Meeting Li Gan

Shibuya. A name that pulls Players' attention. A name that is clearly not of this world. The first attempt at a player town lays in ruins here, crushed beneath the feet of monsters. This is a dangerous area to travel. Yet, somehow, someone named Li Gan has made his home here. There isn't much in the way of greenery here. Only old buildings that are just standing there, abandoned. With a few massive beasts traversing the area and something breaking into houses. Most of the walls lie destroyed.

As Shiroe and his entourage approach, it isn't long before they are welcomed by the one they seek though. The moment they get just close enough, a hatch underneath the ground suddenly opens, and a most curious Spriggan stares out from beneath the wooden hatch in the ground. His curious eyes and villainous grin pointed at them.

"Finally! You have come!" He declares, and then motions for them to follow him down back into the depths of the hatch...

    "Remember to keep your eyes open, this area is still considered dangerous for our level." It's a strict warning he gives to those that had traveled with him. Even as he looks at what was once the first player town attempt...It's an ominous feeling. Still, he does do all he can to make sure that he's keeping an eye on the surroundings even as they arrived. Acting as a field monitor to be sure they didn't take a path that was in a direct course of any of the monsters here. Especially for their small group. There's even a point that Shiroe debates having Pela stay with both Jazu and himself regardless. If they had parted ways in a safer area it wouldn't have been such a big deal but here...

    He finds a sigh escaping his lips as he pulls up the map, "We should almost be at the checkpoint." He says that and yet there's almost nothing here. Buildings were completely destroyed, and it seemed as though there was no place that would have acted as a safe haven even if they did end up finding him. It take some time but ultimately Shiroe ends up stopping. "We're here..." Here being, somewhere in the middle of the path it seemed like. Nothing of significance to indicate that they were in the right spot. It's almost enough to make the Pooka question if he had been duped...

    That is until the hatch opens, and the Spriggan appears from below. The villainous looking Spriggan seemed eager to have them follow, urging them down below. There's a part of him that deliberates his options though looking around... He looks to the rest, a nod follows, confirming that for the time being they should trust him. Without another word he'd start leading the rest of the group as they follow Li Gan.

     There is an 'extra' member of the Entourage. That being, well, Pela. She's mostly just there in case things go wrong and to help ensure everyone makes it to their destination, because traveling in numbers is smart. Even if she plans to spend the next week traveling alone. Luckily, Shiroe was an excellent guide and they hadn't had any problems so far. Still, the area clearly has her on edge. Her ears are perked and turning towards each and every sound, and her eyes are darting around to try to keep an eye out as best as she can.

     "...Forgot how nice Eastal is, even if area is... dangerous here." Pela frowns ever so slightly. And then there was a spriggan-in-a-hole that popped up from nowhere. Pela shifts back slightly at first, looking at him carefully and intently. "...Can come inside with? Know original plan was to split here, but... do not like size of holes in buildings. Unsafe alone." Frankly she feels like she's in a zone at least 10 levels above her, and that's just a recipe for disaster to be wandering alone, even with stealth skills.

It's clear that moving amongst these ruins has unsettled Jazz. She's staring at them from time to time as she trails after Shiroe, like the walls themselves could speak to her if they so chose. In a way, the history already does.

Absently, she nods towards the man in glasses when notes their seeming arrival at their location, distantly aware of what he's saying even if her attention is mostly elsewhere.

"Creepy," she murmurs, in the final moments before the Spriggan makes himself known. A nod to Pela. She does not mind her continued presence, and she too moves to join.

    Miyako has been at the back of the line, mostly because she'd been planning to break off and find a pub to play in. But as the group gets deeper and deeper into the neighborhood, her smile has faded and she's been looking from side to side, keeping watch for anyone creeping up after the group. The turning point for her was when she put her guitar back into inventory, just in case.

    "Creepy is right," she murmurs to Jazu, "Last time I was in a neighborhood that felt like this, I was on my way to a gig in Roxbury." When the Spriggan appears, her hand flicks to the menu almost automatically to summon a weapon, then she dismisses it but still looks carefully around.

"Oh, so many of you then." The Spriggan remarks.

Down into the depths they go. It isn't long before they end up in a stone underground hallway of sorts. There's various runes lighting up the space around them. Li Gan keeps his head down just a little, and seems to almost be whispering to himself as he stays close to the Adventurers. "Don't stray too far." He warns, even as they pass by halls going various other directions.

"What can I do for you, Adventurers? It is not often your kind comes to my doorsteps anymore." He chimes while rubbing his hands as if he might be cold. He's a rather suspicious character, that's for sure.

    "MMm, we had a few who were planning to explore more of Eastal, though given Shibuya's background it was deemed better to not have them travel alone." He keeps pace with the Spriggan as they continue to traverse the underground hallways, continuing to traverse through what seemed almost like a maze in and of itself. "I'm assuming this underground area is similar to the ones back in Alne?" The thought had come to mind the moment that they had stepped down here that the layout was so similar to the setting of the Rat Cellar quest. What's more he even recalled what Cyrus had mentioned before about these underground areas possibly pertaining to a prior civilization that was constructing these underground networks. Though for now it's just idle chatter really than a full on investigation as he continues to make what would be 'small talk' with the Spriggan.

    Of course, it seems like Shiroe isn't the only one to be making small talk as well, while he notices the hushed whispers that Li Gan makes to himself. There's a part of him can understand if Li Gan was being cautious in some way. After all, the group had doubled beyond what was expected. Still...It didn't really help the tension amongst the two groups. For now he'd simply keep with Li Gan's words doing what he can to avoid straying from his path.

    As he finally asks what brings them to his door, Shiroe turns towards Jazuhanzu, encouraging her to speak up first, nodding in her direction to have her speak. Shiroe definitely did have a few things he wanted to ask himself but for now...He seemed to just be looking over the Spriggan. Most times he had been around certain Landers there would be occassions he'd recall tidbits about them. It was at this time he was trying to see what it was he could recall of Li Gan now that the two were finally meeting.

