intro ♚ september

[boardmaster]

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!

Comments

[moonfangs]

If anyone puts my face on their underwear or puts me in p- p-

[He can't even say it, and look at him, his cheeks are turning into cherries! D'aww, poor little prude, this is a super serious big deal to him, so much so that he's glad on a new kind of level to have his hand released. All this inappropriate crap giving him the heebie-jeebies makes even casually touching weird.

God, he's such a dork.]

Damn right, I'm new. It's the outfit, that's what's got them all freaked out, right? I just need a change of clothes.

[This uniform is dumb anyway, hmph. Anyway, no, he doesn't get that she's making fun of him, why would he?]

I could use a drink. Thanks. And... I don't even know where to begin on all the crap I need to be filled in on.

[showsnopiety]

[She laughs softly. Oh dear. He completely misunderstood what she meant. Well...she can correct that, but for right now she's enjoying a strawberry having cherries on his face.

What a nerd.]

You'll need to buy civilian clothes, and you only get that from doing jobs.

[She's going to have so much fun with him. She gestures for him to follow as she turns around. There should be one of those stalls around here somewhere...]

Why don't you start with a name? That's a normal thing to offer in polite conversation. Then you can ask for mine, and after that...

Settle on what's disturbing you the most, and we'll go from there. There's a lot of crap to talk about.

[moonfangs]

[A job. God. Fine, he can handle some odd jobs, it's not like it'd be the first time he's done strange things for cash.

Not porn strange, though, goddammit.]

I'm gonna get on that as soon as friggin possible...

[Time for some wary glances back to make sure they aren't being followed, along with an under the breath grumble. Clearly, the uniform's gotta go.]

Right. Yeah. Names. I'm Ichigo Kurosaki. [Ask for her name? Seriously? Come on, she can just volunteer it.] And you're going to have to give me a second if you want me to try to decide what's the biggest thing on my mind right now, unless you've got a surefire way to get out of this dump and get back where I really need to be right now.

[showsnopiety]

It won't be difficult. There's a job board back in the Halls of Glory, the place you arrived. Or you can ask heroes about the current job board.

[Though, there is one thing she should add. Or two.]

The jobs may be odd to you. I should also mention that there are other heroes who own businesses, and hire heroes. Mine will be opening soon, which will be announced.

But as for returning you...the only hint of that was something the brass told us two months ago-that the dungeon cores may be the key.

[Which is dissappointing, but then again? She hadn't been keyed up to go home either.]

There's still hope. You're in the middle of something time sensitive?

[moonfangs]

I'll have a look. They can't be too odd.

[Do they have bikes here? He could use a bike to make deliveries or something, that's not so bad. Or since they're heroes and crap, he can go grind random encounters, this place is basically an RPG from the looks of it.]

So, you guys are really going ahead with laying down roots and settling in for the long haul, huh. [He can't say he approves, but it's not really his place to judge. For all he knows, she's been stuck here for years.] I owe you one, so if you need someone to do something, I can help.

[But not for free, because apparently their benign overlords don't see fit to give them enough of a stipend for clothes. Ridiculous.]

Dungeon cores... [He has no idea what that means, but it's a name he's going to try to remember.] If we find enough of those things, then...

[Yeah. Gonna look into those.]

You could say that, yeah. People are relying on me back in my own world, I may be the only one that can do anything.

[showsnopiety]

You'll see.

[Really, he'll see. There's a reason why she mentioned the porn thing. Not starring in porn, not..exactly...yeah it's a lot of stuff to work on.]

That depends from person to person. Some of us are amusing ourselves, while others are ensuring good public relations. Which is important, considering what has happened in the past.

But I'll hold you to your word.

[Maybe she can have him serving tea? Least she wouldn't be putting him in a bulter's uniform or anything too fancy.]

It might be that or...something else. We don't know enough yet. But...perhaps if you ask around, you'll find out more.

And I'll tell you this in exchange. Time seems to be a fluid subject here. It might be because we're being plucked up by the gods. I don't know.

But I have seen people from the same world but have been taken from different times. So you don't have to hurry.

What will happen has already happened. You likely saved the world, girl, whatever it is already.

[moonfangs]

[Ominous. But not enough so that he's completely deterred from wanting to get some moolah and get himself some new duds, and whatever else he might need. Food and rent is free, right...?]

Sounds like a giant waste of time if you ask me. [Grumpy grump grump.] Wait, what happened in the past? Did people freak out over the whole heroes thing?

