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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 Haelrin the Fey God on Dec 26, 2017 17:30:13 GMT -7
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[attr="class","feypost"] Haelrin's arrival was nothing if not dramatic. He appeared in a flourish of purple, blue, and golden fog that coated all that it touched with a sheen of glitter and Godly magic -- no one could miss it. Yes, even Queen Silvercrown could spot it from her tower, and quickly began to prepare herself for a royal welcome. It was not often that King Haelrin graced the city of Varennes, particularly unannounced.
Varennes was not the only place Haelrin could go. There were numerous places throughout Fortuna that he could make his appearance. When he had preparation, he would ensure he appeared as close as possible to his target, to ease the amount of time and energy he would devote to his "hunt". In the case of escapee Tehodis Kitai and Feywild criminal Endless Laeretti, however, Haelrin had not assigned any reconnaissance fairies to seek them out. He had plenty of time remaining before he would need to bother finding them, and it often did not take them long to seek them out... But plans had changed.
Plans changing did not mean Haelrin was unprepared, of course. No, his smaller pocket dimension was filled with everything he might need, he carried with him a jewel that could speak to his team back in the Feywild with the mere essence of his own thought, and he had chosen the place he would appear within for a purpose. To ready an army, of a kind.
Varennes was a city unlike any other in the material plane, closer to his own heart than the ratty territory his Mother and her other children chose to rule over. It was a city of magnificence carved into an enormous tree, full of lights and buildings that looked delicate to a typical mortal, but would resist even their strongest effort. Varennes was beautiful, and it was his... Even if many of the fairies here preferred to believe otherwise.
Yes, when he arrived, there was a commotion. Some fairies had come to Varennes as an escape from Haelrin's rule, and immediately froze or flew in escape. Others had never seen him, having been brought to the material early on in life to work in the city, and stood with mouths agape at the God they prayed to standing so cavalierly before them. Most, however, knew what to do when Haelrin appeared, and fell to their knees before him.
He always so enjoyed moments like this. A hive of supplicant little insects, buzzing in prayer to him. His insects, his toys, his tools. These moments gave him greater purpose in his hunt for mortal souls, in his drive towards rising his status in the Pantheon even further. He wanted to cross the material in any place, and have this same reaction, to be adored without question, worshipped without thought, loved as the provider of life itself. These moments made him angrier about Khades' intrusion on his realm.
Haelrin had appeared in a gazebo carved into the centre of the city, an impressive structure that spiralled up into a collection of lights above him, and that now glittered with his arrival. He stood looking more mortal than he had in the Feywild, but still like himself. His long silver hair was tightly plaited so that it did not drag across the ground; the number of jewels he adorned his body and his horns with had been reduced for ease of travel; he now wore a regal-looking purple kaftan as well, embroidered with a tapestry-like vision of his greatness that seemed to move with the light (in fact it moved with illusory magics). The mouth he had on, through use of magic as well, contributed to his more mortal appearance -- but he remained, distinctly, a God.
"My people," He finally spoke as he grew tired of the view of bowed heads and the sound of whispered prayers, his arms opening in a wide and graceful gesture as he remained in place, "Your welcome is most auspicious. My children, you may stand, and cease your most active veneration. Merely remember to preserve your grace by mind always."
At his command, all stood once more, and slowly returned to their duties. Not a one moved as if unwatched however, far more aware now of God's judgement than they had been just moments before.
"Your most holy of Gods," Queen Silvercrown flitted down from her tower, offering a gliding curtsy of her own fashion as she finally reached the God. It was clear between them that he was not quite as small as a fairy here in Varennes. He towered over her in a way that even the tallest of her guards could not manage. She continued, "To what may your humble servant owe such a providential arrival to?"
Perhaps Silvercrown thought herself polite, a good little worshipper to his power... But Haelrin could sense the devil in her. He could see through the mask she wore to the woman who had quite the ambition, an ambition that had won her crown through deceit, and would now certainly drive her to extracting him of information. Haelrin was not such a fool. "Nothing that need concern the Queen of this little tree," He smiled pleasantly with the mouth that was not real, and then stepped down from the gazebo, permitting her to flit, flustered behind him, "I am in need of services from my people, however. Scouts, Whispers, Theocrats and-- Have you any animal talent fairies abound?"
They had several, he knew, and she knew, but he was mostly curious who he would assign to her. The fairy who was set to work upon her own menagerie of pets and transportation animals? Fairies who provided great service to the city? The best of the best? Or someone she could hardly trust herself?
