The Ill-Fated Yorn Expedition of King Regnault VII

An expedition to try and establish a route from Suna to Yorn's heart. The sunan ships suffered many misfortunes and the entire operation was deemed a miserable failure.

In the annals of the Ocean Kingdom of Sirelina, the grand economic campaign of King Regnault VII stands as a cautionary tale of hubris, greed, and poor planning. The king, ambitious and eager to extend Suna's influence beyond its shimmering coasts, launched a venture to establish a direct trade route from the capital of Sirelina to the distant and fertile region of Yorn. This effort was meant to cement Suna's brilliance in the eyes of the Clay Region's inhabitants and secure a lucrative revolving water route. Instead, it became a disastrous failure.

King Regnault VII’s plan was bold: a fleet of three ships, laden with goods, wealth, and promises of prosperity, would navigate the challenging waterways of Riverlant in northern Yorn. Accompanying the fleet was a diplomatic delegation tasked with opening new trade alliances, as well as a team of scholars to showcase Suna’s cultural and technological prowess.

The venture began with great fanfare, heralded as the dawn of a new era for Suna’s economy. However, from the outset, the campaign was plagued by mismanagement, poor navigation, and unforeseen challenges.

The waterways of Yorn, known for their unpredictable currents and shifting sediment, proved far more treacherous than anticipated. Lacking accurate maps and relying on outdated advice, the fleet repeatedly ran aground, damaging their hulls and forcing the crew to disembark and free the ships. These delays not only slowed their progress but also depleted their resources and sapped morale.

The humid and insect-ridden environment of Riverlant took its toll. Crewmembers suffered injuries during repair efforts and fell ill from diseases contracted in the marshy landscapes. The lack of adequate medical supplies and experience in these conditions worsened the situation, leaving many incapacitated.

The fleet’s interactions with local Grotague tribes and insectkin communities were fraught with misunderstanding and tension. The delegates, unfamiliar with Yorn’s cultures and unprepared for its complexities, made several diplomatic missteps. These miscommunications led to hostile engagements and further strained the already struggling expedition.

The fleet’s troubles reached a crescendo as the campaign fragmented under the weight of its failures, and the fate of it's three vessels came to spell the end of their voyages chances for success.

The Seaglass Saint

After suffering irreparable damage from repeated collisions with underwater obstructions, the Seaglass Saint was deemed beyond repair. It was scuttled mid-journey, with its crew transferring to the remaining ships.

The Moondancer

Morale aboard the Moondancer crumbled as conditions worsened. Disillusioned and fearing the expedition’s doom, its crew staged a mutiny and abandoned the fleet entirely, sailing into obscurity. The Moondancer and its crew were never seen again, their fate remaining a mystery.

The Pearl of Mene

The sole survivor of the fleet, the Pearl of Mene limped into Riverlant far behind schedule, with depleted supplies and a sickly, demoralized crew. By the time it arrived, the diplomatic delegation’s mission was effectively unsalvageable. After an unremarkable stay, the ship began its arduous two-year journey back to Sirelina, its crew embittered and its cargo diminished.