Search for Mathar

[Deltannia]

OOC: An OOC thread will be included after I post this.

 

The team had moved there several months ago, hoping to find something, anything, of the past. So much had been lost in the founding of Deltannia, the records into Deltannia's past were so skewed. That's why they were here.

 

The first camp had been set up, with another two being erected at the moment. As the chief archaeologist of the dig, they had gone to the place that had most likely been the site of the old city-state of Mathar. They based it off of old maps from Solarian times, but it was hundreds of years since Solaria was around, even more centuries since Mathar was burned to the ground. Looking into the records wasn't helping much. So far they had found nothing.....

 

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FROM: Deltannia

TO: All nations and archaeologists of Europa

 

Deltannia would like to invite into the Storm Ocean and the Gulf of Lanjon to help our teams discover our ancient origins. Ours has been one of the most unknown histories in Europa, most being lost up until only a few hundred years ago. We hope that you will join us in this expedition.

[Mongol-Swedes]

TO: Deltannia

FROM: Geri Friedssen, Mongol-Swede Community for Achaelogical Studies

SUBJECT: Expedition Proposition

 

Good evening. The offer to explore a relatively unknown history such as yours is a great opportunity for my colleagues. Many of us, including myself, have recently encountered hostile times within the Union and have taken refuge in Akiiryu.

 

Nevertheless, we are prepared to provide a small team to aid in your exploration, and to share in the unearthing of the secrets of the past, if only to better understand the present.

[Senator Gaius]

To Deltannia

From Dr Lance H. Kender, Department of Archaeology, Karthene Metropolitan University

RE: Mathar Digs

 

Having received your message regarding digs in ancient Mathar, we would like to offer the services of our finest team of research archaeologists. Dr John Revel, Dr Jonos Lychfield, and Dr Mark Mullendore have been informed of the project, and have expressed great interest. Dr Mullendore in particular has always had a great interest in your history.

 

They can fly out tommorrow, if you so wish. We have received a grant already for such projects from our government, so there is no concern about funding.

[Tamurin]

TO: Deltannia

FROM: Tamurin, Ministry of Science & Technology

 

We would like to participate on this mission with a small team of archeologists.

 

Regards,

Claudia Hartman

[Vocenae]

TO: Deltannia

FROM: Imperial Republic of Vocenae

 

We respect Deltannia for its vigor in re-discovering its history and heritage and the Imperial Council would like to send several teams to Deltannia to help the ongoing efforts.

 

Perhaps both our nations can benefit in the present and future, from looking into the past.

[Tagmatium Rules]

To: Deltannia

From: the University of Petrium

Re: Digs

 

The University of Petrium would like to dispatch a team to this dig as well. We haven?t done much in the way of Deltannian history of this era, and will jump at the chance of sending a research team.

 

We can gather the research team within the next couple of days, and they will be dispatched forthwith.

[Orioni]

TO: Deltannia

FROM: Orioni

 

Your proposal sounds very tempting and has been forwarded to some of our universities. Some were already reacted quite enthousiastic, so it would only be a matter of getting the proper documents to travel from Orioni to Deltannia. Is there a need to bring additional equipment or will your side take care of everything?

---

OOC: Can't wait to see how this turns out. *rubs hands*

[Deltannia]

FROM: Deltannia

TO: All nations and archaeologists of Europa

DOCUMENTS ATTACHED

 

We thank you for your eager replies, as well as the amount already pledged. Facilities have been set up from your arrival through various means:

 

1) Hotels are awaiting guests at Levana or Salanar, where your teams can be shipped to the first dig on Island 0.4

2) There has been a flat piece of terrain that has been converted into an airstrip on Island 0.4 near the dig sight.

3) Deltannian ships will gladly escort any vessel into its waters if you or your teams should request it.

 

Any supplies that could be sent would be appreciated, but Deltannia already has most standard archaeological equipment. Any specializing equipment would be of use. Anything that you would suggest or require will be put under thoughtful consideration. The main need is manpower and thinkers to unravel the mysteries of our past. Attached are the preliminary field reports.

 

We await your arrival!

 

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*Part of Attached Documents*

 

"So far there have been no signs of the city, but a major thoroughfare has been discovered in the coniferous forests. Most maps do not show this, but a study of one indicates this may be several thousands of years old...."

 

".... the boat was found decayed in the frozen marsh, seemingly preserved in some of the ice of the past centuries. The markings are awe-inspiring, and the boat seems to be a small craft for navigating the waters, although we believe it may have had coastal capabilities. Whether this journeyed here to Island 0.4 or came from here is so far inconclusive..."

