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BOARDMASTER ([personal profile] boardmaster) wrote in [community profile] pawnstorm2016-12-09 03:56 am

intro ♚ december

WELCOME TO POLGAR



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 My Anaconda Don’t
Brace yourselves, Heroes, for Prime Minister Teddy has a special announcement for you today. It’ll be delivered either via carrier or mechanical pigeon.

Woman?
Hello, Heroes! Hmm? Who am I? If I don’t tell you who you are, you’re calling the police? Ahaha, no need to be so hasty!
Thierry Toussaint
It’s me, Teddy! The prime minister.

This might be overwhelming for the new arrivals, but we need everyone’s help for this mission. Have you heard of the Alfersa? They’re a proud warrior race that live in Polgar. They’re said to be blessed by the goddess Gladia since they’re naturally strong, sensitive to mana, and skilled in combat. I guess they’re pretty much like our Knights? Without the magical talent, of course. We’re hoping they’ll lend us a hand in protecting Blanc.

The Alfersa are distrustful of men, so negotiations have been difficult… Now that the Gladia Games are underway, I’m hoping to meet some beautiful women—I mean, recruits! It’s a recruitment drive, after all! Right, Alex?

Alexandre Verdoni
Prime Minister, I don’t know what possessed you to think your ridiculous ideas will actually work, but please refrain from making a scene at the Games.
Thierry Toussaint
Ah, ah. [ waves a finger at ] It’s not Prime Minister. It’s Zeed Stun, an enigmatic beauty from the East! Alex, come with us!
Alexandre Verdoni
No. Please refrain from making transparent aliases undercover.

Heroes, the Alfersans have an extremely matriarchal society. The Prime Minister recommends that you follow his example to fall in their leader’s good graces, but I personally find it unnecessary. Stand tall, be proud, and may Gladia bless you on your journey.

Oh, and… dress light. Get some sunscreen.
You’ll be given time to prepare before heading out. This is when you decide if you’ll follow after PM Teddy’s example or not. He has provided a generous number of colorful dresses to choose from. Unsure of how to pull off a good look? Ask your fellow Heroes or the maids and butlers of Hall of Glory for assistance.

Once you’ve made it safely to Polgar, you’ll be greeted with a feast for the eyes. A procession appears to be underway with several nubile women dancing to the beat of drums. For every pause in the drumming, anklets fill the air with a sweet, chiming sound. Leading the parade are scantily-clad shrine maidens. Should you happen to stumble too close, you will be greeted with an icy stare. Waiting at the end of the road is the matriarch of the Alfersans…

Thierry Toussaint
O Gracious One, I am Zeed Stun. Today, I am here to show you the dance of my people—
???
You have a snake.
Thierry Toussaint
I’m sorry?
???
You have [ grabs between his legs ] a snake.
Thierry Toussaint
Guh!
???
[ in one fluid motion, the woman smears Teddy’s makeup off and makes him her personal footrest. for the first time since the Heroes’ arrival, she smiles. ]

… Oh, praise Gladia. So these are the Heroes She said I would meet. I am Diana Serpente, Queen of the Alfersa, Lady of the Serpents, and head priestess of Gladia’s temple. Gladia has been telling me all about you.

Ever since you put the soul of my ancestor to rest, I’ve been thinking of a way to repay you. After receiving this [ digs her heels into Teddy’s back ] pitiful man’s request, I should have known it all along… Lending you our strength was the answer.

Thierry Toussaint
Thank y—ugh!!
Diana Serpente
[ steps off Teddy… ]

However, we don’t help just anyone. What’s friendship… [ lifts the chin of the nearest female Hero ] without a little intimacy? The Gladia Games are underway. I invite you all to join us in the festivities! Before we fight, let us make merry in the name of Gladia!

As you walk around Polgar, you’ll lay eyes on the various shops, with those specialized in weapons and armor the most renowned and high quality of them all. Female Heroes are in luck as they will receive discounts. Male Heroes will have to pay the regular price regardless of what they look like. However, those who didn’t decide to look pretty for the occasion will find a much increased price tag. If you’re in desperate need of colle, these shops will let you polish and arrange their merchandise for a decent wage.

