< 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 Thomas Dunn on Dec 22, 2016 10:28:29 GMT -7
The 5th of the Scales of Judgement Evening at the Abandoned Hospital
The flight had gone well enough.
Tom had entertained his passengers - both diplomat, and patient - with charm and food; had performed some preliminary tests on his most precious patients (the ones he planned to add to the ACACIA Project); and had managed to keep Black away from the rest of the guests. Black was to stay in his room at all times, and Tom would visit him every few hours. During their visits they would not only talk, but Tom would take notes. He would check Black’s vitals, test the limits of his memory, and ensure that any inkling Black had for returning to his new family was broken. It was exciting, really.
When they arrived in Artavia, Tom had sent guests to their temporary lodgings, had stopped to drop a letter off at Violet’s apartment - she deserved a thank you for getting him Black, after all - and then had hopped on his plane with Black to return home. Home. He hadn’t always thought of the old hospital as home… But with both Green and Black there, it was starting to feel like it.
Like with Green, Tom couldn’t resist pulling some tricks whilst flying. He did the same drop to the ground, he took the same sharp turns… He almost pulled a loop, but decided he didn’t want to put too much stress on the old implant Black had. Perhaps on their way back, when they would return to Dirys, he could do just that. By then, Tom would have a new model in Black’s brain. Black would be just as obedient as Green.
After the two had landed, Tom aided Zechariah with his belt and helped him down the way he’d helped Green, and then looked with pride onto the hospital. He began walking to the doors, knowing that Black would follow submissively behind: “Now Black,” He took a moment to warn, “Green doesn’t have the same excellent memory you have. She’s going to need time to remember who you are, and to come to love you as your brother again… And, not only that, but she’s different that you remember. She can walk, now.” Green had a tail when Black first met her, and the tail had been turned to non-working legs before Black had been sent away… But now, Tom had achieved the unachievable. He was a God, essentially.
He stopped at the door, his key sitting in the lock, “Are you ready, Black?
Post by Acacia-Black on Dec 22, 2016 22:14:23 GMT -7
As they entered the hospital, Black could hardly believe it. He was here, back in Artavia. He dropped to his knees and brushed his hands along the ground. When he and Thomas were flying through the air, he almost didn't want to touch the ground anymore. If he could only stay in Artavia for a week, he would spend it in the sky, feeling the wind pass by him. At first, he had to struggle to catch his breath, like he was trying to swim out of water towards a surface that that was always just out of reach, but the struggle was pointless. Thomas could breathe would little effort, so it would be shameless if Black could not do the same.
Now, no longer in the air's grasp, Black needed to feel the cold, solid floor to make sure he wasn't dreaming. How could so much have gone so right over the past few days? It must have been fate that finally brought the master back to him. Perhaps he could ask how exactly he had found him. Zota and his children were one matter, but could he have left another trail behind? If so, then he would have to cover it. No, now was not the time to think of that. This was to meant to be a happy time; there was no moment to fear for anything. "That's quite alright, master. My own memories are still struggling to come back, so I imagine we're both in the same position. Maybe we could help each other remember ourselves."
Ordinarily, he would have never questioned the idea that someone could walk now. It wasn't until Thomas mentioned that like it was so different from how Green once was that Black remembered, Green was a rare breed of merfolk. The lower half of her body was that of a fish, and Black could imagine her swimming in a large fish bowl. He chuckled at the thought, although Green probably wouldn't appreciate the idea. "I'm ready, master. I've come this far, after all."
Post by Thomas Dunn on Dec 23, 2016 7:48:49 GMT -7
Zechariah confirmed that he was ready, and Tom offered a proud smile. He unlocked the first door, entered the code into the next, and released the trap on the third. When the final door opened, the lobby of the hospital came into full view. It was expansive as it was clean - Green had most definitely maintained her duties in his absence - with marble floors and a looping staircase leading to the rest of the hospital on the upper level.
"Welcome home, Black," He smiled before spotting Green appearing at the top of the staircase. His eyes brightened and his soul felt lifted, he had missed his prize. His perfect subject. As much as he had wanted Black, because Black was the perfect weapon... Green was the perfect daughter, and there was something different in his mind that seemed to fire when he saw her as opposed to her 'brother'. "Green," He called out, "Come and greet your brother."
Post by Acacia-Green on Dec 23, 2016 12:09:45 GMT -7
Green wanted to make Father proud. He had trusted her to take care of herself and the hospital while he had gone on his important trip to Dirys, and she would not let him down. Besides, if he really did come back with Black she wanted their relationship to start off on the right foot. Maybe he would be proud of her too. She had done a lot of reading in Father's absence, and she had played a lot of chess, and she had practiced as much as she could with her magic but of course that was most tiring of all. She had also cleaned. Top to bottom, she made sure everything in every room she was allowed to access was completely spotless. Cleaning was relaxing, in a way, and she didn't mind doing it for hours on end.
