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BOARDMASTER ([personal profile] boardmaster) wrote in [community profile] pawnstorm2016-05-08 12:00 pm

intro ♚ may

WELCOME TO Caissa



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.

WARNING: Contains death and related graphic descriptions.

ONE P.S. I Love You
It's a perfectly ordinary morning in Caissa. Enprise’s two suns peer over the horizon and smack into your face through the large bay window. At half past six in the morning, the floor nanny’s built-in alarm goes off and plays Prime Minister Teddy’s hit song Love Me Like Your Doughnuts. Once everyone in their rooms is up and awake, this mechanical pigeon announces that letters and small packages have been delivered to every Hero’s personal box in the mailroom. Yes, even you, Naked Newcomer! These letters are from the Heroes’ many fans all over Blanc. No matter who you are, there are small tokens of appreciation attached to the letters: these may include candies shaped like stars, chocolates with a surprise gooey center, or even a can of rainbow beans for those not fond of sweets.

Letters for veteran Heroes are full of praise and gratitude for the success of the naval battle at Graupera. New Heroes receive mail that express support towards their future endeavors as the Blanc military’s most formidable task force. That’s not all the letters contain, however; the citizens also plead for our Heroes’ help with new problems that have arisen in the fields surrounding Caissa. However, the details the letters provide are scant and vague. The fans seem more concerned with recent damage caused by some unknown entity. There is a 15-page narrative of how a man built this beautiful house for his lovely, sweet wife who did nothing wrong, but nothing about why the house is in shambles now. A market on the outskirts of Caissa lost 30,000 colle’s worth of food, but the writer neglects to explain what happened to the food. All you know is that this person stayed up all week taking inventory and now it has gone to waste.

Sharing letters with each other might give you a clue on where to start your investigations and figure out which areas were hit the hardest. Or you can talk about how cute your adoring fans are. One way or another, you’ll have to get tongues wagging to make any progress. Unfortunately, Blanc isn’t going to save itself and from the sound of it, this problem is bigger than expected...

TWO Distant Howling
After pooling information, the new objective is clear: to investigate the damages. The vast, vibrant fields around Caissa seem a good place to start. They are mostly empty, but here or there you will see some people from nearby smaller villages and farms. The villagers will admit to having seen threatening shadows move over the fields and having heard harsh, high-pitched howling. They are willing to point Heroes toward possible shadow sightings, but are otherwise reluctant to act as guides. They are simple townsfolk who wish to return to their quiet lifestyle.

You may come up with small settlements (e.g. villages, farms, inns, taverns, etc.) as they are considered minor locations.

Heroes will soon discover that some of the smaller villages have been burned down entirely. The smell of ash and charred wood is thick in the air, though some buildings are also smashed as as though by something large and heavy. Nearby trees which haven’t been uprooted or knocked over are scorched and their blackened branches crackle ominously in the breeze. There are large marks dug deep into the ground and—is that a cow? Heroes will find tagged fruit cows scattered everywhere, scared, confused and mooing sadly next to their dead fruit cow friends. Fruit cows are usually found in Gresser, how strange...

A couple of days’ worth of exploration may help you realize that whatever is terrorizing Blanc doesn’t only devour hapless animals. While trying to navigate the numerous backcountry roads and farmlands, Heroes may stumble upon some gruesome clues: a charred limb—or what’s left of it; teeth, half-eaten ribcages, melted jewelry, and other smaller bits; the less fortunate may actually trip over a corpse staring unseeingly into the sky. It has been gutted, half-roasted, and seems to have lain in the sun for some time; and if someone is brave enough to roll the body onto its stomach, they may discover claw marks on its back. The victim must have tried to flee from something.

The amount of damage grows the more our Heroes travel south. What could be awaiting them?

THREE Breath of Fire
Let’s put the clues together. Fire? Check. Claw marks? Check. Large shadows seemingly from something flying overhead? Check and check. Congratulations, Blanc, you are suffering from a dragon plague.

