< 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 Ichabod Afof on Jan 18, 2017 13:10:57 GMT -7
He would admit to being impressed by her. His first concept of Solana was a villainess with a taste for sin. The kind of woman who enjoyed all of the worldly pleasures Fortuna had to offer, enjoying vanity, gluttony, and lust to their darkest hearts. Her demand however, textured her. She was no longer a primitive creature driven by sin. No longer something he could just shape as putty. No, he would need to be more cautious - the voice would be glad of such a thought.
Still, despite this new layer, she was still a sinful little heathen, her position leaving that crystal clear. Her hands on either arm of the chair, her body with quietly heaving breaths hovering above him, the heat of her breath in his face -- and the malicious glint of her eyes that had made her so interesting in the first place. "My dear Solana," He smirked, not moving a muscle, letting her control the distance between them, "I'm afraid bullshit would be all us demons have."
He chuckled a little, permitting his eyes to flicker across her, following the line of her body to the floor where their child writhed, and then back to her once more. He was hungry. Her flesh was a taunt. But he would be patient... His purpose was too important. "As all of my kind, I've a need to stir the pot. Create ripples on calm waters," That was an understatement, it would have been more accurate to say tsunamis at the shores of populated villages.
"I admit though... I've a plan to alter the fabric of the world. Reshape it into something far more... Interesting. Tell me--" He raised a hand up to her face and lightly brushed hair from her cheek with the back of his hand, "Have you ever considered what kind of titillating terrors our world could hold if souls could walk freely between death and life?"
"My dear Solana, I'm afraid bullshit would be all us demons have."
Her severe countenance cracked, amusement seeping in through the rivets in flat grey eyes. It was the kind of answer she liked; teasing.
He sniggered, then, in that dark way he had, and she thought that if she ever let herself laugh outside of her mind, it was what hers would sound like. His eyes scoped her skin; and there it was again, that deep, wicked hunger. Her kind of hunger; but it wasn’t really, was it? No tilting of her hips tempted that ravenous gleam. No soft gasp, a hint, aroused a predatory flicker. So what enticed him?
Yet he governed it deftly, this urge. She suspected it must be a violent one, voracious, like his looks, something dusky stirred under shining emerald, or else why would he hold it back at all?
"As all of my kind, I've a need to stir the pot. Create ripples on calm waters, I admit though... I've a plan to alter the fabric of the world. Reshape it into something far more... Interesting. Tell me -- Have you ever considered what kind of titillating terrors our world could hold if souls could walk freely between death and life?"
His knuckles, just a shadow of a caress, brushed her temple as he moved a dark strand from blocking shining eyes; and her muscles tensed instantaneously, dreading and begging, fearing and yearning the pull of that hunger.
It didn’t come.
She was relieved.
And she was disappointed.
Her eyes may have shown it – if he were looking close enough – but she didn’t move, not until his touch had come and gone, and she could stand without looking like it was because she could hardly bear to be so close to him without a taste...
When she did stand, she sauntered, over their new creation (not so human anymore) and to the desk in the corner of the room, leaning against it with a detached air, mildly pondering. She wanted him to think she pondered his words.
Curious, wasn’t it? Each time he had touched her before, she had felt the siren’s call of his thrumming jugular, the river of life that roared through the thick of his neck. Now – nothing. No penetrating craving.
He controlled it, like her power over life and death, which didn’t surprise her as much as the fact that he had chosen to give it to her in a bloody wand shop. She might’ve laughed, then, but only smirked, dipping her head to mask the sudden levity.
Naughty boy, she thought, delighted.
“Ripples on calm waters, huh?” She raised her head, revealing her lips, upturned at one edge, a single brow perked, “You and I are going to be great friends.”
But this did present a problem.
Unbound souls, life and death holding no lasting meaning; he spoke of opening the gate, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Not the actual unleashing of the Underworld, no, she didn’t mind that.
She worried that her own power – the power to take life – would be diminished.
But she revealed no doubts, instead reveling, just for a moment, in the perfect world he spoke of. Just for a moment, allowed herself to believe the dream.
Chaos would rule; the good would soon be the dead, and the wicked would reign.
And who were more wicked than they?
“We’d begin a new world. King Ichabod.” She tasted the words, and they tasted wrong somehow. It came to her – too quickly. “Or would you be a God, love?”
