The Greenminster Expedition
The disappearance of the Alcastor and her crew
Historical Details
Background
This document, or gathering of documents, exists to serve as an example for those who wish to embark on future expeditions to the The Deep of Greenminster . The location is dangerous, and should be treated as such.
In year 1254 of the Current Era, Wandermere's intelligence community put together an expedition to the Deep of Greenminster, located directly south of them within the ocean of The Floor of Study . The intent of the expedition was to assess the viability of setting up a small secondary colony on the island. Records of the flora and fauna on the island were to be kept, and samples were to be taken of anything unknown.
The expedition was intended to last two weeks. The plan was as follows:
# Sail the Alcastor, a small schooner, south down to the Deep of Greenminster. 2 days worth of travel.
# Make contact at the north eastern shores of Greenminster. Anchor slightly off-shore, and use the rowboats to make landfall.
# Set up base camp in the copse of trees on the north eastern shores. Bring enough supplies from the Alcastor for one week stay on land.
# Send expeditions into Greenminster, in pairs. Start close at first, gradually spreading out across the island. No overnight expeditions. One week of expeditions was planned for.
# Collect all samples and records, return to the Alcastor. Sail back to Wandermere.
Record are unclear as to how long the expedition actually lasted. The documents found have been organized in chronological order in the hopes of easing understanding.
We've really tried to piece together what happened here. All we've got to go off of is these personal journals, and frankly they don't make any sense. My hope is that somewhere down the line, some new person comes along, takes a look at what we've collected here, and figures it all out. For now though, it's my professional opinion that we stay the hell away from Greenminster.
In year 1254 of the Current Era, Wandermere's intelligence community put together an expedition to the Deep of Greenminster, located directly south of them within the ocean of The Floor of Study . The intent of the expedition was to assess the viability of setting up a small secondary colony on the island. Records of the flora and fauna on the island were to be kept, and samples were to be taken of anything unknown.
History
Three months after the Alcastor left Wandermere's docks, it was found empty, washed up against the rocky shores of Mammoth Hill . Three of the four rowboats were missing, and most of the ships supplies were gone. Strangely, every bunk on the ship was in neat and tidy condition, as if the occupant had just made their bed.
Next to the mast, a pile of papers were found. They appeared to be pages torn out of personal journals, along with a rough map of the island. Piecing together what happened during the expedition from the contents of these journals has proven difficult.
Note from Zedicar
Proven difficult? Difficult? We don't have a damn clue what happened. Who even wrote this article? I need to have a talk with them.
Public Reaction
Rumors began circulating soon after news of the Alcastor's rediscovery broke. Loss and confusion from before quickly turned to fear, and anger. Some said that one of the eight members of the expedition sabotaged the entire operation. Others thought that the island was swarmed with unknowable monstrosities that fed off of the explorers.
For the most part, the members of the expedition were remembered and missed. The names of the lost were etched onto a plaque, placed at the spot the Alcastor left from at the beginning of her voyage.
The Alcastor, on her part, was sunk a few days after her rediscovery. Superstition was deemed to be the cause of her sinking.
The Greenminster Expedition
All transcribed dates are assumed. Actual dates noted on documents cannot be taken as true.
Transcripts
Actual Documents
Natano Asiata
Expedition day 1 Captain has the bright idea of us writin these journals. I think it's a load a shit. 'Specially gettin us to start writing them already. We just left Wandermere for souls sake. The hell am I supposed to even write about? Waves look nice. Wind aint bad. Kinda bored. Guess I'll continue this tomorrow. This look good enough for you, cap? Even gave it a fancy-ass date noted on it and everything. Dunno why you want us to sign our names on it, not like anyone’s gonna read this shit.
Barnabas John
Expedition day 2 Dear Jess, I hope yer alright at home alone. Don't go letting Ann tease you too much. Am gon be fine out here. Natano's a dick as usual, but you know me, I can handle things. Don't you worry your head about me. Robert said he'd teach me some new knots tomorrow, once we hit dirt, so I got that to look forward to. Until I see you again, Your Barnabas
Otto Høgh
Expedition day ? A quick drawing of an island was found with Otto's name signed on the page. It is assumed to have come from before landfall, as no base camp is seen within the drawing. Thus we are led to believe this page comes from day 2 or 3 of the expedition, before creating base camp.
