pawnstorm | intro ♚ september

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intro ♚ september

WELCOME TO Grantebrycge

We’ve all had those dreams: you wake up on a table, to blurry, ominous images and the certainty that you are absolutely buck-naked in a room full of strangers. This is not quite it.

Instead, you come awake to the sun on your face. The soft burble of water nearby. The hustle and bustle of a busy street and the faint, fortifying smell of bread. You open your eyes and there’s no one there at your bedside, but there is what appears to be the end of the world happening just beyond your window.

There’s a crack in the world across the sky, the “sun” is the totally unnatural light spilling from that crack straight into your eyes, and someone’s left a neatly pressed and folded uniform at the foot of the bed that isn’t yours. Somewhere in the room, there’s a strange clatter like beads, the click of claws on the floor.

Something’s in here with you.

Also, you are naked.

ONE ♟ Video Killed The Radio Star

Rise and shine, Heroes. It seems that today is filled with good fortune as the morning is very uneventful, aside from the monthly arrival of new comrades. This is the perfect time to grab your weapon, Carrier and uniform and use your time to look around Caissa. While exploring or catching up on the latest gossip, you might blow past the delivery carriages outside of the Hall of Glory, but you certainly won’t be missing the steampunk televisions and vending machines which will be set up around noon time by your lovely maids and butlers! The TVs are placed in every single bedroom as well as leisure rooms so you can enjoy your daily fix of popular cooking show Inferno Kitchen, primetime Cheoksan drama Summer Cantata or the Gammonian hit series Sport of Crowns! The vending machines can be found in the hallways and contain snacks and drinks such as canned mackin’ cheese (or as Noirs like to call it, Lovekraft Supper), Pooky, Cpt. Pepperoni, Mountin' Do, or Eight Up. You are free to come up with your own TV show or vending machine food items.

Thierry Toussaint
My dearest Heroes! I hope today finds you well, and for once I bring good news! [ he laughs a little sheepishly. he’s dressed less formally than in previous somber declarations and his hair looks windblown, like he ran here ] As you well know, our recent victories and mostly importantly, a successful alliance with Gammon has brought no small amount of blessings: we have more resources, better manpower, and the invaluable help of our Gammonian colleagues not just in war, but also in advancing our civilization!

And so it is my pleasure to unveil our new and improved broadcast technology— [ a pause, where he winks ] —do I look clearer to you? It’s a little harder to tell from this end, I’m afraid. You’ll be able to receive better, brighter and more varied content from our country’s talented producers. Oh…

[ another, longer pause. teddy looks offscreen and then laughs ]

I’m not getting paid for this, I promise. I don’t need any other motivation to be excited for my country, do I? In addition to the television programs, we will be helping with the release of newly developed vending machine technology that brings fresh and healthy snacks to the streets of our capital, and hopefully, beyond. It would be nice to have one for my office.

I’ve mentioned our Gammonian friends, haven’t I? And I’ve saved the best for last: as a token of the friendship between our countries and all that we can do for each other, Gammon has assisted us in completing Platform 40— … 42 and 5/8ths, an instantaneous portal between our very own Caissa and Cochrane. I look forward to even more cultural and commercial exchange from all the way across the Rokirovka Ocean!

And ah, speaking of exchange—the Platform has been completed just in time for you, dear Heroes. Gammon has actually extended another invitation to you: as national and international icons and users of magic, they would like you to visit their school of magecraft, Pigeonsblood, in Grant— Grant… [ … ] You will be able to reach the school easily through the Platform!

Pigeonsblood’s Headmaster has assured me that you would be a great inspiration to their incoming class of aspiring mages; I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity. Gammon’s knowledge and mastery of magic, as you may have seen during your previous visits, is nothing to take lightly! And if you like what you see, I’m told Gammon would be happy to sponsor classes for Heroes at the school. I’m sure they want to keep the inspiration flowing, hm?

Thank you once again, all of you, for making such wonderful things possible. I’m sure your achievements will continue to open doors, both metaphorically and literally, for Blanc and for yourselves.

Meet up with your chums, old and new, and head over to Caissa’s train station. Once there, locating the Platform 42 and 5/8ths is an easy feat. There are two guards standing watch and they will stop curious civilians from sneaking past them. They will only let Heroes use the Platform and as such require proof of identification. A Hero’s uniform, rank badge or a passport identifying yourself as such should do the trick. As the platform functions as one of Gammon’s checkpoints, you will need to pay a small fee of 200 colle to pass. Should you be a new arrival, the Prime Minister will suddenly show up and pay the fee.

Where’s the portal, you might ask? Take a deep breath, walk through the wall between the guards and you’ll find yourself in Cochrane! Heroes might experience some sudden vertigo or a near insatiable hunger for pork. Very minor side effects vary from person to person.