"Yes, he arrived just recently. I shall send for him at once--"
"No need, Silvercrown. His name is all I shall require from you," She was attempting to cross him, to better him, and he would not permit her any ounce of satisfaction from assisting him. Whoever it was she provided him, no matter their talent or lack thereof, he would ensure they succeeded in his need, simply for the joys of making her feel inadequate.
After a moment of frustration at her God making her feel less like a Queen, and more like a tool, Silvercrown finally answered: "Tinypaw. Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers." And with that, he dismissed her with a wave of his hand, to which she responded, "I shall gather the others you requested."
His next movement was a sparkle of gold and purple sparks, and as he completed the motion, Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers stood before him, an actual mouseling fairy -- something that Haelrin found quite amusing. What he also found amusing was how their size difference made Haelrin appear as a cat, towering over it's newfound toy and future dinner. He did not see himself bringing such cruelty upon this toy, but he would not rid himself of the thought in the case that he was not properly served by it.
As he looked at the small mess of fur (and no wings, concerningly) that stood before him, Haelrin felt a small ping of recognition, but did not care to divine the source of the feeling. This was another of his tools, there was no reason to pretend to kindness with it.
"You are Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers, a fairy of beast talent?"
Tinypaw has been sent to the mortal plane on another animal-related mission. This time it was because a pack of wolves had been encroaching on human territory and the humans had been talking about killing the lot of them, which was clearly unacceptable. Not very Nisequois in attitude either.
When he had arrived he’d found that it was a village of people who had burned away the forest around them to build metal and stone buildings, nothing like what was usually seen in this country, and they seemed to hold much less reverence for nature than Tinypaw would have appreciated. In fact they didn’t seem to like nature much at all, and seemed to think that they were better than it because they were humans and they could build things better than nature, or something. He stopped listening to them pretty quickly and suggested they move to Artavia or Dirys if they hate nature so much. Obviously they didn’t take him seriously.
It hadn’t taken long to track down the wolves though, and he found that because of the humans hurting the forest the animals were leaving, which means there wasn’t much for the wolves to hunt which was why they were straying into human territory and going after their chickens and sheep. Tinypaw’s talent wasn’t in making humans go away so he couldn’t help much with the destruction of the forest but he could get the wolves to understand that hunting the chickens was only going to get them killed. He found a nearby forested area that didn’t already have a pack of wolves (very important to make sure about that one) and led them there.
When he went back to the village to tell them about it the people had almost seemed upset to find they wouldn’t be getting the wolf pelts. Tinypaw was disgusted, but he couldn’t do anything much about it by himself. It was then that he decided to make a stop in Varennes. It was a fairy city, and he hoped to find some people who would be able to go speak to the villagers and maybe remind them of how precious nature was and that humans are not above it.
When he first arrived in the city he requested an audience with the queen, and he was able to be seen fairly quickly. He didn’t know what queens did all day but she must have finished her stuff quickly or maybe was just not very busy today, or maybe he just arrived at the right time for her to receive subjects and their petty problems. He had introduced himself and his talent and his problem and asked for her permission to gather some fairies who might be able to help. After some consideration, she allowed it.
It was while he was in a meeting with some plant-talent fairies that Haelrin appeared, though of course he didn’t know that yet. They were just discussing the rebuilding of the forest around the village when Tinypaw disappeared. In a flash of sparks he found himself a moment later standing before none other than King Haelrin himself, and his eye widened in awe, surprise, and maybe just a bit of fear. He was shocked into inaction long enough for Haelrin to ask if he was Tinypaw, and the words brought him to his senses enough for him to drop to a kneel before the god. ”Yes your infinite majesty,” he responded, realizing he had no idea how to address Haelrin and hoping that this was acceptable enough to not get immediately smited. Smote? ”At your service.” Oh geez.
Last Edit: Dec 26, 2017 18:45:51 GMT -7 by Tinypaw
Post by Haelrin the Fey God on Dec 26, 2017 19:18:56 GMT -7
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[attr="class","feypost"] The rodent fairy's reverence was delayed, though Haelrin would permit the mistake. He had summoned the thing out of nothing, after all, and the shock of such a thing would often cause a delay in comprehension... The first time. Were it to happen again? Haelrin would be less kind. For now, however? Tinypaw was to be put to proper use.
"Then it would appear that Silvercrown has not been mistaken. Stand, follow," The words came with a small hand gesture that was both graceful and forceful -- and, as it would be with a God such as Haelrin, magical. Even if Tinypaw were to want to resist, he would need an immensely strong mind to do so. Haelrin supposed the fairy wouldn't be so ill-advised as to even attempt such resistance.
