In the heart of the bustling city of Staregrad, Alvario Camdail, at the age of 34, paints a refreshing picture of youth, vigor, and beauty among his fellow academicians. Born to privilege, his sapphire eyes sparkle with the richness of the seas, his mind perpetually turning with a thirst that goes far beyond the classically cobbled streets of his home.
Yet he leaves it all behind - the sturdy stone of the monolithic family manor, the never-ending cascade of silver spoons, and the adoration of the Staregrad society. Alvario seeks a new order. An expedition awaits him, one to the mythical, the rumored, the dangerous and yet irresistibly appealing New Alantis.
Alvario's voyage is not for the faint hearted. Stepping off the wooden deck of the stout ship, he encounters wild, lush greenery, a stark contrast from Staregrad's nostalgic cobblestones. Brightly plumed birds screech at his invasion and venomous reptiles slide about their dark business.
Though fear gnaws at him occasionally, it's the fascination that wins him over every single time. Forests with fauna and flora so luminescent, it appears as if the very air glimmers; whispering, willowy water bodies that carry hints of old magical secrets; new species of flora that grow despite the darkness; and perplexing tribes, fierce in their presence, yet elusive as the moonlight.
However, the dangers of New Alantis are as unexpected as they are numerous. Creatures of venomous bite lurk: giant snakes, a myriad of insects, and ambiguous plants, poisonous yet alluring in their vibrant hues. Alvario now fights for survival against the unnerving unpredictability of the wild forces of nature.
Alvario records new species, collecting samples carefully, marking trees as he trudges ahead, creating pathways for those who will follow. His days are filled with relentless mental and physical labor, yet every night he falls asleep knowing he has ventured where none before him have dared.
His status among the local tribes changes from intruder to observer to participant. Alvario learns their dialects and partakes in their rituals and customs, casting aside Staregrad's finery for the mud-brushed badges of genuine acceptance.
Perhaps, the most riveting of all discoveries in Alvario's expedition to New Alantis is his own transformation. Fierce, determined and brimming with courage, he emerges, shedding the extravagance of his lavish past as easily as the tree sheds its old leaves.