Dun Loireag - Exploration

Giganpor, even with all that he had been up to lately, had decided to come and check out what is more than likely considered 'home base' for himself at least. And... well... some things were just a mystery to the giant of a player.

That being said, once in the safety of Dun Loireag, he had switched to his more casual outfit rather than his armor, and stowed his weapon in his inventory.

Glares, of course, were turned his way by Adventurers and a few Landers. He honestly didn't look to care as he was inspecting various shops, ideals, and other things around. The main thing he was looking for, however, was just for new areas that his normally busy life style made him not look at in this world.

To that end, he had contacted someone who he probably would not normally contact but in this case might be helpful. Somewhat. And otherwise he was simply wandering right now. His eyes were on alleyways, homes, and other places that seemed interesting in the city. Things that as a player he never really... took interest in.

"Huh... I should stop at some of these cities more often and just look around." He says to himself.

There are mysteries in this world. Mysteries that some certain people in the know have been CONFOUNDINGLY OBTUSE about revealing anything of. Why is there a tower in Alne? Why are there people living in it? Why are there mysterious words written in places that, when spoken, seem to have a direct effect on the very world of Alba and all that dwell upon it?

AND WHY DOES NOBODY KNOW HOW TO READ!?

(...These words)

Today, Prophylaxis has come to a place in the hope of remedying at least part of this problem. If he's lucky, what he will discover will also help turn the tide against a certain undead problem as well. And so, the Doctor of Tolbana has come to Dun Loireag.

...And not just at the request of a certain someone, thank you very much. "Maybe so, but I somehow doubt what we're looking for will be so close to anywhere easily accessible. The Words are often inscribed, supposedly, on structures of great import. The churches, for example. Or the Lander Bank. For things specific to Dun Loireag... There might be some hidden away in long-forgotten nooks and crannies. Things that were used by the Alv but then simply left to rot when they departed. Though I'm not sure we're going to to have much luck finding them."

He says to Giganpor of all people, who seemed to have had a similar idea pop into his head. "...Anyway. If I were a game-designer hiding weird, cryptic and unique text in a city like this, I'd put it somewhere a player would have to go way out of their way to find. Like near the tops of the plateau-towers, or somewhere hidden at the end of a difficult platforming challenge."

There's a lot of history here. A root city, built by the Alv, taken by the Landers for their own, yet with all of its wonders still working to this day. It's like an enormous relic, seemingly supplied with endless magic - even if there are not /that/ many apparent magics present here. Unlike Mac Anu, where the applications of magic are far more obvious, this one is so built into the cliffsides and the unusual formations in the hilled region, such things are just... difficult to find.

Much the same way that it is hard to find anyone knowledgeable about the script that Prophylaxis seeks. One needs to cross bridges, and walk through alleys to find it all in this place. The church is one place to hold symbols. The old rusted Chaos Gate in the center plaza. Passing along the back alleys, ignoring the poor Kitty Candy stall going unloved by its customers.

There's various small vanes collecting the wind between the cliffsides that those bridges are over. The bridges themselves showing very simple symbols on them as well. Nothing as ornate as what is found in Fort Ouph however.

In the western parts of the city is a notable cliff that seems to float, with the massive Tower of Mages upon it - standing tall enough over most of the town that it's hard to ignore.

The bank is elsewhere itself of course, and holds its own set of mystery. Something that was revealed when Wisteria opened the one in Tolbana, which appeared not to be able to 'transport' objects like the Root Towns appear to be able to.

Giganpor looks thoughtful, "A few in New World said something about those. I take it you were a part of the activity that had one activate?" His thoughtful gaze is looking around as the wandering commences.

Then his eyes narrow a little, "The Tower of Mages... hm." He looks over at Prophylaxis, "It is a bit obvious, along with the broken stairs and hallways." He looks entirely thoughtful, the Lion that forged one of the first custom items is looking at the entire thing as one big puzzle.

Then he eyes Prophylaxis, "You know... we need to ask around a bit. See if there is a broken stairwell or hall near the Tower of Mages. And perhaps we need some rope for climbing as well if these lead down into the plateau itself."

He moves to do just that. Asking about the broken stairwells and where some might be found from the local Landers, hopefully.

"Hm? Something like that," Prophylaxis answers with a shrug. "I know that speaking one of the words causes /a/ glyph on the Chaos Gate to light up, but I couldn't tell you what the rest of those carvings might mean, or how to even speak them. If we had more examples, I could maybe put together an alphabet or something, but for now..." It's a great big mystery, for now. Sadly.

