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

On the Vine

[rangerandking]

I do not think your tactics will work. {He may seem like nothing more than a glowing sword at first. Aragorn cuts at the vines, keeping a cautious eye on any movement in the undergrowth.} They do not listen to reason.

{And more dangerous beasts lurk within the shadows.}

[aurea]

[They drop her in due haste, and being a graceful sort she lands on her feet with a huff, dusting herself off and rearranging her clothes presentably again. Apparently Nero doesn't much listen to reason, either, as she immediately retorts:]

They've reason enough to snare a prize such as myself! But I do appreciate your efforts all the same.

[Nero hunts for her own sword, which she's dropped... somewhere. She'll find it eventually.]

All this time and not a single spider has appeared to me. I'd think it bad luck, but that simply could not be possible in my case.

[rangerandking]

{The light of his sword seems to be a deterrent; the vines that are not cut back away from it, understanding, perhaps, that it can do them more damage. Aragorn glances at Nero to ascertain she is in one piece before shifting the light to the undergrowth.}

They would snare you and keep you, that is true, but I know naught what they would do with you after. There are beasts that would consider you a trapped meal and the vines would not be able to guard you as their "prize".

{He aids her in her search, holding his sword aloft so that the shadows around them scatter.}

We have all experienced ill luck; I think you better make yourself accustomed to such.

[aurea]

Hmph! It is as I desire, no more, no less.

[She says, as she then finds her feet firmly planted in fresh spider guts. They're definitely around here somewhere, and judging from the sudden sound of skittering, they're quite close and undeterred by the glow of that sword. Recovering her own blade, Nero scowls and instinctively assumes a protective stance in front of the man.

Which probably looks pretty funny, given she's a fraction of his height.]

Look alive, then. We are no longer alone.

[rangerandking]

Is that so? {He is not of a mind to correct her. Experience will do that much and they have worse problems far too close at hand. Aragorn listens to the pattern of the spiders' progress, preparing himself to strike the moment they show themselves in the light of his blade.

However her standing before him is distracting and he steps to the side. They should be shoulder to shoulder if she has no fear of the beasts.}

We were never alone. (His blade finds a temporary sheathe in the head of a spider in the next breath, incapacitating the creature. Aragorn leaps onto the beast's back and slices his blade at another arachnid's underbelly.}

[aurea]

That's heroic sort of talk.

[For a man who's quite clearly doing his damnedest to be heroic. Not to be outshone, however, Nero steps it up a notch and slices through the next spider that leaps at them. At least he's a good luck charming when it comes to finding the beasts. And naturally, Nero has to make a game of it, turning to her new companion and challenging them:]

I'll slay more than you! That trophy shall be mine!

[...and with that, she foolishly charges ahead.]

[rangerandking]

{No, he is not doing his damnedest to be heroic. This is simply how he behaves daily on Arda - or Middle Earth - and where ere they roam on this world. Aragorn does not leave the fighting to others while he has the strength to draw his sword or arrows.}

Do not hamper yourself with pride! {For it come before the fall. He stiffens and seeks to follow her - to aid her if need be - but the Spiders separate them, sensing that they are stronger together than apart.}

[aurea]

I am not hampered! I am strengthened! I am...!

[Slice.

Oh. Stabbed by a spider fang. Wonderful.

One emperor, going down fast.]

[rangerandking]

{He frowns when her words are suddenly cut off. Fiercely, he hacks apart the spiders that separate them and makes his way to her. With one swift motion, he lifts her and sets a pace that the spiders cannot match.}

I believe you have seen enough of battle! {She is likely poisoned too, so he must see to that before binding the wound. But first - they must put distance between them and their foes.}

[aurea]

[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.]