< 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 Vincent Laeretti on Jan 4, 2017 19:31:07 GMT -7
It was at the moment that Tehodis described Lord Woodrow as Vincent's friend that Vincent paid a second thought to what his presence in this room must be like to Tehodis. While certainly he wouldn't say she was incorrect - Vincent had on more than one occasion thought of Woodrow as a friend, rather than as an employer, and Lord Woodrow himself had used the term "my friend" on at least a couple of instances - it was still... Vincent found he had great difficulty describing the feeling in words. Regardless of the lingering sentiment, neither he nor Lord Woodrow had ever truly vocalized the concept of them being friends, common pleasantries aside. And Vincent's history with the man brought forth no shortage of instances that had reminded Vincent of the divide between them, that at the end of the day, Woodrow was still his superior.
It was those moments that reminded Vincent of why he could grow so frustrated with his Lord. A friend, an equal, would be able to speak their mind without question, to reprimand someone when it was called for, and could simply say no when it was the correct thing to do. Vincent was not afforded those luxuries. His points had to be spoken in the context of advisory, advisory which Lord Woodrow could decline whenever it suited him. His reprimands and criticisms had to be carefully worded so that he did not overly offend Lord Woodrow and make his own job more troublesome. And when Lord Woodrow gave an order, Vincent had to obey. That was what he had signed up for when he more or less volunteered his life, and everything that he was, to the cause of serving him.
He didn't often think on it, but somehow the casual mentioning of him being Woodrow's 'friend' by Tehodis brought it all to mind. And more importantly, it made him realize that part of why she must be so nervous at the moment was because she must have dreaded that anything she said here was going to get back to Lord Woodrow, one way or another.
Vincent paid close attention to her story, even while thinking on all of this, and it became evident as she went on just how distressed she was. But there was something more, something that made Vincent narrow his eyes and square his jaw in grim understanding. Vincent could generally tell when someone was lying to him, and Tehodis Kitai was no liar. Perhaps she hid things from time to time, but she did not ever lie to him, not to his face.
This was a problem because Tehodis was describing Woodrow's actions and attitude towards her in a very, very unsavory light.
Vincent had always recognized that his Lord had a bit of a weak streak for beautiful women. Unlike Vincent, he had demonstrated that he was a bit less capable of separating physical interests from business on several previous occasions. But the way that Tehodis was describing him now made him sound... predatory. She even went so far as to say she thought she could have even gotten used to it if it meant she could keep her job, and that remark raised a major red flag in his mind.
Just what had Lord Woodrow been doing with her when Vincent's attention was elsewhere?
When she had finished her account, hanging her head and fighting tears, Vincent stood as well.
"Miss Kitai, if I may be so bold to say, it stuns me that you are even still here given what you have been through."
He let that statement rest in the air for a moment, crossing his arms behind his back as he stepped over to her cabin window. Looking out at the sea would help him think. "If I am to interpret your description of these events accurately, I would draw the assumption that Lord Woodrow has been making a habit of acting towards you in a way that is completely unacceptable in the workplace. And if that is indeed the case... I do believe I will be needing to have words with him."
He had just gone through thinking on the fact that at the end of the day, Woodrow was his superior. But at the same time, there was also no one else in the entire SSPB who could stand up to the man and make him answer for a wrongdoing the way Vincent could. And this was not something he could ignore.
"If this assumption of mine is correct, Miss Kitai, I will need you to detail for me any other accounts you have of this sort of behavior. And I would ask that you be descriptive. This is not the sort of behavior anyone should not be made to answer for, not even the Lord of Eersaeb."
There was a lot more he wanted to ask her. He wanted to ask her who Artemis was, why she knew him, why she had trusted him to help her. He wanted her to elaborate on her time in Niseca with him, to tell her more about this seer she suddenly mentioned. He wanted to offer her what little comfort he might be able to muster, to assure her that no limitation was without a future, and that she could still be great regardless of her current one-armed status. He wanted to discuss all of these things.