[Clearly, he's focusing on the important things, here, and not stuff like a woman plotting to take advantage of his generous and honorable nature by making him do silly menial tasks.

And speaking of important things, that's quite the information dump he's just received. Strangely, it... sounds familiar, like he's already had a talk about this with someone else at some other time, even though he's sure he doesn't remember having it. Just another tick in the 'everything in this world is strange' box, there.]

It was the world. [He already saved the girl. Twice.] And I'll feel a lot better if someone from my future shows up and tells me that everything turns out alright, yeah, but I'm still not gonna feel any better until I'm actually back there and finishing this, myself. I'm always gonna have a feeling in my gut like I'm wasting time here when I should be fighting back there.

[showsnopiety]

[Well, she's not going to have him do petty things simply because she can. Mostly. Though she might enjoy watching him reach for things up on the higher shelves for more that she can't reach them.]

We all try to become productive and stronger in our own ways. Not to mention, there are people who if they go back home, they have nothing but death to look forward to.

[Just casually offering more information on a whim. But it is right; this world is so strange, that it hurts sometimes. Still, she listens quietly, her arms folded under her chest.]

You might have someone that will do that, some day. But you're not going to make it happen faster by worrying about it. You can't afford distractions here. It could get you killed.

[moonfangs]

[Hey, compared to his last boss, that's still not bad. At least she probably won't kidnap him, tie him up, or squish his head into her boobs.]

That- they'd seriously do that? Save someone's life by bringing them here, then just dump them back in their own world and leave them to die?

[Wow, his opinion can get lower. Giving them an extension on life is great, but holding that over their heads to get them to do what they're told... crap, man. That's 110% disturbing.]

I'm not gonna just forget that everyone I know is being threatened and a bunch could already be dead. If they really can pluck anyone from any point on the timeline, they coulda gone back to the months when I was living a quiet life. [Dare he say it, he might have even welcomed this back when he was completely powerless and life seemed to be back to the status quo.]

[showsnopiety]

[Well, she has no reason to kidnap him yet or tie him up, but squishing him against her chest? That'd hurt them both, no point.]

Something like that. The word is, we've been taken by the gods. Gods don't see life the same way humans do.

[She shrugs. She's either come to terms or she's numb to it.]

You don't have to forget that they're in the midst of a threat. But shelf it. Let me ask you this: if you were taken during your peaceful days, would it be easy to rouse you back into the battle mind set?

You might not have been in the peak condition they wanted.

[moonfangs]

[Gods. Ugh. He's dealt with people that consider themselves gods before, and they always proved just as mortal as anyone else, for better or for worse. For the umpteenth time, he scoffs.]

They could do with learning to see things from our point of view some time. We don't need them playing with our lives.

[Roh, roh, fight the power, and all that. Ichigo's issues with being used and taken advantage of are never going to fade.]

I got back into fighting shape fast back then. I'm not worried about that at all, they could have even taken me here after I took care of the major threat going on back home and I'd be a lot less upset. Anything but making me come here now, of all times.

[He's always ready to fight. Look at how much of a confrontational dork he is, battling is in his blood! The only way he'd say no to coming to aid people in dire shape in need of a hero is if he had something a lot more pressing to keep him occupied and, well...]

[showsnopiety]

[Hey, she hasn't met these gods, so she doesn't know if she can kill them. She'd like to try and see though, for better or for worse.]

They're gods. I don't think they care.

[She has a feeling she's going to have to repeat that a lot around this one.]

But since I don't know what goes one in what they would call their minds, there's no point in me explaining. You're free to complain as much as you like, but that's not going to help you use your new weapons. It'd be embarrassing if you died right away.

[Down battle dork, down. She'll get you a cookie if do.]

[moonfangs]

[What a bunch of dickweeds. Even if they're gonna be super dismissive, they could at least pretend to care about the people they're jerking around. So help him, first chance he gets, he's punching one in the face.]

They obviously need us, so maybe they should.

[Yes. Yes, she will. He's never going to stop insisting that he's gonna get his powers back and destroy everyone forever, so get used to that.]

Hey, who said I'm gonna die? I've got the hang of making this stupid thing work now, I just need to get used to it.

[Don't threaten battle dork's ego. Even if he's a giant dink who complains left and right about about having to do anything, no one gets to imply he can't do it. Harrumph.]

[showsnopiety]

[Oh he's not the only one who'd punch them....]

They're gods.

