< 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 Kikuriku Gouken on Feb 1, 2017 19:03:36 GMT -7
She kissed him.
The moment had come as a bit of a shock to Kiku, who hadn’t expected that from the regular Tehodis – let alone the mind-controlled version. Her lips were soft and light, just like the rest of her. He’d wanted so badly to lean into the kiss, to wrap his hands in her hair and really pull her in – but the moment was over just as quickly as it had begun.
She asked him to trust her, and to let her go. Everything inside of him told Kiku that this was a bad idea – that this could just be her mind-controlled self finding something to get free. He worried that letting her go would make him weak. But his lips could still feel hers on them, and a warm feeling lingered when he looked into her eyes. Kiku noticed that Tehodis’ skin seemed to be a little bit brighter than it had a moment ago – obviously a reaction to his fantastic kissing skills. Nonetheless, he took it as a sign.
Kiku released his grip on Tehodis, his hand trailing lightly down her body as he did so – a subconscious last opportunity to change his mind. “I hope that I don’t regret this.”
Kiku removed the small throwing knife that he’d had hidden took a step closer to Vincent before turning towards the door. Vincent seemed to have this situation under control, so hopefully he could handle whatever added wrinkle Tehodis would bring. He held the knife ready, in case some shenanigans were afoot – Kiku was always ready to thwart unwanted shenanigans. “Don’t worry about the guard at the door – I’ll make sure we remain… undisturbed,” he whispered. Kiku had seen enough of Woodrow and heard enough of his voice that he could probably mimic him if need be.
Post by Tehodis Kitai on Feb 1, 2017 19:26:51 GMT -7
The white light in her fluttered. The distraction was strong, and it had blocked out the other sounds for however short amount of time it had lasted.
As his hand drifted down her, however, everything else returned, and the light needed to fight once more. Prove it... Protect him, It needled, Take the gun and shoot them both. She took her chance to move away from Kiku. One part of her was warmed, and thankful, and focused. Another part of her was cold, and disgusted, and focused.
Neither was going to give up.
She moved quickly. She slammed into Vincent, knocking the gun to the side, and in the brief moment that Woodrow looked pleased as punch and thought she was on his side, she moved in. Her single hand went to his belt, and he didn't try to stop her. Not until it was too late and she pulled the rapier free from it's perch with a long and satisfying shiiink. With it in her hands however, she didn't know what to do with it.
She turned to Vincent first, holding it out, obviously shaking. One side of her wanted this. The others didn't. The tip of the blade nudged Vincent's chest and then - without warning - she spun around back to Woodrow. The swift movement slashed at him, cutting through his coat but not his flesh, and she pushed it up to his chin, the length bending slightly with the pressure. It shook again, and the pressure relieved as she muttered: "I-i foor...forgive you." She grunted through it, trying to avoid the words, and shook her head as if denying their validity.
Finally finding some semblance of control, she offered a shaking command: "Y-you are going to do as I say, and repeat after me. You will not say anything I do not say. If you do-- Give me any order-- No. I will kill you. I swear to Moann, I swear to the twelve. I swear to you it will hurt, and they won't... They won't stop m-me. Tell the guard outside: 'Everything is fine. Leave me be.'"
Post by Markus Woodrow on Feb 1, 2017 19:41:28 GMT -7
Vincent seemed to be working to find any reason to blame him and Doctor Dunn. In one moment, it was: "Trust this man with his lips attached to Tehodis'"; in the next it was: "He could have done many things you aren't aware of, and even used it on you"; and then he was once again accusing Markus Woodrow of being an accomplice.
He was desperate. Woodrow could work with desperate.
"Innocent," He insisted simply, as if this were merely a friendly debate, "And if you permit me to move, I'll show you precisely my suspicions on the erratic behaviour you have finally deigned to describe to me. There are individuals who have had far greater access to Miss Kitai than Doctor Dunn. You'll recall when I stupidly permitted a criminal to take Miss Kitai for aid, I'm certain. She returned healed, of course - but in my investigations... Well, I'll permit you to read the report yourself. It's in my desk drawer. Top left. I've the key, as always and--"
He was interrupted by the sudden movement from Tehodis. One moment, she had been in the thing's arms, looking downright intimate and now she was facing them, knocking Vincent's gun down, and moving towards him. For a brief, erotic moment he thought that maybe, just maybe she had been pretending this whole time. Being the mole she was instructed to be - she had rooted out corruption in his closest ally. His right hand man. She had put on this act to show him just how ruined their relationship was. The only way he would believe her.
