Kalani Moilan

Kalani Rikaar-Hemilä Moilan III (9 February 1870 – c. 4 April 1920) was a Myrish polar explorer, navigator, and professor. He was the first individual to officially set foot on the geographic North Pole and the first to fully traverse the northeast passage to Koranel. Moilan was one of many figures to take part in the race for the north pole in 1908.

Born in Päätsu, Viinkeland (modern-day Republic of Énqusqó), Moilan began his career as a first mate aboard the MRS Itoviina alongside explorer and captain Simas Mäkėlätila during an 1889 global. From 1893 to 1888, Moilan led the first expedition to successfully sail through the Northeast Passage. In 1906, Moilan began planning for his North Pole expedition. He left Gladomyr in March 1908 on the ship Minea and reached The Vorghys in May 1908. His party of seven successfully established a camp at Onerva Bay in the recently claimed Myrish Arctic Territories. The team also set up a series of supply depots on their route before setting out for the pole in June 1908. Led by Moilan, the party became the first to successfully reach the North Pole on 8 July 1908.

While living on a camp on King Petiland in 1920, Moilan grew desperately ill and required emergency transport back to mainland Gladomyr. Moilan was loaded onto the MRS Jars on April 4, but the ship and Moilan were never seen again, presumably getting lost or sinking at some point in its journey.

Early Life
Moilan was born to Myrish parents in Päätsu, Viinkeland (modern-day Republic of Énqusqó) on 9 February, 1870. Born to an upper-class Myrish family, the Moilan family owned numerous estates all across Viinkeland and held some of the largest corporations on the peninsula. Moilan's grandfather, Kalani Moilan I, founded the Viinkeland Gold Company (VGC), which took advantage of the plentiful gold mines near the city of Päätsu. The VGC was among the top 3 gold exporters in the entire Myrish realm and therefore wrought immense wealth. The family's earnings allowed Moilan to attend the esteemed Helmiina Private School from ages 4-18. In his time in the Helmiina Private School, Moilan acquired an interest in geography and maritime exploration. Moilan frequently took vacations back to mainland Gladomyr and Myrish Koranel during school breaks which further grew his interest in the world. On a certain trip to Merser, Gladomyr, Moilan experienced his first snowfall, which piqued his interest in other winterly weather, as opposed to his home in Viinkeland which barely had seasons.

At the age of 18, Moilan embarked on his first solo boat journey, where he sailed a small to Myrish Naou in Naou Coili. While at the port in Naou Tahimi, Moilan met Myr Simas Mäkėlätila---a polar explorer. At that time, polar exploration was still in its infancy, with the first navigation through the !Northwest Passage having only been successfully completed just a few decades previous. Mäkėlätila, impressed with the teenager's resolve, invited Moilan to accompany him as first mate in his upcoming in 1889. Moilan agreed, and the pair began preparations for the voyage. Moilan's only maritime experience was on small schooners, which meant Moilan required training on the much larger vessel MRS Itoviina. After many months of training, however, Moilan was ready for the circumnavigation attempt in 1889.

Mäkėlätila's circumnavigation, which was an attempt for the record fastest time, set off in June of 1889 from the port in Nü Denkev. The journey consisted of 4 stops: Asue, Yuchvan; Ornpyat, Gemurtrak; Slodos Seymi, Vircazihm; and Masabea, Poroma. The ship finally returned to Nü Denkevon May 18, 1891. Though the attempt was a failure at setting the record time, Moilan gained a massive amount of experience from the voyage, and he felt competent enough to become a captain of his own. In November of 1891, Moilan earned his captains license. In October of 1892, Moilan put together a crew of 5 for his first arctic expedition aboard the MRS Niemelä, a -rigged that was built in 1884 in Ecoralia.

1892 Niemelä Expedition
Moilan and his crew of 5---mostly hailing from Ecoralia with one from Ventora---set off from Hasä, Gladomyr on November 1, 1892. The date of the venture was especially risky, as it would be the first overwinter arctic expedition in history if successful. 7 weeks into the journey, while sailing north of the Ecoralian Peninsula, Moilan reported spotted numerous undocumented mountains on the horizon. The area they were sailing in, colloquially called "Dead Man's Valley", was infamously difficult to traverse, thus leaving numerous islands to be discovered. Moilan redirected the ship to sail towards the mountains, and landed on the island of Van der Rietland (named after first mate Jan-Douwe van der Riet) on December 19. Making a makeshift shelter for the night, the Niemelä set off once again in the morning as Moilan documented the numerous arctic isles of the archipelago he dubbed after himself, the Moilan Archipelago (later renamed to the Moulijn Archipelago).

