pawnstorm | intro ♚ december

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[this guy is kind of dirty-looking...but they just got out of the jungle? maybe he hasn't had time to clean up yet. naki's giving him the benefit of the doubt here.

he stares at the bag though, wondering what's inside. a mouse? a konnosuke? a tsukumogami!? honestly there's so much to stare at here, he's not sure what to focus on...he does nod though, before trying to glance back at that tail. surreptitiously. and then back at the bag?

um.

hm.

well.

......no, he's still not saying anything. but he's curious nonetheless!]

[ He's so quiet. Very quiet. Keaton's never met anyone so silent before and he's starting to get anxious. Can he use his lips? His vocal cords? The ability to make noises is REALLY IMPORTANT and with his ears, there's... nothing for him to listen to, coming from Naki. ]

So! You wanna see what's in the bag?

[ He looks around, shiftily. Who knows whether some random party-goer might try to take the contents of his sack! ]

Just say that you won't tell anyone what's inside once you see it.

[he said something earlier! a whole two words! his vocal chords work just fine!!

but yeah okay he'll speak up. because he's curious! some things are totally worth breaking the silence for. he raises a foxhand! it nods!]

I won't.

[ Oh? What are his hands doing! Keaton is compelled to match them, making his own little wolfhand and nodding in kind. ]

Okay. Here, let me show you.

[ With his other hand, he opens up the bag and reveals the contents.

A skunk. ]

Eh? What are you doing in there? Where's the thing? [ He grimaces and shakes his head. ] You didn't eat it, did you?

[ The fluffy black and white creature wiggles around inside. Apparently, this is not the surprise... which is why his attention turns to Naki. ]

Uh... are you afraid of snakes?

[naki looks in the bag...stares........looks back up again?]

Snakes?

[why, did the fluffy thing not eat a snake? is fluff-san not a snake-eater!]

Yeah. There was a snake in here, and I don't think skunks eat snakes.

[ Reaching in, he feels around. Nothing but a confused carrier and a hole.

Wait, what the heck? ]

Oh. It must have slithered away. Uh... you haven't stepped on one recently, have you?

[ His tail starts to twitch, just like his ears, in anxiety. ]

[he doesn't remember stepping on one...naki looks down though, lifting a foot, just in case. nope, no snakes here! he does spot something moving somewhere behind keaton though, and--foot still in the air--kinda bends a bit in an attempt to see over there. is it? could it be? it's turning the corner, either way.]

That way? [ At least, he's hoping Naki saw something that he didn't. Sure enough, there's definitely something that just ran around and out of sight! Are either of them quick enough to catch it... ]

Mmm. Look, if you chase this way, I can come around the other side and catch it. There's no way it'll get away from either of us!

[ At least, he hopes so. Last thing any party-goer needs is a random bite from a scared snake! ]

Sound good? [ He's not really waiting for a response, there he goes... ]

[naki actually did open his mouth to answer, but keaton's gone already....sure, okay, that's fine. one less thing for him to say. he sets off as instructed! chasing after the maybe-hopefully-snake! and it is in fact a snake, once he's close enough to see it.

there's also a lot of obstacles in this alleyway, though. is that a tree in the middle of the street? it is.

but he'll catch it! eventually!! or herd it towards keaton whenever he reappears, that's also a good idea.]

[ There he is, waiting behind the building with the sack open wide for whatever that slithered around in the grass to HOPEFULLY go right into the bag. Keaton's squatting, ready to catch it--- is the snake really going to be that fast and powerful?

Suddenly, Keaton is flung backward by some sort of ridiculous force, hitting a building with a loud THUMP! that is barely masked by the noises of the festivities around them.

Sliding down the wall, he stays motionless. ]

[wait what hit keaton was it the snake was it king kon was it a dancer...!! naki skids to a stop when he sees his new companion slumped against the wall, looking around hurriedly for--ah, there's the snake! maybe he should keep chasing it?? but if there's danger, then...

slowly, slowly...watching for enemies......he doesn't have his sword body anymore, this is kinda scary.]