But Woodrow's behavior, and the apology he very dearly owed Tehodis, was the far more immediately pressing concern. One thing at a time, Vincent.
The cold food on the bed that indicated the presence of another had, at the moment, been all but forgotten.
Post by Kikuriku Gouken on Jan 5, 2017 19:25:44 GMT -7
Kikuriku didn’t know exactly what to feel as he listened to Tehodis’ story once more. He was hidden in the shadow of the bed, where he first thought that he should have hidden, and could almost clearly hear Tehodis break as she retold the story of how she lost her arm; the story of this Woodrow character that would force his gifts on her, who would harm her… who would break her. Kiku felt tears well up in his soul, and he knew that if he had eyes at the moment, he would be crying.
He watched as closely as he could as Vincent walked over to window, close to Tehodis. He wasn’t sure why, but Kiku did not trust Vincent. Maybe because he was another man, or maybe because his intentions were unclear, but Kiku felt as if he needed to keep an eye on him. Vincent was not good news for Tehodis.
“This is not the sort of behavior anyone should not be made to answer for, not even the Lord of Eersaeb."
Despite his use of three negatives, Kiku was (almost) sure that Vincent wanted to make Woodrow pay for his crimes – something Kiku was more than happy to help with.
”Well then, why don’t we go make him answer for this, then?”
Enter Kikuriku Gouken, stage right.
He emerged from his hiding place near the bed, less than twenty feet from where Tehodis and Vincent were standing. His fists were clinched, and he was almost seething with anger, but Kikuriku did his best to remain calm. There was no hard evidence that suggested that Vincent wasn’t to be trusted – nothing more than a gut feeling.
His eyes began to water looking at Tehodis as she slowly turned towards him. He’d only known her a short while, but her willingness to trust a stowaway like him after her own superior caused her harm melted his heart. He wanted to do right by her; he wanted revenge for her.
I can’t stand that face, Tehodis. You’ve helped me, now I’m going to help you. I’m going to make you smile again.
Post by Tehodis Kitai on Jan 5, 2017 19:44:22 GMT -7
She was... Surprised at Vincent's response. A small part of her still felt it wasn't completely genuine, but the larger part felt an incredible surge of relief. If there was one person that Lord Woodrow would answer to - perhaps beyond the Sultan, or Moann herself - it was Vincent. Though she didn't know if she wanted to continue in this role she had carved out, it was comforting to think that there was still a chance she could do so without pain.
She began to turn to Vincent, to offer him thanks, to try and put into words the entire experience she had been having at the SSPB was-- But Kiku's voice stopped her. Her eyes shot open and she turned quickly, too shocked to wipe the tears off her face. "K-ki--" She stopped herself before she said his name, not wanting to get him into trouble.
She quickly stepped in between the two of them, worried what either might do to one another, and shot Kiku a look that said a great many things, most of which she was sure he wouldn't quite parse. She was angry that he had broken his cover, frustrated that he had interrupted a real moment of goodness she had been having with goodness - and incredibly touched that he seemed so ready to stand with her. To help her. And that was why she would help him.
"Vincent-- I... This is my friend. I--" She didn't know if she should lie, but she knew that Vincent was the kind to always follow the law to a tee. He had proved it just now in offering her help with Lord Woodrow. If he would betray his own friendship for the law then... She needed to protect Kiku. She didn't know why it was so important, but it was. She didn't want anything bad to happen to him. She wanted to see him happy. "I snuck him onto the ship. I know it was wrong, but... Please, understand. I... I needed someone on my side. I thought you and everyone else were all with him. Please."
Post by Vincent Laeretti on Jan 6, 2017 6:40:20 GMT -7
The moment Kiku had spoken, Vincent spun on the spot to face him, his hand moving like lightning to dive into his cloak and grip the handle of his gun. His eyes were laser-focused on the young man before him, who was looking at him with an expression of anger, clenched fists, and a posture that reeked of aggression. Tehodis had stepped between the two of them quickly, looking panicked.
