< atton revisited > The information page for Atton has been fully revised and updated with the new map!
< updated calendar > The Fortuna calendar has been updated in the "Other" lore section! This includes a document which displays the calendar for you to see, making it much easier to understand.
< moving map > The first functional map has been released in the News section! This map is also interactive, allowing you to drag and drop between points in order to determine distances. This is the first iteration, and there's more and better to come!
< first annual awards > The results for the First Annual Fortuna Year-End Awards have been posted! Go and take a look at who the finalists were, and who took home the big prizes!
< new default skin > Our new skin has passed the beta test, and is now the new Default for the forums! If you have any issues with this skin, send a PM or Discord to Mellie.
< human lore update > Humans have been updated with TWENTY-FIVE subraces/subcultures which add numerous options, and a little extra lore and flavour.
< magic lore update > Magical Lore has been enhanced with the addition of a post on Magical Education. From Beginner to Expert, this is how you learn the spells.
< a change to member groups > Member groups are now based on storyline! You can change your displayed storyline by editing the settings in your profile.
Welcome to the world of Fortuna, a land of fantastic proportions. This is an original fantasy roleplay that takes place in a world developed over nearly a decade of work and collaboration. We aim to encourage all participants to have a hand in the stories of the characters here, and the world around them. Your choices are key - so make them with pride. You decide who wins the wars, you decide who becomes King, the world is ours, and together we will bring it to life!
Post by Tehodis Kitai on Jan 13, 2017 23:10:30 GMT -7
No, Kiku wasn't there, not that she could see. Please don't leave me, Tehodis thought, but the implant recognized he likely hadn't. He was hiding. That was too bad. It would have been far more beneficial if he had been stupidly brave, and walked right into Vincent's gun. Alas. There would be more chances.
Then there was Vincent, who wanted to see her file, and her mind was quick to balance the pros and cons. No, not her mind. It. The intruder within her was very astute. "O-of course not," She shook her head and offered the file. Both she and it knew what was in there. Her statement regarding the events of the 12th of the Scales, Artemis' statement. Her recollections of past events with Woodrow. The assumption of coworkers that she had... Untoward relations with him, and how such things had affected her work. Although Vincent accessing these words of Tehodis' would make it more difficult later, the implant knew that refusing would make them impossible. It would play defensively for now.
"I was reading over it... That's part of why it took me a bit longer. I feel like... Maybe it's a little harsh. I wrote it all out soon after, before-- Before I'd even healed. So... Just understand the anger then," She cleared her throat, looking down, the implant recalling actions of a past self.
Post by Vincent Laeretti on Jan 15, 2017 12:31:58 GMT -7
Vincent looked over the file Tehodis handed him, looking not just at the papers inside the folder, but also at her eyes as she spoke. She spoke to him in a measured fashion. Her voice was tinged with emotion, as was fairly typical of her, but... there was something off about it. It almost felt rehearsed. Carefully selected. "Put together" in such a way as Tehodis Kitai usually was not. Not to say she was a mess; no, she was quite an astute and organized person, Vincent had learned. But everything she did, said, even her most businesslike responses, they were all carried with a certain level of personal flair.
And now she even tried to downplay the words she had chosen for her reports? None of this seemed like her, even at her most professional. And what really got to Vincent was the way she looked at him, at the file, at the floor. The cloudy distance that was atypical of her. It reminded him almost of when she had first joined the SSPB, after Woodrow had originally found her stowed away on their ship. He had gotten a look at her around that time, when she was first brought in, while she was unaware of his presence. She'd looked lost then. Distant, like now.
Vincent quietly closed the file and slapped it against her chest lightly, waiting for her to raise her arm to hold it there before he let go of it, and simply gave her a nod. He turned when she nodded back, and made as though he was going to walk forward. She started moving as well, her eyes continually downcast as she went, and when she had walked past him with no change in that expression, Vincent stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"What's happened?" he asked. A simple question that seemed to weigh heavily in the silent hall. He turned her to face him again, his expression stony and serious. Concerned. "Those aren't your eyes, Miss Kitai."
OOC Note: Lemme know if she wouldn't have nodded back or started walking without him, as that was assumption on my part.
