Fengdao Expeditions

Despite being an isolationist nation, Fengdao has sent out many expeditions over the years.

### The Jade expeditions

#### Aims

The aim of the Jade expeditions was to find the land where the desert trials took place. The first one unfortunately went very off course and discovered cold, wind-swept isles north of Fengdao. The trips ended when a hurricane killed all people on the island and trade could no longer be carried out.

#### First trip by Yì Chīfāi

The first of the Jade expeditions was a mission to find the land of the desert trials. They first set off east but were quickly blown north by the winds at the edge of the world. There they found the Xiguà (岛影)1, a small archipelago inhabited by Molemen. The islands had many yànko (暗木)2 trees, a new wood to the Fengdao. They saw that the ships made from it were much stronger than they jungle wood they had used and traded for a lot for the next trip.

1Meaning: "shadow islands"

2Meaning: "dark wood", "spruce"

#### Second trip by Fu Huolem

The second trip was the trip that gave the name to the expeditions. The ship (called the thifāinay (玉海事)3) was built out of the yànko that had been traded with the Molemen of the Xiguà. It was loaded with jade to trade with the Molemen for more yànko. This made the trips known as the thizuinay (玉动事)4 as jade aws the major export.

3Meaning: "jade boat"

4Meaning: "jade trips"

#### Third trip by Lo Jāng

The third trip was a trip to obtain a yànko sapling so the Fengdao didn't have to trade with the Molemen. The trip went very well and they managed to purchase a yànko sapling which they brought back. Unfortunately it was dying when it returned to the isles so the biologists of Fengdao bred it with a native jungle tree in order to create a hard wood for boats and something that would grow in the hot and humid climate of Fengdao.

#### Fourth trip by Pha Sangksìng

The fourth trip was to recover more yànko saplings to make them more stable in the isles. However when the trip arrived at the Xiguà they found all the buildings destroyed and all the trees had been decimated. Scholars assume that the Molemen civilisation was destroyed by a large storm. This spelled the end for the Jade expeditions. No-one has ever returned to the Xiguà and it is not known if Molemen still live up there.

### The Golden expeditions

#### Aims

The aim of the Golden expeditions was to find what was known in Fengdao as "Nipīnwai" (高頂人)1, the men of the mountain. Rumour of this place had reached the isles through traders who spoke of men who lived in vast underground caverns of "Baohhàdi" (玟不帝)2. The Beiqeòi decided to send out explorers to find these people. The Beiqeòi wanted to establish trade with these people.

#### First trip by Lo Ping

The first golden expedition was a mission led by the gnome Lo Ping. Lo Ping came back successful stating a series of trips to the holds of "Baohhàdi". Unfortunately many of the notes from this trip were lost and not much is known of the journey. A few of his notes did survive and he gave directions to the next explorers: Feng Súlyì and Tìwai.

1Meaning: "people of the mountain, mountain dwellers"

2Meaning: corruption of "Bârag Dûhr"

#### Second trip by Feng Súlyì and Tìwai

Shortly before the assassination of Hē Sāng, Feng Súlyì and Tìwai set off to "Baohhàdi". This was the first well documented trip. Tìwai kept a daily diary and Feng documented every time they met people or remains of people. The expedition started with a trip to the Qágue (奇蠑)3 which was deserted. This came as a shock to Feng and Tìwai as they were expecting to trade for food before setting off west. Fortunately they found food and other supplies in the town. They then set off south west through the jungle.

 On day 2 however the arrived at the Tìfang (地疤)4. A large ravine in the middle of their path. They set up camp for the night and on the morning started preparing a ladder to cross the ravine. During the day they explored the river and found many water caves and water falls. On day 4 they arrived the foot of a mountain range, they crossed over the hills and arrived at a frozen lake. After quite a while zipping around on boats on the ice, they set up camp in a small cave where they spent the night. They named the mountain range the "fìko" (湖木)5. After spending 9 treacherous days crossing the mountains they set up a small camp. They had brought potatoes and carrots but Tìwai, being a mole could not eat meat so all of the food was given to her and Feng started killing the native sheep and roasting him. Whilst travelling they found a new type of wood "Nipīnko" (高頂木)6 and a new animal "Nimeo" (高貓)7. They then travelled across a large plain which they named "Fāicàjan "(海之薦)8 and they set up a small mole hut made from mud and some wood they had taken from the mountains. There they set up a small sheep farm and a wheat farm so they could stock up on food. On day 24, they finally arrived at the hold. During the return trip Feng nearly fell of a cliff but Tiwai saved him. Feng was therefore indebted to life to Tiwai.

3Meaning: corruption of what they first said "kya" and "gue" meaning lizard in Gusul

4Meaning: "land scar"

5Meaning: "lake place"

6Meaning: "mountain wood", "birch"

7Meaning: "large cat", "llama"

8Meaning: "sea of grass"