Early Learning Mechanism

Early Learning Mechanism is a quest in .
==Steps==
# Go to Port Ormos and look for Anis
# Talk to the staff at Acara Crafts
# Leave Port Ormos
# Wait until two days later
# Head to the conference
==Gameplay Notes==
* The is granted for correctly answering Faruzan's question about the lowest number of steps needed to complete a seven-layer "Pagoda Stack"
** The "Pagoda Stack" game is based on the puzzle. The minimal number of moves required to solve the puzzle is calculated as 2^n-1 where n is the number of disks. 
** The solution to Faruzan's question can be calculated as: 2^7-1=127
==Dialogue==
===Toys and How to Play With Them===
;(Talk to Nadwah again at the Akademiya, optional)
: Nadwah: Archon be praised, I can finally send a report to my superiors! Thank you so much!
: Nadwah: I have no idea how we might have persuaded her otherwise...
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Nadwah, optional)
: Nadwah: (How did I end up getting myself into this...)
;(Go to Port Ormos and look for Anis)
: Anis: Madam Faruzan...! It's really you! Did you... change your mind?
: Faruzan: Alright, calm down. Let me be clear: I'm still not all that interested in Kshahrewar. I'm just here to see how the project is going.
: Faruzan: After all, you're here as representatives of the Akademiya in this collaboration. The reputation of all researchers is at stake here, so I will not simply stand by should mistakes get made.
: Anis: Haha... Either way, it's good that you were willing to come.
: Anis: Now, we've given Acara Crafts many ideas over the past couple of days. However, their owner thinks that our designs are too complicated, which will drive production costs too far up...
: Faruzan: That's expected. Students who have never had to deal with budgetary constraints probably don't understand how important it is to keep costs low. How enviable... Ahem!
: By any chance, has it been very difficult for you...
: ...To get funding for your research?
: Anis: If you join the Kshahrewar, your budget will be as big as you want it to be! I guarantee it.
: Faruzan: That's enough. I will not repeat myself. Take me to Acara Crafts' owner first, if you please.
: Anis: *sigh* ...Alright. He's usually at the slope up ahead recruiting volunteers to test out his toys. Let's just head over.
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Mamdouh, optional)
: Mamdouh: (Surely the kids will like this one...?)
;(Talk to the staff at Acara Crafts)
: Anis: Mamdouh, the one I recommended is here!
: Mamdouh: Oh, so you're... uh, Madam Faruzan?
: Faruzan: Yes, that's me.
: Mamdouh: Ah, wonderful! We haven't been able to make any progress on our collaboration recently.
: Mamdouh: We've made many suggestions, but Miss Anis thought that those ideas were too simple and wouldn't be effective in training the mind...
: Anis: These early learning toys are meant to help the Akademiya train future researchers, after all. If they're too simple, then how are they any different from regular toys?
: Mamdouh: But if they're too complicated, not only will they be expensive to produce considering our production capabilities, but they won't have much broad appeal to Sumeru's children, either.
: Faruzan: So the design can't be too complicated, but it can't be too easy to play with, either? Hmm...
: Anis: I remember that, in your notes, many contraptions have managed to fulfill complex functions despite using simple parts. Maybe we can do something similar with these early learning toys...
: Faruzan: The contraptions in my notes? I didn't create those. I simply took the contraptions in the ruins apart and analyzed them.
: Faruzan: But now that you mention it, the ruins did have things like that. Do you have a pen, paper, and scissors? I'll make a paper prototype.
: Mamdouh: You have an idea already? ... I suppose I should have expected as much of a respected Akademiya senior researcher. We do have those, yes. Please, help yourself!
:
: Mamdouh: Oh, you're done already?
::
: Faruzan: Let me explain. These three thick lines represent three poles.
: Faruzan: These paper strips of varying lengths represent rings of different sizes. They can be slotted onto the poles and stacked up like a tower.
: Mamdouh: Well... That is easier to make than I expected. So, how is this game played?
: Faruzan: That's very simple as well. You just need to shift the "tower" from this pole to another pole.
: Anis: Um, isn't this a little too simple? Even by the standards of an early learning toy, I mean...
: Faruzan: Of course, when moving each "ring," the paper strips in this case, you must follow one rule: You can only move one ring at a time, and you can't place a bigger ring on top of a smaller one.
: Faruzan: It's like building a tower. The rings in the three poles must be stacked from big to small. I name this toy... "Pagoda Stack."
: Anis: Hmm, Pagoda Stack...
: Mamdouh: That sounds way too simple. Even I feel like it's missing something.