     "...Initial plan, split up, leave smaller group... but dangers." Pela responds to the weird Spriggan, giving a slight smile towards Jazz's nod toward her. At least she doesn't seem intent to send her away, so that's reassuring. Miyako gets a firm nod. "Area gives danger-goosebumps." No, she doesn't have any special skill for that, it just has her on edge.

     The warning of not straying too far is followed, though Pela will look around curiously as she follows. She wasn't the main player of this event, so she seemed content to take a mostly back row seat, though with intent to listen and learn as much as she can of course.

     "...Here on other mission." She adds, though, "...Though enjoy knowledge and exploring, so this is actually very nice experience." She says to Li Gan, actually giving him a fairly friendly smile as she walks, quietly admiring the 'hidden dungeon' or whatever this is that Li Gan lives in.

    "I was going to find a pub, myself, busk for my supper. But I swore I'd never play Roxbury again. Not after what happened in ought-eight." Miyako shakes her head. Whatever it was that happened in Roxbury, it was clearly decidedly unpleasant.

    She jerks a thumb at Shiroe. "So I'm not leaving this lump alone in Roxbury at night, even if it means tagging along into dark tunnels with shady characters." She grins disarmingly and waves a hand about. "Besides, I do love seeing new and interesting places."

"Mmhmm," is Jazz's somewhat muted response to both Li Gan and Shiroe's statements in turn. She has a look around again, slowly, taking but a moment to peer at Miyako when she speaks before answering Li Gan more directly. She keeps her voice a notch lower, striving to seem sincere rather than twee. Unfortunately, she has Cute Anime Voice Actress Syndrome.

"We were seeking your council with regards to the Mage's Tower. Duchess Mifa explained that you might be able to help us."

"Alne? Hmm... perhaps!" The Spriggan answers in that typical unhelpful tone some might be used to from other games. There certainly appear to be similar rules all throughout this place.

Glancing aside to Pela, he smiles, "Don't wander too much. Don't explore too much. It will not be good for you." He promises her, as he goes down yet another hall. Indeed, it feels like a Maze. Hard to keep track of.

At Miyako's comments, Li Gan asks; "What's a Roxbury? I've not heard of that place." He remarks to her.

Then, he halts as Jazuhanzu mentions the Mage's Tower. He turns towards her. "What could you possible want of that place?"

    Pulsating pain can be felt in the back of his eyes as though he's been staring at a computer screen for just too long. His head can be felt throbbing as he finds himself losing a step. One hand tightens around his staff to support himself from tripping, the other ends up grasps at the side of his head, wincing for the briefest moment before trying to recollect himself.

    The same as with Gilgamesh? If that's the case pushing it probably won't do any good. Still...Why is it I can't? Could it be that...,

    For most Landers he had looked into, he didn't seem to have a probably recalling their history. What it was they had done in the past or what significance they had in Eldertale, though now it was the second time that he found himself stumbling to do so. There had been a few reasons he imagined that he couldn't gather information. The first being, 'He was under-leveled'. It made sense that depending on your level there were certain actions you couldn't perform on those that were a higher level than onself. It was like trying to apply damage to them, you could attack but your stats wouldn't be significant enough to deal damage. You were essentially a fly. If that was the case it would be annoying but unpleasant. However, the second thought that came to mind was a bit more concerning, as it meant that... ...He knows?,

    The first reason seemed difficult to immediately validate. If it was the case Landers like the Duchess and the Bandit King likely wouldn't have been valid targets. So what was the differentiation? The only thought that came to mind was that perhaps they had some sort of protection on their characters. Perhaps a sort of way to hide information. If that was the case...Wouldn't that have meant it was something they had done actively? It could have possibly meant they were aware of what he was trying to do in that moment? He couldn't help but keep his eyes on the Spriggan seeing if there was any sort of indication that Li Gan had known what he had tried to do...

     "Do not worry. Will not wander or explore. Just enjoying what can see of it while being lead through." Pela responds to Li Gan with a simple nod. "You said, stay close. So staying close. Living in maze, probably safest around here, yes?" The smol maid asks towards the spriggan. When he turns to Jazz and starts to talk to her, she starts to just inspect a nearby hallway; not going down it, just looking down it and seeing if she can see something. Doot doot, just a ninja keeping an eye on things.

    "Understood." Miyako nods. She is, after all, a guest. And hospitality is a Thing, and after she was called out for American Rudeness (not that the Lander nobles call it that, but she's spent enough time in Japan to spell it that way - complete with capital letters) ... well. "Thank you for welcoming us to your home." She makes a brief bow, attempting politeness.

    "As for Roxbury... it's the kind of place you don't go at night without armed guards. Even if you're an Adventurer."

A glance towards Shiroe. Jazz peers at him a long moment. The guy is just ... staring at Li Gan. She waitse for him to say something, and when it doesn't come, she turns back to Li Gan, a bit sheepish seeming.

"Ahh, well, you see..." She pauses, "I've been trying to l-learn about the stars and other fundamental characteristics. About how things work, but to make something like a star map," she withdraws the one she carries with her from her satchel, "you need specialized tools. I don't have them but they might. So I was seeking their council on the matter. Other things too, but that's where it started." She gives him a nervous smile.

Very uncomfortable, that Jazz, having to be particularly social.

Li Gan smiles at Shiroe with these brilliant villainous eyes and this big grin as he starts showing ache. But that expression does not seem to match the concern in his voice. "Are you alright?" He asks, with a tone that seems earnest.