It will take several days for the Heroes to locate the source of the rumors. The dragons seem to have taken up residence in the hilly area near Caissa, where the slopes grow steeper and then drop suddenly off into cliffs. The beasts are quite willing to greet guests warmly: there’s nothing like a burst of dragonfire and a deafening screech to brighten your day.

The only warning you’ll get before they launch themselves into the air and at Heroes is the sound of trees bursting beneath their claws. Beware: a single swipe can cause some serious damage and their fire breath, fast, frequent and garnished with the occasional, boiling hot drop of saliva, is nothing you want to stick around for. The dragons cannot be reasoned with, nor can they be tamed. A queen’s Charm magic WILL NOT work. Should someone try and reach out with their senses to see if the dragons are somehow hurting, they will only feel something alien and terrible.

Heroes aren't the only ones suffering under the dragons’ claws, unfortunately. Scattered around the area are a few small and isolated farms, and the animals and the farmers are easy prey and unlikely to flee in time. Heroes will want to intervene before the dragons can devour and destroy. If they are too late, they will need to provide support. Put out fires, heal the injured, catch panicked cows before they become pot roast! The dragons might be coming around for another attack, so it would be a good time to test barriers and other damage control skills.

To make matters worse, Blanc’s weather has decided that now is the perfect time for a hailstorm. It’s barely anything at first, beginning with small kernels the size of corn here and there to wet the grass and ruin your footing. Then it becomes much larger and greater in number. Dragons are not exempt from this hailhole: large enough pieces may rip holes in their wings! Heroes may want to use this to their advantage; additionally, casting ice and wind spells will suddenly become a lot easier, and the dragons will struggle to navigate in the stormy weather, forcing them to land more often. Better get up on that dragon’s back!

In the end, survivors of the dragon horde let out one last, collective shriek before they turn southward. The battle has been won, but the war is just beginning: the dragons have only been chased away. Their nest seems to be elsewhere and that is a worrying prospect. Dragons aren’t native to Blanc, which can only mean one thing…

Meanwhile, a new job opening has appeared at Gresser. At least you finally know what to do with all those fruit cows.

INFO Welcome!
Welcome to Crosscheck's May intro log! For any further questions, please see the FAQ or reach us at the Contact Us page. Have fun!

Also by request, here are some Player Endorsements that may be of interest!

Heaven's Feel: Looking for something else to do? In the mood for more light-hearted mingling? Check out Heaven’s Feel, Caissa’s first heroic matchmaking service! Opening week is going on now.

Training Notice: This training notice is located on the bulletin board. You might want to take a look.
armorial: (pic#10133774)

NUDE...?

[personal profile] armorial 2016-05-08 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She felt like it was a dream to see Irisviel again, so she starts her day going to the cafeteria to get something to snack on. It's only that she sees her long lost ally, someone she has sworn to protect, but failed.

She freezes in place--

OH NO SHE IS NAKED.
]

I-Irisviel. [ This is indecent, but she's aware the other woman does not understand. She'll take off her blazer and quickly cover her up--at least the top part, draping over her shoulders. It's... short because Saber is short, so she'll start

leading her away from the populace.
]

Where is your room? There are uniforms provided to us, Heroes. [ Please. ]
soulshift: (pic#10242556)

[personal profile] soulshift 2016-05-08 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Irisviel blinks when Saber rushes over to her side, drapes her in a jacket and starts ushering her away. She trusts Saber with her life, regardless of the strange relationship the two have with each other. ]

Queen Hall.

[ murmurs Irisviel trying to remember the numbers on the door she left. ]

103, I believe. But I'm no Hero, Saber. Unlike you.
armorial: (pic#10133793)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-05-10 03:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ Luckily, that isn't too far from here. Even better, it's close to where Saber resides. Quickly, she gets Irisviel back into her room before closing the door behind them. ]

They call all those who are summoned here as heroes. [ She tries to clarify as she leads her to her bed. It's the only one with a uniform on it. ] Worry not about the title...

