Grava and Dain

WORLD OF RYNAGA TRAVELOGUE

Quena, Veratar

Arcan and I paid a visit to a local Igwaza Trainer yesterday, in hopes of finding him a new riding mount. His current steed is a Quenan Igwaza named Grava. She's been a loyal friend to Arcan, but is in poor health now. A respiratory illness has left her with a wheezing cough, shortness of breath and lack of stamina; symptoms which mean slow, painful travels for beast and master alike.

We did not find a new mount for Arcan, but we did hear of some strange rumors. Dain, the associate of Solan we now seek, has not been seen in or around Quena for months. We spoke to no less than seven shop owners and the city gatekeeper without any record of Dain’s activity here. In addition, several travelers report seeing unmarked transport carriages on the roads east of Quena, which points to Dark Trader movements.

Controversy follows Dark Traders wherever they go, as they’re usually in possession of forbidden or dangerous wares in addition to common supplies. However, for them to be active so close to Quena’s jurisdiction suggests they have buyers in this area. Dain lives to the east of Quena, so perhaps he’s being supplied by these shadowy merchants for some reason.

We’ll keep searching for some clue as to Dain’s whereabouts here in town. If we can’t find information on him here, there’s only one other option: travel east to the edge of Silentwood to find him.

-Eric

Beginning at Traveler's End

WORLD OF RYNAGA TRAVELOGUE

Quena, Veratar

Each time I arrive in Quena, it’s as if I’ve stepped into zoo. I mean, you’d feel the same surrounded by such a variety of animals – beasts of burden, family pets and domestic herds. Quena is a town filled with animal trainers, mostly igwaza trainers. Farms are abundant, stables are everywhere and everyone seems to have some connection to farm management, animal husbandry and ranching.

This isn’t the first time I’ve paid a visit to this town, so it wasn’t hard to meet up with Arcan since we had agreed to meeting at a particular inn called Traveler’s End. The inn is famous for it’s comfort, cuisine and a poker style game using cards called Showdown, at which I lost several times but with happy company.

Arcan arrived a few days after I did, worn out from his adventures but in good spirits. He had been called out to support a search team looking for a missing family. The family was found in good health but with a badly injured igwaza mount, which they did not want to leave alone in the wild. Arcan says any search that ends as this one did is a rare thing. The wilds are no place for errors or injuries.

Today we’re discussing our plan to find our associate Dain, a former associate of Solan. Dain and his wife Vesena live on the western edge of Silentwood forest and visit Quena regularly. They should be due in anytime as the weather is only getting colder here and they’ll need to resupply before the storms arrive. Our goal is to interview Dain and see if he would support an expedition to the Shrinking Depths.

Convincing him to enter the dark place with a search party will be another matter entirely.

-Eric

Point and Counter Point

WORLD OF RYNAGA TRAVELOGUE

Road to Quena, Veratar

My stay in Treehook was brief, but before I left I had a chance to interview a few people regarding Solan’s disappearance within the Shrinking Depths and the many resulting rumors. The comments of one Sidrani couple (Garyt and Celia) offer differing opinions as to what should be done to find the missing explorer.

Me: "Is an expedition to find Solan in order? After all, he’s one of your most important historical figures."

Garyt: “An expedition is needed. Solan may have perished, yet he deserves our efforts in view of all his deeds on behalf of society. A skilled search team must be hired, many supplies will be needed and a camp should be set up at the cave’s entrance ensuring no outsiders could impede the search. I’d volunteer myself if I was more fit for adventuring!”

Celia: “I disagree with my husband on this. We all know the Shrinking Depths to be a place of mystery at best, and death at worst. It’s better for us to memorialize Solan as a great man and let his disappearance serve as a warning for others who would intrude upon that place.”

This is how many of my inquires of the common folk here go. For every person favorable to such a mission, a practical voice intercedes with valid counter points. I wonder what you think about this? Me, I’m torn on the subject, but lean towards a search.

I rode out of Treehook a day and a half ago and should arrive in Quena today, after which I’ll search for lodging, good food and good ale. Arcan will be meeting me here within the next day or so, if he is not delayed.

-Eric

Tea in Treehook

WORLD OF RYNAGA TRAVELOGUE

Treehook, Veratar

Grimora and I arrived in Treehook without incident. Situated at the hilly base of the Zelia Mountain Range, Treehook’s elevation offers excellent views of the surrounding countryside. The town itself is bustling with small time merchants, traders and hunters. In general, there’s more going on here per square foot than in Featherune this time of year.