But he's distracted by Jazuhanzu: "Hmm? The Stars? Nothing interesting out in the stars." They continue on to explain why they need the Tower of Mages. "Oh, you want something like that. We haven't travelled outside of the Yamato region in generations... if you want something like that, you will want to visit the Eastal's council. Some of them have some interesting Curio." He explains.

Then, to Miyako; "Hmm... I've not heard of this place. I'll have to check it out one of these days."

    Shiroe takes another breathe. He sees the look on Li Gan's face and well...He finds himself pushing up his glasses as light gleams off. "Just a minor headache..." While that smile and grin definitely gave signals...That person's appearence truly had seemed villainous since their first encounter. Still, it was enough for him to warrant caution. "I see. So the league would have something of the sort then? Makes sense. Jazu, if you need we can start getting preparations in place to start negotiations and get an audience with the free league."

    There's plenty more questions that Shiroe wants to ask, though there's a matter of if Li Gan is well versed enough to know those answers, and even if he was...Would he be willing to share. If possible, I'd rather not use that so soon...But...If it seems like there's little choice it might prove worth it considering the time frame we have... For now though, he just continued speaking of questions more of curiousity than necessity.

    "Speaking of Eastal, it seems that you're not very favored here. When I tried asking the locals about you, it appeared as though your very name was Taboo. We shouldn't be concerned about that should we?" Okay, maybe it was a bit more than curiousity, but the way he was phrasing the question did sorta phrase it as though he was trying to instigate something.

The man motions his hand. "Those who retain much knowledge, are viewed with wariness." Li Gan answers him, "But of course far more importantly, I am born Spriggan." He motions his hands outwards. "Adventurers do not know this as well, of course. But the Spriggans are an accursed race." He explains to Shiroe right as they come to a door. He touches his hands over the top of the door, a series of runes lighting up. And moments later, people step into what looks like a library of sorts. With books and scrolls everywhere. "What else might I be of service with?"

"It must be difficult out all this way," muses Jazz, "Especially with the dangers everywhere." Jazz pauses a moment. Her tentacles stay slightly lifted, pointing at Li Gan in an almost quizzical fashion even as she turns her eyes on the twisty passages that are all alike that they've travelled through.

"I was thinking more about knowledge of a more technical sort that might be held there. These charts, for example, can only be made with something that can help measure them properly. Where I come from, the most likely form that would take is an astrolabe, and its unlikely the Council and it Curios has the learning necessary to create one. The Mage's, however, might, so I sought access -- but you seem reluctant. I can only imagine why that is but if it's not too personal, I'd like to ask." She seems sympathetic, if anything, as much as she herself frequently desires solitude and isolation.

"Ah, the Monsters are not so bad once you learn to avoid them." Li Gan answers Jazuhanzu with a twisted grin. "These tunnels stretch far under this region. I can avoid them fairly easily." The man remarks. "And they don't come down into these tunnels." He adds onto that. Free information, which is something that reportedly this man doesn't do. Rather unusual.

"The Mage's Tower is a curious place that likes to keep its secrets close to its chest." Li Gan explains. "Much like me. Except, I'm more reasonable."

    "Don't worry," Miyako says of Roxbury. "It's a long, long way away." She stands back quietly for a minute while Shiroe asks his questions, and listens patiently to the answers. Tapping a foot casually, rhythmically.

    At mention of 'accursed', she arches an eyebrow, curious. She doesn't ask, though, waiting as Jazu speaks up. "Astrolabe or a sextant," she adds then. "You might have a different name for it."

    He listens as the Spriggan gives his justification, continuing to follow along as they enter into the room. The villain in glasses actually is left in a bit of astonishment as they enter into the would be library. It's probably one of the larger sanctums of knowledge he's seen within Eldertale so far. He can only imagine what contents could be stored here, however...

    "I'm glad your upfront about that at least... Jazu, if it's the case that the Mage's Tower is that secretive it might only be possible to acquire one rather than the ways to create it. At least that's what it seems like Li Gan might be trying to get across. That said...I do admit it is a bit difficult to completely trust someone who isn't entirely honest either..."

    Shiroe pushes up his glasses, "I'm quite familiar about the stigma with Spriggans given the circumstances involving Ezzos, and it's also true that there are those who fear the knowledge that others hold...However, if that was simply the case would you not still be in the Mage's Tower along with your brother?" Shiroe may not have been able to acquire information directly in this moment, but at the very least up to this point he had been trying to assess as much as he could about Li Gan before this meeting. To which one of the more interesting tidbits of information seemed to have been about his relationship to his brother that had also been part of the Mage's Tower as well. It was one thing for the common people to fear knowledge and make him an outcast, but the Mage's Tower as well? Well, that was a bit harder to defend was it not?

    "It might be rude to say after your hospitality so far, but if we're to make a long lasting and beneficial relationship, at the very least I would like to know why it is that you're no longer a part of the Mage's Tower. I'm sure you can understand the reason for caution."

The Spriggan makes a most amused sound as Shiroe comments on Jered Gan; "My Brother? I fear that he is as much Spriggan as a Fire is Wet." He commetns while motioning his hand vaguely. He doesn't go in on his true relationship to Jered Gan, or why they might share a last name. But then, duplicate last names are not that unusual, are they? "Hrrrm, I left because we had a difference of opinions on how to take various subjects of research forward. I, personally, believe you Adventurers have some interesting things to bring to the table, you see?" He remarks.

Indeed, Jazz isn't looking unimpressed as she studies the room. Her eyes close a moment and she acknowledges Shiroe's comment towards her with a nod of the head.

"That's true," she agrees, "and it might be something to pursue while we're here. If all wqe can do is find something /like/ that, it might be enough for our needs to have a technical example to work from. Establishing relations with the Mage's will probably take a long time regardless," she offers, falling silent as she opens her eyes to regard Li Gan, curious to his answer to Shiroe's question. She seems conflicted, momentarily. Li Gan is the first Lander aside from Mifa that she's had any kind of actual extended dialogue with and how lifelike he is seems to be unsettling to her in a small way.