Moilan claimed the archipelago for the Myrish Empire and planned on sailing back to the Ecoralian Peninsula, but were caught in an unforeseen storm. Visibility became treacherous, and Moilan was forced to redirect the Niemelä to the nearest islet. By coincidence, the ship was quite close to the remains of their previous makeshift camp on Van der Rietland. While en route to the island, whether by accident or fatal flaw in the ship itself, the Niemelä became stuck in the sea ice in Andries Bay, west of Van der Rietland. Having dumped supplies during the storm, the crew were forced to endure the remainder of the winter, for which they were ill prepared, on the sea ice in Andries Bay.

Fortunately, the crew was saved from the potential of thanks to the doctor for the expedition, the Ecorlander Mert Drogt. Drogt hunted for animals and fed the crew fresh meat. When citrus intake was lacking, uncooked meat–particularly –from animals contained enough of the vitamin to prevent scurvy and even treat it in some cases. This was an important lesson for Moilan's future expeditions. The ship would inevitably become unstuck in March of 1893, allowing all 5 crew members to escape and survive the ordeal.

1893 Northeast passage expedition
After returning to Gladomyr and announcing his discoveries, Moilan gained widespread popularity across the kingdom and abroad. Moilan's leadership in the times of tribulation and his resolution to explore garnered the attention of the Myrish throne, who commissioned the young man to explore and document the !Northeast Passage in an attempt to find a quicker way to the Myrish holdings in Vatupaya. Wasting no time, Moilan accepted the commission and gathered a new crew to explore the passage. The new crew consisted of 7 men including Moilan: 4 Myrs, 1 Ecorlander, 1 Koranelan, and 1 Ventoran. After a very brief planning period, Moilan and his crew embarked on the journey on June 12, 1893 aboard the MRS Sirel.

Moilan diverted his course temporarily to further explore the Moulijn Archipelago after he believed to have seen another island on his return venture from his previous arctic expedition. Upon reaching the supposed location of the island, Moilan came across Merilin Island—naming the island after his mother. In the same day, Moilan also discovered the much larger King Petiland and its respective isles, all part of the same Moulijn Archipelago. Satisfied with his discoveries and claiming the islands for the Myrish throne, Moilan continued his voyage to the Northeast Passage.

Moilan would document numerous isles and mountains upon his trek, and set the stage for numerous other polar explorers to follow in his footsteps to help map the Vorghys. Moilan would controversially not claim any of the islands under the Myrish throne, instead leaving them unclaimed as he passed them. While en route, the Sirel would face extensive damages to the hull following very rough seas which required repairing. Moilan would eventually clear the Northeast Passage and land in Bellard, Koranel on December 18, 1895. The successful venture only helped cement Moilan's reputation as a competent explorer and commander.

1908 North Pole race
Moilan's next expedition was to be his magnum opus, that being the expedition to the geographic north pole, a feat no individual had accomplished before. This ambitious undertaking required meticulous planning, which Moilan began shortly after his return to Gladomyr from his successful Northeast Passage expedition in 1896. He crafted a comprehensive plan that encompassed various aspects, including the necessary provisions, the selection of a home base at Onerva Bay, the formation of his crew, the establishment of supply depots along the route, and the method of traversing the desolate ice sheet towards the pole. However, despite years of careful planning, Moilan's strategy was leaked to the general populace, inciting a flurry of interest among other explorers who aspired to reach the North Pole. Adventurers from countries such as Riyata, Salia, Gemurtrak, Edury, Ecoralia, and more were inspired to challenge themselves in this endeavor. Faced with newfound competition, Moilan had to redouble his efforts to finalize his plans and secure his position as the first to reach the pole.

On March 29, 1908, Moilan departed Gladomyr for The Vorghys aboard the ship Minea, surpassing the estimated departure date by two months. Accompanied by a team of seven skilled individuals, Moilan arrived at Onerva Bay on May 12, 1908, wasting no time in establishing a mission base of operations within the recently claimed Myrish Arctic Territories. Aware of the potential challenges ahead, the team also established a series of supply depots along the route to mitigate any issues with provisions. As the date approached for the commencement of their arduous journey, the pressure mounted with the arrival of other explorers from around the world at Onerva Bay. At 06:00 on June 13, Moilan and his team set out, managing to depart an hour earlier than the second earliest team, the Salians. Over the course of the following hours, a total of fifteen different expeditions began their respective quests to reach the pole, each vying to outpace the others.

During the initial week, Moilan maintained a steady lead; however, he was soon overtaken by the Eduran team. Determined to regain his position, Moilan urged his team to minimize breaks and push themselves further, ultimately catching up and running directly into the Eduran team several days later. Displaying compassion amidst the competitive environment, Moilan even provided medical aid to an injured Eduran explorer before resuming his journey, once again taking the lead.

Under Moilan's leadership, the team finally achieved the historic milestone on July 8, 1908, of becoming the first to successfully reach the North Pole, beating the other teams by a wide margin. They planted the Myrish flag at the pole and established a base camp, claiming their achievement. Following Moilan's team, the Riyatic, Salian, Trakian, and Eduran teams, among others, arrived at the pole in the subsequent hours and days. In total, representatives from eleven countries successfully reached the pole.

