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!
hoasen: (do you need this?)

3c!!

[personal profile] hoasen 2016-04-10 10:59 am (UTC)(link)
[Vietnam on the other hand, only just arrived at the scene so that she could start her own training. She has not yet decided whether or not she wanted to practice with physical or magic attacks, but sometimes she always defaults to the former. It was just easier for her.

When she arrives, she spots Caren calling for someone to come practice. At first, she didn't realise that it was directed at her. After looking around--]


Ah! Of course, that is a good idea. [She crosses over with her long oar in hand.] What were you practicing?
hoasen: (URM)

1!!

[personal profile] hoasen 2016-04-10 11:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Somewhere on good ol' Capablanca, Vietnam bumps straight into a very tall, uniformed hero. A hero she had not met before, and he was completely wasted.

She looks up, just to see if he was even okay.]


Goodness!
hoasen: (whut)

iii!!

[personal profile] hoasen 2016-04-10 11:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Vietnam was walking past when she saw this unusual scene. This young woman, also around her size, was just gazing out towards the water, like she wanted to defeat it.

Did she lose something? Vietnam makes her way over to look into the water as well. Nothing was there. Or maybe a piece of fluff, who knows.]


What are you...looking for?
sakeplz: (You Have Some Too!)

[personal profile] sakeplz 2016-04-10 11:03 am (UTC)(link)
Hellooooo!

[He giggles then keeps his arm around her, giving her a wink. Is it the kind that says he's preten...? Okay that's a stupid question. He's totally drunk here. So why he's blinking is a mystery.]

What are you up to?
hoasen: (goddamn macs)

b!

[personal profile] hoasen 2016-04-10 11:06 am (UTC)(link)
[While he's actually doing the world a lot of good, she's still not entirely sure how to defeat them yet. The one time she beheaded one, it was still going.

Were they like zombies? In that case, she'll have to stab it. Maybe. Beheading was meant to work too, but tv shows might say either one.

So she does, and stabs the rat in the heart with a sword she found. Staked it.]
plumblossom: (❀ ear to ear)

[personal profile] plumblossom 2016-04-10 11:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ She hums in thought. So he isn't from her world... At least nowhere she's aware of. It makes her wonder how many worlds are out there. Do people there have anime hair like Shin-ah, too? ]

Sounds like someplace far away. Is it anything like this world?
facultative: (Default)

Anakin Skywalker | Open

[personal profile] facultative 2016-04-10 11:10 am (UTC)(link)
2a

[During the journey here Anakin had worked out some of his issues over getting plucked from the war and dumped here to fight another one. It helped that no one seemed to know how they arrived in the first place. So if he was going to be here for the forseeable future, then he might as well help out however he could. It'd at least take his mind off everything that happened with Ahsoka and his anger at the Jedi Council.

He's picked up a knife to cut away at the vines, but idly wonders how much easier the job would be if he had his lightsaber with him still. It'd probably be beneath him to use it as such and he can already imagine Obi-Wan lecturing him over it, but it didn't hurt to think about it.

The floor creaks warningly the further he goes in until he feels it crack beneath him. Anakin jumps at the last second and grabs a hanging vine, except it's only loosely draped against the wall and he slides down until he stabs the knife into the crumbling wall. Jumping to safety is out of the question and he can't see how far down the hole goes so for the moment it looks like he's stuck.]


Hello? Anyone out there?

[At least his prosthetic hand means he shouldn't have too much difficulty holding on.]

3

[The prosthetic arm he woke up is outdated at best, but Anakin doesn't have the materials to tinker with it. He couldn't even find gloves to cover it. Until he could upgrade it himself he'll have to get used to using it. He can be found on the training deck going through some Form IV techniques while favouring his right hand to note any lag or weakness in the arm. Other times he'll be testing its strength with a handstand push up, sometimes with one hand and other times with two. If he could afford to break it, he'd have punched a wall by now.

Regardless of what he's doing if he notices anyone staring a little too long he'll pause.]


Am I that impressive?
hoasen: (URM)

3!!

