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

[flirtations]

Oh!

[ that's actually more reassuring. it means he's found a kindred spirit when it comes to preferred mode of combat (or transportation, for that matter), which just makes his smile grow broader. ]

I get what you mean now! That's similar to when I first got here. I can help, if you'd like. I have a natural inclination to the sky, too. [ And excitedly, he takes her hand. Of course he does. ]

I'm Jae-ha, by the way.

1/2 jaeha pls

[footfalls]

[Lenalee looks startled when Jae-ha takes her hand??? jae-ha??? please??? there's a still moment when she looks at his hand, as if she's waiting for the punch line. (or for the deranged metal monster claw to emerge, whichever). but it passes soon enough.]

I'm -- Lenalee Lee. [she finally manages, and then she reaffirms her grip on Jae-ha's hand and gives it a firm shake. THERE, A HANDSHAKE!! though, the small flare of mana at the contact is easing some of her fatigue... She'll never quite get used to that???]

[footfalls]

[and then the rest of what he said catches up to Lenalee, and she turns a hopeful look up at him]

You can fly? [that's some luck right there... it's not that she doesn't believe him, but there's no one else who's quite like her back home, so it's a little amazing to meet someone who is here.] I've never met another flier before.

[and now that he's literally in her grip she'll ask all the questions... ]

Do you fly with your shoes too?

[flirtations]

[ No, there's nothing alarming to be found in his hand, just the fact that he very fearlessly and temporarily invades her personal space. It's a good thing she gives him a handshake and pulls away, and an even better thing that he takes the hint and rests his hand back at his side. ]

Yes, though I guess a high jump is a more appropriate description. [ His smile brightens at her enthusiasm, because even though he's met a few gravity rooks here, who gain something similar in abilities to his jump, he's never met anyone who have a similar ability even from back home. He shakes his head. ]

They gave me an anklet, here. As long as I wear it, I can fly for a limited amount of time. It's not the same thing as what I can do back home, but I've learned to adjust.

[ He hesitates before continuing. ]

My abilities back home... come from being born with the Dragon's Leg.

[footfalls]

[high jumps are basically flying, alright!!! Lenalee looks down out of reflex at the mention of his anklet, and her face when she looks up is purely curious.]

Born with... So it's something you've always had. [that resonates with her a little too. compatibility with the innocence is something people are born with too, after all.]

Is the Dragon's Leg just a name for your ability, or...? [she trails off, remembering his hesitation and the last thing she wants to do is ask anyone to talk about abilities that may be uncomfortable for them (like the innocence is to her, still). but... IS IT A REAL LEG OF A DRAGON]

[flirtations]

Yes. I assumed your situation was the same. Or did you draw your power from an object?

[ He brightens, sensing her apprehension, and not wanting to make her feel unnecessarily timid. ]

Ah, no, my right leg is a literal dragon's leg, complete with scales and talons. It's quite the grotesque sight, really. [ He'd rather not show it, but maybe she'll take his word for it. ]

[footfalls]

It's actually both, but...

[wait... Lenalee trails off when he speaks again because "grotesque sight"!!! what is this, why is her new NAKAMA friend insulting himself!! but Lenalee, who knows how Allen and Krory can sometimes be self-conscious about their parasitism Innocence, won't press the point. It's not something she'd think anyone would lie to her about, but... grotesque... if Allen and Krory said something like that... then Lenalee would have kicked them for being stupid... which she can't do here because that's rude, so instead!!]

[she'll turn her face up to him and, while looking very solemn, earnestly say!!]

I won't ask to see it. [the last thing she wants to do is make him uncomfortable... and though he might have been joking,] But, I think having the leg of a dragon is amazing. Dragons have always been symbols of good luck and strength back in my home country. To be a dragon, or to be compared to one, is an honor.

[she doesn't have many memories of China, but her brother and her have carried some traditions and beliefs with them, even as far away as they are now.]

[flirtations]

[ The way she looks up at him so suddenly, with a solemn look on her face. It’s unexpected, to say the least, so he merely grows quiet and listens, taken aback and clearly showing it.

He smiles again, slow, fond, and warmer than before. An honor, is it? Even though he initially hated the very idea that such a binding thing could be considered an honor, it doesn’t make him bristle as much as it did before.

And she’s right, he wears the freedom it grants him with pride. ]

I’m getting a little bit more used to its appearance, but I won’t deny that I enjoy the type of life it’s allowed me to enjoy, back home. [ Even after meeting and vowing to protect Yona… because he enjoys that, too. ]

But, ah, you don’t say. How can it be both?

[footfalls]

[Her solemn expression breaks in favor of a relieved smile.]

I'm glad to hear that. [too many people back home suffer from their own abilities... but now it's her turn to answer his question, and she feels that it's only right to be honest with him as well.]

I do draw my power from an object. I wear shoes that let me fly, and those shoes are made out of a material called Innocence. Only certain people can use Innocence though, and I was born with that ability. Even though I was born with it... I wouldn't have known that I could use Innocence if the Order didn't find me.

[flirtations]

That makes sense, when you put it that way. [ A special material, that only certain people could draw power from... it's a foreign concept, but he supposes it's not so different from drawing mana out of objects here. ]

The Order? Is that an organization you're part of? [ He doesn't want to press her past her comfort level, but he's curious. ]

[footfalls]

[she nods. she's used to talking about the order, and there's no sign that she's bothered by the question.]

The Order was created to defend humanity against Akuma. I'm not sure if you have something similar... [she hopes not tbh] But they're weapons powered by human souls made to kill other humans. The only thing that can destroy Akuma is the Innocence, so the Order focuses on gathering soldiers who can use it.

[despite how brief she's trying to keep it, it's admittedly a heavy topic?? just the mention of MACHINES POWERED BY HUMAN MISERY is Serious... and while Lenalee's very used to giving this spiel, she normally says it to someone who's just been through a Traumatic incident involving Innocence or Akuma. so, she attempts to redirect this to happier topics..]

I've been part of the Order since I was young, so I have a lot of experience flying.

[THAT'S KIND OF HAPPIER]