There is a Kitty Candy store. Prophylaxis hardly even notices its presence, even though it's something he really would be paying attention to, under normal circumstances. This doctor likes his sweets. "Agreed. The Tower of Mages seem like they'd be the type to keep all their mysterious word-knowledge hidden /inside/ the building. But there might be something along the cliff itself? Seems like a decent place to look, anyway."

If nothing else, he can sketch out a few of those symbols scrawled over the bridges and wind vanes. The bank... Is worth examining in closer detail, though. It certainly must do /something/ to make items available globally, after all. "You go ahead," he calls over, "I'll be checking things out over in this side of town. Think I've still got some gear left over from that temple expedition stored away, too." The doctor thumbs towards the bank. "Come get me if you find someone who might know something about getting under the Tower, eh?"

The tower itself has a few bridges that run through it. Giganpor will quickly find that the place is at least somewhat guarded. It doesn't have an army standing by or anything, but each connecting brings has a singular person there to verify the people coming in and out are the ones supposed to be coming in and out.

It's well known that the Tower of Mages enjoys its secrets, and doesn't seem too fond of sharing any of it. Still, from this angle, when approachin the bridges, Giganpor can spot more of those symbols on them. And the bridge he is approaching has a face that may be somewhat familiar. It's Akumeji, the Arch Mage of the Tower of Mages.

Prophylaxis in the meantime, continueing to wander...

Is suddenly assaulted!

Two felines suddenly jump him. Literally. They jump on his shoulders, pressing down on him and let out a playful; "Gotcha!" Before climbing off of him and moving to the other side and facing him, hands behind them, smiling. It's Lelia and Litka Mofur.

"What are you" - "Doing here?" They ask Prophylaxis. "Did you" - "Bring us any good snacks?"

Giganpor raises an eyebrow as he spots Akumeji. The idea that she's there has him thinking for a moment, then moving towards her. A slow and casual walk to see what happens.

"Greetings, Arch Mage." He bows towards her, "Forgive my intrusion or if I am causing any trouble. An acquaitance and myself are... puzzling over some artifacts and ancient writings that we are both interested in. We do not wish any trouble and intend to give none if it can be helped."

Giganpor is at least respectful, despite standing tall. The fact that he's meeting her at a bridge definitely has him perhaps wondering a little.

"Granted, mine is more interest in ancient armors than the writing as of late." He adds on the end, shaking his head as he moves to look at some of the writing on the bridges and making sure it's obvious that he is studying them. Not trying to cross, and not trying to disturb the security. Just studying.

Prophylaxis was maybe just a few steps away from the bank of Dun Loireag when for SOME STRANGE REASON a chill runs down his spine in a way that even his primitive monkeybrain can identify without the bestial bits grafted onto his mind pitching in. It's the sensation of suddenly becoming prey--

But this time, the only things preying upon him... Are two very familiar wolfgirls.

Doesn't stop his gangly mage-body from halfway getting bowled over though. It's only his GAMER REFLEXES that save him from stumbling ass over teakettle into a cabbage stall. "L-ladies, fancy running into you all the way out here," the doctor says, tension evaporating like he wasn't just hunted down and pounced upon. "I was just poking around for some of those... You know, instances of Ancient Alvish Script and suchlike. Uh. Snacks! Right." Prophylaxis fishes around in his pockets, and offers a few adventurer-made candies (read: emergency brainfood rations) to the twin Landers. "Were you two just out for a stroll? I was hoping I'd find something that might help with the whole... undead situation. Or at least to figure out what some of this stuff means."

Akumeiji slowly slides her arms across one-another as Giganpor begins to speak, tilting her head a bit to the side. The bespectacled blonde might or might not be aware of his reputation, but whichever the case may be, she doesn't seem to see him in a negative light as he speaks up.

"You are not causing any trouble. What kind of information are you looking for?" She asks, turning her head upwards a bit. Giganpor, standing tall as he is, is a bit taller than the woman. "Ancient armor? Relics, then? Yes, I know something about those." She answers him.

---

The two look up at the doctor with wide eyes, looking at his pockets, hoping snacks will come out. And when adventurer-made candies come out, the two quickly grab at his hands and steal more than he intended to give. They're fast.

"Undead situation?" - "Oh those baddies that are trying to eat our animals right?"

"We kick their asses when they get close." - "But they keep bugging our outlying farms. It's a problem."

