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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.
medicament: (Ready to fly)

[personal profile] medicament 2016-05-09 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Fawning over...? They'll be watching?

[It's quite difficult to process without blushing a little, so she does just that and looks away for a moment. The sole thought of being in the center of attention is already making her uneasy and she hasn't even been out yet.

Staying here forever is out of the question, though.]


No, not really. I think the people are so shocked that they forgot to mention it. Or maybe...they just don't know themselves?
oneirism: (Change doesen't happen overnight)

[personal profile] oneirism 2016-05-11 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
... More or less. They're pretty big fans of us.

[Ah, looks like she's the type to be embarrassed easily. Usually Lapis would take the chance to maybe fluster her even more because she's awful likes making people blush, but she'll be nice this time.

Plus, what she says about the damage letters is more important.]


That's a possibility. It doesn't sound like anything a human could do, but I haven't heard about any animals around here that can cause that much damage either.
medicament: (Swear to be)

[personal profile] medicament 2016-05-12 07:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I haven't even done anything yet...they really must love all the heroes.

[Which makes her think what have they done in the past to earn the love of so many people.]

It truly doesn't...what in the world could possibly cause so much damage, though? Not to mention setting things on fire. It couldn't possibly be just an accident, too...
oneirism: (Default)

[personal profile] oneirism 2016-05-16 02:24 pm (UTC)(link)
... They really do. A bit too much.

[If what some of the things she's seen on the bulletin board is any indication.]

Hmm... To be honest, it kinda sounds like a dragon. But I've never seen a dragon around here.

[Lapis would've thought that dragons don't even exist, but she's already seen mermaids here. So anything is possible.]
medicament: (Ready to fly)

[personal profile] medicament 2016-05-17 08:35 am (UTC)(link)
[It's flattering and overwhelming at the same time, but maybe she'll manage. Thankfully (?), she hasn't had a look around the bulletin board yet.]

D-Dragon? The beast that breathes fire? With huge wings?

[She does realize that her questions are pointless—as far as she knows there are no other dragons, but she's so surprised that she can't help it.]

Don't they exist only in the books?
oneirism: (I've got nothing clever around you)

[personal profile] oneirism 2016-05-17 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[Please don't go near the bulletin board, Luna. Lapis will keep her away from it if she has to.]

... Yep, those kinds of dragons.

[Her arms cross in front of her chest as she tilts her head, her expression unchanging as she thinks over this for a second.]

They should only exist in books, but so should mermaids. And I spoke to one a couple of weeks ago, so there's a possibility that it might be dragons. Or some other creature that can breath fire.
medicament: (Back to the sky on your own)

[personal profile] medicament 2016-05-18 08:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Please do...]

Wait, you spoke to a mermaid? The creature that—

[Again, giving a description is pointless. She catches up on that faster than before, though.]

Dragons or not, we should go there immediately, shouldn't we?
oneirism: (You are only getting stranger)

[personal profile] oneirism 2016-05-24 12:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[Commence plan: Protect Luna from the bulletin board.

And Lapis can understand her surprise, since it's not everyday you hear that mermaids and maybe dragons are real. Though Lapis used to talk to ghosts back home, so she kinda just rolls with it now.]


... You're right. It would probably be best to start looking around the farms outide of the city.
medicament: (You and I)

[personal profile] medicament 2016-05-26 06:40 pm (UTC)(link)
How are we supposed to get there? We're in Caissa, right? According to the letters, it's all happening in the outskirts...

[She's still not sure if going by foot is the way to go; it may take far too long.]
oneirism: (You are only getting stranger)

[personal profile] oneirism 2016-05-27 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
... We could take the train there, I think. That should be able to take us to the outskirts.

[They might still have to walk, but at least it wouldn't take forever.]
medicament: (That I said I was fine)

[personal profile] medicament 2016-05-28 11:26 am (UTC)(link)
Would you mind if I went with you? I'm afraid I might get lost once I step out of this building, truth to be told...

