The first true explorers of Nova Arcana were the native peoples of northern Atlantis (the Nordac). Upon hitting land, they created several small villages along the east coast of Iridia. These villages were located up to fifty miles inland, but lasted no longer than 150 years before the last settlers died out. Scientists belive a deadly epidemic occured around 230 A.C., and lasted some 30 years.
Terra was the first explorer to find and name a whole new continent. (The Nordic never did realise just what they had hit.) In 869 A.B., Terra left Qrolica, sailing south. He wasn't expected to find much of anything; the King barely gave him a ship to sail.
Terra proved his critics wrong, however. He soon hit a large land mass which he named 'Neo Terra,' naturally, after himself. Continuing on southward, he sailed around the cape at the continent's very tip, then northward along the coast, eventually making it back to Qrolica in 871 A.B. Upon his arrival back at home, Terra was given a royal reception. The King of Qrolica praised Terra for the fine items he brought back: Furs, minerals, plants, and exotic fruits. Terra was commisioned to sail again, in a year or two.
In 873 A.B., Terra left Qrolica again. But only a day after leaving, a feirce storm forced Terra to head west. Terra landed at what he named Corillia, after the current King's father, in late 873. Again, he took with him anmials, plants, furs, fruits and what ever else he could carry. Unlike his first trip, Terra didn't stay too long on Corillia; he returned to Qrolica later that same year to another warm reception.
James M'Nai may have only been a footnote in history had he not found something more than just a group of islands. When word of the two new land masses reached other area's of the known land, there were mixed reactions. James M'Nai of Kemano persuaded the King of Kemano to let him have a ship to find some of new lands. The King Agreed.
M'Nai left Kemano in 879 A.B.. He headed west, hoping to go south and hit Corillia. Instead, he hit the Emerald Islands. He claimed the land (which he soon discoverd to be many islands) for Kemano. He was just about to leave for home when some of his crew found these shiney green rocks in the ground.
Returning to Kemano, M'Nai carried with him several of the green rocks and presented them to the King. The King was so taken with the brilliant green gemstones, which M'Nai called 'emeralds,' that he wanted more. He sent M'Nai back to the newly named Emerald Islands the very next year to collect more of the stones, which had since become immensly valuble. He was rewarded with 5 Kg of the precious stones. (Some of M'Nai's crew pocketed large emeralds and took them back to Kemano. They got rich very quickly.) M'Nai was planning a third trip to the islands but died of an illness he cought on his second trip, shortly after arriving home, in 880.
Emeralds have become a national treasure in the Islands, and export is heavily restricted.
People in Zalia had heard the news of new lands as well. News like that travelled fast through the kingdoms of Atlantica. David Hedge took action. Having had the King of Zalia's ear for many years, he was given two ships and a sizable crew. Hedge was hoping to score some valuables himself. Hedge sailed north of Kemano to the very south eastern tip of Iridia. Here, he set up a settlement which would become permanent. He left, with no real valuables, and returned home in 880 A.B., dissappointed. He decided not to sail again.
