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

dazai | bungo stray dogs | ota

[litcircle]

1; crying to mummy.

[There's not much that can shake Dazai, including waking up naked in an unknown building, but there's definitely a lot that can annoy him. The helpful people of Caissa may have provided him a uniform but the rudely forgot the most important thing.

So, here he is, creeping through the Queen hall wrapped tightly in his sheet so only his face is visible. Thankfully he is fully dressed under the cover but he's mostly cosplaying as a cheap ghost, hope you aren't too faint of heart. If he had any idea where this was he would avoid all contact on his mission but unfortunately he can't.

Dazai peeks around a corner and pokes a hand out to beckon towards whatever unfortunate soul he spotted. Despite the pout he sounds as lighthearted and cheery as usual.]

Yoohoo! Could you tell me where the infirmary is?

[He's going to steal every single roll of bandage.]

2; oops.

[There was no use dragging one's feet in adapting to this new fangled place. Dazai picked up his complimentary carrier and weapon quickly after he learned of them but, well, the issue is they weren't exactly his style. Keeping pets and unique weapons was for other people, not him. The novelty of a magical weapon won out over his other sensibilities in the end though. Obviously the next step was to test out this weapon and see what he could do with it.

He's out of the way, turning the knife he was given over, inspecting it, tossing it casually in the air... You know, normal stuff. That is until he eyes one of the newly installed vending machines. He taps the glass of the machine with the blade one, two, three- and then the blade slides right through the glass and into the packages. Suddenly several bags of Cornitos pop open and fill the inside of the machine with triangle shaped chips. In the second someone might have looked at the mess and back to Dazai the knife is suspiciously gone and there is only a slight hole in the glass...

He smiles.]

My, they should work on their quality control before bringing in faulty machines.

[He kneels down, pushes open the hatch, and grabs a few chips which he feeds to the raccoon next to him. This is totally normal.]

3. Yer not a wizard, Dazai.

[There's no way Dazai is saying no to free travel or banquets no matter the occasion. Of course he's heading off to school. He can be found pretty much everywhere from the tours of the building, listening in to students brag about their magical prowess, and all over the party.]

a.
[The attention from all the students has Dazai beaming and, for lack of a better word, posturing. Sure, he's listening diligently to their spiels and watching their demonstrations but he's giving as good as he gets. He's making a show of sleight of hand tricks which has half of the students convinced he already knows illusion magic while the other half try to one up him with more outrageous shows, something he only goads them on into doing. This only attracting more and more students and only making them rowdier...

That is, until one student bit off more than he could chew and a spell backfired with a massive explosion of colorful smoke. A chance Dazai took to get the hell away from the crowd. Which has landed him behind a corner and another hero, who he's got a hold of their shoulder to keep his human shield in place. He can't help but laugh merrily as the students shout at his sudden disappearance and realization that he hasn't promised to join any of their houses.]

b.
[Dazai has walked into a game of Hot Potato. He does not want to be in this game.

He catches the ticking time bomb on reflex and realizes quickly (good thing his hand is already protected by bandages) it's on the verge of exploding. He might not have the control to add more heat to it just yet but he tosses it surely at another person.]

Think fast~

[rip in pieces.]

wildcard

[Come at me with any prompt you want there's no shortage of Dazai being a weirdo around town!!]

3a why are all of these so hideous

[tigereyes]

[As often as he's found himself unwillingly dragged into new and confusing things since he's gotten here, Atsushi should really be expecting to be pulled into yet another unfortunate incident. Being a human shield certainly qualifies, though this time isn't as bad, because at least he's gotten some free food out of the day, which does a lot to help with anything that may be going wrong.

He still doesn't want to be a meat shield against incredibly enthusiastic students, though. It's his fault for thinking he could quietly make an escape by lurking around corners, because that hasn't worked out for him once around these people. While he immediately has a long list of Very Good Reasons why he is a terrible shield and shouldn't be used to such ends against the students here, something quickly clicks into place as he turns to look up at the monster that would use an innocent Hero this way.

Oh. Of course.

Even with plenty of time to think of everything he'd say if and when he got the chance to see anyone from home again, all Atsushi can do in the moment is gape at Dazai. He's real, right?]

Ummmm...

