boardmaster: (Default)
BOARDMASTER ([personal profile] boardmaster) wrote in [community profile] pawnstorm2016-04-09 04:30 am

intro ♚ april

WELCOME TO GRAUPERA



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 CAPABLANCA & AIRY
As much as Blanc’s capital welcomes its Heroes, new arrivals such as yourself won’t have much time to settle. Get dressed and pick up your weapon and Carrier, because sometime in the afternoon, all floor nannies and Carriers will broadcast an announcement by Commander Lisbrand. She delivers a brief greeting to their new members, but gets straight to the point: they will be headed for Capablanca and the open sea beyond, in order to restore the fortress of Graupera for battle with Noir looming on the horizon. All new Heroes are expected to report to the Airy at the Caissa aeroport on the 8th along with their seniors.

On the morning of the 11th, Airy alights on Graupera, an island about two hours away from Capablanca by ferry. From here, you can either help the navy with Graupera repairs or assist in Verdoni’s investigations and head for Capablanca proper. Heroes will be staying in the (in)famous Hotel Caruana: they say you can check in anytime you like, but you can never truly leave. Nobody will quite meet your eyes or tell you what it means.

Wherever you are, the Airy will remain parked at Graupera.

TWO GRAUPERA, CAPABLANCA SEA FORT
What was once a heavily fortified island rests a ways off the coast of Capablanca; it looks a little too much like one of the thunderclouds slowly swarming on the horizon. Graupera has seen many battles and withstood the ebb and flow of wars. Formerly the city’s first line of defense until it was abandoned after the Reclamation, its dilapidated condition is the current bane of the Blanc navy. Blanc needs to bring it back to its former glory before it can face a single warship, much less Noir’s fleet of magical cannons. Blanc’s government has no doubt Heroes will do a fine job at returning the fortress to its former glory!

A ♙ The great stone and iron wall facing the wide open ocean has seen better days and is full of holes overgrown with stubborn clinging vines; cannonballs used a lifetime ago litter the grounds. The vines are extremely thick and may tangle the careless beyond hope of escape, not to mention filled with a pungent sap that will seep into your clothes and hair for days. It makes a great adhesive, though? Conveniently, parts of the wall are strewn across the floor, so at least some of the cannon holes can be repaired with enough improvisation, desperation and a bit of spit. The rest need new material provided by our helpful Heroes in Option C. Furthermore, the lingering damage from a previous attack and old age have turned the floorboards weak and unstable. The wood creaks ominously beneath the mass of even a single average-sized person, so watch your step.

B ♟ You might want to get your weapon before you descend into the dank depths beneath the castle. Once you make it down the steep, slippery stairs, you’ll be meeting the gigantic, hostile rats that infest the castle cellar from top to bottom. It looks like magical residue from long-ago battles has seeped into both the foundation and its inhabitants. The cellars have become a huge warren filled with strange mana currents, and sometimes flooded with water. If you're going to start an extermination campaign, you may want to recall the magical residue: chopping off a rat’s head and limbs will barely slow it down. It will keep going for hours unless you either lop off all its limbs or pierce its heart.

If you manage to make it all the way up into the castle’s two intact towers (the other two are half-collapsed), the uppermost levels are utterly covered in bird crap. You’ll be encountering the kings of this castle: the unusually large, grey-feathered sea birds that have taken up residence here. Albatrosses, gulls, pelicans, even sand pipers: they all share nesting and pooping space here. The feathers of each bird seem to have taken on stone-like properties not unlike the castle’s walls. They’re extremely ferocious and protective of their nests, which are filled with all kinds of things: twigs, shiny things, coin money, Option C’s supplies, feathers of all kinds, and some completely ordinary tools that seem too small for human hands, and much older than anything else in the place save for the walls. If you look closely, you might be able to see a few baby rats scattered in amongst the eggs and the peeping chicks. They’re being fed, too.

You’re meant to be moving the birds out of the place, but you might have enough trouble just moving their offal.

C ♙ Don’t feel like dealing with pest control? No problem! Blanc will need materials for rebuilding and other supplies for the coming battle! Everyone knows how important it is for the fortress to remain standing, so Heroes will be provided with gadgets and weaponry that should make it difficult for enemies to penetrate the walls yet again. Word has spread that the Heroes are transporting valuable goods, though, so you might have to fend off the occasional hopeful man or annoying mouse (rat) who wishes to borrow much-needed material.

Of course, all this rebuilding will be for naught if you are not prepared to defend the stronghold! Ammunition such as cannonballs, bullets and arrows needs to be transported to Graupera en masse, pronto. Equally important essentials include first aid supplies and enough non-perishable food and water to last a small army (you) a month or two. You wouldn’t want to have to scavenge for rat meat.

No one knows just how long this battle is going to last.