She put a hand to his belt, and he raised his own to her waist, eyelids fluttering as his fingers molded to her form. He moved the other to reach for his rapier, to take advantage of Vincent now that he was surprised -- but Tehodis got there first. She turned it to Vincent, and he smirked. "I did not expect you to act as a mole for anyone but your fellow investigators, Miss Kitai. I'm impressed--"
She turned on him and he could feel fabric slicing and the pressure of a rapier just millimetres from cutting into him, and then it was at his throat, and he raised his chin to relieve the pressure slightly. What was she doing?
"Everything is fine," He called out, his Adam's apple pushing painfully against the blade, his eyes appraising Tehodis carefully, "Leave me be." The slamming stopped at this call, but no footsteps departed. His guards weren't stupid. They were some of the most highly trained investigators and warriors. No, they must have been certain he was a hostage by now.
He would need to buy time. But he couldn't say anything.
He reached up, fear not something he often felt, and grabbed the blade with his gloved hands, pulling it away from his neck and gripping it tightly. His eyes implored her to continue as his mind convinced itself of a plan.
Post by Vincent Laeretti on Feb 1, 2017 19:56:15 GMT -7
Among any number of things Vincent was expecting could happen, he certainly had not anticipated Tehodis shoving him away from Woodrow, nor that she would grab the man's rapier and turn it against him. There was a perilous moment in which the blade had been pointed at Vincent, but it was over just as quickly as it began, the point instead directed at Woodrow's throat. She gave him an order, tenuously, as though still grappling with the orders Tom had planted, but she gave it all the same. Woodrow answered her threat, silencing the knocking guards, but he and Vincent both knew they had not left.
This all came as interruption. Woodrow had stated he had evidence in his drawer that would suggest some other form of influence on Tehodis, related more to the trip she had taken with Artemis White. For a moment, shoved aside as he was, Vincent considered going for it, to read it. He wanted to believe his suspicions were misplaced and that he had horribly misread the situation. He wanted to believe that Woodrow had not turned out to be just as bad as the people he chased.
But he couldn't truly believe it. If Woodrow knew Vincent, he would know about Vincent's intuition. He would know about his habit of seeing through deceptions. There was no deception in Tehodis Kitai when she had spoken earlier. There was only sincere truth. There had been no deception in the visible disgust with which Kikuriku had described the orders he overheard Thomas giving to Tehodis. Hell, there had been no reason for the man to reveal himself at all if he'd been trying to hide from Vincent.
Maybe Woodrow wasn't as involved in Thomas's plot as Vincent believed he was. But he was definitely still guilty of something. At this point Vincent felt sure.
So when he grabbed the rapier's blade and moved it away from him during Tehodis's moment of wavering conviction, Vincent did not allow him the space to breathe. He was right back next to him, this time with his gun to Woodrow's head. "One more move like that and it will be your last. Innocent men have nothing to hide," Vincent stated coldly. "You will stay still and listen to what else Miss Kitai has to say to you."
Post by Kikuriku Gouken on Feb 1, 2017 20:38:57 GMT -7
Tehodis was a certified badass. For a moment, it seemed like Kikuriku had made the most egregious of errors when Tehodis grabbed Woodrow’s rapier and pointed it at Vincent. He could already hear the forty-six thousand things he’d hear about from Vincent if they escaped the situation. But luckily, Tehodis was playing a ruse, quickly turned the blade on the shit-talking Woodrow, who was busy mumbling some nonsense about moles or something.
It seemed as if the three of them had the upper hand. Tehodis was still very clearly affected by something, but for the time being, they were winning. He strongly resisted the urge to taunt Woodrow, but he remembered the age-old adage of kicking a man while he’s down. Winning gracefully is just as important as not being a sore loser – something Kiku definitely was. He flipped his knife in his hand.
