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

[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?

[royaliability]

[...

Did she believe it? Will he get away with it?]

Very well. Then allow me to assist you; if you would like to focus on collecting gems, I can protect you along the way. [She gives a little gesture to her spear, drawing attention to it.] That way you'll focus more keenly on your work, won't you?

[tailend]

[... Did- did she believe it? He's surprised by her reaction for a split second, but then he perks up again with a grin and a laugh. Go with it, Favaro, just go with it.]

Yeah, yeah! Sure... The weapon they gave me is pretty useless, now that I think about it.

[He's sooo grateful for her help, clearly, even if the way he literally twirls his on-loan rock hammer before turning back to the wall suggests he could probably make do with that much. Is he actually getting away with this...!!]

[royaliability]

And when we return-[Nope, there it is. Seems like she isn't finished.]-you can show me the fine print I missed. Then you can hold onto your prize.

But in the chance you misread it, then we can simply hand over your..."freebies" as well.

[It's "we" now. Apparently he's gained a party member who won't be leaving any time soon.]

[tailend]

[Thank god he's facing the wall, or she would see him flinch and then roll his eyes. Goody-goodies. His shoulders tense for a moment, but that's all that betrays him regretting this decision before he chuckles again, turning halfway to wave a hand at her.]

No problem! It'll be there, don't you worry! [Somehow, even if he has to write it in himself, somehow. He's not going home without a pocketful of gems. Why did he come all the way out here if he just has to give them up...]

What's your name, sweetheart? [Maybe if he shakes her somehow on the way back- goats? Could be goats...]

[royaliability]

[Gwen isn't exactly pleased about the sweetheart comment, but she's used to all the men back home being like this as well. She's learned how to keep quiet about it.

...sort of.

Alright, not really. But she's doing good so far.]

My name is Gwendolyn, a former soldier of the Kingdom of Ragnanival.

What of yourself, stranger?

[tailend]

[Is it better or worse if he starts calling her Gwen? He could go either way.

But oh - a knight, pretty much, coming in with the full title. That must mean she's proud of it, which means she's not his kind of people. He can deal with that.]

I'm a bounty hunter- [He holds up his arm to show her an armband that, oh yeah, he doesn't have anymore— so there's an awkward glance at his own wrist before he drops his hand again.] Ah- never mind. Call me Favaro.

[royaliability]

[She'd think it was a little informal since they don't know each other much, but it's her name...her name's always the better route.

In any case, the explanation makes a little more sense, if he used to be a bounty hunter. They wouldn't really be strict with the rules, right?]

I see. Could it be you're not be used to following a job spec too closely if that was your former occupation? I hear bounty hunters are very...[what's a nice word] independent, often acting in the manner they think is best to get a job done.

[tailend]

[Independent. That's got a nice ring to it, after all of the insults usually hurled at bounty hunters being barely a step above criminals themselves— Favaro looks like he's thoughtfully considering this assessment momentarily, before he laughs and waves it off, turning back to the wall.]

I don't know about the rest, but that's just me. Catching bounties pays for the booze - nothing more, nothing less.

[royaliability]

I see.

No doubt you must find my more careful approach frustrating, but I was a knight. Our methods were carried out very strictly.

[She's making it sound like there's room for him to be right, and maybe this is all a misunderstanding, but make no mistake. She is 100% sure you're a liar buddy.

But hey, innocent until proven guilty, right?]

[tailend]

Hey, I know my way around knights. [Is this a good thing, or is he talking about cleverly avoiding them? It's up for interpretation.] You do your thing and I'll do mine, alright?

[Still blatantly sorting through gems is his "thing," right now...]

"Strict" isn't my thing.

[royaliability]

Well I suggest you use that flexibility of yours to consider it.

[And this isn't a lecture or anything, it's because in the distance you can hear the sound of hooves and bleating.]

Because we won't be alone for much longer.

[tailend]

[Ugh, no, he's so sick of goats. He hunches his shoulders over his gem bags, like maybe if he tries really hard to be busy over here, he won't have to fight off goats again.]

What was that? You're still standing guard? Thanks a bunch, by the way, I owe you one!

[Here, Favaro and his bags are none too subtly trying to sneak off to another part of this mine...]

[royaliability]

[And there she was, all ready to defend you dude...

Yet the goats arrive and all she sees behind her is one missing bounty hunter. Her voice echoes through the mine.]

Favaro!!

[And so she abandons this fight for the sake of chasing after him, goats trailing behind her.]

[tailend]

[Aha, he hears that shout and the sound of way too many feet running after him, how familiar. It doesn't get him to stop, but he will do her the grand favor of shouting back over his shoulder-]

I mean it, I owe you! Watch your step back there!