    Miyako hmms, restlessly, her eyes flicking around to look about the place as she stands there politely waiting. "We understand that long-term commitments are... a question for later, perhaps? Right now we're just getting to know each other, after all." She shrugs. The nobles called her 'rude' and 'weird' and she's having trouble caring. "But there's all sorts of things we can learn from each other. And that's kind of what Shiroe here is all about."

Li Gan lazily moves to take out one of the books, looks at it, opening it, then closes it, then moves to a scroll, and pulls it out. "You are looking for this device." He remarks, and puts it down onto the big table which... well, is filled with more books. And some remains of food, it seems. He lays it out, and shows a picture of an Astrolabe. It's not a blueprint, just a picture of one. "You are going to want to talk to miss Acra. She may not have Gremica's wisdom, but I'm fairly sure she'll have one of these. You're going to have to bring her something in return though." He comments.

    An eyebrow was raised as Li Gan makes note of his brother and just how Spriggan he was. This was...A flunder. To have invalid information was a problem, especially in terms of a dialogue like this. It made them seem misinformed, perhaps even giving away that their information networks weren't as impressive as the Landers such as Li Gan might have believed. Still, while Jazu ends up feeling conflicted, Shiroe continues the discussion. He was already of the impression that Landers were definitely more than what Adventurers were giving them credit for back in Alne. Which Li Gan immediately shows already being more than familiar with the Astrolabe itself. Shiroe looks over the book in question himself as the Spriggan shows it to them without anyone warranting it...It's at that moment that Shiroe ends up smiling.

    "I again need to apologize. I imagine there are still things that you're keeping close to your chest, but seeing as your willing to help us, it's only appropriate we return the favor by offering you our trust...And perhaps more."

    It's at this time that Shiroe's the one that ends up having a bit of a villainous smile to his face, the gleam of his glasses concealing his eyes. "Just as our friend, Miyako mentioned, we do believe there's much we can learn from one another. So with that in mind we've brought a few minor gifts for the occasion." Shiroe began to sift through his inventory for a moment.

"Ah, gifts. Excellent." The man claps his hands together, "I knew you were a man to be trusted, mister Shiroe. What do you have for me?" He asks, patting the table and waiting for the Pooka to show off what he's got. No doubt there's more the man could say here, but he's remaining on the quiet side. Letting the Adventurers show their hands, rather than him showing his own. Giving them information for his own purposes, no doubt.

The now appearing astrolabe sketch has Jazz leaning forward, suddenly, quizically inspecting it.

She may not know what an astrolabe actually looks like to be able to compare it, but she's read a description or two before and this seems ... fitting.

"Yes, yes. That must be it. I can't say I've ever seen one before, but that looks *awfully* similar to what I'd surmise from what I read." She glances up to Li Gan, "Thank you," she offers to him, quietly. "There's a *lot* of learning to do," she agrees, quietly. She looks at him again quizzically, that unsettled look playing out across her face again, almost lambent eyes rather wide. She pulls back a step thereafter, biting her lower lip in thought.

It just makqes her look more adorable.

    Miyako was an experienced sailor back in AyErEl, so the astrolabe looks quite familiar to her. "A moment, please," she murmurs as she walks over and leans in to get a good look at the picture. "That does look familiar," she muses as she runs a fingertip over it. "I've never actually used one myself, but it's basically an inclinometer. Measures the angle above the horizon. Worst case, if you have the right references, you can use a protractor and a fishing line with a weight."

"I am afraid I do not know how to use it. But it seems your friend there does." Li Gan remarks before Miyako even begins to speak on the matter. He then takes the scroll off of the table and hands it to Jazuhanzu. "You're going to need this as a reference, most likely." He comments.

"Right. A work of genius, though difficult to use on the open seas, which is why they developed a mariner's astrolabe to be able to compensate for the heave-ho of the boats. I read that once, but I don't actually know anything about how they go together. Which is why we're asking someone who's learned enough to maybe know what we took for granted." She reaches behind her head and sweeps her fingers through her long stresses, grimacing at the feel of them falling through her fingers. It's still strange to have this much hair to her. She gives Li Gan a grateful nod, though, and she has the scroll in hands clutched carefully. "Yes, thank you. I appreciate the kindness, and will do my level best to return it."

    Of course he had brought gifts. Were they the best kind of gifts? It was hard to tell. Though he imagined after the events that transpired with King Gilgamesh, and the information Li Gan was already re-affirming with how to get the Astrolabe, a trade of sorts was something that appealed to the Landers. Of course, what exactly would appeal to someone like Li Gan? "Tell me, are you familiar with some of the new development techniques that a few of our Adventurers have come up with? It's been very interesting development in comparison to the traditional crafting methods in regards to things as small as culinary skills to even black-smithing?"

    Shiroe pulls out what appears to be a flask from his inventory as well as a few cups for everyone. "I didn't make a big deal of it, but I did ask one of our chefs to try making something for this trip referencing some of Pela's research. I can't guarantee if it'll be as good as what we'd have back home but..."

    "If you have any low level ice magic, I'd encourage you to use it prior to drinking it, but otherwise it should still be fine regardless." He'd consider using some, but he's never honestly tried reducing the output of a spell before and he can't imagine it'd be in good taste to use frost shock like that without some forewarning...

    Regardless, Shiroe tips the flask down into the cups, being extremely careful as to make sure he doesn't pour the drink in a way that might end up spilling and damaging any of the books presented. As he pours it the drink appears a bright brown in color. To Li Gan, such an elixir probaby seemed unfamiliar. Though he looks to both Jazu and Miyako to join him in the drink for two reasons. One to show that it wasn't poisoned. Two was because, he had fully intended to share this with them as well. It was hard to say that it tasted exactly like it, but the contents of the flask almost tasted like a sweetened iced tea.

