intro ♚ september

[boardmaster]

WELCOME TO Grantebrycge

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 ♟ Video Killed The Radio Star

Rise and shine, Heroes. It seems that today is filled with good fortune as the morning is very uneventful, aside from the monthly arrival of new comrades. This is the perfect time to grab your weapon, Carrier and uniform and use your time to look around Caissa. While exploring or catching up on the latest gossip, you might blow past the delivery carriages outside of the Hall of Glory, but you certainly won’t be missing the steampunk televisions and vending machines which will be set up around noon time by your lovely maids and butlers! The TVs are placed in every single bedroom as well as leisure rooms so you can enjoy your daily fix of popular cooking show Inferno Kitchen, primetime Cheoksan drama Summer Cantata or the Gammonian hit series Sport of Crowns! The vending machines can be found in the hallways and contain snacks and drinks such as canned mackin’ cheese (or as Noirs like to call it, Lovekraft Supper), Pooky, Cpt. Pepperoni, Mountin' Do, or Eight Up. You are free to come up with your own TV show or vending machine food items.

Thierry Toussaint My dearest Heroes! I hope today finds you well, and for once I bring good news! [ he laughs a little sheepishly. he’s dressed less formally than in previous somber declarations and his hair looks windblown, like he ran here ] As you well know, our recent victories and mostly importantly, a successful alliance with Gammon has brought no small amount of blessings: we have more resources, better manpower, and the invaluable help of our Gammonian colleagues not just in war, but also in advancing our civilization! And so it is my pleasure to unveil our new and improved broadcast technology— [ a pause, where he winks ] —do I look clearer to you? It’s a little harder to tell from this end, I’m afraid. You’ll be able to receive better, brighter and more varied content from our country’s talented producers. Oh… [ another, longer pause. teddy looks offscreen and then laughs ] I’m not getting paid for this, I promise. I don’t need any other motivation to be excited for my country, do I? In addition to the television programs, we will be helping with the release of newly developed vending machine technology that brings fresh and healthy snacks to the streets of our capital, and hopefully, beyond. It would be nice to have one for my office. I’ve mentioned our Gammonian friends, haven’t I? And I’ve saved the best for last: as a token of the friendship between our countries and all that we can do for each other, Gammon has assisted us in completing Platform 40— … 42 and 5/8ths, an instantaneous portal between our very own Caissa and Cochrane. I look forward to even more cultural and commercial exchange from all the way across the Rokirovka Ocean! And ah, speaking of exchange—the Platform has been completed just in time for you, dear Heroes. Gammon has actually extended another invitation to you: as national and international icons and users of magic, they would like you to visit their school of magecraft, Pigeonsblood, in Grant— Grant… [ … ] You will be able to reach the school easily through the Platform! Pigeonsblood’s Headmaster has assured me that you would be a great inspiration to their incoming class of aspiring mages; I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity. Gammon’s knowledge and mastery of magic, as you may have seen during your previous visits, is nothing to take lightly! And if you like what you see, I’m told Gammon would be happy to sponsor classes for Heroes at the school. I’m sure they want to keep the inspiration flowing, hm? Thank you once again, all of you, for making such wonderful things possible. I’m sure your achievements will continue to open doors, both metaphorically and literally, for Blanc and for yourselves.

Meet up with your chums, old and new, and head over to Caissa’s train station. Once there, locating the Platform 42 and 5/8ths is an easy feat. There are two guards standing watch and they will stop curious civilians from sneaking past them. They will only let Heroes use the Platform and as such require proof of identification. A Hero’s uniform, rank badge or a passport identifying yourself as such should do the trick. As the platform functions as one of Gammon’s checkpoints, you will need to pay a small fee of 200 colle to pass. Should you be a new arrival, the Prime Minister will suddenly show up and pay the fee.

Where’s the portal, you might ask? Take a deep breath, walk through the wall between the guards and you’ll find yourself in Cochrane! Heroes might experience some sudden vertigo or a near insatiable hunger for pork. Very minor side effects vary from person to person.

