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!
timetogetdown: (Nice)

[personal profile] timetogetdown 2016-09-12 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Right.

[Beep beep. Whirrrrr. Clunk. Food acquired.]

You look a little lost, dude.
Edited 2016-09-12 20:58 (UTC)
starspangled: (pic#10222743)

[personal profile] starspangled 2016-09-13 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
[For a second Steve looks like he's about to deny it, fall back on his usual "I'm fine". But then he realizes just how obvious it must be, and smiles sheepishly instead.]

Yeah, I'm new. To tell you the truth, I'm still adjusting to everything.
timetogetdown: (Amp it up!)

[personal profile] timetogetdown 2016-09-13 06:37 am (UTC)(link)
Ha, I bet! This planet is freakin' weird.

[He tried to keep a straight face, but it was hard when he actually thought back over the last two months and how much adjusting he'd had to do. Every time he thought he was getting a handle on things, something totally off the wall would happen and leave him just as baffled as he'd been on day one.

And the answer was always "It's magic."]

What kinda place did you come here from? Seems like we got people from all over.
starspangled: (pic#9418598)

[personal profile] starspangled 2016-09-14 06:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm a little relieved to hear someone else say that.

[Steve huffs softly, amused. He probably wouldn't say it around the locals where they could be insulted. But this is someone like him, someone who understands because he's been there.]

A place that seems a little more hectic. [But even that wasn't always true. Steve remembers thinking about how everyone seems to be in more of a hurry in the twenty-first century. Really showing his age there.] And a little less like something out of a storybook. You?
timetogetdown: (Sure thing)

[personal profile] timetogetdown 2016-09-15 06:44 am (UTC)(link)
"More hectic" huh? You shoulda been here around griffon mating season.

[Small shudder. He'll never forget the sight of a full grown griffon carrying off someone's couch to build a nest.]

Earth, Brazil, 2076, If that means anything to you. I'm Lucio, nice t' meetcha.
starspangled: (pic#8879339)

[personal profile] starspangled 2016-09-16 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[A laugh escapes him before he can stop it.]

Yeah, I imagine that was...something. [Steve can't really imagine it, and he isn't sure he even wants to. I'm Steve. And yeah, it actually does. You're a few decades ahead of me.

[Which is a really strange thought, almost as strange as closing his eyes in one century and waking up in the next.]

How long have you been here?
timetogetdown: (In my butt?)

[personal profile] timetogetdown 2016-09-17 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
Nice to meet another Earthling, Steve.

[Lucio offered a handshake.]

I guess it was back in July, so...a bit over 2 months now?

[He still had trouble remembering what they called the months here, and defaulted to Earth months.]

Wow, time flies.
starspangled: (pic#8145952)

[personal profile] starspangled 2016-09-19 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Likewise.

[Steve shakes his hand with a lopsided grin. It actually is nice, even with the time difference.]

Especially when you're having fun. But I imagine with so many battles, you're not having much of that.
timetogetdown: (Sure thing)

[personal profile] timetogetdown 2016-09-19 11:46 pm (UTC)(link)
The battles suck, yeah, but there's more down time than you'd think. I've actually had a lotta time to work on my music.
starspangled: (pic#9892384)

[personal profile] starspangled 2016-09-20 10:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Really?

[Steve's surprised, otherwise unsure of what to think. He drifts into his own thoughts for a moment.]

What kind of music do you play?
timetogetdown: (Pop star)

[personal profile] timetogetdown 2016-09-21 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
Techno, mainly. Lotta dubstep influences, though.

It's been tricky making it without any computers around, lemme tell you.
starspangled: (pic#8145952)

[personal profile] starspangled 2016-09-22 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[Steve kind of knows what they are. Techno, anyway. Sorta.

Computers, though-
]

Oh, yeah. I imagine it is strange not having the internet.
timetogetdown: (Torbjorn got play of the game)

[personal profile] timetogetdown 2016-09-23 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
Oh god it's the worst. I mean the carriers are kinda...internet-ish?

But there's only like a hundred people using it. It's not the same at all.
starspangled: (pic#8879338)

[personal profile] starspangled 2016-09-25 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
On the bright side, there must be music here. Maybe you can learn it, add a little of your own style?

[And speaking of, Steve takes a look around.]

Is your carrier around?
timetogetdown: (Sure thing)

[personal profile] timetogetdown 2016-09-26 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I'm managing. I miss computers and junk but you don't really need those to live, right? Gotta take the good stuff where you can find it.

Shoot he's around here somewhere...

[Lucio looked around before locating his carrier, an oversized tree frog, peering down at them both from on top of the vending machine.]
starspangled: (pic#8178768)

[personal profile] starspangled 2016-09-29 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Steve's mildly concerned for him. He just got here, but losing a carrier's probably bad. But he follows Lucio's eyes to the top of the vending machine.]

Wow, I bet he really goes far when he hops. [He smiles.] He's cute though.
timetogetdown: (Default)

[personal profile] timetogetdown 2016-10-02 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
He gets around. [Lucio agreed.]

Anyways I'm gonna go eat. Good luck getting used to this town, Steve.