[Smooth.]

looks at the question looks at dazai

[litcircle]

[Ah. It's kind of hard to hind behind someone smaller than himself.

The second Atsushi opens his mouth Dazai covers it and shushes him, it's good natured and not chiding at least.]

Let's not give away our hiding place. Come on now.

[Congrats. You've been officially Involved. Dazai tugs at his shoulder and pulls him along.]

[tigereyes]

[That's exactly the kind of reaction he should have been expecting; it's so very Dazai. Of course the other man doesn't seem at all bothered by, well, everything going on, really. That's fine, Atsushi can stress enough for the both of them.] But...

[Why is this his life no matter where he goes? It doesn't even occur to him that he could not follow, not now that someone he knows is here. As long as he's being tugged along to who-knows-where though, he's got to ask Questions.] I didn't think anyone from-- you're really here?

[What a great question.] Do you know where you're going? [Slightly better??]

[litcircle]

[Someone has been working on his investigative skills... Probably. Maybe. Are those really the best questions, Atsushi? Dazai's leading him on with a arm slung over his shoulder. Mostly to yank him around turns and steer him easily.]

It would be a fancy trick of illusion for me not to be here, boy. [He sees the chance and he's taking it- He pinches Atsushi's cheek.] I'm really real.

[The second question though... Well, they sure are going Deeper into the school at the rate their going.]

It's a fascinating place, isn't it?

3b

[femmefailtale]

[As it so happens, she's thinking very fast. A hand is already on this woman in a hero uniform's hip, holding up on a... joystick? Her hand flicks to the side, barely touching the potato as it explodes in the direction she flicks it--all over a poor student.]

[Magic isn't really her specialty yet, but she can fake it with her weapons. Now just bring it all home and land it with a badass one liner.]

Was that fast enough?

[Aww yeah. Nailed it.]

[litcircle]

[What's all this? Dazai claps dutifully after her little trick.]

Bravo! Although I believe that's considered a loss still.

[That poor student can be taken to change (and get any burns looked at) but Dazai won't let up on the Very Important rules of the game.]

[femmefailtale]

Damn. Does it?

[She sighs, shrugging as she steps away from the sideline.]

Alright then, I guess that's that. At least I look cool in defeat.

[litcircle]

Very much so. I was a little in awe myself.

[She gave in so easily. Now that the game has been halted he walks over to chat with her. It's obvious he's definitely not sorry about throwing an exploding potato at her.]

Although we might have gotten in less trouble if you aimed down instead of sideways.

[There's the concerned voice of a Teacher approaching...]

1

[footfalls]

[why is there a ghost cosplayer here]

[Lenalee approaches, looking a little wary because she's still vaguely paranoid about everyone, but also because why is he covered in a sheet? True, she was covered in a sheet just an hour ago, but that's because she didn't have any clothes on? .....oh. maybe... this guy didn't See the clothes and ran out covered in a sheet, and now he's looking for the infirmary so he can get a hospital gown, which is maybe one leg up from a sheet.]

[She stops just a few feet from him.]

If you're looking for clothes, then you'll find some back in the room you woke up in.

[at least lenalee looks a little concerned now, as she offers this kind advice that's 100% free of sarcasm, because she honestly thinks that dazai is naked]

[litcircle]

[Oh dear. She thinks he's naked.

A hand, now back under the sheets protective cover, is brought to his cheek as he blushes and hides his face. He's so acting up for the show of it.]

Oh-! To think a cute girl would catch me at such a vulnerable time... I should have been more sure who I was calling out to. How embarrassing! I can never become a bride-

[His shoes and pants legs are clearly visible.]

[footfalls]

[Lenalee moves closer despite all signs not to, but at least moving closer means she looks down at his... clothed feet.

and clothed legs.

ehm.]

Oh.

[.....sweats]

I just thought... Never mind! [he's clothed! THANK GOD, haha wow, what an embarrassing thing to accuse someone of being, look at how offended he is... going on about... being a bride.] It was my mistake, so you can... stop now...

[stop fake blushing 2016]

[litcircle]

[That's a lot to ask as the person that started this Bullshit. She dug her grave and it's gonna keep happening.