THREE Training
It’s time for you landlubbers to learn how to swim! Commander Lisbrand won’t be tolerating any sinking stones on her task force. The upcoming battle will be fought on the sea so your instructor, one of Blanc’s many fine captains (when she isn’t intoxicated), will make every single individual who hesitates at the sight of the open ocean walk the plank. She’ll even give you a helpful kick if necessary! Once that’s over, she will show you how to steer a ship. However, wandering eyes that land anywhere on the inebriated captain’s assets will be swiftly and spectacularly dealt a large bottle of the harbor’s best swill right where it hurts.

Blanc has also provided training dummies dressed suspiciously like prominent figures of the Othellian underworld. Now might be a good time to branch out and learn about your affinities. Heroes who have recently been promoted in Rank might want to set some time aside for getting used to their new abilities, too. Power and responsibility come hand in hand, after all!

INFO Welcome!
Welcome to Crosscheck's April intro log! For any further questions, please see the FAQ or reach us at the Contact Us page. Have fun!
flawless_precision: (pic#10174189)

[personal profile] flawless_precision 2016-04-12 06:39 am (UTC)(link)
This is hardly anything. [Seriously she frequently patrolled a station the size of a freaking planet. Not all of it, no, but no inconsiderable amount. This airship is nothing compared to the Destroyers of the fleet, even.]

[She tries to suppress a sneer of distaste at the name. It sounded tainted and strange. From a civilian standpoint, yes, it made sense, but Phasma's been dealing with Troopers for so long she has to resist the urge to catelog it, add a number to it, make it make sense. ]


Lola. [It doesn't feel right on her tongue.] I am Captain Phasma.

[And she is perfectly aware the rank doesn't carry and official weight here, but at the very least it is a warning to people that She Knows What She's Doing. That, at least, is her hope.]

houndumb: (049)

1/3

[personal profile] houndumb 2016-04-12 06:46 am (UTC)(link)
[... You know what, we can't even refute that, because Nora probably wouldn't even be here if he were meant to actually attend the lesson; the only reason he's not off playing hooky is because he doesn't actually have to be here... so he's here out of contrariness and schadenfreude.

He's the best student, really.

As a dog, he's worse.]

Two minutes?? [Why'd you have to phrase it like a challenge. Literally why. Nora appears to almost waver for about 0.000001 seconds before the Charm throws him over the cliff he was in the process of destroying anyway, and his chin comes up--] I'll show you two minutes! I'll do your stupid challenge in a minute and a half, you better not go back on your word, four-eyes!

[... The Charm may also have excised whatever common sense he had. But ah, there goes all of his upper layer of clothes onto the deck, and there he goes over the side and. Thank you, Tieriabama.]
houndumb: (054)

2/3 what are you making me RP here angel

[personal profile] houndumb 2016-04-12 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
[PLEASE HOLD . . .


















THIS MIGHT TAKE A WHILE . . .]
houndumb: (045)

3/3

[personal profile] houndumb 2016-04-12 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Literally is Tieria even still here anymore, because here's Nora fucking pulling himself out of the water looking completely bedraggled and ridiculous because he swam from the ship to the shore and back -- albeit in. Considerably more than 1.5 minutes, or even 2 minutes. It's the thought that counts.

He'll just go splat on the deck for a bit here, though if Tieria's Queen senses are anything to go by, or even his normal senses -- there's just a bit of darkening on the tips of Nora's hair (the bits that look like ears), and there's a strange swirl of mana about him that isn't quite doing anything, but isn't going away completely, either.

No, he didn't think about literally releasing Cerberus to do this challenge. At least not consciously. Oops.]

You... damn... four-eyes... I'm going to kick you... to the other side of the damn ocean...!

[It would be more intimidating if he weren't talking into the floor I guess.]
avantguard: (happy » can't find cd-key)

hei y u callin her an ass

[personal profile] avantguard 2016-04-12 07:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ How did this happen........

It's a good thing she hasn't bought this plushie yet and she can find a dry one. After finding a dry set of clothes. Asuna is frozen in her spot, dripping, watching the puddle on the ground get bigger--

That's too big for that cup?? Weird???? She's distracted, glancing towards Saber. ]
I-I'm fine, just wet. [ And cold and holding a wet plushie. ]

It looks like we both are, actually.
Edited (wow.........) 2016-04-12 07:14 (UTC)
interchained: (Default)

[personal profile] interchained 2016-04-12 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
I don't care about you at all! We've just met!! [That's why he's tagging along, obviously.] And I'm not soft!!

[He's addressing Jirou and Shinoa respectively.]

You'd better do it now, since you're not drunk yet...

[He's not sure about his sobriety even now, though.]
wingbottle: (pic#10083878)

3

[personal profile] wingbottle 2016-04-12 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
Mi-Miss??

Isn't that stick dangerous?

