War of Dragons 2: Within Kallamore

Yeowang has arranged this little expedition into Lumina Cloth for multiple purposes: to scout out the situation in general is the main purpose. Of peripheral interest is to possibly locate the Kunie, or at least the entrance to the Kunie's location. But that search will have to be /very/ low-key as we are here in the enemy's stronghold with no significant defenses. We /do/ have a Merchant's Pass allowing us entry, and a Palace Land-style boat with the original name and identifying characteristics scraped off and re-marked in a hopefully innocuous way, and such cargo as could be scrounged around Seeker's Landing considting of native Palace Lands spices, some small amount of crops as they are dear to us, and lumber harvested from the forest near the Landing which hopefully is not too distinctive filling out the bulk of the cargo. Lumina Cloth is surrounded by forest, but certainly loggers near the coast ship by boat rather than overland?

Yeowang has a couple other advantages, she considers: She -is- Korean, which means she speaks the language like a native because she /is/ a native. So there is no chance that quirks of auto-translate will trip her up as she will be speaking Korean for this venture and her party can catch the auto-translated version. And as she's a body-scan avatar, she looks Korean, or as Korean as someone with long blonde hair can look, as she's technically only half-Korean. But southeast asians can generally distinguish Japanese from Chinese from Korean from Islander fairly easily if they're well-travelled enough. She's spent enough time in the Palace Lands that wardrobe isn't a problem, her choice of clothes are typical of what a Palace Lands merchant might wear, and she's coached the rest of her companions on wardrobe and habits and everything she can think of that will prepare them for this scouting mission. "So we're posing as a merchant and crew and guards. You all can work out which role works out best for you. I will assume the role of lead merchant as I have some experience in that role, and I will hopefully arouse less suspicion as I speak Korean natively." She looks around, asks, "By show of hands, does anyone else speak Korean or Chinese very well? Otherwise, the autotranslate does alright, but I do not /entirely/ trust it. Especially avoid idiom."

She continues on, "As I said, I am posing as a merchant, so I will make my apparent focus selling my goods. You all may disperse through the city, but I ask that you stay in groups so no one is caught alone. We are posing as Palace Landers, having come from the west and traded along the coast, if you are required to describe our origin," because a consistent story is important, "but I ask that you be somewhat vague on details, so we do not get tripped up by inconsistent stories. Remember, our main objective is gathering information without rousing suspicion. So you do not need to press an individual too hard for details. It is better to ask a dozen people one question each than ask the same person a dozen questions."

With that for the port brief, she will see about making ccontact with the traders in town and getting the cargo sold, and see what information may be obtained. Entirely aside from her Loremaster skills, which will be primed and used hard today, she expects.

Now you see her...

Now you don't...

Now you see her again...

It's Kotono!

She arrives in her usual style, opting to break stealth when she arrives. Once she gets there, she's more attentive and ready to listen, almost like she's shifted attitudes. She nods as she acknowledges what is being said. When asked if anyone speaks Korean or Chinese, Kotono doesn't raise her hand unfortunately.

"Don't worry, we'll be sure to stay in groups and maintain the cover properly." Kotono then sighs. "I wish I knew one of those other languages, but there's not much I can do now." She stands resolutely and ready to go.

"Keep a low profile, look for information but don't arouse suspicion," Shiruba agrees. "It would help if we had more clues what to look for, but every hunt has to start somewhere, as doing nothing gets us nothing." Yeowang had the easiest time 'blending in' as it were, between her heritage and having more of the skills necessary to play that trader role, so that's why she was the one in charge of the operation. Which was fine with Shiruba, as not being the lead would leave her more open to do some scouting in this 'urban jungle' as it were. At least being a Cait Sith there was less expectation to looking specifically Chinese or Korean, though there was a small matter with Cait Sith being combos like the wild animals, but she should be able to pass herself as some manner of Wolf/Fox similar to Tian if anyone bothers to ask. She was a ranger, so being the escort for a traveling merchant trader wouldn't be out of the ordinary should the simple explainations become necessary.

It took a Sage of Scripture to ensure that the paperwork lined up with the team. One does not simply scratch off a piece of paper after all, its integrity would be reduced. Thanks to Camp Wrath, this was provided to them.

