intro ♚ december

[boardmaster]

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!

Comments

[notwagging]

[ The water is taken quickly and comedically, he pours as much water as he can into his mouth and swishes it around before spewing it all over the place and away from Toma. No way is he going to get himself sick, and water would certainly dilute whatever he may have taken in already. Whatever that doesn't get into him, is haphazardly splashed across his chest, dripping down onto his pants, and soaking some of his clothes. ]

Whew! Thanks, that's pretty smart. [ Instead of wiping the water off, he tries to make sure he gets as much of himself covered as possible. Mostly to wash off sweat, but because he knows it'll feel a little better compared to the stickiness that he's been feeling since stepping into the humidity. Probably doesn't do anything good in terms of keeping any light from glistening off of him, but then again, his current strategy of 'run really hard and stomp the spiders' hasn't required an inch of stealth. ]

So, how's your weapon? You been finding any luck shooting the spiders around here?

[ He's known some pretty good archers, so at least he can recognize how much skill is involved in wielding a bow. Outside of the physical strain of drawing the string back and aiming, he's sure that Toma's gotten a little used to it by now? Maybe? ]

[ateaist]

Fufufu...come on now. Don't give me that kind of uncute expression; you have to know when to take a compliment, lad.

[Unfortunately, she's the kind of person who leaves poor remarks ambigious as to whether or not they were a joke...]

Besides, I'm sure there's laws against that kind of thing anyway.

[starspangled]

[Steve's first instinct is to look for the voice's owner, a fellow Hero who might need his help. But the words tell him otherwise, and so he looks in that direction instead.

The baseball bat in his hands isn't really meant for this, but like that's going to stop Steve. It's sturdy, and his grip is good, so he puts his everything into the swing right as the spider leaps.]

Incoming!

[He yells out as the creature goes flying, then skidding on its back across the jungle floor.]

feed me.

[anti_altruisms]

[ The festivities here really aren't to his tastes, but Archer is, at least, making the effort to appear engaged for the sake of diplomacy. He's polite as can be and samples the food he's offered, even as he attempts to avoid some of the more questionable activities taking place elsewhere.

He's been hailed a few times already so by the time he's called again, he's already tired of it to some degree. Granted, he does have a bit of a double-take when he pairs the voice with the face, but a second look dispels his initial assumption. The resemblance is a uncanny, though, so he approaches with some care. ]

I take it you were addressing me?

[aurea]

Nay, I am called Saber. Or, more accurately... no, no, that should wait until later.

[Nero has only passing knowledge of the world outside her own borders, but she certainly recognizes the name China. She makes no connection to any younger sisters, though in all fairness Vietnam as a modern concept did not exist until much more recently. It seems she will have some studying to do about this new state.

Not that she minds. Her is not the most stable mind, but it is among the most curious.]

Then an ally you shall be! And as an ally, you should not hesitate to show your support.

[Nudging.]

By any means possible.

[aurea]

Of course, of course. Please excuse me, I was far too dazzled to conduct myself properly.

[Nero gets to her feet and trots over to her latest prospect of the evening. Hilariously, Sansa has quite the height advantage over this woman... but that doesn't appear to matter one bit, as she offers her hand as knightly as could be.]

A different sort. This is no ballroom, but an arena! We shall dance wild and free, as our ancestors always intended!

[...she certainly has an undeniable straightforwardness about her, though. Perhaps too much.]

[aurea]

Indeed!

[Nero beams at the moniker and somehow seems to immediately understand.]

You know me well! Have we met before? Perhaps in a dream, or a world far, far away...?

Shunsui Kyouraku | Bleach | OTA

[sugegasa]

One. It's a dress-up party and everyone's invited

Pretty dresses? Shunsui had no objections to that whatsoever. In fact, he was looking forward to it! He did look good in bright colors, after all.

So come with him and try on some of the many dresses laid out for the occasion. He'll offer a compliment to everyone! And he can always use ladies to help him decide on which dress suits a man best.

Two

Hunting down and killing the spiders and getting rid of their nests wasn't a big deal for Shunsui, although he did feel a little bad about killing them since they were still living things.

But that didn't mean he wouldn't protect his fellow Heroes! Likely still in his dress. Much more freedom to move, and all.

Three.

Feeding ladies by hand just so happened to be one of his favorite things to do! If anyone's hungry, come find him. He loves to dote on people and will hunt down their favorite treats only to feed them happily!

[aurea]

Oho...

[Nero hadn't gotten a good look at first, simply calling out to anyone in the immediate vicinity, but once Archer gets close Nero whistles her approval loud enough for all to hear. This man was built, with a silvery crop of hair that appeals to the gerontophile in her.

Nero admires him, and openly so, with an enchantingly brash smile that seems out of place on a face so similar to Saber's.]

