Palace Lands: Dol Dona 2

As the second march of Adventurers arrives to Dol Dona, they are met by a team of Pooka dressed in green. They step down a path that descends ever so slightly into a dip just a bit below the forest floor. Large trees surrounding them on all sides, with mystic lights hanging from the various trees, lighting their way.

The Yellow level Guards hold up their hands to halt the Adventurers; "Please hold there." They tell the approaching group. It isn't long after, that a young Pooka woman steps forward, wearing a bow on her back. "Ah, more Adventurers!" She seems surprised. "I thought you were all traveling together." Filimøs Harrifenas admits to them as they get closer.

The scenery certainly caught an explorer's eye. Enough that Shiruba was admiring it and almost didn't notice the guards until they spoke up. She proptly stops as instructed and keeps a non-threatening posture, not wanting to make any accidental faux paus and ruin whatever progress the previous group made. Though they weren't attacked on sight, so that (hopefully) means no one blew anything up.

Then the Pooka lady appears. Immeadiately eyes glance the bow on her back, but Shiruba then turns her attention to the woman herself. "Some of us held back, in case we came across something other than an active settlement that others needed swift evacuation from."

    There could be any number of reasons why the Adventurers would arrive in multiple parties. They could have preferred not to overwhelm the locals. They could have been trying to be cautious and minimize risk. Present different faces at different times to learn more. Maybe some just wanted to clean up before meeting important people

    Personally, Fuka was likely told by someone not to screw this up for the adventurers. And to get some idea how they might react before being, well, herself. To which she no doubt replied that said person worried too much!

    Fuka herself isn't exactly threatening, though she's clearly an adventurer from her gear if nothing else. Maybe even obviously an Adventurer. She behaves when addressed by the guards, not wanting to mess with anything this dangerous. Well, not overtly mess with them at least. She bows to the arriving Pooka, offering stiff formality. "We have travelled together, certainly!" she says, her voice stiff and formal as well. Not at all her normal bubbly cheerfulness. One who actually knows her might double-take, and might well suspect she's putting on a little act, a little play of sorts. "But surely that does not mean we do *everything* together! Nevertheless, we did still want to meet you, even if such a meeting were separate in time and place."

The young woman tilts her head a bit, touching her hands to her back in confusion. "Something they might need evacuation from?" He asks. "The Thor Kingdom is a fairly well protected and well patrolled by our mercenaries." The young woman points out to Shiruba, before motioning for her to come along.

As Fukaziroh talks while they walk, Filimøs Harrifenas answers the young woman; "You are a lot more organized than the previous Adventurers. Those who came before you spoke of Guilds and Alliances." She explains to Fukaziroh. "So we merely figured you all traveled more together than that."

It isn't long before the crew is brought into the Main Plaza of Dol Dona. Unlike when the last group came here, it's a lot more busy. There's people milling about, and they can see a group of Hunter Guild members just going out to adventure. They might even spot an Adventurer or two they might recognize, heading out to earn a bit of reputation with the Hunters Guild.

"Welcome to Dol Dona. The Root City and Capital of the Thor Kingdom." The young elf then remarks. "Ruled by Potimas Harrifenas." Which, based on her Inspect, suggests she must be related to the ruler. "Many of your compatriots are currently resting in the Hunters Guild halls. And a few went on to the taverns or to sleep out in the forest." She explains - giving them a chance to ask questions.

Around them, they see greenery and caves. Even a mine shaft elevator here and there. But everything seems highly nature based, almost like they were in Eastal Free League, outside of the Root City.

"At that point, we did not know for certain as we only encountered abandoned settlements on our journey here," Shiruba explains as she follows after Filimos when the Pooka turns to lead them farther inside. "So ensuring we had backup and an escape route covered for the initial venture was a precaution that was, thankfully, unnecessary." Not wanting to overwhelm the natives is probably on that list somewhere too, but not one of Shiruba's primary concerns.

An eye is squinted briefly at Fuka, but she's making an effort to not be an overbearing presence so it's appreciated, even if it does seem a little off and forced.

"That is correct, ma'am. I myself am the leader of one such guild. My name is Shiruba." Then a pause to take in the new sights... utterly unsurprised that some of them would rather spend a night at the tavern. Her ears perk up at the mention of a Hunters' Guild though. A small bit of familiarity in the strange new land. "It is quite impressive that you've built your city underground."