[ Bringing the uniforms over to Irisviel, she shows her the different versions, waiting for her to pick pants or skirt. Any roommate that comes in at this time will be beaten into a pulp. ]
soulshift: (pic#10227427)

[personal profile] soulshift 2016-05-10 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, thank you Saber.

[ Irisviel takes the skirt out of Saber's hands, before looking at the rest of the uniform that was laid out on the bed. She hadn't really noticed them when she first arrived and she was, forever grateful that Saber was always so dashing. ]

So I was summoned here, but I am no Servant... hm.
armorial: (pic#10133792)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-05-11 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ She gives Irisviel a small nod as a way of saying anything for her, she's always welcomed, and that she'll always be there to assist. Like any knight, she turns away for Irisviel to change.

... Even though she has seen everything already. Whatever, ideals are important.
]

It seems we are all summoned here without our previous abilities in all forms, making us average or even below average magus in terms of power. [ If this clarifies anything for her. ]
soulshift: (pic#10249486)

[personal profile] soulshift 2016-05-11 10:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It does. It explains how she's feeling off - like her centre of gravity is not where she expects it to be. Yet despite not having access to her normal mana to keep her functions going, there's something clearly sustaining her in this place.

Was she human?

Irisviel raises her hands and looks at them, deep in thought. She's not fully dressed yet, as she stopped mid putting her shirt on. This was perplexing and confusing.

Why was she here? ]
armorial: (pic#10133801)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-05-15 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ She doesn't check, but she knows that Irisviel is usually not this quiet. Still, she gives her a couple of more minutes of silence to dwell in her thoughts before saying anything.

Still standing here, looking away, her eyes start to dart around the room, trying to figure out what kind of people are roomed with Iri. Are they good people, she wonders
]

Is there something on your mind, Irisviel? [ She speaks up now even though she knows there's a lot of take in, especially for a homunculus. ]
Edited 2016-05-15 03:02 (UTC)
soulshift: (pic#10260926)

[personal profile] soulshift 2016-05-17 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
Saber.

[ begins Irisviel quietly, looking pensive as she shrugs the shirt on and begins buttoning and putting everything in place. ]

You've materialised here without the need for a Master. There's no need for you to treat me the way you do.

[ She says more as a formality than anything else. She feels that she'll be rebuffed, but she wanted to say it anyway. ]
armorial: (pic#5238685)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-05-18 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
[ She's speechless at that, hands clasped together as her gaze wanders across the floor. What Irisviel says is true. She's no longer bound to her--to Kiritsugu, to anyone actually. Still, her honor as a knight won't let it stand. Even without it, she's fond of the other woman whether it be from the time they spent or the guild from her shortcomings. ]

That may be true, but my sword is still yours. [ While something she has said to others as well, they means it every time. Even if she has no sword (yet). ]

If it does not bother you, please allow me.
soulshift: (pic#10242556)

[personal profile] soulshift 2016-05-23 07:16 pm (UTC)(link)
It doesn't bother me at all, Saber. In fact, I'm glad for the opportunity to get to know you better.

[ Irisviel is fully clothed now, and she smiles at Saber. ]

As a friend.

[ She hold her arms out, and move so that she could embrace the Servant in front of her. ]
armorial: (pic#10134259)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-05-23 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[ As a friend... There's a look of surprise when she feels warmth. She lets Irisviel hug her, but she's frozen in place, not sure what to do. She had thought that she would never see her again, accepted it completely, but then she's here. Her arms hover a over Irisviel, ghosting what should be a mutual embrace. ]

Yes. I'm also honored to have this... opportunity. [ Maybe this time she can protect, redeem herself, and help Irisviel find the happiness she deserves. There's a faint smile that crawls onto her lips, urging her to return the hug--which she does. It's awkward, her touch barely there, but it's a start. ]

If you ever need me, my room is not far from yours. Our fellow Heroes are also somewhat bright people. [ Somewhat. ]