: Faruzan: Give it a try and you'll find out if it's simple or not. I heard from Anis that you find volunteers to try out the toys, right? Why don't we do the same for this game?
: Mamdouh: It's such a simple toy. There's no need to...
: Anis: Mamdouh, let's just do as she says.
: Mamdouh: Huh? Okay then...
:
: Faruzan: And that's how you play this game. You can all give it a try. Let's see who's able to move the "tower" to another pole in the smallest number of steps.
: Qasit: You called everyone here for such a simple toy?
: Alia: It doesn't look like it'll take that many steps...
: Ruhi: Come on, we all promised to help Mr. Mamdouh test out the new toys. He said he'd give us new Genius Invokation TCG cards!
: So they were lured in by the promise of a different toy...
: So they were lured in by the promise of new cards...
: Qasit: Ugh... fine. Let's get this over and done with so we can head back and play cards.
:
: Ruhi: ...Done. It took me 19 steps.
: Alia: Huh? It took me over 20 steps!
: Qasit: Hehe, I only needed 18 steps!
: Faruzan: Not bad! Looks like you're all familiar with the rules now.
: Faruzan: Then, let's increase the difficulty. The next "tower" will be five layers tall. Now then, give it a shot.
::
: Alia: Wait, there's more?
: Qasit: Well, since we're already here, why don't we just give it a try?
: Ruhi: An extra layer shouldn't make it that much harder, right?
: Qasit: ...What's going on? I've already moved over 30 steps, but I'm still not done yet.
: Alia: Hehe, I'm almost done. Looks like I'm the faster one this time.
: Ruhi: Done! It took me 35 steps!
: Qasit: What, how!?
: Ruhi: This "Pagoda Stack" toy is pretty fun to play with!
: Faruzan: Good. We'll try it one final time. This time, we'll add two more layers, making seven layers in total.
::
: Faruzan: Mamdouh, we've still got quite a few paper strips here. Why don't you give this a go as well?
: Mamdouh: Do you need that many steps for something this simple? Let me try!
: Anis: Madam Faruzan... allow me to try it as well!
: Faruzan: You were looking at it quite seriously just now. Are you starting to understand the principles involved?
: Anis: I... think so?
: Faruzan: If you want to test out your hypothesis, you'll just have to play and find out!
: Anis: Got it!
: Faruzan: Ah. We don't have enough paper strips left for you, . However, by the looks of things, you seem to have the game figured out.
: Somewhat.
: Just about.
: Faruzan: Why don't you guess what the lowest number of steps needed to solve a seven-layer "Pagoda Stack" is?
: 100 steps.
:: Faruzan: What a shame. You were close. However, you did well for someone seeing "Pagoda Stack" for the first time.
: 108 steps.
:: Faruzan: What a shame. You were close. However, you did well for someone seeing "Pagoda Stack" for the first time.
: 127 steps.
:: Faruzan: Oh? Color me impressed. You figured it out so quickly!
: 136 steps.
:: Faruzan: What a shame. You were close. However, you did well for someone seeing "Pagoda Stack" for the first time.
: Faruzan: Let's see how well they do, then.
:
: Mamdouh: If I move this small ring, then the big one won't be able to go on top of it. This is going to take more steps than I expected...
: Qasit: I—I've lost count of how many steps I've taken! Can I restart?
: Alia: This got a lot harder...
: Anis: Hmm...
: Anis: I solved it! Madam Faruzan, it takes 127 steps in total!
: Mamdouh: That many? But there are only seven layers!
: Anis: For every extra layer in the Pagoda Stack, the move order you need to consider becomes much more complex, and the number of steps required will at least double...
: Faruzan: More accurately, it will require double the steps, plus one each time. You did well. You didn't underestimate the "principles" behind it just because it's an early learning toy.
: Faruzan: The complexity of any given contraption isn't determined by the number of parts it has. The way the parts interact and the rules behind how it operates are important too.
: Anis: Oh, I see. No wonder you emphasized in your notes that no contraption should ever be underestimated.
: Mamdouh: I see. So even a simple toy can become complex with the right set of rules...
: Faruzan: That's right. The rules used for "Pagoda Stack" are the simplest kind when it comes to ancient contraption-making techniques.
: Faruzan: I could spend some time picking out all those machines that do something similar and write you a reference book.
: Faruzan: Once that happens, you can give the volunteers the reference book and paper prototypes, and find out which toy is the most popular.
: Alia: Do you have any other toys?
: Qasit: Yeah, when can we play with them?
: Faruzan: Uh, in about two days or so, I think. Anis, if you're free, can you help me with the illustrations for the reference book?
: Anis: Of course! I'd be honored!