[ Kobato's reffering to the sword Taiwan's holding in her hand. It's not the first time she's seen a weapon but it does take some skill to hold one. IS TAIWAN OK?]
showsnopiety: (I'll take you there)

[personal profile] showsnopiety 2016-04-12 07:47 am (UTC)(link)
[Yup, she was most certainly talking to a cockroach all right. A persistent, deadly cockroach. But he was not completely made of steel; there was a moment where he yielded.

It was enough to offer him a small, pleasant smile.]


An idiot is still an idiot, no matter what their form. You may have a lot of power, little boy. At least, when you're a dog, you certainly blunder around enough.

[Her hand, the one not currently holding his collar, slowly strokes his cheek.]

But the way you are right now? You're small. And weak.

[No wonder he was so attractive to her right now.]
houndumb: (084)

[personal profile] houndumb 2016-04-12 07:56 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, that sure is a death glare! Too bad this particular annoying loudmouth has been glared at by Satan herself and (mostly) lived to tell the tale. So while he has some sense that he should tread with caution it doesn't actually put him off too much. What is self-preservation, really.

So what he'll do... is crowd her up against the side of the ship. Maybe try to bump her backwards a little more with his (really rather average tbh) bulk.]

Or. What?
houndumb: (018)

casually eats the question

[personal profile] houndumb 2016-04-12 08:09 am (UTC)(link)
[It's not popcorn.gif if you're sucking on a lollipop or some other 4Kids shit??

And normally you would've gotten quite a bit more snarling from Nora, he has an especial sense for when he's serving as the source of somebody else's amusement, but just at the moment Ratatron Reboot 3000 (placeholder name) is much more interesting than some guy lost in the tunnels.

For example, it's shouldered so long and hard at the opposite wall that it's definitely doing that caving in thing Gaius is screaming about, and also--]

Well, if you don't wanna die, then quit messin' with my concentration!!

[--guess who hasn't figured out the gravity of the situation.

Ah, but back to our friend, the tunnel: there is suddenly considerably more water happening here, so either the rat broke into a more flooded tunnel or there's some kind of aqueduct going through here. But that's not the real problem. The real problem is that there are more rats coming through, probably summoned by the squeals echoing off the ceiling. Oh, dear.]
facultative: (Default)

[personal profile] facultative 2016-04-12 08:12 am (UTC)(link)
[His bravado fades a little as he remembers how he almost didn't when Yoda proclaimed that he was too old to be trained, but soldiers on.]

Sadly they don't let you become a Jedi without a Master.

[Anakin doesn't expect her to understand, but it means something to him.]
fadetoweiss: (❋ thorn-apple)

[personal profile] fadetoweiss 2016-04-12 08:12 am (UTC)(link)
[ Well, the time for randomised finesse is over, it seems. ] Oh my...that seems a little troublesome!

[ And while he's speaking, he's juggling his staff worriedly in his hands. He's been using relatively little mana to scatter the birds and to get them going where he wants them to go.

Now probably calls for a small application of force, though. Birds that the staff just happens to point at are suddenly slammed into the ground or thrown away, disrupting the flocking. He only needs a moment for the staff to work, after all.
]

Er, do you mind breaking them up? They must be quite easy to hit from here, surely? [ Radiating hopefulness. If worst comes to worst, he'll just grab her and drag her inside to think of a plan B. ]
fadetoweiss: (❋ mullein)

[personal profile] fadetoweiss 2016-04-12 08:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ He's gotten out of his fair share of scrapes, so it'd be more surprising if he didn't have any muscle. Monsters are widespread across Zemuria, after all - and they like hiding in secluded places. ]

Soon be over! I'm afraid we can only go so fast - I'm not able to carry you. [ He could lift her with the staff, but that requires concentration and mana and also carries a considerable risk of him falling down the stairs, which he doesn't want.

Steadily, they head downward until they've reached stable ground that doesn't have a risk of collapsing underneath them.
]

Well! That's the worst of it. How are you doing?
facultative: (Default)

[personal profile] facultative 2016-04-12 08:19 am (UTC)(link)
Let's find out. [He isn't scared or worried and is entirely too cavalier about the situation.

He starts bringing his feet up to better brace against the wall for when he makes a jump for the vine Josuke's going to try and pass him.]
facultative: (Default)

[personal profile] facultative 2016-04-12 08:31 am (UTC)(link)
[Anakin feels like he's seen her before and is oddly embarrassed about it. He rubs the back of his neck and fights the urge to squirm.]

Why only some?
memoryslain: (I've come to talk to you again)

[personal profile] memoryslain 2016-04-12 08:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ Noir's a bit startled when a door opens just behind him, turning to face the-- admittedly startling girl it reveals. He's never seen such bright hair before!! Her white uniform matches his, however, so she must be an ally. It's difficult for a man whose already lost his memory to get his bearings in another new place. Perhaps this is somewhere he knew about before.

