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

1-b

[foxhands]

[ah, he's bleeding. he's bleeding but smiling? light damage, nothing to worry about? naki stares, thinks, looks over at the ladies, goes back to staring.]

It is?

[he doesn't understand.]

[kenran]

[ Oh, hello young man. He doesn't mind the staring, but he laughs in response to how very... innocent that question is. ]

Well yeah. The ladies here are super pretty, haven't you noticed?

[ He'd point at them to make a better point, but... Wait. He backpedals, gesturing to his head injury. ]

...Actually, stay a good kid and don't do what I did, okay?

[foxhands]

[the ladies here are pretty, it's true...pretty strong! it's something to admire. naki does glance over at them again though, before giving the guy a vaguely questioning look.

what did you do! did you give yourself that injury! why would you give yourself an injury.]

...Don't break yourself.

[kenran]

[ to answer the rhetorical questionnaire:

1. he got hit by a lady
2. technically yes he did
3. because he learns things the hard way ]

I won't!

[ that's an interesting way to phrase it... but naki still gets the message across to keiji with his few words and sword-isms. ]

Um, you want to take a walk with me? I can talk with you and keep myself distracted. You also look a little lonely!

[foxhands]

[it's a perfectly normal way to phrase it...naki answers that invitation with a nod though. yes, walks are good! also yes he's kinda lonely.

also also, he looks around at the crowds and then tilts his head at keiji, like "which way?"]

[kenran]

This way!

[ Unlike our quiet, reserved uchigatana here, Keiji says what's on his mind. Not that he really knows what this way entails, but it seems to lead them to a street filled with more vendors and things two fresh heroes can't quite afford. ]

Hey, what's your name? I can get that much out of you, at least, right? Any, name's Keiji.

[foxhands]

[all that stuff looks really nice...for things they can't afford. naki looks this way and that as they walk, curious about all the different shops and sales and people and things--but does turn back to keiji again, when he speaks.]

Nakigitsune.

[an easy answer! he'll throw in a foxhand too, belatedly.]

[kenran]

[ Aw, the foxhand is cute. Keiji instinctively pets it, before realizing that's a hand and pulls his own hand away. ]

Huh, now that I look at you, you have fox eyes.

[ Nakigitsune's eyes do have a slant to them. It's a bit odd for a person's name, but also kinda poetic. At least it means Nakigitsune is likely from a place that's similar to back home, since it's Japanese. That's a little comforting. ]

We can't buy anything, but looking at everything's fun! Anything you wish you could get, Nakigitsune?

[foxhands]

[oh he got petted...his hand got petted?

naki blinks once in response to the fox eye comment, then....turns his foxhand to stare at it.

......putting it away. he looks around at the shops instead! yes, shops make sense. shops and the things on sale in them. like...he doesn't know what that thing there is...oh look, dolls, he knows what dolls are! and swords, and axes, and--after a while, he points at a place selling kerchiefs.

yes.]

[kenran]

[ Keiji goes over to that stall, examining the kerchiefs. They're really colorful! Soft, too. Maybe there's something at a discount for the uchigatana here. ]

You're not very talkative, are you, kiddo. It seems like someone else would usually speak and you didn't need to.

[ Is he far off the mark? Who knows. But he doesn't say or mean that as an insult, some people just have that life. ]

But your eyes say that you're very curious, at least? Have you even been outside like this before?

[ Now Keiji's the curious one. ]

[foxhands]

[how did he know!? naki actually looks surprised for a moment, eyes widening, not sure how to react.

um.

well it's not like he's never been outside at all before, he's got all his tourabu duties and everything, but.]

.....Not like this.