Scour the Beaches

Now that his flag was done, Sellen set out to find resources for the vessel. He couldn't afford to buy much of the supplies, nor did he want to ruin the fun by getting a pre-built one. He knew eventually he'd need help from the local carpenters or something, but for now, he would look for good wood. Plenty of driftwood washed ashore throughout the year, Sellen figured he would start there before he thought about getting anything else.

In the early morning, the jeweled kanti stepped from his humble abode and treaded toward the shoreline. The beaches were easily accessible from Windan, the sand stretching along the coast for miles. Sellen was confident he would find something suitable. The wood was good and strong, enough for a vessel to sail the tropics. Mornings were cool and perfect for searching for what he needed, the calming waves keeping him company. For the first day, the kanti carefully hauled a few logs of driftwood to a safe spot. It was there he would gather everything, and work.

The second day, he found more wood, enough to satisfy him. Sellen dragged them to his secret spot and piled them on the previous pieces he had found. He'd then sit, watching the vast ocean before him. Lost in thought, he would juggle what he needed next in his mind. There was so much a ship needed to sail—would he be able to do it? Doubt washed over him for a good minute, Selling questioning if this was a good idea after all.

Sighing, he shook his head at the thought and gripped onto the idea of supplies. He needed nails and rope, at least. Something to chop the wood into shape. Sellen knew he was too inexperienced for such a task, so this is where he would need someone to help him. Carpenters perhaps? Did they even know how to build one? Were there not boatwrights? Windan was rich in the fishing industry, so why wouldn't there be?

More supplies first before he could search for someone to help build his little vessel. The wood was plenty, now he needed to weave a strong rope. Sellen stood, trotting off to a favorite spot of his where he knew he could get fibre.

Though... he wasn't quite sure how to get it safely or easily.

As the sun hung high into the sky—dangling from the zenith—Sellen found his first bit of fiber. A palm tree towered above him, hunched from the thick leaves and coconuts that grew from the top of the trunk. The kanti knew he could gather a ton of fibre needed from this single tree, but eventually, it would be out of reach for him the further up he pulled. For now, he would work his way through the bottom, carefully plucking the hair-like fibres from around the laced trunk. There wasn't as much fibre along the bottom as there was closer to the top. A shame, really. Sellen would meticulously pull everything he could though, piling the fibre to the side until he felt it was enough.

It was nighttime by the time he piled his rope material next to the wood. Exhaustion embraced him, forcing him to retreat to his home. And so he went.

Morning brought renewal to his sense of adventure. This day would be the easiest on his quest, he only needed nails from the smithy. Sellen would stop by the local café to grab his favorite breakfast. He was proud of himself for continuing on this venture, after all. A little treat never hurt anyone!

The smithy was a bit busy, but eventually, he was able to buy some nails in bulk. A bunch had been made beforehand, so Sellen did not have to wait. He took his parcel of nails and made his way back down to his secret spot. Everything was still in place where he had left it.

"That should do it," Sellen sighed, tossing the last of his supplies down. "Tomorrow, we build."