Welcome to Uldor.
The sun rose slowly above the harbor, and it gave its light to a new day, the first moments of the morning when peaceful blue birds flocked overhead whispering the words of waking to the people of Himaya. On the 5th day of Theros in the year 725 of the Era of Glory, the port city of Wortgott, the wise sister to a town long lost during the shattering war, had its citizens getting off their beds to the sounds of bells and twittering. The parliament convened its weekly session, the market opened its stalls, and the temples offered its services. The streets were beginning to crowd with the hustle and bustle of everyday life in a port, and ships started their coming and going, fishermen to sea and merchants into docks.

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Darxin stifled a yawn and lazily pushed himself off the bed and onto his feet. Smells of eggs over the fire and sausage hit his nose with such piquancy that his body submitted to urge and pulled him downstairs. 'That's right, it's the weekend...' The young man recalled, the time of the week when he could relax, catch a sermon, and take a nice stroll through the city. Maybe he'd visit the inn and waiter for some easy money, for the innkeeper always enjoyed the help with her hands so occupied, or he could go to the docks and listen to bold sailors and travelers tell stories of faraway lands. Breakfast did him well in the way of energy, and with a smile to his mother and a few parting words of care, he left the only home he'd ever known to the streets of the busy town to be taken wherever his feet carried him, a bow strapped to his back and a belt with pouches attached carrying only minor amounts of silver and copper pieces. Knowing it'd do him better to take a kind demeanor with him, young Caelsancti wore a smile on his face as he strolled to the docks to watch the people scurrying about.

Louis stood on the deck of his brand new ship, the repairs just being finished. He admired the work him and his two friends had just finished. The only armament the ship had was a lonely ballista that sat at the front of the ship. They had only about a dozen of bolts, forged of scrap metal, but it was enough for defense. They were lucky. They had purchased a small, but fast ship, which benefited greatly. They would have to rely on the speed of the ship, if anything in the heat of battle. They'd have to find either a bigger ship, or find more firepower later. Louis reached held his tricone hat tight in his hand, which he placed snugly on his head. He was ready for whatever adventure was set out for the young crew. Either it turned them into pirates, or into simple adventurers, he was determined to find fame, and wealth, enough to last him a life time. The trio's boat sat in the docks, waiting for the rest of the crew to make it's way to the ship. Despite the circumstances, Louis was proud of the tiny ship, and tiny ship. It was made in the sweat and blood of their hard work, and as long as Louis was captain, it would last any storm, or battle. The tiny ship sat in a Dayaman harbor, ready for the big adventure that was about to begin for the equally small crew.

He was sure that the beam was inordinate for blue water sailing. They were a wide ship and with the limited quantity of sail board they'd be cutting too much drag. He worried, though perhaps just worried as he looked upon the under-deck portion of the main mast, that a stiff wind would break the mast for want of being able to capsize the stable vessel. Their speed mattered, but only the in its capacity to get them out of trouble spots. Rarden could not begin to panic about their travel time or what provisions they had when the task of keeping a boat alive with such a skeleton crew was what they faced. The worst case scenario would be ending up dead in the water, they could avoid that because of the amount of islands they'd be near in the trial phase of their journey. That sole fact was his controlling solace as he paced aboard the interior, triple checking that everything he had prescribed had been brought aboard and stored properly, typically by his hand. Not so much satisfied as accepting, he arose through the deck hatch and searched briefly for the captain, who seemed content to pose on the deck. "We're ready to embark whenever Fitch shows up, Louis," he said, presenting a lackluster salute that was the only imitation of his father's he could manage.

Fitch rushed towards the docks, one hand holding his bangs from his eyes while he ran. He had slept late. What a way to start a journey. He imagined Louis and Rarden had already made their way to the vessel, and were probably waiting on him to arrive. He made his way out onto the dock, smiling as he noticed the ship still docked. Small though it was, he was proud of the vessel. If nothing else, it would serve as a vehicle onto greater things. The young man's boots clacked against the wooden dock as he rushed onward. He had his father's old whaling harpoon slung over his back by means of a leather strap. The harpoon, though old and rusted, was still sturdy, and thanks to his own efforts with a whetstone, somewhat sharp. A rather large brown bottle was clutched tightly in his right hand, no doubt something strong. He made his way across the gangplank, coming dangerously close to slipping off into the water when he took the turn to board the vessel. He slowed down and made his way onto the deck of the ship, gasping for breath. He waved to Louis and Rarden, and, after regaining his composure, beamed brightly, his scarf flapping about in the wind. "Sorry about that guys, I slept a bit late. But I'm here now, and I brought rum." He raised the bottle in his hand and grinned. No good journey ever happened without a bit of rum.

