The crew the Archimage came up for Arthur was not composed of the best mages, but each of the men there knew how to sail and survive in the open sea — exactly what Arthur needed for a long journey.
He went on the ship with his wives and maid, interviewing each man to see if they had what it would take for such an expedition. One had a wooden leg and a bird hanging on its shoulder. A typical sailor if one asked Arthur.
"You all seem alright. Do you know the length and importance of this expedition?" Arthur asked, gazing intensely at the eyes of everyone present.
The wooden-leg man stepped forward as he said, "I do. We will explore an unknown land, which will take us years!"
"Are you willing to go even after knowing the details?"
"Of course, captain. We are all but small fish here, but maybe we can turn into sharks by your hands," he said.