The reason for all the activity is related to preparations for the Tempestua, a slow moving weather phenomenon which blows in from the sea bringing cold winds, freezing rain and hail. During this time, airship travel is suspended for about three cycles months. So, pilots and passengers are busy preparing for their final journeys.

I’m sitting outside at a small eatery looking up at Hallon Hill where several large airships sit tied down to the ground. Walking up the hill are men, women and children carrying their belongings. Pilots stand motioning as a few Kirzan men (probably Anchors) walk around inspecting airship mooring lines.

As I sip some Karanae Tea, I wonder where these travelers are off to, what their lives are like and what they would think of our world. It takes them days to reach their destinations, for us it takes hours. They live in a world where no one knows what is happening across the sea, our televisions let us see all. They’ve never held an iDevice or laptop, while many on Earth would be lost without such gadgets.

I’ll stay in Treehook for another couple of days and then ride for Quena. It’s not too far from Treehook (due south). If all goes well, Arcan is supposed to meet me there within a weeks time.

-Eric

The Journey South

WORLD OF RYNAGA TRAVELOGUE

Road to Treehook township, Veratar

After a few weeks in Featherune, Grimora and I are on the road again. Our first stop on the way to Quena is Treehook, due about 80 miles south of Featherune city. From what I hear it’s the biggest small town I’ve never been to. Treehook serves as a service and passenger pickup stop for airships headed north into the Kirzan kingdoms.

One story about Treehook tells of a band of Rogues who were foolish enough to attempt to take over an airship. They boarded at Treehook, attempted their hijacking and failed, only to be lowered off the side of the ship onto a cold mountain peak. Turns out airship captains have no tolerance for endangering passengers and crew. In fact, once an airship takes to the sky here, it has it’s own laws and jurisdiction, subject to whatever the captain decrees.

I’ve done a lot of travel by airship on Rynaga and I can tell you it’s the most relaxing experience one can have in the air on any planet. Unlike 747's, airships here move relatively slow, so there’s a sense of time moving slow as well. The floating transports also travel low enough to the ground for passengers to make out animal herds, farm houses and people dotting the landscape. Every now and then someone below appears to stop and wave up to the skies. Oh and bags fly free here too.

The road to Treehook is well traveled and patrolled. Rain is always possible this time of year, so I’ve come prepared for wet weather. We should pull into Treehook within the next few days or so, ready for a comfortable bed and a hearty meal.

-Eric

A Ruse

WORLD OF RYNAGA TRAVELOGUE

Featherune, Veratar

Well, things change fast on Rynaga. Arcan was called out to support a search party. Turns out a family went missing two days ago along the road from Strata to Featherune. Saycia's guild mates arrived and she rode out this morning on an urgent assignment. From the looks of things I'm on my own again, for now.

Before he left, Arcan told me I could stay at his home as long as I wanted and we talked about meeting in Quena weeks from now in hopes of tracking down Dain, another former friend of Solan.

Dain used to live in Grynevia, but recently he and his wife decided to build a house on the western edge of Silentwood forest. Arcan suspects the two visit Quena every now and then for supplies, so tracking them down shouldn't be hard.

Today I'm making some arrangements for travel. Gathering up dried food. Sharpening blades. Packing tools. I took Grimora out for a ride this morning after having her ankle bracers refit. She seemed happy to get out of the stable for a while. I'm sure she'd be glad to know we'll be back on the road soon.

-Eric

Parting Ways

WORLD OF RYNAGA TRAVELOGUE

Featherune, Veratar

Well, things change fast on Rynaga. Arcan was called out to support a search party. Turns out a family went missing two days ago along the road from Strata to Featherune. Saycia's guild mates arrived and she rode out this morning on an urgent assignment. From the looks of things I'm on my own again, for now.

Before he left, Arcan told me I could stay at his home as long as I wanted and we talked about meeting in Quena weeks from now in hopes of tracking down Dain, another former friend of Solan.

Dain used to live in Grynevia, but recently he and his wife decided to build a house on the western edge of Silentwood forest. Arcan suspects the two visit Quena every now and then for supplies, so tracking them down shouldn't be hard.

