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

[aurea]

Mm, well... I would accept nearly anything, in truth, so long as it is provided in good spirit and with good intent.

[She sounds very dedicated to her own ruse, as it were, but she also favors negotiation over more forceful approaches and thus she'll hear the woman out. Granted, she still lingers much too close for comfort, but Vietnam may be used to that by now.]

From where do you hail, young lady? Perhaps we can come to some sort of compromise.

[...maybe she's not used to "young lady", though. Talk about flattery.]

[hoasen]

You are a newcomer here, no? Then whatever I offer you will definitely be of good intent. We are in the same position here, taken from some other world. So it will be nice to look out for each other.

[Read: They're all comrades here! Besides, if she's willing to talk, Vietnam will not refuse her. Granted, they're still holding hands and she's very eager. It's true that Vietnam remains unfazed! With them so close, Vietnam's began to notice something else. The woman doesn't just remind her of her husband, she also kind of reminds her of Saber.]

I come from Vietnam, South East of the continent of Asia--... [Wait she might not be from Earth!] Earth. [Nailed it.] What of yourself...Emperor...? [She assumes this is the correct title after she introduced herself as such, anyway.]

[aurea]

What of myself? I am Rome! From this day forward, you too shall belong to Rome, as one of my countrymen!

[Oh... well, it's not said to be disparaging or offensive. Quite to the contrary, it's a compassionate offer, born of an earnest desire to please. It would seem this tyrant worries more for the affairs of others than her Babylonian counterpart. Moreover, despite surface appearances being the same, this Saber was loud and boisterous. The best and worst of both worlds.]

How does it feel, being part of me? Amazing, right? No need for thanks, your patronage will more than suffice...!

[It almost feels sneaky, except she's so overwhelmingly forthright about it it's hard to call her anything but sincere.]

[hoasen]

["I am Rome"? Not to mention, she belongs to Rome, now? This reminds her very much of the Roman Empire himself, back when she was very small. He was loud, boisterous, and probably wanted the entire world under his heel. In fact, he behaved very much like a ruler himself.

But this confused her, because is this like Gilgamesh 2.0, where he announced himself as Sumeria, or is she actually Rome, but in another universe? A version with the face of Saber?! It's like Gilgamesh in Saber's body--he would dream.]

Should I call you Rome? Ah, I work with Rome's grandchildren, North Italy and South Italy, but I am myself, younger sister of China. I am not a country that lives in the house of another empire anymore, but I am very willing to be an ally.

[This made sense in Vietnam's head.]

[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.

[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.]

[aurea]

Any.

[EYEBROW]

Means.

[WAGGLING]

Possible.

[INTENSIFIES]

[hoasen]

[SHE'S SURE SHE'S MISSING SOMETHING HERE.

So quieting down, like this is a secret--]

Diplomatic ties or Special Relations?

[Thanks USUK.]

[aurea]

[Secrets? Nero loves secrets! Just as hushedly:]

"Special Relations" sounds saucy. Let's go with that.

[hoasen]

[They shouldn't encourage each other like this!]

Well it--...

[Thinking about it, it really could lead to that. Rumour has it England was wild.]

I suppose it's the only term I know so, ah, yes.

[aurea]

By all means, elaborate.

[Who cloned her husband and put him in this adorable body?! Gods have mercy.]

[hoasen]

[HOW IS THIS LIKE WITNESSING HER HUSBAND ALL OVER AGAIN. Did she ever think it possible?

Now she did.]

The two countries who had a special relationship, one of them used to be a privateer and a punk rocker. I wouldn't be surprised if he made it saucy, even if he is a gentleman.

[aurea]

And your personal experience with said sauciness...?

[Nero looks a little too interested in her answer...]

[hoasen]

Well, not personally...at least, not that I realised... [She frowns, because did England ever hit on any of them, now that she thought about it? She couldn't even tell that Gilgamesh was in the beginning.

She clears her throat.]

But my former guardian, France, he said that the man was a known privateer. So he...how to say. Conquered.

[aurea]

This privateer sounds like an absolute scoundrel.

[A pause.]

We must meet.

[hoasen]

He's a gentleman...

[PAUSES.]

At least recently anyway. I am sure he would love to meet you. [Spoilers: You look like his king.]

[aurea]

Regardless!

[Dramatic foot stomp.]

As you appear to be an individual with considerable connections, I have decided to reward you in return for your patronage! Aren't you excited?!

[hoasen]

[THIS REMINDS HER OF SOMEONE AGAIN.]

A-ah, I suppose so...and what is the reward?

[NOT THAT SHE NEEDS ANY.]

[aurea]

I shall make you a member of my Praetorian Guard!

[A most prestigious honor. Really. Truly.]

But first, the breastplate. Priorities beckon.

[hoasen]

[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.]

[aurea]

[Nero makes a face. An unpleasant one.]

Discounts? I despise frugality.

[hoasen]

[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.