Haelrin walked nowhere in particular, and yet his steps were all made with such purpose that it seemed he had every reason to make them. Other fairies looked on when the God was in view, some jealous of Tinypaw for this private audience, others thankful that it wasn't them. "Before I trouble you with my purpose, Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers, I've a mind to learn your's. What do you think of the talent bestowed upon you?"
Haelrin ordered him to stand and follow, and even without the magical accompaniment he would have obeyed - he liked being alive and was acutely aware of how easy it would be for that to cease if he would disobey the god. As he moved he tried to think of what in the world he could have done to gain such interest from Haelrin.
Was it a bad thing? Had he done something that he didn’t like? Had he come all the way here from the feywild to reprimand him? No, it couldn’t be that. Not only because Tinypaw prided himself on doing the best job he could but because Haelrin would never have travelled here from the feywild just for a fairy problem. He had way more important things to do, and surely had other people for the menial task of reprimanding failing fairies. For similar reasons it couldn’t be something good that he had done either. In fact, The more he thought about it the more he realized this probably wasn’t about something he had done at all, but rather something he could do. That he could provide some service for Haelrin that other fairies here may not be able to. He had mentioned Silvercrown, which meant the queen had specifically told Haelrin about him. It was as flattering as it was worrying.
He had to walk quickly to keep up with Haelrin’s casual yet purposeful stride, even more than he already did to keep up with more usually-sized fairies. He dared not to complain about it though, and truth be told it was hardly worth thinking about with everything else going on.
He could feel the eyes of the other fairies on them as they walked but he kept his gaze fixed ahead, as though he couldn’t feel them judging him for good or ill. Fairies were as much about appearances as anything and he didn’t want anyone to think he was anything but confident and assured about this whole thing. He resisted the urge to brush his hands across his tunic, though he did spare a glance to make sure he was properly presentable. No rips, thank goodness, and no stains either. His task this time had been easy and so luckily his green tunic was still green and not stained brown with mud or dirt or blood. He hoped it didn’t look like he hadn’t been doing his job because he was still so clean.
He was shocked when Haelrin spoke and asked about him rather than simply ordered him to do whatever it was he wanted Tinypaw to do. He wanted to know what he thought about his talent. Thankfully it was no lie for him to say, ”I can think of no talent I would enjoy more than handling animals! I love what I do and I’ve worked very hard to become the best I can be at it, and I am honoured to be able to help both people and animals with it. Thank you.” Technically Haelrin was the one who he had to thank for it all, so he did. Gosh he hoped he was doing this right. He spent most of his time in the feywild of course but he didn’t live in the royal city and he didn’t have any reason to go to the castle, so he had never had cause to speak to Haelrin before or even to be in his presence. He could practically hear the other fairies calling him a useless animal not fit to stand before their king. He tried not to think about it.
Post by Haelrin the Fey God on Dec 29, 2017 10:57:26 GMT -7
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[attr="class","feypost"] Haelrin could sense how unsure Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers was. The little fairy questioned himself, his status, what other's thought of him, and though he did quite well to hide it before the public eye, Haelrin could see through all manner of disguise when it came to his own creations. It was thankful, then, that Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers was not unsure because he did not believe his life was a gift of Haelrin's gracious charity, for if that had been his deception it could not be certain that the fairy would live to see another sunrise. No, Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers knew who his God was, he merely did not believe he deserved to stand before that God... Which was quite true. No fairy truly deserved this presence.
That thought in mind, Haelrin still appreciated the worship his creations, like Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers, would give. Even when he convinced mortals to bow before him of their own volition, their worship felt different. Better, in some ways, but not quite as dedicated. A fairy's worship of him was like a man lost in the desert for days finally coming upon water -- a lifesource. It made Haelrin feel powerful, and he would never refuse the opportunity to feel powerful.
"I am pleased to hear of your gratitude, Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers," Haelrin slowed his walking then, his own kind of gentle concession to Tinypaw's stature. One test had been passed. "Too many of your kind see their gifts with little reverie, not realizing that other mortals must sweat for an ounce of the skills granted to you by birth. I admit it wears on this soul to see such displeasure in my children, and so a son such as you brings pride to my heart."
The two had come to a set of stairs carved into the wood and layered with carpets, leading up to a thick branch high off to the eastern side of the tree known as Varennes. A watch-point of some kind, based on the guards whom did not even attempt to tell Haelrin he ought not continue in his path. The God easily took two stairs at a time at his slowed pace as he asked: "Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers, why do you think I have requested your presence?"