How could I not? Such a handsome soul appearing before me, all but begging for my attention! The heart sings!

[She's certainly melodramatic... but her words are sincere, however bluntly they come across.]

[gwenhwyfar]

[ At this point, between fae and other people who have said they are well over the age of humans, this doesn't come as a surprise. Apparently, Myrddin is the only exception to century old grudges, she thinks. She looks back at Nero once again, offering a faint raise of her eyebrow. ]

Truth be told, I would have expected a different reaction. Even if it has been centuries since my ancestor led a resistance against you Romans, those wounds are still fresh.

[ Then if it won't be anything beyond a casual conversation then there's no need to dispel anger. Rather, pride. Pride that had been drilled in her since her youth. Someone must carry out Caradog ap Bran's legacy and it may as well be her. ]

I can act with beauty and grace. [ She looks elsewhere, with a wine glass to her lips. If one to squint hard enough, it could be construed as flirting. ] But I need a reason to do so.

[aurea]

I am an artist before I am an Emperor.

[And there is nothing beautiful about war, death, and killing even if it is at times necessary.

Nero doesn't need to squint to realize she's dealing with a proud individual. She just laughs and takes it in stride as she does most anything else; certainly, she won't tolerate insolence, but to truly rouse her anger it would require much more than dragging up history that has long since passed. At least for her.

Admittedly, it also helps Christianity has not been brought into the conversation.]

Do you not wish to show all gathered what for? To have their eyes upon you, gleaming with envy, at how lovely you are, both at rest and in motion?

[anti_altruisms]

[ O...kay?

Archer blinks, and while it's apparent that he's a bit taken aback by her praise, he's also been around at least one other individual that was fairly open in his admiration of the human form.

He doesn't have a clue who this woman is, either, so while she may seem sincere enough, he decides to be cautious all the same.

He suppresses a sigh. ]

Since my appearance pleases you, I assume you'd appreciate some company for a little while?

[aurea]

[Nero just... pats the pillow beside her and waggles her eyebrows suggestively...

That seems to say it all, really.]

[hoasen]

Saber? I know a Saber, with features--[similar to Blue Saber...oh wait.] Are you a heroic spirit?

[Now that works explain a lot, like why she calls herself Rome. She could be some one in history, and emperor of old. Possibly older than she is now.

Still...]

Agreed, we will be allies, comrade. By any...ah?

[HOW SUSPICIOUS.]

sion astal | ota

[sunderings]

two.

[ Though he is a man of King's rank, Sion fights as though he were a Holy Knight, a blessing for strength upon him as he wields Guiding Light, disabling arachnid after arachnid with the blade's crescent strike, then surging forward and in for the kill. He is efficient, in his butchering of the vermin, taking from them their fangs; draining from them their venom, the poison stored in the main vials adorning the belt which keeps the free-flowing material of his dress in check.

From afar, he cuts a beautiful silhouette (and from up close, a stunning one), a flash of gold (the aura which limns from his skin), silver (hair), and dark cyan amid the lush greenery of the forest, bright slats of sunlight tracing out the high muscle of his shoulders, his thigh, before he breaks into a sprint, navigating the tangled, twisting knots of jungle undergrowth with footsteps that fall soundlessly until...! ]

You there, Hero. [ —he happens upon another, slowing to a stop, though not before tossing a—is that a spider's fang??—a prize their way! Funny, that while he has surely been participating in the Gladia Games for the majority of the day, the sport seems not to have taken its toll on him—not a single strand of his hair is out of place, no blood stains his garments, and the humidity does not slow him down. In fact, he seems ready to take off again, his spirits high and somehow ...free. ] For good luck!

[ And to help with the count toward fifteen arachnid parts??? ]


three.

[ After redeeming a necklace comprised of spider fangs for a well-earned prize, Sion takes to relaxing at the edge of the hot springs, his feet immersed in the magma-warmed water as he remains perched upon an overhang of rock, the material of his dress pooled about him.

Come, join me he might ask of some, and of others, might you assist me with slipping out of this shoulder harness? Or if a fellow Hero should approach, looking far more weary than he, the King will make an offer of: ]

Are you in need of healing?

[ ...before calling restorative magic to his fingertips regardless of the answer he receives, his mana leaping to life with no need for incantation, but channeled instead by a single, flourishing gesture of wrist. ]


(wildcard!)

[ s-s-surprise me?! or pm avichuus to plot! ]

[anti_altruisms]

[ ...he should have just run away, shouldn't he?

Again biting back a sigh, Archer sits next to her with all the casual poise he can manage. He really shouldn't be intimidated by a woman half his size... ]

Does the lady have a name?

[ Just gonna try small talk here. ]

[aurea]

I am called Saber!