In order to reach Grantebrycge, Heroes must travel from Cochrane to Friedgood and then a little ways further. They are free to make this journey by foot, mount or train. Directions to Grantebrycge are vague but you can’t miss the landmark of the Great Face Cliff, a monument depicting the faces of the towns’s founding members. Poobin and Cemron seem especially stern as they glare down at anyone who dares to visit.

TWO ♟ Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

Upon entering Grantebrycge, Heroes will be immediately be ambushed by swarms of eager students from Pigeonsblood’s welcoming committee. This committee consists of upperclassmen from each of the Four Branches - Achroite, Prehnite, Bixbite, and Citrine, and they are dressed in uniforms in their Branch color (pictured here in the Bixbite red). Officially, they’re here to help you learn more about Pigeonsblood, give you a tour of the campus, and show you what each Branch can offer you so that you can make an educated decision about which to enroll in. Unofficially, they’re there to try to talk you into enrolling into their particular Branch and some will ramble on about how their Branch is the best while others fight amongst each other to try to get your attention.

Once the tour is finished, the committee will lead Heroes to the administration building. There, they’ll part with you to attend to other duties, leaving you with a reminder to head to the center plaza in an hour for the freshman orientation party. Heroes can enroll in classes if they so choose and have made a decision as to which Branch is the best for them. It’s recommended as it’s free, courtesy of Gammon. If they enroll in classes, they will receive their class schedule, a permit for a uniform, and a key to their dorm room. Head to the university shops later to have them take your measurements!

NOTE: The rooming and class schedule are up to player discretion. If there is an official mission the professors will allow an absence - Heroes can’t save the world if they’re worrying about their GPA, after all!

For those who choose to not enroll in Pigeonsblood, they can explore the campus some more, but either way make sure to head down to the central plaza before the party!

THREE ♟ The Part Where They Rope You in with Free Food

Stepping into the center plaza puts you in the middle of excited back-to-school buzz. Several event booths line the plaza, all eager to get your attention. Some will try to recruit you to their school club. Others are simply there to provide information, such as maps of the school and information about the Four Branches. Still others get even more specific, headed by banners marked “THE TOTAL IDIOT'S GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL ACADEMY LIFE” and “GUIDE TO HAPPINESS: HOW TO NOT DIE DURING EXAMS”. A few generous booths will provide you with free food like “Splotted Richard” or “Bangers and Mash” to fill your tummy, as well as school merchandise, such as Branch-specific pens, face paint, flyswatters, and other bits of merchandise.

If those don't get your attention, the freshmen running your way definitely will. They're beyond excited to see a Hero among their ranks, and approach you eagerly, yelling things such as, “Did you enroll? Let's do our best together!”, “You're my inspiration! I hope we're classmates!” and “Please let me know if you need a tutor! I wouldn't mind…” Thankfully, their enthusiasm is brought to a stop by the welcoming committee, who make their way to the center plaza and hush the excited freshmen. After a heartwarming speech about youth and school spirit, the committee flashes their new classmates a bright smile and finishes with: “And now, it's time for some fun!”

What do they mean by fun? The freshmen are more than eager to demonstrate! Aside from the fun offered at the various booths, there are many magic games to partake in. There's “Splash Tag,” where players must use water magic in lieu of touch to play tag, “Air Races,” in which racers use psionic, gravity, or wind magic to boost their movement, “Hot Potato,” in which the temperature of the potato is increased with each pass until it explodes on the loser, and Illusion-based Pictionary.

A few steps away from the commotion, near where the welcoming committee made their speech, is a tall bulletin board. Various flyers are posted here-- club announcements, dating ads, tutoring offers, and of course, Pigeonsblood help wanted ads.

INFO ♟ Welcome!

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

Remember to check out the uniform contest for ranked Heroes!