Vincent only belatedly processed what the man had said when he had appeared, a simple question spoken in response to Vincent's last statement, a question asking why they weren't making Lord Woodrow answer for his misdeeds. And then Tehodis was talking, quickly explaining who this fellow was - apparently, a friend of hers. Her mystery guest, Vincent reasoned. Her mystery guest who should have been in the closet, based on what Vincent had heard and seen. He had kept his ears peeled during the entire time he was speaking with Tehodis, and he had not heard or seen a thing move across the room, which was an easy enough thing to detect when the room was as small as a standard ship cabin.
There was no way the other man should have been able to sneak up on him and surprise him like that. Not unless he was...
"An Ajatar..." Vincent stated thoughtfully. It was only a guess, but it was the most likely one by far; Vincent was too well-trained for him to have missed even the feather light steps of an infiltrator in a room as small as this, especially given the slightly wavering balance of the floor as the ship sailed over waves, and conjuration magic gave off a telltale sound whenever someone used it for teleportation, so it couldn't have been that either.
Vincent was not certain how to react.
The man's posture and demeanor suggested hostility towards Vincent, and that was not something that could be permitted. But the look he gave to Tehodis, and his statement when he had emerged, suggested that he was acting in her best interest. He was an illegal passenger aboard the ship, which was not permitted. But he was only here because of Miss Kitai, according to her. A friend she had invited aboard so that she wouldn't feel alone aboard this vessel, so that she wouldn't feel terrified of Lord Woodrow. Given what she had said earlier, and what Vincent was just about to have her tell him more about prior to Kiku's arrival, she had every reasonable cause to have felt the way she did about being aboard this ship without a friend.
Still, the law was the law. He had been the one to tell this to Tehodis himself, that one could not make exceptions for friends or loved ones. He had told her that, but...
But despite himself, he found his grip on his gun go slack, and he finally dropped his hand away from it. His jawline and neck, tensed for action, gradually relaxed. Tehodis looked beyond relief. Tehodis's situation was an extenuating circumstance. And though she had not gone through the proper channels to apply for approval, all officers aboard the ship had been offered the option to bring a guest aboard with them, an allowance that was made this time of year due to the long time that the crew would be spending on the Aiss seas. Had Tehodis merely done that, there would be nothing illegal about her guest.
Vincent supposed he could, just this once, agree to look the other way.
"I see that your application for your friend must have been lost, Miss Kitai," he stated as he met her eyes. "It's quite the bother, but we're always telling the office to do a better job of keeping track of them all. Every now and then, one does slip through, I'm afraid."
He did not feel entirely right about doing this. The world was Black and White, as far as Vincent was concerned, and if you weren't one, you were the other. Feigning ignorance, overlooking a legal matter that was pertinent to ship security... that was very much Black. It was against his code. But, unfortunately, it was also against his code to further the plight of someone who had been victimized by harassment.
Still, he kept a very careful eye on Kiku. He could not trust a man whom had chosen to appear to him with immediately apparent hostility. "First a criminal and now this," he commented, an almost amused lilt in his tone. "Miss Kitai I dare say you keep rather interesting company for friends. What might I call this one?"
Post by Kikuriku Gouken on Jan 7, 2017 18:50:29 GMT -7
Kikuriku was stunned. He didn’t know what to expect when he pulled out of the shadows to confront Vincent, but he certainly wasn’t prepared to have his race revealed. Just by looking at him, it seemed that Vincent knew that Kiku was an Ajatar – something that he tried to keep secret.
Based on what little he’d observed, Kiku imagined that Vincent would be ready to take Kiku straight to Woodrow. In fact, it was kind of what Kiku was hoping for – but it seemed like Vincent wanted to play this out. Perhaps it was Tehodis and her defending of Kiku, or maybe Vincent saw something in Kiku’s ability to get around completely undetected – either way, Kiku couldn’t trust him.
