< 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 Quinn Connelly on May 19, 2018 14:52:22 GMT -7
W
ith another rollicking success down in the dreadfully cold lands below, Quinn Connelly had returned to Vieri to drop off her many prizes and boons. An eighth staff for her collection - she was very near a full set! - a horde of diamonds, and the promise of a favour owed by someone in excellent standing in Aissic. She imagined such a favour would not be called upon for some time, but when it did... Well, Quinn would collect with interest.
She had first stopped at home to secure the wealth she had obtained, and to ensure that the village was set and working on the projects she had assigned them. Simple farmers and cobblers they were no more, after all! They each had a special duty to do for their generous Lady Connelly. Research. Sewing. Building. Blackmailing. It was quite a number of ventures she had undertaken, and as much as she would claim it, Quinn did not work alone. She had her very own collection of well groomed serfs to do the bidding she didn't care to.
Once her little village was righted, Quinn set her sights upon the next opportunity. It wasn't far from home - she planned to stay in Vieri for at least a touch of time (necessity rather than homesickness) - though she imagined it wouldn't take much time at all. Arya Westwind of all people - an old bird who Quinn had met once, and had not quite gotten along with - had requested her services. A little tit for tat, for some damage Quinn had once done during a skysailing race to a Westwind City library. She had expected a fine, a charge, community service - but Arya had instead taken what Quinn often liked for herself. A favour. Now, that favour was being called in.
And here Quinn had thought the old crone too daft and forgetful. A pity she'd been wrong!
With a call to heed, Quinn had left her village by noon, and was sailing her trimaran above the treetops towards Morrinas proper, where the Acharya had summoned her. The air was still cold with the final grasps of winter, but not near as chilled as the frozen arctic north. The fact remained however, that sailing was colder than walking, and so Quinn was dressed for the weather. She had coated herself with a thick cotton shirt of purple colour, which was buttoned at the sleeves to seal around gloves that went to her elbows in a darker aubergine. The gloves were constructed with leather grips which worked well on the ropes, and fur lining for warmth. The shirt was then draped with a magenta vest enhanced with a damask pattern, and a thick scarf which wrapped about her head and neck to keep her a tad warmer. High waisted pants were grey pin-stripes, and the boots tightened around her mid-calf were built to steady her on unsteady ground. The look was finished with her red hair tied back (a few curls pulled out to give her a charming, and playful look to her) and a set of small, pink-tinted glasses upon her nose.
Quinn hummed to herself as she sailed, tying her line off to grab the next lightning canister. As she turned and propped open the bit of cut-out which stored the fuel, she spotted something in the trees just behind her. Something that made her pull the sails and adjust her path slightly back, and down for a better look.
The thing she was seeing was a man of some kind. Copper of skin, and decorated with markings where his skin proved visible. He looked like nothing she knew from Vieri, which meant he was a tourist... But there was something else tickling the back of her mind about him... Something that made her swap her boat into hover, and keep an eye to see what the man was up to, and just who he was. After all, Westwind had waited this long to pull her favour, the crone could wait a mite longer.
Archarya's Jungle. It was said to be a place of spiritual journey for the Vier, and it was also a place of great importance for the Uhane Holo of Kapueo's own people. The story of Vieri was an important one - the land sick with war and inequality for so long being called together by the four winds of the Goddess Viera to create a land of peace and equality. It was truly a great and powerful lesson, discovered by one of the early chiefs when they found the islands floating in the sky. It was a difficult place to get to in the past, before airships and domesticated winged beasts. A powerful mage could teleport themselves or others there, but overall the country had been a trial to get to of itself for the mere mortals of the land.
Kapu hadn't considered any of the manufactured ways he could get to the floating islands. Wyghal had gifted him with the form of an owl and so it was clear to him that he needed to fly there himself in order to prove himself worthy of the trial he would face there. Each youth on the Uhane Holo would find their own trials, the things that called to them, and this was one of his. Not all of the youths were gifted with flight as he was. Halu would certainly not fly there as a tiger, and so he would have to find a different way. But there were also things that a tiger could do, that Halu could do, that Kapu could not. The places they needed to visit as part of the journey were set, but the trials each youth would face would differ and it was through their trials that they would learn of their strengths, their weaknesses, and the lessons that would make them a worthy chief when they returned.
