BOARDMASTER (
boardmaster) wrote in
pawnstorm2016-05-08 12:00 pm
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Entry tags:
- !intro,
- !job,
- aigis (persona),
- aisha clanclan (outlaw star),
- akito/agito wanijima (air gear),
- allelujah haptism (mobile suit gundam 00,
- allen walker (d.grayman),
- anakin skywalker (star wars),
- arjuna (fate/),
- artoria pendragon (fate/),
- bolin (legend of korra),
- chloe (lacrimosa),
- cirno (touhou project),
- gaius (fire emblem: awakening),
- gilgamesh (fate/),
- hajime hinata (dangan ronpa 2),
- haruna (kantai collection),
- henry jekyll (fate/),
- ichigo hitofuri (touken ranbu),
- illidan stormrage (warcraft),
- irisviel von einzbern (fate/),
- jolyne kujo (jjba),
- juzumaru tsunetsugu (touken ranbu),
- kaede (elfen lied),
- kasen kanesada (touken ranbu),
- kojirou sasaki (fate/),
- lapis fathalla (original character),
- lola pacini (degrassi),
- luna (zero escape),
- makoto sako (devil survivor 2),
- minato arisato (persona),
- namazuo toushirou (touken ranbu),
- naruto uzumaki (naruto),
- natasha romanova (avengers academy),
- nobunaga oda (fate/),
- nora (nora),
- one (drakengard 3),
- patricia watson (skullgirls),
- sakura (fire emblem: fates),
- sakura haruno (naruto),
- sasuke uchiha (naruto),
- scathach (fate/),
- setsuna f. seiei (mobile suit gundam 00),
- shin-ah (akatsuki no yona),
- shinn asuka (mobile suit gundam seed),
- sion astal (lolheroes),
- souji seta (persona),
- vietnam (axis powers hetalia),
- wukong (league of legends),
- xander (fire emblem: fates),
- yukari takeba (persona)
intro ♚ may



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.
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 ♟ 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...
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?
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.
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.
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.
no subject
It's uncomfortable.
But Allen's quiet for a moment, considering that. Maybe the honesty in his response too. ]
... it's much more in secret, the war where I'm from. [ And it doesn't hurt to talk like that here, Allen supposes. It's not like they'll ever cross paths really over there. ..Maybe because Allelujah seems like a kind person as well. Or someone who won't seem upset if Allen is a little more honest than he might normally be. ]
We don't receive letters like this. Most people haven't heard of us.
[ He cocks his head to the side, smiling a little even if it doesn't quite reach his eyes. ] So it's a little strange, getting praise like this. Especially when I think I hated the fact I was brought here.
This kind of fighting... it's not why I fight. [ Not what he was told about Noir at least. At all. ] Not against other people.
I hate it. I hate the very idea of it, fighting against humans.
[ For such strong words he still is speaking so very gently, so very easily and certainly, and with that small but sad sort of smile. ]
But reading letters like this and seeing what people are going through...
... I can't help but want to fight for them, too.
So it's a little strange.
no subject
To fight. And yet he feels similarly, being so heartrendingly visible. It paves a different kind of path all together than the one he's used to treading. It shifts the meaning of war.
Pausing, he hefts the small box of off-color letters he has. ]
Someone once told me, when I first arrived here, that because of how this world works, we're all connected. [ By mana. By magic, by some kind of force of nature and law of science that Allelujah still struggles to fully understand. ] And that it gives us a responsibility to these people, as if they were our own.
Not only that, but it connects us as well. Wherever we come from, however we arrived, or what wars we've had to fight in the past... because it exists, we're not alone.
[ Though he also can't help a wan smile, genuine and reassuring all the same. ]
Even if I dislike it too. Having to fight like this.
no subject
... [ Whether he realizes it or not, Allen's shoulder relax a little and he smiles at that. Appreciative. Relieved. ]
I think I like that.
I told someone once that if we had to be destroyers, I wanted to be one that could save. And I don't intend to ever let that change. [ Ever. He'll find a way to adjust how he fights to stay true to that. Even without his Innocence and without Akuma.