: Mamdouh: Two days should be enough for us to find more volunteers. Then, we can organize a huge conference here, at which we can announce which toy we'll be making.
: Should I come back in two days, then?
: Mamdouh: You'd be most welcome! We need more people to get a healthy range of opinions. The more, the merrier!
: Faruzan: Thank you for coming here with me today. I'll walk back with you.
;(Talk to Mamdouh again)
: Mamdouh: No wonder she's so well-respected at the Akademiya. When I first saw her, I thought she might be unreliable because she's so young...
: Mamdouh: Ah! Don't let her know I said that. Anis warned me about that before...
;(Talk to Anis again)
: Anis: Is Madam Faruzan really going to mentor me? What an honor!
: Anis: Ah, I'm sure she'll say "helping with illustrations isn't mentoring"... So, ah, don't tell her I said that.
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Anis, optional)
: Anis: (Ah, if only Madam Faruzan were willing to switch to Kshahrewar... *sigh*)
;(Talk to Qasit, Ruhi, or Alia again)
: Qasit: We need to wait two whole days before we get the new toys...
: Ruhi: It might just be all reference stuff. It'll be a loooong time before we can play with the real toys.
: Alia: Guess all we can do is play Genius Invokation TCG in the meantime...
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Anis, optional)
: Alia: (This new game's not bad, but Genius Invokation TCG is better...)
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Qasit, optional)
: Qasit: (This new game's fun, like Genius Invokation TCG.)
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Ruhi, optional)
: Ruhi: (This new game is even more fun than Genius Invokation TCG!)
;(Continue to Question and Answer Time)
===Question and Answer Time===
: Faruzan: I'll be going then. Say hi to Tighnari and Collei for me if you can. Once everything here is settled, I'll make my way over to Pardis Dhyai as quickly as I can.
: So, about Kshahrewar...
:: Faruzan: You want to ask why I'm unwilling to join them, yes?
:: Faruzan: Putting aside the fact that they're too full of themselves, I actually have no issue with their research methodologies and approach.
:: Faruzan: After all, knowledge is either right or wrong. Superiority and inferiority do not come into the conversation. All researchers are just doing their best to shed light on the unknown in their respective fields of expertise.
:: Faruzan: No matter what corner of the unknown they shed light on, it's a step forward for us all.
:: Then why do you refuse to join them?
:: Faruzan: Because I believe wholeheartedly in that principle.
:: Faruzan: Even if the others call my research "useless," as long as the knowledge I gain from it is accurate, it could become useful in the future.
:: Faruzan: In the end, "useful" and "useless" are concepts that shouldn't be used to evaluate knowledge.
:: Faruzan: When I first started deciphering ancient documents, I didn't think about how it'd be "useful" to Kshahrewar.
:: Faruzan: That's why there's no need for me to join them to do "useful" research. I'd rather stay in Haravatat. It's much more convenient for me to access the materials I need for my research here.
:: Faruzan: *sigh* ... Still, the funding that Kshahrewar has offered me is so hard to get in Haravatat...
: Oh yeah, about Anis...
:: Faruzan: Anis? We haven't had much time to get to know each other, but she seems like a good kid.
:: Faruzan: She's able to calmly figure out the basic principles behind something without being influenced by others.
:: Faruzan: I'll do my best to teach her over the next few days... Still, how much she learns will really depend on her.
:: Why don't you take her on as your student?
:: Faruzan: Well, her interest lies in the application of mechanisms.
:: Faruzan: I do have some old knowledge to share, but if we think about the future, it's easier for her to learn the things she's interested in if she stays in Kshahrewar.
:: Faruzan: My research into mechanisms is, in a sense, a side effect of my research into ancient texts.
:: Faruzan: If she becomes my student to learn how to make modern contraptions, it wouldn't benefit either of us in the long run.
:: I see. I hadn't considered that.
:: Faruzan: However, if she develops an interest in deciphering ancient texts over these next two days, that would change things.
:: Faruzan: If I successfully poach a student... those young punks at Haravatat will have one less reason to cut my budget!
: Faruzan: Perhaps if this collaborative project goes smoothly, I can even ignore Haravatat and ask for a higher budget directly from the Akademiya...
: About the collaborative project...
: Do you have any ideas?
: Faruzan: Oh, I could come up with lots of ideas. With Anis's help, two days will be enough for our work. However, I'm still undecided as to the style of the reference book's text and illustrations...
: Try to be accurate and detailed?
:: Faruzan: You're right. Explanations are a core part of early development, too.
:: Faruzan: By using detailed and accurate illustrations, we can impart knowledge more effectively. It would also make it easier for me to recruit students.
:: Faruzan: Thank you! I'll take your opinion into account. See you in two days.
