The Anslemi Wastes

[Darth Grievi]

((This post will be uptated with information as it is reveiled through the journal.))

Anslemi, aproximately the size of Earth's New Zealand, is a desert island. Put more coloquially, if you looked up "desert island" in the dictionary, it'd have a picture of Anslemi. The few mountain streams and rivers are bordered with the region's only green.

Several hundred years ago, an expedtion was made to Anslemi by a group of humans living on a nearby continent. Their technolgy, among several other things, was nearly identical to that of Earth's Colonial America. (This is mostly for ease of visualization. Also because these humans will never appear as a seperate race)

Fraslemi: Second largest island in the Anslemi chain, covered by a central grassland and bordered by a coastal rainforrest. Life is abundant here, a prime target for colonization, with edible animals and plants making up most of the fauna and flora. Predators are uncommon here, and most are small enough to be scared away.

Wildlife:

--"Unnamed Tree Species"
Claimed to be able to hold greater weights that other trees, perfect for construction. Unusual strength may be due to the increased load of arborial species and foliage.

--"Hogparrot"
Herding, quadrupedal grazer of the grasslands. About a meter high at the sholder, they are low-slung with pot bellies, waddling from place to place. Communicate through grunts and squeals, simmilar to pigs. Have beaks and smooth, green-yellow skin.

---

Journal Index

1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
9-10
11-12
13-14
15-16
17-18

[Darth Grievi]

The following was taken from Journal of the Exploration of Anslemi.

First Entry: Day 99:

"We've finally made landfall after over three months at sea. It's getting to be winter now, and I can see snow spotting this island's centeral mountain. It's a huge place, as large as some countries, and a million people could live in confort on it's fertile ground. From the mapping expeditions before us, we know this is the second largest of eight, named Fraslemi by those same men.

From our place in this bay, the island's jungles seem to reach as far as the eye can see. Matthew took some of his men ashore to scout out a proper site to begin construction. Though no native activity has been reported, they are still armed. I fear that if locals are found, they will take our guns as a sign of hostility..."

Second Entry: Day 110:

"So far, we have seen no intellegence on this island. Though it's jungles are flooded with edible fruit and easy game, not a soul lives here. It is unnerving, and one allways feels like he is being watched.

Our settlement is comming along nicely, with most of the houses finished and lived in. The trees we'd cut down to clear land are also fine lumber, holding up tremendous weight compared to their cousins back home.

We have also been exploring further, and towards the center of Fraslemi is a grassland that extends for miles, again with plentiful edibles. It is here that we found the first large animals since landfall; meter-high, pot-bellied herd animals. We have named them "hogparrots" after their beaks and grunting sounds. We've taken to domesticating them, though they don't seem to have a taste for hay..."

[Snake]

Seems like Morrowind.

[Darth Grievi]

Never played it.

...

It's a "played" right? Not a "seen" or a "read"?

[Snake]

Elder Scrolls : Morrowind. Third one. The island is shaped exactly like that.

[Darth Grievi]

<.<

>.>

Curse you Fractal World Explorer, and the influence of my subconsious!

*Looks up this Morrowind thing*

Ok, it kinda does... vaguely... if you squint a bit

[Darth Grievi]

Third Entry: Day 129

"With our settlement finished, I have taken the time to study the fauna of Fraslemi's rain forests. Unfortunately, many of the creatures are rather skittish, allowing me only the briefest of glances. The few that remained long enough for me to study were often wounded, usually mortaly.

The "Fraslemi Chicken" as we've come to call it, is the primary food source for the jungle predators, and we've found it quite tasty as well. These creatures are about knee-high, with long necks and legs, and a small, plumed head that darts about to snatch up insects and seeds. The rest of the body is covered in small, smooth scales, emerald green with darker markings to blend with the vegitation. It's arms are small, but the claws can inflict severe wounds if one is not careful.

The main scavenger of these trees is a horrid-looking thing named "Batzard", for it's noctunal habits and seemingly endless appetite for rotting flesh. It is completely eyeless, instead posessing an enormous pair of nostrils above it's snaggle-toothed maw. It's wings are vestigal, useful only for gliding and short bursts of flight, and their membraneous surface is prone to oozing infections, most likely gained from their meals. It's hooting, almost cackling call has startled many from sleep, and we are working on a repellant for the buggers.