[personal profile] hoasen 2016-04-10 11:12 am (UTC)(link)
[This is probably after she was scarred to death by a bath too.

Vietnam's not as proficient with a sword, but she sure really wants to make sure she's good at a bladed weapon now after the trip through the dungeon. Which is why she's looking at these standard swords and turning it over while Taiwan completes a routine.]


Already? [She means that Taiwan, whose energy is endless when it comes to the hardest activity of all (cosplay) could be tired already!]
hoasen: (HUH)

[personal profile] hoasen 2016-04-10 11:13 am (UTC)(link)
[SUDDENLY, SHE'S BEEN TOUCHED.

He's friendly and drunk though, which is why she hasn't completely shoved him off, but she's definitely got questions marks going around in her mind.]


I-I'm investigating! What about yourself...?
twosidedsword: (Me?)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-04-10 11:15 am (UTC)(link)
No. It's very...different.

[Well that's putting it mildly. This entirely place is advanced compared to where he's from. They're still using bows and swords in his world. Why, gunpowder isn't even seen in a lot of places.

At least Taiwan doesn't seem to mind that he's from far away. That puts him at ease as he walks with her. Her face kind of reminds him of someone actually...]
sakeplz: (Blushies!)

[personal profile] sakeplz 2016-04-10 11:16 am (UTC)(link)
Me too! Me too! Let's investigate together!

[He's...apparently decided this is a thing. Without her permission.

Uhhhh...sorry Vietnam?]
hoasen: (did I leave the cat in the oven...)

[personal profile] hoasen 2016-04-10 11:18 am (UTC)(link)
[...

You know what she's going to roll with this, because while he's drunk, at least he's enthusiastic. It might stop him from drinking (too much) on the job.]


Alright! Ah, where were you heading first?
sakeplz: (Arm Candy)

[personal profile] sakeplz 2016-04-10 11:20 am (UTC)(link)
[No. No it won't.

He points in a random direction.]


That way! Ah! And I'm Jiroutachi, by the way! The pretty oodachi who is very big so I'm difficult to handle! [He gives her a wink.] But not as big as my brother is~
scythersergeant: (annoyed)

[personal profile] scythersergeant 2016-04-10 11:30 am (UTC)(link)
[At least Shinoa doesn't fly off the handle like Gilbert- she struggles a bit, clearly not expecting the hug, but only grumbles about it when she's let go. It's not.... bad.... but she's petty and so she's going to complain about it.]

Gross, that was a gross hug. I'm sure Gil-chan gives better hugs than you!

[Gil-chan doesn't even give hugs, but okay.

As she watches Jiroutachi dance away she glances to Gilbert with a question.]


Are we going to go with him to the Airy or let him navigate on his own?

[Y'know.... the Airy doesn't provide free alcohol, does it... if they manage to lose their teammate, Shinoa still gets to keep her money. And Jirou can do the dance of the newly-arrived Hero trying to acquire goods and services while penniless.]
fadetoweiss: (❋ lily)

[personal profile] fadetoweiss 2016-04-10 11:46 am (UTC)(link)
Is that so? But if you had no buoyancy whatsoever, surely you'd remain there! So it's a matter of getting a device that will let you stay afloat, perhaps?

[ This place is charged with magic. Like and yet unlike the orbments of his world. It's clear they use this energy for their daily lives, using it to power things both simple and complex...it should be easy for her to find something suitable.

And he has another piece of information: not only can she not swim, but she cannot even seem to float. Quite unusual, if she was an ordinary human being - even the most inept of humans had a natural buoyancy. It was biology that allowed for it.
]
hoasen: (hmm?)

[personal profile] hoasen 2016-04-10 11:56 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh...well she hoped.

She doesn't even know he pointed randomly either, but she probably wouldn't even be surprised.]


Pretty oodachi? [She heard of that.] A sword? Like Kasen? How tall is your brother? A-ah, I mean, it is nice to meet you, Jiroutachi! My name is Vietnam.
topkong: gaelriz (11)

[personal profile] topkong 2016-04-10 12:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The look he has is nothing more than confusion and disbelief, the most deadpan of expressions... ]

Hold on. Your sword doesn't INJURE things? It just heals?