Wearing the right clothing certainly aids them, as the vessel docks in Lumina Cloth's bright and wonderful harbor. Just like the last time they arrived here, there are constant parties being held. Lights coming off of boats. People diving into the water. Undine having a good time amongst other races. A large Owlbear Cait Sith getting drenched by someone and looking like a... drowned owlbear as they get back up on the beach.

It feels like this is the kind of place where, unless they are particularly too out of place, they would not really stand out.

As Yeowang begins to step into the town, ready to sell the cargo, she's joined by a short young woman in colorful clothing. Purple haired, the little Cait Sith grins up at Yeowang. Big adorable ears perking as she walks with her as if she owns the road, and just belongs at his side.

She doesn't say anything. In fact, she kind of showed up there outside of his notice, until one of his party-members points it out. One 'Izuna Hatsuse'.

As they continue to plan, they watch as a massive Were Fang approaches them, looking like some kind of Werewolf of sorts. They can't really tell what this one's combination of animals is. In fact, it almost looks like this one doesn't come from a mixture.

When he gets to the group near the ship, he looks down from on high - easily eight feet minus ears, rumbling a sound and holding his hand out, looking for the proof of registration. Glancing at the boat for a moment, and then adding; "Rosenheim?"

Erufu had heard the orde rof the day was to keep a low profile when they came here. She'd got some help from Uta on that matter in the form of a Quipo that was not too flashy and some other bits of disguises it worked faily well she thought or at least did not scream Erufu at least. She would follow Yeowangs lead given her being a native of mainland Asia. "Do you mind if I stay with you as your assitant?"

She looks over to Yeowang with intrest on that

    Mizuki gets a clothes-fitting montage which will have to be skipped over here but does result in her getting some appropriate local clothing. She does not speak Chinese or Korean; she can barely speak very basic Japanese and Spanish, which isn't helpful here. She'll be ready if you ever need to blend in on FM World though! Despite the name, her human avatar doesn't look Japanese; but when the suggestion of posing as guards is pointed out, she notes she could just stay in Were Fang appearance as part of looking the part of an Intimidating Guard. Then her ethnicity is Tiger. Well, actually there might be more former RO players here than usual, but that's... not really a disguise issue?

    As for story, she suggests just tweaking her real one, saying that she got transferred to a Korean office of her company right before the Apocalypse, rather than a Japanese one. If it comes to talking people will probably notice she's speaking English, anyway.

    Okay, but. As they approach the dock she's staring excitedly at the lights and lasers shining into the sky. "They have TECHNOLOGY?! Even FM World didn't look like *this*, it was more steampunk, you know?"

    She's looking around *pretty gormlessly* like a tourist despite herself, but as they approach... customs? She crosses her arms and tries to look like a Surly Guard.

    Being a tiger doesn't really make her look intimidating when the other guy has almost three feet on her, though...

As the Were Fang approaches Shiruba leans over to lightly cut off Mizuki with a gentle but firm jab to her side with her elbow. "Talking about the other Servers is probably not a good idea," she whispers. "Most of these people probably don't know there's more than here and Yamato."

Okay Erufu is going to stay with Yeowang. That's good, she doesn't have to try and work alone. Miyako and Kotono often work together normally so they will probably stick together.

Which leaves her with Mizuki, which is fine. A Cait Sith and Were Fang likely don't look as out of place together, two less common races would find some comfort with each other.

Now they just need to wait to be cleared to actually venture into the city.

Yeowang nods for Erufu to join her and proceeds ashore. She recognizes Izuna Hatsuse from one of our previous encounters with the rebel groups, suspects she's there to back us up? She is someone inportant in the rebellion, she understands, so she will smile and be quite pleased to have a native Palace Lander along to help keep things straight. The huge werefang wolf is regarded thoughtfully, and she nods about Rosenheim, adding, "But not in a while." That would allow her not to have any news we might be expected to know. "We've been trading along the coast for some time, but we finally managed a full hold, so we're here to trade." Hopefully that's innocuous enough? Trading along the coast will explain all the lumber also. She will present her paperwork to this fellow confidently. If he's not the one that needs to read it, he will probably understand the intent and direct her appropriately? A port like this must have many new arrivals each day?

The massive wolfen looking Werefang takes the card, having to take it with just the tip of his index and middle fingers, and lifts it to his eyes. He then pulls out something that looks like a monocle, and tries to get a better look at it. He then rumbles, looking down at Yeowang for a moment, considering her, before he returns it back into her hands. "Along the coast hmm?" He asks, before he glances to her side and spots Izuna Hatsuse, who is... giving him one hell of a stare. The Were Fang backs his head up a bit, and then nods at Yeowang. "Very well, go ahead." Before he wanders off, not even taking inventory of what the trade is about, and leaves them alone.