:;(Proceed to A Failed Reference Book...?)
: Try to keep it simple and fun?
:: Faruzan: You're right. If no one understands the reference book, it doesn't matter how detailed it is.
:: Faruzan: It's better to make it simpler and fun so that children will be interested in the subject. It'll also make it easier for me to recruit students in the long run...
:: Faruzan: Thank you! I'll take your opinion into account. See you in two days.
:;(Proceed to Potential Students...?)
;(Talk to Tighnari at Pardis Dhyai before waiting until 2 days later, optional)
: Tighnari: Have you met with Madam Faruzan yet?
: Yes. She's still kinda busy...
: She needs about two more days...
: Tighnari: It's fine. Collei has already filled me in, more or less.
: Tighnari: I've also managed to settle some of the problems on my side, so I've got time to wait for Madam Faruzan to arrive.
: Tighnari: Can you help me find out how she's faring in two days' time?
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Tighnari, optional)
: Tighnari: (I do hope Madam Faruzan is able to find time as soon as possible...)
===A Failed Reference Book...?===
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Faruzan, optional)
: Faruzan: (Will I finally be able to attract some students?)
: Anis: Oh? You're here! We're just starting to set up the venue.
: Mamdouh: We've called up everyone we possibly could have. This is going to be quite the event!
: Faruzan: Hehe. My masterpiece is going to be exhibited, after all. Let's see what the Akademiya shall say about it this time!
:
: Faruzan: ...To sum up, the 24 forms of pressure-based puzzle mechanisms were used in various ruins...
: Faruzan: Alright, let's go to the next page. Now, I'll explain the base layer design of Elemental Monuments.
: How did things turn out like this?
: I feel like I'm in class...
: Qasit: *yawn* Are we done yet? I'm falling asleep...
: Alia: I don't understand any of it at all...
: Ruhi: *snore*
: Servan: Are these really toys?
: Nazenin: They sound a bit too dangerous to buy for children...
: Kamal: Oh...
: Mamdouh: Uh, well, we've prepared paper prototypes for everyone. If you're interested in the mechanisms Madam Faruzan's talked about, you're more than welcome to try them out!
: Qasit: This is no fun. Can I try another toy?
: Alia: I wanna go home and play Genius Invokation TCG...
: Ruhi: *snore*
: Servan: Forget it. I don't think anyone would be interested...
: Nazenin: I should go home and take care of my children...
: Kamal: Hmm...
:
: Mamdouh: How did this happen...? Forget about getting opinions from others. No one even wanted to stay and try them out...
: Anis: I'm sorry. I think we miscalculated...
: I must apologize, too...
: Faruzan: No, you simply gave suggestions. I was the one who decided to follow through. Anis, too, was only following my instructions.
: Faruzan: I will find a way to make up for this error. Please give me some time. I'll write another reference book...
: Kamal: Excuse me, but are you the one who wrote this reference book?
: Faruzan: Uh, yes. Who are you?
: Mamdouh: Ah, you're that man-mountain who was in the crowd just now!
: Kamal: Haha, do I stand out that much? Well, I guess I don't look like someone who'd have anything to do with toys...
: Kamal: Let me introduce myself. I'm Kamal, the Branch Master of Sumeru's Adventurers' Guild.
: Anis: What's the Branch Master doing here? Were you looking for us, or did something happen?
: Kamal: Ah, I came to Port Ormos to visit some old friends. On the way over, I saw the booklet you all were handing out, so I came to take a look.
: Kamal: Can you print a few more copies of this booklet and sell them to the Adventurers' Guild? Also, could you make full-fledged models of those paper prototypes and sell them to us as well?
: Mamdouh: What does the Adventurers' Guild want with these toys?
: Kamal: You may see them as toys, but to adventurers who need to deal with all sorts of machines and contraptions within ancient ruins, this booklet is a true treasure!
: Kamal: We have many members who can't read, so books are of little use to them. What they know of handling mechanisms has been learned solely through word-of-mouth.
: Kamal: Even if the Akademiya granted public access to all their books, there are people who can't use them...
: Anis: Ah, and our booklet is practically all pictures!
: Faruzan: Well, it IS designed for children...
: Kamal: It might be a bit too difficult for children, but it's perfect for adventurers. Also, those paper strips... Uh, you called them paper prototypes?
: Kamal: If you can make wooden versions for demonstration purposes, even the most illiterate person would be able to follow along and understand.
: Kamal: If we can supply a model set for each branch and if each adventurer carries a booklet with them, then ruin exploration will become much safer!
: Faruzan: Y—You really think so? *cough* I mean, yes, yes, I always knew it! Knowledge will always be needed one way or another!