[ Well, that's lovely. Looks like he's going to just plunge his staff DEEP INTO THIS RAT and ugh gross, not to mention it's so difficult? Thankfully, with its heart smashed, it actually stops moving. ]

It looks so sharp! And deadly! What good is a sword if it isn't for defending yourself?

[ HE'S SO CONFUSED! It's like the opposite of most weapons he's seen. During his mild shock, a charging rat nails him squarely in the stomach, knocking him down.

Well, now he's definitely not alright. ]
sakeplz: (Wow That's Exciting!)

[personal profile] sakeplz 2016-04-10 12:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmmm? You know Kase-san? [Ah but you asked about Taroutachi. Watch Jirou perk right up.]

Ahhhh! He's bigger than I am. I'm here but he's up here! [He indicates with his hand.] It took only one very special man to be able to wield him, Vi-chan!
interchained: (Default)

[personal profile] interchained 2016-04-10 12:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Have fun, you two. Gilbert just wants to stay in his Grumpy Land with no hugs forever. But is it even possible with Jirou and Shinoa around...

Just face the truth, Gilbert. You'll have to give in, sooner or later. Actually, he'll never say this out loud, but maybe having a drink or two isn't that bad of an idea (it'll be definitely better than smoking a whole packet of cigarettes?).]


So you are listening to us...

[But only when they're talking about alcohol, that's worth noting.]

Do you really want to let him go on his own? Just look at him...
sakeplz: (Let's Go Play!)

[personal profile] sakeplz 2016-04-10 12:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[Believe it or not, he's listening to every word they say. Every single one. Including this part.

He does a surprisingly graceful turn on his heel to face them and waves at the two.]


When you're done talking about me like I can't hear we're all supposed to go! So let's go together, Shi-chan and Gi-chan! Besides, someone said she'd get me drinks.

[He gives a wink. He's not as stupid as he's pretending to be guys.]

It'll be fun!
catfishtail: (yeah!!!!!)

1

[personal profile] catfishtail 2016-04-10 12:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah! These boats are really fast! A lot faster than the ones I grew up seeing. [Since he's from the 13th century and all. He notices Sorey's expression fall a little bit, but since Namazuo acts a bit dumber than he is, he'll let it slide.] I don't think I've seen you here before.
plumblossom: (❀ looking down)

[personal profile] plumblossom 2016-04-10 12:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Vietnam!

[ Her eyes greet her friend with a smile, then narrow at her sword. It's true that she gives cosplay her all, but this time, she wields her sword with a different purpose. ]

Mm, it's not that I'm tired... But up until now, I've only been practicing these moves for cosplay. Who knew that I'd need them again to fight so soon?
hoasen: (yo just chillin' and stuff)

[personal profile] hoasen 2016-04-10 12:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[She nods firmly.] Yes, I met him here too, he's a fellow Hero.

[But what the heck, if Taroutachi is that tall, and Jiroutachi is already this tall, she can't even.] I am not really a swordswoman, so I guess I cannot wield either of you.
topkong: gaelriz (31)

2b

[personal profile] topkong 2016-04-10 12:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The heck is this? Really, rat smashing should be a pretty easy job, even if they're way bigger than the normal sized rodent. Then again, Wukong has seen walking, talking, crossbow-wielding rats! This will be easy, especially because the monkey can easily fit in the tightest of spaces...

But it's never that easy, is it? ]


Hey, you shouldn't abuse the pet they give you. [ And he laughs at his own humor! Wukong's so witty... then, he clears his throat. ]

But seriously. What are you trying to do?
sakeplz: (Bringing The Booze)

[personal profile] sakeplz 2016-04-10 12:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Ahhhh! You're quite small and wouldn't be able to unsheathe us. But there are other swords that would be better suited for you, Vi-chan!

[He grins then has more of his drink. Why not? He's holding it.]

We should get drinks!

[Plus the one he has already.]