Li Gan just kind of nods his head while grinning his villainous grin to Jazuhanzu, and turns his attention back to Shiroe while rubbing his hands together. "Hmmm? New development techniques?" A pause. "No, I don't think you've come across any new crafting techniques, as far as I've heard." He asks, before that flask comes out, and he offers the glass. The man 'taps' his finger to the glass, and there's an immediately chill to it. It seems Li Gan is indeed a practicioner of magic.

The man smells it, then takes a long drink. "Oh! Oh, a different tasting kind of alcohol." He notes. "Very good. Do you have the recipe for this?"

    A smile comes upon Shiroe's face as he puts down his drink. "Hmmm, I do believe the chef copied it for such an occasion..." as he goes to pull it out, something happens though. Several sheets of paper fall from his inventory. "Ah! Sorry, sorry. A little careless of me. I got it mixed up with the /others/." A clear indication that there was much more than just that one drink the Adventurers had come to experiment with. He leans downto start picking them up, "Let's see, spiced tea...That's not it, hmmm...Salted Porkloin...No..." Wait, there were meats he had as well?! "...Ah, this is the one..." He organizes the rest of the documents as he taps them against a nearby table before taking one of them and handing it to Li Gan, "I do hope you enjoy it..." He then slowly starts to put the rest of those documents back into his inventory.

Li Gan takes the parchment offered to him, and rolls it up, binding it with a small colored red string he manages to fish from a small drawer of his table. He gives Shiroe a little look like: 'I know what you are doing'. "You are an unusual Adventurer, aren't you?" He then asks Shiroe. "You prefer to interact with me as if I am a person, rather than someone who can just give you things." Li Gan expresses. "Good. Keep that up, and I'm sure this will all work out rather spendidly." He remarks, and moves to put away the scroll. It doesn't look like he's interested in the other recipes, or perhaps he's just not wanting to give that much away.

When LI Gan next speaks, Jazz doubletakes at him. She blinks her eyes aqt him a little more. Her lips purse. She had alreayd been sympathetic to the way Landers were treated by some of the more ... callous adventurers, but seeing it so actively comemnted is clearly a new one to her. She just stares at him for a long moment.

    "I'm better with a sextant," Miyako nods to Jazu. "And I'd need references or a damn good chronometer to use an astrolabe properly." She shrugs. "We can work it out. If we have to we can just brute-force it the hard way."

    She stays quiet while Shiroe goes on about 'new development techniques', clearly the _real food_. She starts to reach for one of the cups, then pauses when LiGan mentions alchohol. She finally takes the cup and sips briefly, then looks up to glare at Shiroe. "... Long Island Ice Tea? Really?" She sighs and sips again.

    "I think the real problem is that they're in denial," she muses. "If they accept that /you/ are real, then they have to accept that /all of this/ is just as real... and that they may not be able to go home again." She shrugs. "Not that some of us have homes worth going back to."

Even with the ploy failing, Shiroe does continue to smile. It's not as villainous as before, if anything it's a bit more endearing. Li Gan even if he was curious was just as he said, he was someone who was able to keep to his chest. Which is exactly the same thing he does when Miyako starts mentioning things like 'If they accept that /you/ are real'. "Miyako..." He places a hand on her shoulder insistently as he gives her a look. For whatever reason it seemed like he wanted her to refrain from saying anything more on the matter. He'd then turn back to Li Gan,

    "Mmm, it'd be a problem for a proper relationship to form if it was one-sided wouldn't it. I would hope in the future as we get more comfortable with one another we can more earnestly express what each side would like from the other. Which, I hope I can start that tradition off now if so possible?"

    Miyako does, in fact, fall silent when Shiroe cautions her. She looks up at him, then back down at her drink, and throws back the whole thing in a single gulp.

"Of course I am real." Li Gan answers Miyako. "But they may be able to go home, if they climb that tower and retrieve the Twilight Key." Li Gan remarks, and just as he comments on that, he decides; "Now, I believe that is all for now." He taps the table. "Next time, come with more gifts! The Pooka can stay." He motions to Shiroe. "Follow the glowing rune path, and do not stray." He motions his hand, and a series of runes begin to glow along the floor. "Don't get lost! It would not be good for you."

    It's at that moment, that Shiroe finds himself at a bit of a loss. The words actively throwing Shiroe off from his preconceived notions that the Landers weren't aware of the full details of their situation. Maybe it was just a fluke in the wording but...

    <<Miyako, Jazu, Pela...Don't immediately make a report of what just happened till I finish my discussion with Li. I'll be back as soon as I can. For now follow the path, I imagine it'll probably be a safe way to guide everyone out of Shibuya and back to Eastal proper. If something happens though just send a link and I'll leave immediately. >>

    Without another word, he turns to continue to follow the motioning of his hand. There was so much that he felt that needed to be discussed now.

<<Right>> Jazz's response over the chimlink is a quick note from her before she gives a pleasent enough nod towards Li Gan. "A pleasure. I should note Mifa spoke highly of you. I can see why." And with that, she turns to depart, aiming to go with Miyako and Pela and follow the Yellow Brick Ro--- glowy rune path.

    Miyako nods again. She doesn't bother to respond to the link message, she just sets down her cup and turns to follow Jazz out.

When the rest of the team is out, Li Gan's stare intensifies and focuses on Shiroe. He steps over to the door and closes it properly behind the people, re-engaging the outside runes. He takes a moment to listen to the others leaving, before he turns and looks to Shiroe. "You have questions." He states, without anything else for it. Letting the Adventurer, as usual, fill in the blanks himself.

With this said and the lock engaged, he moves back to the other side of the table, and starts to clean up the table, pulling scrolls off of it and putting it back into the shelves.

