A New Perspective of the Far Off Future

Journal of Pler-son,

East Africa, the Crossroads Roost of the south-western coast

3rd day of Autumn

I am a civil crested cuckoo shrike, born of the Crossroads Roost. And this is the journal of my expedition, written by the Tungra, Krull. Though acquired near the Crossroads Roost, she is a trader born of the Peninsula Roost who has generously agreed to accompany me on this expedition along with her wife, Trite, and two other Tungra, Jrola and Retch, meant to be protection. 

Jrola and Retch are both from the Crossroads Roost with Jrola being a young female of dispersal age... But thankfully Retch is an older male, hopefully his experience can make up for Jrola's reckless youth. I wish I could've found more willing to join, but unfortunately not many Tungra are interested in a journey that is probably to last months, if not years. And I was also worried about being able to provide for all my companions. It was either pack more food and supplies or spend the rest of our lives on this trip. 

This expedition was requested by the common morta of the fishing clan off the western coast of East Africa by its southern-most tip. They were looking for a crested cuckoo shrike willing to leave their territory and journey around the world, recording all they saw of the natural world on land. And I've been told that though many crested cuckoo shrikes were interested, not many were willing to leave their territory behind to probably never return.

I will probably be shunned when (or if) I should come back. For those that don't know, most crested cuckoo shrikes despise those individuals that forego their own territory to travel around in search of their own new knowledge of the natural world. Though when I return I will find my new territory again, most of my peers will probably still fear I'm one of these wanderers. 

But this peculiar request was made by a friend of mine, common morta of course. And so for him, I choose to go. Beside, what crested cuckoo shrike wouldn't want to travel the world in such a way, to explore and gain knowledge of so many different kinds of animals out there. 

Our first stop is to the eastern coast of Africa. I will be going to the original homeland of the crested cuckoo shrikes where I am sure to see my wild brethren. The vessel that will take us there will be the common morta themselves. My Tungra companions are nervous about such transportation, but I myself am excited. I have never rode a common morta before, it usually not being allowed by them. But they have decided to make an exception in favor of getting us to our destination even faster. In a few days time, I should be setting foot on Africa...