Post by Ichabod Afof on Jan 18, 2017 21:23:42 GMT -7
He had to give himself some credit, he had a deep effect on Solana. The way her eyes flickered at that touch he'd given her. Not just one feeling, but many, and how he had so easily pulled her into his fold. Of course, she was far more useful to him than he was to her - but he would ensure she believed they were of equal use and purpose, and in return, he would offer her what he could.
When she said King, however, his pride began to go to his head. At the mention of godhood his eyes brightened and he could feel his skin prickle. The Voice was quick to remind him that he was not a god. He was hardly even an avatar to her. He was a tool. He had one use and one use alone...
But the thought of being a god tickled him. Perhaps he could become the god of hunger. Using his powers to influence more than just whoever he happened to brush up against on crowded streets, on more than ale-minded men in tavern brawls, on more than beautiful vampire women in wand shops. He would be an icon, he thought. He would find glory at long last. THE ONLY GLORY FOR YOU IS IN OPENING THE GATE. She knew something he didn't, of course. Something she would refuse to share with him.
"The Deities made mortals in their image," He mused, his eyes falling to Solana's monstrous creation, "Perhaps we are both closer to godhood than it seems... Tell me, Solana, any want for world travel? Any craving to feed on the flavours the people of the world have to offer you? Any... Desire to spread your curse like a plague across every nation in Fortuna?" His fingers snapped and between them appeared an old coin, likely from a time many millennia ago. He flipped it towards Solana, not surprised that she could catch it - she was quick, "I was thinking... Dirys."
This was not some demon’s sin, some dark hunger borne of cursed birth.
This was as mortal as he had looked since his façade in the wand shop, eyes shimmering with the desire she recognized so easily, because it was hers.
Kingdom. Godhood. Power. Control.
It was a human instinct; the yearning for industry. The aspiration towards legacy. It made him look like a man, and she lifted her chin, just a tad, victory in the taught of her jaw, the subtle flutter of long lashes. All she needed was this, the understanding of this one dream, and she had a part of him held in nimble hands.
Just as he had a part of her, the red drug pulsating through his person.
"The Deities made mortals in their image, perhaps we are both closer to godhood than it seems...”
Two pairs of tainted eyes fell to their sweet creation, finally gaining some control over her base instincts. She recognized the two now; creators. Parents. Masters.
“Tell me, Solana, any want for world travel?” She quirked a questioning brow, amused, ”Any craving to feed on the flavours the people of the world have to offer you? Any... Desire to spread your curse like a plague across every nation in Fortuna?"
Oh – she had tasted, but cursed she hadn’t done, and, arm up in a flash to grip the coin in one swift palm, she let one corner of full lips lift in half of a coy smile, fang peeking out just a touch.
“I’m yours.” The words were dripping with the honey of sarcasm, all of her endearing phrases dark ironies of the sickly-sweet paste. “Where you go, I follow.”
"I was thinking...” He said, not pondering the pre-decided location for a moment, “Dirys."
She sauntered up to him, all sleekness and beguiling, and curled at the waist again, and imitation of earlier; only her hands propped her weight on his thighs, now, and she hovered her nose a pinhead from his, eyes lidded with mock-seduction.
“Dirys it is, darling. Deviant, delicious Dirys.” And she snapped her teeth playfully before straightening, her illusion of sex appeal discarded as quickly as she had donned it, giddy with her earlier victory, however miniscule.
Solana did have to admit; it was nice, to be able to do that to a man and not be forced to anticipate a ravenous, lusty attack. It was rare she was in the mood to be playful, but, when she was, even rarer to find someone she could play with.
Ichabod certainly was different from the others; and the thought paused her just before she could exit the door of the little room they had done their deeds in, hand hovering an inch from the frame; body frozen as her mind did from that thought. And one other.
“Our poor pet.” She turned, eyes, none of the pity connoted in her words reflected in silver orbs, dipped to the young vampire. “What are we going to do with her?”
Post by Ichabod Afof on Jan 20, 2017 15:07:38 GMT -7
He smiled as she agreed. He enjoyed Solana. She was pure evil, twisted and macabre to the point of no return, and yet retained a perfect sense of decorum and control (when his touch of hunger was not concerned)... A perfect ally for Ichabod. Someone capable of tempering his extremes, and yet indulging his demonic desires. Someone clever, playful, full of wit and wisdom. He had not realized any need for an ally before her, thinking his mother was friend enough... But no. Now he had tasted something quite different indeed.