Arisu sat on the side of the street, a deck of cards in her hand. She waited for an adequate amount of people to gather before she began her trick. It was still early morning but she soon found an audience. Arisu began her performance with simpler tricks, but did harder ones later in the performance. Once she was done she picked up the money she had gotten and began to walk around. After wandering a bit she found herself at the port.

Jacen woke up to the sounds of a normal Himayan weekend and the thud of someones feet coming up the stairs to the bedroom him and his womanly companion shared for the night, "Honey I'm back, from Dayaman." The Voice shouted upstairs in a blind panic Jacen was throwing on his clothes his bed companion still passed out from their nightly adventures. Skipping putting on his boots Jacen made a dash for the window trying not to be heard he quietly opened it and looked at his drop, it would be a soft landing if he played things right, he thought as he pushed himself off the window frame and into a side street making sure to lead with his shoulder so he could roll into his lands and he pulled it off deftly and sunk away from sight, looking at the sky he realized he was late for work so putting on his boots he made a sprint for the docks trying to get there on time.

"Which, he should be showing up any moment now." Louis replied to Rarden, as he glanced down the dock. Sure enough, the clumsy and goofy Fitch came barreling down the dock. As Fitch apologized, and raised the bottle of rum, Louis couldn't contain his laughter. It was just like Fitch to sleep in late, but make sure not to forget the 'necessitates', like alcohol, "Let's make then!: Louis announced their embarkation, lifting the gangplank that reached onto the docks back onto their ship. Now was the moment the fruit of all their endeavors would be able to shine. Now they'd be all to accomplish, or at least get on the road of accomplishment, all their dreams. Louis pulled out an old scroll from his pocket, and unfurled it, "Alright, boys, we're setting sail for Himaya!" He announced once more, with a grin on his face. Louis marched to the steering wheel of the ship, map now back in his pocket, replaced by an even older looking compass.

Arisu sat shuffling her cards, perhaps she should do another performance and see if she could get more money. Arisu decided to go with it. She set down a hat in front of her and began. She made cards disappear and reappear. She made cards change before onlooker's eyes. Slowly but surely money fell into the hat. At one point Arisu go a volunteer. She did the usual pick a card, but then she changed things up. She got a second volunteer to pick another card. She then got the two volunteers to put the cards in their pockets, next to where they kept their money. She then said that she would make the cards disappear. And she did. Arisu not only took back the two cards but also stole the two victim's wallets. She did some serous distraction. She stood between the two with her deck in front of her and made them focus on the deck before reaching into their pockets and grabbing their money. She grabbed the hat full of money before quickly walking away before the two victims noticed their wallets disappearance.

The young lady had the men's backs turned, and they felt nothing from the pouches of their belts, aside from what they believed to be a swifter gust of the trade-winds. A sound of feet thudding behind them into the distance alerted them to what had occurred, but one of them shrugged it off, saying. "Oh, it is fine, brother, it is good that we keep our money in the bank." The brothers had merely came around to have a good time, to also enjoy the stories of sailors and the street performers. "Nevertheless, now we need new pouches!" The twins shared a heavy laugh, and they strolled off on the eastern road away from the city square set before the docks, off to the guard station to file a report. Hell, they weren't going to let a potential thief swindle anyone else out of their money, for at least luckily enough it was only them both.

---

Darxin watched the thievery scene unfold as that flaming streak of red hair dashed off, blue eyes going wide with bewilderment. Boy, that girl picked a bad situation to rob someone in, and he knew it. All the people around and she'd no doubt end up on the watch list for crime. As the men passed by him, of course, he overheard them laughing and joking about the incident, as if they didn't have anything important on them. Definitely watch list material. They wouldn't arrest her for an unsuccessful theft, but the guard of Wortgott would certainly note her down as a suspect, along with her physical description, which was certainly indelible. Dismissing the events as irrelevant to his person without forgetting them, Caelsancti moved to a tree in the square in its own patch of grass bordered off by the typical, patterned-cobblestone road motif that decked the city, enjoying its slight shade even with the morning sunlight in his face as the sun came off the horizon. There he found a perfect view off the edge of the square to the Noxard Ocean, ships from Dayaman emerging over the sea into the foreground and docking into Wortgott.

