boardmaster: (Default)
BOARDMASTER ([personal profile] boardmaster) wrote in [community profile] pawnstorm2016-09-07 10:15 am

intro ♚ september

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!
femmefailtale: (You are a giant ass.)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-08 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Huh? Oh, quit joking around, Luna--I signed my name and everything. [She pouts a little, looking away.] Did it get lost in the mail?

Besides, why wouldn't you go to Bixbite? You're a healer and a protector. It's what you do. And, apparently, what I do now.
radicalsix: (pic#10533054)

[personal profile] radicalsix 2016-09-08 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Wait, what? Luna? O-oh, no, no, you must have the wrong person, then! I mean...you're close, of course, I was named after the same goddess, but, my name is Diana. I'm so sorry for the confusion...

Is that what a King does, though? Like, healing and defense..?

[ She seems confused as can be about that, and it's no surprise; the uniform that she's wearing is the basic Pawn one. ]
femmefailtale: (Because I'm adorable.)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-08 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
You're kidding. [Her eyes flick to the badge, and she narrows them. Sure enough--pawn. She's a newbie.]

Er--yeah. Kings are healing, defense, and support. I'm one of 'em, so it's like I have the ability to make other people awesome.

--are you sure you don't have a twin? You're a dead ringer for 'er.
radicalsix: (pic#10417288)

[personal profile] radicalsix 2016-09-08 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I-I'm afraid not, sorry. I'm an only child, so...you mean there's someone else here who looks just like me?

[ That does sound nice, though. Making other people awesome; it sounds like the perfect role for her, who would much rather stand back on the sidelines. ]

That's pretty strange...and you said her name was Luna?
femmefailtale: (Teehee!)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-09 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah. You two are so alike it's kind of freaky. Maybe she's you from a parallel dimension?

[I mean, that's gotta' be possible--right? Right.]

Well, either way it nice to meet ya. My name is Meliora.
radicalsix: (pic#10533066)

[personal profile] radicalsix 2016-09-09 02:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Or maybe an alternate timeline or something...

[ Though she doesn't know why she would go under a different name... ]

Meliora, though...that's a pretty name! I'm sure if you're a friend of Luna's, you'd be a good friend of mine...though now I'm kind of curious to meet her.
femmefailtale: (soft smile)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-09 02:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, you'll know her when you see her--I'm sure. You'll get along, I'm pretty sure. She's basically the nicest girl I've ever met. One of 'em, anyways.

Anyhoo, I know I just met you... but I'm sort of your elder here so it's okay to rely on me a bit if you want.
radicalsix: (pic#)

[personal profile] radicalsix 2016-09-09 03:09 pm (UTC)(link)
That so? I suppose I should be grateful for that, then...it'd be terrible if there was someone who looked just like me that was mean. Wouldn't want to come to a new place like this and have a bad reputation before I even did anything, after all.

I wouldn't want to impose on you, though! This place is a little confusing, of course, and I'm still kind of learning my way around everything, but...the last thing I'd want to do is trouble you.
femmefailtale: (sup♥)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-09 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[Do you see this grin. This grin is 100% pure smarm. It's one of those grins.]

Well, that's convenient. The last thing you could do is trouble me. Just hanging out is incentive enough to help you out.

Like I said, I'm sort of your elder? It's only natural that I help out where I can.
radicalsix: (pic#10533121)

[personal profile] radicalsix 2016-09-09 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)
That's...really nice of you, actually, Meliora. I'd love to take you up on that, then! Will you be joining Bixbite as well? It might be nice, if we dormed close together...
femmefailtale: (Friendly greeting)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-09 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Weeeeell~~ [She moves from her left to her right foot and back, bouncing back and forth as she pulls her hands behind her back.]

I guess it'd be useful to me to learn about healing people, and if a sweet girl like you's going to be there I might as well come with, right?

Besides, Red's sort of my color. It goes with my motif, right?
radicalsix: (pic#)

[personal profile] radicalsix 2016-09-09 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ This girl seems so sweet...Diana can't help but smile at her. It's no wonder why she's friends with Luna; she seems like a lovely person. ]

I suppose it does, though! I'm sure the uniform would go well with your eyes.

[ ...Or, well, eye? What's the protocol for this, she doesn't want to be rude... ]

But red's a lovely color, you're right. My favorite sweater is red, actually, it's a shame I can't show it to you...
femmefailtale: (off: Hi there.)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-09 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, eye. [She apparently covered the faux-pas herself, flipping her eyepatch up. Her other eye is solid crystal--and yellow, rather than red.]

