< 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!
Being in the heart of an enemy fort - no, not an enemy any longer, but still an invader - was keeping Xanthe's nerves on edge as though at any moment they might spring an ambush and strike her down while she was trapped here. That was not the purpose of these talks, and they had shown no current interest in doing such a thing, however she was no diviner and they could simply be very good at acting. The fort itself was so steeped in magic she could feel it thrumming all around her, like electricity but not as familiar to her. She wondered vaguely if allowing the invaders to stay in her country once peace was established would be a mistake. Would she ever feel truly comfortable around them knowing what they had done to her people? To her Atton? As smoothly as Tristan spoke to her, his words reassuring and kind, she couldn't help but think of how easy trust and kindness could be betrayed.
Feofil was watching Fort Fabelle through the divination window as though looking for something, and Gilles was standing as impassively as ever nearby, the two of them having exchanged words (brief, in Gilles' case) while Xanthe and Tristan had been speaking. She looked down to the paper to see that gold scribbles in different loops and shapes had been inscribed to capture their words, and her eye strayed back to the jagged X that had appeared when she herself had spoken. When Tristan, while sharing with the others, said she could knock her fist to the table twice if he misquoted her - assuring her that she would have no need - she almost fired back a retort that she could speak his language well enough to say it out loud if he did such a thing, but she knew even if she spoke in common the paper wouldn't be able to record it. She almost replied that if he should lie or betray her trust by misspeaking it may not be the table that her fist was knocked against, but she held back the retort as threatening violence at a peace talk probably wasn't the way to go.
"It is," she responded instead, speaking in common for the simple phrase. Strangely enough, perhaps because of the magic of the ring, she could hear an echo of it in Attonian to her own ears. With everything settled, for the most part, she pulled out a chair from the table and took a seat. The sooner they discussed this and signed a treaty the sooner she could leave their fort and its overwhelming magics and they would be one step closer to a free Atton.
[attr="class","gilles2"]Gilles was the first to react to Xanthe silently impressing on the pace of the meeting. He appreciated her desire to move forward with the plans, as he desired the same thing. Tristan had not asked Gilles to come to Atton for his prowess in negotiations, certainly. Unlike Xanthe, however, Gilles would not wait quietly. His head turned towards Feofil, who remained peering at Fort Fabelle, and spoke with a gesture: "Your seat, Inspector."
Feofil's shoulders jumped as if spooked, and he pulled himself out of whatever thoughts the visions of surveillance were giving him with a small chuckle and a smile. "Of course, of course," He nodded, taking a seat close to Xanthe and patting the Chief's hand with a reassuring warmth. When the Inspector had settled, he gestured his hands in front of him as if he were brushing dust off the table, and summoned a sheet of parchment in a quick flash of golden smoke. "I hope you will not mind my taking notes for my own reference?"
"Please," Gilles proffered firmly, before finally turning to Tristan expectantly. He assumed it would either be Feofil or Tristan who would begin the process, as certainly he and Xanthe had little in the way of introductory dialogue.
Post by Tristan Cowell on Jul 20, 2018 15:27:28 GMT -7
[attr="class","tcowell"]
[attr="class","tcowell2"]
[attr="class","tcowell3"]REFLECTIONS ON THE MOON
[attr="class","tcowell4"]OF A HEART TORN IN TWO
[attr="class","tcowell5"] Tristan repeated Xanthe's assent for the record, his addendum appearing above that 'X' once more, and then joined her in taking a seat as Gilles insisted Feofil do the same. With all four seated Tristan steepled his hands before him, and spoke carefully, "The four of us, being myself the Imperator of Malscure, Tristan Cowell; the Stormbringer of Rielcia, Gilles; the General Inspector of Niseca, Feofil Peti; and the honoured Chief of the Attonian people, Xanthe; have joined on this, the fourth of the Winter Storm by the international standard calendar, to discuss the Storm Temple Accord, and options towards a peaceable solution in Atton, and Eleusia's involvement therein.
"It should be noted for our record that Chief Xanthe wears a ring that permits her to understand the languages of Common, Malscuri, and Rielcian, and permits my own understanding of Attonian, to allow for precise discussion and understanding amongst all parties."
Tristan paused for a moment, eyes focusing then onto Xanthe herself. He knew that his words needed to be selected cautiously. This meeting had been positive thus far, but there was a clear risk of presumption dissolving that good will. He desired a win. Required it, almost. He would earn it, he decided.
"Chief Xanthe... to speak succinctly: Eleusia feels passionately about the life and freedom of Atton and her people. Eleusia believes that an ancient, spiritual connection exists between our lands, and we want nothing more than to foster intimate relations with your country, in the forms of trade, support, and an eternal peace and partnership, like that Rielcia and Malscure formed nearly four millennia ago. We have waited many long years seeking this very conversation, this very opportunity... I hold hope that you see these desires as optimistic for our nations, and for the peace and success of Atton."