TWO It’s a Jungle Out There
As per tradition, everyone participating in the Gladia Games must hunt down the monsters near the city. It is believed that Gladia herself sends them a different beast each year. This year, giant spiders crawl dangerously close to Polgar’s outskirts. Bring parts of the spider back to the city as proof of your skill and valor. Those who kill fifteen or more spiders win ONE of these fabulous prizes: one high quality weapon or armor, their very own pet anaconda or a night with Teddy!

In the Polgarian jungles, the humid air is thick with blood. Ferns and heavy branches covered in thick moss make the area difficult to navigate. Reedy sunlight filters in through the trees. You have a feeling that you are being watched… In fact, venomous snakes might jump out of the underbrush! Should you get bitten, have another Hero heal or help you suck out the venom. But don’t get distracted; danger looms from above as well. Like in the forests between Caissa and Petrosian, leafy vines are prone to descending and embracing Heroes rather intimately.

Heroes who have paid a visit to Salamanca Temple back in the day might recognize the spider nests once they’ve found them. These arachnids the size of a car will leap very high into the air and scuttle between branches to camouflage themselves during the battle. Some might even spin a cocoon for you until they come back to snack on you later. Avoid getting bitten—their venom can render you numb and unintelligible.

Kill the spiders and take down the nests, but remember: no one wants a forest fire. Safety first!

THREE Light and Sweet, Hot and Heavy
The Alfersans will welcome you back once you return to Polgar and are happy to take the spider parts off your hands. You didn’t forget to bring them with you, did you?

The festivities are now in full swing! Heroes, hit the streets for the citywide party! Large trays with food are being passed around as Alfersans view the close sharing of food as an act of camaraderie. It is customary for men to feed the women by hand. Yes, with their fingers. Alfersans will also encourage Heroes to join their dances, and some will keep dancing in front of you until you agree. As it turns out, dancing together actually only means holding hands and taking a jovial stroll around the shrines. You should be light on your feet and stay in rhythm, but the ritual isn’t too difficult.

Dancing may be good for the soul but your feet can only carry you so long until you are tired. Why not check into one of the many resorts? Or check out the far more numerous high-class brothels? Or perhaps you’d rather spend a relaxing day at the hot springs, spas or restaurants? The hot springs in particular are quite special here, as they are heated by the kiss of molten hot magma, blessed by Gladia herself. They possess healing properties, yes, but more curiously, if you happen to soak in the warmth for too long, you may start to feel a bit… virile.

INFO Welcome!
Welcome to Crosscheck's Month intro log! Please remember to read the Arrival Info! For any further questions, please see the FAQ or reach us at the Contact Us page. Have fun!
hoasen: (NO YOU CANNOT PUT THAT THERE)

[personal profile] hoasen 2016-12-29 10:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[She takes her chin--]

I believe Roma once mentioned it--

[But she's no one's guard, she's an army captain-- ah too late. Well, Vietnam doesn't resist the whims of females as much as she does men, if her interactions with hey sister shows anything.

Instead, she gestures towards a shop.]


I saw breastplates in that store. I believe we are eligible for discounts.

[Nero do you have money, heh.]
Edited 2016-12-29 22:09 (UTC)
anti_altruisms: (You really are hopeless.)

[personal profile] anti_altruisms 2016-12-30 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
[ Nero, pls. ]

I'm certain you would try.
yancat: by me (he loves me with every beat)

[personal profile] yancat 2016-12-30 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
[ Jumin returns the firm grip with that of his own, his smile still small but the look in his eyes softer. ]

Please, call me Jumin. [ The handshake is brief. ] Come to think of it, I do believe we've met before. Do you remember?
openhanded: (manga) (☆ of both me and you)

[personal profile] openhanded 2016-12-30 07:27 am (UTC)(link)
[That was... not the manliest scream, but Sorey isn't judging. He's looking at Rory with wide-eyed concern. He reaches out as if to set a hand on his shoulder, but he's not sure how Rory will react, so it just kinda hangs there for a second before he goes through with the motion.]

Hey-- hey, it's all right. We're out of it.

[He's panting and desperately low on mana, and Rory looks to be about the same. Maybe some platonic mana exchange is the way to go here. He'll just... keep his hand on this shoulder, then, if he's allowed.]

Are you hurt anywhere?

[personal profile] encaging 2016-12-30 01:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Have they? Toma's brows furrow as he tries to remember the meeting Jumin mentioned. Did they briefly pass one another on their way here? Back in the headquarters? Or--

Ah.