    "Multiple guilds, several alliances." Fukaziroh agrees in that uncharacteristic oldish-seeming voice, sounding like she's quoting some ancient proverb. She considers her words carefully, and even more carefully considers how it would be a really bad idea to screw things up for Adventurers. Or the Landers when it comes to it. She's not exactly a diplomat but she's of the Messenger class for good reason. She likes being social, and appropriate... when appropriate.

    "I thank you for your kind welcome." Fuka says, still formally. She glances at Shiruba, and a smile almost appears. Almost. A wink would be wholly inappropriate, but one of her brows twitches like she's considering it. "We come for different reasons I suppose. Possibly as many reasons as there are individuals. Some for adventure, some for knowledge. Some for opportunity, and some for friendship."

    Fuka pauses, looks around somewhat dramatically. "Some to see something new. And here you are, showing us the wonders of your city! Very kind."

"I believe we have much of that to owe to the Alv and Gnomes who build Dol Dona." Filimøs Harrifenas answers Shiruba as she mentions the city. She smiles a bit. She hadn't personally mentioned they'd build underground, but she recognizes that Shiruba is an Adventurer, and thus would obviously know this because of their ability to communicate instantly across great distances.

"You should have met a bunch of our farming communities though! We shouldn't have any abandoned villages before hitting the bridge." From their side. "Please let us know if you found any abandoned communities though. We'd have to send out our mercenaries right away!" The young woman seems concerned at Shiruba claiming such a thing.

To Fukaziroh, the Pooka simply smiles at first, before adding; "We have many wonderous things to discover here. We have a great deal of merchants and communities. We have people beneath the earth working on refurnishing some of the Gnome machines. And to our west, we have a community of people looking to become more in tune with nature." She explains to them. "There's also a port to the North!"

Shiruba ohs! And waves a hand in a quick calming gesture. "I was talking about before the bridge, yes. I'm sorry, I did not mean to worry you by being unclear. In my mind the farming lands registered as part of the community of the Root City and not seperate settlements." Aheh. So much for avoiding miscommunications.

She ahems into a closed fist, and is glad to move onto a different topic. "Built by the Alv and Gnomes, that makes sense. Where we come from, such communities were driven from their subterranian homes by war, or goblins and other monsters." She's still happy to trade information for information, at least. The woman mentions markets, and a harbor. Oh that would be good to know. "Do you have someplace I could find maps of your kingdom miss?", she asks as the explorer's itch gets the better of her.

    "Worry not, young one." Okay, THIS is rich coming from Fuka, who would get carded often at taverns were there such a law in this world. "Our journey was untroubled once we reached the borders of your fair nation. Nothing worth sending out mercenaries for, certainly." she says, languidly waving a hand as if nothing was worth any trouble at all. It's also an act, of course, but one that's a common enough polite fiction.

    Shiruba's request for information is a natural one, and it gives Fuka ideas. Not the bad sort of ideas, honest. She wonders, in fact, what her friends might most want to know about. Of course they're quite capable of asking on their own behalf, but she'd just love to surprise them with something interesting.

    "I will have to see all these things, of course. In time, in time." Fuka says creakily. Her voice, at least, doesn't sound like it has much time left. "I would love to hear about your people's songs, most of all. Is there truly any better way to know a people than to know of what they sing?"

"We have maps in the libraries below. But they are very expensive, as they are manually drawn each time." The Pooka answers Shiruba. "Most of our work happens upon the Scroll Medium. I've come to understand that your people have invented a way to more easily copy paper than that however. Similar to Kallamore Kingdom, no doubt." She proposes. "As for the monsters. The Gnomes had trouble as well in this region, when the monster population rose upon the world. But the Root City is quite safe from any such interference." The archer proposes.

She seems calmed down a bit, with the correction of confusion. "Good! Good." She chimes, before thinking on Fukaziroh's inquiry. "Adventurers usually don't care that much about our songs. You often seem more obsessed with your... 'Idols', I believe it is called? Either way, you can find our songs amongst our populace. You need but ask them." It doesn't look like she intends to give them some serenade at the moment, but Fukaziroh would find that the populace here seems to know the exact same songs as out in Yamato.

Whew. Misunderstanding crisis adverted.

