Porth Dochais
McCarwick read got off the Irish Ship , leaving behind the old world for a new life. He wasn't one of the orignal Dochais[1] settlers, but he was here to help them. He sought adventure and hope. All he brought with him was his knife, his gun, a compass, a paperpad and some ink. Thats all he'd need.
He had been sent by the king, along with several other specialists, to assist the colonies. He had studied in the Dublin Special Sciences College, specializing in Exploratory and Cartographic Arts. He knew most of the people who came, and they ranged from Administrators to Potato Farmers. The Heartland was in dire economic straits, so the king had authorized a mission to attempt to make the colony most self-sufficient food wise and so they could expand so more trade flowed through Irish Ports. They second part was McCarwicks job. He had been sent to lead an exploring expidition and map out the surrounding country side. He needed to settle in first and gather some settlers.
The colony itself was both beutiful and distressing. It was populated by Hardy Irishman, most of whom fished. The people all had a tired and determined look in their eyes. They looked like they needed a break. It was a good thing the government had sent along a brewer. But McCormick wasted no time, so he went looking for volunteers.
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1 month later
The expedition was finally ready. McCormick had gathered up a small milita to deal with any hostile Indians they met, some workers to help create a settlement when they reached the right spot, and a bunch of settlers who were promised large grants of land. Their were rumors of a bountiful River Valley, and a few people even claimed to have seen it. But the two scout groups McCormick had sent out never returned. None the less, thats the direction they were heading. They traveled for days, clearing paths and taking a winding route to map the region and scout the terrain. One couple had their baby run off to a place with 7 hills. They and a group of settlers saw this as a sign and settled the small village of UrRoimh[2]. But McCormick knew this was not the promised land. They wlaked for weeks, and as the group began to tire, they heard running water...
"Up ahead" Cried a woman
"Wawa" shouted a toddler
And like a stampede of Buffalo they charged through the remaining hills. THen suddenly, they reached a.....path.
"We should follow it" a burly man said, "We can take any savages"
"It doesn't seem we have much choice" McCormick said
And they continued down the winding path. And then they were overcome by the view when they exited the slightly forested region.
"Oh my" commented an overexcited lady. And that described it. It was a beautiful river valley[3]. It was lush and green and.....
"OH MY" a woman shreiked. Everyone turned to notice the 10 skulls sitting on 10 muskets dug into the ground. This was also when everyone noticed the small indian encampment by the river.
"Damnú air! Mallaigh!"[4] spat McCormick, "Those indian savages will rue the day they slaughtered by scouts!" McCormick gathered the Militia he had raised and went charging down towards the encampment screaming "Díoltas!!!!!!!"[5]. They opened fire on their hovels. They were no screams or charging savages. The Irishmen were very confused. They walked slowly into the Indian Village. In a circle were 2 people who had knives in their chests. They went inside the tents and found dead bodies strewn about. They had contracted small pox from the scouts. The group began cheering and whooping. The valley was theirs. The settlers joined the fracas. People were yelling about grain and other plant seeds they found in pottery. It was a miracle from God. They would settle down and later literally settle down and start building houses. The town was called Ursaol or "New Life" in Celtic. McCormick left to report back to the Colonial Governor his findings, and get his new assignment.
[1] Dochais is the name of the colony, and it means "hope"
[2] New Rome in Celtic
[3] OTL Chubut River Valley
[4]Celtic Curses
[5]"Revenge on you" or "Avenge them" that gist, in Celtic