pawnstorm | intro ♚ september

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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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Haha... yeah, I figured you'd go for that. It seems right up your alley, and you'll be able to learn a lot.

As for me... Well, if it's magic I'll study it on my own whether or not I'm in a class for it. So I figured, the best path for me to move forward is Achroite. [He puts the tip of his scythe against the ground, holding it out like an actual staff as he says it.]

I'm certain their library will be amazing. And as a school... maybe we can figure out more. There might be aspects of magic buried in there that no one has told us about.

[The potential was endless.]

They seem like they would be a good fit for you. Though, I feel tired just looking at some of their activities.

All things considered, it's certainly possible. I'm going to be doing my own reading all I can, but...

W-well, yeah, I guess they would be. I've already got tactics and outsmarting people down pretty well... so the thing that needs the most work is my body. I need to build it up so that I can do more than lift a horse or so.

You can lift a horse!?

[He was in shock. That was beyond any normal person.]

...Not a HUGE horse?

Erm, but I did manage to throw a Griffon at another Griffon during the last battle.

That....

Twentyfive pounds makes me feel tired....

I think it's because I'm a knight. We're all really strong--I'm like. Low tier? I think?

You got magic. I have strength.

When you put it like that it makes more sense. I still need to learn more details about the other ranks. I know we all work best with proper diversity.

Right. So that's why I'm maximizing my new talent. Also they're teaching lightning kicks--and I want to figure out how to do it so that I can bring that trick with me on the battlefield. The incantations always take me too long, so...

Knights specialize in hand to hand combat, right?

At least all the ones I've met have--we don't have a lot of mana compared to you guys, but in a straight fight I can't be beat.

Erm. Except by a knight, I guess.

Then it really would be weird to use incantations. Do you have any instant activation skills?

Uhh... I have some shorter incantations than others, but the only instant one I have is 'stalkopye.'

I picked it up back on that train--you remember, right?

I remember....

[As much as he wanted to forget the train.]

I've seen people reduce casting to simply using a name before. But... she was a terrifying battle mage...

Well...I think it's mostly about proximity and complexity. It's just a theory, but... close to your body, and over only a small portion, that might be the best chance to use a spell to cover your fist or your leg in an element for an attack.

Or...

[...]

I may have some experimenting to do.

Oh that sounds like a good idea. I've never really thought about those sorts of uses, but I don't want to be near anyone. The girl I'm thinking of though I think used techniques like that a few time. Though... she could change her weapon at will too.

She was horrifying to witness....

Sounds like she's exactly who I need to be emulating, then. [There's a sort of sureness as he says it--like he's certain he can pull it off.]

Can you tell me more about her?

Um....

[He looked down to the floor and raised his hand to his hair fiddling with it. Well... he couldn't argue with she was probably a good thing to emulate. But....

He sighed.]

Battle mages in my world are rather rare, most people with the magical prowess to be one don't care for melee combat. Also, to be able to pull it off you have to be able to execute spells while fighting and adjust for the situation. Basically... battle mages are who they send after mages because regular soldiers, even magic using soldiers generally can't go up against them. Sending another mage more often leads to stale mates.

So one of the most important things is flexibility and having several options at hand at a time. She however had one thing more about her that was special, she's what is known as a creator. She can use magic to create things, which she uses to manipulate her weapon to whatever suits the combat situation. She would coat whatever weapon in magic to break through defenses, and counter spells.

[Just remembering her in action sends chills down his spine.]

She worked in a team, which probably allowed her to be more flexible. She had another person who focused on her defence and keeping her healed. So all she ever had to do was go on the offensive. Her major tactic was not giving you enough time to cast.... Using spells to rip open your own defenses, using spells to deflect any attack you managed to unleash and using her weapon to make you constantly move....

[Just from hearing it he can practically visualize the way she fights. He remembers some of his own battles--against Cass, dealing with her spells through sheer aggression. Against Delg, how frustrating his ability to counter spells with his Six King's Shield was. Against his sister...]

[They fought back and forth, both trying to keep the other on the backfoot, in a battle of wit and melee prowess as much as magical ability. He hadn't had a teammate to focus on defending him back then--he still doesn't now, but the idea of keeping people off guard and countering them to force them into a defensive posture... There's a hint of danger to his smile now.]

That sounds a lot like the final form of what I'm trying to polish and perfect with the tools I've been given here. It's the ultimate form of any mage--one that you can't beat just by getting close to or far away from. With my speed and my scimitar, I can cover a lot of ground. Between my weapons, I have a lot of various configurations and attacking styles to choose from. That just leaves applying the magic in close combat.

[He could do it before because it was his sister he was fighting--she specialized in guns and explosives and magic. With only knowledge of the very basics of martial combat, he'd have an edge. But the rules have changed--and so have his opponents. He's not fighting amateurs anymore.]

Thanks, Tyrnen. You've given a name and a face to the path I was trying to walk. That'll make it easier to find my way from here.

I'm glad it could be helpful....

[The memories still haunted him though. Imagine being the one on the defence against that monstrosity.]

I wish I could tell you more details. But... I had other concerns when dealing with her.

'Staying alive,' right?

I can imagine it'd be a bit tough. Still, you know the feeling of fighting against her. Once I've practiced a bit more I may need your help to see how close I'm getting to the image of her in your mind.

If I can, I'm going to surpass it.

You really have terrifying goals. But I'll help you if I can. I need to improve more with the magic here too. So... I guess we'll have to work together to get to the point where we want to be.

Right! [Even as he confesses to having terrifying goals, he's back to being as bright as ever.]

And to that end, you'll be working to learn all you can with Prehnite--and I'll focus on my physical skills with Achroite.

I'll need a rival who can think fast and cast faster--you'll have to work hard.

I'll try my best to not let you down then.

You'll have to be someone who won't run out of resources though. A valid tactic is always to see who runs out of mana first after all.

Hmm... that's true. [It's never been an issue before this place, but...]

[Well, here's it's come up frequently. Like every time he uses his drill, or goes all out for too long.]

I'll have to make sure that I'm not using too much mana, too. I'll give it some thought. [Probably like he always does: about five minutes of it and then back to whatever he was chewing on.]

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