[ It was the snake all this time... and it slowly slithers up to Keaton, the scaly body climbing up his dazed form and coiling on top of his head, making it a perch for the clearly powerful serpent!

Actually, it looks pretty festive. ]

Ugh... man, what hit me?

[ The snake hisses. Will Naki be brave enough to fight or get rid of holiday snek?! ]

[naki is.....not sure what to do at this moment, actually. does keaton want it alive? how would he kill it anyway, without his trusty sword body...even if he did have a sword, it'd be difficult to fight a snake sitting on somebody's head. but he's not wearing his gloves either, so what if it bites.....

he's just gonna stay frozen there, a few feet away.]

.....The snake...

... the snake hit me. [ Blink blink. ] Oh no, is it okay?!

[ He looks around, not really aware of the creature on top of his head, its tail quivering as it sticks his tongue out. His frantic head movements must be upsetting it, or something? ]

Where is it!

[ Standing up, he dashes over to Naki, the snake happily going along for the ride!

... did it just smile? ]

[nakigitsune's just gonna point.

at a spot right above your head.

where the snake is.

....he's not sure what else to say? don't laugh at him snake-san, that's rude!]

[ ... time to grab the snake, then. Gingerly, he picks the slithery thing out of his hair and gives it a gently boop on the snoot. ]

You could've gotten hurt. I don't think the Alfersans would've been happy to hear about that!

[ It responds with a tongue flicker and curls around his arm as Keaton stands up and walks over to Naki with a silly grin. ]

Yo. Thanks for backing me up. Any way I can pay you back?

[oh...so it was a friend? a good companion snake. he stares at it, all curled up cozy, then looks back up at the fox(??) carrying it.

...pay back?]

.....Food?

[ The fox(???) nods, eyes widening. Of course, that's the best kind of reward for helping him find his snakey friend... ]

You have a favorite kind? There are some places that have some really tasty steaks that have finally stopped asking me if I like my food that rare!

[ Not to mention, he's allowed to take the bones home. ]

[but why rare...isn't it supposed to be cooked? maybe he's a wild fox. naki thinks for a moment, but not very long, because what he wants to eat is] Inari sushi.

Uh. What's that?

[ With a slight tilt of the head, his ears twitch in confusion. Inari sushi? That sounds awfully Hoshidan. Maybe someone in the other army knows more than he does... or his roommate? ]

That doesn't sound like steak, but if that's what you want... I guess you could show me. Or, even better--- can you make it?

[ BECAUSE THEN HE CAN LEARN HOW TO MAKE MORE THINGS this is great but Naki will need to teach Keaton the majesty of washing hands before cooking. ]

[the fox(???) doesn't know inari sushi....how strange.

he does know how to make it though (the only thing on his cooking repertoire), so the question gets a firm nod.]

Where do we get ingredients?

[he's a sword on a mission.]

[ Ah ha! Keaton has an answer for this question, for once! ]

The kitchen back at the capital has a lot of stocked ingredients. I'm sure you can find exactly what we need in there.

[ Sadly, they're a little far away. ]

But you could tell me what might be in it... perhaps we can make something like it, and spice it up a bit!

[ 'Spice' is only part of what he'd do to it. ]

[the kitchen at the capital...doesn't sound like a kitchen in walking distance.

also there's more ingredients in inari sushi than you might expect! naki thinks for a moment, nods, wonders if they can--no he doesn't have money, he'll just have to wait on that.]

It's made with tofu and rice. [...] You can add mushrooms and wasabi and things to it. [the spice!]

Oh. [ Wince! ] No meat?

[ Tofu just sounds bad to him. You can't spell 'tofu' without 'out', and without meat, that means sushi sounds like it should be... out. Like, out away from his face and life forever?

But if Naki wants it, then that's what he'll have to make! At least he won't have to eat it, right? ]

Okay. So now all that's left is... well, do you want to return to the dancing? It's kind of strange, isn't it?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

intro ♚ december

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