 

"On Deltannia itself, we have poured over what was left of the Solarian Empire and their records. Most are ruined pieces of paper. That team believes it has found documents from Flet I, possibly written by the man himself, and may provide a clue as to who he was and why he destroyed Mathar..."

 

OOC: I attach only snippits because I want to leave room for other items from either myself or you.

[Deltannia]

*Island 0.4*

 

The team had slowly begun to uncover the road through the frozen wastelands. It seemed to be key as they were located within the area where Mathar was thought to be according to their research. But the freeze of the north, along with the looming ice-covered trees and hills, made it nearly impossible.

 

But the boat they found frozen in the ice suggested that Mathar was along the coast. And legend said that Mathar lost a mighty sea battle. But now, the legend had been considered a legend itself, the notions coming from so long ago. Bundling up, several teams went along the coast, hoping to find the lost city...

 

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*Journal of Jaere Horax*

 

I lead the team today, clearing more of the old stone road. The preservation from ice is remarkable, and good luck on our part.

 

Supplies will seem to last us, even with several of our teams out on the small coastal boats, our adaptation of standard river boats. Hopefully they won't run into any ice issues. But, with more supplies coming in, we've been able to send these teams out with their own supplies, enough to last them a few weeks anyway. there shouldn't be a problem.

 

And, the promise of Mathar possibly being located along this coast seems likely. Of course, I think we'll need to send at least one team to Island 0.5 in order to investigate....

[Mongol-Swedes]

TO: Deltannia, Other Nations

FROM: Geri Friedssen, Mongol-Swede Community for Achaelogical Studies

SUBJECT: Air Travel

 

Our teams will soon arrive by air, via our own air transit means. This is in response to the complete breakdown of peace in our homeland, and so we are extraditing as much of our resources as we can, before they are either seized or destroyed. The Mongol-Swede Community for Archaelogical Studies maintains its own cargo airlift enterprise for the purpose of raising funds for our research, along with the subsidies we previously enjoyed receiving in the not too distant past from our government.

 

If desired, and for a reasonable fee, we will offer our airlift capabilities to other interested parties in this expedition to help move in supplies and personnel, and help keep this expedition running smoothly.

 

The C-23 Sherpa, the preferred aircraft of the M-S CAS, exterior profile view and interior cargo area view.

 

 

[Deltannia]

*Island 0.4*

 

Jaere Horax woke early in the morning in order to get a first glimpse of the sun rising. This far north, it was much more spectacular; it was clear and crisp, shining over the icy hills. It was also perfect for checking his solar maps.

 

Horax knew from old diagrams the Sun religion that had been followed, and how accurate charts of the sun and moon's positions changed. Given past dates, he knew that the archaeoastronomer would be of some help (OOC: Real job, my Dad took this in college). He would be up soon to verify what they took, but Horax wanted the first view. It was a marvelous display.

 

He made his way down the shining sheets of snow and ice now, taking some notes. Another day of talking with the archaeologists on his and other teams would provide more insight. They were close, he could feel it. He wasn't worried about finding it so much, but more of what he would uncover....

[Orioni]

Personal Log

Sunday, August 17th 2006

 

Well, we're still on the illustrious island 0.4, where the digg has been progressing pretty well. After a while you start getting used again to same old daily tasks. The machines are doing a great job filtering and moving the dugg-up soil, but since we've gotten deeper, work has become slower. It's more dangerous to continue using the machines, so we find ourselves digging in the cold and frozen sail by ourselves, with only a shovel or some other tool. Not very fun, as you can imagine, but at least we're getting paid more then we do back home at the university.

 

Oh well, enough with the complaining. There's also been some good news. Yesterday Robert hit some hard object in the sand. I know, foolish of him that he didn't scan the area first, because he could have damaged an important artifact. Some of the other teammembers were are little mad at him, but that changed when Jaere Horax, the leader of the Deltannian team, arrived. He quickly asked Robert to show him what he had found, and most of us circled around Jaere to have a good luck at what turned out to be some strange metallic 'brick'. Some member of the Tagmatine team, I don't remember her name, joked that perhaps we could call it Horaxium.

 

Drawing of the block.

 

We were all very thrilled about finding some interesting stuff every now and then. But still I cannot hide the feeling that the Deltannian's aren't telling us everything. As with the brick, they take most of the discovered artifects with them and we rarely hear what's been discovered. I guess I'll poke around for some info during lunch tomorrow.

[Deltannia]

*Island 0.4*

 

Horax was happy about the progress being made by all teams. Within a week, they had begun uncovering massive amounts of artifacts. But still, there was no sign of Mathar itself. They were so close...