Robert Viiding
Expedition day 6 Some weird things happened tonight. I worry for my crew. I took Thallan to the side and told him to keep a close eye on some of the men, it's about time he finally take care of his duties anyways. Myself, Scankap, and Otto went out into the woods. As per the plan, we started small, just some short journeys into the wood. Nothing of note was seen, though we did find a nice flat area that looks like it could support some structures. When we returned though, Natano and Barnabas were utterly convinced we'd been gone for a day and night. Now they know that the plan is to never stay out over night, and to always return to base camp before dark, so I don't know what they're playing at. Natano is a bit of an asshole, and Barnabas is a bit green, so maybe Nat just convinced Barnabus to go along with some stupid joke. Not funny. I've told them both they're treading a fine line. We'll see if their attitude improves tomorrow.
Scankap Leafore
Expedition day 6
Thallan Stillmaw
Expedition day 6 O, Blessed light Lost souls Take me to the top Reach me and lift me and help me to see Blessed light Lost souls Help those around me to be the best they can be Blessed light Souls that I've found Don't leave just yet
Maeral Bonneret
Expedition day 10 Only three of the original six of us remain. Myself, Feno, and Thallan. Captain took Natano, of course, and the greenling Barnabus back into the woods, saying they gotta look for Scankap and Otto. Here's the weird part though, Scankap and Otto never even came on this damn voyage. Feno and Thallan agree, we left Scankap and Otto back in Wandermere. We only needed 6 to crew the Alcastor anyways. Try as we might, we were unable to convince Captain. Same with Natano. Poor Barnabus just looked confused. I think he's just following orders. Natano though, him and the Captain, they mentioned some weird things. Kept saying they kept seeing Scankap and Otto, always just out of reach. Kept hearing weird things. Said they're going back in. That was 3 days ago. Now we've started to hear weird things. Voices that don't belong to anyone from the expedition. The sound of rushing wind, when no wind exists. Thallan is looking kind of agitated, and he keeps giving Feno a weird look. If the Captain doesnt return with Natano and Barnabus tomorrow, we're heading in.
Barnabas John
Expedition day ? Dear Jess, I saw ya last night. I dunno if it was a dream. I think a lotta what I been seeing is a dream these days. You were bathed in this... This silver light. It made your hair look real pretty. I looked over to ask Natano if he saw what I saw, but when I glanced over, he was slamming a rock into the Captains face, over and over and I cant get that image out of my head. I glanced back at you. I didnt want you to see what was happening. Then I looked back at Natano. Captain was standing beside Natano. They were both just looking at me with confusion on their face. I asked them if they saw you at all, but they said they didnt. I didnt mention the violence I saw. We made camp out in the woods tonight. I thought we werent supposed to stay in the woods past dark, but captain said its okay. We're all writing in our journals now. Even Natano. I looked over at his book as he was writing, and noticed his fingernails. They were caked in blood. I hope to see you again Jess, Your Barnabas
Feno Blacksong
Expedition day 13 O, Blessed light Souls that I've found I need you to leave now Cursed darkness Souls that wont leave Within all of us exists the worst of the few I need you to leave now Cursed darkness Souls that are lost The top is not for you It is impossible to see when your eyes are not open I'm sorry
by Stormbril
Type
Journal, Personal
Medium
Paper
Authoring Date
1254 of the Current Era
Location
Robert Viiding, Captain
This expedition was Robert's 12th time captaining a voyage for Wandermere's intelligence operations. His previous clean track record was the deciding factor in picking him for this expedition.Thallan Stillmaw, First Mate
Known for his even temperment, Thallan has worked beside Robert for his entire career.Otto Høgh, Scribe
Otto is a man of few words. He generally keeps to himself, almost always scribbling in his notebook. Otto was chosen for this voyage so that accurate drawings could be taken of whatever was found on the island. It is seen as a great travesty that the only drawing found from this failed expedition was a drawing of the island from afar.Natano Asiata, Scholar
Seen as a little bit hot-headed, but exceedingly intelligent. Natano's short temper almost had him disqualified from the shortlist for this expedition, but his paper on "Life Cycles of Thoughtless Beings in a Post-Death World" cemented his place among the crew.Scankap Leafore, Scholar
The sometimes rival of Natano, always friend of Robert. Scankap has been beside Robert Viiding almost as long as Thallan Stillmaw has. Scankap is a very capable scholar, with a very meticulous note taking habit.Maeral Bonneret, Medic
Maeral is one of the two new faces to the intelligence operations of Wandermere. His soft heart and easy going nature were intended to hopefully ease relations on the voyage.Feno Blacksong, Bard
A devout believer in "a good song will fix any mood", as well as "stories are the true currency in life". Feno begged to be included in this voyage, if only to be able to tell first-hand stories of what he witnessed here.Barnabas John, Deck hand
An apprentice to Robert Viiding. Robert took Barnabas under his wing a few years before the expedition, and the voyage to Greenminster was to be Barnabas' first. Robert hoped to train Barnabas to eventually become a captain, with all the qualities Robert had.
by Stormbril
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