Shiruba smirks a bit at the mention of maps being present, and being expensive. Before the Apocalypse making maps of various locations and selling them was one of her main means of making money, and why she didn't venture into one of the other crafting occupations. "I know how much work and time goes into crafting a map, I can understand the reasoning behind the price." The library being the location to check is mentally checked for later, as their guide seems to be headed somewhere in particular with them. The mention of another Kingdom in the land is also noted. "And yes, they have, though it is mostly used for literature as far as I am aware of. I don't know if copying a map with such technology is possible yet."

Shiruba quiets for a moment, letting Fuka have her time to discuss music. Shiruba isn't all that great with songs but it seems to be an important part of Elder Tale in general.

    Fuka's a little obsessed with idols it's true. Not as much as some of her friends though, both IRL and in-game. It's still something she takes seriously though; as seriously as she takes anything. No doubt her interest is noted, both by the Pooka and the Cait Sith, but it's not exactly an obsession. Still... "Music is important!" the young Sylph insists, her voice losing its creaky edge for a few brief words. She pauses, coughs, and continues in the measured older-natured speech she'd been using before. "As is the other things a people does to share community." she says. "Feasting, dancing, stories... boasting around a fire?" she suggests. Maybe they can go to a tavern and have fun. Or good food. Or both!

    For a moment Fuka's quiet, considering if there is truly a way to copy maps other than by hand. Ah to have a nice cell phone. Someone other than her is going to have to figure out photocopying, she figures.

The young looking Pooka smiles to Fukaziroh as she talks about Feasting, Dancing, Stories et-cetera. "They are wonderful staples of community, yes." She answers. "But try to be ease on what you introduce into our community. We don't want our people to experience too much of a Culture Shock. I am sure you will understand." The Pooka remarks to Fukaziroh. "Is there anything else I might help with?" The young woman then asks, "Any arrangements I can make for you perhaps?"

Shiruba gives Fuka a light nudge with her elbow, just to make sure that point gets across. "We do not want to overwhelm them with exposure to us, just as much as we do not want to overwhelm ourselves. Respect their culture and they will respect ours." She is amused the woman actually knows the phrase 'culture shock' though. The wolfgirl tilts her head a bit, most of her attention still on the Pooka woman. "In that regard, is there anything else specific you wish to show us, miss?"

    The need to preserve and protect Landers from having their culture ruined is, believe it or not, something Fuka's been lectured on and agrees with. She nods affably at the request, seeming at ease with it. Perhaps she does indeed understand. She grunts when struck with Shiruba's elbow though, seeming to deflate. Well okay, she wasn't struck. She's clearly exaggerating. Still, she looks morally wounded if not harmed physically. "Hey, I respect culture!" she complains in her normal, young tone. Sure she does horrible things when singing at her foes, but that's different! Enemy mobs aren't the same at all!

The young woman shakes her head. "Noting in particular." She pauses for a moment, then goes; "Oh, and the Lord requests nobody tinker with the Chaos Gate please. It's off limits for tinkering." She points out to Shiruba. The thing is rusted, much like all the other Chaos Gates they'd seen in other Root Towns before. "If that will be all." The young woman then remarks, "Please, enjoy your time in Dol Dona!"

Shiruba glances in the indicated direction.. and is unsurprised at what she sees. "Yours are not working then, either," she muses, and nods. "We will leave it alone, yes. Messing with such things without understanding them is a terrible mistake I'd rather not be made by anyone." Then glances back the way they've passed through. The maps in the library is one thing, but she's also curious about that other section. Oh, choices, choices. She looks back to the Pooka woman. "Does your naturalist community have any animal handlers in it?", she asks, curious about how these people handle the unusual nature of their Beasts. Though it probably isn't unusual to them, so she avoids phrasing it that way.

"It does, yes. Though people with such abilities more commonly are found in the farming communities. They tend to be the sheppards." The woman answers Shiruba patiently.

    Chaos gate, huh? This is kind of the first time such a thing has been pointed out as significant to Fukaziroh. She has no particular interest in them, not until she's told not to tinker with it. That tells her there's reason some might tinker. Not that SHE would do such a thing. Not after specifically being asked not to. But it does kind of pique her interest and cause an itch she can't scratch.

    Hey, Fuka's a bit of a contrarian.

    Gathering her focus, Fuka returns to the old and creaky formal voice. "Thank you, young miss. You have been most kind. Most kind indeed." she says with a bow. As for enjoying their time... when does Fuka do anything otherwise?