[Just a reminder. But well, he can try but if that happens and everyone else gets their powers back, she's going to be in trouble.]

And do you know how to invoke its abilities? How to heal? Or replenish your mana?

[Threatening the ego. Gently. With love? Or just cueing the Training Arc?]

[moonfangs]

[He demands to be first in line.]

If they're gods, they can start acting godly.

[Until then, he'll just assume they're highly-powered jerkbags just waiting for someone that manages to get even more powerful to show up and knock them down a peg. Ichigo has been that person before, more than once, he's ready to do it again.]

It's not like I'm gonna go knocking down the door tomorrow. If I gotta wait to learn how to do it right, then that's just how it is.

[Look, he may be a stupid shounen hero, but he has some sense.]

[showsnopiety]

[That's fine, just leave some for the rest of them.]

Oh? Does that mean you're a god?

[Since he knows so much about how gods at. But, hey, if he wants to be a weapon, all the power to him.]

But if you're willing to learn, would you like me to teach you? At least, where to start.

[moonfangs]

[We'll have to see!]

Of course not. I'm not trying to lord myself over people, and I know I'm not perfect.

[He's so humble... but yes, calling him a weapon isn't all that inaccurate.]

You? You want to teach me how to use all this mana crap?

[Hmm. He's not blowing her off immediately, but he's still unsure. His control over his reiatsu was... questionable, and he doubts mana is going to be a lot easier.]

[showsnopiety]

I didn't say that. But as you wish.

[Seeing or not, he's got her interest, which may not be a good thing. Especially when he is a bit of a weapon.]

Can, want, doesn't matter. I can at least get you started, and the school-perhaps in the physical branch-can teach you the rest.

I've taught before, and will again. And the first lesson can be as easy as touching my hand.

[moonfangs]

[But she asked if he considered himself a god! Dammit, this woman's impossible!]

Of course can and want matters, why would I go for training from someone who can't or doesn't want to train me?

[She's running his brain around in circles, here, and he doesn't like people that won't come right out and say exactly what they mean. It's obnoxious, and while he's going to stick by owing her one for saving his bacon, he's close to puffing out his cheeks and telling her to start making sense.]

I'll think about dealing with the school. [Squintin' now.] What's this about touching your hand, though?

[showsnopiety]

[Yes. Yes she is Ichigo. But thankfully he's not the only one teased.]

Because desperation?

[Though the teachers are not as desperate here in Pigeon's Blood. But anyway, she's offering her hand here.]

This, [She wiggles her fingers,] is your first lesson on mana exchange. It's better felt then explained.

[moonfangs]

[On behalf of all the people she teases, he curses her.]

It's not like I can force-

[Ugh, nevermind. He gives a gruff grumble-sigh and decides to just let it go, deal with what she's telling him at face value, and live with it.]

What do you mean, mana exchange? Why does it mean we have to hold hands?

[Forgive him, he's... he's pretty much always going to be a dork when it comes to touching girls, and there's just something that gives his prude senses a twinge about the term "mana exchange."]

[showsnopiety]

[Oh Ichigo she didn't know you cared!]

In any case, you don't have to hold my hand just yet, but we can press our fingers together.

[You big baby may or may not be implied. Sorry Ichigo, Caren is the worst.]

But this is a way to purify your mana, and is the quickest. Something you'll need when you're using your weapon, or using spells. Touching me-you'll learn the sensation of what mana feels like.

It's strong in heroes, not so much in normal citizens.

[moonfangs]

[So much caring, much bigness of caring.]

What does that accomplish?

[Implication... semi-taken. He's got a feeling he's being teased, here, but can't quite grasp the nature of the teasing. It's incomprehensible.]

This is a real thing? You're not just making it up to get me to grab your hand and then do something to make me regret it?

[Oops, he's being a little bit openly suspicious now.]

[showsnopiety]

[So much heart, all the doki doki.]

It is the real thing. I'm not about to waste my time.

[His, maybe. Tease, naturally.]

Don't be rude. I might have to pout, and take it out on you.

[Which...he really may not like.]

[moonfangs]

[None for her, though.]

I guess... I can buy that.

[She does seem the type to value her own time highly, he unilaterally decides. This seems like it might be a serious training offer!

Or it does until she speaks up again and makes his eyebrow start twitching in irritation.]

What's that supposed to mean? Either I hold hands with you or you're going to try to cry me into doing what you want?

[He's pretty much a tsundere without the dere part right now.]