Vincent started talking to Tehodis, making some jokey chitchat about her lost applications, which only annoyed Kiku further. He had asked a question, even if it was asked mostly for dramatic purposes. If Vincent wanted to do something about Woodrow, Kiku was right there, ready and waiting – yet Vincent thought it better to make small talk. “Well, Vincent, my name is Kikuriku.” He made his way over to the couch, walking slowly and keeping his eye on Vincent as he sat down. “So, what might you possibly suggest we do about our favourite Lord?” Despite the mix of emotions that Kiku was feeling, he tried to keep his voice as calm and cool as possible.
As he sat on the couch, he wondered what Vincent meant about Tehodis’ ‘interesting company’. Kiku had imagined that the only people that Tehodis surrounded herself with were chatty women and douchebag men – not criminals. He had hoped that he would be unique in this sense, but it seemed that there was more to Tehodis than met the eye.
Post by Tehodis Kitai on Jan 7, 2017 19:20:22 GMT -7
Tehodis couldn't really believe what was happening. Vincent was going to help cover up her "mistake". The only explanation she could give for her day so far had to be that she was sleeping. Perhaps she was simply curled up on the bed, dreaming a pleasant - yet unbelievable dream. At least if she went with this explanation, Kikuriku would make sense. And really, what kind of name was Kikuriku? A made-up one. I guess if I'm dreaming... Then I can do whatever I want, can't I? She suddenly wished that Vincent would leave. Soon.
She followed Kiku to the couch and considered sitting next to him, heck, even just dropping into his lap -- it was a dream, after all, Dream-Vincent wouldn't mind -- but she decided to bide her time. Make things more interesting. She sat on the opposite side of the couch and felt her mind running with every kind of thought about what she'd want to have done to Lord Woodrow.
She couldn't think of anything interesting.
Even in her dream, it seemed, she couldn't bring herself to wish anything awful on someone who had hurt her. "You're sweet, Kiku," Tehodis smiled, suddenly not feeling like a fool, this was her dream, it was whatever she wanted. "But... I don't want revenge so much as... Well, an apology, for one. He won't even admit he's done anything wrong. And I'd like for him to not be a disgusting pig anymore," It was nice to say those words without any repercussions. Disgusting. Pig. She didn't have to pretend. She felt free... It was just too bad she couldn't say these things in real life. She continued: "I just want to do my job without petty interruption."
Post by Vincent Laeretti on Jan 8, 2017 17:43:20 GMT -7
Rather than let Tehodis answer and introduce him to Vincent, the other man decided to cut in and introduce himself, his tone still holding that edge of hostility to it. Kikuriku, he called himself. An odd name, possibly of old Fianese origin, but Vincent had never heard of it. And then Kiku went on to imply that they would all be doing something about Lord Woodrow as a group, and Vincent especially didn't like the tone he was using. He spoke with an emphasis that seemed to imply, if Vincent's intuition was any indication, that Kiku wanted a violent solution to this.
Tehodis cut in then, once again, telling Kiku she didn't want revenge. She suddenly looked oddly satisfied, moving to sit casually on the bed near Kiku, and proceeded to say that all she really wanted was for Lord Woodrow to stop being a "disgusting pig".
Vincent closed his eyes and heaved a sigh. He had expected perhaps a little less sass from Kiku and more professionalism from Miss Kitai, given what Vincent had just offered and how he was even clearly looking the other way on Kiku's presence. This was a crime and how was Kiku repaying his generosity? With continued hostility. And as for Tehodis...
"Please refrain from referring to Lord Woodrow as a 'disgusting pig', Miss Kitai," he instructed. "Rest assured that I fully sympathize with what has happened to you, and I intend to ensure his Lordship pays the proper penance to you. But all the same, we must approach this matter professionally. Nothing good comes of senselessly throwing mud at Nobles. I'll need your detailed accounts of other events detailing inappropriate behavior.