Perhaps it really is the capital. Everyone will be pleased with the information he'll return with, provided he ever gets a chance to escape and find his way back. More Gaichuu like the Cabernet would be emerging soon, and the country was still reeling from the resulting loss in taking down the Cabernet itself, much less whatever is going on now.

For a long moment, all Noir does is tilt his head and process what she'd said. She certainly didn't sound like someone from the capital; not that he really knew what that sounded like. He imagined something grander, more pompous. Designer clothes, however, is a term both understood yet unfamiliar for him. Every clothing shop designed clothes, did they not? Even the uniforms for the letter bees were designed by someone. Maybe she meant high society dress? ]


I did. We're not alone in that then, I suppose. Are you from Akatsuki? Or perhaps just a noble from central Yuusari?

[ We'll excuse her priorities if she'll excuse his assumptions! ]
showsnopiety: (I wanna take you there)

[personal profile] showsnopiety 2016-04-12 08:41 am (UTC)(link)
...that's odd.

[Huh. She had hoped that it would do the trick, but it seemed it wasn't completely effective. But then again...it was a gut wound. With a grimace, Caren sought to tighten the noose around its neck, just to stop its attempts to get away.]

Try for the heart? If that doesn't work, we'll have to cut off its head.
showsnopiety: (I'm down on my knees)

[personal profile] showsnopiety 2016-04-12 08:43 am (UTC)(link)
...Yes.

It's an idiot sandwich.
facultative: (Default)

[personal profile] facultative 2016-04-12 08:57 am (UTC)(link)
[He perks up at that.]

Want to spar then? I need to get used to their weapons,
facultative: (Default)

[personal profile] facultative 2016-04-12 09:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Anakin has never been a patient man and the knife sliding down a few centimetres cuts it even further.]

Take as long as you want! It's not like I'm about to fall to my death here!

[His other hand scrambles along the wall, searching for anything to hold on to, but the crumbling wall that made it possible to dig his blade into also means anything he touches falls apart.]
showsnopiety: (I close my eyes)

[personal profile] showsnopiety 2016-04-12 09:24 am (UTC)(link)
I'd rather you didn't.

[His arms would be full, they might block the stairs, and using his staff would be a waste of mana. She'd rather hobble down the stairs, as much as it does hurt.

At least here, they're standing on stable ground. Better then the stairs but...after a quick test of the ankle, she winces. It's gotten stiff.]


Fine, thank you. I'll be better once I'm sitting, I think. But you don't have to come with me.
tsyoon: (if I wear suede boots am I a hipster?)

[personal profile] tsyoon 2016-04-12 09:56 am (UTC)(link)
[ Surprise. She'll see a teenage boy by her bed, leaning over her and peering down.

He's elegantly decked out in... a blanket. Just a big blanket cape, tucked close around him. ]


Oh, good. You're alive.
topkong: gaelriz (18)

[personal profile] topkong 2016-04-12 12:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Why does he suddenly feel a ping of anxiety, rising up from his chest to his throat? Like he did something wrong, and was going to be brutally destroyed for it?

... must be nothing, he's actually relieved to see her here, and it shows in how quickly he approaches and gathers her up in a big, tight hug! Wukong's so happy, even his tail is smiling! ]


I can't believe you're here! What a sight for sore eyes.

[ Then, the smirk. The patented Wukong smirk. ]

Are you offering your tactical opinions already?
topkong: gaelriz (16)

[personal profile] topkong 2016-04-12 12:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He's not really buying that rebuttal, Nora. Sorry. Especially because he has bigger problems on his hands, like the fact that it's now a reality that the entire place is definitely collapsing and they REALLY SHOULD GET OUT. The panicked thrashing of the rat and its rider, combined with the yelling... it doesn't take a genius to realize the ramifications are nigh impossible to mistake.

Words aren't going to mean much, not until they're out and relatively fine.

As soon as the rat-valanche approaches, he leaps up as high as he can--- which isn't much, given the tight surroundings, but he's able to land right on top of the rat, including the rider.

Hopefully Nora doesn't mind being super squished between rat and monkey as they all tumble together, hopefully not to a furry death. ]

[personal profile] rememberher 2016-04-12 01:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Surely he is imagining things. It's Lux, she wouldn't possibly do anything sinister.

She meets the back-cracking hug in kind, wrapping her arms around the fellow champ. ]


I can't believe you're here! I'm so glad, I thought...

[ It was a rough awakening, okay? She positively beams, laughing a bit and shaking her head. ]

Never mind that.

Of course I am, how can I not? This may not be my area of expertise, but I know what needs to be done.

[ Also that sap, while it seems useful, looks seriously gross. She'll let someone else deal with gathering that. ]