My world, A new view

Entering the world as a 9th child makes life difficult for you just as much as it does your parents and your siblings. I grew up out west, or more western on this continent than it seems most people do, out in the world of farming and working to put food on the table. However, when you have eight older siblings who have already found their way in the world, finding where you fit in becomes increasingly hard. Eventually it seems everything you can do, others have already done, and usually have done better. The only thing it seems one of my older siblings had not done by the time I was 19, was leave the town. Being a farming community, generally everyone was knit and other than move into another house after marriage to raise a new family, people did not leave. So that's what I did. As my twentieth birthday rolled around, I packed my bags and announced to my tired parents that I was leaving for an adventure and would try to write to them on occasion. I boarded a train headed for the east, land of those looking to make something of themselves. Only two of my siblings, my two sisters showed up to see me off.

But enough about me. Let me share a little of this world, so that you can understand a little about what happens, in case you are unfamiliar with this world. The continent we live on is large, large enough we're not sure just how large it actually is. But it has a cold north, a warm south, and varied east and west. Traveling across it takes a few months by train. We're surrounded by an ocean. The ever sought after beaches are limited, there being only about three known, and two were made by hand. The rest of the "shore" is large cliffs that looking down over often makes people who do quite dizzy. Floating crafts, or boats as some people know them by, are also a rare commodity since there is very few places to launch them from. One hand made beach uses a dock to launch ships to catch the sea-treat often named fish. But catching them is hazardous. The oceans are always terribly deep and often hide various hideous creatures, some rumored to swallow ships whole. Speaking of hideous creatures, this world is infested with them. These Draconik creatures can be anything from small serpents with legs to giant mountain-sized horrors (if the tales are true) that live for thousands of years. There is even some tales by the oldest of old adventurers that say some of the creatures can look like humans, with a few Draconik traits. But that's just the stories.

So, to combat these monsters, few people stray from the continent other than the bravest of the brave. And with the cliff edges surrounding the land, most travel by steamship, or Airships as those who fly them call the massive blimp creations that keep them flying. These floating towers and boats often run off steam or coal, seen pouring out fluffy clouds of black or white in a trail behind them. Yet, they're expensive to make, often only given to those who have the funds to build one, meaning most become tools for trade and creating a new branching market. This is where my story, and adventure begins. Gotta run! Pulling into Transdor in a minute or two. From there, I'll see where life takes me! Chaoi!

Goodbye Home, Hello World

I dedicate this journal to firstly my Mother who gave it to me to keep a record of my adventures throughout the following years. Should this be lost, the address of my parents is on the back and I would give my final wish to have it be returns to them. Secondly, I dedicate this to all of the friends, and yes even foes, I make in the next few years. I know they will shape my life just as much as I will aid in shaping there's. "May the foes be few and the friends be many" my Mom would say any time I went off on an adventure. Well, this is my biggest adventure yet. And I share it with you, my reader or readers. At least I hope someone is reading this rather than it sitting in some Dragnock's third stomach.

Well, I'll try to keep it positive from here on out. On the train at the moment and decided to take a few minutes after watching some impressive mountains fly by to write a bit about myself. I'm probably similar to many young men starting into the world to make their mark.

My name is Jake Ariestone.