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!
loudmouths: (🌟 OH GOD WHAT ARE YOU DOING)

[personal profile] loudmouths 2016-09-13 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
"W-wait--!" Keigo couldn't really believe what he was seeing. Well, okay, that wasn't exactly true; he'd seen a lot of the same back home, only... in a more tense atmosphere. Still, it was unnerving to see someone just sort of... step into a wall and disappear. To the point of Keigo considering just leaving and heading back to the room to sleep the rest of the day away. Instead, he puffed his cheeks out and steeled himself; he couldn't just let that guy go off on his own, could he?!

"Okay... Okay, it's not a huge deal! It's probably fine! Otherwise, people wouldn't be so eager to do it, right?" talking himself up seemed to work, at least. With clenched fists, Keigo soon followed after, his eyes squeezed shut as he arrived on the other side of the portal.

...where Shin-Ah was patiently waiting. All the anxiety he'd been harboring (or, well, most of it) released out of Keigo's chest in a deep exhale. "You're here... Thank God..." he sighed, pressing his palm to his chest. "B-but you could have at least warned me instead of just going right off like that!! I wasn't prepared!!"
twosidedsword: (Head Tilt)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-09-13 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
His head tilted to the side. But he did warn him. By pointing at the portal. You know, right before he went in it. (Sorry, Keigo. He really forgot to use his words sometimes even if he was getting better about it.) "...I...would wait for you."

Why wouldn't he? Keigo needed him. Shin-Ah blinked twice then reached over and patted Keigo's head.

Um...there there. It was okay. He wasn't alone here and Shin-Ah was staying with him.
loudmouths: (🌟 tough break kid)

[personal profile] loudmouths 2016-09-16 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
Keigo felt himself tense up all over again. This guy... he was a little too vague for someone as outspoken as he was. The subtleties in his behavior were reminiscent of Chad, really...

When he spoke up, Keigo huffed, rubbing at his neck anxiously. "I don't know that for sure! It's not like--"

...and then Shin-Ah started to pat his head. Keigo flinched, tilting his head back to stare directly at him and his offending hand. "O-oi! I-I'm not a little kid!" Okay, that was mostly just embarrassing than infuriating... Keigo might have been loud, but he wasn't exactly nasty. Flustered, more like.
twosidedsword: (Head Tilt)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-09-20 08:47 am (UTC)(link)
...Why...was he pointing out that he wasn't a kid? He knew that. Keigo looked like he was around his age. That meant neither of them were kids really. They'd long since passed that stage.

So with confusion, he frowned a little.

"...I know."

Was comforting only meant for children in Keigo's world? That seemed odd.
loudmouths: (🌟 hindsight is bullshit)

[personal profile] loudmouths 2016-09-24 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
Keigo stared at his muted reply, his own brand of confusion painting his expression. Did this guy not understand that patting someone on the head was patronizing? Well, he did seem a little strange, so perhaps he just didn't know better. Sighing brisking, Keigo shook his head and waved his hand around.

"Nevermind," he said, stepping further on the path they'd found themselves on. "So, I'm guessing that wherever we're headed is down this road, right? Do you have any idea?"
twosidedsword: (Hanging Out)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-09-28 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
"The school of magic." That was what the announcement had suggested anyway. Shin-Ah didn't know what was meant by a school of magic since it had seemed like no people here other than Heroes could even use magic. That was why the Heroes were needed right? Perhaps there were more answers this direction though. It wouldn't hurt to find out if nothing else.

"They want us to visit there."
loudmouths: (🌟 i spy with my little eye)

[personal profile] loudmouths 2016-09-29 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
Keigo, admittedly, hadn't paid the announcement much mind. He'd vaguely remembered hearing something about the school, but being so overwhelmed by everything else made it difficult to keep track of all the information. It was hard to keep his thoughts straight. Good thing Shin-Ah was here! He was giving Keigo the direction he needed to succeed.

"Ah. I think I remember... well, then, I guess we should go..."
twosidedsword: (W-Wait!)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-09-29 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
Shin-Ah nodded and continued walking. As he did, a blue ball of fur popped out from under his coat and went to jump from his shoulder to Keigo's head. Where it...purred.

"Ah...Ao..."

He immediately went to try to fetch his carrier back.
loudmouths: (🌟 OH GOD WHAT ARE YOU DOING)

[personal profile] loudmouths 2016-10-03 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
Keigo had thought he'd seen a lot of things so far, but a puff of fur flying at him was definitely something new. He yelled as it landed on his head, but he didn't struggle... yet. He wasn't sure what the hell it was, but it was purring... that was a good sign, right?

"W-what is it? Is this your carrier?"
twosidedsword: (Wait...Ao...)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-10-05 09:19 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes. Ao..."

The fur ball purred some more then bounced on Keigo's head a bit more before bouncing back to Shin-Ah's hands. He hesitated a moment then bowed his head.

"...sorry."