pawnstorm | intro ♚ december

intro ♚ december

WELCOME TO POLGAR

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 ♟ My Anaconda Don’t

Brace yourselves, Heroes, for Prime Minister Teddy has a special announcement for you today. It’ll be delivered either via carrier or mechanical pigeon.

	Woman? Hello, Heroes! Hmm? Who am I? If I don’t tell you who you are, you’re calling the police? Ahaha, no need to be so hasty!
	Thierry Toussaint It’s me, Teddy! The prime minister. This might be overwhelming for the new arrivals, but we need everyone’s help for this mission. Have you heard of the Alfersa? They’re a proud warrior race that live in Polgar. They’re said to be blessed by the goddess Gladia since they’re naturally strong, sensitive to mana, and skilled in combat. I guess they’re pretty much like our Knights? Without the magical talent, of course. We’re hoping they’ll lend us a hand in protecting Blanc. The Alfersa are distrustful of men, so negotiations have been difficult… Now that the Gladia Games are underway, I’m hoping to meet some beautiful women—I mean, recruits! It’s a recruitment drive, after all! Right, Alex?
	Alexandre Verdoni Prime Minister, I don’t know what possessed you to think your ridiculous ideas will actually work, but please refrain from making a scene at the Games.
	Thierry Toussaint Ah, ah. [ waves a finger at ] It’s not Prime Minister. It’s Zeed Stun, an enigmatic beauty from the East! Alex, come with us!
	Alexandre Verdoni No. Please refrain from making transparent aliases undercover. Heroes, the Alfersans have an extremely matriarchal society. The Prime Minister recommends that you follow his example to fall in their leader’s good graces, but I personally find it unnecessary. Stand tall, be proud, and may Gladia bless you on your journey. Oh, and… dress light. Get some sunscreen.

You’ll be given time to prepare before heading out. This is when you decide if you’ll follow after PM Teddy’s example or not. He has provided a generous number of colorful dresses to choose from. Unsure of how to pull off a good look? Ask your fellow Heroes or the maids and butlers of Hall of Glory for assistance.

Once you’ve made it safely to Polgar, you’ll be greeted with a feast for the eyes. A procession appears to be underway with several nubile women dancing to the beat of drums. For every pause in the drumming, anklets fill the air with a sweet, chiming sound. Leading the parade are scantily-clad shrine maidens. Should you happen to stumble too close, you will be greeted with an icy stare. Waiting at the end of the road is the matriarch of the Alfersans…

	Thierry Toussaint O Gracious One, I am Zeed Stun. Today, I am here to show you the dance of my people—
	??? You have a snake.
	Thierry Toussaint I’m sorry?
	??? You have [ grabs between his legs ] a snake.
	Thierry Toussaint Guh!
	??? [ in one fluid motion, the woman smears Teddy’s makeup off and makes him her personal footrest. for the first time since the Heroes’ arrival, she smiles. ] … Oh, praise Gladia. So these are the Heroes She said I would meet. I am Diana Serpente, Queen of the Alfersa, Lady of the Serpents, and head priestess of Gladia’s temple. Gladia has been telling me all about you. Ever since you put the soul of my ancestor to rest, I’ve been thinking of a way to repay you. After receiving this [ digs her heels into Teddy’s back ] pitiful man’s request, I should have known it all along… Lending you our strength was the answer.
	Thierry Toussaint Thank y—ugh!!
	Diana Serpente [ steps off Teddy… ] However, we don’t help just anyone. What’s friendship… [ lifts the chin of the nearest female Hero ] without a little intimacy? The Gladia Games are underway. I invite you all to join us in the festivities! Before we fight, let us make merry in the name of Gladia!

As you walk around Polgar, you’ll lay eyes on the various shops, with those specialized in weapons and armor the most renowned and high quality of them all. Female Heroes are in luck as they will receive discounts. Male Heroes will have to pay the regular price regardless of what they look like. However, those who didn’t decide to look pretty for the occasion will find a much increased price tag. If you’re in desperate need of colle, these shops will let you polish and arrange their merchandise for a decent wage.

TWO ♟ It’s a Jungle Out There

As per tradition, everyone participating in the Gladia Games must hunt down the monsters near the city. It is believed that Gladia herself sends them a different beast each year. This year, giant spiders crawl dangerously close to Polgar’s outskirts. Bring parts of the spider back to the city as proof of your skill and valor. Those who kill fifteen or more spiders win ONE of these fabulous prizes: one high quality weapon or armor, their very own pet anaconda or a night with Teddy!

In the Polgarian jungles, the humid air is thick with blood. Ferns and heavy branches covered in thick moss make the area difficult to navigate. Reedy sunlight filters in through the trees. You have a feeling that you are being watched… In fact, venomous snakes might jump out of the underbrush! Should you get bitten, have another Hero heal or help you suck out the venom. But don’t get distracted; danger looms from above as well. Like in the forests between Caissa and Petrosian, leafy vines are prone to descending and embracing Heroes rather intimately.