    Of course he did. Every Adventurer had questions since arriving to this place. It wasn't a matter of if he did or not, it was a matter of what questions should be asked first. As Li's stare intensifies on him, the gaze is met in a similar fashion.

    The Pooka Archmage had slowly made his way down to the table as well, not yet taking a seat till Li had as well. In truth there was a plethora of questions that he wanted to work into this conversation, but as things were now it was probably better to work big and focus into more concise questions from there... "Mmmm, the first that comes to mind is, how much do you know about our current situation as Adventurers and our position in this world..."

    From the way he spoke with Miyako, it did seem he was already familiar about the Key of Twilight and the announcement that they had received on the Apocalypse, though something he remembered Kite saying made him even more curious on the matter, just how self-aware were the Landers?

"You are trapped here, like the Adventurers were so many years ago." He answers Shiroe, "Though back then, from my understanding, they never tried to leave." The man continues to collect his scrolls and finally finishes cleaning off the table a little, and then continues to stand at its side. It doesn't look like Li Gan is looking to settle onto a chair. Rather, he will watch the Pooka with his devilish Spriggan eyes, hands rubbing together.

"You are Adventurers." He then adds, to the current situation. "What do you desire to do?" He then immediately counters with. "Now that you are here." You, not the Adventurers. You.

    "Like those so many years ago...I see." Shiroe ends up remaining at attention as well seeing the Spriggan so content with his guest. There were a few ideas of who those Adventurers might have been after Balmung's mention of players like Orca. Though there were obviously things that needed to be identified first. "I'd assume those Adventurers are still around? It's clear that for the most part they're able to revive on death, though I'm uncertain if that still applies if they age." Truth be told, he wasn't even sure if their avatars could age, but the fact that there were Adventurers prior to those of the Apocalypse and none had stepped up to make it known of the situation seemed concerning, or perhaps he was missing a piece altogether.

    That's when he brings up a rather interesting question. 'What do you desire to do? Now that you are here.' Shiroe pushes up his glasses, "My desire is finding a way to keep everyone safe. Whether it means finding a way home for those Adventurers that wish to do so, or providing a haven for those who're trying to adapt here." It was a rather concise answer, though even he's aware that even as someone from the New World Alliance it was...An answer that didn't exactly match up with the philosophies of the Alliance. Though that was to be expected to some extent. After all, he hadn't been one of the establishing members. Nor was he invited because of his principles, he had been invited because of his skillset. As far as things had gone though, no one had questioned it though, so he never bothered to bring it up either.

"No, they are no longer around. They left." Li Gan answers Shiroe. "That was many many decades ago." It comes rather readily. "Before my time." The man touches his hand onto the table, leaning upon the wood. "The world went through a really bad time after they all left." He looks to Shiroe with rather curious eyes, wondering of the Pooka will say anything of interest on this matter.

"Keeping people safe seems like it's not so much a goal as a lifestyle." Li gan seems almost unimpressed at this statement. "Providing a haven and finding a home for adventurers... the City of Beginnings and Alne are enough, are they not?" Li Gan pointedly inquires with Shiroe.

    "Left? So, you're saying Adventurers who have been trapped have been able to leave before? Even if it's before your time information on that I'm sure would be useful. Also, in what way did things get bad after they left? Actually...Even before that...There is the name of an Adventurer I'm curious of that mighth have been around that time..." It's difficult to say what it was that Li would hope for him to inquire about. There were theories, but without more information it was just that, still there was perhaps one question he could ask. Perhaps seeing if there was in fact a link between the current Eldertale and...That game. "...Does the name Orca ring any bells of any Adventurers of the past? Did he end up...Leaving as well?" He knew the times didn't match up exactly still if this was supposedly 'decades' but If we're talking about game time...It could have been possible... It'd probably take him a moment to sit down and do the math, but he did know there was a time difference between the game's history and the real worlds. He just didn't know...By how much exactly. He can't press the matter too hard though as Li brings up the next topic.

     "Hmmm? Perhaps. Well, the idea of finding out how we were trapped here, finding out more about this world...Those perhaps would seem like goals that might seem more like what you'd wanna hear. However, those would still be a means to an end. So I just couldn't think of them as end goals. As for providing havens..." He stops for a moment thinking to the current situation with Hamelin, "It isn't. The Adventurers might have cities that keep them from harming one another in certain ways, but they aren't fullproof. There's so much more that needs to be done. Which is another reason I came here today..."

    Shiroe's gaze becomes more focused this time as he looks at the devilish gaze of the Spriggan. "It's true that Adventurer's are able to revive at the cathedrals after death making us near immortal. It's a benefit to ourselves, and I assume the Landers that would require our services. However, it also leads to recklessness. At the moment Alne faces a pressing matter involving a group of Adventurers. While we can end up handling them in combat, the fact of the matter is it would be a long and drawn out battle on both sides. Having this sort of civil unrest would also surely be noticed by other nations that might try to take advantage of the turmoil. That's another reason that I've come here... I wanted to see if there was magic or something similar to what is used in the root Towns that avoid Adventurers from fighting, or a way to enforce banishment from a town without them returning. Any sort of leverage that could lead to the least amount of bloodshed.

"Hmmm, Orca?" He asks. "No, I do not believe I've known of an Orca." Li Gan professes to Shiroe as the question comes up. "But then, many names were lost around one-fifty Post War." He admits to Shiroe. "Why, was that one of the Adventurers of your world you knew personally?" Li Gan asks; "Do your people truly live that long?" It is 400 Post War now, so such a feat would be rather remarkable in Li Gan's eyes.

At Shiroe's continued questioning, the man nods his head; "Learning about the world hmm? There is much to learn about this world. There is much that you Adventurers might understand better than us Landers. So I will be most curious to see what you find out. Please, do make sure you tell me such things." He notes, giving the man a most hungry stare - one that 'quiets' as Shiroe mentions their revival aspect.

