwen, Medir, Kystrk, Anuril, Elore, Sliyder, Rosereign, Ryeka, Zyros, Merilwen, Almarius, Nevali, Aerhys, Elurora, Casari, Nilme, Aerilia, Stelling, Lupdels, Jundara, Elizzibiana, Allye, myself, and Unaka. Unaka of Boar Clan is one of whom we've come to call 'visitors', people unknown or unseen until they showed up at our meetings to speak and explore the source of wild magic and offer their advice. Unaka's attendance would prove important to our endeavor with the driver, as she brought the gift of being able to converse in numerous languages, even some of the lesser known. She munched on exotic mollusk jerky and mused over the idea of an entire undersea population. She also appeared to be enjoying all of the attention she was getting on board. Once in motion Unaka loudly exclaimed, "This is amazing!" and asked if we saw what she was seeing. Everyone looked into the distance in wonder, half expecting to catch a glimpse of pirates, dolphins, or something else extraordinary. Unaka quickly clarified what she meant when she said, "A bunch of people, all together and riding on top of a tamed sea creature. Drinking and laughing in the middle of a blizzard." The first driver ignored us, entirely, and we found ourselves at the dock of Fang Cove awaiting the arrival of the next massive sea mammoth. On this one, traveling to Ratha, we continued to seek the driver's attention. Failing to and about to give up, Unaka graciously offered to try speaking to him in Asaran, his native language. Unaka called out something to the Merelew driver in Asaran. The driver turned around and shouted something back. Unaka translated, "Says Greetings." Following her success, we requested her to ask several questions. After picking the one we felt most imperative - if there was evidence of wild magic beneath the sea - she turned back to the driver. Unaka shouted something to the driver in Asaran. The driver turned again and talked back, this time speaking a few lines. Unaka turned to us and said, "So. I asked if they are experiencing the problems with wild magic. Driver says yes, strange things happening with magic and mana, and strong riptides." Allye posed the next question to Unaka, "Do they know anything of why it's happening, and who is responsible for it, presumably along with the abduction of our friends? Does it have anything to do with the crystal that fell from the Long Throw?" Unaka belted out something in Asaran. The Merelew driver gave her a long look, listened, then shrugged and said a few words. Unaka repeated his words in Common, "Don't know." Unaka called out in Asaran once more. The Merelew driver looked back at her, and chatted for a few moments. Unaka informed us, "I asked about people studying the riptides. Says doesn't know, just a driver." Perhaps we needed to speak to someone who was more than just a driver, and our thoughts went to the Diplomat Kolanem. We also considered Kixfa of the Trickling Sun, but as a less prominent figure decided for the moment that he may be harder to locate. We relayed to Unaka our inquiry on whether or not he could get word to Kolanem. Unaka called out a few words in Asaran, and we made out the word, "Kolanem." The driver nodded at her impatiently, and said a few words. Unaka let us know, "Driver agrees to send a message, no promises if this Kolanem will come." She suggested we only ask one more question of the driver, since he had become noticeably annoyed with the persistent interruptions to his job, and possibly the sheer amount of times we'd stayed on to ride back and forth. Not wanting to overstay our welcome, we chose to thank him for his time and ask if he'd ever heard of Liraxes. Unaka bellowed in Asaran. The driver waved a hand without looking back, saying something. Unaka relayed, "Says you're welcome. Never heard of Liraxes." With that, we all got off his mammoth, left curious about the riptides he spoke of, our own missing people, and the potential impacts of the Axis. We will continue our research another day. In the meantime we continue to navigate our way through the happenings on the mainland. To date, the five missing remain so, and therefore a high priority. Stay vigilant, Shaylynne Kendialahle Reporter of the First Land Herald

Real Date: Unknown Date

Subject(s): Acenamacra Andreshlew Asaran Boar Clan Fang Cove Forfedhdar Ilithi Liraxes Kixfa Kolanem Leth Deriel Merelew Nascent Unknown Qi'Reshalia Ratha Trickling Sun Unaka Wild Magic Zoluren

Author(s): Shaylynne