He wanted to speak up; ask where Thomas Dunn was so that he could drive a blade right up his rear end, but he was worried. Worried that a thought about Dunn could turn her back against Vincent and him. Instead, he backed off, and headed towards the door –grazing Tehodis’ arm with his hand as he did so. If he wasn’t going to be needed where all of the action was, maybe he could find some action of his own. But first he’d have to do something about how damn bright it was in here.
He glanced back at the giant window behind Woodrow’s desk, and noticed ropes holding two large curtains in place. He’d only need one. He threw his knife expertly towards one of the ropes, slicing it in two and freeing a curtain. With the newfound shadow, Kiku went to work, melting away into the shadow that now connected to the doorway.
Once inside the shadow, Kiku shadow-walked his way to the other side of the closed door, slipping into the shadow of the guard whom apparently had his ear pressed to the door. From there, Kikuriku took stock of their situation; five guards heavily armed with various sharp weaponries filled the hallway – their path was blocked. Despite Woodrow’s command, the guards obviously didn’t feel like leaving well enough alone.
Kiku returned, and emerged on the inside of the doorway. Vincent, Tehodis and Woodrow were all exactly where he’d left them. “Everything’s okay on the other side, Vincent. Don’t even worry about it.” Kiku wasn’t lying, entirely. He’d probably think of a plan as to how to escape before they needed it. Besides, worst-case scenario, he could hide in the shadows and no one would be the wiser.
Fuck, wait, I can’t do that! They’d hurt Tehodis!
Apparently fighting their way out might be the only answer.
Post by Tehodis Kitai on Feb 1, 2017 20:49:25 GMT -7
She smiled at Vincent, who was still helping her, protecting her. She wanted to tell him now about what she knew, but it wasn't the time. They needed to remain focused on the current situation... She could tell Vincent about Endless after. She could kiss Kiku again after. She could follow Woodrow's orders-- It was still there. That nagging that told her to do something she truly didn't want to do. It didn't matter that Woodrow hadn't said anything, the way he was looking at her was enough.
"Don't look at me," She said suddenly, her tone scathing as she tried to pull the rapier out of his hands. The pistol on his temple was enough to have him loosen the grip, and Tehodis pressed it into his throat, drawing a prick of blood. "Now you're going to tell me something. T... T-tell me to-- Tell me to kill them." His eyes flashed and he opened his mouth to speak but she shouted: "No!"
A slam against the door was the response to her shout, an invitation for the guards to come in. She had to speak quickly, "Tell me to do whatever I want! You want! No-- Tell me you want me to do what I want to do! Tell me!"
Post by Vincent Laeretti on Feb 1, 2017 21:11:40 GMT -7
Kiku's reporting on the situation outside was, likely, not very accurate given the sound of the guards. Vincent supposed he could appreciate the effort. Tehodis, meanwhile, seemed to regather herself thanks to Vincent's intervention, and had the rapier re-poised. She floundered a bit on her next command, which was a little worrying, especially when she nearly allowed Woodrow to run with the command to kill him and the Ajatar. But she was fighting valiantly against Thomas's influence. She managed her final command, the one she clearly wanted to be done, and he saw the genius in it.
Vincent pressed the gun more insistently to Woodrow's temple, reminding him of his peril. "Do as she says. Only that last order. Nothing more."
Post by Markus Woodrow on Feb 1, 2017 21:31:32 GMT -7
He sighed as the gun touched his temple, and the room went dark, impressing upon him that no, there was no way out of this. Not until his own people came in. Which they ought to do soon. He would need to bide his time.
"Everything’s okay on the other side, Vincent." The hideous man spoke, and Woodrow held in the curse, and the face he wanted to release. Instead, he looked nonplussed. At least until Tehodis actually cut into his neck and drew blood. Some part of him still thought this was a sick joke. Not anymore. It had all gone to shit.