"And as for you," he said, now leveling a glare at Kiku. "We will not be doing anything about Lord Woodrow. I will be handling this matter. Allow me to impress upon you the reality of your situation: you are aboard this vessel without any form of clearance, and it belongs to one of the most powerful lords in Fortuna. You could be jailed for years just for this. I am choosing to overlook this for no other reason than because Miss Kitai has vouched for you. If I were you, I would put a stopper on that baseless aggression which you're practically trying to drown me with. I don't fancy I'll be in the mood to ignore it for much longer."
Vincent moved to retake his seat on the couch, taking a calming breath before he addressed the duo again, noting that at least Tehodis looked somewhat chastised. If he had to guess, Kiku just looked frustrated.
"I appreciate very much that you care for her and her well-being," he said, this time more softly. "But the only retribution that can be enacted against the man who has pioneered law upon a lawless sea, is that which is legally handled. This matter needs to be addressed correctly. If Miss Kitai's claims are as serious as I imagine, then rest assured, there will be very serious consequences for Lord Woodrow."
Post by Tehodis Kitai on Jan 9, 2017 9:17:51 GMT -7
Alright, she had been wrong. Really, really wrong. Her eyes widened to saucers, and she was thankful not to have anything in her mouth as the immediate sputtering of words she started into would have turned into a worse mess than everything already was. "I'm sorry, Vincent," She said as fast as words could go, "I would explain... Er, I'd tell you why I said such a thing but it would only make things seem worse, I think. I... I'm sorry, I was not... I wasn't speaking rightly." As she finished her apology, she let out a breath as if somehow her speeding train of words hadn't used it all. It didn't matter if what she had said was true: it wasn't the time or place to say them. It wasn't a dream, evidently. Or if it was, she was subconsciously berating herself, which only made the situation worse.
She wasn't the only one being chastised, however. Vincent had also railed on Kiku, and she felt guilt wash over her. She knew how this all worked. He didn't. He was just... Being a good friend. He was being there for her when no one else seemed to be. She hardly knew him, and he cared about her more than most people in her life had ever bothered to. She didn't like seeing Vincent talk down to him. It was one thing with her - she was his employee - Kiku wasn't. But she didn't know what she could say. "He's... Not used to censoring himself, Vincent. He..." She spoke even though she hadn't thought of the words yet, looking over to Kiku and smiling, "He doesn't put his passion on ice. He cares about others, and deeply and... He won't just act willy-nilly, but he'll say the things that make it feel better. I need that right now, if you can bear to stand it."
Dream or not, Tehodis felt empowered now. Perhaps it was the momentary rush of euphoria when she thought she could do anything she wanted, and perhaps it was because as she spoke to Vincent about Kiku, it was like she was standing up to him. Not in a way that challenged his authority, or said he was wrong - she didn't think he was - but in a way that made her feel more equal, more of a participant in her own fate. She didn't want to stop there. "I want a chance to speak with him," She finally stated, an air of finality around the statement as she stood, "I'd like to go with you, and speak to him. I haven't since it happened and-- I think he needs to hear what happened through my experience. Please."
Last Edit: Jan 9, 2017 13:26:24 GMT -7 by Tehodis Kitai
Post by Kikuriku Gouken on Jan 9, 2017 17:11:17 GMT -7
Kiku remained on the couch, smiling blissfully after Tehodis called him ‘sweet’. It was almost as if Vincent laying into him about what they would and would not be doing to Lord Woodrow held little consequence to his mood – that moment with Tehodis was all that Kiku needed. He could sleep happy now.
But then, Vincent suggested that the matter had to be handled in the right way. Kiku knew exactly what the right way was; a sword in the chest and a fancy umbrella up the ass. But Vincent wanted to follow the law, and Kiku knew all-to-well how people in power could skip the rules. Kiku frustratingly ran his fingers through his hair; he hated dealing with bureaucratic nonsense.
