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!
passtave: (❣like him better with the fitted cap on)

1b. sorry i'm late!!!

[personal profile] passtave 2016-09-12 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ Sakura is walking through the station as unobtrusively as she can, a little overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of it all, when someone suddenly grabs her by the arm, jerking her to a stop. And then... that someone yells in her face?? ]

E-Eep!?

[ She's so startled that she drops her entire bag of desserts, which limply falls to the floor, a single eclair rolling out of the bag and flopping icing-down sadly. Unfortunately, that's about as far as her fight-or-flight response goes, because she otherwise just stands there frozen in shock, her eyes wide, terrified that she's done something horrible to offend this angry girl and please don't yell at her more? ]
footfalls: (i reCOGNIZE THAT MULLET)

more like CHRISTMAS HAS COME EARLY!!! 1/2

[personal profile] footfalls 2016-09-13 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[somewhere, allen is screaming about how Lenalee just killed an eclair]

Oh -- !

[Lenalee's all keyed up to continue the Hunt for the elusive prime minister (so that she can ask him questions, and then kick him in the face), but the way Sakura shrieks, drops her bag of desserts, and then looks at her with the sort of look Miranda might give her, or anyone if they saw Lenalee running around and accosting people like some maniac --]

[She immediately releases Sakura, brow wrinkling in dismay]


I'm so sorry, I -- [she hesitates, glancing away for the briefest moment... but... wherever the minister went, he must be gone now. even if a part of her does want to run, to continue searching... more importantly]
footfalls: (angstfilled monologue)

[personal profile] footfalls 2016-09-13 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[her eyes stray to the Eclair on the floor, then back at Sakura.]

I... I thought you were the prime minister...

[Because sakura looks so much like a forty year old blond weirdo???? at least, Lenalee looks ashamed... whatever murderous intent Lenalee might have had when she grabbed Sakura and shrieked has now gone thankfully... Instead, she moves to scoop the bag off the floor.]

I made you drop your food... I'm sorry...

[how many times can lenalee apologize to purest sakura...]
passtave: (✿when he come up in the club)

[personal profile] passtave 2016-09-14 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
[ More than enough times!! In fact, Sakura is feeling a little awkward about all the apologizing going on, if only because she wholeheartedly believes it was truly an accident!! (Never mind that she's a hypocrite who would probably be in dogeza right now for the same thing.)

Besides, she's just relieved that Lenalee isn't actually angry with her. ]


It's u-understandable. [ Is it? ] H-He can be... v-very hard to get a h-hold of.

[ Yes, she can't blame Lenalee at all for having some trouble. Teddy is... pretty unaccountable.

When Lenalee bands down to scoop the bag of desserts off the ground, Sakura wrings her hands and casts a sad gaze towards the ruined eclair. What a waste of a perfectly tasty dessert... that eclair is the real victim here. At least everything else in her bag seemed to make it out unscathed. ]


I-It's all right. P-Please don't worry...
footfalls: (aggressively waiting)

[personal profile] footfalls 2016-09-14 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[for some reason, this isn't making Lenalee feel any better?!?! She doesn't know yet that Sakura is a pure shy bean... so she shakes her head!! and firmly, but also gently]

It's still my mistake, so I should make up for it. [FOR THE ECLAIR, and for accosting Sakura like a bandit]

[but. how will lenalee make up for this... She instinctively digs in her pockets for... money... but there's none because she's poor and NOW WHAT]

Er, I don't have any money on me right now, but... I promise I'll get back to you as soon as I do. [that sounds like something a hooligan would say tbh]
passtave: (✿when he come up in the club)

[personal profile] passtave 2016-09-17 06:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[ In a quiet little squeak: ] Y-You really... d-don't h-have to—

[ It's a weak protest, but it's there. Ah, but Lenalee is being so earnest!! Sakura feels like the most awkward person in the world, embarrassed that Lenalee is making a big deal out of a tiny little mistake (okay, so ruined dessert is pretty big, but it really wasn't anybody's fault!! if anything, Sakura was the one who allowed herself to drop the bag!) but also too shy to keep insisting otherwise. Maybe it's time to accept her fate.

She almost feels a little relieved that Lenalee doesn't come up with any money, otherwise she gets the feeling this girl would've dragged her to the closest sweets shop to make it up to her right away, no excuses! ]


U-Um, o-okay... [ Trails off awkwardly... she should probably give Lenalee her name so she can find her later, but she's so flustered that it doesn't actually occur to her. ]
footfalls: (nice nice nice)

[personal profile] footfalls 2016-09-19 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
[would lenalee have bullied sakura into going into a sweets shop with her.... possibly.......... so it probably is good that she's Poor, because now she can strongarm Sakura into a sweets shop at another time!! YEAH!!!]

[still, Lenalee looks concerned that Sakura hasn't un-flustered yet, and decides that it's probably because Lenalee herself is still dialed to eleven, thanks to Teddy escaping her Vengeance. she gives herself a quick mental shake, and then!! in a hopefully more gentle tone]


My name's Lenalee Lee. [there!! now sakura can hunt lenalee down for the eclair in the future...] What's yours?
passtave: (☺a 100 motherfuckers can't tell me nothi)

[personal profile] passtave 2016-09-20 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
Oh! [ And now it occurs to her. ] I-I'm Sakura.

[ She gives the other girl a quick bow, the bag of desserts (minus one eclair) clutched anxiously against her chest. Not the smoothest introduction, but she's starting to despair of ever being able to make a non-awkward first impression on anybody. Some people are so friendly and easygoing—like Lenalee here—that Sakura can't help but feel a little jealous and awestruck all at the same time. ]

It's nice to m-meet you. [ She says with a small, shy smile. There's a slightly awkward pause here, because she knows she should say something to be polite and friendly but that's really hard to do when you can't think of anything to say!! Finally, she goes with: ]

Um, a-are you new?

[ Considering she. you know. has no money. ]
Edited 2016-09-20 03:38 (UTC)
footfalls: (awkWARd lAUGHTER)

[personal profile] footfalls 2016-09-25 07:32 am (UTC)(link)
[to be fair, it's a pretty awkward situation to be talking to anyone in... they're at the train station?? they're probably holding up traffic?? an eclair just died...]

You as well, Sakura. [!! what a pretty name tbh. at the question, Lenalee looks sheepish...] Yes. I just arrived this morning...

[war flashbacks to being naked... quickly, in order to erase that Memory]

How about you?