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

[tailend]

Some habit... [In any case, he is now wearing pants. Next, the leg - and that's about as far as his drive to be decent goes. That uniform jacket is incredibly tacky.]

I've had worse. You ever meet a demon? Because let me tell you— I've woken up upside down and hung over a pit of snakes and spikes more often than I can remember! [This has literally never happened. He gestures, now, around the room - but not at the mirror, oops.] A cushy bed and free clothes? This is the life!

[careosene]

[ Both eyebrows rise up slowly. ]

You're kidding. Where were you before this, some kind of obstacle course? [ Not outside the realm of possibility! It would explain his cavalier attitude. And as Katniss has never even heard the word demon, she decides to pass on an answer there, storing it away for later in much the same way as she tucks her shard of glass into a fold in the paper. ]

[tailend]

Some kind of— where the hell were you before this? [What about that sounded like an obstacle course? Why would she think of an obstacle course??]

I was busy making an honest living - in Anatae. [Staring... Has she heard of the capital city? Maybe she's a bumpkin or something.]

[careosene]

Well that settles it. Towns in Panem aren't named. [ At last 100% convinced of his innocence, Katniss abandons his side of the room and returns to her own where, indeed, there's a uniform scrunched up on the floor. Kicked there, no doubt, when she'd leapt from the bed. ]

I didn't know other countries prospered much still. [ She looks over her shoulder, suddenly fascinated. ] What does an honest living consist of in Anatae. [ She gets the pronunciation slightly wrong but whatever. ]

[tailend]

[Alright, that's weird, but at least he's not being stabbed. He'll take it, still choosing to stay on his own bed than get up and wander the room.]

Uh— you know, this and that, here and there... [Alright, his first impression already tanked, so he just holds his hands up in defeat.] Forget it - I'm a bounty hunter. Although not anymore, I guess...

[Since all his stuff is gone, mostly. Not because he's suddenly in this bizarre situation.]

I've never heard of a country that doesn't name its towns. What gives?

[careosene]

No need, I guess. [ Apparently deserted of her earlier modesty, Katniss sets aside her pathetic excuse for a weapon, loosens the sheet, and drapes it around her shoulders so she can dress. ] Each District is known for its industry. Fishing, textiles, mining – that sort of thing.

[ A dark cloud settles over her aura. She pauses, considering, then snorts derisively. ]

Probably it's to discourage individuality. If we had names, we'd have a unique identity. [ SUBJECT CHANGE TIME ] What kind of bounty are we talking?

[tailend]

[Okaaay... Huh. Isn't different industry close enough to uniqueness? He really doesn't understand the logic of people in charge, whether they're royalty or whatever they have in this Panem place.

Favaro raises an eyebrow uncertainly at her, then looks away - politely. Sort of.]

What other kind is there? Criminals, of course! Usually demons, but I'm not picky about whose face lines my pocket.

[Bounty hunting isn't looked on favorably in Anatae - or around it - but one wouldn't guess it by listening to him. Being viewed as essentially one step above a criminal himself has never bothered him, so...]

[careosene]

[ Seeing that her opening has come at last, Katniss throws a look over her shoulder that she hopes is equal parts penetrating and disarming because she really wants the answer to this one and he still seems somewhat wary of her.

Not that she blames him given their introduction. ]

Care to explain the 'demon' part? You mentioned them earlier.

[tailend]

[That's disarming, sure, since she just stopped looking like she might take a stab at him anyway— and she doesn't know what a demon is? How?]

Uh, you know— a race of nothing but evil baddies? The opposite of angels?

Horns and stuff? [He holds up his fingers next to his head, to signify horns and stuff.] Give me a sign I'm not just making a fool of myself, here.

[careosene]

If I see an angel I'll ask them to send you one. [ As amusing as this is, she's less amused by the fact that they've given her a skirt to wear. How is she supposed to do anything warlike with fabric this short?

She turns on the spot, holding the skirt up for him to review. ] Want to trade? [ Not a stretching request from her POV since plenty of men wore skirts and dresses in the Capitol. ]

And - define "evil".

[tailend]

The rate at which you go from trying to stab me to trying to make jokes is starting to concern me. [Because that was clearly a joke... He pats his own knees, fondly for such an action.] I'm keeping these, thanks.

[Anyway, how does one define evil? Hmm.]

Evil's just evil. Some people really have it out for everyone else for no reason besides the fact that they can - that "evil" enough for you?

[careosene]

[ She thinks of Cato and Cashmere: first, their untempered bloodlust and the obvious glee with which they'd tried to hunt her down; then, their death screams.

She shudders, slips into the skirt and tries to focus on only that. ] Yeah, I get it. So you're like an officer of justice? Catching bad guys, defending the innocent - that sort of thing?

[tailend]

[Uhhh. Well, no, he isn't. Rather than be politely embarrassed by his choices, though, he just laughs.]

