< 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 Ellis Danton on Jan 28, 2017 14:34:57 GMT -7
"Sa tsenthe v'nesaqs," He responded with a smile and a nod, and then he simply stood there (almost dumbstruck) as he watched her depart. He didn't fear her as he feared Pelagia - but he respected her as he respected Pelagia. Worshipped, perhaps. He was reverent to them both, and prideful in how he had helped them. He had helped them...
No, now wasn't the time to feel boastful. Pelagia was waiting.
As soon as Xanthe was out of view, he began to tug the table back into the room, not worrying himself with removing the food. He merely laid down anything tall, and tugged until it passed through into the other dimension. Hearing the racket, his mother had appeared again, and tsked at him. Why was he in such a rush, she wanted to know - and it only took a few words to explain it: "L-lord Xista w-wants to... T-to see me." That was enough to have her bustling about, helping him get everything moved in, and then she went to plating up some food, muttering angrily about how he hadn't told her, and how the warlord of Aurcaele deserved fresh food.
Once it was all ready, he gathered it up in a basket and his Mutti kissed him on the cheek. But she told him not to move, that she had one more thing to give him. She went to her china cupboard, and opened the locked cabinet underneath, pulling out an old, dusty bottle of something. "M-mutti! N-no--" But she insisted. Her most expensive willow wine, she'd received it the day he was born, and had planned to save it until her grandchild was born-- but she insisted. No. This is the warlord of Aurcaele and one of the most devout women the world over. This wine was for her.
The walk to Pelagia's room had felt like the longest walk of his life. He had journeyed across Atton by foot many times now - but this still felt longer. More exhausting. More daunting. The basket was off one arm, and his mother had insisted on him switching his shirt to a more 'devout' willow purple colour, the kind he'd wear to temple. And he needed a jacket. And his pendant needed to be quite clearly shown. This was Pelagia Xista he was meeting, after all.
Steeling his courage as he stood at the door, he took a deep breath - and knocked three times. "E-ellis D-danton... M-my lord."
Post by Pelagia Xista on Jan 29, 2017 10:08:34 GMT -7
Pelagia had been waiting quite patiently for Ellis's arrival. In fact, he came earlier than she expected; with the knowledge that he'd been planning some ridiculous surprise dinner or party or whatever it was, Pelagia was fully aware that it could probably drag on for a while. Which is why she had sat herself down with a good book to wile away the time, ready to wait out Ellis's foolishness so that she could get this matter settled.
But regardless of how long she knew she would be waiting, regardless of even being pleasantly surprised at how soon Ellis came to see her, he didn't need to know any of that. He would open the door to find her looking annoyed, as she fully intended to look no matter how long he took, because it was important that he feel fear.
"Enter," she commanded, remaining seated in the ornate chair she'd had the room decorated with, her legs crossed as she continued to read. She heard the door open and close, the awkward shuffling steps of a nervous Danton accompanying it. Though her eyes were on the pages of her book, she had her brow set in a hard line, her lips thinned. Her posture was stiff. She carried all the visual indicators of an irritation that she didn't actually feel; it was for show. She was frankly already over the stupid matter from before, but she made a point of ensuring proper discipline was always given.
Besides, it was fun.
After letting a long moment of silence hang between them in which she was sure Ellis was stewing in his sweat, she finally clapped the book shut with a loud snap and set it aside. She stood, the feathers of her wings ruffling irritably, and turned her heavy gaze onto him. She noticed he had a plate and a bottle in hand.
"And what might those be?" she asked, approaching slowly.
Post by Ellis Danton on Jan 30, 2017 10:31:40 GMT -7
Even though she was reading, and looked extremely comfortable... Her posture, her face -- her voice? Ellis could tell she was annoyed. A pit dug itself out in his stomach and he approached her, wanting to give her the basket and hope she liked it - but knowing that she had yet to give him permission to speak. So instead, he stood there and suffered in the silence... Imagining the punishments she would inflict.