 

But of all the broken tools they had found, the small relics in the ground that had looked as if they were burned and then frozen for centuries, this new brick was the most impressive find. The chemical analysis showed that it was a combination of refined metal alloys. Where the people would be able to get these metals up here was probably through trade. But how they were able to refine them was another question. One thing the analysts had found was Synite. How they had managed to figure out this process made Mathar more advanced then Deltannia was in its earliest years. How could they have manufactured this Synite, and have mixed it into an alloy. It was a startling find. While they had shared information with the other teams as much as possible, he felt as if they need ed to keep this one for himself, at least until they found the city. They didn't want any odd conclusions to be reached by the other teams...

 

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*Island 0.5*

 

The first Deltannian team arrived along the shores of the other island. They had found a small harbor providing non-frozen shelter, and they set up camp. Within a day or two, they'd begin exploring as well.

 

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OOC: I will make the first post about finding the actual city, if it's alright. Also, I came up with Synite from my story, yay. It is supposed to be one of those super strong alloys. It is not impenitrable by any means, but it is supposed to be very good. The finding of it in the "Horaxium" suggests that the Matharans had the ability to mine it in its natural, unpurified form, which is difficult, and then refine it into a brick. A brick of this size would be extremely difficult to penetrate with conventional weapons. It could be, it would just take time. For instance, Deltannian ships include a plate of this stuff about 3-5 mm thick, just for some extra support because of its difficult nature to find and refine. This brick is obviously much thicker.....

[Deltannia]

*Letter from Deltannian 0.5 Team*

 

Jaere Horax,

 

Attached is the update from the past few days. Camp has been set up. Very little has been found in the area, but one of the detached teams has radioed in some artifact find. We'll keep you informed.

 

REPORT ATTACHED

 

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*Journal of Jaere Horax*

 

After the finding of the Synite in the block, we've set up equipment to look for any Synite samples. The ice and snow are making it difficult for the spectral analysis probes to find anything. Three sites seem to be likely based on trace finds, and our team is spreading thin trying to cover the terrain. Even with other teams, it will be difficult to cover everything needed to be covered.

 

But if this Synite block was created, the scanning should have come up with something more. Where is that city?

 

-----

 

OOC: Spell check is interesting.

[Deltannia]

*Island 0.4*

 

Jaere Horax was at one of the dig sites getting his hands dirty. He prefered actual archeological work, not all of this managerial stuff.

 

And just his luck. He was examining rock samples in one of the analysis tents when someone ran through the camp screaming. He was from his crew, but people from all of the teams rushed out. The man was still screaming.

 

"We found it! We found it!"

 

"Hold it, man! What have you found?"

 

"Mathar!"

 

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*Journal of Jaere Horax*

 

This excites me! We have finally found it!

 

After searching the suspected grounds, we had found but a few artifacts, interesting in themselves. But between the icy hills, we have found the cold grounds of Mathar before us! It will be dangerous to cross because of the jagged material, but once cleared, we will walk through the city of our origins. I see it before me, the stone, the buildings, still as if they had been burned yesterday. Lucky for us they were not burned to the ground..... it is amazing to see how much is intact, how much we can learn!

 

The origins of all of Deltannia are within my grasp now. We have found it!

[Deltannia]

*Journal of Jaere Horax*

 

After our team made camp along the eastern hills, we moved early morning into the ancient city. There was a light overcast, faint trickles of snow falling from the sky. It was cold, but the discovery seemed to warm everyone.

 

I led the ten person team into the city. More will accompany us after our initial visit. This time, we were not scouting over anything, just observing, looking, finding, learning....

 

The buildings that remained were ruined. Roofs gone, the stone eroded. This happened thousands of years ago.... the Fall of Mathar. Solarian legends talk show the religious creation myth of their Empire with the fall of this "despicable" nation of evil. I do not believe so.

 

We stopped by a building not completely frozen over. Only two crumbled, frozen walls stood. Nothing remained inside from the bitter cold except an old stone bed and a stone table....

 

Next we moved into the middle of a square. The fountain was long frozen over, and chipped everywhere. The square indicated it perhaps held a marketplace, but judging from the scattered barriers that remain along the entrances, I'd have to say that they were trying to either keep something out, or stop something from getting in.

 

One of our last stops for the day, found by one of the junior archaeologists, was simply a foundation of a building in the ground, nearly ruined, with thousands of object scattered around. Upon further inspection, most of these were shards of wood, undecayed most likely because of the cold and the stone floor below it. But we did see many ruined swords scattering the ground, shields, metal arrows, as well as a pile of axles and rudimentary bores that seem to resemble cannons....