Feofil made no move to join the table until Gilles spooked him out of whatever thoughts he was having by recommending he take his seat. The man sat next to Xanthe and she gave him an appreciative nod when he put his hand over hers. A show of solidarity and support, of which she was glad to have. Once the four of them were seated at the table the true meeting began, and Tristan took point in describing the details and what was meant to be gained. Gilles wasn't much of a talker and neither was Xanthe, and Feofil's place at the meeting was as bystander, so it was only natural that Tristan be the one to speak first. As he did, Xanthe was glad for the ring. She would certainly not have understood what he was saying otherwise, and any verbal translation would have likely cut out on superfluous word choices for the sake of time. Being able to comprehend him would give her a better understanding of who he was, both as a person and as a leader of his people - though his idea of 'succinct' seemed to differ from her own. He spoke almost like Foefil in that regard. How interesting they all were, foils of each other here to discuss peace. She hoped that they would find it, to the benefit of all.
She knew that when she spoke Tristan would be able to understand her, but the others would not. She wasn't sure how much Tristan could be relied upon to remember and translate for the others, so as she spoke she paused after each sentence or so, to give him the opportunity to translate.
"When the invaders first came to my land we sought peace and were instead given war, to which we responded in kind. For years we fought, and yet we were no closer to freedom than when we started. Each day Atton cries out to me to protect it, and in the beginning I believed fighting would be the answer, but not even the might of the storm could protect Atton when every other nation fought against us. But then, not every nation was fighting. The Nisequois and Vieri Peacekeepers helped me to realize that fighting wasn't the only way to win a war. It was with that in mind that I began instead to seek peace. Gilles showed me memories of a prophecy; the goddess Mynie had spoken of a third land, hidden, that would someday join Eleusia. Divination is not my chosen pursuit, but I hope that together we can make that prophecy into reality."
[attr="class","gilles2"]It had been some time since Gilles had been able to sit and listen to Tristan speak. Before Xanthe and Ellis Danton appeared on the very doorstep of Fort Giakohs the man had been in a state that Gilles did not quite understand. He had been angry, severe, an isolationist - though not in the way that Gilles was. The Stormbringer knew it was unhealthy, but he was not of the kind that could help Tristan. No one was, really. Except... Perhaps... Xanthe? If nothing else, Tristan appeared alive at this table, where Gilles had wondered him living dead mere weeks ago.
As Xanthe began her response, Gilles found himself equally impressed. The Xanthe he had met at the Storm Tree had been as word weary as himself, and though he had known the language barrier had been a part of that association, he had also felt a comfort there that he had not felt in ages. The Xanthe here in Giakohs was more a Chief than the other, and though he understood few of her words (she did occasionally mention places that were familiar to him), it was clear she spoke well when the need arose. Even Feofil seemed to have his interest piqued by the command that Xanthe had here, his lips quirking into something of a smile and his throat moving as he swallowed his words. The man wanted to speak, but knew his place. That was good.
As Xanthe spoke, Tristan would relay her words piece by piece, and Gilles nodded with each in understanding. When her words came to an optimistic close, Gilles motioned one hand, lifting it from the table to a slight angle as if he needed to call attention to his monstrous size. "Our place in Atton has been... As guardian. Our enemies... Your own. Invasion from foreign oceans is... Not strange to us."
Post by Tristan Cowell on Jul 27, 2018 14:24:10 GMT -7
[attr="class","tcowell"]
[attr="class","tcowell2"]
[attr="class","tcowell3"]REFLECTIONS ON THE MOON
[attr="class","tcowell4"]OF A HEART TORN IN TWO
[attr="class","tcowell5"] "Yes," Tristan made an effort to pick up where Gilles' stilted slobber had stopped, "Our work has been centered on removing others from Atton. We aren't certain how much you know about the motivations of the invaders here, Xanthe. However, that would be information we could be happy to trade. As you can see, our surveillance is unmatched.
"Of course... We also aren't quite advised on the content of the treaty you have already entered. It may seem a trifle to you, but these documents hold more weight than one might imagine for mere parchment, and what agreements have already been made shall be expected by the international world at large to be upheld by those who have signed, including Atton."
Gilles spoke and the ring worked its magic, translating his words smoothly into her own tongue for her. She felt that perhaps his mention of invasion was in reference to the other memories he had shown her - Aurcaele and their attempt at forced conversion of his people. Had she not already signed an accord with them, her position towards them may have changed because of it. Regardless, her view of them had already been coloured by their ruthless attacks on her people. The likes of which, Gilles and Tristan assured her, Malscure and Rielcia had not committed. That was why it was so important that they reached peace with Aurcaele, of course. Their army was strong and as Tristan said the treaty document held much weight to the invaders. She did not know all of their language or indeed all of their politics, but she knew that it was better for her country to have their strength working for her country, rather than against.
He may not have meant for his words to insult her, but it became clear as he spoke that they did.
