The Discovery of the Island Nations of the Undullain Ocean

Discovery, Exploration

A Hiversteadian expeditionary team was sent out in a joint venture between themselves and the Ventrytes. Using a specialized design the Hiversteadian engineers along with the Ventryte craftspeople created a large but lightweight ship design that could carry seven people and their equipment, but could be carried overland easily as well. The goal was to attempt to find another source of natural resources to help both their cultures increase their chances of survival.

Blending the methods of shipbuilding the Hiversteadians had employed for many years with the ingenuity of the Ventryte builders, a ship that could withstand the toxicity of the ocean and protect the inhabitants was designed. The ship's construction consisted primarily of thickly oiled skins applied in layers over a bone frame. The ship navigated using a short weighted keel and a posterior rudder with space for oars in the back for propulsion. The design enclosed the interior in a short compartment, but was ample room for the occupants and their equipment, and served to protect the interior from the elements.   Three such ships were made and crewed by the people of both cultures, and set out upon the Undullain Ocean eastward from a base camp that was established just south of Olive Branch.   The journey, as expected, was treacherous and within a week one of the ships had been lost in a storm, and on of the remaining ones severely damaged and taking on water which lead to the deaths of half the crew. After a week of searching, land was sighted in the distant gloom, and to the eyes of those remaining, what they saw there was nothing short of a miracle. An island populated with a rich, verdant forest revealed itself before their eyes. The remaining members of the expedition pushed on, but were intercepted by Pitsooti warriors who encircled the battered crafts threatening to kill all those aboard with raised atlatls armed with short spears. As the Hiversteadian commander stood with arms outstretched in a sign of non aggression, the Pitsooti seemd to become confused and curious, seeing an outsider that shared so many physical characteristics. The crew were towed into the island and brought before the elders at Wemi Tali to decide how to proceed.