"Ah, trouble with Adventurers. We used to have a solution for that. One moment." He moves over and grabs a series of books. Multiple of them. He piles them onto the table, then quickly goes through a few of them. He doesn't seem to be reading them, as much as paging through them rapidly to try and find something.

"The Glass Knife... no... Goblin Poison... ah, here it is." He puts it out in front of Shiroe. It's...

A box. With a figure of a bearded mountain-man like person, shackled with all of his arms and legs. "We imprisoned them. Just make sure they can't kill themselves."

    "It's not one I was personally familiar with, no...Still...The one-fifty Post War....As for living that long..." A smile shows on his face, "Anything could be possible at this point? After all, if we're unable to die, it wouldn't be too farfetched we might not age as well?" It's a bit of a teasing remark, but truth be told...He really had no idea if that was the case or not. For now though, the mention of the war did give another tidbit to work with. That did give some sort of time frame to work with though now that he had a start and end point. It'd just be time to decipher how long those 250 years were in comparison to real world time and they'd at least have some sort of frame of reference...Perhaps.

    He ends up nodding his head as he makes the remark about much to learn about the world. Though when he says that there might be things that might be better understood by Landers. "Perhaps that might be true. Though inorder to learn more of the secrets of this world, we'll need to know it's basics. That's where I hope you would tell me such things." This statement, might be the best basis for their relationship. Li Gan wanting to learn more about the discoveries and secrets of this world, and Shiroe using Li Gan's knowledge of things past inorder to set a foundation. It was by having both they could mutually benefit. At least that's how Shiroe perceived it. He doesn't get thrown off by the hungry stare of the devilish Spriggan. Rather, he joins in as he gives him a reaffirming smile as he pushes up his glassses.

    The conversation starts getting into the meat though as he sees Li begin to traverse the pages for a type of answer to help resolve the issue of the Adventures. When he finally shows it...It's Shiroe this time who seems to be a bit unimpressed. "Mmm, we did consider imprisonment to some extent already, though believe that doing so would definitely lead to a fight still. Still, it's good to have a source of reference. I believe the question at this point then would be, what would be the best way to apprehend them."

    The Pooka Enchanter thinks for another moment, not really interacting with Li for a moment as he turns towards the books. He looks back towards the Spriggan, "Hmmm...Would you by chance have any knowledge on spells that could be used for paralysis or inducing slumber?"

"I don't know the basics. Nobody knows the basics." Li Gan answers Shiroe with this little tittering laugh that sounds almost like a devious snicker. "Do you know why things fall to the ground? Is it magic?" The man shakes his head a little. "Perhaps you know the answer to that question on your world. But here things might be different. I can teach you things about our history. About magic. But the basics are an unknown to me." He explains to Shiroe. "So you will need to tell me what you do not understand, and perhaps I will answer. And you will answer me in return." The Spriggan almost seems to demand this, while patting his hand on the paper of that book he's showing off.

"You can't avoid a fight. That is how the world works. If you want to have something, you must fight for it. That includes peace. That includes safety." Li Gan expresses to Shiroe. "But perhaps you will find an alternative path, mister Shiroe." LI Gan proposes.

Then, looking back to the book, Li Gan closes it. "Sure. Potions that cause paralysis. Some spells. But they are all short term of course. I believe I've heard of Gnome techniques to put people into a stupor here in Eastal as well."

    'I do not know the basics.' This...Was probably the most difficult yet best answer he had received from Li Gan since his arrival. It was blunt and in some ways really cut off several paths. But that was fine, cutting off paths only meant that it allowed to more properly assess what resources and options were at their disposal. "I see...So I guess that would follow the Mage's Tower as well. That is a shame..." It also meant that he wouldn't really need to bother showing Li Gan the shield, at least not for now. Though he does have his eyes veer towards the patting hand on paper which gets a nod in response, "Rest assured, as long as there's information that can be shared between both of us, I'd like to be able to retain this working relationship. Though there is one thing I believe I should clarify..."

    He narrows his eyes a bit, "I understand well enough that this isn't the type of world that can have such an easy resolution handed to you. I simply just want to ensure that if there's a cost to pay for that peace, for that safety, that I'm simply not overspending. Afterall, it isn't just me that has to pay that price at the end of the day. If there is an alternate path, a way to change the world, then I would hope to find it..." He was fully aware of that. Especially after clearing the first floor, watching as so many Adventurer's died because he couldn't keep pace. Trying to keep pace with not just the bosses but the battlefield itself. There was a whole different kind of pressure when you were seeing everything first person, than to on a screen. So much he still hadn't adjusted to. Though those were things that didn't need to be expressed.

    As he closes the book, Li gives a few more suggestions to which he nods to. "I'll keep those options into consideration. Again, I do appreciate your forthcoming on this matter so far, so I hope you'll bare with me for just a bit longer. I have two more questions that I'm hoping you might be able to answer. The first would be rather simple one..." He turns towards the library once again, "You've made clear no one recalls the basics anymore. Though I imagine there are at least records of wave artes and sword artes correct? Spellbooks, manuals, things of that variety. I'm sure there are ones in dungeons throughtout the Yamato region, and in the tower, but would you happen to know where a few of them might be?"

"There is an economy to everything. Power, Time, Concentration." Li Gan comments when Shiroe mentions resolutions. "It is up to you to decide whether or not something is an overspendature." He then pulls something else out from under the table, and puts it onto it. He then opens a set of drawers, and slowly begins to put chess pieces onto the board.

Red and White. He sets them out slowly, and spins the white side towards Shiroe after he finishes setting up, and simply puts his first piece forward. "Some might favor the loss of their Queen in order to get the victory. Others will think that losing a pawn is not worth the cost." Li Gan proposes to Shiroe.

