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South from Pezpulagi

Almost all knew of the islands surrounding Nesketos. Most knew that they were disparate and sparse. Some knew that there were some with large populations. A few even knew that some were completely unoccupied. The level of knowledge for any Nesketan of the islands around them didn’t matter particularly. The Archon had decreed that some of these islands were now to belong to Nesketos. And, as the Archon controlled the shipbuilding, controlled much of the burgeoning navy, had emergency power over the military, could divert funds when and how he wanted and now seemed to guide not just the spirit of the nation, but also the specific aims that Nesketos would strive towards in the near future. As such, when the Archon decrees, Nesketans were sent to enforce his decrees.

From the Pezpulagian lands of Pesku, now one of the largest ports within Nesketos, a number of new ships were being launched, and while some now remained around the bay at anchor, others were commissioned to leave the bay and travel southward. Southeast specifically.

There were two islands southeast of Nesketos, both of which remained unoccupied by any races. The first was a fairly flat island, populated mostly by fowl across grasslands and small, sparse forests. The Nesketans had called this island ‘Ensi Bircaus’. As it was the closest island to Nesketos, Nesketans had sometimes created small colonies upon the island, but this one was not to be a mere fortification that could be started and then abandoned. This was to be a permanent settlement that would export resources back to the mainland, that would assist in the growth of the Nesketan nation.

The second island, a bit further away than Ensi Bircaus, was something akin to a very large rock in the sea, but one which had a key place in Nesketan myths as a dangerous place for sailors. The strange magics of the rock regularly drew sailors closer to the island, as well as to the shallow rocks around it, luring many but the most careful to their dooms. But the time for superstition was long past. This too was an isle that Nesketos wanted to control, as the Archon suspected the supposed ‘magic’ of the isle clouded a more potent utility, materials that he could utilise to grow the military of Nesketos. The southern island, Nesketos termed ‘Menas Taxin’.

Beyond these two, the Archon also had another ship sent out. This one travelled further out west, with the aim of exploring the larger island that lay just off of Nesketos’ coast. The journey would be long, but surely, they would reach the shores and see what awaited them there. What populations called the island home. Perhaps they would willingly submit to Nesketan expansion.

Then again…