In order to reach Grantebrycge, Heroes must travel from Cochrane to Friedgood and then a little ways further. They are free to make this journey by foot, mount or train. Directions to Grantebrycge are vague but you can’t miss the landmark of the Great Face Cliff, a monument depicting the faces of the towns’s founding members. Poobin and Cemron seem especially stern as they glare down at anyone who dares to visit.

TWO ♟ Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

Upon entering Grantebrycge, Heroes will be immediately be ambushed by swarms of eager students from Pigeonsblood’s welcoming committee. This committee consists of upperclassmen from each of the Four Branches - Achroite, Prehnite, Bixbite, and Citrine, and they are dressed in uniforms in their Branch color (pictured here in the Bixbite red). Officially, they’re here to help you learn more about Pigeonsblood, give you a tour of the campus, and show you what each Branch can offer you so that you can make an educated decision about which to enroll in. Unofficially, they’re there to try to talk you into enrolling into their particular Branch and some will ramble on about how their Branch is the best while others fight amongst each other to try to get your attention.

Once the tour is finished, the committee will lead Heroes to the administration building. There, they’ll part with you to attend to other duties, leaving you with a reminder to head to the center plaza in an hour for the freshman orientation party. Heroes can enroll in classes if they so choose and have made a decision as to which Branch is the best for them. It’s recommended as it’s free, courtesy of Gammon. If they enroll in classes, they will receive their class schedule, a permit for a uniform, and a key to their dorm room. Head to the university shops later to have them take your measurements!

NOTE: The rooming and class schedule are up to player discretion. If there is an official mission the professors will allow an absence - Heroes can’t save the world if they’re worrying about their GPA, after all!

For those who choose to not enroll in Pigeonsblood, they can explore the campus some more, but either way make sure to head down to the central plaza before the party!

THREE ♟ The Part Where They Rope You in with Free Food

Stepping into the center plaza puts you in the middle of excited back-to-school buzz. Several event booths line the plaza, all eager to get your attention. Some will try to recruit you to their school club. Others are simply there to provide information, such as maps of the school and information about the Four Branches. Still others get even more specific, headed by banners marked “THE TOTAL IDIOT'S GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL ACADEMY LIFE” and “GUIDE TO HAPPINESS: HOW TO NOT DIE DURING EXAMS”. A few generous booths will provide you with free food like “Splotted Richard” or “Bangers and Mash” to fill your tummy, as well as school merchandise, such as Branch-specific pens, face paint, flyswatters, and other bits of merchandise.

If those don't get your attention, the freshmen running your way definitely will. They're beyond excited to see a Hero among their ranks, and approach you eagerly, yelling things such as, “Did you enroll? Let's do our best together!”, “You're my inspiration! I hope we're classmates!” and “Please let me know if you need a tutor! I wouldn't mind…” Thankfully, their enthusiasm is brought to a stop by the welcoming committee, who make their way to the center plaza and hush the excited freshmen. After a heartwarming speech about youth and school spirit, the committee flashes their new classmates a bright smile and finishes with: “And now, it's time for some fun!”

What do they mean by fun? The freshmen are more than eager to demonstrate! Aside from the fun offered at the various booths, there are many magic games to partake in. There's “Splash Tag,” where players must use water magic in lieu of touch to play tag, “Air Races,” in which racers use psionic, gravity, or wind magic to boost their movement, “Hot Potato,” in which the temperature of the potato is increased with each pass until it explodes on the loser, and Illusion-based Pictionary.

A few steps away from the commotion, near where the welcoming committee made their speech, is a tall bulletin board. Various flyers are posted here-- club announcements, dating ads, tutoring offers, and of course, Pigeonsblood help wanted ads.

INFO ♟ Welcome!

Welcome to Crosscheck's Month intro log! For any further questions, please see the FAQ or reach us at the Contact Us page. Have fun!

Remember to check out the uniform contest for ranked Heroes!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The unexpected reaction from Gwendolyn makes Pacifica, standing near her and examining the vending machine herself, jump in surprise. Her gaze flicks between the drink in Gwendolyn's hand and the hand covering the girl's mouth before understanding dawns.]

I'm pretty sure you're supposed to drink it, not choke on it. [Then she frowns as something about the girl tickles at her memory--right, she'd seen the girl when she left the room this morning.] You're new. King Hall, room 208?

[Yeah that was pretty embarrassing alright...when Gwendolyn finally looks to the girl who'd called to her, she realises she recognises her as well, at least vaguely - she'd been there when she left. Unfortunately she'd left rather suddenly...her circumstances prior to arriving here had been fairly worrying, and she'd expected to wake up somewhere else, just not like this. It left her disorientated and that lead to her suddenly leaving without saying anything.

