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BOARDMASTER ([personal profile] boardmaster) wrote in [community profile] pawnstorm2016-12-09 03:56 am

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!

[personal profile] aurea 2016-12-13 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
You will find there is no such lead to follow, other than the beat of your own heart.

[Though Nero starts them off first, once she hits the center of the makeshift dancefloor.

Just as she described, it's... different. Far from the ballroom waltzes of grand castles or even the ever so courteous line dancing of familiar halls, it's tribal and fierce, stomping feet, flailing hands, sharp motions, yet Nero manages to make it look like an art form. She's a star in her own spotlight and it shows.

It would seem that to keep up here, Sansa will really need to let go and put that pride on full display.]
stonebird: (❅ and being but an ear)

[personal profile] stonebird 2016-12-17 10:51 am (UTC)(link)
(Then surely she will be dancing very quickly! Her heart is rarely calm and this surprising set of circumstances has her feeling more nervous than usual. But she is a Stark - a Dire-Wolf - and she will face this with dignity and grace.

Her eyes narrow as she watches Nero. The dance - the steps - are wild and foreign, but she will not simply sit on the sidelines and watch. Tucking her hair over her shoulder, she mirrors Nero's motions, but she cannot help looking less fierce.

She is not Arya or Lyanna. She is Sansa and she will always be gentle and ladylike in such pursuits. But for her, this is a great accomplishment and she feels as if her feet are as light as her heart.)


I think I am learning!
Edited 2016-12-17 10:52 (UTC)

[personal profile] aurea 2016-12-21 12:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[Nero was... a questionable individual in many regards. However, in the arena of teaching she seemed to excel, as she laughs with Sansa and nods her encouragement, granting her plenty of space to explore and find her own beat.]

So you are! As graceful as a wolf upon the plains!

[They're drawing a lot of attention, now, and a lot of applause. And naturally, Nero is her biggest supporter.]

Take care now, and mind your own adeptness; at this rate, even an Emperor could fall behind.
stonebird: (❅ yet never in extremity)

[personal profile] stonebird 2016-12-26 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
(The description touches her more than she allows herself to let on. Surely it is only a coincidence, yet, briefly, her fingers brush against the Dire-Wolf head she had stitched onto her skirt.)

Do you think wolves like to dance?

(She beams at the attention; not shying from it.)

Will this Emperor fall behind? (This refers to Nero as Sansa gives the woman a small, teasing smile.)
Edited 2016-12-26 19:04 (UTC)

[personal profile] aurea 2016-12-29 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Nay! Here I go...!

[And so Nero launches herself into the dance full force. Naturally, she tires out quickly this way, much as a candle might: burning brightly and passionately, though only for a short time. She collapses at the edge of the ring, laughing, reaching for Sansa as she does so.]

You are too much, girl! I clearly underestimated your talents. You must excuse my manners, or lack thereof.
stonebird: (❅ oh fraud that cannot cheat the bee)

[personal profile] stonebird 2016-12-31 01:14 pm (UTC)(link)
(Sansa's Tully blue eyes widen in shock and she is quick to offer support when the woman collapses. She had not meant for the challenge to be taken so passionately!)

You gave it your all, Your Majesty. (Ah yes, mustn't forget courtesies even if she cannot make heads or tails of this...Emperor Queen?) Have you injured yourself?
Edited 2016-12-31 13:14 (UTC)

[personal profile] aurea 2016-12-31 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[She's down, but certainly not out. Once her breathing catches up with the rest of her body, it's obvious she's unharmed—just overexerted. She tends to her hair, letting loose the fancy braids to smooth it all out. She shakes her head at Sansa's concern and waves it off.]

As did you, little wolf. And I am more than fine, just winded by those long legs of yours.

[Though it's hardly said as criticism. Sansa was immensely beautiful, and so Nero makes no effort to hide her appreciation of it.]

I venture it is not your first excursion in this field. You have a touch of royalty to you, too, if I am not mistaken.