Tinypaw let out a relieved breath when Haelrin said he was pleased to hear of his gratitude, and he was really very happy that he did in fact love what he did. He spared only a moment to think of what might have happened if he had secretly been rebellious, and the answer was a horrible horrible death, he was sure. It was also at this time that Haelrin slowed his pace a bit which was really just swell. Not that he would ever complain about the old pace of course, but this new pace was much easier on his tiny tiny legs.
Haelrin was speaking again and he puffed up a little with pride when he said he was proud of him as a 'son', and that not everyone was as grateful as him. He was beginning to think this meeting might go well after all! When they reached the stairs he looked up them and had hoped they wouldn't be climbing them but then they were and he got to redouble his pace to climb after the God who was still much taller and was taking the stars two at a time because of course he was. Luckily Tinypaw was very good at climbing, but still. He had to practically scamper up the stairs. It wasn't the most dignified he'd ever looked.
Haelrin asked him then why he thought he had been requested and he nearly missed a step. Oh bother that question was one he didn't have such a clear answer for. But he couldn't just say he didn't know, because that wouldn't look good, probably. He didn't know what Haelrin wanted from him right now, so he just gave it his best guess. "I think that you needed an animal talent fairy for something and Queen Silvercrown told you my name, but I cannot presume to know the intentions of my God," was his reply. He spoke confidently, maybe a bit more confidently than he felt, and hoped it was the right mix of clever but humble. After all it would be blasphemous to assume you knew what went on in the mind of a God, and it was truthful that he didn't know what purpose he could serve, but he did hope that whatever it was he would make Haelrin proud. The fairies who called him a failure would surely have to look at him with proper respect if he earned their God's favour.
Post by Haelrin the Fey God on Jan 7, 2018 13:29:25 GMT -7
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[attr="class","feypost"] Haelrin had not bothered to be certain of Queen Silvercrown's intentions for assigning Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers to his aid, but with the mouseling fairy's response he would assume that she was not attempting to be sly. Fuzzywhiskers was far from the fairy who could devise a plan, but he was loyal. Loyalty mattered a great deal more than wit to Haelrin.
He permitted the fairy's answer to sit and percolate for a time as he finished with the stairs, arriving at a high perch that overlooked the forest to the edge of the clearing of Varennes'. It was a guard tower, and two fairies had been assigned to it's outlook. They both dropped to a knee as Haelrin approached the twine that formed the safety rail, and remained there as Haelrin looked out onto Niseca. The area about them looked massive from his current size and stature, the trees large enough to be their own villages in comparison to Varennes' sprawling Kingdom. Some might have found it intimidating, but Haelrin was not one to be intimidated. Besides, he would not remain this size for long.
Still... It offered him a great perspective on his power in this world. His fairies could not be properly sized here, because Haelrin's magic could not be strong enough here. He needed more souls. He needed good souls. He needed Tehodis Kitai and Endless Laeretti.
"Very good," He finally told Fuzzywhiskers, knowing that his silence had likely driven the mouse-fairy to concern and fear, "Your mind has answered in truth on both points." He tilted his head to look from one guard, to the other, and willed for them to leave their post. It did not even take a word before they stood, bowed deeply to his Grace, and began their descent from the same stairs Haelrin had ascended from.
"I do not attend this plane often, the material. It is rare that I should ever have the need when I have borne talented children who may voyage it on my behalf, and offer my aid to this desolate abyss," His tone was relaxed as he looked upon his Mother's Kingdom, the one he would eventually win from her. It already felt like his. Niseca. A new frontier for his Feywild. His eyes locked onto a fairy in the fields below, flitting in and out of a bush to warm it's roots against the overnight chill setting in, keeping the perennial a perennial. This world would cease to function the same without his touch. Which was just as intended. "You, Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers, had not yet been laughed into existence when I last felt it necessary to peregrinate, and thus you would have little comprehension of the purpose behind that necessity. A crueler Father may leave you to find the answers on your own consequence, but you know much of my kindness, don't you?
"...Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers, I am here on a hunt, and... Do you know whom make the best hunters?"
When they reached the top of the stairs (finally) they were overlooking the whole of Varennes and it was an incredibly sight to behold. Tinypaw hadn't really seen it from this view before as he didn't do as much flying as the other fairies - the ones with their own wings - but he was quite impressed. He briefly saw how high up they were and had a flash of worry about falling right over the edge, despite the twine railing, but he took a breath and calmed himself of that fear. He wasn't clumsy enough to fall to begin with, and as long as he was with Haelrin nothing could happen to him that the God did not will. Right?
