ship research

[Mortica]

(( from Villayna's journal ))

2-March

Yesterday I was finally able to begin the research project that the Keeper tasked us with several weeks ago.  I flew around the region capturing images for further research, along with the following notes.



The ship of flames is strung across the walls of the canyon by what appears to be vrykul means.  Giant chains are attached to both the walls of the canyon:


and to the ship itself:




This canyon appears to be the primary shipping lane for Utgarde Keep and the surrounding vrykul establishments of Nifflevar, Gjalebron, and Skorn, as well as the Alliance encampments of Valgarde and Fort Wildervar.



My initial speculation is the ship was placed there by the vrykul to scare off enemies that might attempt an attack upon the Keep via water.

Further research required:  Vyrkul enemies?  Are the clans I have seen in various parts of Northrend at war with each other?  Do the markings on the canyon wall devices holding the ship up have meaning?  Have I seen those marking in other Vyrkul encampments?

Further research required:  The ship itself.  I believe I have seen Alliance ships of this make before, but I fear I do not have an eye for such things.  I now have an etching and need to compare to ships found in other places.  It appears to my limited experience to be too well made and intricate to be Vyrkul, but I am not certain.

Further research required:  I have seen other primitives (the ogres come to mind) that put up territorial markers with the skins of enemies.  Perhaps this is related?  Perhaps a more thorough understanding of Vyrkul mythology is required to see if ships have significance to them.  I know that one of the clans in particular seem to be more at ease on water than land.

As a side-note, there is a large cavern with two exits underneath Nifflevar.  I landed and searched the area but any vyrkul or man-made structures had been torched.



As I was leaving, a ship of unknown origins entered the cavern.  It appeared Alliance in manufacture, but again, I do not know much about ships.  I was able to take a picture of it just as it disappeared:



Further research required: Is this alliance?  If it is, why would it be entering a cavern that is on the opposite side of the canyon from Valgarde?



The other images I took while I was there:  Long distance views of the ship from both the north and south directions.  The ship is prominant and easily seen from far away, again making me think that it is a flag of warning to enemies.






(( I am open to collaborating with someone ingame about this.  I don't have any specific plans on where to lead my investigation, so I'm open if someone wants to do something fun with it ))

[Mordria]

(( Ive been playing around with this also, if its stepping on your toes let me know XD ))


Dear Villayna,

  I noticed your etchings and found them very interesting. I also have a few theories of my own. Perhaps we could get together and compare notes? You could then relay our findings to the Keeper since I have no intention of ever speaking to him again.

Regards,

Mordria Morningstar

[Mortica]

Mordria,

I would love to talk with someone about this project.  Perhaps we can get together sometime in the next couple of days?

--Villayna

[Mortica]

20-March

The two shields found on the ship are found throughout vrykul territories.  The one is likely for the red protodragons they sometimes tame.  The other, a fabled leader, most likely, someone who will return.

The ship is from the south.  Standard design.  Most likely alliance. 

Mythology? Why?

There is a Vrykul burial ground not far from the ship, where the dead are restless and malevolent spirits of this warlike people look for ways to act out their aggression.  There are stone pillars for each grave.  Some of them have been excavated by treasure seekers.  Most are now dead and/or deranged, cursed forever for disturbing these dead.

Ships are a theme there, along with liberal placement of the two symbolic shields.  The entrance to this area has crossed vrykul ship figure heads:



Direct attempts to communicate with the dead proved unsuccessful, so I had to find an indirect method.

I visited Lok'lira in Brunnhilder Village and was able to get her to give me her glamour, though she warned it would not last long so far away from her.




I approached the shade of Fengir first.



"The Kvaldir have returned...but no you are not one of them.  I smell magic on you...what do you want, Witch?"

"A burning ship, below a bridge, above the water, what meaning does this have?"

The shade growled at me.  "A ship, burning? One of ours?"

I shook my head, "No, invaders' ship."

"Then let it burn, forever, and leave me in my disgrace."

He wouldn't talk to me further, so I questioned Rodin next.  He stood above his excavated corpse, channeling phantom lightning.



"A burning ship, below a bridge, above the water, what meaning does this have, Rodin?"

"We will have our revenge.  The mists...the mists will come and then the world will be ours as promised."  He didn't pause his channeling, and he spoke nothing further.

Isuldof Iceheart was a bit more helpful.



"Your bear sleeps, and waits, why do you not sleep?" I asked of him.

He laughed.  "I wait, who will guide them when they arrive?  I will.  Isuldof Iceheart.  Korf will awaken.  Every Vrykul buried here will awake at the appointed time.  They will come, and they will lead us to victory.  Why are their fires above our tombs?  To light their way, even on the darkest night."

"A burning ship, below a bridge, above the water, what meaning does this have?" I asked him the same question I had asked the others.

"To light their way, even on the darkest night," he said, and said no more to me.

The last sentinel was one called Windan.  This one channeled phantom waves.



"A burning ship, below a bridge, above the water, what meaning does this have?"

He continued to channel, without a glance in my direction.

"Doom, for you, little one.  Your disguise does not fool me.  The Kvaldir will return.  They will find us, and we will destroy you.  The ship is a warning, a beacon, a promise."


I will report my findings to the Keeper.