Explorer

Explorers, driven by an insatiable thirst for discovery, traverse the world, meticulously mapping every region. They uncover uncharted territories, expanding the cartographic knowledge utilized by travelers across the land. Their expeditions yield valuable insights into the local flora, fauna, climate, and inhabitants, enriching the Region Guide, an invaluable resource for adventurers, merchants, and explorers alike. Renowned for their courage, determination, and unwavering passion for exploration, these intrepid individuals play a crucial role in expanding the horizons of understanding across the diverse and often dangerous landscapes of Solaris.

Origins

The explorer tradition began with Captain Agremmon Tillen, whose voyages from the shores of Xhan Tarn established the first mapped sea routes and coastal territories. Tillen established formal exploration methodologies, emphasizing accurate documentation and careful observation that became the foundation of modern exploration. The tradition evolved significantly when Beastkin trackers from the Hinterfall Jungle developed systematic techniques for navigating dense wilderness, establishing safe routes through previously impenetrable terrain. The profession gained particular prominence following the discovery of Lunaris, when Kora Nightblade established the Pathfinders, a dedicated exploration organization tasked with mapping the moon's dangerous landscape. Today, the tradition continues to evolve as explorers venture into increasingly remote and dangerous regions, including other planets accessible through Builder Gateways.

Notable Locations

The Cartographers' Guild in Harbor City serves as the central repository for exploration knowledge on Solaris, where maps and journals from countless expeditions are archived and studied by aspiring explorers. Explorer's Landing on Lunaris represents the frontier of exploration, a base camp continuously expanded by Krauser's mechanoids that serves as the staging ground for expeditions into the Crimson Wilds. Pathfinder Point on Gorgonia stands as humanity's first outpost on that massive and dangerous world, protected by advanced defensive systems against the planet's formidable native life. In the Afterplane, a small contingent of Revenant explorers operate from Evermore Village, mapping the boundaries between realms and identifying points where they intersect with the material world.

Techniques and Specializations

Cartography forms the foundation of exploration, with specialists developing increasingly sophisticated methods for accurately recording and reproducing geographical features, from simple sketches to elaborate three-dimensional models using advanced materials. Wilderness survival focuses on techniques for remaining alive and functional in hostile environments, from extreme weather conditions to territories populated by dangerous creatures or plants. Cultural documentation specializes in observing and recording information about intelligent populations, requiring skills in communication, anthropology, and diplomatic interaction to gather accurate information without causing offense. Resource surveying involves identifying valuable materials and assessing their quantity and quality, a skill particularly valued by communities planning expansion or facing resource shortages.

Race Affinities

Beastkin make exceptional explorers, their heightened senses and natural connection to wildlife allowing them to perceive dangers and opportunities that others might miss in the wilderness territories of Solaris and beyond. Humans often excel as explorers, their adaptability and curiosity driving them to investigate unfamiliar environments with methodical thoroughness, particularly valued by the Pathfinders on Lunaris and Gorgonia. Revenant explorers utilize their unique position between life and death to explore the boundaries between realms, mapping the Afterplane and its connections to the material world with unparalleled accuracy. Vegonian explorers, though rare, possess unmatched stealth capabilities that make them ideal scouts in the dangerous terrain of the Kazarial Desert and other hostile environments.

Class Synergies

Hunters naturally gravitate toward exploration, their tracking skills and survival knowledge making them exceptional cartographers and guides through uncharted territories. Mages who pursue exploration often specialize in using divination magic to enhance their perceptive abilities, identifying hidden features and potential hazards with mystical insight. Warriors with exploration training excel at securing routes through hostile territory, combining combat prowess with environmental awareness to establish safe passages. Techknights who develop exploration skills create specialized equipment for surviving and documenting extreme environments, particularly valued on expeditions to other planets with conditions that challenge conventional survival techniques.

Magical Affinities

Nature magic enhances an explorer's ability to interact safely with flora and fauna, allowing communication with wildlife for information gathering and navigation assistance. Air magic aids in weather prediction and manipulation, helping explorers avoid dangerous conditions or create temporary safe zones in hostile environments. Water magic's divination aspects reveal hidden sources of potable water and safe river crossings, essential knowledge in unexplored territories. Shadow magic, though uncommon, allows specialized explorers to investigate dangerous areas with enhanced stealth capabilities, gathering critical intelligence while minimizing exposure to threats.

Tools of the Trade

Surveying instruments range from simple compasses and measuring chains to complex devices that calculate precise distances and elevations, essential for creating accurate maps of previously undocumented territories. Recording equipment includes specialized journals treated to resist environmental damage, quick-drying inks that won't smudge in adverse conditions, and portable sketch boards for field illustrations. Navigational tools assist in maintaining direction and position in unfamiliar terrain, from star charts to magnetic compasses to more exotic devices that track ley lines or other magical phenomena. Survival gear encompasses everything needed to remain alive in hostile environments, from weather-appropriate clothing to emergency shelters to medical supplies designed for field application. Communication devices, ranging from simple signal mirrors to enchanted messaging systems, allow expeditions to maintain contact with base camps and send emergency signals when necessary.