Still, I'd love to see you in a red sweater sometime. I dunno how cold it gets around here, but if it's anything like winter back home... you'll be needing one.

Nice to meet a future classmate, though. Let's practice hard, right?
radicalsix: (pic#10417288)

[personal profile] radicalsix 2016-09-09 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
O-oh, goodness..! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend or anything...

[ It's beautiful, but...wow? What kind of life must she have known, to get a "prosthetic" like that? ]

I'm actually used to staying near the desert, though, and it's usually warm there, even in winter...but I'm sure we'll be able to dress more appropriately, when the time comes.

I'll do my best, though! If you need any help with some more, well, traditional nursing, you can come to me anytime, of course...
femmefailtale: (off: Because I'm still adorable)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-09 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't worry about it. I just wear the eyepatch because it gets fewer stares than the eye does. [She leans a little closer.] You can stare if you want, though. I don't mind.

[And she pulls right back.]

Anyways, I might wind up overworking myself. If I do, I'm going to rely on you to keep an eye on me and lemme know when to put on the brakes, mmkay?
radicalsix: (pic#10533066)

[personal profile] radicalsix 2016-09-10 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
...If you're trying to flirt with me, Meliora, you'll have to do a little bit better than that. I have someone back home who does it with cat puns.

[ ...Well then. ]

I'm good at watching out for people, though. You can count on me.
femmefailtale: (off: Can we not?!)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-10 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I will then...

[But that's not the important thing here. She just got busted outright flirting and got told she was worse than cat puns.]

[Cat puns.]

...Cat puns, though? Is that what passes for cutting edge flirting meowadays? [She's not denying that she was trying...]
radicalsix: (pic#10417281)

[personal profile] radicalsix 2016-09-10 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She can't contain her laughter there, oh gosh, give her a second-- ]

F-forgive me, it's not that you were doing a bad job, of course! I just...it's kind of creative, though, isn't it? If you think about it...

[ It's really not, and she's just got it bad for Sigma, let's be honest... ]
femmefailtale: (off: pop idol)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-10 04:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Mmm... I'm thinking about it, but...

[She puts a hand to her chin, humming to herself. Well, if it makes her laugh it can't be all bad--right? Right.]

Nya, no matter how I slice it it just... isn't quite meow.

I'll aspire to flirt better from here on, then.
radicalsix: (pic#10533066)

[personal profile] radicalsix 2016-09-10 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's almost like they're her Kryptonite, because the cat puns have her bursting out into giggles, but... ]

You probably say that to all the girls. Do you talk to Luna like that, too?
femmefailtale: (off: Because I'm still adorable)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-10 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Who, me? No... We've talked a few times, but we never really got to the 'flirting' stage. [Blatant lies, Mel totally flirted Luna just didn't notice.]

And I'm normally not a cat pun person at all--count yourself lucky that I like ya'.
radicalsix: (pic#10533121)

[personal profile] radicalsix 2016-09-10 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, you, who else would I be talking to?

[ That...sounds like Luna, though. Not that Diana would know that, but... ]

If you're not a cat pun person, then what are you, if you don't mind me asking? At least I can tell you're direct. ...Trust me, I've, well, played the game for a while. Boys are...

[ I love you so much, Diana. ]

They tend to know how to string you along.
femmefailtale: (The hell should I know?)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-10 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[She slides her eyepatch back over the eye.]

What am I? [That's a complicated question. Where does she start? Where does she even end? What is the being known as 'Meliora?']

Mm... Well, I'm no good at stringing people along, and I can play the game pretty well, but never with boys. I work in photography, massage, and some other stuff that I don't normally get into talking about though.

More than anything else, though? I'm basically a bit character in the game of life. That's what a King is, right?
radicalsix: (pic#10551409)

[personal profile] radicalsix 2016-09-10 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
A...bit character?

[ Well, that just won't do. ]

You shouldn't say that, Meliora. The King's a very, very important piece. Lose the king, and the whole game is over, right? If anything, the Pawn is the bit character...but really, King or Pawn or whatever, there's more to you than just that. I'm sure of it. Everyone is the main character of their own story. And I'm sure yours is an adventure, to say the least...
femmefailtale: (Because I'm adorable.)

[personal profile] femmefailtale 2016-09-10 05:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Well... you're not wrong about that, but if I gave away the mysterious adventure of my life I wouldn't have anything to keep you coming back.

Most people don't lose an eye without there being a cool story behind it, right? Still, in the end that was just someone else's adventure that I couldn't help but get pulled into.

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