Izuna then flashes a big smile at the 'merchant', Yeowang, and then tugs on her sleeve. "I want a candy apple." She demands, pointing towards the main street of Lumina Cloth.

IT seems folk are cleared to venture forth.

    Miyako's story, if anyone asks, is simple, and similar to Mizuki's: She was an American visiting on business, just in Seoul rather than Tokyo. As a native American-English speaker, she can resort to that instead of Japanese, and any inconsistencies in the auto-translation will simply show her to be just that: American. Her outfit plays up the tourist angle, going for 'skimpy but practical' in something close to local styles, just as obviously menu-made. "It's good to be in town again. Some proper creature comforts will be nice."

Yeowang nods to the huge werefang, takes back her well-forged card, and smiles widely to Izuna Hatsuse, who appears to have helped clear us through customs faster than her father's embassy contact. That's absolutely worth a candy apple, and she will head down the main street, keeping an eye out for everything, because who knows where what we're really seeking might be found, but also for the stall that sells candy apples, because this one was well-earned. "Let us find you a candy apple, then," she says, and will search for that first.

What she's currently paying attention to is the layout of the harbor and the number of soldiers present. Has the city been fortified? Is it still on a civil footing, or is there some sort of military force running things? Those are her first questions, but there is much we will need to learn.

    Miyako's story, if anyone asks, is simple, and similar to Mizuki's: She was an American visiting on business, just in Seoul rather than Tokyo. As a native American-English speaker, she can resort to that instead of Japanese, and any inconsistencies in the auto-translation will simply show her to be just that: American. Her outfit plays up the tourist angle, going for 'skimpy but practical' in something close to local styles, just as obviously menu-made. "It's good to be in town again. Some proper creature comforts will be nice." She's going to be focusing on economic questions: Do people seem to be prosperous, or poor? Spending more or less than normal, complaining about taxes or other changes in government policy, projects gone by the wayside... signs of funding being raised or diverted.

Okay having the kid come help seems to have done them a favor, they will have to properly thank her grandfather for the assistance later.

Once they're clear to move on Shiruba heads into the city properly, settling into trying to look casual and not visibly look like she's looking for something, while totally looking for something. Any clues towards where to access the Kunie's area are not likely to be extremely obvious but that is the first and formost thing on her mind. Even if they can narrow down which part of the city to look in it would be a start. Hell right now she'd take figuring out where to not look so they can narrow down the search.

Hopefully all the bright lights and glint won't be too much of a bother for her explorer skills being oriented more towards the wilderness.

    (On the boat just before docking) "Right, right." Mizuki nods. "Friggen' creepy, that knowledge being kept from them... although maybe at least it means they don't have their designs on conquering the others." She looks at the city. "When it looks like *that*, it's hard to remember we're basically walking right into part of Robotropolis... Except instead'a robots we gotta pretend to be..." she vaguely gestures at how they're dressed.

    (After passing 'customs') Their new friend wants a candy apple? "It's as good a start as any..." Honestly, she's not *particularly* looking to go digging for anything specific yet. She needs the practice learning to blend in while there are others here to pull her out of trouble, and she can be one more person to pull *others* out of trouble. That's enough, for now. She accompanies Shiruba, and continues obviously not being from the city itself with the way she's looking around, but at least she's stopped letting her jaw hang open.

Going along with what Miyako is doing, Kotono is acting as Miyako's companion. While Kotono is fluent in English, she sometimes messes up her words and doesn't know the best thing to say. So she decides to let Miyako do the majority of the talking. Going along with Miyako, Kotono also goes for the skimpy but practical look, even completing it with a pair of dark sunglasses. "Yes, I agree," Kotono says in an attempt to 'act her role.' "It looks like a nice place to relax."

Erufu will fall in line with Yeowang as the search start up with Yeowang the elf is doing her best to pay attention to things here. She will follow her semeing employers lead as she moves in to follow them into town. As this goes on her mind is racing to think of what to keep an eye out for once they are in town...as they get their first customer who wants a Candy Apple.