Green wasn't sure when Father would come home but she treated every day as though he was. She made sure she was on her best behaviour at all times, and she kept her clothes clean and pressed. If he did return with Black - which of course he would because he would find a way, he was brilliant - she wanted to be ready to make the best first impression she could.
Then one day Father did come back, and he brought Black with him too. She had heard the aeroplane approaching long before the two entered the house, and so she had put down her book on the anatomy of the human brain that Father had given to her before he left and gone to her room to make sure she was properly presentable. She brushed her hair, she smoothed down her favourite long green skirt, she made sure her blouse, white, short-sleeved, was tucked in and unwrinkled, and then she made her way back toward the front door.
The moment she heard Father's voice, she felt better than she had the entire time he was away. And almost as amazing as the sound of his voice was what he said - 'welcome home, Black'. She was at the top of the stairs now and she looked down upon Father and her new, old brother with a smile. When Father called her to come and greet her brother, she nodded and descended the stairs slowly but gracefully, something she would never admit to practicing many times after she had learned to walk. When she reached the bottom she smiled happily at Father, but he wanted her to greet her brother so she then turned her attention to Black. Black, who she saw was aptly named. She was sure Father was proud of how handsome he looked, too. "Hello, Black," she greeted with a smile and curtsy (something else she may have practiced a good many times on her new legs, to get the movement right). She realized then that she had no idea what to say. How had she not prepared for this? Perhaps it would have been easier if she remembered him, but even after looking at him up close she didn't... "I'm sorry that I don't remember you, but now that you have come home I hope we can make wonderful new memories together." Perfect.
Post by Acacia-Black on Dec 28, 2016 8:55:15 GMT -7
Black's eyes began to swell with tears when he saw Green walk. Every step she took she was perfect. The master have given her this opportunity, and she seemed like a natural at it. "It's alright." She couldn't remember him, but he brought her in for a hug. "I don't remember you, but I love you all the same, my dear sister." Yes, he was truly home. This place seemed so clean, and Green must have done it. Perhaps she had done it more for the master's sake, which Black appreciated just as well. Black only wished he would have thought to find her a gift. It was the least she deserved after so long.
"So much has happened to us over the years, I'm sure we have plenty of new memories to share with one another. Perhaps we can start by catching up? Tell me, what have you been up to?"
Post by Acacia-Green on Dec 28, 2016 12:38:44 GMT -7
Green's eyes widened in surprise as Black pulled her into a hug. She had done the same thing to father after the aeroplane ride, the day before he left on his trip, but the action was still foreign to her. To be honest, she wasn't sure where the desire to do such a thing had come from, the first time. Now that it had happened again, accompanied by Black saying that while he didn't remember her either he loved her anyway, she wondered if perhaps this was something someone did when they were overcome by the feeling of love. She still didn't really understand it, but understanding the motivation behind it was an important first step. In her surprise she had not reacted to the hug at all at first, but after her thoughts processed the situation she wrapped her own arms around Black to return the hug, resting her head on his chest for a moment before pulling away as he began to speak. He asked about what she had been up to, and she wondered what he wanted her to say. Everything? Highlights? What exactly had she been up to, since they last saw one another? It was hard to say, given that she didn't remember when the last time she saw him was.
She realized that Father was still standing by, watching, and she wondered if perhaps he wanted to do something with Black right away, or if she had time to share stories right at this moment with her brother. She looked to him questioningly, looking for his permission to continue the conversation now that they were past the greeting.
Post by Thomas Dunn on Dec 28, 2016 15:16:11 GMT -7
Black needed to be reconfigured, that was certain... But the task needed to wait until they visited Dirys once more. At least, that was what Tom had finally decided. There was too large a chance that Black would not remember anything about his life as Zechariah once a new implant was put into place, and Tom didn't need that kind of suspicion. Not with his new SSPB deal.
He caught Green's gaze and smiled, nodding slowly. Permission to enjoy, and to engage in the familial event he had begun. But as she turned to respond to Black, he interrupted as he often did (how he'd missed it while away): "Perhaps we ought to continue our reunion over a meal. Green, do you remember the special safe in the kitchen?" He had given her it's code each time he reset her, but had told her never to open it. Inside were several simple magical charms. Something akin to food for Kina like Black and Blue. Something that he would want her to prepare for them if they were to return. "What is inside will be for Black's meal. He does not require the same food as you and I."
Finished with Green's instruction, he turned to Zechariah-- no, Black, "Black, would you like me to show you to your room?"
Post by Acacia-Green on Dec 28, 2016 21:19:57 GMT -7
Father smiled and nodded to her unspoken question, and she turned back to Black prepared to start from the very first thing she remembered and tell him everything she had done, but just as she opened her mouth Father spoke and suggested that perhaps they catch up over a meal. That was a wonderful idea! They had a lot to catch up on, and this way no one would get too hungry while they did so.