Post by Tehodis Kitai on Jan 15, 2017 20:17:26 GMT -7
At first, he seemed to be going along with it. She carried on walking, expecting him to walk in time with her, but as she passed, she realized he wasn't following. Thank you Vincent, She thought at one moment, and another voice that sounded like her's cursed him in the next. She continued walking however, not stopping until he put a hand on her shoulder.
Those aren't your eyes, He said, and Tehodis felt overjoyed. She wanted to turn around and embrace him, thanking him for knowing her, thanking him for caring. Between him and Kiku, she knew she could feel safe on this ship, no matter what her brain seemed to be telling her to do. "I... Don't understand," She said, turning around with a confused look on her face. Her eyes flitted over his shoulder to see if Kiku was there. He was either in shadow, or he hadn't bothered to follow at all. "Nothing happened I just... I read the file a bit, and thought about facing Woodrow and--" Her voice caught a bit, she looked away, "I think I let my emotions get away from me sometimes. I'd... I'd like to get it all over with, Vincent. Please."
Post by Kikuriku Gouken on Jan 18, 2017 10:26:44 GMT -7
Kikuriku tried his best to listen intently to the conversation between Vincent and Tehodis. Being hidden in a person’s shadow didn’t make hearing distinct words easy, but it provided the best cover. Luckily, he could tell from Vincent’s tone that he was at least suspicious that something was afoot. Kiku high-fived himself internally.
Awesome! I knew he’d catch on that something was off. This guy is way too uptight to not have noticed – he’d probably catch if she had more dust on her shoulder than when she left. This guy needs to get laid.
Kiku knew that he had to get word to Vincent somehow – perhaps without Tehodis even knowing about it. He had to separate them. He thought briefly about emerging from the shadow and knocking Tehodis unconscious, but his gut told him that a bullet would be in Kiku’s skull faster than he could say ‘virgin’ – and unfortunately, bullets were Kiku’s one weakness.
Being a master of the shadow, however, had afforded Kiku with another idea. If Vincent were as astute had Kiku imagined, he would likely catch on to any sort of irregularities with Tehodis’ shadow – so Kiku would be very irregular.
Hopefully he doesn’t freak out. I have to make it clear to him that I need him to not kill me.
He focused much of his energy to get Tehodis’ shadow to bend to his will. It took an extreme amount of effort to get a shadow to move independently of its owner – but Kiku had trained many years for this. Straining himself, he got Tehodis’ shadow to slowly sprout another arm right where her stump was. The new shadow-hand waved gingerly at Vincent from the floor before sticking up two fingers – the international sign of ‘Peace’.
Post by Vincent Laeretti on Jan 24, 2017 1:20:41 GMT -7
This was not right. Vincent had a knack for being able to tell when someone was lying to him, and he had never once since meeting her felt that knack with Tehodis Kitai. Not until just this very moment. But it was strange. He was certain, listening to her speak, that what she was saying to him wasn't true. It was off, it didn't sound like her, it didn't seem real. And yet, somehow, strangely, there was something irrefutable about the words. She spoke in a way that suggested that they were true to her, even if she knew otherwise on some level. It was... vexing. Something about what she was saying made Vincent uncertain if she was actually, truly lying to him, or if there was something simply missing from her statement. A truth she was withholding.
And then he saw her shadow. It was easy enough to notice the flicker of motion, his eyes trained to detect details in his surroundings like that. And when he saw that her shadow had a right arm, an arm that should have been gone, and that said arm was moving and making a gesture, it took merely a few seconds for Vincent to draw a conclusion.
The Ajatar was here. Tehodis had either helped him escape, or he'd done it on his own somehow, and now he was hiding in her shadow. In the case of the former option, Tehodis was trying to hide him. In the case of the latter, Tehodis may not have had any idea where he'd gone and was trying to hide that he'd escaped. He wasn't sure why either of these options would have caused Tehodis to try and backpedal on the conviction she'd shown to Vincent earlier regarding Lord Woodrow, but he decided that for now that was unimportant. He'd settle this matter first. Because in either case, it was clearly evident that Kikuriku had escaped, and now was just flaunting to Vincent that he was free and on the loose.
Vincent glared, squaring his jaw. "Miss Kitai it would seem that your 'friend' has decided to try and make a fool of me. I would suggest you ask him to reveal himself and surrender quietly, lest he'd rather I wipe away the shadow he clings to and deal him irreparable injury."