"You better, thank you." The small 'devil' answers, as she immediately climbs onto Yeowang's shoulders and points forward, as if she were a cavalier riding a horse. It draws attention, certainly. But there's enough people in the streets that notice Izuna, and then instinctively look away.

It's like her own little social invisibility cloak.

Finding a Candy Apple station isn't too difficult - and the price is not even unreasonable. There's a LOT of stalls and shops in Naval Monte. It's all walkable, and all the storefronts look incredible attractive and welcoming. There's people seated outside sharing drinks, laughs, and stories. It really gives the feeling of outdoors in places like Western Europe during a summer, or smaller towns in Asian regions away from tourism - yet with a modern skew. People constantly inviting to come in and try their products.

The Harbor, notably, isn't very fortified besides a few defensive 'gems' floating around the harbor. No doubt magical catalysts. There's patrols by massive Were Fangs who seem to make up the main 'military force'. Occassionally, they can be seen helping drunkards get up and to a place of rest, or to a cell, to make sure they don't harm themselves or make trouble for the other party-goers. But all-in-all, this place is a Root Town. It doesn't seem to see the need to be well defended, thanks to its Guardians.

Miyako doesn't really need to 'ask' her questions. People are constantly talking about money in this place. There are no taxes in this town. The people who have the most money, are the ones in 'charge' of Kallamore Kingdom, that is as simple as it is. There are prosperous, and there's people less off. Gambling is common, so no doubt there are some poor people. But notably, they do not accept ideas like 'credit' in Kallamore. People are unable to spend beyond their means in this city.

The main complaint she hears from time to time is how Adventurers cannot own anything in this town, including things like trademarked items. It all has to go through Landers - who own things.

Finding access to where the Kunie is however, is going to be a much larger undertaking, Shiruba and Mizuki quickly find. There are so many stores, so many openings. The city is massive. And while Yamato's Kunie was beneath the ground - there is no guarantee that the Kunie of this city isn't in one of the many massive highrises of this place. She'll have to make specific strides to exclude anywhere through inquiry or exploration of specific places.

It doesn't take Shiruba long to realize how large of an undertaking this is, a small sigh escaping her. "Hmmm." She stops to consider the options. The hardest part of a search was often figuring out where to start, and unlike the Demon Gnolls she didn't get a trail to start with. So this is going to be a challenge. But what true hunter backs away from a challenging pursuit? Not her.

Finally she decides to try asking some locals what they think the most important areas in the city are. It seems logical that the Kunie's entrance would be near such places, even though such logic isn't necessarily in play, it at least gives them some ideas on where to start. And if anyone asks why she's asking such things she can say it is because her merchant boss wants more insight on what trade goods would be popular in those sectors.

Yeowang is amused that Izuna wants to ride on her shoulders, but she can heft the girl up with no problem. She will bring her to the Candy Apple booth and buy one for both of them. Hopefully the rule about adventurers not owning things doesn't apply to small things like foodstufs! She hadn't considered that, and it will revise how she will go about selling the cargo. But maybe not too much, if she can pass herself off as someone's 'agent' and working on behalf of some unnamed Lander.

Once Izuna has her apple, Yeowang will take a casual walk through the harbor with her and Erufu. If she's not allowed to own property, that will complicate their cover, but it should hopefully not affect their primary mission, the scouting, too much? She'll be on the lookout for wherever shipowners come to trade their goods, presuming there's some such central place?

    People talking about how Adventurers can't own things is concerning, but Mizuki doesn't want to pry for the details of that lest she be taken advantage of. She whispers to Shiruba, "We should definitely find out the particulars of how that works, though..."

Erufu foll fllow with companion looking about the city and doing her best. She will likewise being keep an eye out for ships of note. She's looking also for places with a mind to what Goblin Slayer would think for where Goblins might get into such a place. They could make use of such as much as she'd hate to admit to it. Still there was a lot to see, she would try to take careful note of the types of cargo she sees unloading, the idea of what's being traded could be very imporant...

Yeowang will find that people are perfectly capable of selling at storefronts. In fact, the person selling her the Candy Apple is notably an Adventurer. She can tell through her INSPECT. But it's likely they do not own the company, or the location itself. Either renting it, or working for a Lander in order to do this. No doubt there are some loop holes a skilled merchant could jump through, contracts that could be made, but it seems that 'selling something' isn't halted by the limitation of 'ownership'.