They both decide to pout for some reason for a moment, then look back to Prophylaxis. "Can't help you there! That's Hunters Guild stuff! Just punch them real hard" - "Or set them on fire or something."

The girls nod in agreement. "Why are you looking for Alvish writing?"

"In my case, it is a bit complicated." Giganpor says as he looks over the writing. Studying it, as if trying to discern how it works. He finally pulls out some parchment and writing tools to copy them and looks to Akumeji first for permission. It is her territory after all.

Regardless if she says he can or not, he mentions, "We recently made one of the Chaos Gates light up slightly. That is why I am looking at the writing, and hoping to gain some insight somehow. I... have never really studied them, despite having developed a new way to enchant."

He tilts his head as he moves a bit closer, being careful just in case as he looks at the bridge writing a bit more. "As for myself personally? I want to see where the path the Goddess set me on goes. I earned something called a... Moonlight Armorcrafter. The only clue I have is to 'follow in the footsteps of those who came before' and reasonably... well, the Alvs are most known for their wonders."

He hesitates a moment before he turns to look at Akumeji. "Truthfully, I find that I like making items that protect others over those that harm them." The giant of a were fang looks down at the ground. He's obviously thinking over what else to say, but finding a hard time getting the words right it seems.

OH NO HIS CANDY

Is it a worthy sacrifice to these two small, adorable creatures? Yes, probably. Would it be rude to headpat them furiously in broad daylight? Yes, also probably.

"Ahahaha, yeah those ones," Prophylaxis chuckles in spite of... the admittedly kind of grave situation. Grave. Because zombies. It's a funny joke! The boner of the century!! "Actually, fire works pretty good. Too good, though. Like when those dragons almost set the fields all on fire--"

"Oh, that's what I'm looking for more writing for, though," Prophylaxis explains. "We're starting to think that the stuff would be useful for unlocking things like the Chaos Gates. Things got real bad last time partly because we couldn't all make it back to Dun Loireag in time, so if we could fix that problem, it'd be a huge help, don't you think? Also..."

The doctor smiles just a bit mischeviously, "Because I think it's kind of interesting, don't you? A mysterious language of the ancients, tied to the relics of the world... It's fascinating stuff, isn't it? So I guess it's at least half personal interest?"

Akumeiji blinks at first when Giganpor claims it's complicated, and then starts pulling out parchment and writing tools as if it was normal. But then he talks about making the Chaos Gates light up, and she quickly licks her lower lip, grabs her glasses, and begins to insistently clean them with one of her sleeves.

"You lit up a Chaos Gate you said." She tries to feign casual acknowledgement, putting her glasses back on... then taking them off again to clean them more rigorously. "The writing isn't really a way of enchanting. It's describing the essence of a device or object." She makes note of. "Even we do not understand it very well." She adds.

Glasses go on again, as she bites her lower lip for a moment. "Tell you what. You show me how you made the chaos gate light up, and I will show you where you can find something interesting in regards to those who came before you." She proposes to him, seeming to care little about whether he'd use armor for good or evil, to harm or protect.

---

"Please don't set our fields on fire." - "That dragon really messed things up like a jerk!" - "What was a dragon even doing out there anyway?" "Nuuuuuu." "Huff." Yes, she says the word huff. She doesn't huff.

"You want more writing? We can show you more writing." "We used to go exploring through these streets when we were younger and found lots of interesting information."

Giganpor shakes his head, "Made one rune, unfortunately. Not the entire thing. If that was the case, we would be running around like mad trying to get them all back up. It was... a song, I believe? Let me see if my acquaintance knows about it. If not, I will have to ask my Alliance."

He activates his chimlink to Prophylaxis, "Hey, Prophylaxis. I have something here. Do you know how they made the Chaos Gate's rune light up? I... surprisingly met the Arch Mage of the Tower, and she is apparently very curious." He considers it seems, then adds, "Also, the writing is apparently describing the essence of a device or object according to her. Oh, and she said she has something interesting in regards to those came before... so... maybe a good lead on my end?"

Prophylaxis is around, after all! Who better to ask?

He looks over at Akumeji, keeping the chimlink open so he can hear Prophylaxis as well, "That reminds me. Are you still interested in Enigma Pieces? I have one, and honestly... I hate the things. I do not want to use them unless it is to protect this world myself."

"Yes. Of course it's a song." She answers him, taking off her glasses to clean them again. They're clean. They're squeeky clean. She's totally relaxed. Not at all excited for what he's offering him at all. Glasses go back on. "Please do let me know."