It appears that the only thing Fraslemi has in way of large predators is a single, secrative creature, dubbed the "Root Hunter". Living under the exposed roots common of many trees here, it lies in wait for anything to pass by it's lair. It will then dart it's enormous hands out, it's suction cup-tipped fingers grabbing hold of the prey, which is drawn in for consumption. Fortunately for us, it seems to know when a possible prey item is too large to draw into it's lair, thus leaving us off the menu. I have not seen anything beyond these hands, but obviously, the creature must be smaller than the cavity formed by the roots."

Fourth Entry: Day 153

With further colonists on the way, we have begun construction of another town, this one closer to the plains. We have investigated the grasslands further, but haven't found signs of any predators, not even recent killings. It seems as if this island is devoid of anything more dangerous than a house cat. It's unnatural, but concidering our mission, it's very good.

We have been able to domesticate the Hogparrots somewhat. They don't seem to be adverse to being used as pack animals, and if kept in a herd, they even seem to enjoy it..."

[Darth Grievi]

Fifth Entry: Day 231

"Several days ago, we launched an official exploration of the grasslands of Fraslemi, after numerous reports of animal carcasses found near the new town as it was being constructed. Our initial examination proved that these "carcasses" were simply small groups of browsers that had wandered nearby. Hearing the commotion from inside the walls, they had played dead, very spectacularly.

Standing nearly 6 meters high, these "Stiltwalkers" feed on the leaves of the trees at the fringes of the rain forest. Their long heads are presumably packed with batteries of grinding teeth, as I've observed them eating dried twigs with little difficulty on many occasions. They will use their extraordinarily long toungues to rip clusters of leaves and branches off the tops of the trees, pulling them into their long, tubular mouths. Their backs are covered with patches of tough, pebbly scales, while the rest are smooth, like many of Fraslemi's creatures. Their middle toes have elongated considerably, leaving their other two nearly two meters off the ground as useless dewclaws, giving them their name. Their habit of playing dead puzzles me, as they are too large to be threatened by preadators, if any were present.

We have also uncovered a small insectivore. Looking like nothing more than a cross between a turtle and a hedgehog, the "Wandering Knoll" is well adapted to it's lifestyle. It's beaked snout and large nostrils are constantly searching for worms and grubs in the soil, gobbling them up as quickly as they are found. They shuffle along the ground at an easy pace, possibly weighed down by their armored carapace. This domed structure has many long, flat scales growing out of it, making it look, from a distance, like just another grassy hill, hence their name.

As of yet, we have found no carnivores... not even omnivores. It is possible that this island's inhabitants have reached some sort of ecological balance point, though it is unlikely..."

Sixth Entry: Day 290

"The second wave of colonists have arrived today, and quickly moved into the newly finished town. They claim that our government sees great promise in this land, and is sending additional people. Five ships full to be exact, each leaving as soon as news of the previous group's sucessful landing returns. Fortunately, we now have an improved workforce to meet this demand..."

[Darth Grievi]

((Now that I've got my plotline written down, I'm picking up the pace... majorly!))

Seventh Entry: Day 311

"Fears of nocturnal predators have not been abated, mostly due to ghost stories and rumors spread among the newcommers. To calm them, an expeditions have been made to all the major lakes in a five mile radius of the new town, along with those near planned construction sites. While we have yet to find "The Thing in the Lake", we have composed a sampling of Fraslemi's aquatic life.

Fraslemi's version of the fish, the "Beakmander" is almost avian in aperance as it flaps its way through the water with it's wing-like fins. They feed primarily on floating, lilly-like plants, snipping their anchoring stems with their beaks. Not much else is known, as my observation time was limited by my lung capacity.

Along the shorelines lives a possible relative of theirs, dubbed the "Glowmander". At dusk, it waddles out of it's home, usually under a rock, and waves a glowing, whip-like appendage around, attracting all sorts of insects to it's waiting maw, similarly lit. Their legs seem to have remnants of fins, leading me to speculate on their evolutionary family tree.

Also in these lakes reside the first symbiotic relationship I've seen on Fraslemi. Though more insectoid than crustacean, the "Knobbly Crab" travels along the bottom, usually in the shallows, occasionally sifting through the mud for food. On it's back are usually one or two "Stingcups", their venmous tenticals waving about, snaring young or small Beakfish. Instead of eating them itself, however, they are passed to the crab. It is unknown how the Stingcup benefits; the theorys range from us simply not seeing the food transfer to the Stingcup, to an extreme form of sexual dimorphism, with the crab being one gender, the Stingcup another..."

Eighth Entry: Day 479

"Today is a momentous day for Fraslemi! Now that our population has reached nearly a thousand, and our original town has stood for a full year, our country has designated us an official colony! Now, settlers are allowed to come and go as they please, provided they can pay for the three-month voyage..."

