intro ♚ april

[boardmaster]

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!

Comments

even tho she got one

[avantguard]

[ Meanwhile, Asuna sets down the plush and tries wringing out her hair a little after plucking at her shirt. It can't really be helped and Saber doesn't seem to be complaining.

In fact, she's more worried about her plush. Saber....]

Eh?

[ There's a pause, mid-wring. ]

No, no! It's okay. Actually, I haven't bought it yet. I'll just say it was an accident so it should be okay. [ Her eyes drop to Saber's chalice. ]

What about your drink? You spilled it because I wasn't paying attention, so I should get you... another... [ Another cup of water. How much is that? 1 colle? ]

are you sure it looks flat

[armorial]

... No, that is not necessary. [ She's not going to explain that it's her weapon. It doesn't seem important right now. Actually, Asuna can see that it's back to being full to the brim with water. It's also not worth drinking from it. ]

I can at least fetch you a dry one. The water that spilled did come from my chalice. Please wait here. [ She's going to go back into the store and look for an extra. ]

ok but how is that 15 yo body of a boy treating u

[avantguard]

[ She wants to ask about it. Magic is pretty much commonplace here and she's more or less used to it. In fact, Yata had filled an empty cup with water one time for her so a chalice filling with water isn't 100% weird. Saber must like to keep hydrated. ]

Wai-

[ Asuna reaches for Saber to stop her but she's gone. Is she stubborn or... ?? There is a mess on the floor too. Everything is a mess.

When Saber returns, Asuna is still there. WAITING. But she is looking over all the milk flavors like she had been earlier. ]

Did I already buy that one? [ And mumbling to herself...... ]

at least her boobs will never sag

[armorial]

[ Saber brings back the same milk plush that Asuna held, but this one is dry. Actually, she has been here for the couple of seconds that the other girl uses to browse through the milk shelf.

She patiently waits for a bit, but then announces her arrival. ]

I have returned with another plush. [ It might be hard to hear because this milk bottle is tall and covering her face. ]

that's....... true but what boobs

[avantguard]

[ What's that muffled sound? Like having headphones on and someone is trying to talk to her.

But there are no headphones. Is she hearing things? She stops browsing and carefully straightens, looking around.

Suddenly milk plush. With a gasp she stumbles back into the display, making the bottles rattle. ]

Wh- [ ... This girl reminds her of Setsuna. Quiet and kind of awkward. ]

You scared me. [ But she reaches for the plush so now HER FACE is covered. ] Thank you very much. You didn't have to, miss.

no one asked you

[armorial]

I apologize, but you were busy. [ Which is why she waited until she thinks was a good time. She'll fetch her grail again though which she placed in a nice corner near the shelf. Her task is done and she looks rather proud of herself in a quiet way. Everything about Saber is about how the atmosphere feels--VICTORIOUS. ]

There's no need to thank me, but you're welcome. [ A small nod. ] You may also call me Saber.

you are so mean to me :((((

[avantguard]

[ She wasn't really busy. They would have been standing there all day. Except not really.

Asuna can't see Saber's quiet pride from the VICTORY of finding a plush. She's so pleased over a small thing. All Asuna sees is fluff. Ah nope, she's looking around it, leaning her body to the side as she hefts it in her arms. ]

I'm Asuna. [ A small nod of hello back! ]

Saber... is that saber like a sword?

FLAT IS JUSTICE OKAY

[armorial]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Asuna.

[ When Asuna mentions like a sword, she nods with a small smile. She's... rather fond of it after a while. Especially now that she's without her sword. It makes her clutch onto her grail a bit. ] Yes, like the sword. Maybe it would have been too obvious to give someone named Saber a blade.

[ Looking down... at her cup. ]

THEN ASSNA IS JUSTICE!!! (it's not even flat)

[avantguard]

[ Girls are so much easier to get along with when first meeting, Asuna thinks as her smile grows. ]

It would have suited you, I think.

[ Although she's following her gaze down to that cup. Things click into place after a second and she nearly drops the plush AGAIN. ]

Th... that's your weapon?

it's just barely there right

[armorial]

[ maybe because boys are dumb, but you didn't hear that from Saber. The drop of the plush gets her to look up at Asuna as if there's danger. Are they being attacked? What's wrong?

Where is the action--oh... She closes her eyes as she returns to this humiliation once more. ]

Yes. It is the Holy Grail... [ A sigh. ] Fate likes to weave satires, it seems.

no...... :''( it phat not FLAT

[avantguard]

[ She only almost DOES IT. Saber worked hard to find her a new one she isn't going to drop it so easily.