Flying to the islands had been only the first of the trials he would face here, and though the flight had been long it had not been impossible. He hadn't used his magic outside of the Dance to transform himself, relying solely on the strength of the form his God had given him. His wings were steady and sure, and he felt tired but accomplished when he finally touched down on the nearest of the islands. The moment his feet touched the ground he transformed back into himself in a rush of wind and feathers, his cape falling around his shoulders as though wings folding against his back. The wind here was chilled, but Kapu's outfit remained the same as it always was. His bare feet felt the surety of the ground beneath his feet despite the island's floating nature, and his cloak protected his bare arms and torso from the cold.
He would be a sight for sure, for anyone who spotted him. His ankles and wrists sported the kupe'e of his tribe and around his eyes was the elaborate orange paint that symbolized his hunter's sight. The cape hid the tattoo on his back, but his arm and ankles were tattooed much like his face was (though the paint on his face was not permanent, yet) which symbolized his swiftness and prowess with a bow. Kapu doubted anyone here would know what the tattoos meant, but their power didn't rely on the understanding of Outsiders. His God had granted him these strengths, and it was his duty to prove himself worthy of them. Even if he did not become the chief following the Uhane Holo, he knew his success with the trials (and he would succeed, because he owed it to his friends, his family, and his entire tribe to do so) would earn him even more tattoos.
Kapu had landed near the outer edge of the floating island and he knew he would have to go deeper in to find what he was looking for, so he began his trek. Without a map he couldn't be sure exactly where he was, but he would find what he was looking for on foot now, sure that simply flying to his destination would be a failure on his part to prove himself worthy of the trial. The wind blew stronger once again and though it was cold he was prepared to weather it. He pulled his bow off the clip at his side and held an arrow in it loosely as he entered a forested area, unsure of what dangers lurked even outside the trial of the Jungle. Whatever it was he would encounter, he had to be prepared.
Post by Quinn Connelly on May 20, 2018 12:57:06 GMT -7
H
From what Quinn could see through the small breaks in trees, the man was headed further inland, same as her, and not heading the miles out west to the edge. In all technicality she had likely been stalking him for a time, her ship presumably faster than a man's legs could carry him through a forest, and her having just overtaken him. Now, however, it was he who was gaining on her with a similar lack of intention, which left her with the burden of choice. Sate her curiosity, or bring up full sails for Morrinas?
It wasn't a question at all, really. Not for Quinn. In many ways she was a slave to curiosity.
With the smirk of a cat setting sights on her prey, Quinn tugged at the ropes with well-muscled arms and her sails listened. The centre cable grew slack, allowing the sail to billow up like a parachute, and a burst of lightning ran up the cord and buzzed through the sail to keep it steady as she began to descend closer to the trees. She tugged and directed the rudders to bring herself down over the brush, just a half mile ahead of her mark, and settled where she could see a small path just below and behind her.
Properly positioned, she tied off her ropes and cables, and opened the additional rudders all 'round the ship to the proper angles, keeping the wind from billowing her boat and forcing her off in an unwanted direction or down into the rough branches. Then, Quinn brought fingertips to her lips and tugged a glove off with her teeth, tossing it aside. Fingers clear, she eyed the length of path ahead of her for the boy, and whistled out to him through her fingers. The sound was loud, ringing through the trees and causing a shift in the bugs and the birds and a few brave land animals. Thinking she may have seen him, Quinn crossed an arm over her eyes to block the sun and called out to him: "You're a long way from civilisation old boy! Care for a pick-me-up?"
Kapu had been paying attention to his surroundings, but it became obvious to him that he had been paying attention to only the part of his surroundings that were lower than the canopy of the trees. He noticed the airship only as it began descending ahead of him a ways, and he wondered how long it had been above him without his notice. A poor beginning to his trial, but a valuable lesson to take forward. He wouldn't make the same mistake again. He didn't know why it was there or if the sailor was friendly or hostile, so as he approached he raised his bow, ready for either situation.