Heading back into the harbor, she'll notice there are other merchant ships coming in and out. Most of them head into the city to sell. It's likely that most goods are directly being sold to certain storefronts or companies. But, unfamiliar with any companies, Yeowang will need to do the work of establishing those connections herself. Something that will take a great deal of mercantile expertise.

Luckily, Yeowang has that kind of natural instinct at this point. Heading from the harbor back into town, she starts identifying stores that are particularly busy... and their slightly less busy rivals from across the street who are clearly in need of product to make a splash. The question is, which does she align with?

Erufu on the otherhand will quickly find out that the only place for Goblins to be, if there are any, is in the inevitable sewers of this place.

Shiruba in the meantime, speaks the language of this city. Naval Monte accepts money, which smoothes a lot of interactions. And being an Ace Adventurer from Yamato, she's got a significant amount of personal wealth. Making trades for gold, in order to get the information she is looking for. The most popular places - places where the money flows most - are the market place and the harbor. But the places the real money gets made, the people who 'manage' all the companies, live in the high rises. So in many ways... it's just like she might have expected things to be. The question is, whether or not that means the Kunie are there, or if it's purely for the Landers.

She notably does learn that people who make the most money live in the highest floors of the towers. And that it's a constant busy-work for some workers to move 'offices' up and down as the rankings change. And that the richest person for each building lives in the highest floor of that building.

    Mizuki listens to all of this, trying to look the part of the intimidating guard or cute cat as best serves making people feel more like talking to Shiruba. "That really sounds like a pain, constantly moving around all the time. I wonder how often they do it? If you held a large sum of money and declared it owned by one person, then another, somehow, would they have to keep moving around? What if it became impossible to track? ...How *do* they track it, for that matter?"

Yeowang's instincts for business are quite good, she was raised from as young she can remember to take charge of a multinational conglomerate, and was required to know /every/ level of the business. So going into a trading house and talking business is quite a sitaightforward task. With Izuna there as cover, she's simply a mouthpiece, as it were, so she will go to the places more in need of trade, because that will make things go easier, and she's not here to make cash, she's here to make a fast deal and maybe get some info that's less obvious. The desperate merchants will, she expects, be more likely to talk freely if they are getting something badly needed.

So it is, she, with Izuna and Erufu, presuming they continue to follow her, will go into one of the slower merchant houses, find the chief buying agent, and make a deal. And maybe learn a bit more than the buyer realizes she's learned, about people with strange tastes, maybe? "I got handed a box of goods, and I'm not quite suree what to make of them," she admits, "but if you know of someplace I can trade strange things..." That's asking about a Kunie, who the one she knows collects very odd items indeed.

She may not make business her profession like Yeowang has but Shiruba can make money talk at times when needed. It is enough of a universal language it helps get some information without having to risk culture clash issues.

The harbor, the market, and where the 'rich' live. Those results don't surprise her. She hmmsa little at Mizuki's musing. It's a way for these Landers to keep Adventurers under control, even without the Crowns, as she can see. Kallamore lives off the economy, much like Ninetails does. Just in a very different manner.

The Market would probably be considered the heart of the city, but that might also be too populated and busy. Depends on how 'close' to the city's life in a relative sense the Kunie wants to be. The Harbor is also likely very active at all times. So around the highrises is probably a good place to start. Closer to the people that actually 'run' the city. And they know the Kunie areas can distort space to fit within impossible spaces, so one of those towering buildings being the place they're searching for isn't out of the question.

With the goblin thing about as she expected, it would also point to them having a decent level of seucriyty she would start scoping out what's being sold. What cargo appears to being moved about. Just what sort of items are moving in and out of the city. After all to know what is moving and what is a hot item could aid in knowing what's up.

"Strange things you say? What kind of strange things are we talking? I know some of the rich folk up in the towers can get some rather... unusual tastes. They quite enjoy the debauchery after all." Yeowang is answered by the merchant, while she makes sales on her regular supplies. Working on a contract to offload the supplies. Notably, she learns that such contracts have gotten cheaper thanks to Adventurers - as they can more easily load things into their inventory and return it to the stores without any damage incurred.

Mizuki in the meantime, asks the right question, but luckily doesn't ask a Lander. Shiruba, keying in on the question, spots something for Mizuki moments later. On the side of some of the store fronts is a small plaque of the current monetary rankings. The plaque notably is driven by lights... like a digital scoreboard.