[Deltannia]

OOC: I will try to end this in a few posts should nobody else post. Remember that I did say I was going to finish this up, especially since I wanted to try and gain at least one of the islands to the north. It depends on how small islands are considered in terms of plots. If they each count as one plot, then I will claim only 0.4. Otherwise, I would like to request 0.5, but I will wait out on that part of the RP until I get confirmation from someone of high authority.

 

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*Island 0.5*

 

"What've you found?"

 

"Some fragments. Some more Synite."

 

"Have you gotten a dating test on it?"

 

"Yes. We expect it was created around the same era as what the Mathar crews have found. Based on historical records, however, I'd say that the Solarians came through here first before proceeding on to Mathar...."

 

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*Journal of Jaere Horax*

 

An interesting hypothesis has been formulated based on the Matharan ruins as well as artifact discoveries on Island 0.5. Since Solarian "myth" has clouded this region, it is slowly becoming the most feasible description of the historical events.

 

We know that Solaria had decimated other city-states in the west of Deltannia, finally taking the entire mainland several years before they managed to take Mathar. However, we believe that they made a move northward, took Island 0.5, and then sieged the entire Island 0.4. Supply count in ruined warehouses is low, even for a destroyed ruins. There is no evidence of any remaining objects to hold anything in. Out in the suspected farm areas, the teams report that nothing had been growing since before Mathar was destroyed. How do we know this? We don't. We suspect. Farming up here would require taking care of the frigid landscape. However, the ground was not only frozen over when we found it, but it was parched. Itemization lists found in one of the houses on a stone tablet appear to indicate that very little was purchased in between the siege and the fall of Mathar. At least, that's as much as our linguists can get.... we'll be sending the tablet, along with out artifacts, back to the mainland for further study.

 

As for Mathar itself, the story seems to have been written. Inside the wall of what used to be a house, the ancient scripts tell the tale, much different than Solarian propaganda of the time. We also know that one monumental battle must have taken place, one we can only imagine.

 

We cannot stay much longer here.... the weather is becoming more severe, and these shelters, once meant to protect from the cold.... now cannot complete their function....

 

I only hope that by the end, we can know the true story about the Fall of Mathar....

[Deltannia]

OOC: I won't take up any more of your space. This will become an ongoing project of mine that will take place behind the scenes. I will make my formal request in the Requests thread. If someone objects, please note so. If I am not allowed both 0.4 and 0.5, I will take only 0.4.

 

FROM: Deltannia

TO: The nations of Europa

 

Due to the help from combined archaeological efforts from across the region, we thank your teams for the success of finding the old city-state of Mathar. Without their support, resources, and intuition, this discover would not have been possible.

 

As Deltannia can no longer expand on the main land, and being the naval power that we are, we are claiming Islands 0.4 and 0.5 for further archaeological study. After the majority of the work has been commenced, we will turn these into nature reserves, scientific camps, and historical communities. For now, Island 0.4 is being renamed Mathar Island in honor of the ancient peoples that once commanded its land. Island 0.5 has yet to be named.

 

Of course, all archaeological teams will be allowed to stay on the island during this transition and on. We hope that this will serve only to help progress the field of archaeology forever.

 

Deltannian Senate

Deltannian Council

Deltannian Foreign Ministry

 

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*Island 0.5*

 

"Is the log recorder on?"

 

"Yeah, it's going."

 

".... our initial guesses have been correct. Our furthest inland team has discovered what appears to be another city-state. Ruined, of course, but still intact. Comapring the intial pictures taken, we estimate it to be close to Mathar. How clsoe, we don't know. We do know that the Solarians pillaged this island before sieging Mathar. This may be the last city-state before Mathar to fall. What lies there could be invaluable...."

[Mongol-Swedes]

TO: Deltannia

CC: Karthenia, Tagmatium, Tamurin, Orioni

FROM: Geri Friedssen, Mongol-Swede Community for Achaelogical Studies

SUBJECT: Successful Cooperation

 

Myself and the Mongol-Swede team are happy to have been of help for aiding you in your work. We believe that examples of successful international cooperation in the name of archaeological studies like this are indicative of the potential for future joint endeavors in Europa, and for the future of archaeology for years to come, as well as the strength to endure even in times of war and great calamity as these are for Europa.

 

The Northern Alliance's General Council has informed us that they are interested in contributing to the proposed future projects that you have for these islands, particularly in the nature reserves, and will likely contact your government later to discuss this issue in greater detail.

 

The situation in the Tribelands is still somewhat instable, but we will be moving on shortly. We thank you for your hospitality. Best of luck for Mathar Island.

 

With Warm Regards,

 

Geri Freidssen