: Mamdouh: Making models of contraptions for the Adventurers' Guild? To be honest, that sounds like a good avenue to explore to me.
: Will there be an issue with the Akademiya?
: Anis: Uh, we'll probably have to send in a separate application, but it shouldn't be an issue.
: Anis: After all, this concerns safety during the exploration of ruins. It's a problem that the Akademiya is actually trying to address as well...
: Kamal: Then let's cut to the chase and discuss the details of our first order. The amount we're offering to pay in advance is...
: Kamal: ...This much.
: Faruzan: !
;(Proceed to Ending: Knowledge is Wealth!)
====Ending: Knowledge is Wealth!====
===Potential Students...?===
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Faruzan, optional)
: Faruzan: (Will I finally be able to attract some students?)
: Anis: Oh? You're here! We're just starting to set up the venue.
: Mamdouh: We've called up everyone we possibly could have. This is going to be quite the event!
: Faruzan: Hehe. My masterpiece is going to be exhibited, after all. Let's see what the Akademiya shall say about it this time!
:
: Faruzan: And if we activate this little mechanism, just like that...
: Faruzan: ...A Sumeru Rose will appear at the top of the cane!
: Qasit: Oh, I see!
: Ruhi: I thought it came out of thin air! It's amazing!
: Alia: If the mechanism was bigger, you could make a rabbit appear, right?
: Ruhi: Then you can't use a cane. Could you switch it out with a hat or something?
: Faruzan: You're applying what you learned creatively. Not bad.
: Faruzan: Let's look at the next page. If you fold an origami bird like this, it'll fly further and more stably...
: Qasit: Whoa... you can make a mechanism using just a piece of paper?
: Faruzan: Hehe. The "principles" at play are even more important than the parts that make up a mechanism.
: Servan: These are pretty cool. I'm tempted to try them out.
: Nazenin: I'm not that interested in toys, but if they'll be beneficial for children's development...
: Mamdouh: Everyone, we have paper prototypes and craft materials that you can use to make your own toys! Come try them out!
: Servan: This is such a well-prepared event! I'll give it a go.
: Ruhi: But we want to play, too...
: Mamdouh: It's fine! We have a lot of paper prototypes and craft materials! All feedback is also welcomed!
:
: Qasit: Oh! My origami bird flew further this time!
: Ruhi: Uhh, Professor Faruzan, how can I make mine fly farther?
: Faruzan: Ahem! Just "Madam" will do. Maybe, in the future, you may indeed get the chance to call me "Professor"...
: Faruzan: You may wish to pay attention to these few details. Here, for example... Alright, try it again.
: Ruhi: Wow! It really did fly farther!
: Alia: Madam Faruzan, will we learn origami at the Akademiya?
: Faruzan: Of course you will. If you become a researcher, you can explore any field you like to your hearts' content.
: Faruzan: In the future, if you want, you can even become one of my students...
: Alia: But Mom and Dad said that there are six Darshans in the Akademiya... Wait, was it seven?
: Alia: Which Darshan teaches about mechanisms and origami?
: Faruzan: Well, uh, in this case, it wouldn't be Haravatat...
: Qasit: I know! We need to choose Kshahrewar!
: Faruzan: Huh!?
: Qasit: I want to attend Kshahrewar in the future and fold even better origami birds!
: Ruhi: I—I wanna make even more awesome mechanisms!
: Faruzan: Actually, the other Darshans do have their own specialties too. For example, Haravatat specializes in... Pay attention, children... children!
: Looks like these early learning toys are a success.
: However, looks like recruiting students might be an issue...
: Faruzan: How did this happen...
: Alia: What if we end up in a Darshan we don't like? Does that mean that we won't get to learn about the things we do like?
: Faruzan: ...
: Faruzan: *sigh* No, that won't happen. Take me for example. I'm a researcher from Haravatat, but I research mechanisms, see?
: Faruzan: The only person able to restrict your curiosity as a researcher... is you. Uh, do you understand what I'm saying?
: Alia: Uh... Not really.
: Faruzan: Heh. It's alright. You still have a long road ahead of you. Now, do you want to learn about some other machines?
: Faruzan: Let me tell you a story about pressure-based mechanisms and Elemental Monuments.
:;(Proceed to Ending: The Gardener and the Nursery)
====Ending: The Gardener and the Nursery====
===Unsorted Voice-Overs===
: Collei: (Ugh... I still haven't finished my homework for today...)
: Faruzan: (What a nuisance...)
==Trivia==
* The "Pagoda Stack" game is based on the puzzle.
==Other Languages==
==Change History==