Tehodis was having difficulty with her orders, and Woodrow saw that as his opportunity. The door thumped with guards as they broke the door down. One thump, not enough. "Tehodis," He said softly, his eyes almost pleading, but as soon as the word had left his lips Vincent pressed the gun into his head and insisted he need only follow the last order. The second thump, the door jamb cracked noticeably. "Tehodis," He repeated, and a third crash rang out that had the guards entering the room, weapons poised against the three criminals.
One, the main object of his disgust. He seemed hardly armed to take on his guards, ajatar or not. Two, Tehodis. She wasn't a threat, even with the rapier on his throat. He could easily tackle her down. Three, Vincent. This was his concern. His life was on the line, and Vincent seemed ready to take any invitation.
"I want you to do whatever it is that..." He met eyes with his guard, and at the pattern of blinking he had to withhold his smirk. There was nowhere for this crowd to go. Even if they escaped this room, the ship had been militarized. Woodrow had faith in his deity. He would not die today. As impressive as Vincent was - Woodrow had gotten where he was with good reason.
He moved quickly to force Vincent's arm a different direction, musing only briefly on pushing it towards Tehodis. But no - callous whore or not, he wasn't prepared for her death. She had potential. Instead, he pushed Vincent's arm backwards, the shot ringing out with the shattering of glass as the windows behind his desk shattered. The sound of the ocean was loud and overbearing - but not as much as the movement of Woodrow and his guards.
Woodrow dove forward, tackling Tehodis simply for the fact that he was in his way, and then rolled to the side to get behind his guards. The guards attacked without a second thought, two on Kiku, the other three rushing at Vincent and Tehodis. Woodrow took one last look into the room, and made a single command: "Eliminate them, but arrest Kitai." He would be worthless unarmed, he knew, and so he swung himself through the door, immediately finding more of his men rushing down the stairs.
Post by Tehodis Kitai on Feb 2, 2017 20:23:49 GMT -7
Both sides of her wanted the same thing in this moment: To follow Lord Woodrow.
The light in her wanted the rest of the answer, and vengeance. The other side wanted to follow his orders. Both sides were being blocked by three guards who were closing in on them. She felt sick as she heard his command: Eliminate them, but arrest Kitai. What would he do to her? She would rather die.
The desire of every voice in her head to do the same thing would make her stronger. Her wit and training combined with her divining intuition - she was ready. She turned on the guards, the rapier held in the position Vincent had taught her just over a month ago. The guards seemed more concerned with Vincent, but one had eyes only for her. His weapon was sheathed - she was a small, one-handed woman meant to be apprehended. He lunged at her, planning to tackle her to the ground, and everything slowed in Tehodis' mind.
She could see the two guards around Vincent, one with a sword and shield, the other with a sword and a spell burning in his hand. Then the guards going after Kiku, likely not prepared for him to melt into shadows, seeing as they didn't carry any light with them. The one coming at her was the least prepared though. He didn't think she could do anything about him. She didn't need to carry strength or weight to turn his against him - Vincent had taught her that. She could see his movement coming towards her slowly, and she could feel every inch of her body moving in the way he taught her.
When the world sped up again, the man was flipped onto his back on the ground, coughing from having the air knocked out of him, and Tehodis was straddling his chest, the rapier raised to his face. "Please, don't!" The part of her that wanted solely to find Woodrow wanted to cut him down. The light in her would not allow it. Instead, she dropped the rapier and placed her lone hand over his face, palm centered on his nose. Her skin turned green at the wrist and a burst of magic surrounded the man's head as he struggled underneath her - and then he stopped struggling. Another burst of magic, and she rolled off of him.
The man stood up, and offered her a hand to get up as well, and then he pulled his blade on the men attacking Kiku. She had used the only two enchantment spells she knew, and in her temporary strength: it had worked. His emotions had been calmed, and then, he had been charmed into being her ally. At least for a little bit. "I need to find him," Her voice was deadpan as she tried to make for the door, grabbing the rapier once more.
Post by Kikuriku Gouken on Feb 4, 2017 18:06:45 GMT -7
Things took a turn for the worse.
