Meet the Landers: Jered Gan

Curiosity killed the cat, they say, but satisfaction brought it back. And curiosity has been a large part of Miyako's motivation here in Yamato. She's not too concerned with being the /first/ to discover something, just of knowing it herself. So she's sought out those who are best known for knowing all those hidden secrets -- the Tower of Mages.

    So she's made arrangements to meet with a representative, Which brings her to Dun Loireag, not her usual haunt, but she's no objection to visiting. (Indeed, she's visited the Isekai Ryokan several times.)

    The appointed time finds her at the base of the Tower, having traded her traveling clothes for something a little nicer if still less than Nobility-Occasion-Formal. "Well met, neighbor," she greets the gentleman when they meet.

To see the likes of Jered Gan is an extreme rarity. To be able to receive an audience with him, perhaps doubly so. Yet, through connection and sway, Miyako has managed to do what many have not.

"Oh what's this then?" Jered Gan, an old man leaning on a cane, dirty grey hair on his head, trembles a bit as he looks at the Spriggan. "You must be the Spriggan lady I've been told to expect." He's met her at the doors to the Tower of Mages...

And motions inwards.

The gates opening behind him. "Come on. Come in." Guiding her into the first floor; a massive series of book cases, books, and desks. This is, by far, the largest collection of books Miyako has ever seen within Yamato. Enough to put the Alliance libraries to utter shame. There's a saying that knowledge is power. And if that is true, then here, the greatest repository of knowledge in all of Yamato. Perhaps all of Alba.

Landers are milling about, all humans with a few Imps intermingled with the bunch. A few glances being thrown Miyako's way due to her ancestry. "What can this old man do for you?" Jered inquires, as he guides her in.

    Miyako -could- have disguised her nature with an illusion. It's mostly the wings that give it away, after all. But that would that would start the whole thing off with a lie. "Miyako Blacklily, yes," she introduces herself, walking along with the elder.

    "And it's a bit more of what we can do for each other," she muses. Her wings flick a bit as she takes in the glances, but she's used to them from her time wandering amongst the Landers working on her musical projects. "But it's true that I'm here to ask something of you." She pauses a moment, then adds, "Thank you for agreeing to see me, at least. I used to fancy myself knowledgeable about this world... but that was Before. There's so much more that -none- of us Adventurers ever knew..."

    She waves a hand at the expansive shelves that they pass as they walk along. "So I find myself seeking out what I've been missing. And curious about fellow seekers of knowledge."

The old man's cane taps across the ground with each step he takes, until he halts properly near the edge - where a large escalator-looking device stands. Standing there always like guarding it.

"So you wish to gather knowledge, and in turn, partake in the knowledge of likeminded people." The man offers to Miyako. "Certainly, that can be arranged if that is something you seek." He notes. "But I'd like to know... why."

A knowing smile.

"Why do you see knowledge? The fame? The prestige? The money and power?"

    Shaking her head, Miyako laughs softly. "Oh, if only it were so simple. If I wanted those things I might follow in Baroness Wake's footsteps. No, I have my music, any fame I -deserve- will come from that." She walks casually along, consciously keeping herself to the older man's pace and not wandering off to look at any book that catches her eye - despite the temptation. "Knowledge is its own reward. -Understanding-."

"Knowledge for its own sake... is not Knowledge. It's information. Rote words in a book. You seek to Understand all you want, but what's the goal?" He asks her.

"Are you looking to understand... what? How Beasts and Monsters are related? How Were Fangs are created from Monster and Human? How the world turns, or the effects of Song upon it?" He asks Miyako.

"One cannot know all. One must set goals. Reachable goals. Knowledge for the sake of knowledge is a fool's erand. Surely, you are no fool." He offers to her, almost like he were chiding her like he were her grandfather telling his grandkid off.

    "I've been called worse," the Spriggan admits. She shrugs. "I want to know the history. The people, the deeds, the factions and the nations.... there are so many old things we've been discovering. So many traces left of things so very long past."

    She pauses for a breath, considering it. "I suppose the truth is, I want to be a better guide for my fellow adventurers, when we encounter these remnants and relics. To understand the dangers, the warning signs, and guide them away from the kind of foolishness that puts so many lives at risk."

    She hums a brief tune, then adds, "And find interesting things to write songs about, I suppose."

"History. That is a focus worth having." Jered Gan taps his cane on the ground twice while smiling like a doddering old man. "To know the events of the past has value. For it allows you to recall the lessons learned, and ensures you do not make the same mistakes in the future."

It seems this answer is far more pleasing to the old man. The song matter isn't so interesting of course. Not to this old man.

"Then perhaps, you can help me out. There is much hidden in the past. And much of that is hidden amongst the ruins of our Undine and Gnomish friends of the past. Which would you prefer to help me with?"

    Miyako muses for a long moment. "I've visited one Undine ruin already... it was quite interesting, but I'm rather short on water-breathing magics. I haven't had much chance to check out any Gnomish sites yet. Tell me about the site you have in mind?"

"Hrrrm. Well, there is a great history of Gnomish activity that is unknown to us here in Yamato. The Palace Lands once had a thriving Gnome community. I wish for you to seek some of their ruins in Thor. I understand that there's ruins with still functional Elemental Machine repair stations."

So Jered Gan remarks, showing a rather remarkable amount of intel on the Palace Lands.

"I wish for you to find one of those ruins, take down the Elemental Machines protecting the repair stations, and come back with some of the Power Crystals that power those Elemental Machines. I want to study one so I can tell how they have changed throughout the regions."

"An interesting proposal," Miyako muses, after a lengthy moment's consideration. "I know we've run into a few Machina that we'd have liked to be able to repair, here and there...." She smiles lightly. "I'll put together a team and see what we can do. I'm sure Ko-chan would love another shot at them after what happened our last trip out that way."

    She closes her eyes briefly, pausing in her step as she remembers her own reaction, her cheeks flushing as the anger and grief she felt flashes back. "And maybe get another chance at that bastard, Harrifenas," she mutters under her breath.

"Machina and Elemental Machines are very different beings. Though both mechanical in nature... their origins are also barely the same." Jered Gan corrects Miyako a bit. "If Machina are looking to get repaired though, please let me know." There is a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I would love to know more about this."

There is a pause there, as he waits for a moment. Then... surprise. "Harrifenas is still alive to this day?" He asks. "Well..." A deep grin being born. "What do you know..."

    Miyako halts and spins to face the elder more directly. "You know of him from before, then? From some history? Please! This could be vital!"

Jered Gan smiles; "I do. But that isn't my history to give to you. That is something you earn." He answers Miyako. "Do this for me first, and then perhaps we can talk about the history of Potimas."

    So it -is- the same man. "..." Miyako grinds her teeth, biting back her fury at the king of Thor, her hunger for any information that could lead to his defeat. His demise.

    "Very well, old man. But no perhaps about it. I'll fetch you your crystal, and then we'll talk about That Bastard."

"Then, I wish you much luck, young Spriggan. Do not delay." Jered Gan answers her with a daring smile, and awaits for Miyako to depart. The gates closing behind her eventually, as that daring smile turns into something far more devilish.

    Miyako makes her way out, walking swiftly, paying little attention to the door closing behind her. She's already on the chimlink, messaging friends to gather a party for the expedition and arrange a ship for transport.

    ... and then there's Kotono to reach out to.