Although triumphant, Moilan's team encountered a tragic turn of events on their return journey to Onerva Bay. They encountered a severe storm, resulting in the unfortunate loss of Marius Osterholt, one of Moilan's team members. Despite this sorrowful setback, Moilan persevered, leading his team back to Onerva Bay one month later. Their return to Gladomyr was met with great acclaim and celebration, recognizing the remarkable achievement of reaching the North Pole. Moilan would be knighted for his achievement in Gladomyr's name, and his expedition still stands as a testament to his meticulous planning, leadership, and determination. The successful completion of the historic expedition paved the way for further exploration and expanded our understanding of the polar regions.

Disappearance
In 1920, while staying at an arctic base on King Petiland, Moiland was stricken with a severe illness. Moilan's condition deteriorated rapidly, necessitating immediate medical attention beyond the resources available on the island. With great urgency, arrangements were made to transport him back to mainland Gladomyr for proper medical care. On April 4, Moilan was carefully loaded onto the MRS Jars, a vessel selected to facilitate his transfer. The ship embarked on its journey with Moilan aboard, as well as a glimmer of hope that he would receive the treatment he urgently required. However, fate dealt an unfortunate blow as the MRS Jars encountered unforeseen circumstances during its voyage, leading to its mysterious disappearance along with Moilan.

The details surrounding the exact fate of the MRS Jars and its esteemed passenger remain shrouded in uncertainty. The absence of any subsequent sightings or reliable information has fueled speculation and conjecture regarding the ship's tragic fate. It is widely believed that the vessel either succumbed to the treacherous elements at sea or became disoriented, leading to its eventual sinking or loss.

Personal life
Moilan moved to Merser in his adulthood, but frequently visited his family at home in Viinkeland. In 1897, Moilan married his wife Sünne Moilan, and subsequently had two children, Maja and Iiver Moilan. In addition to his notable expeditions and achievements in exploration, Moilan also led a personal life that extended beyond his adventurous pursuits. When not engaged in expeditions or planning future journeys, Moilan found fulfillment in his academic endeavors. Driven by intellectual curiosity, Moilan pursued higher education and eventually attained a distinguished position as a professor at the University of East Merser. As an educator, Moilan employed an engaging teaching style that captivated his students. His lectures were renowned for their dynamic delivery, incorporating narratives of his expeditions alongside insightful explanations of scientific principles. Moilan's commitment to education extended beyond the confines of the classroom. He actively mentored aspiring explorers, guiding their development and providing assistance as they embarked on their own quests for discovery as Mäkėlätila had done to him in his own youth. Many of his mentees went on to achieve significant accomplishments in the field, further solidifying Moilan's influence and legacy as a respected mentor and educator.

Outside of his professional life, Moilan valued moments of personal solitude. He would frequently find solace in literature, delving into the works of renowned naturalists, scientists, and philosophers, expanding his intellectual horizons and increasing his own intellectualism. During his leisure time, Moilan found tranquility in nature, reveling in landscapes near his home in Merser. Moilan would later move out of the city of Merser and instead purchased a cabin and a sect of land. In the cabin, Moilan used these occasions to reflect on his past adventures, record observations in journals, and indulge in a passion for, capturing images that conveyed scenes near and around his home.

Despite his affinity for solitude, Moilan possessed a warm and convivial personality that endeared him to those in his inner circle. His charisma and charm drew people to him, and he became a prominent figure among the intellectual elite. Engaging in thought-provoking debates and discussions, Moilan adeptly traversed the realms of, , and.

Legacy
As a pioneer in polar exploration, Moilan's expeditions to the geographic North Pole and other remote locations expanded humanity's understanding of the planet's polar regions. His meticulous planning and execution set new benchmarks for exploration and inspired many other explorers, effectively setting a new age for polar exploration. Today, Moilan is recognized by some as the greatest polar explorer of all time. Beyond his expeditions, Moilan's tenure as a professor also allowed him to impart his knowledge and experiences to students, fostering a new generation of explorers and instilling in them a deep appreciation for the polar world. His engaging teaching style, which skillfully intertwined personal narratives with scientific principles, resonated with students and contributed to their intellectual growth and pursuit of knowledge. By sharing his expertise and offering valuable insights, Moilan played an instrumental role in shaping the future of exploration.

Researchers and scholars continue to draw inspiration from his meticulous planning, knowledge, and research. Moreover, Moilan's personal character and dedication to intellectual pursuits have left an indelible mark on the exploration community. Moilan's legacy extends beyond his immediate sphere of influence. His expeditions and accomplishments have captured the imagination of people worldwide, inspiring many other individuals to push the boundaries of human exploration and undertake their own quests for knowledge and discovery.

Moilan was the post-humous namesake of the Moilan Station in the Myrish Vorghys and the Moilan Library at the University of East Merser.