He would begin his plans for Dirys after tonight, though. He hadn't eaten, and neither had their new pet, and such a thing ought to have priority. "Take her," He told Solana, standing from the chair. His movement earned notice from the girl, who was still desperate for more of his blood -- but Solana's presence seemed to almost 'control' her. Perhaps it was less Solana, and more the blade. Whatever it was... She would need to be less of a gluttonous monster if they were to get her onto a ship to Dirys, after all. He approached Solana, touching her cheek lightly with an infused touch.
"I think both of you could use a meal," He smiled, walking past the two of them and towards the back door once more, "We can't be too greedy, of course. There are likely to be guards come morning... Return here when you've both had your fill, dear Mistress."
Solana knew the look that flickered briefly in jade eyes; the kind of softness that betrayed no true weakness at all, a softness she knew well. It was an amicable look, one that told of a vague affection; the sort that was difficult to obtain, but discarded easily when two fates no longer aligned.
She was sure it was the same look mirrored in her own sterling eyes.
"Take her,"
He stood, and their hungry child followed him with her eyes, still and obedient; two things Solana knew nothing of. She was ravenous, and it was clear in her clouded vision, but she knew her place, and the elf couldn’t help but feel a tug of satisfaction behind her controlled smirk. She had done well, and looked to Ichabod, approaching her, for a tad of recognition.
She got it.
His fingers brushed her cheek, the light caress boiling under her skin, shining eyes darkening with unbridled voracity.
"I think both of you could use a meal,"
But he teased her cruelly, and brushed past her with a vicious smile. Solana bit her own back, struggling with her sudden fervor and the intoxicating scent of his blood, slipping coyly out of her grasp.
But she had to admit; he was as amusing as frustrating. As desirable as obnoxious. She took in a breath through pursed lips, whistling – she couldn’t breath through her nose or she might not be able to resist the staggering desire to lunge, catch him with metal fingers, twin handcuffs, sink her teeth into his arm, or his neck, or his shoulder – god, it didn’t matter –
But she blinked away the thoughts, not without prodigious effort, and turned her eyes to their whimpering child, a sad attempt at self-distraction.
"We can't be too greedy, of course. There are likely to be guards come morning... Return here when you've both had your fill, dear Mistress."
Pale eyes rose skyward, lip tugging upwards.
“I think we can handle a few guards, darling.” But she extended a hand all the same, a generosity as yet unearned by the sad woman it was offered to. “Come on, then. Your dad is being a tease, and now I’m hungry.” She glanced sidelong at him as the woman took her hand, rising weakly.
The infant bloodsucker had even more difficulty resisting the allure of Ichabod’s blood than Solana did, and watched him with eyes like saucers as they approached and passed him, into the chill of night.
Solana regarded him as an equal, turning to glance at him over a shoulder.
Post by Ichabod Afof on Jan 23, 2017 10:42:01 GMT -7
It was strange how natural all this was. He didn't feel used to the idea of having allies - more than allies - surrounding him. He worked alone, met with desperate souls, made deals that satisfied his end as well as they own... And then continued to work alone. Tonight, he had altered that course, and the way Solana referred to him as dad to the bloodsucking beast they had created almost elicited a chuckle. It was such a foreign concept to him. He was always the child, and the Voice was always the mother. Now?
"I've a small business to attend to," Though he wouldn't admit he was curious what a hunt would feel like with the two of them. He usually wandered the streets just outside of towns for lonesome travelers. Lingered in alleys for those on a shortcut home. Occasionally he would break into a home and take his feed privately. Never had he done such a thing with someone at his side. Even the Voice preferred to leave him alone when he did such things. She found it disgusting. Solana and her protege certainly didn't.
"Until the sun rises, dear Mistress," He smiled, closing the door behind them and taking an opposite path. Tonight he would feed alone once more. Relish in it... He doubted he would be alone again for a long time.
OOC. Feel free to add another post if you'd like, or it can end right there! I'd be up for the next one in Dirys, or another in Malscure, let me know which appeals to you more. (:
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.