SABER CHILL ]

Holy Grail... [ That was in stories about King Arthur, wasn't it? She doesn't get the thing about Fate but I can't believe you hei ]

There's no way it's the same Holy Grail from legend, right? [ She's trying to look closer but it's IMPOSSIBLE she is stuck behind this plush. Maybe she should just send it to Setsuna now and pay for it later. It's hard to talk normally. ]

if it's too fat she won't ever find pants

[armorial]

[ hello? Saber and the Holy Grail are fated to never be, yet here we are. A ploy by the crosscheck mods to instill the very hurt and suffering Saber has dealt with and accepted just to SLAP HER IN THE FACE. ]

That is what they told me... But it is not the Grail I remember. [ The Grail is entirely different--destructive, powerful... Nothing like this cup that refills itself and protects.

She doesn't notice how interested Asuna is, so she doesn't try to show her. ]

wears yoga pants her whole life

[avantguard]

[ You know, Asuna would get it if she knew Saber was actually King Arthur. She would then proceed to ask if she could be a Knight of the Round Table if she gets promoted to a Knight. She will but she dunno. Asuna is livin on a prayer.

I mean man that Holy Grail. Rough stuff. ]

You... remember? [ UM ] You read about it, too?

[ This plush is slowly getting on her nerves. This seems like an important conversation and not one a plush should be between. ]

[armorial]

Yes, I remember. [ It's to indicate that she doesn't read about the Grail. ]

I, like many heroes of legend and history, sought the Holy Grail in a series of wars. [ Wow, she is hyping herself up, but she's talking in the context of her world where she is powerful! Even if she's a girl here and there, it doesn't change who she is. ]

It is but a far-off dream...

[avantguard]

[ Asuna catches that differentiation, raising an eyebrow. But, once more, it's half hidden in fluff and stuff.

Saber is talking like she fought in a war for the Holy Grail. Seriously? She knows there's some incredible people here, brought from other worlds, but SERIOUSLY? ]

If you remember... did you know the Knights of the Round Table?

[ She's into Knights ok ]

[armorial]

Yes. They are my knights. [ The bomb drop is hereee. She guesses it doesn't matter much if her identity is revealed. They're not in a Grail War here... And the servants that do learn it, will only forget then next time they are summoned. ]

Do you know of them? [ While her legend is known well across the world, it may be different in this one. ]

1/3

[avantguard]

My?

[ My, my, my... ]

[avantguard]

[ Huh. ]

[avantguard]

Huh?!

[armorial]

What is wrong, Asuna? [ She raises her eyebrows as she tries to think of... wHat she said that might have sparked this reaction.

She's not sure if she said anything out of the ordinary?? ]

[avantguard]

[ SABER???? If Saber said her knights then that means

She's King Arthur?! Wait, but... King. Saber is a girl. Maybe she heard wrong. Again.

That could happen. ]

A-ahaha. I'm sorry, Saber. It's hard to hear you behind this plush, I think. [ Man forget this, she's setting it down at her feet so they can talk face to face. ]

There, that's better. So, you were saying that you do know the Knights?

[armorial]

[ She scratches her cheek... Thinking if she has to maybe clarify? It's probably hard to believe since she is a small girl, after all. Appearances make an expression, after all. ]

Yes, they are my knights. [ This will be different this time. ] I am Artoria Pendragon--most would know me as King Arthur.

[avantguard]

[ That's what she thought she said.

This is a joke, right? She can't help but think of it as a joke. Or Saber is a bit funny in the head.

No. Is there a world, a universe where King Arthur is actually a girl? That actually sounds much better than the original story where he's a guy. Girls can be kings.

So cool.

Er, but, she still can't just believe that this is THE!! King Arthur. ]

Hold on. You said your name was Saber, didn't you? [ She's so CONFUSED, therefore not bowing to a king yet. ] Is that an alias?

[armorial]

[ This is no joke. King Arthur of legend in her world is a strong, independent woman!! There have been plenty of men that are actually women in the fate/ world actually, but gender/sex never speaks for one's skill on the battlefield. ]

Yes. It's the title given to me. [ There's a nod. Asuna is quick to catch onto these things. ] I was summoned under the Saber class during the Holy Grail War. To conceal my identity, I went by that alias like many other servants seeking the Grail.

[avantguard]

[ Gender/sex never speaks for one's skill in anything yo!!!

There are a lot of concepts and words that are new to her in what Saber, uh, King Arthur said to her so she's just so lost. It's easy to catch onto the alias but what does she mean Saber class? Is that the same as the ranks here in Blanc?

That would be like calling someone who has a Knight rank just "Knight." Well, she might not be opposed to that entirely but all the same. All of this seems to convoluted to be a joke or that Saber is taking a game too seriously. Like some chuuni.]

Um, Your Majesty... [ She seems to be going along with it for now. ]

Will you be gathering more Knights to uphold the code?