Speaking of Haelrin, he had not yet replied to Tinypaw's response and the mouseling fairy was beginning to get nervous that he'd said the wrong thing, not because he thought he had said the wrong thing - he thought his answer had been very sufficient - but because he couldn't be sure that what he had said was what Haelrin himself had wanted him to say and who was he to know what kind of thing Haelrin wanted him to say and what if Haelrin wanted to just throw him right over the edge of the tower because he didn't have wings to stop himself and --
Haelrin was speaking, and the runaway train of his thoughts skidded to a halt as the words 'very good' came his way. Oh thank God. Literally. Thank this God in particular. Tinypaw was also extraordinarily relieved when his follow up words were that his mind had answered true on both counts. Oh geez he could read his mind. Of course he could read his mind he was his GOD. Oh no then he knew exactly how much he was worrying, but no it was ok because he knew that Tinypaw wasn't lying. He knew that Tinypaw was a good fairy who loved his talent and did his job to the very best of his ability and held a deep respect and healthy fear of Haelrin which he imagined the God appreciated, or at least he must appreciate it somewhat because he could read his mind and if he didn't like what he saw Tinypaw was sure he wouldn't have made it this far.
Haelrin spoke again, and this time it was to provide some backstory. He said he didn't come to the material plane often as he had borne talented children to do so on his behalf. He hadn't been here since before Tinypaw had existed, and then he said Tinypaw knew much of his kindness and that he was a good Father. And then he said he was here on a hunt, and asked if Tinypaw knew who made the best hunters. He was vaguely dismayed at the question, just in the general sense that he always worried he wouldn't have the proper answer, but then he brightened and replied, "Animals!" It was either that or 'extremely motivated fairies', but he felt pretty confident with his answer.mThat must be why he wanted to speak with Tinypaw! Animals were everywhere and there were so many different kinds, from bugs to bears to whales to eagles to monsters who Tinypaw also could sway, that no matter where his prey was hiding it could be found, and Tinypaw could prove his worth.
Post by Haelrin the Fey God on Jan 9, 2018 13:15:29 GMT -7
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[attr="class","feypost"] Haelrin always found it easier to motivate his fairies when they felt most proud of their skills. Why would they not wish to show their God how talented they were, and, when he could generate their pride as if it were their own inception, they would use confidence to motivate them to even greater things than they had ever accomplished. Fuzzywhiskers, it appeared, was no different than the others. The confidence and pride he had in his answer was brimming, and Haelrin was certain it would be enough to fulfil his needs, particularly when he complimented with: "Precisely, Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers. The efforts you have taken to improve your talents comfort me."
With Tinypaw hooked, Haelrin needed now to simply reel him in. It would make things so much easier than merely forcing the fairy to do his bidding. "In speaking with you, I have become sanguine in your abilities, Tinypaw Fuzzywhiskers. I wish to request your aid, should you be willing to offer it, and feel confident that you are able of doing your best for Me."
For now, Haelrin would not offer anything of value to Fuzzywhiskers in return for aid. Fairies were not usually worth the effort, even when as helpful as this one could be. The mere act of being asked to aid their God should be reward enough... Though if Fuzzywhiskers were to request it, Haelrin would have many ways of sweetening the pot with uniquely crafted perquisites.
He was right again! He had suspected as much but again you could never really know what a God was thinking and wouldn't it just be his luck to have guessed the totally wrong answer and been thrown right out of this very high, very intimidating tower. With no wings he would just go splat right on the ground. But no! He had been correct! And not only that, but Haelrin complimented his talent. He really had put a lot of training and effort into becoming the best animal talent fairy he could be, and though he knew he could have the rest of forever to continue getting better he did believe that he was at least most of the way there. Truly mastering something was like a hill. It started flat and then went up pretty good, and the closer to the top you got the flatter it got again until eventually you reached the top. That was to say, when you first started learning something you were at the bottom of the hill, and then over time you went up and got significantly better at it, and the closer you came to mastering it the flatter the hill got again - you could spend for example ten years getting most of the way up the hill and then a hundred more to reach the very very top. He liked to think he was at least most of the way up the hill.
Then it happened, it truly did, and Haelrin asked for his aid. He said he had become sanguine in his abilities, and Tinypaw could admit to having no idea what that word meant but it must be good because he followed it up by saying that he was confident he would do his very best. And that he would, absolutely. "I'm honoured, your most gracious and effervescent majesty," he practically squeaked, hoping that was actually as complementary as he meant it to be "and I would gladly offer any aid I can give." Not a single part of him considered asking for something in return - the idea of being personally requested by his GOD to do something was already enough of a draw for him to drop literally everything. In fact, what had he even come here for anyway? It didn't matter. He'd deal with it later.
Last Edit: Jan 12, 2018 13:26:01 GMT -7 by Tinypaw
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