It was clear that whoever drove the airship had settled it near him for a reason - as he approached the craft he heard the sailor whistle at him and when they came into view they called out to him. He was a far way from civilization, they said, and he noticed as he approached that it was a woman who looked far more bundled up than he was, and her airship was smaller than the ones he had seen - likely more for personal use than mass transport. She offered what he assumed meant a ride - he was well-versed in common but some of the less common phrases were still confusing to him - and he lowered his bow. "I'm not looking for civilization," he replied, accented voice raised enough to be heard from his distance as he continued to approach the vessel where it had settled above the trail. Perhaps this was a sign from Wyghal, a messenger sent on his behalf to ferry him to his trial. Or perhaps it was part of the trial itself. "But if you offer a ride, I would accept it with gratitude." He looked her over, or as much of her as he could see from here, and tried to get a read on her intentions but it was too difficult to tell. "My name is Kapueo. I'm looking for Archarya's Jungle."
Post by Quinn Connelly on May 23, 2018 19:24:31 GMT -7
H
As the boy, the man, the mysterious figure approached, Quinn did her best to size him up. He was scantily clad for the weather, though seemingly not terribly put out by the fact, and decorated in a smattering of tattoos in a style familiar to her from a book she'd read at some point. She couldn't quite place the source, but it drew a certain sense of deja vu from her mind that was utterly undeniable. Something that made her all the more interested in 'helping' the young laddie.
"Well, Kapueo," She sounded back perfectly, her mouth tumbling familiarly over strange sounds, as she was in such favour of strange things. Quinn nimbly undid the knot that held the ladder in place, and swung it down over the side of the trimaran with a flourish, the rope and wooden slats clattering down to within five feet of the ground below. Then, she leaned generously over the edge to offer a disarmingly charming smile, and a friendly, "She might not take you all the way to the jungle, but I'd say my gal here could get you sure closer. Should you not mind missing the sights of tree bark and tree bark, that is."
The woman pronounced his name perfectly on the first go, to which Kapu responded with a brow raised in both surprise and respect. Perhaps she really was a messenger from the Gods. Either way, she threw a ladder over the side which unrolled as it fell, wood clunking against wood as the slats clattered down until it hung a little ways in front of him and slightly above the ground. Before he could walk to it the woman, who did not introduce herself yet, leaned over the side and smiled charmingly, saying that she could certainly bring him closer to his destination. If he was okay with missing out on all the tree bark, that was. He chuckled, always appreciative of a good joke, and responded, "Luckily I believe the jungle will have plenty of tree bark to view."
With the brief exchange done and the ladder offered, Kapu walked to it and after pulling once to test the hold of it he scaled it easily, hopping over the side of the ship and landing lightly on the deck. He had never been on an airship before, though he had heard of their existence before leaving the island and had seen a few from afar during his stay in Dirys. It was interesting, to be in a floating ship while above a floating island, all while he could have technically been flying himself. But the Dance was not to be misused, and he had already proven himself by flying to Vieri to begin with. Before he let himself be too impressed with the ship itself he returned his attention to the pilot of it and held out a hand to shake. It wasn't how they greeted people in Kaikoa, but he did know it was a common thing out in the world. "Thank you. What is your name?"
Post by Quinn Connelly on Jun 1, 2018 21:42:11 GMT -7
H
As the boy climbed on-board, Quinn made a point of sorting out just what was so familiar about him. She had a stellar memory, and was certain she had not met him before. She was also certain she'd met no one quite like him before, whom dressed in the styles he wore, or were decorated in the tattoos he bore. His cultural identity was at the tip of her tongue, and she just couldn't quite solve for the answer. And damn if it wasn't going to bother her the whole trip!
As he managed his way up -- seemingly comfortable with the altitude, but not as much with the vehicle -- she appraised him with another look. He offered his hand, and it didn't seem to quite jive with his whole look, making her even more curious. She supposed she could simply ask, but she also supposed that would hardly be fun.
"Name's Quinn, Quinn Connelly," She smirked as she grasped his hand, pulling him a bit forward as she shook it with vigor, "And its my pleasure! Sailing can get a tad lonely anyways. I've always been one for picking up strange strangers. So tell me, did you lose your last ride, Kapueo? Seems pretty lonely down there in the wood."
The woman took his hand easily and enthusiastically shook it, the force pulling him a step forward out of surprise. Quinn Connelly, pilot of flying ships and vigorous shaker of hands, said it was her pleasure and that she found sailing could be a bit lonely. He assumed he was one of these 'strange strangers' to which she referred a moment later, and he was not offended by the description. He had been prepared for people in the outside world to view him as different, but he was intensely proud of his heritage and knew she hadn't meant anything negative by the descriptor.
