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!
maidhem: (derp)

[personal profile] maidhem 2016-09-14 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
But anyone who strips in public has got to be a little weird!

[Felicia said, all innocence, and followed it up with a sheepish smile.]

It's okay to be weird, though. I'm a maid and I can't even serve tea without breaking some cups, so that makes me a little weird too!
tailend: (the force from the beginning)

[personal profile] tailend 2016-09-14 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Wow!!]

That makes me eccentric, and you someone who's not good at her job. So there, neither of us are "weird"!

[He says this... like he didn't say anything rude...]
maidhem: (peering)

[personal profile] maidhem 2016-09-14 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
No, stripping in public makes you indecent. Breaking tea cups just makes me clumsy.

[There was a very distinct difference right there....]
tailend: (i feel the same and i wanna meet her)

[personal profile] tailend 2016-09-14 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
[No... no, he likes his better.]

Well that's still not weird! And a clumsy maid is still bad at her job!
maidhem: (tsun tsun)

[personal profile] maidhem 2016-09-15 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't say that! I'm not entirely useless!

[And....she pelts Favaro with one of her closed bottles of tea.]

I'm trying to be friendly with you even though you're weird, and you're making it very hard!
Edited 2016-09-15 18:48 (UTC)
tailend: (i'm up all night to get some)

[personal profile] tailend 2016-09-16 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Ack, tea! He holds his arms up to shield his face, but getting hit with a full bottle of tea isn't fun. Stop that!!]

You keep throwing stuff at me! What am I supposed to do?! You're lucky I'm still here talking to you!!
maidhem: (game -- serious)

[personal profile] maidhem 2016-09-16 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
You don't know me at all to be making judgements about how good I am at my job!

[And, brows furrowed at the weird person, she stubbornly unscrewed her remaining bottle of tea and angrily drank from it. It was sweet-- really sweet, almost sickeningly so-- but she didn't even taste it.

She was just so upset about thise whole affair.]
tailend: (she's up all night for good fun)

[personal profile] tailend 2016-09-17 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
You just told me you break teacups. Is that in the job description?

[He's just saying...]
maidhem: (game -- serious)

[personal profile] maidhem 2016-09-17 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
Lord Corrin believes in me-- and he knows I try hard! I might not be perfect, but I will become a person I know he can be proud of some day!

[She seemed surprisingly stern on this note-- as if this were her entire life's goal that he was now making fun of.]
tailend: (look up in the sky)

[personal profile] tailend 2016-09-17 01:11 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh man. Somebody spare him this level of devotion. He stoops to pick up the fallen bottle of tea just so his face is hidden while he rolls his eyes.]

You go ahead and do that. I'll be rooting for you!

[Ha ha... yeah. He holds the bottle out to give it back, like a very nice person, but it's cracked and tea leaks all the way down his forearm as he holds up the bottle. Great.]
maidhem: (fail)

[personal profile] maidhem 2016-09-18 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh....

[Her firm expression crumbled when she saw the tea dripping down Favaro's arm, and immediately she started digging through her meager belongings for something to clean him up with. Coming up with a clean cloth, she took the cracked bottle and held it out for the man to see.]

Looks like I still just break everything. Here-- take this and dry off. Are your clothes dirty? I'll help you get them clean if they are.
tailend: (oh she's a diva)

[personal profile] tailend 2016-09-18 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh, because she's a Bad Maid. Maids don't throw bottles at people, in Favaro's defense! He's surprised that she's switched gears to help him, somehow, though he takes the cloth to wipe hastily at his arm without even rolling his eyes again. He's behaving...]

Uh— no. It's just tea. I'll live.
maidhem: (questioning)

[personal profile] maidhem 2016-09-18 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's because she's a maid who, though clumsy, is still very proud of her job. Implying anything less was a personal insult to her-- and she always did feel bad when things didn't work out.]

Are you sure? It's probably very sticky, with how sweet it is...
tailend: (me está enloqueciendo)

[personal profile] tailend 2016-09-18 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's just tea!! And now he's reluctant, since he'd rather not feel like he owes her for something stupid like doing his laundry.]

I said I'll live. Take this as a lesson not to throw stuff at me anymore, instead!
maidhem: (stunned)

[personal profile] maidhem 2016-09-18 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
O-okay...

[That seemed....acceptable enough.]

Then, please just promise me that you won't just go dropping your pants in the street. If you must, then please find whatever professional you need and do it somewhere private.
tailend: (you gonna undress me)

[personal profile] tailend 2016-09-18 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[Whatever professional he needs....... There's no way she means that the way it sounds, is there? There can't be.]

Suddenly you're overflowing with concern for me? I'm getting mixed messages.
maidhem: (pensive)

[personal profile] maidhem 2016-09-18 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
....Just because you're weird doesn't mean I can't try to be nice. Especially since I did throw things at you.

[Was it really so strange, stranger? At least this girl wasn't going around trying to get you to take her somewhere strange...]

Just don't do that again, or someone might do worse than that.
tailend: (i'm gonna swing from the chandelier)

[personal profile] tailend 2016-09-19 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
[It's strange, it's definitely strange... She does win points for not being as much of a handful as other strange girls he totally doesn't miss, but. Win some lose some.]

Yeah, yeah. I heard you the first time. [A beat, and he holds the cloth back out to her. Uh.] You can have this back.
maidhem: (questioning)

[personal profile] maidhem 2016-09-20 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
No, you keep it. I can always get more.

[Sticky messes were terrible and, until he was properly washed up, Felicia was certain that he would be needing it more later on.]

...I'll make it up to you next time we meet. Maybe I'll have enough money to buy us proper tea from a proper teashop at that point, instead of from a magic box with a window.

Just take care, okay?
tailend: (swing your partner round and round)

[personal profile] tailend 2016-09-21 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Now she's offering to buy him fancy tea from some fancy place? Girls are weird. He drops his hand uselessly to his side, still holding the cloth, since apparently it belongs to him now.]

Uh— sure. You'll... owe me one?

[Is that what just happened here??]
Edited 2016-09-21 01:53 (UTC)