Tehodis’ controlled mind was winning out over her super-angry-but-totally-sane mind. She’d briefly slipped up, and asked Woodrow to tell her to kill Kiku and Vincent, before recomposing herself and taking control again. It was all very interesting for Kikuriku to watch – though he never really felt threatened. Tehodis had one arm; he wouldn’t make much of a good Ajatar if he couldn’t evade her.
Then Woodrow spoke. Slowly. Very slowly. The armed guards outside were pounding the doors behind Kiku. It was obvious that Woodrow was stalling, but Kiku didn’t do anything about it – he was far too curious to see what would happen. He was on the edge of his seat, praying that Tehodis would just plunge the rapier right into his throat.
Alas, that never happened. Woodrow proved faster than Kiku expected and grabbed Vincent’s arm, causing him to shoot open the window as the guards burst through the door – forcing Kiku to leap away towards the shadowed corner. He caught a glimpse of Woodrow running away like a coward before he turned his attention towards the guards. Unfortunately, he couldn’t exactly run after Woodrow with two heavily armed guards heading in his direction. Kiku didn’t have any weaponry on him, though he didn’t need much to fight – not with all of these beautiful shadows around.
Kikuriku melted away into the shadows – a staple of his. The guards seemed confused, but refused to let down their guard (which was very frustrating). When Kiku reappeared behind them, they were already prepared; the move was entirely fruitless. Kiku would have to try a little bit harder in order to win this fight. He charged towards the two guards as they prepared their swords. At the last moment, with a sword just inches from his face, Kiku phased into the shadows, and used the momentum from his charge to launch himself out of the darkness right underneath one of the guards, punching him hard in the groin. The guard crumpled to the ground. Admittedly, it was not an honourable move – but honour had no place in a game of life and death.
Kikuriku turned his attention to the other guard, who made the wise move and stepped out of the shadow and into the bright light – where Kiku was at a disadvantage. He grabbed his dagger from its resting place in the wall and head towards the guard.
A frontal assault would be a bad idea. He’s got far too much armor, and is probably a more skilled one on one fighter than I am. I could throw this, but if it doesn’t land its mark, I’m completely unarmed. What do I do…
…Aww screw it, I’m going to wing it.
Kiku calmly stepped into the light, grinning widely at the guard who looked very focused. If he couldn’t beat him straight out, Kiku would have to play mind games to get the upper hand. “I’m not going to just hit you in the nuts like your friend over there. This time, I’m gonna kill ya.” He cocked his hand back to throw the dagger, trusting in his skills to get the job done.
Stab.
Searing pain shot through Kiku’s right leg. Looking back, the other guard had regained his composure (rather quickly) and hobbled over, stabbing Kiku in the back of the leg with his spear. Kiku fell down to one knee. He quickly whipped the dagger around behind him, and he could practically hear the cracking sound of it entering the guard’s skull.
Guess he won’t go around stabbing people in the leg anymore… Jackass.
Unfortunately, now Kiku was unarmed, and at a supreme disadvantage. He was too far away from any shadows, and in no condition to hobble over to one quickly enough to evade the oncoming guard – who now had his own menacing grin on. The guard triumphantly walked over to Kiku, standing tall over the injured Ajatar. He raised his sword up, preparing to deliver a killing blow.
“For the Honour of Lord Woodrow, I sentence you to die. Goodbye, you filthy wr-“
He was interrupted by a blade piercing his sternum.
One of Woodrow’s own guards wordlessly pulled the sword out of his companion, causing Kiku’s attacker to crumple to the ground in a heap. He was coughing up blood, and clearly in agony – he wasn’t long for the world. The charmed guard made his way over to Vincent, who was having his own battle on the other side of the room.
Kiku brought himself to his feet, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He caught a glimpse of Tehodis making her way for the door – which Kiku would have no part of. He tried to hobble over to the door, but there was no way he was going to get there in time. Instead, he limped over to the shadowy corner and shadow walked to block Tehodis’ path.
“Aaaaand where do you think you’re going, missy?” Kiku said, softly placing a hand on Tehodis’ chest as he emerged from the shadows. Though this was no time for foreplay, Kiku couldn’t be too physical with her – she did just kiss him, after all.
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