Editing Founding of Altierra (section)

==Francis Drake's expedition==
In 1577, Francis Drake left Plymouth with five ships on an expedition to enter the Pacific via Cape Horn and attack Spanish ships. On 20 August, 1578, the remaining three ships – the ''Pelican'' (later ''Golden Hinde''), ''Elizabeth'' and ''Marigold'' – entered the Strait of Magellan. From the 6 September onwards, the fleet enter the Pacific but are caught in a tremendous storm where the ''Marigold'' was believed lost.

In reality, the ''Marigold'' retreated into the Straits for protection. Heavily damaged, she limped as far as Wood Island before grounding on the northern shore. Under the commander, Luke Thomas, the crew retrieved as much as possible from the wreck and established a settlement named Marigold, with the help of some local natives.

The settlement barely survived the later months of the year. During this time, the natives told of a cave called the [[Demon’s Mouth]] in which people would enter, never to return. In the first few months of 1579, as things grew worse, Thomas visited this cave and a volunteer entered. He returned, telling of another land with a warmer climate and abundant food. Thomas decided to take his settlers and some of the natives inside.

[[File:Strait_of_magellan.jpg|thumb|center|800px|''The Strait of Magellan showing the location of the portal'']]