It shows all the major people in the city, with their 'Current Worth' in it. Notably, they may spot that Ino Hatsuse is in third place at this time, with a significant lead over fourth. With second and first a good bit ahead of him, but not by as wide of a margin.

Erufu will find that this city sells and buys... everything. Mostly processed items where they are searching right now. But it's likely that there's places to turn raw into product. Food, clothing, and luxury goods are the main items of note, but there are also stores dedicated to powerful gear. With a lot of interest going on around the Arena.

    Miyako has much to learn, it would seem, but she's clearly on the right track. She knows what she wants to find, - changes in spending priorities - but it's hard to sort from the chaff. Listening for complaints about prices is certainly a way to start, but finding dealers in imported goods and asking about their prices is another. "So, how often do you get resupply on this?" she might ask one vendor. "And is it just me, or has the price gone up?"

Shiruba directs Mizuki's attention to the display... and then raises brows when she sees the names on it for herself. "That... explains a few things..." she murmurs under her breath. Being towards the top, less people to question him, but not so high in rank it would draw more attention than needed. Perfect spot for someone watching both sides of the ongoing situation to be.

Kotono lets Miyako do the talking right now, while standing off to the side. Occasionally she'll stop to look at some of the wares for sale to keep up the impression of being a tourist. Aside from that, she's not really saying much.

Erufu does take stock of what she finds its everything more or less this is a massive trade city when all is said and done. Luxury goods lots opf that fine good of all sort of things. She notices the gear likely for fighters in the arena too. She also takes note of the tastes of those in the tower? Okay that could be a way in, and if she was being devious? They could prey upon the vices of such people.

Yeowang is not quite sure how to say 'Things a Kunie would be interested in' in a safe way. On the other hand, she's a bit straight-laced, and can't help but look displeased at the mention of enjoying debauchery. She will cut the deal to deliver the goods, in Izuna's name, obviously, or maybe her grandfather's? She won't begrudge him a few points in exchange for the help he's providing. And the cover, of course. As for strange things, she says, "Clothes of a strange cut. And quite odd accessories, I'm not sure how to describe them?" The Kunie she met was a 'gal' type, very interested in who was well-dressed, but who knows what quirks a Palace Land Kunie might have? "I am forbidden to bring them," she improvises. "But I can provide drawings and that may spark interest?" And that will give her time to return to the ship and perhaps find someone who can draw RL clothing items, which a Kunie might be interested in.... or which Landers might think a Kunie would be interested in.

But now is perhaps the time to find out more about this individual. She will slip in a few casual questions: How's the weather been lately. Health OK? How about things today! as she works in her Loremaster ability, which is never spoken aloud but she considers the phrase as she asks these slightly leading questions in an effort to get more information.

"Forbidden to bring them? What kind of fucked up... oooh, you must be trying to sell your own stuff. Got it." The Lander heading the shop remarks, nodding their head. "If you are looking to get around the restrictions, you'll want to join one of the companies hun." They remark, motioning for Yeowang to wander off and find a different place.

It's likely that the store she picked - one that isn't as well off as others - isn't as willing to take the risk of sponsoring an Adventurer's new inventions. Using her Loremaster, she finds out that Ambrosine Makariy - the Gnome she is talking to - has recently taken a big hit in finances because of exactly that. An Adventurer she took a chance on, but wasn't able to maneuver politically well enough to make it clear that she was still in control.

Optics are important.

Elsewhere, Miyako finds out that 'traps' are notably getting more interest. And that they are selling more Farmer Equipment to Landers, due to the massive range of the Blind Goddess Statue nearby. They are also buying and breeding more Pekos to get around the field, and ensuring they are losing no more Crowned to the area's reach.

In general, it's clear that they are being hamstrung significantly, and are also getting more high level gear specifically for Landers, rather than Adventurers.

Yeowang oh nos, quickly speaking to placate Makariy, "Not my own things at all, of course!" she says, and gestures to Izuna as her Lander, "I know that's not allowed! But I won't trouble you further..." Since Makariy is sensitive on the subject, and for good reason, she will bow and make her exit. She gives them a Palace lander farewell, and will duck out, walking a block or so before letting out a sigh and looking to Izuna and Erufu. "That could have gone better. But we're finding out more and more, so that's good."

"She mentioned joining companies. Trading companies I assume?" she asks Izuna, who may know more about local goings on.