Toma brings his hand to his mouth, the gesture more reflex than conscious habit. ]


You're right. There was a child, wasn't there?

[ The memory is hazy, fuzzy around the edges. ]
moreasleep: (Uncertain)

[personal profile] moreasleep 2016-12-30 02:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[Immediately, Rory slapped his hand away with the back of his hand.]

I'm fine! Shit. Just don't touch me.

[All this mana exchange nonsense made him sick. He understood it was necessary, but did people really have to touch without any warning? Luckily, he prepared for such situations. Rory took out a flask filled with mana rich curried butternut squash soup and he shoved it at Sorey's direction.]

Good job not getting us killed, by the way.

[Though Rory still looked angry at the fact that Sorey caused the commotion in the first place.]
cutcrease: <user name=sasscons> (pic#10658308)

[personal profile] cutcrease 2016-12-30 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Good, you’d get wrinkly skin and probably acne if you did. [ Before she can even point out what she suspects she’s thinking, Vietnam manages to confirm it within the next three seconds.

Junko snickers, giving her a look of disbelief before bursting into laughter. She moves closer to the other woman, patting her back as a sign of appreciation. Although the force used behind it might be alarming all considering how thin she looks. ]


I like the jib of….your…ji…oh, I got it wrong. Whatever. I like you!

The first thing we can do is actually do shopping, duh lol, so we need to look through all this uselessly ugly armor for something worthwhile.
cutcrease: <user name=sasscons> (pic#10845874)

[personal profile] cutcrease 2016-12-30 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yes Nero….struggle, struggle more . ]

……………….

[ She isn’t some form of a snail (she'd gape at that if it wouldn't break character) but the surreal sight of mushrooms on her head might be the closest thing to that. Junko peeks at Nero from under her bangs, sniffling pathetically before glancing out into the now confused crowd.

Despite knowing very well shes causing a scene, she only heaves out a sigh. ]


………..not really.
yancat: by me (because i'm crazy baby)

[personal profile] yancat 2016-12-31 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
Yes. You helped her. [ How and in what circumstances, he doesn't know. ] You were... an archer, I believe. Is that why you're here?

[ Polishing weapons and all. It helps if one is interested in some aspect of his job to begin with. Most people simply have to deal with it otherwise. ]

I'm surprised they hired a man.
stonebird: (❅ oh fraud that cannot cheat the bee)

[personal profile] stonebird 2016-12-31 01:14 pm (UTC)(link)
(Sansa's Tully blue eyes widen in shock and she is quick to offer support when the woman collapses. She had not meant for the challenge to be taken so passionately!)

You gave it your all, Your Majesty. (Ah yes, mustn't forget courtesies even if she cannot make heads or tails of this...Emperor Queen?) Have you injured yourself?
Edited 2016-12-31 13:14 (UTC)

[personal profile] aurea 2016-12-31 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[She's down, but certainly not out. Once her breathing catches up with the rest of her body, it's obvious she's unharmed—just overexerted. She tends to her hair, letting loose the fancy braids to smooth it all out. She shakes her head at Sansa's concern and waves it off.]

As did you, little wolf. And I am more than fine, just winded by those long legs of yours.

[Though it's hardly said as criticism. Sansa was immensely beautiful, and so Nero makes no effort to hide her appreciation of it.]

I venture it is not your first excursion in this field. You have a touch of royalty to you, too, if I am not mistaken.

[personal profile] aurea 2016-12-31 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well, there's only one thing left to do, then.

Nero tosses her out into the crowd and walks away.

...or, rather, she attempts to toss this sassy creature into the crowd, but aforementioned lack of strength results in more of a rough drop than a dignified throw. At any rate, her expression can be best described as unimpressed as she feigns horror at her own actions.]


Oh, no. How clumsy of me.

[Totally. Two can play it this deadpan snark game.]

[personal profile] aurea 2016-12-31 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm certain you would enjoy it.

[Ooh, boy.]

[personal profile] aurea 2016-12-31 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh! There she does, off in the arms of a handsome stranger. Surely there are worse fates for a fetching young Emperor to suffer. She puts up a token struggle but eventually decides that, since he seems to have some idea of what he's doing, he can lead the way. For now.]

'tis only a flesh wound.

