[Phase 5] Harmonia Exploration Party (Northern Seas)

[Vextor]

Having heard of an island to the north, two Haromonain exploration parties have been organized by Harmonian authorities. The first party composed of Adversary, Chikei, and FF9, while the other composed of Joe x, CallMeChris, and ChEe. Leading massive fleets with 24000 soldiers, the Harmonians were determined to find and colonize new territory.

Having left Haagru well before Falena started their siege, the exploration party headed north into uncharted waters. As they went north, the climate became colder and the sea became choppier. The winds became stronger, to the point that ships had to furl the main sails to keep the ships from capsizing. Two ships met their unfortunate end in the extreme clime, resulting in 1200 soldiers under FF9 sinking to their watery grave. Chikei and GhEe's mages managed to protect the rest of the fleet using wind magic to calm down the winds.

After two weeks in the sea, the men were doing relatively well, thanks to Harmonia's advanced navigational technologies and medicine. Finally the party spotted land in the distance--a rocky mass jutting out from the frigid ocean. The top of these mountains were covered with snow; the whole scene sending shivers down the men's spines.

As the party searched for a suitable landing site, they were surprised to find a harbor. The exploration party gave a hailing call through their massive horns, but no reply came back. Watchmen reported that the port seemed to be abandoned. Seeing that they have no reason not to, the exploration parties docked into the harbor, sending out a detatchment to explore the town led by Adversary. The town had all indications of having been lived-in until recently--in fact, very recently. Houses were made of hewn stone, and stalls for selling produce were strewn in what appeared to be the town square. One of Adversary's men found vegetables rotting in a stall. Another soldier who checked one of the houses found a fireplace that seemed to have died out recently. All they found out was that this town is named "Malinsulo,"

Not having found a single soul, Adversary returned to inform that things were "all clear." The exploration parties disembarked eagerly, setting up camp quickly and efficiently.
While they were getting comfortable, a native was found outside of the town. Dressed in a wool coat and sporting a beard, the man who identified himself as Adler spoke an ancient Harmonian dialect. Apparently these were people who were conquered by Haromonia long ago, but forgotten during the ages. Adler said that a terrible horror has claimed the people of Malinsulo while he was away on a hunting trip with some other men. Monsters in the form of shadows came and abducted the villagers to a nearby mountain, supposedly so they can use their body to "materialize" themselves.

Hearing this story, the exploration party of Joe x, CallMeChris, and GhEe broke off from the rest to rescue the villagers from these beings. A well-used path out of Malinsulo led to a mountain that housed a quarry. After a few days of travel on the mountain path, the exploration party arrived at the quarry. To their shock and horror, they saw numerous bodies strewn about--above each of them hobered a black mist-like thing. As the Harmonians wondred what must be done, the the black mists started to move towards the Harmonians, gradually transforming into a vaguely humanoid form with glowing red eyes. As soldiers prepared for battle, they realized some of their men stared to convulse and fall to the ground.

"Avoid their gaze!" GhEe warned as he realized that these were what was called "Assassin Shadows," before they took on human form. Originally from the World of Emptiness, they had to find a host body before gaining material presence within this world. Meanwhile, Harmonian soldiers noticed that their weapons were no good against these beings, forcing the party to retreat. Fortunately, the shadows did not pursue them, but a total of 1000 soldiers each from Joe x and CallMeChris' regiment was lost in the conflict.

After returning, GhEh and Chikei discussed the problem, and came to the conclusion that living beings will be unable to approach them until the shadow assassins take physical form. By that time, the villagers would not be able to be saved. The two decided they would have to report on this at Crystal Valley before they can do anything about this.

The Expedition was a Success! (Well, sorta)

Note: Harmonia gains one new region, while finding another one which they fail to capture (and will remain "Unoccupied").

[Axiose]

Will this island that was not captured and is now "Unoccupied" act in the same was as Silver Pirate's Island did, i.e., first come first served?
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[Axiose] [Fliktor]

[Vextor]

Yes, anyone can attack it. However, Gizarro Ventego has no port, and can only be reached from Malinsulo, which will make it impossible for attack by anyone other than Harmonia at the moment.