She pauses when Giganpor says she is curious. "I am willing to trade." She corrects him, clearly not willing to admit to any such things. She looks around to see who Giganpor might be talking to. After all, it looks like he's talking to the air.

"And yes, I am willing to purchase Enigma Pieces." She then motions for Giganpor to follow, right as another guard shows up at the base of the bridge and makes their way over to take over the watch.

Akumeiji begins to lead Giganpor away from the tower, and down along a set of stairs hidden behind an alley, pausing to get past a moving vane, and then ducks... through a wall. She just disappears through it, as if it ate her.

Her hand then sticks out, waving him to jump through.

"Yeah tell me about it. I didn't think dragons were even a thing anymore," Prophylaxis answers with a grumbling rumble. "I think it maybe has something to do with those Travellers that've shown up recently." It's PROBABLY a result of the Black Waves, too, but everything he's seen suggests that they're being worsened artificially. People from outside Yamato are interfering in ways that produce... difficult-to-predict results. "I'm glad I managed to get back in time to help," he says with a sigh, "That could have been really bad."

The girls make an offer, and Prophylaxis' ears actually do a rare twitch. "Oh? Really? That'd be great! I don't think I could ask for better guides!" His chim goes *ping* then, and he... looks to his messages. Then, in reply: "...She's there? Really. Let me know when you've got something for sure and I promise to provide what she wants to know. I'm going on a quick city tour with the best of the best, so bug me when you need to."

And with that, he gives the Mofurs a smile and goes to follow after them. Time for some ~deep sightseeing~

Giganpor's eyes widen a bit at that as he follows, "Oh, my apologies. She said she is willing to trade."

Giganpor sighs at the reply, then frowns. "I will." He hangs up the chimlink, then walks through the wall. He looks a bit annoyed, "Sometimes I hate dealing with people who want something and not willing to have some trust in others."

He opens his chimlink again, "Hey, everyone. Anyone have the details on that Chaos Gate rune lighting bit they can tell me about? Specific methods and such?"

Looking at Akumeji, he shakes his head, pulling out the enigma piece from the Rotting Forest Goblins and offering it to her, "Here. Seriously, give whatever for it. I'm just glad to have it out of my hands and not making me curious. If you have something that can make a weapon return to it's owner, though, I wouldn't mind that."

"Travelers? No, the Travelers don't bring dragons." The girls point out in unison, rather confused at Prophylaxis saying this. But then, Travelers is a very specific term which they believe doesn't fit beings other than the established ones.

They shrug at the interferences. "We think the Heroes will take care of it." They explain to them. With that said, they start leading Prophylaxis down a series of alleys, down and around, through winding ways and down stairs, until finally, they're about halfway down the cliffs as they arrive at a massive metalic gate that looks large enough to be used to deploy something the size of a truck. "There!" They point at the metal door.

It has symbols on it. But there's writing underneath one of the symbols.

< Was > - < Yea >

The reset appears untranslated. But were Prophylaxis to speak those two words, he'll notice that the first two symbols light up!

"The man who discovered this fell after celebrating at finding the second word." The girls say somberly, looking down at the fell cliff below them. There's no railing. OSHA would be very disappointed. But then, the Alv did not need railings.

----

The woman takes the enigma piece, quickly using a specific little black box to take it, closing it around it and puts it away. She then gives him a baggie of gold with some amount of haste. The transaction is over before Giganpor realizes it.

"I don't think I have anything that can just do something like that. I don't think you will find any relics in here... but..." As she guides him through a dark hall by lighting up a Light mote of magic, she guides him into a hall filled with ancient forges that would make his own pale by comparison. A lot of things within look broken and damaged. And there's Gnome symbols everywhere he can look. But there's this... air here.

This sense of wonder and /power/. The fire he could stoke here, in this place, reeks of the kind of madness that comes with someone who's honed their skill to perfection. There's a massive pile on one side with trashed metal scraps, some perfectly fine looking armor. But... it seems the person who worked here was not looking for 'perfectly fine'.

Giganpor follows after, calling upon his own summon to help light the way. Auris, the light bird-like elemental appears to perch on his shoulder as he follows. He's still talking to thin air. At least until she leads him into the forge. And he's at least careful of his surroundings while doing so.

Then he actually stops once inside the forge itself. Put his own to shame is an understatement. He begins to move carefully, looking around as he goes. Ceiling, walls, everything. Auris takes flight as the small bird flies around, lighting up the farthest reaches.