Finally, after what felt like years, she spoke. He looked down to the basket and back up, taking a deep breath before taking a knee and setting it at her feet with the kind of reverence he had offered to Xanthe. For some reason, it felt less real here. Normally he worshipped Pelagia - but he thought perhaps his fear was consuming too much of his mind.
"F-food of... F-food f-from home," He told her, looking down at the basket and not at her eyes, "O'batzten, s-auer--k-krautsalat,jaegerschnitzel... And d-desserts! A-apfel-b-bettelmann, s-s-strudel, Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, and l-lakritze c-c-c... C-candy--" He couldn't see her reaction, but hoped that it was one of approval, or at least interest. He set the two plates down - one of warm meal, one of dessert - and then took the bottle out of the basket next.
"Aged W-Willow Wine," He felt embarrassed offering it, holding it out to her like a babe to be baptized, she likely had better every day, "Twe-- Er, n-no... Th-thirty years... P-p-please, accept this a-all with muh-muh-m-my apologies, m-my Lord."
Post by Pelagia Xista on Feb 4, 2017 19:42:25 GMT -7
Well, well, well. When the dog was apologetic, he really licked at her heels, didn't he?. She found it rather gratifying to know that without her even having done anything to him yet, he was well aware of what he had done, how he had disappointed her, and was doing all he could to make up for it. He'd brought a veritable feast with him, which happened to include some of her favorite comfort foods from home. She'd been getting by, much like all her soldiers, on basic rations during her time in Atton - a leader led by example, after all. This had included such affairs as simple preserved meats, dried fruits, and bread that was baked every couple of days. The core necessities of good nutrition, and given with more than enough supply to fill one's belly of course, but still. This, was much nicer.
It was within the reach of the Aurcaeli army to eat a bit fancier if they really wished to, but it'd consume the much-needed energy of their conjuring rank to do so on a daily basis. Food like this was, as such, rather a luxury.
"Set it all on the table," she told him, her voice impassive as she turned towards said table and pulled out a chair. She sat there, folding her hands as she waited for Ellis to do as he was told, and when he hastily scrambled to get everything set carefully (the aged wine sitting nearer to her than him), she gestured at the seat across from her and had him sit as well. Then she asked him simply: "Ellis, do you properly understand why it is that I am unhappy with you?"
Post by Ellis Danton on Feb 4, 2017 20:29:45 GMT -7
He followed her orders swiftly, and without question. Everything was placed precisely - particularly the wine, which was positioned closest to her - and he ensured that even her plate and silverware were positioned exactly. Finally, she gestured for him to sit. He hoped that perhaps she would try the food first. He hoped that if she did, she would be more pleased with him. Perhaps she would just give him a 'talking to', and then ask him to share in the meal. Maybe he'd learn more about her. Maybe they'd become friends, the way that he had become friends with Inspector Feofil, and Miss Ilithiya.
But that was wishful thinking.
"Y-yes," He answered with a small nod, and continued after a painfully dry swallow, "I-i cr-created an... Unnecessary... Er... Disturbance. Which-- C-caused er... Undue embarrassment f-for you."
Post by Pelagia Xista on Feb 5, 2017 10:34:52 GMT -7
Pelagia closed her eyes and sighed. As much as she was mostly doing this for show, to keep Ellis in line, it was actually a legitimate disappointment that he seemed to be missing the biggest part of the issue. The issue that had gotten her so invested in the matter in the first place. She hadn't been merely pretending to be upset about it.
"Ellis, you behaved in a manner that was unnecessarily secretive during a delicate time. We were about to sign a monumental peace treaty. Tensions have been high since these negotiations first began. The question of who can be trusted has been raised multiple times. Did you perhaps manage to completely miss how your secrecy and shifty behavior just prior to this signing could have had consequences? Do you not realize that I have to consider every possibility, including even the unlikely event that someone could have turned you against me and organized an elaborate trap for me? Undue secrecy is what costs alliances the chance at peace, Ellis Danton. You would be wise to remember that."