But in the meantime he looks up to the older man, brighter-eyed. It's not something he's terribly used to yet, after all. Meeting many other people who might understand that. Even among his comrades who he loves and misses so dearly, Allen's an oddity for how he feels about fighting. ]
So if it's about having a responsibility to everyone here with me and these people to keep them safe, then I'm okay with that. [ And that promise he doesn't bat an eye about. Humans are humans regardless of what world they're in; it doesn't have to be his, and regardless this is where he is and what's in front of him right now.
That's what his right hand is for. And he still has that one. Protecting people. Not being a tool in a war, and it's something he'll never surrender.
And remembering his manners, he straightens a little (very straight posture, this one) and gives a small nod to the other Hero. ]
I'm Allen. Allen Walker.
no subject
Allelujah.
[ A name, and not a prayer. Or maybe it's a little of both, if one cared to dig deep enough, but that's for another time. He turns aside to place the boxed gifts on a nearby tabletop. ]
It's nice to meet you, despite the circumstances. [ His palm lingers there on the manifestation of the civilians' feelings towards them. ...Arduous, yes, but honest. ] Truthfully, I wanted to curse it. Ending up here, in another world's war. I felt as though that kind of fight would have no meaning for me. And I had no intention of being someone's soldier.
[ His own war had been to escape that fate. Fighting to end fighting, a contradiction. But he has experience with those. Just like his ideal of destroying the status quo to lay a foundation for peace. ]
But it's not like that at all. I hope that through our actions, we can learn about our enemies and why they fight, also.
We may have no choice but to fight, but to save something — I'm willing to bear that, too.
[ To him, fighting is also a dialog. ]
1/2
That makes Allen smile gently and he gives a nod. But there's something in his expression that's a little older than a seventeen year old teenager's should be. ] The way I think about it...
I think that even if we're thrown into things that are beyond our control and told "this is what's ahead for you now"—none of that matters.
Maybe it is all fated and impossible to stop, but I can't believe that. But even if it is and we're wrong and ultimately fail, maybe by continuing to hold true to what we believe in it can serve to inspire someone else later on to keep fighting to be themselves even when they're told to stop.
Maybe that way we can make something change then.
So it's important to stay true to yourself no matter what. To fight for what you believe in. Even if you end up falling because of it.
[ So... ] I don't know about this war. I can't really claim to understand it and I'm not sure if I'll ever. But I know when I see people in front of me that are suffering I want to do everything I can to help them.
To me, I guess it doesn't have to be any bigger than that.
And if that means fighting when I hate it, then I guess I'll have to bear that feeling and fight anyway.
[ And that's Allen's cross to bear. It always has been. ]
2/2
But it's nice to have people to fight beside in the meantime.
[ It's nice to have that again. ]
no subject
Allelujah has seen it before. In Setsuna's eyes, in Tieria's. Humanity won and then lost, and then found again. With conviction to soothe over the scars. ]
We're allies. If there is a way to keep those around us from falling, Hero or civilian, then I'll believe in that too. Answers won't come to us if we do nothing.
[ Even if the answers they look for may only be found in the battles to come. ]
no subject
Mn! [ The Exorcist gives a bright nod at that, smiling and for all the world seeming so light of heart now. This is how they'll move forward then. Until they know more.
How he'll move forward until he knows more.
And Allen pauses slightly at noticing the box Allelujah's had with him the whole while. He sure does seem to have a lot of letters, hefting that box of them that he has... ]
Can I help you with that? [ He asks, indicating the box helpfully.
No. He has not yet noticed what they are. ]
no subject
Unfortunately, the letters aren't part of such an understanding, and Allelujah's amusement turns somewhat wry. ]
— you may not want to, if you see the kinds of things they contain. Caissa's citizens get... zealous.
no subject
...Zealous?
no subject
May it not contain as many lewd euphemisms as the last... he hopes, as he hands it over. ]
I'm afraid the bulletin board is in worse shape.