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

[acknowledges]

[In the absence her hand holding him up, Naruto nearly face plants with the floor. There's looking uncool, and then there's Naruto, crouched down like some weird blond gremlin fishing things out of the bottom of the machine. Apparently his near-face-planting experience hasn't stopped him from his quest for strange and foreign food.

Is he- even discouraged a little bit?

Oh, nope, he's pushing to his feet and heading right back over to her.]

...I forgot how mean you could be'attebayo.

[showsnopiety]

[She smiles at him, watching as he catches himself. He's used to catching himself, from the looks of it. But she doesn't think he'll stop trying to get Cream Betweens unless it makes him sick.

Maybe.]

If you want, I could remind you how nice I can be.

[Is she suggesting kissing him? She might.]

[acknowledges]

[His arms are full, so maybe this is an act of chivalry- carrying their snacks off to wherever they're going to go. Her room, he thinks they'd decided. When he looks back over at her it's with an almost skeptical crease in his brows.]

Actually, you're even scarier when you're nice.

[showsnopiety]

[She laughs quietly when he says that. Her room is fine, and at worst, Naruto will get to see her cheerfully bully someone else. Poor Shinn.]

If you keep saying such flattering things, I'm going to assume you're flirting with me.

[Though he did have a point. Some of the nicest things she did was scary, because of the risk to herself.]

[acknowledges]

A-ah... [Man what is it about this girl? She always makes him feel so nervous about himself.]

I don't think that's how flirting's supposed to work'attebayo.

[But what does he know? He doesn't know how to flirt.]

[showsnopiety]

[To that, she shrugs, and offers him a smirk over her shoulder.]

Flirting varies from culture to culture, depending on what is considered socially acceptable.

Or better: try not to think about it too much and you'll enjoy it. Or I might.

[acknowledges]

[Sweating intensifies.

Naruto continues following after her, arms full of the majority of their feast and looking not unlike a dutiful labrador.]

Don't you enjoy things just being the way they are? Being yourself?

[showsnopiety]

[What an interesting question. She fingers one of the packages in her arms, and glances over to Naruto.]

Do you see things, and not think that they could change for the better, or the worst?

They're both selfish desires, if you think about it too much. A desire to be involved, maybe to have some recognition for the efforts that you've put into whatever it is.

[acknowledges]

Mn...

[Naruto's brows come together and he lapses into contemplative silence. It's easy to accept that there's something selfish about wanting to get involved, and especially about wanting recognition. He'd been so hungry for acknowledgment as a child that he'd been willing to do anything to get it- even really destructive stuff.

Still- he doesn't feel that way about everything. He'd wanted to change Sasuke. And he'd wanted to change some of the other people in his life, but that was because they'd been so subsumed by their own darkness that they weren't able to feel happiness, or find value in the world. He hadn't considered changing the essence of a person, or getting their recognition out of it as a kind of reward.]

Well I guess everything could change'attebayo. But if somebody was gonna kiss me or something like that- I wouldn't wanna not think about it to enjoy it. I wanna enjoy it 'cause it's nice, or 'cause I care about them.

[showsnopiety]

[Well, people mostly think about kissing as a whole and pure thing. And yet, it can be abused. At least Caren didn't try to promise anything with it, but for the idea of gaining mana.

She considers him, before making a soft sound.]

I believe that's called being a romantic. I can enjoy the physical act, but I don't promise what I cannot give.

I'm more of something people practice kissing on before they move on and find someone they can care about. I'll enjoy the physical sensation, and leave it at that.

[acknowledges]

Something huh?

[His shoulders sag, a particularly weighty exhale as they turn down the hall. Actually, he has no idea where her place is, and he hasn't put much thought into wherever she might be leading him- content to just follow along.]

D'you care about anybody Caren?

[In his defense, the question isn't meant to insult of accuse. He's just genuinely curious.]

[showsnopiety]

[It's not far, thankfully. Just a little further, and they can see about setting in her room, either on her bed or at the table. Who knows, they'll see.

But...really she seems to sting and disappoint him, even when she doesn't mean to.]