Comments

favaro leone | rage of bahamut: genesis

[tailend]

A. literally just on the street

[Please note that there sure is a bare ass in this prompt out in public. sighs

Here's the thing: waking up naked in a new place is startling, but otherwise not too bad! The new clothes aren't his style and he wouldn't have picked a magical whip for his weapon... ever, but Favaro can't complain about being dressed up fancy and given all kinds of luxuries he's never known to be for people less than "filthy rich." He isn't keen on fighting in a war or toting around the Hero title, but whatever: free stuff.

There is one thing he has to check, though— he has to be one hundred percent sure. Waking up naked confirmed enough, but maybe he missed something - it's possible. You never know. So.]

Hey! [First, he's talking to the locals.] Would you do me a tiny, insignificant favor? You see, I've got this condition, and I can't tell if it's cleared up or not, and—

[While he says this, he's turned around so that he's got his back to these people and he is quite literally hiking his jacket up and wiggling his pants down enough to show an inch or so of his goddamn ass. This, naturally, is not going over well.] —Hey, I'm still talking to you! Come back here and tell me if you see a damn tail!

[okay someone remove him from the street please]

B. in the mines

1. or, around the mines, with goats

[The only thing worse than wayward goats is having one for a Carrier. Favaro's brand new little pygmy goat sure has no interest in staying with him the moment they're in an open enough space to make a run for it, and the wayward goats wandering the area are not making it any easier to get the little guy back.

Favaro, of course, is yelling.] Come back here, you little horned bastard! You're not even a real goat!

[Every time he manages to get close, it bites. Currently, a regular goat is taking advantage of him ducking down to try and scoop up his little one and chewing on his hair.]

2. actually working

[Sort of actually working - in the mine itself, Favaro is doing better than outside. He has an eye for shiny and finds a small cache of gems quickly enough. But for some reason he's brought two bags...]

One for the bookworms, [he says, as a gemstone that's mostly smaller pieces embedded in a bigger rock gets dropped into bag one. The next one is much purer and larger, so naturally,] and a pretty penny for me.

C. party time/wildcard

[Things Favaro does at parties, even parties of mostly students: eat as much as possible, be loudly obnoxious, probably wheedle someone(s) into dancing. OR, hit me up with anything else!! It's also worth noting that Favaro has a prosthetic leg that appears to be a metal steampunk boot, now.]

a

[picolin]

[ he's walking by when he spots the small crowd of horrified locals, and serpico draws closer just in time to see several of the woman run off with horrified little gasps, a good number of the men also turning away in disgust. while a few people are laughing, most of the crowd is dispersing very, very quickly because who wants to deal with this strange man baring his ass in the streets?

which leaves serpico standing a short distance away, eyebrow raised. ]

I'm afraid everyone's left.

[ turn around favaro, so you can see the few remaining stragglers walking away very quickly.

serpico, on his part, is somewhat used to nudity. traveling for weeks on end with a band of sweaty, tired knights, one very quickly gets used to the lack of privacy. although admittedly ... none of the knights had been quite so bold as to make a gesture like this at their herald.

he cants his head, waiting for favaro to pull up his pants before asking mildly, ]

Would it be a dire situation for you, if one were to say you did have a tail?

[tailend]

[Favaro is... busy with his pants down, when someone finally speaks to him instead of just making affronted sounds and hurrying away. He looks over his shoulder at the dwindling crowd (and Serpico, clearly the only helpful person in miles) and clicks his tongue disapprovingly, finally moving to tug his pants back up and turn around.

No shame... no shame whatsoever. He scratches his neck and frowns at Serpico, like, obviously having a tail is the worst possible thing?]

Do you want a tail hanging off of you all the time? Those things get in the way!

[picolin]

Is that so? I'm afraid I couldn't speak from experience about such things.

[ favaro had said 'condition,' and he'd assumed a tail indicated something much more dangerous. possibly life-threatening. but if discomfort is the biggest thing at stake, he's not in any particular rush to confirm the lack of tail just yet. ]

You could just chop it off, could you not?

[tailend]

[Inconveniences are life-threatening, but never mind that. Favaro perks up at the suggestion, intrigued!! but then exaggeratedly looking disappointed and snapping his fingers a second later.]