But now that they're here, may as well try to make up for that.]

F-forgive me, I-[She tries to cough out the rest of the soda that'd gone down the wrong way.] We don't have anything like this where I come from...the...[Fizziniess??? She doesn't know what to call it, exactly-]...texture startled me.

[And kinda irritated her throat at that.

But now that she's alright-]

...yes. You were there as well, weren't you? Do you live there as well?

["Forgive me" she says, all while looking rather sad as she coughs up the rest of the drink. Great. Pacifica knows the old her would have just laughed and walked away, but now...? She supposes she is who she makes herself to be, even if she isn't sure what that is yet.]

Yeah. There's someone else in our room, too. His name's Sync. [Pacifica looks at Gwendolyn again, then sighs.] Come here. You're just lucky we're right next to the dining hall. They have napkins you can use to wipe all that stuff off.

[With a gesture of her hands, Pacifica beckons for her to follow as she turns on her heels and heads to a nearby door.]

[It's all just manners, honestly...she drops them if other people are rude. In the meantime, she's grateful her new roommate is showing her kindness even if it's a small gesture. It'd be bad news if she were the kind of person to just leave her here.

So Gwendolyn follows along, nodding.]

You have my thanks. I don't know my way around yet...[A beat.] My name is Gwendolyn. It's nice to meet you.

Don't mention it. [It comes out quiet, somewhat stilted, as if she's uncomfortable hearing those words.] I'm Pacifica.

There's always maids and butlers around the halls if you get lost. Just one of them. Or you can ask one of the Heroes. There's, like, an abundance of people who are stupidly eager to help.

That's good then, isn't it? Even if it's something small like this, a show of kindness to a stranger is a mark of good character. That people seen as heroes are eager to help bodes well.

[Sorry Pacifica, definitely getting lumped in with the good samaritan group there from the sounds of things. Hope that ain't a problem.]

[She sighs again, this time with some resignation.]

Of course you're one of them. Doesn't it get tiring being nice to everybody you come across?

[That's...not what she expected. Still...]

It's simply a matter of practicing common courtesy.

But if someone is boorish to me, I respond appropriately. I'm not the kind of person who can be unflinchingly kind in the face of poor treatment.

[...that's only half-true. It depends on the situation.]

[Some of the resignation in her eyes clears up, and Pacifica nods.]

That's fair. At least it makes more sense than the people who are just unflinchingly cheerful. There's this guy I know who still hugged these people who threw tomatoes at him.

Had he done something to earn their ire...?

[Because that sounds awful. If someone threw tomatoes at her she'd be straight up issuing threats tbh.]

He gave them rejection letters from this one supposedly prestigious university over in Gammon. They didn't take it very well.

[Pacifica sniffs, somewhat disdainfully as she remembers the temper tantrums she'd had to deal with while passing out her own batch of rejections.]

If they had a problem, they should've taken it up with the school. It's not our fault they didn't get accepted.

[Definitely sounds awful. Pacifica's notion isn't one she disagrees with either.]

There is a saying about not shooting the messenger after all...

One would think the heroes of this world would be treated with more respect, however. Even if the people were under such emotional turmoil.

You'd think so. [She shrugs this time.]

I'm not actually that surprised. You see this kind of thing with the celebs back home. People are pretty fast to turn on them, no matter how popular they were before.

Maybe the people are like that with Heroes. They cheer for us when we're protecting them, and then they hate us when we're delivering bad news.

[Seems as if it's the same everywhere, really. She was a princess beloved by her kingdom one day, then in the space of a few hours a banished traitor.

Gwendolyn softly exhales, as if in disapproval.]

The world certainly can be cruel.

But whoever that was, kind in the face of rejection...they must be very strong.

I guess that's one way to put it. [Pacifica turns her head slightly to watch her. She's always sort of thought the bleeding heart types who gave their time to anyone were just foolish, but... the attitude is so prevalent here that she's just starting to wonder.

She frowns, still doubtful.] Is it really that big a deal, to just keep being nice even when people don't deserve it?

[She nods.]

It's one of the hardest things you can ever do.

If you haven't had to do so before, I hope you never will.

Do you know someone like that?

[Her words prickle at her. It's not like Pacifica wants to become like those people who always gave so freely anyway. Still... it's definitely new, hearing that called a strength, of all things.

She waves her hand, both to dismiss the uncomfortable thoughts and to indicate the set of doors they've reached.]

Here's the dining hall. Remember where it is, because this is where you'll get meals. If you miss the window, you'll end up buying your own food in the city.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

intro ♚ september

One

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why are words disappearing from my sentences...

gwen ate them

gwen no

she's hungry

feeds her

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