"... I... oh... wow..." The lion continues to look. He looks for a good, long while before he turns to Akumeji and bows to her. He's turned off his chimlink since then. And the bow is respectful one at that, "... thank you. This may help, more than either of us can know I think."

He seems to consider, then he notices the pile of trashed metal scraps and armor. Curiosity on his part has him moving that way to check them in person. And using inspection to see just what they are, and if he can to see what their history is with it. The rest of the forges, however, are definitely being studied. And he looks for ways to light them as well. To see how they work.

As Giganpor takes a moment to take it all in, seeing the forge, the ceiling, the walls, it is truly breathtaking. Akumeiji remains behind, letting him have his moment. The trash, the items, everything here was left by another blacksmith. But the closer he inspects, the more he realizes that this isn't one generation of armor. It's various makes. Various symbols. The products that generations after generations of Moonlight Blacksmiths decided 'was not good enough' for their craft.

When he takes up one of the pieces, a buckler, and runs his hand along it, he'll notice just how old that one is. Its integrity almost failing, it's that rusted.

When a dialog box appears;

< You have found those who came before you. You have a long road ahead of you >
<< QUEST: Moonlight Armor Smith II Unlocked >>

"Huh. Is there something that usually /does/ bring dragons?" Travelers are a thing that the Adventurers have only had very limited contact with, so Prophylaxis' confusion might be understandable. If he were to contextualize it, that is.

But... their faith is admirable, if a bit worrying considering... everything. The Heroes will take care of it, they say. Prophylaxis bites his figurative tongue. He's a doctor. Omitting information to maintain patient confidentiality is something he is absolutely used to doing. "We'll do our best to support them," he says, instead.

But then, there's...

Something.

Something that doesn't look like it should /be/ here. A massive metal gate that seems to lead into empty air. The first thing that comes to the doctor's mind is that it's some kind of unused airship dock. "...Wow. What /is/ this place? This is amazing. Like some kind of... vehicle hangar? Did Dun Loireag used to service airships...?" If so, he'll need to make note of where this is.

...It might contain relics that will be useful for certain other projects as well.

But what draws his attention first and foremost are those words-- the symbols, with /legible pronunciation/ underneath them. His eyes widen into saucepans as he whips out his journal and mouths the words, then carefully transcribes the symbols that light up, along with the underwritten text. "Did he work for the Mage Tower? I can understand, though. This has got my inner explorer absolutely giddy...!"

He might be vibrating just a little bit.

"I'm definitely treating the both of you to a meal at the Ryokan after this. Damn, what luck...!"

"I don't know." "I think he was just some bum." "He'd come here every evening, and just mumble at this door."

Were Prophylaxis to speak the words, the door's symbols would glow, and then go out again. Indeed, this may be a vehicle hangar for some kind of flying device. Or perhaps there is some other method of travel involved here. Perhaps it's Machina... which would be bad.

Whatever the case may be, when he touches it, it indicates: << IMMORTAL OBJECT >>

This is as far as Prophylaxis goes for now, it'd seem. But again, he's found something of interest. It is up to him what he does with it. Either way, he doesn't really get to research it. The girls quickly grab him by the sleeve and drag him. "YAY! Food!" And that is the end of that.

Giganpor stares at the dialogue box, then reads it out loud, so Akumeji can understand it as well. Taking a breath, he puts the buckler down and turns to walk back towards her. "Thank you."

He opens the chimlink to Prophylaxis, "Prophylaxis? I need that information. She... came through. And I have a new quest unlocked. With a very, very long road ahead of me."

Giganpor looks to Akumeji, "Is there anything else that I can help you with after this? I... do not know how to repay you with just information, let alone with what you have allowed me to possibly do by bringing me here."

If it's machina... If there are /machina/ under the city of Dun Loireag, that would be bad for basically everyone. A miniature apocalypse, or at least something that could spell the end of the city. The door... is unmoving, as well. The doctor's face scrunches into a thoughtful, peering stare. But if it's airships... Maybe he might know a certain someone who'd be interested in this. Maybe. He'll need to think about it.

"I see... Just a bum, huh? Whatever he was, he's got my thanks at least." He says with a relieved sigh. His chim goes off with a *ping* then, "Hm? Ah, it's a word. 'Enne.' Speak it near the door and the relevant text will glow. I'm glad you found whatever it was you were looking for--"

And then he cuts out, because he's being dragged off to a treat a pair of hungry doggos to an early dinner. Oh no, his fate... is a terrible one...!