Already tried that. [Darn.] Curses don't come off just like that, you know!

a

[maidhem]

Ah--aahh--uhmmmmmm~~~~~

[Felicia felt her cheeks growing redder and redder by the second as she realized the gravity of the situation she had walked into simply by offering to help a stranger out-- and there was no amount of politeness that would help her in this situation. Setting her jaw and taking a deep breath, she abruptly hurled the heavy bag of snacks she had collected from those strange machines at his bare ass.]

What kind of lady do you think I am?! I do live to serve, but not in the way that you seem to be thinking!!

[tailend]

[Okay, he's been smacked in the ass with a heavy bag. This isn't what he's expecting at all- in fact, he looks over his shoulder at the sound of her stuttering just seconds too late to avoid being smacked in the ass, and has time to sputter out something like "WAIT—" to no avail.

The force of the smack and the dumb way he's standing sticking his ass out send him stumbling forward, tripping on the bag of snacks, and down sprawling onto the ground.]

Ow... I didn't mean anything like that. [Now he's on the ground with his ass in the air, so give him a moment to turn and flop uselessly onto his back, tugging at his pants. The faint muttering of 'this time' is surely just a rustling of the wind. He would never. Anyway-]

—What gives, assaulting an innocent person in the street?! [innocent.]

[maidhem]

[Felicia is going to pretend she didn't hear his muttering-- or, maybe she really didn't at all with how focused she was on this singular problem that she was faced with.]

A person dropping their pants in public isn't that innocent, [she said pointedly.] That's indecent. You really should have more respect for yourself and the people around you!

[tailend]

[Is she just going to stand there and give him a hard time? What a brat. Favaro scoffs, shoving himself upright and swiping her bag off the ground as he gets to his feet. That'll leave a mark, falling like that...]

There's no shame in it, lady. No shame in having a look, either, but usually the girls don't throw things at me to get a peek.

b

[royaliability]

[Looking to make a quick colle there, buddy. Unfortunately, the woman who's also been patrolling the mines for gems and happened upon him is of a fairly strict moral character. Too strict, you might say. She approaches from behind and clears her throat to get his attention.]

I don't recall there being anything about taking our own personal share of the spoils.

[tailend]

[Always looking for a quick colle, even on day one... Favaro straightens up from lurking over his bags when she appears behind him, turning around quickly and shoving them together so that maybe it looks like he only has one. It doesn't. He made an attempt.]

Haha, what are you talking about? I'm a collector! You know, a... rock collector.

[This is totally just a bag of rocks and not gemstones!!]

[royaliability]

[Sternly;]

I saw you. You receive payment for your services; is that not enough?

[If she has to accompany him all the way back to ensure he hands over everything he's collected, she will. She ain't got nowhere else to be y'know.]

[tailend]

[Ohhh my goddd, a goody-goody type already. He thought they'd all stay behind to help the students or take care of whatever other community service playdate things this city wants them to do, not come all the way out here to dig for rocks.

He's been wrong before. He raises an eyebrow at her for a moment, then sighs, holding his hands up.]

Alright, alright, I see what's happening here... You didn't read the fine print! [He points!! for emphasis.] Everybody gets a freebie, you know. I'm collecting more to get extra freebies.

[That's not in the fine print at all. Logic doesn't work that way.]

So, why don't we get back to work, huh?

b goats

[footfalls]

[it's okay favaro, lenalee's got this. actually, she hasn't got anything but a map, a lantern, digging tools, and sheer determination, but she's not about to let this stranger get eaten by goats while he's trying to steal a small goat!!]

[and so Lenalee veers towards his direction, heading for the big goat chewing on his hair!! but before she reaches him, she cups her hands around her mouth and gives him some very Helpful Advice]

If you stop trying to steal that goat, then the other one might leave you alone!

[rude, lenalee]

[tailend]

[He hears her yelling before he can see her, since there's a goat chewing on him, but it's worth the strands of hair he loses by forcibly turning his head to stare at her for that. Really! Really!!]