[It takes a good chunk of courage to actually ask this.]
oneirism: (Default)

[personal profile] oneirism 2016-05-29 01:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[That gets a surprised look, if only because Lapis still isn't really used to anyone wanting to go anywhere with her for whatever reason. The surprise quickly fades though, her expression softening into something almost like a smile.]

... I don't mind at all. I can show you around the city a bit on our way to the station too. [And plus this means she can keep Luna away from the bulletin board for now...]

But I should introduce myself first before we go anywhere. My name's Lapis Fathalla.
medicament: (This pair of wings worn and rusted)

[personal profile] medicament 2016-05-31 09:32 am (UTC)(link)
Really? Thank you so much! I don't really know anyone from here and it's my first time in such a big city.

[The capital is supposed to be big, right? That's what she has assumed, at least.]

Oh, I'm sorry...not introducing myself earlier is really rude of me. It's nice to meet you, miss Lapis. My name is Luna and I'm looking forward to going with you.

[Her introduction is even followed by a rather deep bow.]
oneirism: (Default)

[personal profile] oneirism 2016-06-01 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
... It's no problem. I can understand how overwhelming this all is, so I'm happy to help.

[Especially since the city is pretty big.]

Nice to meet you too, Luna. And you don't have to call me miss, I don't like formalities much.

[That bow gets a blink though, and she hesitates for a second, before giving a bow in return. This is how introductions go, right?]

I probably won't be able to show you everything, but I'll try to point out the important landmarks.
medicament: (But all honesty knows)

[personal profile] medicament 2016-06-03 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I'll try my best not to do that then, miss...

[She freezes for a moment and eventually corrects herself.]

Lapis. And it's more than fine, showing me everything would take just too much time which we don't really have. But knowing a few places where people hang out is a good start, I guess.

Should we go right away or...?
oneirism: (I've got nothing clever around you)

[personal profile] oneirism 2016-06-06 04:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[Luna freezing and correcting herself gets a small smile, accompanied by a brief, soft giggle. Though the smile doesn't last long, and she tilts her head as she thinks over that for a moment.

Lapis is certainly raring to go, but Luna is still new. She doesn't want to overload the girl on her first day...]


... If you're up for it, we can get going now. I imagine it'll probably be tiring, so I can understand if you would want to try to settle after arriving here first.
medicament: (This pair of wings worn and rusted)

[personal profile] medicament 2016-06-06 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[The answer may be quite surprising since Luna just shakes her head immediately in a response.]

I'd like to go now, if possible. I can settle everything later when we'll be back. There's no time to waste, is it? If those really were dragons...

[She can't stop thinking what the villagers have been through.]
oneirism: (When it's great,it's a small calamity)

[personal profile] oneirism 2016-06-06 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's a surprise, but not an unpleasant one - it gets Lapis to smile for a second, before she nods.]

... Then lets go. The station is down by the coast, so it's a bit of a walk. But that'll give us time to let you get a good look around the city.

[So it's time to head on out of the Halls and into the city!]
medicament: (Sturdy and strong but see)

[personal profile] medicament 2016-06-08 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Alright!

[She may have been shy and timid a while before, but the fact that they're going outside together and are going to take a ride, too.]

Since it's...a big city...will it be okay for me to...

[Luna reaches out for Lapis' hand to hold it. This is what sheltered life does to you...]
oneirism: (When it's great,it's a small calamity)

[personal profile] oneirism 2016-06-08 07:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[With a nod, Lapis was about to start leading the way, only to blink when Luna speaks again. Tilting her head as she listens, only to blink in surprise when she reaches to hold her hand.

And for a moment, Lapis almost looks embarrassed - but she quickly forces that away as she holds Luna's hand in return, giving her a soft smile.]


... Of course it is. [She can understand why, since a big city in a strange place would be intimidating. So she keeps a hold of Luna's hand as she leads the way to the exit of the hall and onto the courtyard.]