My Travels

**My Travels** (Cyanic: Lís D'i Awagastas) is a book and travelling guide co-written by Hiwas Masi and his sister Lisu Masi which documents the travels of the two across the planet.

## Plot

### Chapter I: Galak Sea region

Their travels begin as they leave the Aquelian settlement of Masnarril (now the city of Mazrili) in modern-day Matria. They call Masnarril their hometown and say the two are descended from a wealthy merchant family who helped establish the settlement about a century prior. They are descended from the Masi, hence their name.

The two describe Masnarril as a wealthy, diverse, and cultured city.

They then travel to Sirud, the capital of the thriving Aquelian state. A growing metropolis, they note the city for its thriving architecture and glory. They then sail to Mauveaum and Thist on the southern Galak Sea coast. They note the cities for their colorful architecture and notes rumors about many "giant flying gippers with fish-like skin.", although do little to substantiate these claims. They then sail westward to a city called Lanim, a fairly minor port city on the southern Nerdensburgian coast. They then sail to the island of Tiron, and write extensively on the native Elliksni population, whom the duo regard as being a fairly elusive, yet belligerent people who are also expert sailors. The two explain the elaborate Elliksni house system, which has been compared to a feudal or feudal-like system.

### **Chapter II: The Islands Region**

They then sail northward to the town of Thorley, in which Hiwas especially remarks that "The locals are very kind and egalitarian. They have no biases against ones inherited circumstances. It's very perplexing." Lisu additionally remarks "Although the people are good, the food was not."

After leaving Thorley, they buy a ticket to the city of Patail in Crestopolis. Patail is only a depot stop on the way to the city of Crestopolis, in which the two write about their excitement as their boat approaches the city. "The buildings are taller than anything I have ever seen, even taller than those in Sirud or Celliz!" They write extensively on the city, and broader Crestopolian society in general. They claim to have spent a year in the city, and define it as "Everything one could want in a place." They write a significant amount about Crestopolian society and theology, from a position of confusion but nonetheless admiration. They document their times in a Selenite temple and explain much about Selenism. They hold the Selenites in high regard; stating that the temple would give food and protection to all who came. Hiwas states:

"Their simultaneous non-linear, free-flowing interpretation of spirituality in tandem with their monotheistic beliefs are an odd combination, but syncretizes into a Faith that centers its focus on the adherents rather than their own god. They are a godly people who care little for gods. I doubt that come their demise; they will be looked favorably upon by the gods--however they may manifest themselves--but for now, they are happy."

Lisu notes that the priestly class were obsessed with a lapis colored substance that they claimed "freed them from the burdens of thought.", Lisu also notes an encounter with a Selenite priest named Seni, who offered her to consume some via smoke. Lisu accepted the priests offer and smoked the substance. She simply states "While using the substance, I never wanted to die more."

Their chapter on Crestopolis concludes with the two claiming the Crestopolians are perhaps the oddest and most foreign people they met on their travels, but nonetheless a fairly friendly and prosperous people.

## Reception and Influence

The book was widely influential on Cyanic and pre-Balderlinian culture. The book was spread widely throughout the Cyanic trade, and became especially popular in Crestopolis, it is theorized that the Crestopolian warlord, Balderlane, was influenced by the book. Garisonderlane, Balderlane's most favored general, famously remarked that "Aquelia wrote itself out of existence.", referring to the book and other literary works from the region forming a fantastical image of Aquelia, inspiring a particular inclination among the Crestopolian noble class to explore and subsequently colonize the region.