This City Journal will document the birth and growth of a new region.  Initially, our story will focus on a small group of shipwreck survivors who are forced to improvise, adapt, and overcome (thank you Bear Grylls) or die.  Later we will see other settlers move in and settle in the region.  Will they come in peace?  Or are they bent on conquest?  Only time will tell.  However, before we can see where we are going, we must look at where we’ve been, so that we can understand where we are.

If you feel so inclined, pop some corn and grab your favorite beverage of choice, then settle in and join me for a tale of adventure, intrigue, and perseverance.  I'll wait.

All set?  Good.  Let's begin where it seems most logical:

The Beginning

The year was SC 00, a small band of Viking raiders led by Guos Gipt af Víf* was 18 months into an expedition for fortune and glory when they discovered a narrow peninsula that was not marked on any of their charts. Intrigued by this discovery, the order was given to alter course so a small landing party could go ashore and scout the area.  It was agreed that exploration would not last longer than three days because there wet no signs that the land was inhabited at all.  The landing vessel was lowered and the scout party was away.  When they returned after the appointed three days, they reported that the land was a vast wilderness with no trace of civilization.  Since you cannot gain fortune or glory from a forest, it was decided to shove off and continue their quest.

After nearly four months had passed, there was still no sign of the land filled with treasures they had hoped to find and the crew was becoming increasingly restless.  It was proposed that they return to the uncharted land and explore it further, in case there might still be fortune and glory in their futures.  It was put to a vote and all agreed that it should be done, so the course was set and they were on their way.

However, as they neared the uncharted land they encountered several large sea creatures.  These creatures were quite large, white skinned, and had long spikes of bone extending from their heads.  The men were frightened and tried to scare the creatures away.  Unfortunately, they only succeeded in provoking the creatures into attack.  The sea beasts battered the ship with their heavy spikes causing much damage.  The attack was viscous, but brief, and the creatures soon lost interest and swam away.  Our intrepid Captain began barking orders to make for the shore as quickly as could be done.  Everyone not on rowing duty was ordered to throw overboard everything they could to lighten the rapidly sinking ship.  These actions only prolonged the inevitable, but gave the crew the precious time they needed.  They did not reach the shore, but as the ship sank from under their feet they were within swimming distance of the beach.  

Wet, cold, and alone, our adventurers stood on the sands of an unknown land.  Their ship was gone, so there was no returning home.  Their supplies were lost, or soaked and adrift, so they had little to work with.  They did have a vast expanse of unknown at their backs, so it was time to knuckle down and dig in for the winter.  Survival was not guaranteed, but they were not of the mindset to give up.

*Old Norse for God's Gift to Wife (No narcissism, just wordplay on the meaning of my name and an inside joke.  Ok, perhaps a little narcissism.)