[...no, really, it's not that bad. She got off lucky.]

[personal profile] aurea 2016-12-31 08:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[Nero makes a face. An unpleasant one.]

Discounts? I despise frugality.
hoasen: (hope)

[personal profile] hoasen 2016-12-31 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[Vietnam laughs awkwardly. THIS IS ALSO FAMILIAR.]

Ah...well, in a world where you do not have a lot of money yet, it is best to save as much as possible. It is one of the best ways to accumulate wealth while still being able to spend.
anti_altruisms: (Is that right?)

[personal profile] anti_altruisms 2016-12-31 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[ :| ]

I'm not that forward with people I hardly know.

[personal profile] aurea 2017-01-02 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, my. Then I shall endeavor to be known, as it were.

[Looks like you just got yourself into something, Archer. Way to go.]
anti_altruisms: (Pushy female masters.)

[personal profile] anti_altruisms 2017-01-02 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ E Rank Luck. It sucks in every world.

Archer suppresses a sigh and wipes off his hand. ]


If we're finished here, I'll take my leave.
hoasen: (cashmere)

[personal profile] hoasen 2017-01-02 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
[If only she knew he was a sword. Just like how she is a country! But since she doesn't know, it's not like she can push.]

It is nice to meet you too, Nakigitsune. I hope it hasn't been hard for you here?
hoasen: (oceans)

[personal profile] hoasen 2017-01-02 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
[WELL, looks like her face is going to be free of age and acne, which is a good thing considering her actual age. Time sure is messy.

And you're right, Vietnam, as strong as she is, did actually find herself surprised and near lunging forward because of the force behind the back pat. What she got from that? Junko is someone who can really handle herself.]


Ah? [There's also so much slang that she can't quite grasp just yet!] A-alright, let's look for something! Are you in need of armour, though? We can look elsewhere if need be...

[She lifts up a pair of old looking gloves. Nope.]

[personal profile] encaging 2017-01-03 07:31 am (UTC)(link)
Don't give me all the credit. You were the one who... [ A thoughtful look to the side. Jumin did something but Toma can't place his finger on what. It's as if he's forgotten part of a dream. ] --But no, that's not why I'm here. My bow is in the back, I wanted to earn money for additional supplies.

[ Toma isn't one to rely on the goodwill on the citizens just because he has a fancy new title. Everyone needs to work for they money. ]

Maybe they think men can handle physical labor better. Besides, I'm tall. It makes it easier for me to reach the merchandise. [ Like that whip up there. Is this the whip of your dreams, Jumin? ]
cutcrease: <user name=sasscons> (pic#10658276)

[personal profile] cutcrease 2017-01-05 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Junko doesn't even pay attention or bother to notice the other woman's reaction to her unusual strength. ]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[ She makes a show of thinking on her question, despite already knowing her answer. She definitely doesn't want armor, if only because she hates all the designs and the actual functionality of it all. ]

I'm more of a cloth armor type of girl. [ Junko squints her eyes at the old gloves, actually taking them from the other's grasp to inspect them. ] But gloves actually sound kinda useful, what with the crap they gave me. If you can manage to find something black that's cute, I'll totally owe you one.

Are we looking for similar stuff?
cutcrease: <user name=sasscons> (pic#10658294)

[personal profile] cutcrease 2017-01-05 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Junko takes the rough drop like a champ, all considering her soul left her body seconds before Nero dumped her. Despite having already made impact with the ground, it's one second after that that she begins rolling further and further away from the other.

When she stops, it's to pose seductively on the ground, showing off a little more leg than necessary.

A lot more leg than necessary. ]


Ohhhhhhh myyyyyyyyyy, it seems I ACCIDENTALLY fell into an extremely compromising position! Whatever shall I DO?!

[ She yells in a tone that's even more embarrassing than the effort she's going through to pull this off. ]
pragma: ғᴜʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ (pic#10141345)

SORRY THIS IS LATE AF

[personal profile] pragma 2017-01-05 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's a familiar face, which normally would elicit no reaction but right now the last thing leo wants to see is a familiar face. he immediately averts his eyes to not make contact, and simply nods.

the words that come out -- are strange and awkward when he's trying to alter his voice. maybe he should have practiced this before hand. it's not like he didn't anticipate having to actually speak... ]


It's fine. I'm fine.

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