She didn't really care about the actual peace, of course. That was merely a convenient tool to use for her own ends. She did care about the potential to be betrayed, however. To be trapped and unarmed when her guard was lowered. She didn't truly believe Ellis was capable of fooling her, but one didn't get to be in her position by being too careless.
She leveled her disciplinary glare at him from across the table, and she considered what action of punishment would be appropriate here. Nothing too severe. She couldn't even threaten him with death anymore; that had worked the first time she had called him to her tower, but now she had cultivated an image with him, and with the peacekeepers. She couldn't do something that would come across as too unforgiving for a seemingly minor offense. But he needed to be kept in line, and to not forget the damage he had nearly done.
An idea came to her then, and she had to marvel at the simple genius of it. It would punish him, and it would also make him feel pride.
Post by Ellis Danton on Feb 5, 2017 20:04:38 GMT -7
His mouth gaped, and opened, and closed -- he hadn't thought of what he'd done in that way. He had assumed that everyone knew he was trustworthy, that he wanted this peace more than he wanted his own life. He thought it was clear that he adored Atton, and Aurcaele. He hadn't realized that Pelagia had been worried. How could she be? She was all-powerful.
His skin had paled, particularly his knuckles which were gripping the table as he stared down. She was right. He had done something far worse than embarrass her. The silence was almost unbearable, and he might have been sick if he wasn't so focused on not making this worse. When she spoke again, his eyes shot up to her and he stood, immediately moving to her side as quickly as possible. He took a knee to her side and offered his hand, "Y-yes, m-my lord."
Last Edit: Feb 5, 2017 20:05:00 GMT -7 by Ellis Danton
Post by Pelagia Xista on Feb 6, 2017 17:44:15 GMT -7
"This will hurt," Pelagia told him simply, taking the hand he offered her. "But you shall be better for it."
With that, she pressed her thumb into his palm, and there came a burning sensation. Her thumb glowed with her specialty evocation, the light searing into his skin. She felt his hand stiffen, his muscles quiver, his mind fighting his body's urge to pull his hand away, to escape. He dutifully remained kneeling before her as she burned him, shaking but holding his ground. She was moving her thumb, tracing a shape as the burning continued, and his fingers were beginning to clench, the muscles in his palm spasming. He would not bear much more of this, she guessed.
But she was through. She pulled her hand away at last, and he immediately collapsed forward to clutch it, low whimpers greeting her ears like music. She smiled darkly at him during the moment that he wasn't looking at her, pleased to have made him suffer this way, pleased to hear him lamenting the pain. But also pleased at how she would use this to manipulate him further. And so after permitting him his moment of anguish, she spoke again.
"Rise and look at it, Ellis."
When he was ready to follow this order, he stood and carefully opened his palm, his hand still shaking, and burned upon his skin there in a bright pink scar was the emblem of the willow tree. The same sign that decorated the walls of Ephilius, where the Gold Leafs were trained.
"That mark is both punishment and privilege. Pain and reminder. You are my most loyal and valued soldier, Ellis. You have proven yourself well beyond what any of my underlings have shown me throughout this entire war effort, all save for Ashlin Driel, who commands the army in my absence. But she is not one I would call a soldier. And now, neither are you."
Pelagia stood from the table as well now, laying a hand on Ellis's shoulder and smiling at him, noticing how his shakes began to still a bit. "When you look at this mark, you will remember that you carry my trust and my will with you. You will remember how important you are, and that the tasks I give to you must be completed for the sake of all. And you will remember your loyalty, and what it has earned you. But, you will also remember the pain that came of bearing this mark. The pain of failure which the world cannot afford. Remember that pain before you make your decisions, and use it as a reminder to yourself to thoroughly think about your every move. As an extension under me, you carry the pride of Aurcaele with you. You must not let that go."
OOC Note: Once again made some assumptions on his responses, based on what I have come to know about him and his dutiful nature to follow orders. But as usual, feel free to flag me down if you think he would have recoiled more harshly or done anything that would otherwise have interfered with this, and I can change or modify the post!