Heroes who have paid a visit to Salamanca Temple back in the day might recognize the spider nests once they’ve found them. These arachnids the size of a car will leap very high into the air and scuttle between branches to camouflage themselves during the battle. Some might even spin a cocoon for you until they come back to snack on you later. Avoid getting bitten—their venom can render you numb and unintelligible.

Kill the spiders and take down the nests, but remember: no one wants a forest fire. Safety first!

THREE ♟ Light and Sweet, Hot and Heavy

The Alfersans will welcome you back once you return to Polgar and are happy to take the spider parts off your hands. You didn’t forget to bring them with you, did you?

The festivities are now in full swing! Heroes, hit the streets for the citywide party! Large trays with food are being passed around as Alfersans view the close sharing of food as an act of camaraderie. It is customary for men to feed the women by hand. Yes, with their fingers. Alfersans will also encourage Heroes to join their dances, and some will keep dancing in front of you until you agree. As it turns out, dancing together actually only means holding hands and taking a jovial stroll around the shrines. You should be light on your feet and stay in rhythm, but the ritual isn’t too difficult.

Dancing may be good for the soul but your feet can only carry you so long until you are tired. Why not check into one of the many resorts? Or check out the far more numerous high-class brothels? Or perhaps you’d rather spend a relaxing day at the hot springs, spas or restaurants? The hot springs in particular are quite special here, as they are heated by the kiss of molten hot magma, blessed by Gladia herself. They possess healing properties, yes, but more curiously, if you happen to soak in the warmth for too long, you may start to feel a bit… virile.

INFO ♟ Welcome!

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The festivities here really aren't to his tastes, but Archer is, at least, making the effort to appear engaged for the sake of diplomacy. He's polite as can be and samples the food he's offered, even as he attempts to avoid some of the more questionable activities taking place elsewhere.

He's been hailed a few times already so by the time he's called again, he's already tired of it to some degree. Granted, he does have a bit of a double-take when he pairs the voice with the face, but a second look dispels his initial assumption. The resemblance is a uncanny, though, so he approaches with some care. ]

I take it you were addressing me?

Oho...

[Nero hadn't gotten a good look at first, simply calling out to anyone in the immediate vicinity, but once Archer gets close Nero whistles her approval loud enough for all to hear. This man was built, with a silvery crop of hair that appeals to the gerontophile in her.

Nero admires him, and openly so, with an enchantingly brash smile that seems out of place on a face so similar to Saber's.]

How could I not? Such a handsome soul appearing before me, all but begging for my attention! The heart sings!

[She's certainly melodramatic... but her words are sincere, however bluntly they come across.]

[ O...kay?

Archer blinks, and while it's apparent that he's a bit taken aback by her praise, he's also been around at least one other individual that was fairly open in his admiration of the human form.

He doesn't have a clue who this woman is, either, so while she may seem sincere enough, he decides to be cautious all the same.

He suppresses a sigh. ]

Since my appearance pleases you, I assume you'd appreciate some company for a little while?

[Nero just... pats the pillow beside her and waggles her eyebrows suggestively...

That seems to say it all, really.]

[ ...he should have just run away, shouldn't he?

Again biting back a sigh, Archer sits next to her with all the casual poise he can manage. He really shouldn't be intimidated by a woman half his size... ]

Does the lady have a name?

[ Just gonna try small talk here. ]

I am called Saber!

[Something she announces with pride, and something that serves to only muddy the waters further in regards to identity. Nero makes herself at home beside Archer once he sits, going as far as to feel out a muscular arm with another low, receptive sound.]

Have you taken part in these games yourself, by chance? Arms like yours could snap the neck of a lion with ease!

[It's... a compliment? Sort of? Just roll with it, dude, you've been through worse experiences with worse blonde tyrants.]

[ Well, it doesn't really answer the question of identity, but it does give him an inkling regarding this woman's stature, at least.

He raises an eyebrow at her announcement and decides, on a whim, to counter. ]

That's very interesting. I am called Archer.

[ His eyebrow twitches, but he doesn't say anything about the hand on his arm. (Yet.) ]

I participated in the hunting earlier. There were quite a few large spiders on the loose.

[ And he slew them like a good Hero, of course. ]

Did you?

Edited 2016-12-12 03:44 (UTC)

[Rather than react in adversarial fashion—Archer had all but outed himself as a rival Servant—Nero just nods and looks genuinely interested. While she was taking some precautions not to reveal her true name, she also understood that this was not the Holy Grail War and thus there was little reason to go around picking fights.

Though that might happen as a side effect of her ridiculous behavior regardless.]

A man of the bow, hm? A noble following. I am a fan of marksmanship, myself.

[As for spiders, Nero pales a little.]

Ah... regrettably, I did not have much luck with those beasts. Those wretched vines took up far too much of my time for a proper hunt.