[Darth Grievi]

((Wow... it's been a while))

Ninth Entry: Day 591

"Since my last entry, colonists have simply been pouring in from the homeland. They bring with them stories of overcrowding, unemployment, and economic ruin, hoping to find better here. I am starting to see the same here. While there is allways work open for constructing new towns and farming, we still have many homeless. Trade with the homeland is bringing in a steady stream of income and supplies, and the Fraslemi Chicken has become a favorite overseas..."

Tenth Entry: Day 634

"Little has been happening past the monotony of day to day life. I am currently trying to arrange an expedition up Fraslemi's central mountains, but now that we have our own branch of the government watching over us, the process is slow at best.

Others have become frustrated with the local officials, mostly with complaints about them being to concerned with frivolous matters and not concentrating on the important things. Unfortunately, which is which is a matter of some discussion. I don't forsee a rebellion, but official complaints might be made..."

[Hyperion]

I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop

[Darth Grievi]

Actually, the first one hasn't dropped yet... or maybe we have three shoes... I'll say now that there are 41 entries, counting the eplogue...

Eleventh Entry: Year 3, Month 1, Day 12

"Please disregard my prediction in the last entry. Official complaints were indeed made, in the form of work strikes and boycotts. Our country's response? Removal of whatever independent standing we had in the government. Fraslemi colony must now answer directly to the homeland, and they have begun to tighten their grip. There are rumors that the government will be sending solders to keep us in line..."

Twelfth Entry: Year 3, Month 4, Day 21

"The rumors were indeed true, but the armed men claim to have been sent to protect us. Whether that's from the animals, invading countries, or ourselves is anyone's guess. I've continued pushing for further expeditions, but all requests have been denied..."

[Darth Grievi]

((This is wierd. Last week, I was intimidated to start this back up again. Now I can barely restrain myself from posting te next set of entries!))

Thirteenth Entry: Year 3, Month 11, Day 16

"There was a major fire today that wiped out several farms out on the plains. No one was hurt, but untill the farmers can plant again, we will have to rely more on grains from the mainland.

I have also learned today that several colony ships have been sent to the smaller islands in the Anslemi chain, mostly to Sel and the two Fal islands. They are also concidering expanding to the Arens and Mar. I announced my frustration at being kept in the dark about this, and the goernment assured me that I would play a role in the next expedition, whenever that is..."

Fourteenth Entry: Year 6, Month 12, Day 9

"I am unsure whether to be elated or upset; we now have towns covering the entire island of Fraslemi, and a good portion on the other, smaller islands. Wildlife, other than our domesticated beasts, is becoming harder to find.

Our government has finally decided to launch an expedition to Anslemi itself, most likely seeking to expand further. As promised, I am the scientific lead of the party, although a veritable herd of young scholars will be tagging along. We will leave very soon, and this journal may just find use again..."

[Hyperion]

I like the logo on the map. Did you make that?

[Darth Grievi]

I made it, but it's a corrupted version of the Iconian Symbol from Star Trek.

Fifteenth Entry: Year 7, Month 1, Day 9

"We made landfall on Anslemi just hours ago, in the Bay of Mar. On first inspection, Anslemi is a desolate, desert wasteland, but every now and again I can see creatures scurrying among the dunes. The scouts are looking for a natural spring reported to be here, while the others are setting up camp...

...

Night has fallen, and with it, the temperature dropped dramaticaly. Not a single cloud floats above us, and I can see every star in heaven, casting a faint glow on the dunes. It seems the animals are more active at night, as we can hear them howling and hissing constantly..."

Sixteenth Entry: Year 7, Month 2, Day 4

"Our long trek through Anslemi has been utterly devoid of discoveries thus far. The only creatures we have encountered are either fleeting glimpses or unearthly noises in the night. Food is beginning to run low, and we are concidering turning back...

...

The most unexpected thing just happened. As we crested the last dune, Malcom, one of our artists, pointed to the horison and began shouting. A red glare, like that of another sun, lay ahead. As we approached over the next few hours, the glare receded and was replaced by a tall, dark spire. We are still nearly a day's march away, meaning the obelisk must be huge, taller than anything man-made in the modern world...

...

We've camped for the night. The obelisk stands on the horison, a swatch of sky devoid of stars. I've begun to worry now; I have seen what appears to be torchlight in the distance. It wavers and flickers, even dissapearing for long hours. I fear that either this desert heat has gotten to my head, or we are going to have visistors..."

*Dried blood has been splattered on this page and a few others. Possible signs of an attack? Reading on is the only way to find out...*