[Something she announces with pride, and something that serves to only muddy the waters further in regards to identity. Nero makes herself at home beside Archer once he sits, going as far as to feel out a muscular arm with another low, receptive sound.]

Have you taken part in these games yourself, by chance? Arms like yours could snap the neck of a lion with ease!

[It's... a compliment? Sort of? Just roll with it, dude, you've been through worse experiences with worse blonde tyrants.]

two.

[exp]

[ he's just managed to push through a wall of bushes, twigs catching in the material of his rather embarrassing in his opinion outfit and scratching the exposed skin of his legs ( he would have protested harder against wearing the leather brassiere and skirt set, but, so many of the other heroes had went along with it— and sion. he doesn't look so bad in the dress he's wearing. it feels strange, the leather laying flat against his chest where... ahem.... the material is supposed to fill out but it's not uncomfortable. it could be worse. ) when there's something being thrown at him. and he fumbles it for a moment, before grasping it securely.

haha, it's a fang. a fang from one of the giant spiders. ] Sion... how... how is this lucky?!

[ he's never liked spiders. he's never liked spiders of a normal size. he likes these oversized one's even less.

he's too fixated on the fang in his hands, this one must have belonged to a remarkably huge spider, to notice that something is descending from the jungle canopy. a spider slowly creeping down from a strand of web, that's on trajectory to land on yoosung's head. ]

three!

[sugegasa]

[Shunsui had, of course, stripped his dress off before he'd even made it all the way to the water, being careful to hang the colorful garment as neatly as he could on a convenient rock.

His aching back made him remember how old he was as he sank into the water rather near the King, sending him a smile and making sure that the water level was above his waist before he spoke.]

Unless you can somehow heal old age, I think I have to decline. You should save your powers for someone that needs them, it's only a backache.

That dress looks lovely on you!

[anti_altruisms]

[ Well, it doesn't really answer the question of identity, but it does give him an inkling regarding this woman's stature, at least.

He raises an eyebrow at her announcement and decides, on a whim, to counter. ]

That's very interesting. I am called Archer.

[ His eyebrow twitches, but he doesn't say anything about the hand on his arm. (Yet.) ]

I participated in the hunting earlier. There were quite a few large spiders on the loose.

[ And he slew them like a good Hero, of course. ]

Did you?

three

[digophelia]

[ Perhaps it shouldn't be all that too odd to find Sion in such a state of dress. There will be no judgment from Alice as she approaches in something more modest. She's never seen hot springs before and it may take some time to coax her to try and put her feet in the water. Up until she sees him, she feels more at east to try it herself, to go barefoot.

But as long as her shoulders are covered, that's what counts. ]

Sion? Aren't you cold? That dress-

[ What did he just ask her? Alice makes a face as she carefully settles down at the edge, careful not to dip her feet in water yet. ]

Are you not able to take it off?

[aurea]

[Rather than react in adversarial fashion—Archer had all but outed himself as a rival Servant—Nero just nods and looks genuinely interested. While she was taking some precautions not to reveal her true name, she also understood that this was not the Holy Grail War and thus there was little reason to go around picking fights.

Though that might happen as a side effect of her ridiculous behavior regardless.]

A man of the bow, hm? A noble following. I am a fan of marksmanship, myself.

[As for spiders, Nero pales a little.]

Ah... regrettably, I did not have much luck with those beasts. Those wretched vines took up far too much of my time for a proper hunt.

[yancat]

That won't be necessary.

[ He doesn't want to deal with women of Polgar right now—especially if they're only going to be difficult. So, he looks for one on his own. ]

My magical weapon allows me to bind people, but since it's merely ribbon, it doesn't have the same force behind it. Well, I'm not one for violence to begin with, anyway.

[anti_altruisms]

[ That's fine. Archer isn't really interested in picking fights with his fellow Servants since, for one, they technically aren't Servants any longer. The Holy Grail War also holds no sway here so his comment was more to see what her reaction would be than anything else.

It seems that they're on the same page, for the moment, which is good. No need to stir up unnecessary conflict, in his view. ]

Among other things.

[ He's a bowman and a swordsman, but that can be his secret for now. ]

I was fortunate enough to avoid them.

[ Or rather, he used Scan so it wasn't a matter of luck at all. It's a basic spell, but a handy one. ]

Did you arrive recently?

Dress up party part one!

[sakeplz]

Jiroutachi looked so much like a woman that he was easily getting discounts on everything and had already dressed himself up wonderfully. A touch of makeup and his hair done up with his clip weapon in it as well as some other sparkling hair ornaments in it. But the real thing was the lovely kimono he had on. He wore it all with grace and delicacy as he came up to Shunsui's place to help him with getting ready.

"Oh Shun-chaaaan! I'm here! Shall we have some fuuuuun?"