I don't know.

[She closes her eyes, and opens them briefly.]

What does it mean to care for someone?

[acknowledges]

[He isn't disappointed, but he is a little sad. It's been so long since he's talked to her that he'd nearly forgotten that first conversation- the one where he'd said all the wrong things and just wound up upsetting her. It isn't an unusual experience for him, and there's a part of him resigned to it happening again.

The weight to his shoulders isn't because he thinks less of her, it's because he thinks that of all he's known- of all the bad things that can happen to a person- a life without love feels like the worst thing of all. But things are different for her- they'd talked about that. And it would be selfish of him to hold her to the same standards as him, right?

Her question, on the other hand, is effortless to answer.]

When someone means more to you than your own comfort or happiness. Like... Well I guess there's lots of different ways people can care about someone. But if somebody called you in the middle of the night and needed help, and you'd just come over. Or if somebody was hungry and you shared your lunch with them.

Somebody you can't imagine the world without.

[showsnopiety]

[She knows she throws people off. And a life without love...that might be what she could describe her life as being. But it doesn't feel like it suits. Then again her 'life' and 'love' isn't something she always think of together.

But his answer has her confused, and her lips part, staring at him for a few moments.]

That's everyone else.

[She says it, and she tries to explain it better. Or tries to.]

I would give my life for anyone. Someone has called me in the middle of the night, and I did beat their captors, soundly. I've provided advice, money, time.

I can't imagine a world without people.

[acknowledges]

[At this angle they're able to fall into step with one another and Naruto regards her thoughtfully, mulling the words over.]

Is that...

It's not cause you don't value your own life though, right? Or think that it's less important than anyone else's?

[showsnopiety]

It isn't very important. Not in the grand scheme of things. But also, people are.

And sometimes they don't realize their impact on the world around them. It's a waste, but what can be done?

[As if she's not one of those people. From her tone, she's...almost detached from living.]

[acknowledges]

[It isn't the first time he's spoken to someone with a voice like that, someone disconnected, standing outside of the world around them. Hearing that it's impossible not to feel sadness- but that isn't the only thing he feels- because it reminds him of old friends, and that reminds him of home.]

How come you don't count in that and everybody else does?

[showsnopiety]

[She doesn't know if she's anything like his old friends, here and gone. But him asking that, she shrugs.]

I don't know. Perhaps I've never counted myself?

[She shrugs again.]

I know there are those who...profess to care for me in their own ways. I don't know what to think of it. Other then it makes me feel...anxious, at times. That I don't know what to do.

It's too much pressure.

[acknowledges]

[His head tilts, gaze drawn to her profile.]

Too much pressure- to return it? [Ah, but that's not right, because, she just said she's fine caring for other people.]

What part of it makes you anxious?

[showsnopiety]

[She sighs. Sometimes, it's difficult for her to find the words for it. Her expression is blank, maybe purposefully so.]

I'm not used to kindness. It's always supposed to be conditional. Kindness, because I'm pretty, because I can do something for them-offer information, do something they can't.

And now I'm expected to just...accept it.

[acknowledges]

[It sounds like a very lonely way to live, but he also remembers that she'd told him once that she couldn't be happy. Is it still selfish that it makes his heart ache to remember?]

Does that mean your kindness is conditional too?

[showsnopiety]

[It's just very...sad.]

I think too much. So perhaps...yes. It is. I don't have anything kind to offer.

[acknowledges]

Not even advice, money and time?

[His gait sways, brings them near enough to one another that he bumps her affectionately with the side of his arm.]

'Cause I don't know if you know this, but people consider that pretty kind.

[showsnopiety]

[She looks up at him, startled, before shaking her head. If she was another woman, she might have blushed but...thankfully for them both, she didn't.]

I...

[She glances at him, and away, before opening the door to her dorm and walking inside.]

Perhaps it is.

[acknowledges]

[He's beaming when he follows her on in, but not in a way that screams I told you so, or even one that hints at smugness. He's just happy, and it doesn't spill out of him in a small way.]

Man. I was wondering how you were doing'attebayo.

It's been a long time huh?