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

[hiryugaeshi]

[ Kojirou raises an eyebrow. ]

I'm not taking my pants off, if that's what you're asking for.

[ He has some concept of propriety! Besides, he's shorter than Jiroutachi, so he'd probably lose any direct competition. Maybe. ]

The sword I used back home had the same name. Monohoshizao, the laundry-drying pole. That's because it was long, straight, and lacked a guard, so it looked like an actual pole when sheathed. This one, though. It was probably used as an actual laundry pole at some point, I just chose it because I needed a sword.

[sakeplz]

I picked this one because it looked like me. It has a fun name and ability too.

[He grins and leans his head against the sheathe of it.]

Meet Yopparai.

[Is that sword named "drunkard"? Yes. Yes it is.]

[hiryugaeshi]

Most people would avoid looking like a sword, but I suppose it must be different for a spirit.

[ He seems to have accepted Jiroutachi's claims rather readily. Perhaps it's just something not worth quibbling about? Why would anyone lie about being an actual sword?

Besides, he's from medieval Japan. Of course he believes in the eight million kami. ]

An appropriate name, too, it seems.

[sakeplz]

Isn't it?

[He gives the sheathe a nuzzle like he's hanging out with a best friend.]

He makes my enemies as drunk as I am!

[That is generally not so good for the enemies.]

[hiryugaeshi]

I wouldn't want to be hit by that, then. The only way to get drunk is manually.

[ The fact that he can't fight while piss drunk aside, of course. What's the point of getting sloshed if you can't experience the process? ]

[sakeplz]

Good thing you're my ally then, hm?

[He does have to agree with him though.]

And the best drunk is sake drunk! Which means when I find some you should have a drink with me!

[hiryugaeshi]

Just because we're not trying to kill each other doesn't mean we can't fight.

[ He pats the swords at his side with a grin. ]

I think it would be interesting to test my swordplay against the very spirit of a sword, don't you?

[ Sorry Jirou, he likes to drink, but he likes swords more. ]

[sakeplz]

[He blinks oh so innocently.]

Against me?

[He tilts his head then smiles.]

You want to test yourself against a drunk sword?

[hiryugaeshi]

Didn't you say you are good at fighting drunk? Then it shouldn't make a difference, would it?

[ See, Kojirou's only just started drinking. He can remember what Jiroutachi said earlier in their conversation just fine! ]

But I would test myself against any and all foes that come my way. That is the only way to achieve greater mastery.

[sakeplz]

You swordsmen. Always so eager to move around!

[He sighs dramatically but gets up anyway and brushes himself off. He supposes that if he has to fight then at least it's not anything serious and they can finish this fast.]

[hiryugaeshi]

How else would we become better swordsmen, and why dedicate oneself to the blade if not to be the best?

[ Kojirou stands himself, drawing the Laundry Pole with a grin. This is, more than anything else, what he lives for. ]

[sakeplz]

I wouldn't know. I'm already beyond dedicated to the blade by being one.

[A dramatic sigh and he unsheathes his blade without a struggle. Setting the sheathe aside, he prepares himself, eyes quite ready for this fight even complaining about it.]

[hiryugaeshi]

I wonder what the bards would say about a swordsman who defeated the spirit of a sword itself?

[ Kojirou tries a few experimental strikes, an attempt to learn the limits of Jiroutachi more than anything. ]

[sakeplz]

Depends on the spirit of the sword, I suppose.

[Despite all the alcohol in his system, he does move with a good flow. He blocks anything too close and shifts out of the way for the rest. Yet, he doesn't strike just yet. So he's either waiting or lazy.]

[hiryugaeshi]

Hm.

[ Kojirou takes a step back to reassess, wondering why Jiroutachi doesn't make any motion to attack. It's good to see that he can actually fight while drunk, but that's not going to be enough to beat Kojirou! Or so he thinks. ]

You're not a sword made for war, are you?

[sakeplz]

Hm? What makes you think that? I was used in battle, you know. My brother as well. We might be divine swords of the heavens but there were those able to wield us despite our sizes.

[He shifts his balance and a smirk appears on his lips.]

It's so rude to make have to potentially throw away the joys of being drunk, by the way.

