Report: Emergency Landing in Thunderhead Peaks
Knight-Lieutenant Lance Ridgemount
73 Phoenix 1332 AE
The Ministry Guard’s traveling contingent made the journey to Thunderhead Peaks aboard the Jacaranda, the airship supplied by the Vabbian Forum. Other passengers included members of the Rurikton Roses along with their Refuge Defense Force, as well as many additional solo travelers.
After an otherwise uneventful voyage, the airship ran into extreme turbulence while making its final approach into Thunderhead Peaks. The ship’s heading took it straight through a heavy brandstorm. The barrage of lightning strikes and chaotic air currents forced the aircraft into a reckless descent. Despite the best efforts of the captain at the helm, it was impossible to navigate back out of the storm or to anchor in a controlled hovering position for safe disembarkation.
It is currently unclear if the brandstorm was an unavoidable obstacle, or if the ship’s disastrous heading was a result of negligence on the part of the crew. Further investigation would be advised.
Consequently, the captain was forced to bring the ship down into a relatively untouched expanse of snow drifts for an emergency landing. Though the force of the impact was not insignificant, there were no fatalities or serious injuries reported. Significant loss of life was avoided thanks to the careful piloting of the ship’s captain (along with the efforts of several mesmers and elementalists in the main cabin who protected the passengers with barrier spells.)
An immediate evacuation of the ship was ordered, and a comprehensive sweep of the decks and cabins was performed to ensure everyone got out safely.
The landing was executed in close proximity to the settlement established by the Zephyrite Order. Prompt and purposeful efforts were made by the guards to herd all the rattled passengers into the warm shelter that the hosts provided.
The Vigil were on the scene to immediately assist with unloading all the supplies aboard the grounded vessel. Once all the wounded were safely situated within the sheltered areas, the Ministry Guard returned to work alongside the Vigil to transport the supplies to the main settlement.
During that time, we learned that Knight-Lieutenant Calvin Barkley had disappeared sometime during the crash. Search parties were formed immediately, but struggled to turn up results in the dark, snowy landscape. Despite those failures, Barklay turned up on his own the following morning, almost completely uninjured.
Individual Reports regarding the Ministry Guard personnel in attendance:
Lord Commander Visar Nezam was located in one of the passenger cabins below deck at the time of the impact. He sustained only a minor superficial injury to his jaw, assisted with the evacuation and helped keep the other passengers calm during the trek to shelter.
Knight-Captain Rosalynd Havashem was in the main cabin at the time of the impact. She sustained no major injuries and assisted with the evacuation efforts.
Knight Calvin Barklay was not on the airship at the time of the impact. He was ejected from the deck sometime before the landing was made, unable to get back inside the main cabin during the turbulent descent. Miraculously, he landed safely in the deep powder and turned up the following morning almost entirely unscathed. A small superficial wound on his cheek was the only damage he sustained.
I, Knight-Lieutenant Lance Ridgemount, was in the main cabin at the time of the impact. I sustained no injuries, and helped oversee the evacuation efforts in the immediate aftermath of the landing.
Officer Ruza Lorne was in the main cabin at the time of the impact and sustained no injuries. Her use of elemental defensive magic was instrumental in ensuring the safety of many of the other passengers. Her tireless efforts were exemplary in the aftermath of the landing (both in shepherding the confused passengers and unloading the ship afterwards.) Additionally, she was diligently committed to finding Knight-Lieutenant Barklay in the search parties that followed the unloading process.
Officer Laila Dylane was in the main cabin at the time of the impact and sustained no injuries. She was diligent and proactive during the evacuation and unloading process. Respectfully offered suggestions in a time of nebulous confusion were helpful in getting everyone safely settled.
Officer Zayn Salis was stationed in the cargo hold below deck at the time of the impact. He sustained a gash on his forehead, as well as a minor concussion. He was evacuated safely and cleared for active duty the following day.
Squire Janna Chastain was located in one of the passenger cabins below deck at the time of the impact. She sustained no major injuries and provided helpful assistance during the evacuation, unloading, and search party.