He made good on this threat by producing a flashlight from his cloak - one which he typically reserved for investigations in dark places, capable of casting a very bright light even in a well-lit area. He aimed it directly at Tehodis's shadow. "I will not ask twice."
Post by Tehodis Kitai on Jan 24, 2017 8:08:40 GMT -7
If Tehodis were in control of herself, she would have stepped in front of the flashlight. She might have even put a hand on it, to block any light that could come from it if Vincent were to turn it on. She would have immediately begun making up excuses for Kiku, doing everything in her power to convince him not to do anything rash - and she would, at the same time, advise Kiku to just come out, that they could talk, and everything would be fine.
She wouldn't let Vincent hurt Kiku, and she wouldn't let Kiku hurt Vincent.
But that wasn't the Tehodis who was in control. The one who was in control was thinking about these actions, and seeing them as the perfect solution to her problems. Vincent could eliminate Kiku for her. She had to hold in a smile, and instead look shocked. She turned her head over her shoulder and gasped at the sight of the shadow arm, and froze in place. Tehodis, this other thing that was in control knew, would think that if she moved a muscle, the shadow could hide. "I'm so sorry Vincent," She immediately apologized, her voice wavering and her eyes wide, "I didn't realize--"
Go for it, light him up, One of her thoughts commanded, wanting to eliminate the man who had overheard its Master. But her own thoughts cried out, fighting for dominance, and it thought: "Don't." Her hand came to her mouth in surprise. She was surprised that she had managed to get out her own thought. The Other was surprised it had allowed it. It continued the thought, "Don't let him go."
Post by Vincent Laeretti on Jan 24, 2017 19:01:10 GMT -7
Kikuriku's failure to immediately respond had Vincent prepared to make good on his threat - he did not make empty ones, not ever, and he was not keen on the fact that in spite of his best efforts to keep looking the other way, this man continually felt the need to spit in his face. People like this didn't deserve generosity, and Tehodis was clearly misguided if she thought there was anything redeemable about such a rapscallion.
He would have, honestly, if not for something very strange about Tehodis herself.
She stammered initially, apologizing, claiming to not realize Kikuriku was there, but Vincent's knack for lies told him otherwise; her surprise was too forced. Of course she knew he was there. He'd guessed that much already. But what actually gave him pause was not merely that she was still being dishonest, it was the way she tried to stop him, her voice sounding pleading as it asked him not to turn the light on. A simple 'Don't', layered with the genuine concern he knew was tantamount to who she was. And then, merely a second later, she followed this with "Don't let him go."
It sounded so very unlike her that it was almost chilling. Her plea just a moment ago had been exactly that. She was worried, she didn't want her friend hurt, she wanted Vincent to give him yet another chance. And then in seconds her tone had gone cold, businesslike, as though the person hiding in her shadow was Lord Woodrow himself. She knew what would happen if he turned on a bright light where the Ajatar was hidden. It could damage him so direly as to be fatal if he didn't receive medical attention. For Tehodis Kitai, the pacifist who preferred non-lethal resolutions, to say something so merciless about her own friend...
It didn't add up.
Vincent had lowered the flashlight from its threatening position, his attention instead locked on Tehodis again. He felt the same foreignness from earlier when he looked at her eyes. And all at once, a sinking feeling of dread began to collect in his belly. A suspicion. A suspicion he wanted to immediately dispel because how on earth could it be possible? And yet he couldn't ignore it now that it was in his head. Her eyes were distant, her behavior was abnormal, her demeanor conflicting with itself. He'd seen almost exactly these symptoms in people whom had been subjected to mental subjugation via enchantment. Except this, this was more obscure, harder to notice right away, lacking in the telltale obvious signs of magical influence.
Vincent feared he knew exactly what this was.
"Miss Kitai," he said, putting the flash light away, and instead turning her to face him, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Do you know Thomas Dunn?"
If his theory was right (somehow, unbelievably, impossibly right), she would say no. She would claim ignorance. But he would also see the recognition in her eyes as soon as the name was uttered. If Thomas had somehow managed to taint her mind with his unethical technology... the only explanation was that it was a rush job. Something he could somehow implement in mere moments.