Since she made the mistake of approaching he steps out from behind the wall and holds out a hand. That's still draped by a sheet. The point is what matters, he's waiting for her to offer her hand.]

Would you take responsibility then?

[his smile is probably a bit too devilish.]

3b

[sommer]

W-What?! No-- I-I don't want it-- take it back!!

[ Anna panics and lobs it back to the guy who ironically doesn't want to die for once. ]

--wait, don't- it's gonna explode--

[ Now she wants it thrown her way again?? This is a mess. ]

[litcircle]

[Death by potato is too sad even for him. Please understand his feelings.]

Good catch~!

[And she's throwing it back instantly. He's not flustered like his catch partner and actually looks posed to catch the spud when it explodes mid toss like a particularly weird firework. The smoking chunks fall to the ground in front of him.]

Eh... I wonder which of us is the loser.

[Is there even a penalty for losing??]

[sommer]

Whoa! That was close, hahah! [ Weirdly enough, she finds it hilarious too now that they're both okay.

As for his question, though? ...Hmm. ]

Well - I threw it last, so technically it belonged to you! I think that's how it works. Heh. I wasn't even playing...

1/??

[creativenonfiction]

Huh?

[What is this hot thing in his hand? It kind of feels like it's burning. Kind of like it's one of those hot potatoes these kids have been throwing around.]

[creativenonfiction]

[Oh.







It is one of those hot potatoes.]

done

[creativenonfiction]

[Kunikida shrieks and pitches it down an empty corridor. It explodes. There's a bit of trembling; some bricks falling. Maybe a bit of crashing.

He flinches with every sound, glancing around to check that no one else is around.

Looks like they've lucked out for now but that still leaves a destroyed hallway easily pinned on them. So... Kunikida will just. Drag Dazai by the collar a few yards away to start their usual anime gag.]

WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?! LOOK WHAT YOU DID! [You did that, Kunikida.] YOU DESTROYED A WHOLE HALLWAY! CAN YOU IMAGINE THE AMOUNT OF PAPERWORK THIS WILL INVOLVE? I'M GOING TO RECEIVE A THOUSAND CALLS! I'M GOING TO DIE ON THE TELEPHONE! WERE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!

[litcircle]

[Wow.

Dazai allows himself to be dragged and carried around without a single complaint. He's perfectly calm compared to the volcano of emotion he is dealing with.]

No one has to know if we manage to stay quiet.

[He smiles as he cants his head. The students have already scattered so the chance of them snitching is low. So... Dazai lifts a hand to gently rest a finger over Kunikida's mouth. Shush.]

3b

[oneregret]

[There is a potato being hurled at him. Mikael's quick to raise his hand and catch it, fingers curling around the warm thing in his irritation. What the fuck?? He has no comprehension of this as a game, so with a scowl, he chucks it hard at Dazai's chest.]

[litcircle]

[Did he really just get potato chunks thrown at him. Dazai sidesteps the mashed potatoes and wags a finger at Mikael.]

These clothes are new please refrain from throwing dirty things.

[You threw something at him first, Dazai.]

[oneregret]

[Ah. That's disappointing. He was hoping to leave a potato shaped bruise on Dazai's chest, but it just exploded while he was throwing it. He pretends that didn't bother his hand at all, leaving it still at his side as he continues to scowl at him. Is this guy trying to pick a fight with him?

He steps forward.]

I was aiming for the trash.

one.

[putty]

[ this is odder than waking up naked -- but then again, waking up naked isn't so very odd after all, at least for a being that spent most of its formulative days rolling around with animals out on the ancient sumerian serengeti, so perhaps it isn't saying much.

nonetheless, it takes the appearance of the blanket-ghost in stride, tilting its head curiously so that long, green hair spills over its shoulder. ]

I'm afraid I cannot tell you the location. Are you very hurt? [ is it urgent? it doesn't smell blood on this man, but maybe it's a broken bone? a dislocated shoulder? perhaps it can help. ]

[litcircle]

[Dazai hums (a good sign that he is not, in fact, hurt) and considers how best to answer this. They've already informed him they don't know where the infirmary is but... Well, there's no reason not to push and make sure.

And it's not like he's in that much of a rush.]

Oh very. I cannot last another moment, it's very serious.

[Said in the most conversational tone imaginable.]