Does it look like I'm stealing any goats?! [apparently.] I don't even want the one I have!

[footfalls]

[wow, losing those few strands of hair must have hurt, i hope that judging stare was worth it favaro!!]

But you're trying to pick it up! [Lenalee is Confused, and has possibly forgotten about how carriers come in all shapes and sizes, but at least she stops talking long enough so that she reaches the scene of this goat-stealing crime!]

[instead of grabbing the goat by the horns and trying to yank it away, Lenalee opts for a smarter technique which is dangling the remains of her lunch (one apple) above the goat intent on Favaro's hair... Favaro's hair vs an apple!! choose wisely, goat]

[tailend]

The little bastard is mine!

[He needs to make this Clear even though he doesn't want the little shit, pointing vehemently in the direction the tiny goat was last spotted. It is even over there anymore...

The apple strategy is a good one, at least - the goat does go for it, but not without taking another chunk of Favaro's hair with it first.

Favaro will be here, on the ground, lamenting his scalp. Ow ow ow ow....]

A

[armorial]

Sir. I must implore you to not share your bare behind to the locals.

[ She is a fellow Hero that has been strolling by like a normal person? It's only when she noticed all the locals running away... that she's in this situation. Rather serious (and short), she has this awfully determined look. At least she has a sword? That's somewhat threatening, right? ]

If you continue to terrorize civilians, I will see to it myself that you are detained.

[tailend]

[A little blonde knight girl giving him a serious look for screwing around? He's used to that, and familiar enough with people who carry swords around on purpose to tug his pants back up.

Like, not without copious sighing, but he's putting his ass away. Happy??]

Let's not get hasty! I don't need detaining, I'm fine right here!

[Ahaha... anyway, after a beat, in a lower and more serious voice:] So did you see anything?

[armorial]

Fortunately, I was able to shield my eyes in time, so I cannot say I saw anything.

[ She actually still is closing her eyes. The image of ass has long gone disappeared, escaping her mind. She does crack open an eye just to make sure it's safe to open the other. Hands on her hips, she's flabbergasted at how this conversation is going.

A tail is what he asked about, right? ]

Why are you so adamant about this?

b1...

[oneregret]

[What the fuck is he witnessing. Mikael's carrier wants nothing to do with himf, but by not concerning himself with it, the small crow still flies along after him. For now, it decides to settle right in Favaro's hair just as Mikael stops in front of him.

The mines aren't so narrow that he couldn't just walk around this, but thanks to his own bad mood, he's chosen to scowl at him from right here.]

You're in the way.

[tailend]

[Is this guy for real? Favaro isn't exactly expecting someone to come along and help him, you know, because he wouldn't, but for this guy's stupid bird to nest on him and he just stands there? Seriously??

He swats blindly at the crow, but his hair is just so nest-y that swiping at it only ends in it resettling elsewhere on his head. Christ.]

Get your pigeon off of me before I make it my dinner!!

[Pigeon: a bird insult.]

[oneregret]

[He is very serious. So serious that he just stands there, staring down at him with his chin lifted as he rages about the bird. Mikael doesn't care, honestly, but Emergency Food is the one whose big crow eyes widen as it flaps out of Favaro's hair. It lands, instead, on his strange carrier goat.

Mikael has one hand on his hip, now.]

I said you're in the way. [He's in one of those moods... But at least this time he kicks out with his foot and the goat that's not his carrier makes a startled noise at the impact to its side, scrambling away.]

stares at the camera

[litcircle]

[Favaro has enchanted at least one audience member with his strip tease. Dazai is standing. And staring. He looks a mixture of curious and mildly concerned.]

What type of tail should I be looking for here because... well...

[He trails off like he doesn't want to frightened the flasher. Maybe there really is something amiss with that bare ass? (There isn't.)]

shut up

[tailend]

[This guy??? Well, now Dazai gets to see Favaro trying to twist around and see his own ass. Again. He's not truly gullible, he's just paranoid about having an ass appendage again...]

Any kind! Do you think I want a tail?!