Post by Ellis Danton on Feb 8, 2017 13:04:50 GMT -7
He didn't know what to expect from her request - but it hadn't been this.
His first instinct when the burning pain began was to pull away, but his first thought was to remain still. This thought was not born out of fear for what else she could do to him if she moved - but out of duty. She was his leader. She was an envoy of his Deity. It did not matter how he felt about Atton, about the magic that was here, about Xanthe. It mattered that he followed orders.
Finally, she stopped. She took her hand away and he dropped his other knee, clutching his wrist and cradling his hand in his chest. His eyes were pricked with tears but he would not cry. He widened them, pulled his head back, tried to call them back into his face as he shook. He felt like he might collapse entirely, might lay on the floor and sob at his weakness... But Pelagia's voice called him back with another order.
Rise and look at it, Ellis
The use of his name so casually falling from her tongue, so familiar, chilled him - but he didn't know if he had the energy. He nodded though, still a man of duty, and used the table to aid him in standing. His knees still felt weak, his calves wooden, and his hand seared. He held it out and slowly, extending his fingers slowly. He recognized the symbol immediately and could not hold in the tears any longer. It was the great honour he could imagine. Two tracks drifted down his cheeks, and he looked down in an attempt to hide them - embarrassed.
He felt himself grow stronger as she spoke, offering him the greatest words of accomplishment he never would have dared to dream of, and when she put her hand on his shoulder, he couldn't help but think that he had made it. What he had made, he couldn't sort out in his flustered mind. But it was important. All of these new thoughts quickly clouded over those he'd had earlier. The thoughts of staying in Atton forever disappeared. The idea that his purpose was to protect it - gone. He knew now his true purpose. To serve Ayniea, Aurcaele... Pelagia.
"I... I..." He couldn't imagine any words that would express these feelings. Feelings of devotion, feelings of gratitude, feelings of love. His lip quavered as he attempted to make any sound that could come close, and his head shook as he failed and failed again. Her hand on his shoulder, this feeling of being... Honoured. His comfort was found on his knees, and so he knelt before her again, her hand lightly falling from it's perch.
From the floor he wanted to clutch at her gown, be closer to her, take in her reverence. He resisted such an embarrassing thought and instead raised his eyes to meet her's, tears still lingering and causing them to glisten. He was looking into the face of purity, he thought, and he was moved as he finally found words to speak: "I shall n-not-- I-i shall n-never d-disappoint you again, m-my Lord, m-my Liege. I p-promise. All m-my life i-is in service t-to you, a-and Ayniea."
Post by Pelagia Xista on Feb 8, 2017 18:45:03 GMT -7
Pelagia could not have asked for better results. This was exactly what she wanted. Ellis had been harmed, had endured a harsh pain, painful enough to drive him to the brink of tears. That alone was enough to satisfy Pelagia's vindictive streak over his idiocy from earlier. But then, after hearing her message to him, the tears did fall. Except now they were perhaps tears of joy. He was honored, beside himself. His scar, the mark of what she had done to him, would only be seen as an honor, and would beg no questions from others over her treatment of her soldiers. He knelt to her with a sense of reverence about him as he thanked her and swore his undying loyalty.
For a moment, Pelagia felt a flash of what the future surely held from her. To be so thoroughly worshiped, to have someone devote themselves entirely to you... it was intensely gratifying. Ellis Danton was the ideal tool. Near mindless and at her beck and call, but brimming with righteous belief and a compulsion to fight for her honor. He would do anything she asked of him, and he was too simple to cross her. And now, too beset upon by honor and adoration to ever want to.
"I am sure you shall do me and our goddess proud," she replied, allowing some warmth into her tone. The time for punishment was over. The time for conditioning, though, was still underway. "Now then, Ellis. From this point forward you are a scout no more. You are my personal aid. And as my personal aid, I believe I would appreciate it very much if you would join me for this wonderful feast you have brought me."
She took her seat while he was still kneeling, certain he'd move as soon as his head caught up with the order. She wondered if maybe he'd cry at the invitation as well. Honestly, it was all sickeningly easy.
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.