He was just about to lose it on Vincent when Tehodis herself spoke up, shocking Kiku. She made excuses for what she had said, and for Kiku speaking out of turn. This immediately bothered him, but then she smiled at him and all of his anger was washed away by the feeling of something that he couldn’t quite describe. A wholesome warmth brewed up from his chest and filled his whole body. He didn’t know why, but Kiku was certain that Tehodis was someone special to him. He met her smile with one of his own, and listened to her kind words about him. She ended with a request to go speak to Woodrow herself, with Vincent in tow.
No mention of Kiku.
He stood up, placing his hand gently on Tehodis’ thigh as he rose, pretending he needed it for balance. He lightly stroked it as he walked towards the cabin room door.
“Well, it sounds like she’s made up her mind. Listen, Vincent; I know that we just met and you’re obviously not all that happy that I’m even here – but look at it this way. If Woodrow could treat a woman as pure as her in such a way without you knowing about it, who knows what else he is capable of. I know first-hand how rich, powerful people can escape the law; you have to be ready to accept the fact that maybe the correct way to do this is with our fists. Retribution. He should answer for what he’s done.
But first, I guess we talk.” Kiku made his way for the door. He would be damned if he would miss out on what was going to be the yelling of a lifetime.
Post by Vincent Laeretti on Jan 9, 2017 19:07:33 GMT -7
Vincent listened patiently as Tehodis said her piece, unable to help the small surge of pride he felt when she spoke of her resolve to talk with Woodrow herself. She'd spent so long hiding already that Vincent had begun to fear that her trauma had caused her to lose the spark of backbone he'd seen in her as they trained. Clearly she just needed a little push.
He stood and nodded at her with a small smile. "Of course, Miss Kitai. I would be happy to accompany you during this conversation."
He wondered if a demand for an apology was all she wanted. Was she considering dropping the case of alleged harassment in favor of just getting Lord Woodrow to say sorry? It didn't feel just. Vincent wholly intended to have that matter investigated further, whether Lord Woodrow was a friend or not.
But then, of course, Kiku decided to chime in again, and it was as though his every word was chosen to aggravate Vincent. He made grand claims regarding how fists were the only way to ensure Lord Woodrow received his just retribution, claims that Woodrow would elevate himself above the law, and Vincent had had enough of him by the time he reached the door. He stepped up behind Kiku and laid a hand on his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze as he shook his head genially.
"You're absolutely right," he said, looking at Kiku as though giving him an approving gaze. "He does need to answer for what he has done. But if you were to try with your methods, you'd be liable to get yourself killed."
Vincent's grip tightened and he jerked backwards, yanking Kiku with him and exerting his strength into throwing Kiku bodily overhead, using the momentum of his own body and the flat palm of his other hand to guide Kiku's path onto the bed, back-first. The man seemed stunned for a moment, and that moment was all Vincent needed, his hands swiftly producing a pair of cuffs to latch around one of Kiku's wrists, the other end fastened to the bed-post. Kiku thrashed against the bind but Vincent held fast to him, pulling out a second pair and using it to bind his other wrist in kind.
With Kiku now handcuffed to the bed, his arms spread out wide and inflexible, Vincent grabbed the lamp which hung from the ceiling and removed the glass cover that served to filter its glow. The magical torchlight inside shined more freely now, and its position above the bed served to illuminate everything around the mattress, banishing all shadows that Kiku could potentially reach for to get out of his situation.
The only way to trap an Ajatar, Vincent had learned.
"You have a very misguided sense of action," Vincent informed him. "And you should count yourself lucky that you aren't behind bars. Stay here a while and cool your head. I will handle the matter of accompanying Miss Kitai to speak with Lord Woodrow. If you truly believe he is capable of evading the law, then you are sadly mistaken."
No one evades justice when I am present.
"Miss Kitai," he said, turning his attention back to Tehodis. "I'll give you the key to those later. Shall we go?"
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.
