Expeditionary Log
Day 45-

I almost regret having left. It seems the ocean hasn’t calmed down at all. Obviously our observations of the seemingly calm ocean back at N’Eden (this is how most people pronounce New Eden—NEDEN) were very limited. On day 3, we figured out that our town is actually located within a Bay; a rather large one at that. This explains the wave-less waters we had originally based our expedition upon. On day 12, we were struck by an unrelenting storm of an unreasonably chaotic nature. One of our sails was ripped away and thrown into the abyss below. Luckily, we had prepared 3 more sails for such an event. From now on, we will take our sails down at any slightest sign of a storm.

The luxuries (only by today’s standards) of N’Eden shelter us from the realities of what actually happened 30 years ago. Yesterday was a major wake-up call for us. I awoke to the sound of clamor on deck. I rose quickly. As I reached the upper deck, I discovered the most unusual thing I have ever seen. It seems that the atrocities of the past did a number on our heavens. The skies in this area of the planet blaze a brilliant orange-red. I don’t mean a nice earthly neutral shade,either. I mean a bright almost neon shade. Another peculiarity we have noticed is that the sky maintains its state 24 hours a day. We can no longer tell the difference between day and night. To make matters worse, I fear that there is a soft spot in the ozone above us, and I have advised any men that can to limit their time above deck.

While I was on lookout this afternoon (what I assume was the afternoon), a great ecstasy came over me as I witnessed what appeared to be a large flock of birds in the distance. It was so far away that I could not be sure, however. It moved much like a swarm of bees, to and fro with a mind of it’s own, like a large mass with no individual players. This would most certainly indicate a close proximity to land, but more importantly – Livable land conditions! Unfortunately, no other person witnessed the event. As I called the other lookout to verify, the already distant mass could not be distinguished from the crimson cumulonimbus clouds amidst the scarred heavens. Many of the others doubt such a thing having happened. I’ll not count my chickens, however; One day we will reach land, be it tomorrow, or 5 months from now. What waits for us, no man can say.

So far, we have lost 13 men to starv…[THIS RATHER LARGE PART OF THE TEXT IS ILLEGIBLE, AS IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN BLED BY WATER EXPOSURE]..ve mercy on our weary souls.