[hiryugaeshi]

A shrine sword? That makes sense. My Laundry Pole was so named because it was considered too long to be used in battle, it would require somebody quite skilled or quite mad to swing around anything that size, much less something bigger.

[ Is he calling himself skilled, or mad? Who knows? ]

You just don't have any killing intent. Perhaps you're just very good at hiding it, or perhaps you need to be properly sober first?

[sakeplz]

Ah but I wasn't put into a shrine until after my master died in battle. So I wouldn't call myself a shrine sword.

[And he doesn't comment on the skill or madness. Even if his brother and himself were both bigger than the Laundry Pole when they were swords. Why discuss that little detail, after all? He already knows they're huge and there's something else catching his attention.]

I don't like to be sober. Besides, we don't need such an intent in a duel.

[And it's now when he takes his first strike, that long blade slicing through the air without mercy.]

[hiryugaeshi]

I see. I apologise for my rudeness, a sword made for battle deserves to be treated as one.

[ It appears Kojirou doesn't have the highest opinion of shrine swords. They're beautiful sure, but a blade is made for battle. Using one like a mere talisman or art piece seems rude to him.

Kojirou parries Jirou's attack, wooden sword flashing out from his casual non-stance. He doesn't bother with one, never have. There's no point using a sword this long if he can't cover every angle from any other angle. ]

I suppose we aren't actually trying to kill each other, but how about the drive to win, to prove oneself?

[sakeplz]

Oh? Have you got something to prove?

[He shifts his weight a bit and smiles pleasantly. It often amazes him how many out there have a burning need to prove themselves. Like there's something in the world that is keeping them from being whole until they do. It's why it amuses him when a sword feels that way since the concept is rather human in nature.]

And who do you have to prove it to?

[hiryugaeshi]

Of course. But to whom, you ask?

[ Kojirou steps in again. It's rare that he's the one fighting with the shorter sword, but he's fought his fair share of spearmen and won there too, so it's not like longer weapons are completely beyond him. ]

To myself, to the world, to everyone who cares to see. They ought to know that there is someone out there who is the greatest swordsman in the world.

[ Is it himself? No, it probably isn't. But whoever it is, Kojirou wants to know. Kojirou wants to know so he can become better than whoever it is. ]

[sakeplz]

[Blocking the attack, he lets his body sort of slip to the side. Like a drunken sway. It certainly looks like a stumble right up until it turns into a slash to the man's stomach. Perhaps there is no killing intent but there is no mercy when he does strike.]

That seems an invitation to find who will make you the second best to me.

[Jirou gives a smile and then the look in his eyes change. The swings gain power and speed. There is apparently quite the beast resting under that booze.]

[hiryugaeshi]

[ If Kojirou is surprised, he doesn't let it show. The sword in his hand quickly draws back to defend its owner. It should be a little too big, a little too slow to manage it. In fact, it very well might be, but Kojirou's not going to test it.

An injection of mana, and a branch sprouts from the Laundry Pole, a sudden length of wood bursting out and parrying the incoming sword at an impossible angle, just as Kojirou takes the chance to thrust the main body of his blade right at Jiroutachi. ]

I look forward to it. Once you're at the top of the hill, the only thing to do is to find some mountains to climb, no?

[sakeplz]

[Oho! They're using these tricks hm? Jiroutachi is rather excited by that actually. He gives a smile then shifts his body to let the sword get caught in his coat. With that done, he injects mana into his own weapon so he can use it against the swordsman.

To make him impossibly drunk. Wasted off his ass really.]

Should you be on top of a mountain after drinking that much?

[hiryugaeshi]

Ah, but the view from a mountaintop is great, isn't it? What better to accompany it than fine wine?

[ He tugs on his sword, finding it tangled in Jiroutachi's coat. How unorthodox, but as long as it's effective, it's also very troublesome!

Thankfully, Kojirou's also on the unorthodox side, temporarily abandoning his main weapon for his second blade still hanging at his waist, blocking Yopparai with a rapidly drawn sword. This one is actually made of steel, but other than the quality of its make, is perfectly ordinary.

Isn't this why samurai carry both katana and wakizashi? ]

You've made me use both my weapon's ability and my sidearm. I never thought it would come to this.

[ That's his serious face. But he's pleased, really. ]