Rarden looked away, cradling his face in his hand as their compatriot appeared bearing alcohol. He was still smirking, though. These were the antics he'd practically grown up around and at this point he was desensitized enough to enjoy the trio's misadventures with a bit of good humor alongside the fear-wrought knots in his stomach that the two were particularly talented at generating. Maybe it was that good humor, or the genuine awe felt standing at the cusp of a new life, but more than worry he felt utter excitement as Louis withdrew the gangplank and took his place at the helm. A feeling he only felt around these two, the realization that for now at least, the results did not matter because the journey was the true reward. Silently, he obeyed the call to sail and raced forward to find and hoist the main's halyard. The preparations for sailing were many, hopefully they'd find it in themselves to coast away from the dock and orient. As, line and knot after line and knot the sails came unfurled and were trimmed to catch the wind, he watched and worked with no small measure of pride.

Arisu found herself a wall to sit on. She would have to keep a low profile for a while. She hardly ever stole people's pouches and always made sure to keep a low profile after doing so. She didn't want to get arrested. Arisu pulled out her own pouch and put her earnings inside. She put her pouch away, and sat swinging her legs, on the wall. Maybe something exciting and worthwhile would happen today. Or maybe today was just going to be an ordinary day. Arisu hoped for excitement, she needed a change of pace.

A bright grin crossed Fitch's face when Louis said they were setting out. He took a swig of the rum, before taking the bottle below deck. He returned shortly, and set to work. He wrapped his hands around a nearby rope that ran up to the sails. He pulled on it tightly, feeling the rough rope dig into his calloused hands. The rope tightened the sails against the wind. Fitch smiled up at the sails, admiring his and Rarden's handiwork. He continued about his work, preparing the vessel to sail. He felt a strong excitement building in his stomach. He would finally be able to go out and see the world, to explore the sea. The vessel creaked and dipped amongst the waves. Fitch watched the shoreline getting smaller and smaller in the distance. He took a deep breath of salt air. This was what he had spent his whole life waiting for.

Nothing had prepared Louis for what the sea would be like. Through lessons with Rarden, and Rarden's father, as well as having the chance to examine books that detailed sailing instructions, Louis could at least guide the ship well enough to make it from point A to point B, especially with the calm waters they were experiencing currently. It wouldn't be a long time sailing before they reach Himaya, and then they would dock at a port. From the map, Louis believed the name of the town was 'W-O-R-T-G-O-T-T'. Louis still had a hard time reading, and didn't know exactly how to pronounce the port's name, but he knew enough to get the group there. He smiled down at his two friends, his two crewmen, "Well, mates, thus begins the greatest adventure we have ever begun!" He announced with a forced air of bravado.

---

After a long while of sailing, the port was now in sight. Louis took in a big breath as the port city came into view. He was about to jump with pride and excitement. Their first voyage had just been completed, and soon they would be docking, and then they would make land. Louis could hardly stand it, "Remember, friends, me name be Caesar! Gotta keep up appearances around the land lubbers." Louis called out, laughing at his own pirate speak. It definitely needed some work. The ship grow ever closer to the port city, and even from here, Louis could make out the big ships already docked there.

Greeted with the jetties of Wortgott's docks, a ship with fresh and blank canvas sails arrived at the port, and Darxin was curious—it was of typical Dayaman design, but it was an outcast among the old, seasoned trade ships he was used to seeing in the harbor. He always admired their shipbuilding style, with the long, narrow bows and tall rising nests, the wide sails catching swift ocean winds, and the blunt front end splitting the waves. Soon the crew would encounter the man running the show at the bay, a square-faced, smiling gentleman, not someone Darxin was unfamiliar with.

---

That man was Mister Edwin Tubigan, whose trademark smile couldn't be forgotten by visitors to Wortgott's shores. Appointed by the mayor, Tubigan ran up and down the docks daily, him making notes meticulously on all departures and arrivals, expected and unexpected, travelers and merchants. These notes he kept in an office with copies made for the city's records. Maybe every now and then he asked too many questions, but he was a gentle person in particular, despite his gruff and beefy appearance. The tall, broad-shouldered man wore a tight vest over slacks, pocket-watch emblazoned with the city seal and an anchor and water in the background, and this day in particular the wind tossed his well-kept, short salt-and-pepper hair combed over intentionally to the right. He squinted his soft brown eyes in the sunlight, his square jaw set as he held his hand over his eyes, watching the undocumented ship come in. No doubt a traveler, and an inexperienced one at that, given some bad sailing skills that needed a little bit of work. Black, leather fishing boots making a great deal of noise against the wood, Edwin strode up the docks to the ship preparing to anchor itself in, him standing where he anticipated its arrival.