And a rush job had very visible holes, if Tehodis's behavior now was any indication.
Post by Tehodis Kitai on Jan 24, 2017 19:14:13 GMT -7
Damn. He knew her too well. The other Tehodis would need to adjust her course in order to make this work. And when he said the name of her Master, her Father, her Creator and the man she was created to protect and serve, she knew exactly how to react. Her eyes narrowed a little in thought as the recognition lit her eyes, and eventually, she nodded.
"Yes," She said, enjoying the way he seemed to appreciate that answer, the way he felt like he had just solved a conundrum, the way he looked like he had just saved a life, and then she continued, worry slowly crossing her features, "I've heard of him... He's on the ship, isn't he? Does he..." She looked to her shadow, then to the hall which lead to Woodrow's door, "Should I... Who is he?"
Last Edit: Jan 24, 2017 19:14:36 GMT -7 by Tehodis Kitai
Post by Kikuriku Gouken on Jan 25, 2017 9:48:18 GMT -7
Kikuriku had listened intently up to this point. He had heard Vincent’s threats to harm him with what he assumed was some sort of light. He had heard Tehodis object, only to later egg him on. He had heard Vincent ask Tehodis if she knew a Thomas dunn, and immediately got the feeling that he was the one on the other end of the door when Kiku broke free of the handcuffs. He didn’t have any proof of it, but there were some things that you just knew.
He appeared behind Tehodis, the silence of his arrival not alerting her to his presence until he spoke. “Thomas Dunn…” Kiku looked beyond Tehodis at Vincent. Vincent – the man who he’d hope would ask questions before turning to action. Kiku had planned on Vincent seeing his work with the shadow, and want to talk alone – or at least know that something was off. He even offered the peace sign, clearly alluding to the fact that Kiku was revealing himself to Vincent alone.
What an idiot. If I wanted to stay hidden, he’d never have found me. I’d of waltz on Tehodis’ beautiful ass right into Woodrow’s room and he’d have been none the wiser. In retrospect, maybe this would’ve been a better idea. I probably could have popped out, knifed Vincent, thrown my sword at Woodrow… yeah. Yeah that would work. Oh well, what’s done is done. I’ll go back to my initial plan of ‘Hey Vincent don’t be a dick’. “Tell me, Tehodis,” Kiku began, walking around Tehodis to stand between her and Vincent. “Would Mr. Dunn be the one I overheard you talking to? The one who told you that you were going to go to Woodrow and accept his apology? The one who told you that you would give yourself to him? The one who told you that you were to not be a slut, but a wife to Woodrow, the very man that you told me that you hate so much? Isn’t that right, Blue?”
He turned to Vincent. Despite his relative distaste for the man, Kiku believed Vincent to at least be a man of honour. He raised his hands in surrender. “I know you tried to keep me locked in that room – but I had to come find you. I figured you’d know what to do – or at least who it is who is controlling her.”
Post by Tehodis Kitai on Jan 25, 2017 10:04:19 GMT -7
The words Kiku said were slick with something so horrid that both sides of Tehodis raised a hand to her mouth, eyes wide with shock at the things he dare repeat. Her face contorted to some weak semblance of anger next, her eyes pricking with tears and her mouth twisting to a frown. "That's disgusting," She managed, shaking her head in disbelief, "This is disgusting. I... Guess I didn't know what to expect from you, Kiku. I thought I did-- but... I was wrong. But you, Vincent--" She turned to him, her eyes full of that sad anger - betrayal, maybe, "I thought I could trust you. You... You convinced me to trust you. And for what? Just to get me here, feet away from this door and then-- turn around and want for me to ignore it all, just like before? You made me stronger, and I'm not leaving until I do what I came here to do."
She didn't let them say anything else. If they wanted to stop her, they'd need to use more than words. She stopped only when she reached Lord Woodrow's impressive oak door, and then knocked on the door - the way Tehodis would. Lightly. With a small touch of rhythm.
The skin OTHERWORLD was made by JAWN of WICKED WONDERLAND.
FORTUNA-RPG was created by MELLIE. Images belong to their respective artists. All codes and scripts belong to their respective coders. Please DO NOT take anything without the owners' permission.