"I know what the invaders want," Xanthe replied in common, her words confident, wanting to make a point in a language all three of them could understand. Their motivations were clear enough for her, though in the end it didn't matter why the invaders had done anything, only that it had been done. They want to take Atton. Even you - protectors, guardians - do so because you want Atton." Surely he couldn't deny it. It wasn't through altruism but through a desire to have Atton as part of Eleusia that they worked to remove the other invaders from her land. And that was assuming that what they said was true. She continued in Attonian, the rest of it requiring a mastery of language she didn't have yet in Common but the message just as important. "I do not take these treaties lightly, nor did I take lightly the choice to pursue peace. The future of my people is not a trifle. I know what this will cost Atton, and I know it will not be more than the price that has already been paid. Any promises I make will be upheld by all of Atton, and I expect the same."
She looked to Feofil and added again in Common, "Can you bring the treaty?" The treaty being the one they had signed with Aurcaele, of course. As she recalled they had left room to add further countries and standards to it, anticipating this very thing, so they would have to see it anyway. Feofil was a conjurer so she assumed he could just poof it there, if he hadn't already thought to bring it. Admittedly, Xanthe herself hadn't brought it with her (she hadn't gone back to the broken temple fort since before she had even met Gilles) but she hoped he had been more on the ball about it. That was after all why she had wanted to bring him, for all of the bureaucratic parts she was unfamiliar with. Tristan was right in that she didn't initially understand why it was scribbled out in their written language on such a flimsy-looking thing but he was wrong to assume that meant she didn't take it seriously. The invaders had made it clear that writing it out was how they would take it seriously, and that was enough for her to treat it with the importance it deserved.
[attr="class","gilles2"]Gilles remained silent as he admired Xanthe's intellect. He had known quite well that the indigenous of Atton were far from the savages some invaders told tales of, that isolation and a lack of opportunity for a share in language was key to their purported barbarism. With the Rielcian ring, however, that was all expunged. Now Atton's chief could speak with authority: She was already commanding Feofil.
The Nisequois Inspector nodded in response to Xanthe's request, leveling an observant glance at the Eleusians prior to spreading his hands out on the table, fingers splaying gently with the movement. From his fingertips and palms appeared a golden light which burned at the edges of a newly appeared expanse of parchment, magicking the Aurcaele-backed treaty into existence.
"A copy," Feofil casually mentioned as Gilles leaned over to observe the clean signature of Pelagia Xista repeated throughout the treaty's statements. Gilles quirked a brow, his lip cocking to a small smirk as he met Feofil's eyes with a questioning glance.
"We observe laws," Gilles assured, moving his eyes to Tristan to see what conclusions the brains among them would come to.
Post by Tristan Cowell on May 2, 2019 8:12:10 GMT -7
[attr="class","tcowell"]
[attr="class","tcowell2"]
[attr="class","tcowell3"]REFLECTIONS ON THE MOON
[attr="class","tcowell4"]OF A HEART TORN IN TWO
[attr="class","tcowell5"] Smiling pleasantly Tristan proffered his hands to Feofil, inviting the document from across the table. Feofil appeared to hesitate for a moment, glancing sidelong at Xanthe, before smiling and jostling his fingers and palm once more. With the somatic command the treaty disappeared from before him, and reappeared before the Imperator, who began to pore over the words with delicacy.
It was an interesting agreement, and one that had clearly been made with strong input from the peacekeepers themselves. Pelagia Xista seemed nearly absent here in ways other than her signature, and it made Tristan curious what her goals were. He simply could not entertain the thought that she had surrendered, and definitively not that she had turned over a new leaf. There was an angle she was playing within the words that he wasn't quite seeing.
One point struck him, however. The matter of Fort Fabelle. The treaty permitted its permanence, while eschewing all other locations -- save for the Temple Fort, which was only a temporary habitation and reconstruction project. Tristan could see how such permanence would allow Aurcaele to do what it had done in the past. As all else departed the land by force of the new treaty, Aurcaele would be the last connection to the rest of Fortuna. They could transform the fort into a church once the war had ended, and use their clout as the proud, first name upon the accord to show the superiority of Ayniea over even the Gods of Atton. Xanthe, of course, would stand against such things... But as soon as one or two minds fell to conversion, it could easily become an avalanche of change. It had happened before.
Whether or not conversion was the intent of Xista's strategy it would be Tristan's angle.
"Hm," He finally uttered, raising his eyes to meet with Gilles' purposefully. The Kina knew to raise his eyes with equal purpose, even if he did not understand what it truly meant. Then, Tristan shifted to Feofil, "And it was you who facilitated this agreement, Inspector?"
Feofil paused, trying to gather insight on Tristan, as the Imperator had just done on Pelagia. Eventually he forced a smile and nodded, "You are correct, Imperator."
"I find that interesting. Chief Xanthe, I would very much appreciate your thoughts on this document and how it came to be. Would you indulge me?"
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.