She continued by asking him if he had lost his last ride, and mentioned that the woods seemed pretty lonely. He got the feeling, from this brief encounter, that Quinn Connelly was a people person. "The woods were... peaceful. I do not mind spending time alone, but I will have plenty of time to be alone during my coming travels. I would never refuse good company and a ride when offered so generously, of course. I have not been on a flying ship before."
Post by Quinn Connelly on Jun 7, 2018 11:12:23 GMT -7
T
he clues began to add up in Quinn's mind, but they weren't quite enough to solve the question of just where she recognized the boy-man's garb or tattoos from. No, there were still more questions -- and thankfully he made himself sound really strange with that last comment, giving her good reason to ask them.
She quirked her head off to one side and raised a single eyebrow in something akin to disbelief. He'd never been on a flying ship! Well, then. That left very few ways he could have gotten to Vieri, and to not have ended up in a city enroute, which were as such:
He rode some kind of magnificent beast that he had since lost or had given permission to depart. There were certainly beasts of the kind - pegasi in Aurcaele, dragons in Fiamont, dragons in Vieri, dragons in -- dragons in a lot of places, to be honest. It was perfectly believable that he'd ridden some kind of majestic flying steed up this far, if not a little impressive. Her eyes briefly moved around him, looking for some sign he'd been with a creature. Traces of animal hair, a tuft of lingering down, or perhaps some kind of rope or rein stuffed haphazardly into a pocket. Nada.
He could have used magic. Most conjurers would aim for their exact destination, which made her doubt he was a conjurer. However, there was the possibility of transmutation, to give him the power of flight. If he'd flown, it would surely explain why he seemed to be traversing from the edge and moving inward. If he could fly like that, though... She had to wonder just why he wasn't flying now.
Perhaps he lived in Vieri, was born here, was raised here, was a man of the woods. It was entirely possible there were a group of humanoids living in seclusion somewhere that Quinn simply didn't know about... But possible didn't mean probable, and Quinn was somewhat of an expert on Vier history. If this was the case, she'd probably need to have a stern talk with the Morrinas archivist.
He was lying, because he had murdered his last ride or something else equally horrible had happened that he did not wish to divulge. This option, Quinn decided, was the least likely, but still held itself fast to the outsides of her mind. She couldn't just dismiss the possibility -- constant vigilance and all that.
"Never before?" She clarified, seeming somewhat aghast as she crouched, and yanked the ladder back up onto the deck, "Kapueo my friend you are in for quite the treat! Nothing quite beats a good skysail." She dusted her hands off on one another and then slapped them onto her thighs in excitement. She was happy to give the lad a good show, and even happier to control the pace of the trip and solve the grand mystery of just what kind of boy this boy was. "But one's gotta wonder," She started back up, "If you didn't get up here on a ship, how in the world'd you make it to our little floating chunk o' rock?"
The woman looked vaguely confused when he spoke, but Kapu wasn't quite sure what it was that caused it. When it came to him there were many things that seemed to confuse the people of the mainland (and now this floating island off the mainland, it seemed) and he was sure she would ask if she truly wanted an answer to whatever plagued her. In the meantime she crouched down to pull the ladder back up and question that he had never been on a flying ship before - ah, he didn't have to wait long for this confusion to sort itself out. He made an affirmative 'hmm' but she was already back to speaking, telling him that he was in for quite a treat. Nothing, she said, beat a good skysail.
He supposed he would find out soon enough whether that was true, but he had to admit that flying under his own volition was one of his favourite things so it was up against solid competition. He was however still interested to see what flying ships were really like. This one was smaller than most he had seen, but he thought he might like it more for that. And Quinn seemed like quite a travel companion.
He had leaned over the side rail to look around - the view was nice even from here, though he was sure the ship would go higher for travelling purposes - when Quinn asked him how he had gotten up here if he hadn't taken a ship. He was still taking in the view and trying to pick out where Archarya's jungle might be as she spoke, but he turned back to face her and replied easily, "I flew. And when I'm done here I will try to make it to Aurcaele as well."
The skin OTHERWORLD was made by JAWN of WICKED WONDERLAND.
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