Today I'm making some arrangements for travel. Gathering up dried food. Sharpening blades. Packing tools. I took Grimora out for a ride this morning after having her ankle bracers refit. She seemed happy to get out of the stable for a while. I'm sure she'd be glad to know we'll be back on the road soon.

-Eric

A Calling

WORLD OF RYNAGA TRAVELOGUE

Featherune, Veratar

Over the past several weeks I’ve made my way from Phaedra north to Strata and then on to my current stop, Featherune. After meeting up Arcan and learning more about the Athite stone, Solan’s final journey the Shrinking Depths and the inscription on the stone itself, I’m convinced an expedition to discover what happened to Solan is in order.

Yet, anything worth doing is difficult. While Arcan believes there may be others willing to help with such an expedition, he says it will be difficult to arrange. As I’ve mentioned before, my goal is to seek out as many of Solan’s friends and allies as possible. Perhaps one or more of them will be open to the idea of an expedition.

I sit now staring out into the morning light, pondering the next road I will take. In the distance, the Andoras Peak towers over the city of Featherune. My thoughts wander.

Like Solan, the early explorers of Earth’s history risked their lives so that we could understand our world more fully. Some never returned home. Others discovered new lands, only to see kings and queens exploit their findings. For Magellan, Leif Ericson and Shackleton exploration was a calling. It still is.

Despite modern misconceptions, exploration is not about thrill-seeking. It’s rooted in ideals such as understanding our ancestors, solving deep geological mysteries and uncovering truths about our planet which can make our lives better.

Sometimes, in waking sleep I imagine I’m standing on a high altitude trail on some fictional world, looking up at a dizzying height. Colleagues pass me on their way up to a dig site where the remnants of an ancient civilization wait to tell their story. The oxygen is thin. My nose is an icicle. With a determined step, I press on.

Perhaps I missed my calling.

-Eric

The Athite Stone

WORLD OF RYNAGA TRAVELOGUE

Featherune, Veratar

Not long after I arrived at Arcan’s house the following morning, Arcan’s sister Saycia showed up as well. Saycia is a member of Dark Dawn, a guild committed to deciphering ancient texts and studying cryptology. (At least that’s their stated mission.) After visiting for a while Arcan invited me to stay with him, rather than at the inn downtown.

Now for those of you familiar with the events of Prelude, you’ll remember that Arcan won a lockbox containing a white stone from Solan in a Ruse match. This was shortly before Solan’s disappearance in the Shrinking Depths. Solan had instructed Arcan to sell the stone. Arcan didn't listen.

A day after I arrived at Arcan’s house, he called me into an empty room of his house. From beneath the floor boards he revealed a secret compartment. Within this compartment, wrapped in a blanket was a lockbox. From the lockbox he produced a pearlescent white stone, taking care not to touch it with his bare hands and placing it into a stone bowl.

“You know what this is, don't you?” Arcan asked.

“The stone given to you by Solan before his disappearance,” I answered.

“Indeed. Yet, we’ve learned much about this stone in recent months. We now suspect this stone to be an Athite specimen. Athite is a banned form of radia so we keep the existence of this stone hidden,” explained Arcan. “But, there is something inscribed on the stone,” said Arcan, motioning to his sister.

Saycia produced a magnification lens from her pocket. Holding it up to the stone Arcan pointed to a series of tiny cryptic markings. This inscription is something which Solan had either missed entirely or did not speak of while the stone had been in his possession.

I asked Arcan, “So, what does it say?”

Saycia interrupted, speaking with a wry smile, “It’s an ancient Sarion language called Lokma. When translated it reads: Effect (property) of Voltaire, Shrinking Depths.”

Voltaire? Who is this in reference to? Why are they connected with the Shrinking Depths?

To quote the great Sherlock Holmes, “the game is afoot.”

-Eric

Finding Your Way on Rynaga

Early in the creation of the Rynaga project, I knew it would be much easier to tell stories if I created maps. I mean, I guess it's not necessary, but it sure makes things seem more real.

As a child, I remember reading books like the Lord of the Rings and Wizard of Oz during summer months. The best part about these stories were the maps. I was actually able to follow a story from beginning to end and get a sense for the length of a journey.

So, if you're interested in hiking across Rynaga, make sure you don't get caught without a map. The locations on these maps are featured in the books and games I create. They'll also serve as reference points for future projects I'm developing.

Southwestern City States of Veratar
Realms of Western Veratar

-Safe travels