Izuna nods her head. "Yeah, companies. Each company specializes in its own thing. There's blacksmith companies, cooking companies... they all focus on a trade." She explains to her. "That way, nobody can form a monopoly on a single thing."

    Miyako nods, making mental notes. It's good news in general - that their work is having an effect - but it doesn't seem to be putting them out too greatly. Which, really, is only to be expected at this time. "Sounds like somebody at least knows what to do about all that," she comments casually. "Good to know." She does try her best to be friendly, at it isn't hard. "What sort of 'traps' might be wanted?" she asks, adding, "I know a few crafters down south, been looking for some things to fill up the next ship to come this way." She asks about the farm equipment as well, probing the needs to continue gauging their priorities. If that leads into discussion of the adventurer gear as well, why, it's only natural, after all.

Miyako learns that in regards to traps, they're looking largely for ways to restrain or capture Adventurers. Powerful gas traps, paralyze traps, or things that restrain hands and arms as well as legs. They're interested in learning more about Miyako's 'crafters down south', asking about how people in Thor doing in reply. Farm equipment they seem to largely source from Thor as well. It's the usual kind of fare. They just need more of it.

    A DIGITAL SCOREBOARD. "HOW." Mizuki can't stop herself from looking shocked for a moment, and hurries up to the scoreboard, looking over it as if she might somehow see any sign of how it works.

    It's actually several seconds before she remembers she has Appraisal and attempts to use it on the scoreboard.

Yeowang nods slowly as Izuna confirms her guess, which is that the Lander misunderstood her attempt at surreptition and drew the wrong conclusion. "Well, that was a bust," she says. "At least as far as our /real/ mission." Ironically, the cover trade went well enough anyhow.

But having spotted Ino Hatsuse close to the top of the current wealth chart, she eyes Izuna curiously. "Perhaps there's more your grandfather can tell us. I don't think there's time enough to do a thorough search of the city the way we'd need to do on the short timetable we're currently working with."

Erufu looks to Yeoang for a moment. "It still did go well enough she would note. We do have some ideas we could use however...we should talk of that later however my friend." She doesn't want to remain here any longer than they have to...

Leave it to the cat to get distracted by something shiny. Or in this case something that looks like technology.

With Mizuki's pondering over their tracking methods mostly answered (though now she's probably questioning how the thing actually tracks all that information) she's ready to move on. She wants to at least try to take a look at the highrise area where these more influencial people supposedly operate if at all possible.

    Listen, Mizuki is a computer person who has had NO COMPUTERS since she got stuck in this world. It may have turned out that the present situation has some advantages, but having this body *and* computers too would be pretty nice! However, it seems like, despite the electronic styling, this is actually a magical relic. Still, that's something. She smiles and waves Shiruba over, explaining her appraisal results and pointing out the way the numbers are spread -- not quite in a haves-and-have-nots fashion, but in a casual-and-hardcore fashion. Whatever is calculating the scores is *gameable*.

    "...And that means *somewhere*, there are *optimizers.*" Mizuki realizes mid-sentence, and turns to look up at the highrises. "..."

    She looks back at Shiruba, excited. "Landers wouldn't do this. That means somewhere there are adventurer advisors, or at least teachers, getting them on the boards. I'm not sure how that helps us, but it tells us something, right?" She blinks, and taps her chin. "Wait... would a crowned be *able* to think that way? Or does this mean there are uncrowned somewhere, behind all this?"

"Or it was set up before they were Crowning people," Shiruba replies. "Or it's something else. Who knows what they might have access to that we haven't yet." She turns her head to look around. At least with how tall the buildings are the high rise area isn't hard to miss. However, considering how things are set up here biased against Adventurers, it is probably not good to snooping around the 'rich' area without better preperations. "We should probably rejoin the others soon."

    Mizuki nods. "No, from what we've heard crowning doesn't... it doesn't make you think like a lander, it just makes you loyal to them. So they must have crowned some optimizers..."

    She looks over the scoreboard. "...And I bet before they did, the scoreboard didn't look like this. They'd have all been at the noob level, aside from the occasional lucky one." Mizuki looks towards the highrises again. "...Which means what we have here is... an optimization contest. PVP but with money instead of attacks. With a constantly-developing meta..."

    She looks back to Shiruba, and shrugs. "I'm not sure what we can do with that, but... if we get involved, at least we'll have an idea of what we're getting involved *with* so we're not walking in so blind, right?"