Me? Nah. I'm just living for myself. Putting the bad guys away puts booze on the table, nothing more, nothing less.

[careosene]

[ Huh. Sounds like Haymitch. She's about to ask how the two lifestyle choices - bounty hunting and boozing - compliment one another when something finally occurs to her that literally brings her up short. ]

...Why didn't you fight back? When I came at you with the glass. You could've taken me down easily, but–

[ But instead he refused to lift a single finger, and she has no idea what to make of it. ]

[tailend]

[Uh- well, he was naked, that's a contributing factor-]

Maybe I just don't kill everyone I see. [Maybe he has a soft spot for girls who are clearly lost and confused, but that might make him a nicer person than he bills himself as, so where's a good excuse—] You took the best piece of the mirror, anyway!

[careosene]

Sorry. [ He's not very convincing, but she decides not to press her luck for the truth. ] Next time I'll make sure to leave the sharper bits for–

[ That's when, looking at the mirror for the first time since she'd punched it, Katniss's eyes fall on the casualty. She scoops up the mechanical pigeon (which is making a sort of barely-audible wheezing noise so - good sign) from beneath a larger hunk of glass and peers at it, absolutely sure that what she's done is some sort of crime. ]

I... guess it's your lucky day, bounty hunter.

[tailend]

[He's smooth... His excuse was flawless. He'll choose to believe this despite how crappy he knows it was, anyway.

Anyway, what's up with the bird? He barely registered that thing was still here - it was suspiciously quiet, and huh, now he knows why. After a beat he pushes himself up off the bed, coming over to look curiously at how broken this bird is - or isn't.]

Hah, what for? This thing? [Please... it's a mechanical bird.] Give it here, let me work my magic on it.

[He holds out his hand, wiggling his fingers encouragingly. Let him prod at the robo-bird.]

[careosene]

[ SO SMOOTH. Seeing no reason not to trust him on this at least, Katniss shrugs and places the pigeon gingerly in his palm. This is a good opportunity to see what he's capable, besides. And she'd be lying to play at not being curious. ]

Speaking of magic, how do you suppose we've ended up here?

[tailend]

[Alright, let's see this bird... He's lacking in literally every tool that would be useful here, but the bird is so small that it isn't hard to guess at which parts are just bendable enough by hand to be good enough for now.

This is a really barebones repair job, but if he has to stick his fingers in a bird robot to pop out a dent so no one gets arrested, he will do it. He's trying that now, with a glance up from it when she asks her question.]

Search me. You don't wake up in rich people's houses for fun? You're missing out.

[Dryly... He's not panicking, but he's not dismissing how strange this is.]

[careosene]

Somehow I feel like it's an experience I could've done without. [ While he fiddles with the bird (aka, fixes her mess) Katniss decides to approach the door. Still cautious and wary of enemy combatants, she opens what is essentially their portal to the rest of this crazy world and seeing no one in the hall, steps out.

He was definitely right about the "rich" part. ]

You know I've only seen pictures in school, but it looks like we're in a palace of some kind. [ B E A T ] ...By the way. What's your name? [ It's pretty telling that she thought to ask this late in the game. ]

[tailend]

[His attention goes mostly back to the bird while she wanders around, and so he's about to wonder aloud about "only" in school, but oh yeah - she's from some weird country that doesn't name its cities. They probably don't even have a king there...

Seems strange. But, ah-] This dumb little— ow! [Hang on, there's a spring in this bird that is giving him serious shit. He shakes out his hand and sticks his pinched finger in his mouth for a second, then looks over at her again. Oh.]

Favaro. It's Favaro.

[careosene]

Sure you don't need some help, Favaro? [ Almost as soon as she's offered she wishes she hadn't. After all, she broke it. ] Maybe if we leave it here someone'll come along and fix it.

[ Hey, it's a solution. ]

[tailend]

Help from you? [She did drop a mirror on it... He says it in good enough humor, though, resuming poking and prodding at the bird with just barely more care than before. It's a little less dented, but it still isn't getting up and annoying them. Hmm.

Well, whatever. He tosses it down on the empty bed.] If anyone asks, whoever's supposed to be there did it. We'll be home free.

[careosene]

[ Thorns of remorse for all the destruction and havoc she's caused still poke at her, but his response goes a long way towards easing her guilt. ] You know, you're not so bad when you're not screaming. Maybe we're supposed to team up. There has to be a reason we're all sorted into rooms like this. And there are others down the hall so I doubt we're alone.

[tailend]

[When he's not screaming... Thanks kid. He waves a hand at her as he heads for the door himself, to stick his head out into the hallway and look up and down it - hm - but while that gesture was kind of dismissive,] Promise not to come at me with another mirror and we'll get along juuust fine.

[Team Stop Screaming, formed!! Now that he's seen the opulence of just the hallway, Favaro lets out a low whistle.] Get a load of this place! Wanna hit the town?

[Or, like, the building, but whatever.]