The man then touches his hand to the table once more. "We have records of Wave Artes and Sword Artes, yes. But they are all personal documents. We've found that what works for one person, doesn't work for others. In order cases, there's some rather 'typical' abilities." He explains. "Some of them are in fact here." He motions to the library of books around him. "But most are within the confines of various vaults of the sages, Travelers and hermits of this world. So go the rumors."

    There's a bit of surprise on his face when he sees the chess board upon the table, and even more so when Li moves his piece forward. He looks down at his pieces before looking back to him, "I understand, sacrifices are definitely something that will happen." A white piece moves on the board, "My concern isn't making my own sacrifices. It's forcing those decisions, those sacrifices on others."

    "If I was the only one playing, if it was just my pieces, if I was the only one who had anything to lose perhaps I would be more inclined to take a risk. However, even if there's an economy to such things I'd like to make sure I'm not just simply gambling." He waits for Li Gan as he takes note of him motioning around on the table and once more, his mention of the personal documents peaking his interest. Looking around the room for a moment before returning his attention to Li, "I'm not familiar with the vaults here, though I imagine gaining access to them would prove to be difficult. That said, would it be possible to look at some of these personal documents that might be more accessible? It might be just as you said that they may only be applicable to the person who developed them, though there are a few things I'd like to confirm for myself about those documents." At that regard he waits for Li to make his counter play.

Li Gan puts another red piece forward. Notably, it's Chess, not Shogi. Of course, they are relatively similar. "The Vaults are not so easily accessed. The ones kept by the Landers are kept closely guarded. The others, even more-so." Li Gan answers Shiroe firmly. "That includes my own." He adds to that, before looking up to Shiroe with a grin.

"After all, you are already in my debt." He notes to him. "I will be impatiently waiting to see what you will bring to try and pay it off." He comments to him. "I wonder what you are trying to figure out, mister Shiroe." He remarks. Notably, his play on the chess board is fast. Almost like someone used to playing speed-chess. Quick, but coniving moves.

    Shiroe places his next piece in response to Li Gan's move in a matter of moments. His face seeming unphased. His move makes it seem like he was already somewhat familiar with the game at least as he looked over the board. "That's what I would have assumed. After all, you did say that you were someone who did keep things close to his chest." He finds himself smirking back at the devilish Spriggan.

    Shiroe continues to place his pieces down in quick succession as Li does, and in fact there are times that Shiroe finds himself halting for a moment as one of Li Gan's own seems a bit...Nefarious. "Plenty of things. How we did we get here? What do we do going forward? How long will it be return? There's so many things that have been clouding my mind since I've been here that it's practically given me a headache.. Though if there's one thing I've realized it'd probably be..." His digits returned to his piece, placing it down in such a way it seemed to counter one of those more conniving moves.

    "If you can't do something, don't. Just focus on what you can. So for the time being..." He raises his head towards Li Gan, "...I simply wish to figure out what's in front of me." At this point he lowers his glasses slightly, as if almost showing them off. "Perhaps then, I wouldn't have as many of those headaches."

"What's in front of you, is a whole world, mister Adventurer." Li Gan answers, looking at the board. There's a moment of pause there - before he quickly makes a move to lay a second trap for Shiroe - with the first not having gone off. "A whole beautiful world, filled with plenty of pieces on the board. You are looking at too many things at a time, like a strategist. It's good to take a moment to put blinders on."

Another piece gets moved. "Alne is interesting, isn't it?" Li Gan then suddenly proposes. "It isn't a Root Town. A place that almost feels like it was born for your people. Kept safe by that former climber and the Travelers." He looks Shiroe in the eyes.

"What's more important to you. That city, or the Root Towns? What lies before you?"

    Shiroe watched as the first trap was left unsprung, simply ...At bay. Though Li makes it apparent that he's quick to establish the next trap should Shiroe move. "Indeed." It seemed at the very least the two could agree on that. So he does just that. His focus having been on making sure the first trap wasn't able to be sprung, those pieces pinned in such a way that neither one could move their pieces from the area without forcing a snowball effect on their side.

    "It's indeed a unique place. Though asking whether I consider it more important...If I had to say..." He continued to play his pieces on the board in such a way to try and address the second trap, just as he did the first. Cautious of the two traps in play but always just trying to look slightly ahead for the trap that might come next. Eventually though as the game progresses it leads to a point where there's two choices before him. Both with risks, and both with rewards. However...

    "I've yet to make that decision yet..." He lets out a bit of a breath as he looks back up to Li Gan, "It might be rude to stop a game midway through, but care if we pause the game here? I didn't realize how late it was getting down here. I also haven't heard from the others that they got out yet, so I'd like to check-up on them if possible."

"You should make that decision soon, mister Shiroe. I will promise you this. If you desire to uncover the secrets of this world, the Root Towns will hold the answers you seek." The man then grabs what looks like a box of sorts, and puts it over the chess board, and touches it with one hand. He then looks down to the box, waiting for Shiroe to touch the other side of the box. "Seal it together, so ensure the game proceeds from where we paused." He declares. "I will leave it on this table to finish for another time." He promises. The man then motions to the door. "And I will see you another time."

    "I'll keep that in mind." As he watches Li Gan begin to touch the box, there's a look of confusion on his face. Though as he elaborates he does as instructed to ensure it's sealed on both sides by the two of them. Making sure that the process is secured before he makes his way towards the door.

    He turns back giving Li Gan a nod, "Once again, I thank you not just on my behalf, but on behalf of those you helped today. I'll be sure that the next time we meet I have a proper answer for you, and perhaps something more interesting to share as well. Till then, I suppose." With that the Archmage takes his time to head out, following the rune path towards the same exit that his comrades had...Hopefully that door was unlocked by now.