[ That's fine. Archer isn't really interested in picking fights with his fellow Servants since, for one, they technically aren't Servants any longer. The Holy Grail War also holds no sway here so his comment was more to see what her reaction would be than anything else.

It seems that they're on the same page, for the moment, which is good. No need to stir up unnecessary conflict, in his view. ]

Among other things.

[ He's a bowman and a swordsman, but that can be his secret for now. ]

I was fortunate enough to avoid them.

[ Or rather, he used Scan so it wasn't a matter of luck at all. It's a basic spell, but a handy one. ]

Did you arrive recently?

Have I? Um... um... um...

[When you've been plagued by headaches since you were a child, even short-term memory can prove quite the arduous task. Eventually, Nero settles on an enthusiastic nod, though she's unable to provide a definitive answer otherwise.]

Yes! Only just today! Or yesterday? Or even the day before. At any rate, I am fresh from the Moon Cell, so the ways of this world are new to me.

[And then, out of the blue—]

Are you offering to provide assistance, then? That's quite gentlemanly of you.

[ ...well, that's an odd reaction. He doesn't think too much about it since this woman has already proven herself to be...well. A bit eccentric. She's clearly new, and that's what matters right now.

He does blink at the assumption she makes (this may very well be normal for her), but since she's called him over already, he doesn't see the harm in it ~~this time~~. ]

Since I'm at your disposal, for the moment, if that's what you'd prefer, I can offer it.

[Nero nudges at the platter beside her excitedly, like a dog with a bone.]

Then indulge me! Please me well enough and I would return the favor.

[ ...well. If nothing else, Moon Cell Servants have the same, strange priorities as others he's known.

Suppressing a sigh, Archer slides the platter a little closer in the hopes that maybe (maybe!), they won't make a mess. He thought she needed help acclimating, but it seems she's doing that quite well on her own. ]

I wouldn't concern yourself with returning it.

[ Really. He is totally fine not getting what he is giving right now.

He picks up a piece of meat with his bare fingers and offers it to her. ]

[Thankfully for what remains of Archer's dignity, Nero doesn't make a theatrical affair of it; she just snatches up the meat with her teeth and chews politely, the civilized lady all in red. And because she honors her word, she lifts a kebab and offers it to Archer in return while making small talk.]

So, an Archer... that actually puts me at something of a disadvantage, as a Saber! Let us assure we remain on good terms.

[She's mentioning a potential life or death scenario and laughing about it. She's a little unhinged, but it seems this Servant has a good heart after all.]

How long have you been here? You look rather, ahem, grizzled. In more ways than one.

[ There isn't very much of it left these days, but he knows to be thankful for small favors. He isn't really that hungry himself, at the moment, either, but so as to keep all of this fairly polite, he does accept the kebob when she offers it.

As he speaks, he offers her another bite. ]

Generally speaking, most Servants I've encountered have been willing to entertain a truce since the Holy Grail is not an issue here.

[ There's also the matter that they're technically human here; they're no longer bound, and the same rules don't apply. It's one of the better features of this place, he thinks.

As for being "grizzled"...well. He quirks a brow. ]

I arrived several months ago. [ And of course- ] I looked this way before I arrived.

Like an elder?

[Well...]

[ Nero, pls. ]

Is that a problem?

Absolutely not.

[Fanning her eyelashes.]

You are remarkably handsome for your age.

[ Uh huh. ]

If I do, it's because I never reached forty.

[ He's not that old - physically, anyway. ]

[...her face falls a little at that. She gingerly accepts more meat from him, but with her fingers.]

It was the same for me.

[ ...a little too morbid of him, perhaps?

He notes the change in demeanor and holds back a sigh. ]

My hair color came about as a result of magic use.

[ Weird, but true! Also, moving on- ]

Regardless of the lives we led before, we've been given new ones living here.

[ A fresh start is always good, right? ]

R... right! It's not so bad!

[Nero perks right up again, at once all smiles.]

Really, it's just as I said! It suits you wonderfully, like a seasoned adventurer wandering the roads! Quite a romantic image, hm?

[ ...Nero, he really wishes you would pick a different topic. ALl talk about his looks is, uh...weird. ]

...I hadn't considered it.

[ Low self-esteem, ahoy. ]

In any case, if you have any other questions, I'll answer them.

[ He offers her some more food. ]

[Thankfully, the act becomes easier with practice, until it's routine after a few exchanges. Nero munches thoughtfully and racks her brain; as a Servant, they adjusted easily to new experiences, so there's only one question she can come up with right now.]

Do you know of any theaters in Caissa? Or even in the general area. It is where I am most at home, you see, so I thought...

[She trails off, but it's obvious where she's going with this.]

[ A theater...a bit of a strange request, but he supposes they all have hobbies - or had them, in their previous lives. ]

I know of at least one in Caissa. Here, I haven't yet found one.

[ A beat, then- ]

You want me to show it to you when we return?

feed me.

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