Father asked if she remembered the safe in the kitchen and she nodded. Father had told her the combination in confidence, and made her promise she would never open it, but she had always carefully remembered the code because she didn't want to disappoint him if he ever did want her to open it. Today seemed to be the day, as he said that whatever was inside the safe was to be served as Black's food, as he didn't eat the same things as she and Father did. Green was very interested with that, but knew she would find out about it when they ate. For now, Father turned away and addressed Black, and Green took that as the dismissal it was. She smiled at Black before turning on her heel and heading to the kitchen. She had a meal to prepare.
Post by Acacia-Black on Dec 29, 2016 11:55:45 GMT -7
Green looked to the master expectantly. Of course! How could he have forgotten to consult with the master on how they could reminisce on the past few years, or even learn about each other once more? This was a conversation the master needed to be a part of, and leaving him out of it for even a moment was a mistake. However, the master did not seem to mind, offering that the reunion could simply continue over a meal.
As the master had recognized that Black did not eat the same meals as the master or Green, Black's stomach began to growl. What had he'd eaten throughout the past few years? Dirys was so focused on industry and technology that their centers of magic were all but nonexistent. Zota had given him… no, he had given Zechariah paltry gemstones. They had been infused with magic, just enough that Zechariah would keep them nearby just to replenish himself. But the gemstones had only been enough to keep him sustained at the barest minimum. He put his hand around his cheeks. He didn't feel too much bone, but he still felt like he hadn't eaten enough. Zechariah had let his body grow weak and tired. Even putting aside his "peaceful" occupation as a bookkeeper, he had neglected basic physical training. He would be of no use to the master like this. How would he stand the next several days, waiting for Zechariah to be eradicated? The Vanros would not be worth it. Even if they did suspect something, what threat could they possibly represent?
As Green took the kitchen, Black turned to the master, who had offered to show him his room. "Yes, I would appreciate that." He called over to Green. "Take your time, sister!" He had said it for her benefit, but the words felt so satisfying for himself, as if he had been forced to keep a secret, but had now been freed from that burden. And Green was not his only sister. There was also Blue, as well as White. Just days ago, he could not recall if White was male or female, but he remembered what it was like to be surrounded with sisters. The only brother he ever had was Edgar, and he was a poor example of a brother. Perhaps one of Zechariah's rare virtues was that he had always strived to be a better brother to Edgar than Edgar had been to him. Zechariah had better give him the most heartfelt farewell next week. Black would love to see how much Edgar actually cared.
Post by Thomas Dunn on Dec 29, 2016 15:29:32 GMT -7
He smiled as Green went to the kitchen, and as Black continued in his eagerness. Normally, he would temper such feelings, perhaps scold them. But today wasn't the day for that. Not only did he need to concern himself with the out-dated device in Zechariah's mind, but he needed to ensure that Green would not be tempted to question her place with another subject home. If he reinforced her position, reinforced his control, he doubted she would have even a chance of breaking out of herself.
"This way," He commanded Black, not waiting for a response before ascending the stairs. There were three hallways at the top of the flight. The left, would lead to the patient rooms. All of them were empty for now, but he would fill them with his new patients once they were properly processed at the docks. The central one lead to the operating rooms - also not in use for now. Finally, to the right, another set of stairs that Green had ascended just moments before. This set leading to the refurbished third floor. Their home.
The floor was sparsely decorated, Tom not wanting to overstimulate Green. There was some kind of living area that the stairs opened up on, which doubled as a dining space when it was more than just Tom and Green (which he supposed would be all the time, now, at least until Black was prepared to work again), a kitchen through one doorway from which they could hear and smell Green working, a sprawling study with wall shelfs full of books, and finally - a hallway with a large expanse of rooms. Each was a steel door, unlike most in the hospital, and all but one featured some kind of code-locking mechanism. The one without was, of course, Tom's room.
"That one is Green's," He gestured to the door which he had permitted she put some pictures on, and then over to the door across from it. Tom opened the door - it wasn't locked - and turned on the lights to show Black his new home. Comfortable bed. Shelf of books - mostly the ones Green had finished with. Desk. And there was a sepia-toned photograph in a frame on the wall. A picture of Tom and another man surrounded by five subjects. Green in a tank behind them all, still with a fin; Black looking ten years younger, with his skin deep and dark, standing tall with Tom's hand on his shoulder; Blue contrasting him with bright white skin and a mild smile; White sitting opposite her; and finally Red standing opposite Black, his eyes closed.
"This is your private space, Black. You can do with it what you choose, and if there are things that you desire, I shall do my best to obtain them--" Of course, Tom knew that once he had erased Zechariah that he would want for nothing, "I trust this is to your liking, Black?"
The skin OTHERWORLD was made by JAWN of WICKED WONDERLAND.
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