Rarden grimaced at his friend's choice of name. No matter how many times he rehearsed it to himself, it was still Louis that he looked at and Louis that he respected. Caesar would need time to grow in his mind, and it seemed more than the time it took for them to travel. For being surrounded by beautiful, cleansing water, the ship and its inhabitants felt to him more and more grimy each day. The sight of Wortgott on the horizon had been a relief, a blessing, and a bolster. They had did it, they'd come out on top with not just their lives but everything that had been at stake. The new world's threshold had gone on for longer than he could have ever known sitting in that dock back home, but even if the wood beneath his feet was struck away by chance that instant he was still too close to the end to fail. "Aye aye, sir," he responded, eyes fixed on the city and nowhere else. He wondered about the people they would meet, how they would view them, and the risks they'd bring. It was overwhelming, it was so far removed from his life of means that he had no idea where to begin. Whatever it was, the group would have a plan.

Fitch lept for joy when he saw Wortgott approaching in the distance. His heavy boots struck against the wooden deck of the ship with an obnoxious clack. Their first voyage had went surprisingly well, despite their inexperience. He was a bit disappointed they hadn't met any sea monsters, but supposed such things were a rarity. He uncorked his bottle of rum, which he had reacquired from below deck, and took a long drought, grimacing slightly at the awful taste. He recorked the bottle with a smile. Louis had decided they should call him Caesar. "Right, all hail Caesar, the greatest Captain the sea has ever known!" Fitch slapped his friend on the back with a grin, slurring his words ever so slightly. He rushed towards the bow of the ship, hoping to get a better view as they came into port. The sun glistened against his freckled face, and his bright red scarf fluttered about in the wind, a crimson beacon against the bright blue horizon.

As Fitch stood next to Louis, and uncorked the rum, Louis waited patiently for Fitch to finish his swig, before yanked the bottle from the clumsy fellow, and taking his own swig, albeit a far less deep one. Louis handed the bottle back to Fitch, and grimaced at the taste. Privately, Louis wondered who would drink such a bitter drink and pretend to like it, but the next words to burst out of his mouth contradicted his thoughts, "Woooo! Nothing like rum after a good voyage!" Louis shouted, obviously completely making up what he said, as he had never drank rum, or made a voyage in his life. The ship eventually snuck in the port, prompting Louis commanding shout, "Alright, you scurvy dogs, get everything in shape! We're ina proper-like town now! Keep up appearances!" He ordered, as he rushing to grab ropes in order to tie the ship to the dock, which he threw onto the deck, in front of Rarden, and behind Fitch.

Rarden descended on the ropes with the kind of precision only possible by a man desperately attempting to ignore his captain's charades on the deck. The man knelt down and ran the rope through one of the foremost cleats on the deck, knotting the shipside end with a sloppy cleat hitch. Just like dad used to make, he remarked in his mind, missing the cuisine the phrase was usually attributed to and blessing what nautical know-how he'd gleaned from the old man. They'd need four of these but he wondered if they had enough rope for it. In the event they didn't, securing simply the bow and stern would be sufficient for a short time stay. But if the waves got rough... he suspended his considerations to return to his job. Mooring cable in hand, he skipped the short distance from the rail to the pier and began to secure their small vessel around the nearest bollard. As he did so, he noticed for the first time the imposing looking man that had ventured down to meet their ship. The smile on his face immediately put his mind at ease. No doubt a customs officer of some sort, he figured the man's business would be solely with the captain. Rarden gave the man a polite nod of the head and a "G'day to you," before sailing back over the ship's rail to grab up yet more rope and repeat his routine at the other mooring cleats.

Fitch laughed when Louis grabbed the rum bottle and took a swig from it. He took the bottle back, placing the cork back in it's neck. As they came into port, he noticed Rarden was quickly covering all the bases. He thought for a moment about what he could do, suddenly the thought struck him. The anchor. He ran to throw out the anchor, gripping the hunk of iron and heaving it up and over the side of the ship. It struck the water with a loud splash. He smiled, clapping his hands together and silently congratulating himself on his good work. He heard Rarden say something towards the front of the ship, and walked towards him, noticing a large, older, man standing at the dock. He waved to the man with a grin before turning towards Louis. "Aye, Captain Caesar, there's a man up here. I think he'd like a word with you."

Louis came up behind Fitch, slapping him on the back, congratulating him for his good work on placing the anchor, "A fine job, Mister Fitch. We'll have to promote you!" He said, smiling as he did so. As Fitch's words, Louis flipped around, and saw the impressive looking man in front of him. As Rarden was diligently doing his job tying the rope to the bollards of the dock, Louis boldly stepped the decreasing gap between the boat and dock, his hands behind his back as he did so, "I, Captain Caesar, wish to use this here dock as a place to rest me boat, good fine sir." Louis said, with a toothy grin on his face, to match the friendly smile of the dockworker.